Chapter 72

Chapter 72: United Against the Enemy

Chen Ansheng was forcibly retained by Nan Gong Xiu at Qian Yue Cave.

According to her, as long as there was a better place to go, she would not be violating her oath with Li Zhengyang (note: this refers to the modifications in the earlier text, see Chapter 33 for details).

As one of the spiritual caves of Ninefold Flower Mountain, Bi Yan Cave was certainly no worse than Qian Yue Cave.

Moreover, since he was a Sword Body, it would obviously be more suitable for him to cultivate in a sword cultivators’ cave.

Thus, Chen Ansheng sized up the young man and cupped his hands, saying, “May I ask your esteemed name, brother?”

The young man replied generously, “Oh, I’m called Yao Jianyuan.”

Chen Ansheng nodded, “I am Chen Ansheng, pleased to meet you.”

However, Chen Ansheng thought that seeking introduction to Bi Yan Cave through this person might not work, as he was seated in this corner and presumably had little standing in Bi Yan Cave.

Yao Jianyuan cupped his hands and said, “Brother Chen, if you are interested in joining Bi Yan Cave, I can help introduce you. By the way, the cave master of Bi Yan Cave, Yao Qingtian, is our Second Uncle.”

Chen Ansheng: “……”

Is that true?

If the cave master is your Second Uncle, how come you are sitting in such a shabby position?

Seeing Chen Ansheng’s stiff expression, Yao Jianyuan knew he didn’t believe him, so he said, “It’s true! If Brother Chen doesn’t believe me, I can just call my Second Uncle right now.”

Then, Yao Jianyuan stood up and shouted toward the main seat on the battle stage in the distance, “Second Uncle, I’m calling you out—are you brave enough to respond?”

Chen Ansheng: “!!!”

Is this guy out of his mind?

However, to Chen Ansheng’s surprise, a voice truly came from the battle stage in the distance: “You little brat, what are you shouting about? Are you itching for a beating?”

This voice avoided the ears of most people on the square, but Chen Ansheng, sitting next to Yao Jianyuan, heard it clearly.

“No worries, just sending greetings to you.” Yao Jianyuan laughed broadly.

“Be good, or I’ll break your legs for causing trouble at the conference.” A gruff reprimand came through.

Yao Jianyuan pretended not to hear and raised an eyebrow at Chen Ansheng: “Did you hear that, Brother Chen? That person just now is my Second Uncle, the cave master of Bi Yan Cave.”

Chen Ansheng nearly fell over, repeatedly saying, “I heard, I heard. But I don’t understand why you want to help me, Brother Yao.”

Yao Jianyuan said casually, “What do you mean by help? Brother Chen, you are a dignified top-quality Sword Body, a superior pure sword body among sword bodies. Recruiting you to strengthen our sect is just a matter of course.”

Chen Ansheng felt a bit unsure, saying, “I suppose my top-quality Sword Body is just barely decent. If Brother Yao is willing to introduce me, I shall dare to give it a try to see if I can pass the assessment.”

Yao Jianyuan nodded, “Alright, it’s settled then. After this conference, I’ll help you with the introduction. However, having a physique is one thing; whether you have comprehension and potential is another. Passing the assessment still depends on you.”

Chen Ansheng immediately cupped his hands, “I understand. Thank you, Brother Yao.”

As the two chatted idly, the celestial beasts in the sky over the square had almost scattered, and the attendees had mostly arrived.

The Ninefold Flower Conference was about to begin.

“Brother Yao, with your status, why would you come to this corner to watch the conference?”

Chen Ansheng felt bored, so he asked idly.

“Tch.” Yao Jianyuan wore a dismissive expression, saying, “I’ve participated in this shabby conference more than ten times, and there’s nothing to see. It’s more comfortable hiding behind these columns and taking a nap.”

“So you’re intentionally doing that, Brother Yao.” Chen Ansheng understood immediately. He himself was a bit curious about what the contest among talented cultivators in the spiritual caves would be like.

Yao Jianyuan lazily reclined on the chair, saying, “Brother Chen, while you are staying in Qian Yue Cave, have you seen Ji Ziling?”

