Chapter 18: A Leaf Blinds the Eyes from Seeing Mount Tai

Boom!

Lu Zheng's eyes widened. His heart, which had just begun to recover, was mercilessly struck once again.

"There truly is a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, but... but it's not me..."

As the "former Ninth-Grade Spirit Root," how could he possibly bear such a crushing disappointment? His vital energy surged within him, and he couldn't hold it back any longer. He spewed a large mouthful of blood mist, collapsing to the ground and convulsing uncontrollably.

Xu Yining was also deeply affected. Her fists clenched tightly, unable to accept it. "Is there really a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root in Lone Boat City?" she asked. "Or is there something wrong with the testing tower?"

Vice Pavilion Master Chen replied, "While I'm unsure why the testing tower's bronze ruler incorrectly identified a mediocre mid-tier Third-Grade talent as a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, there is indeed a true Ninth-Grade Spirit Root in Lone Boat City. The daughter of the Azure Cloud Sect Master met them not long ago and even admitted to being inferior. However..."

Vice Pavilion Master Chen frowned. Although Liu Qingxian had mentioned leaving the Azure Cloud Token with that person, if the individual doesn't actively display it, how can he know?

"Fine!" he thought. He would have to call Liu Qingxian back, as she was the only one who had seen the Ninth-Grade Spirit Root. Only she could help him find them.

Xu Yining's recently lightened mood became heavy again. Clenching her fists, she declared, "I also want to know who this Ninth-Grade Spirit Root truly is!"

Hearing this, Chen Zhengdao glanced at her and, considering her Sixth-Grade Spirit Root, advised earnestly, "Calm your mind. This Ninth-Grade Spirit Root is very special. Your Sixth-Grade Spirit Root is incomparable, and even my Eighth-Grade Spirit Root pales in comparison. If you can get to know him, it would be the fortune of your lifetime." The implication was clear: Xu Yining was only fit to look up to such a person and had no right to compare herself.

Xu Yining's expression showed surprise. Even an Eighth-Grade Spirit Root was vastly inferior? Then wouldn't her Sixth-Grade Spirit Root be even more disproportionate? Reflecting on this, she began to accept it. If a Vice Pavilion Master had resigned himself to this fact, what was her humble Sixth-Grade Spirit Root by comparison? She couldn't help but fantasize about the remarkable demeanor of that Ninth-Grade Spirit Root prodigy. "He must be a dragon among men, invincible in the world, right?" she murmured.

Suddenly, she caught sight of Jiang Fan, standing still with his chin resting on his hand, deep in thought, and found the sight irritating. He had stolen the limelight today. His cultivation at the sixth level of Qi Refining was particularly impressive. But the more impressive he became, the more it highlighted her past misjudgment, didn't it?

"Jiang Fan, are you very proud after defeating the 'Ninth-Grade Spirit Root'?" Xu Yining's face was as cold as frost as she said, "Lu Zheng hasn't truly focused on cultivating these past few years; his mind has been elsewhere. His foundation is unstable, and his swordsmanship is far from mastery. Your victory over him means nothing."

Jiang Fan snapped out of his thoughts. He had merely been pondering who the Ninth-Grade Spirit Root Chen Zhengdao referred to might be. If even the Azure Cloud Sect Master's daughter admitted inferiority, the person must be truly exceptional. He wondered how his Transparent Spirit Root compared to their Ninth-Grade Spirit Root.

Upon hearing her words, he merely glanced at Xu Yining and then disregarded them. He turned to Xu Youran, smiled, and wrote, "Surprised?"

Xu Youran looked at Jiang Fan, her eyes sparkling, and nodded repeatedly. "Xiao Fan, you're truly amazing!"

Jiang Fan's complete disregard for Xu Yining, focusing solely on Xu Youran, made her inexplicably uncomfortable. She felt as though she was being outshone by her older sister, Xu Youran. This left Xu Yining feeling rather uneasy.

Just then, Chen Zhengdao also rose and departed. Without waiting for the Xu family to see him off, he leaped onto a flying eagle and soared into the sky.

Xu Zhengyan exhaled slowly and slumped into a chair. "Thank goodness Vice Pavilion Master Chen is so benevolent," he sighed. "He didn't pursue the matter of us impersonating a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root. Otherwise, our Xu family would have been in serious trouble." He had been thoroughly terrified moments ago.

Lu Zheng, who had been convulsing for a while but was now somewhat recovered, also wore a look of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped disaster. Although he was no longer a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, at least Vice Pavilion Master Chen hadn't punished him.

But the matter wasn't over yet!

A furious roar exploded out of nowhere!

"Lu Zheng!!!"

