Chapter 27 Cao Youqian's Terrible Day
"Whoa, damn!"
Chu Feng jumped up from his chair in excitement, flinging the Spring and Autumn Annals from his hands in the process.
"That brat Chen'er—what kind of miraculous encounter did he get? He just broke through to Dao Foundation layer eight less than half a month ago, and now he's already reached layer nine?"
After a moment of wild joy, Chu Feng felt nothing but immense satisfaction at the choice he made—
Taking Xiao Chen, this heaven-gifted prodigy, as his disciple.
With someone like Xiao Chen under his wing, his own cultivation could skyrocket just by riding the wave.
He couldn't help but wonder—now that he'd gained a hundred years of cultivation, what sort of transformation would occur?
With that thought in mind, he muttered in his head, "System, open my attribute panel."
[Name: Chu Feng]
[Cultivation: 100 years]
[Technique: Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin (Great Perfection), Sword Intent (Great Perfection)]
[Lifespan: 22/179]
[Skills: Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, Painting, Tea Art (All Great Perfection)]
[Assessment: Power Level 5 Trash]
What the hell is this? I've got a full hundred years of cultivation and I'm still labeled power level 5 trash? Is this system looking down on me?
Chu Feng closed the system panel, not in the mood to argue with it.
This was a tsundere system after all.
"If only I could coax that Da Qian brat into cultivating too. Too bad he hasn't had enough beatdowns from the world yet."
"Achoo!"
Just as Chu Feng spoke those words, Cao Youqian, who had just flown out of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, suddenly sneezed.
He rubbed his nose with a puzzled look.
Even though he had no talent in cultivation, he was still a Dao Foundation cultivator. How did he suddenly catch a cold?
But while he was still confused, several sharp gazes had already locked onto him.
After exchanging glances, those gazes' owners left one person behind, while the others immediately dispersed to spread the news—Cao Youqian had come down the mountain.
Cao Youqian didn't linger in Wendao Academy. He headed straight for Wendao City.
Though the academy had good ingredients, he was no longer a member of the Alchemy Dao Institute.
Not only would no one sell to him, they'd probably take the chance to mess with him.
An hour later—
He arrived on the outskirts of Wendao City. Just as he landed, he sensed several auras descending behind him.
"Who's there?"
He turned to look, only to see a group of outer court disciples from Wendao Academy, all in uniform, staring at him with mocking smiles.
Among them were a few of his former lackeys.
"Ma Bin, Zhang Kun, what's the meaning of this?"
Cao Youqian narrowed his eyes, his tone cold.
Ma Bin stepped forward with a beaming smile. "Cao, are you really this clueless, or are you just pretending?
Can't you tell what this setup is for?"
Cao Youqian squinted. "You few trash want to come at me?"
Though he had the reputation of a spoiled rich kid from the Alchemy Dao Institute, he still had a peak Dao Foundation cultivation.
Even if his combat experience was lacking, knocking out a few of these guys' teeth wouldn't be an issue.
Ma Bin burst into laughter. "Cao Youqian, do you really think we couldn't beat you before? We only lost to you on purpose.
And besides, the one fighting you today isn't us. It's Junior Brother Lin."
???
A confused expression crossed Cao Youqian's face.
Ma Bin grinned. "Junior Brother Lin, weren't you always itching to get back at Cao Youqian? Well, now's your chance. Don't say we didn't give it to you."
A cold-faced young man stepped out from the crowd.
"Lin Ping'an."
Cao Youqian's expression shifted slightly the moment he recognized the person.
Lin Ping'an was ranked within the top hundred in the outer court competition. Had he not run into Tang Feng during the tournament, he might have gone even further.
Even though Lin Ping'an's cultivation was slightly lower, if it came down to a real fight, Cao Youqian knew he wouldn't be able to win.
"So you do remember me."
Lin Ping'an stared at him with killing intent in his eyes.
"Do we have some kind of grudge?"
Cao Youqian looked genuinely confused.
"Tch, looks like Brother Cao really is the kind to forget the past," Ma Bin said mockingly from the side. "Don't tell me you've forgotten Xia Lianxin by Sword Lake, three years ago?"
As expected, the moment Lin Ping'an heard the name 'Xia Lianxin,' his gaze turned murderous.
"I really don't remember."
Cao Youqian answered honestly, clearly annoyed. Back in the Alchemy Dao Institute, his romantic partners had changed often.
If it was someone from six months ago, maybe. But three years? He couldn't recall.
Clang!
Lin Ping'an drew the sword at his waist. "Xia Lianxin was my fiancée. Three years ago, you used your status to take her from me.
For the past three years, I've lived with that shame. I swore I'd pay you back for what happened that day—and now, the time has come."
Ma Bin fanned the flames again. "Looks like Brother Cao really forgot. Let me remind you—it was the one you traded a Dao Foundation Pill for. After you got tired of her, you just tossed her aside."
Cao Youqian finally remembered something. But that woman hadn't been forced—she had come to him willingly.
At the time, she looked pitiful and seductive, and he had given her a chance.
"Didn't she say she didn't have a partner? Where did this 'fiancé' suddenly appear from?"
"Hmph!"
Lin Ping'an's eyes burned with hatred. "Lianxin told me herself—you forced her, then threw her a Dao Foundation Pill like garbage."
Damn it.
So the veteran got played.
As someone who'd been around the block, Cao Youqian immediately realized he had been tricked by a two-faced woman.
"Junior Brother Lin, listen to me. I never forced her. She came to me willingly."
"Shut your mouth!"
Lin Ping'an roared. "You still dare make excuses? I was only going to make you kneel and apologize to me and Lianxin.
But since you're so shameless, I'll cripple you today!"
As soon as the words dropped, his sword struck.
Clang!
A sharp, piercing hum exploded in the air.
A streak of fierce sword qi shot forth like lightning, aimed directly at Cao Youqian's dantian.
"Refined Sword Intent!"
Cao Youqian stared wide-eyed, completely stunned. He hadn't expected that a simple trip would land him in such deep trouble.
If he still had his life-saving treasure, he might've made it out.
But right now, aside from spirit stones, he had nothing.
I'm dead!
He squeezed his eyes shut in panic.
Just as the sword qi was about to hit him, a sword light descended from the sky.
Ting!
A clear, ringing sound echoed as the sword qi instantly shattered.
At the same time, a cold voice rang out from above.
"You've got some nerve, daring to lay a hand on my junior brother!"
The moment the voice dropped—
The entire place was stunned!
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