Chen Ansheng stiffened for a moment and slowly replied, “I’ve seen her. Why do you ask?”

Yao Jianyuan seemed to perk up, saying, “That wicked woman! Damn, she ruined my Dao heart; I’ll kill her one day and settle the score!”

Chen Ansheng rolled his eyes—what a coincidence—“What enmity do you have with her?”

Yao Jianyuan nearly jumped up, saying, “Our enmity runs deep! Oh, wait, you don’t have anything to do with her, do you?”

Chen Ansheng felt a hint of malice from Yao Jianyuan’s gaze and replied, “She’s the young lady of Qian Yue Cave. How could I ever associate with her?”

“That’s true.” Yao Jianyuan relaxed his expression, “Strange, though—why hasn’t that woman come to the conference? With her show-off personality, she shouldn’t miss it.”

Yao Jianyuan used his divine sense to search around but didn’t find her figure.

“Brother Yao, as far as I know, Ji Ziling has gone into seclusion to break through to the True Immortal Realm.” Chen Ansheng said.

“Gone into seclusion?” Yao Jianyuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, appearing quite excited. “That woman’s talent is as poor as dog crap; she’s failed twice at breaking into the True Immortal Realm. She certainly won’t succeed this time either—hahaha.”

“Indeed.” Chen Ansheng feigned agreement while secretly feeling pleased. It seemed this fellow had a true grudge against Ji Ziling; he was a good buddy standing on the same side!

“Eh? Where has that scoundrel Murong Yan gone?”

Yao Jianyuan sensed around again, mumbling in confusion.

“Brother Yao, no need to look anymore. I heard Murong Yan also won’t be attending the conference.” Chen Ansheng thought to himself; that little brat had already been taken care of by him—there was no way he would show up!

Yao Jianyuan displayed delight on his face before saying, “Brother Chen, this godforsaken place isn’t suitable for watching the contest. Let’s go, let’s sit in the front row!”

Chen Ansheng was stunned for a moment, realizing this guy had been hiding in the corner mostly to avoid Ji Ziling and Murong Yan. Presumably, it was yet another triangular love affair.

With this, Yao Jianyuan led Chen Ansheng out of the corner, swaggering proudly as he marched to the front row and took two well-guarded good seats enhanced with defensive formations.

After sitting down, Chen Ansheng asked, “Brother Yao, have you been bullied by Murong Yan?”

Chen Ansheng thought that with Yao Jianyuan’s talent and status, his ability should be comparable to Ji Ziling. The fact that he had been so fearful earlier probably meant he had suffered losses at Murong Yan’s hands.

When the topic was brought up, Yao Jianyuan indeed exuded a hint of anger, saying, “Bullying is an exaggeration. It’s just that my Dao heart suffered setbacks, and my advancement was slowed down after being beaten by that guy two or three times.”

Chen Ansheng: “…”

If it were someone else, they probably wouldn’t easily share such shameful experiences with outsiders.

But Yao Jianyuan was a bit different.

After contemplating for a while, Chen Ansheng said, “You’re foolish. If he beats you, you should call for help. Find a chance to lay an ambush and gang up on him!”

Yao Jianyuan’s eyes lit up, saying, “Brother Chen, you really think alike! But that guy spends all his time in Qian Yue Cave in seclusion, so I haven’t found an opportunity to deal with him yet.”

Chen Ansheng said, “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Once I join Bi Yan Cave, we will think of a way to deal with that pair of dog men and women together.”

Yao Jianyuan, upon hearing this, felt that Chen Ansheng was right up his alley and said, “It’s a deal! From now on, Brother Chen shall team up with me, acting with arrogance and colluding in mischief!”

What a way with words! Chen Ansheng was speechless.

After chatting aimlessly for a while, the masters of the four major caves on the battle stage had finished their opening remarks, and an old man announced the official start of the Ninefold Flower Conference.

At the same time, Chen Ansheng divided a part of his consciousness and directed Li Xiuyuan towards the direction of the library.