Everyone's bodies trembled. Following the sound, they saw Qin Changsheng, his features distorted with rage, looking as if he wanted to devour someone. His hair stood on end, his fists clenched, and he roared, "You trash!"

Lu Zheng wasn't the one who suffered the biggest loss this time. At most, he was merely exposed for what he was. Qin Changsheng, however, was a different story. From the start, he had clung to Lu Zheng, placing massive bets. Now that Lu Zheng was exposed, whether he lost face was secondary. The initial ten bottles of low-grade Qi Refining fluid were one thing. But earlier, when he came to offer congratulations, he had brought an exorbitant gift worth 300,000 silver taels! Crucially, Lu Zheng had even grandly distributed all the low-grade Qi Refining fluid, and it had all been consumed. There was no way to return it!

Lu Zheng flinched, his face paling. "Patriarch Qin, please calm your anger," he stammered. "I... I'll find a way to return it to you." He was filled with intense regret. If only he had listened to Jiang Fan and not accepted the gifts right away.

"Return it? What will you use?" Qin Changsheng's eyes were bloodshot; he wished he could strangle Lu Zheng. He had believed the Qin family could rely on Lu Zheng and the Soul Master behind him. That was why he had invested an astronomical 300,000 silver taels in gifts. As a result, all his efforts were for naught!

Seeing Qin Changsheng's complete change in demeanor, Lu Zheng finally realized that the Qin family was one of Lone Boat City's four great noble families. Normally, someone as insignificant as him couldn't possibly have hoped to attach himself to them. With a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, it would have been acceptable, but without it, he was utterly worthless in their eyes. Instantly, he was too terrified to speak, hiding behind Wang Yingfeng.

"Within three days, you will gather that money and return it to me," Qin Changsheng snarled. "Otherwise, don't blame me for being merciless!" His body trembled as he unleashed the powerful cultivation of a first-level Foundation Establishment expert. The Xu family members present were terrified by this display of power. The Xu family was merely a mid-tier family; how could they possibly withstand the Qin family's immense wrath? Lu Zheng was even more helpless against it. If no one protected him, Qin Changsheng would surely kill him.

After Qin Changsheng left, Xu Zhengyan glared hatefully at Lu Zheng. "You menace! Get out! The Xu family has no place for an ungrateful wretch like you!" He was utterly furious. Not only had he failed to be elevated by Lu Zheng, but he had also lost all face and become the laughingstock of the entire city. Now, he was even burdened with an astronomical debt of 300,000 silver taels!

Wang Yingfeng, fiercely protective, threw a tantrum. "You Xu! If you dare to kick Zhenger out, then kick me out too!" She collapsed to the ground, kicking her legs and wailing loudly.

As soon as Xu Zhengyan saw her tantrum, he was at a loss. "So you want the Xu family to bear this debt?" he asked. "That's 300,000 silver taels! Do you want the entire clan to starve?"

Wang Yingfeng was speechless. Yet, still determined to protect her nephew, she argued, "Th-this can't be blamed on Zhenger. It's all... it's all Jiang Fan's fault! Yes, if Jiang Fan hadn't been next to Lu Zheng, bringing bad luck, would Zhenger have mistakenly believed he possessed a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root?"

Hearing such illogical nonsense, Xu Zhengyan couldn't help but feel angry. Even though he generally disliked Jiang Fan, he felt Jiang Fan was being unfairly blamed. He couldn't help but speak fairly, "No matter how you look at it, Lu Zheng brought this upon himself! This debt, Lu Zheng will repay himself!"

Seeing that her tantrum was useless, Wang Yingfeng unleashed all her resentment on Jiang Fan. "Why didn't you go easy on Lu Zheng just now?" she demanded. "If you had gone easy on him, none of this would have happened, would it?"

Xu Youran also grew angry. "Aunt Wang! What you're saying is completely out of line!" she exclaimed. "Lu Zheng was clearly the one chasing and bullying Xiao Fan, and now you're blaming *him*?"

Seeing this young girl also talk back to her, Wang Yingfeng grew even angrier. "You're rebelling, aren't you!" she roared. "Fine, fine! Do you two really think you're a married couple, ganging up to bully me? Let me tell you, your marriage isn't even close to being finalized! Jiang Fan, within three days, you will present the betrothal gifts to me. If I'm not satisfied, don't even think about this marriage happening!"

Hearing this, Xu Youran's face paled. With Wang Yingfeng so enraged at Jiang Fan, the small sum of fragmented silver she had previously given him would definitely not be enough. She bit her red lip, about to yield and offer an apology, but Jiang Fan held her hand, stopping her. With his other hand, he unceremoniously picked up a brush and wrote:

"If the betrothal gifts satisfy you, will you then shut your mouth?"