"You're spewing nonsense, you little slut, you're spouting lies, fabricating facts!"
Jin Hongsu pointed at Su Meinan and cursed vehemently. Then, she cast flirtatious glances at the young man dressed in snow-white, whose features were as exquisite as a painting. "Esteemed Young Immortal, you've witnessed firsthand what they did to this humble servant. Please, oh please, uphold justice for me!"
Upon seeing this, the white-robed man frowned slightly, clearly unbothered by Jin Hongsu's vulgar and coarse language.
"Hmph, let's find out who's truly spewing nonsense. With so many people here, everyone has witnessed it!"
Su Meinan said, hands on her hips. "Everyone, you are all witnesses. Please render a clear judgment on who is right and who is wrong!"
"That's right, the little sister with the big eyes is correct. Initially, the stable hand disguised in horsehide was indeed brought here by the woman in red!"
"This woman in red was extremely arrogant, frequently beating and scolding the stable hand along the way. It truly incensed everyone!"
"Although a stable hand cannot be called a person, they are at least living beings. Treating them in such a manner is indeed excessive!"
Despite the fact that the Immortal Hidden Realm cultivated the path of "Tai Shang Wang Qing" (Supreme Detachment from Emotions), these young talents were still youths. Their sense of justice had not been completely eroded by their cultivation. One after another, they stepped forward, accusing Jin Hongsu.
Jin Hongsu's face turned from red to white. The white-robed man's frown deepened. He thought to himself, could it be that my good intentions have led to a mistake?
However, at that very moment, Chen Xiao suddenly spoke, "I am the one who turned her into a stable hand. What do you intend to do about it?"
His words stunned everyone. What did this person mean? So arrogant!
It seemed that he was in the right initially, but with this statement, even his rightful position was now in question.
The white-robed man said, "I am Li Shouzhen, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect. I seem to have misunderstood you just now. Please do not take offense, sir!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of commotion erupted from the crowd.
This person was actually the Holy Son of the Earth Sect!
It was well known that throughout the southern region, the Earth Sect was the leading power. Naturally, its Holy Son was the crème de la crème among the young talents.
Li Shouzhen heard the whispers from the crowd. While his expression remained neutral, a hint of pride flickered in his eyes.
Although he was ashamed to admit it, he truly reveled in the feeling of being adored by everyone.
"Heh, so what if you're the Holy Son of the Earth Sect? Do you think you've lived long enough to dare disrupt my affairs?"
Chen Xiao said coldly.
Everyone was dumbfounded. This person was too audacious! How dare he speak to the Holy Son of the Earth Sect like that?
And let's not forget, this was the Earth Sect's territory!
Even if the onlookers couldn't discern Chen Xiao's strength, daring to act against the Holy Son of the Earth Sect on their own turf was a surefire path to death!
Jin Hongsu inwardly laughed with triumph. After hearing the identity of the Earth Sect's Holy Son, she had thought she was doomed. Who would have thought this person in the black robe would court his own demise?
Indeed, associating with idiots only leads to more idiots. Su Meinan is an idiot, so what kind of person could her companion be!
"Sir, what do you mean by that?"
Li Shouzhen frowned and asked Chen Xiao.
He wasn't particularly angered, but rather wondered where this person had emerged from. Could it be that he had never even heard of the title "Holy Son of the Earth Sect"?
"I mean nothing. You've disrupted my plans, and that makes me very unhappy. You have two choices now: either disappear before me immediately, or exchange a few moves with me. I'd like to see what kind of ability you, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, possess!"
Chen Xiao said calmly.
"Heh, since that is the case, then I shall have the honor of experiencing your masterful skills. However, may I ask for your esteemed name?"
Li Shouzhen held his long sword and performed a sword flourish, producing a crisp clanging sound.
"Holy Son of the True Martial Sect, Li Beiwu!"
As he spoke, Chen Xiao also produced a long sword. However, it was not his Yitian Sword, but a long sword he had casually picked up when leaving the True Martial Sect.
The sword still bore the emblem of the True Martial Sect, further solidifying his identity as the Holy Son of the True Martial Sect.
"Holy Son of the True Martial Sect? Have you heard of the True Martial Sect?"
"No, who knows where this obscure sect came from?"
"I seem to recall my master mentioning that the True Martial Sect is merely a mid-to-weak small sect. Where does their Holy Son get the courage to even spar with the Holy Son of the Earth Sect?"
The crowd murmured, their faces filled with disdain, all believing that 'Li Beiwu' was committing suicide.
In this way, Chen Xiao's objective was achieved.
He did not wish to reveal his identity, so he would reinforce the identity of 'Li Beiwu'.
Therefore, the more outrageous the actions, the more he would undertake them. After all, it was Li Beiwu doing it; what did it have to do with Chen Xiao?
"Heh, so you are a junior brother from the True Martial Sect. Very well, today, I, Li Shouzhen, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, shall have the honor of experiencing your True Martial Swordplay!"
Li Shouzhen, as the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, naturally had heard of the True Martial Sect.
However, he had never taken a small sect like the True Martial Sect seriously. After all, the strongest expert in the True Martial Sect was merely at the Void Comprehension realm.
