Chapter 215: A Series of Flirtatious Remarks

As soon as Xu Xiaoshou finished speaking, the entire scene fell into an abrupt silence.

Everyone seemed to sense the strong confidence in his tone, as if he had absolute faith in his own future path.

"Did I hear that wrong?"

Xiao Qixiu was stunned. He glanced at the Meng Mian Ren, then back at Xu Xiaoshou, and suddenly realized that if he were a few decades younger, perhaps...

He wouldn't have been able to say something like that!

Sang Lao's lips curved into a smile. Others might not believe it, but he had no doubts at all.

This was one of the reasons he had taken a liking to Xu Xiaoshou in the first place. On the surface, the guy seemed unreliable, but deep down, he had that unyielding spirit and confidence...

Truth be told, it was only a notch below his own.

Everyone was shocked, and even Jiang Bian Yan looked at the young man in front of her with newfound respect.

To make such bold claims in front of the "Sheng Nu" leader, who wielded a famous sword and commanded the mountains, was no small feat.

"Youngster, do you even know who stands before you?"

Unlike the reactions of the Ling Gong crowd, Cen Qiaofu was so infuriated by this arrogance that his beard trembled.

"Oh? Who is it?"

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up. Truth be told, this question had been bothering him for a while.

If this elder could clear it up for him, he'd be truly grateful.

"He is..."

The Meng Mian Ren quickly raised a hand, stopping Cen Qiaofu from saying more.

He wouldn't reveal his identity himself, especially with an outsider still present!

Xu Xiaoshou's confidence only made him like the boy even more.

This kid really hit the mark!

"You've seen Lei Shuang Xing before. If you come with me, you'll encounter even more talents like him," the Meng Mian Ren persuaded.

"That blind guy?" Xu Xiaoshou paused for a moment. "Is he still alive?"

Even with Lei Shuang Xing being a Jian Zong, surviving Ye Xiaotian's attack amid the spatial fragments was no sure thing.

The Meng Mian Ren seemed taken aback, and before he could respond, he heard the young man on the ground add,

"If he's still alive, please pass on a message: he needs to work on his mindset. That guy..."

"Can't handle provocation. He's too impulsive!"

Ye Xiaotian's lips twitched, barely holding back a laugh as he imagined the expressions on the other two's faces.

Sure enough, as soon as the words were out, Cen Qiaofu staggered back.

That little blind one was the most composed junior Cen Qiaofu had ever met. Even with him, aside from a polite "senior," there was hardly any interaction.

Impulsive?

What a joke!

The Meng Mian Ren was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say.

Xu Xiaoshou and Lei Shuang Xing had met, so did that mean they'd clashed?

"Impulsive, huh..."

Mumbling absentmindedly, the Meng Mian Ren realized he had no more words to sway this seemingly unshakable young man.

"I'll give you one last chance."

He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Come with me, and I'll ensure you break through to Jian Zong within a year!"

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

Jian Zong!

In just a year!

That was no ordinary feat.

Everyone knew that cultivating sword intent relied purely on comprehension and fate.

For this Meng Mian Ren to make such a bold promise about a realm breakthrough was astonishing.

Xiao Qixiu's heart raced with shock.

Even he wouldn't dare make such a guarantee. If he had to start over and cultivate again, he couldn't say he'd have that kind of confidence.

"A year, huh?"

Everyone watched as Xu Xiaoshou lowered his head, seemingly tempted.

...Tempted?

Xu Xiaoshou only needed to think with his two big toes to know that gathering enough passive points wouldn't take a year.

Not even a month!

"One year is a bit long..."

Xu Xiaoshou muttered unconsciously. Seeing the odd looks on everyone's faces, he quickly added, "I'm just stating the facts—don't misunderstand me."

The Meng Mian Ren: ???

Misunderstand?

How could anyone misunderstand that?

"Under suspicion, passive points, 7."

This hit not only struck the "Sheng Nu" duo hard but also made the Ling Gong side feel that Xu Xiaoshou was going too far.

This was taking teasing to a whole new level!

"Hahaha..."

Qiao Qian Zhi finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, thumping Xu Xiaoshou on the head. "Kid, you're overdoing it. You need to tone it down."

