Pathway

  Huang Shixiong shook his head, not making a sound of disdain, but rather filled with admiration on his face. The several named disciples who heard this also showed reverence in their eyes. At this moment, Xiao Chen had already become an idol in the hearts of countless young cultivators in Luoyun Valley. In just one year, he had reached the level of a third-grade alchemist and his cultivation was comparable to that of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, enough to be compared to those legendary geniuses.

  "Could it be that today is the day of selecting a candidate? No wonder all the elder guardians have come."

  "These true disciples were all vying with each other, it turned out they were actually trying to impress Shao Chen's uncle, wanting to be chosen by him."

  "Alas, unfortunately we are just nominal disciples, cultivating in secret. Otherwise, today would have been an opportunity to get closer to Master Xiao as well."

  A group of people sighed with disappointment, but one person's eyes sparkled with surprise and delight.

  This man is none other than Xiao Lin of the Xiao family!

  "Peng Hu Fa broke through the foundation boundary less than half a year ago, I'm afraid he can't handle this matter, it's better to retreat early."

  "Old Sun's words are wrong, although I only have the initial foundation-building cultivation, I also have no excuse to shrink back."

  。。。。

  "Gong Changlao has many disciples, why not leave them to teach and educate properly? This kind of thing can be left to the younger brothers to do."

  "Heh heh, no big deal. Those little guys really look up to Elder Xiao, and they all urged me on. I had no choice but to go along with what they wanted."

  。。。。

  "Master Ma has already reached the peak of the early foundation stage, and can enter the middle stage at any time. Why didn't he stay in the mountain gate to cultivate diligently, but instead chose to come to Shaoyang to guard Xiaolong's house?"

  "Liu Shidi, your words are wrong. Since the True Person of the Sect has promised to protect us for a thousand years, as an elder of Luoyun Valley, it is only natural that I take on this responsibility. Besides, I am already old and my chances of condensing the elixir in this life are slim. It's better to let me handle this matter, you stay behind and focus on your cultivation."

  "This... Hehe, my junior brother is also thinking of sharing the burden for our sect. Since my senior brother has this thought as well, then let's see what Elder Xiao decides."

  A group of old men in the Luoyun Valley are secretly discussing and gossiping, with sharp tongues and swords, each wanting to squeeze out others, so as to reduce a competitor, but they are all cunning and deceitful, not easily deceived, so they can only laugh and chat like this.

  "Just because you're a mere nominal disciple, you think you can stand alongside us? Quickly get out of the way!"

  "That's good, if Master Xiao arrives later and sees you being so disobedient, he will definitely punish you severely."

  "Who are you a disciple of that you don't understand the rules? If you don't leave immediately, don't blame us for being ruthless and expel you from this Spirit Immortal Platform."

  A faintly transmitted noise came from afar, causing the elderly protectors to frown slightly and concentrate their attention on the source.

  "It's just two layers of cultivation in the Refining Qi stage, and yet he dresses like a formal disciple. He wants to be recognized by Elder Xiao, it's simply absurd."

  "This disciple is really absurd, so ignorant of etiquette, I don't know whose disciple he is, how his master taught him."

  "Hmm, this person looks somewhat familiar to me. I think I saw him at Old Man Hu's residence last time. Could it be that this young man is one of Old Man Hu's registered disciples?"

  Old Hu's face turned iron-green, the speaker was one of his rivals, and the two had never gotten along. Today's matter would likely become another excuse for them to mock each other, and he couldn't help but feel a few parts anger in his heart.

  "Xiao Lin, get back here immediately! Without my orders, you are not allowed to step out of the courtyard from now on!"

  Xiao Lin's expression changed upon hearing the words, and a hint of unwillingness flashed in his eyes. However, he did not dare to disobey Hu Zhanglao's intention, so he bowed respectfully and prepared to leave.

  "Xiao Lin? Could it be that he is from Xiao City's Xiao family, and shares the same origin as Xiao Chen Shu?"

  "Hmm, so it's him. I've heard that his father is the head of the Xiao family and had a very strained relationship with Shao Chen's branch of the family before. But now that Shao Chen is rising to prominence, they're all coming over to fawn on him."

  "I also heard that this person was able to join Hu's sect initially by using a piece of refined iron as a bribe, otherwise with his qualifications, how could he have been accepted into the mountain gate?"

  According to Liu Shixiong who sent Xiao Chen Shifu back home for the first time, Xiao Chen Shishu had a strained relationship with their family. If not for his father's face, he would have personally taken action to kill this person's father. Tsk tsk, now he's come over trying to get close like a sycophant.

  "Get out of here quickly, don't continue to lose face in front of everyone."

  Xiao Lin's heart burned with endless anger, his eyes fiercely staring at these people as he shouted: "Shut up! Although my family and Shao Chen had some misunderstandings in the past, this is ultimately a matter of my Xiao family. You have no right to interfere. Moreover, we two are connected by blood, our bodies flowing with the same veins. If Shao Chen were to find out about your humiliation of me today, he would not let you off lightly!"

  "Hey!" Several authentic disciples were furious in their hearts, but they didn't dare to make any unusual moves. After all, if they accidentally provoked Xiao Chen's anger because of this matter, none of them could withstand his wrath.

  "Hmm!" At this moment, a cold hum came, and in the flash of light, an old man in a Taoist robe suddenly appeared on the Lingxian platform.

  "The disciples have seen their master!" Among those several authentic disciples, three of them showed a surprised expression on their faces and paid their respects.

  The rest of them also showed a few points of joy in their eyes, and after saluting, they looked at Xiao Lin with a hint of mockery.

  Mo Li let out a cold snort and ignored the several disciples, turning around to fix his gaze on Xiao Lin. His eyes revealed a few hints of chilliness as he spoke: "As a registered disciple, there is no distinction between seniority or juniority. Your words were presumptuous, so today I will properly discipline you and give you a bit more memory."

  As they spoke, the powerful aura of the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator burst out and landed directly on Xiao Lin's body. The former's face turned pale in an instant, his feet "thudded" backward several steps, and his eyes were filled with a frightened expression.

  "Please spare him, Master. This child is usually well-behaved, but today he's being foolish. Let me take him back and teach him a lesson." With a flash of light, Hu Changlao appeared in front of Xiao Lin, as the latter was his named disciple. If he were to be taught a lesson in public today, even Hu would lose face. So although he didn't want to, he had no choice but to speak up for Xiao Lin.

  "Step aside, today I will personally take action to teach this child a lesson." Mo Li's eyes fell on Hu Changlao, his voice calm but firm.

  Hú Zhǎnglǎo heard this and his face also suddenly turned gloomy, his expression uncertain. After a while, he forced out a stiff smile and said: "Since Shīxiōng is determined to do so, Shīdì will follow." Having spoken, he bowed his head and retreated to one side.

  Excessive chapter, the following is very continuous