And he, too, was at the Void Comprehension realm!
"True Martial Swordplay, Breaking Sword Style!"
Chen Xiao formed his fingers into a sword, and his True Essence transformed into sword energy. He controlled the sharp sword, which turned into a long rainbow in mid-air, heading straight for Li Shouzhen.
This was a sword technique of the True Martial Sect, and also the only one Chen Xiao had mastered from the True Martial Sect. After all, Li Beiwu had met his demise after using this move.
"Hmm? True Essence? You actually possess the strength of the Void Comprehension realm?"
Li Shouzhen's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
Based on his understanding of the True Martial Sect, Void Comprehension realm experts were all esteemed elders of the sect. How could a mere Holy Son possess the strength of the Void Comprehension realm?
A Holy Son represented talent and potential, representing the future, not the present!
Even he, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, was the same!
Therefore, Li Beiwu's ability to use True Essence greatly surprised Li Shouzhen.
However, he had no time to ponder further. The sharp sword was already flying towards him. He hastily raised his sword to block, and his surging True Essence transformed into a barrier, shielding him.
Even though the opponent could use True Essence, Li Shouzhen was not afraid, as he himself could also use True Essence.
However, the next moment, Li Shouzhen was stunned.
With a crisp crack, the flying long sword pierced through his barrier. His barrier, formed by True Essence, was like paper; it offered no resistance at all.
True Essence and True Essence are also different!
Chen Xiao's True Essence, from its inception, could rival that of the Void Comprehension realm of the demon race, and the Void Comprehension realm of the demon race was far stronger than that of human cultivators.
Coupled with Chen Xiao's recent breakthrough, his True Essence had been further strengthened. How could Li Shouzhen possibly resist?
Swish... Clang!
Li Shouzhen's long sword fell to the ground, along with his right hand.
This scene was exactly the same as when Chen Xiao had broken Jin Hongsu's right hand earlier.
"Ah—"
Li Shouzhen clutched his severed wrist and let out a low groan, his face contorted in pain.
The surrounding crowd was stunned. How, how was this possible?
The dignified Holy Son of the Earth Sect couldn't even defeat the Holy Son of an unknown sect?
And that unknown sect had produced a Holy Son at the Void Comprehension realm?
This, this, this... this is truly a heaven-sent prodigy! Why was such talent not accepted into the Earth Sect?
The onlookers' minds were filled with question marks; they were all utterly dumbfounded.
"Do you want to continue fighting... you've already lost!"
Chen Xiao looked at Li Shouzhen and said indifferently.
But to the bystanders, these words were incredibly provocative!
Fortunately, Li Shouzhen was not a bystander, nor was he brainless.
From that single sword strike, he knew he was no match for this 'Li Beiwu'. 138 Reading Network
"Junior Brother Li's strength is extraordinary. I, Li Shouzhen, admit defeat!"
Li Shouzhen gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Chen Xiao. "We shall meet at the Heavenly Pride Competition! Farewell!"
With that, he beckoned, and his severed hand flew into his grasp. Then, he transformed into a stream of light and vanished into the great path.
Chen Xiao's lips curved into a slight smile. He did not stop Li Shouzhen from leaving.
Severing his hand was the limit. If he had truly killed him, the Earth Sect would not have stood idly by.
At that point, things would have become troublesome, and it would have been more trouble than it was worth for Chen Xiao.
"You, you, you..."
Jin Hongsu pointed at Chen Xiao, her eyes filled with terror. "You're not..."
She wanted to say, "You're not Li Beiwu," because she knew that Li Beiwu was the mortal enemy of Su Meinan's clan. If this person were truly Li Beiwu, how could Su Meinan be with him?
However, after she uttered the words "You're not," her throat tightened, and she could no longer speak.
Because Chen Xiao knew what she was about to say, and naturally, he wouldn't let her say it.
"Let's go."
Chen Xiao said to Su Meinan indifferently.
Su Meinan pursed her lips and followed Chen Xiao behind, her heart filled with trepidation.
She had never imagined that Chen Xiao would dare to sever the hand of the Holy Son of the Earth Sect. This person was simply too audacious.
However, he was also truly formidable!
After the backs of the two disappeared down the great path, Jin Hongsu finally tilted her neck and died.
Traveling north for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, the two arrived at Houtu City, the foremost major city in the southern region of the Immortal Hidden Realm.
As expected of a foremost major city, the city gate tower was tall and magnificent, far superior to the low city walls of Zhenwu Town.
Moreover, Chen Xiao noticed that intricate and complex array patterns were carved onto the city walls, appearing to be for defense against enemies.
This caused Chen Xiao some confusion. In the Immortal Hidden Realm, everyone cultivated "Tai Shang Wang Qing," and wars simply did not occur. Who were these city walls and defensive formations meant to counter?
Chen Xiao asked Su Meinan. As expected, Su Meinan's eyes widened in surprise. "What? What array patterns? Where are the array patterns? So city walls are for defending against enemies? I thought they were just for grandeur and appearance..."
"..."
Chen Xiao, "Forget I said anything!"
This girl not only lacked knowledge but also had a rather precarious level of intelligence. Chen Xiao once again felt he had chosen the wrong follower.