Tone it down?

Xu Xiaoshou peeked out from behind Elder Qiao, eyeing the Meng Mian Ren's fiery gaze, and timidly suggested, "How about a month..."

Why was that guy smoking?

"Or half a year?"

"Half a year to break through to Jian Zong, and I'd... consider it?"

Cen Qiaofu's face turned pale, drained of color by the anger.

"You brat, you're mocking us!"

His rage boiled over, and he could no longer hold back. He swung his axe.

Whoosh.

But before the strike could land, invisible flames ignited on him again, making him recoil in fear as he struggled to suppress them.

"Again?"

Sang Lao smirked sinisterly. If it came to a fight, he wasn't afraid.

It would be a shame to damage Tian Sang Ling Gong, but they could always rebuild and recruit more disciples.

No big deal!

The Meng Mian Ren was also fuming at Xu Xiaoshou's escalating boldness, but that arrogance...

"You're just like me in my younger days. I admire you!"

"Thanks."

Xu Xiaoshou poked his head out again, paused, and added, "But you're the second person to say that to me."

"Hmm?"

The Meng Mian Ren was curious. "The second?"

Xu Xiaoshou turned to look at Sang Lao, who happened to glance over at that moment.

The scene fell silent once more.

The atmosphere grew awkwardly tense.

Sang Lao's face flushed, and he quickly lowered his straw hat.

This kid...

He dished out criticism without regard for friend or foe. Was he toxic?

"Hih... uh!"

Qiao Qian Zhi stifled his laugh just in time, avoiding any further trouble.

Offending Sang Lao was worse than offending the Meng Mian Ren. At least the latter wasn't a permanent fixture at Ling Gong, but who knew what petty revenge the old man might cook up? It would be a nightmare.

Just then, everyone turned their heads in unison, looking toward the distant sky.

Jiang Bian Yan's face lit up with joy. "They're here."

The "Sheng Nu" duo's expressions changed instantly, realizing they couldn't linger—the white-robed figures from Sheng Shen Hall were on their way.

"Let's go!"

Cen Qiaofu urged, knowing that if they didn't leave now, they might not escape at all.

The Meng Mian Ren still hesitated. "Wen Ming..."

"Didn't you say that was the last chance? Are you going back on it?" Xu Xiaoshou interrupted.

The Meng Mian Ren: ...

"Under a curse, passive points, 1."

He gave up completely, wondering why he had been so fixated on that boy earlier. The kid was toxic!

Had he misjudged?

With a sigh, the two prepared to leave, but Xu Xiaoshou suddenly called out, "Wait, maybe I can go with you?"

Several gazes shot toward him like arrows, making Xu Xiaoshou feel uneasy. But by now, he could sense the anomaly in the distance.

With such powerful figures approaching, why wasn't anyone stopping them?

He was confused.

"Changed your mind?"

Facing the Meng Mian Ren's skeptical look, Xu Xiaoshou said seriously, "On one condition."

"What condition?"

The Meng Mian Ren's lips curled into a smirk. All that bravado, and in the end, the temptation was too much?

"Give me the sword in your hand, and I'll go with you!"

Everyone froze, even Sang Lao showing a spark of interest.

"You little brat, dreaming big?" Cen Qiaofu laughed in disbelief. This kid thought he was something special? He wasn't even worth a single hair on that sword!

Wait...

That sword didn't even have hair...

The Meng Mian Ren chuckled. "Fine, as long as you come with me, the sword is yours."

Cen Qiaofu was shocked. "Are you insane?"

"You give me the sword first, then I'll go with you," Xu Xiaoshou said calmly.

"Hah!"

"So you really are toying with me?"

The Meng Mian Ren's body trembled with anger. He finally realized this young man had never been tempted—he was just messing with him the whole time!

He raised his snow sword, nearly charging forward to seize him by force.

"Hold back!"

Cen Qiaofu grabbed his hand desperately. If they kept this up, they might get stuck here because of a brat.

"Let go!"

"We need to leave first!"

"Let go!"

"Leave now!"

"I know..." The Meng Mian Ren's face darkened, his voice shaking. "But the fire on you is spreading to me!"