Bu Jingtian! . . .
"I see," Wan-Er and Xiu-Er both suppressed the urge to roll their eyes as they exchanged incredulous glances. They couldn't help but think, [Is this friend of our master truly so naive?]
Ling Wuxie, upon hearing their response, became even more self-assured. He let out a hearty laugh and extended his hand in an exaggerated gesture, wiggling it like a chicken's claw. He even threw in a hip-shaking movement and ruffled his hair for what he thought was a dashing pose. Then, he placed his hands on his back and, facing the wind, nonchalantly declared, "Behold."
His voice took on a deeper, more resonant tone, the kind that belongs to a confident man. However, Wan-Er and Xiu-Er, who had formed a rather unflattering opinion of him, were left utterly dumbfounded.
It was a rather awkward situation.
Both women found themselves sharing a common sentiment: [This man is like a male peacock. When he spots a female peacock, he can't resist showing off, regardless of the situation. He spreads his tail feathers as if displaying his most impressive qualities...]
[Yet he seems entirely oblivious to the fact that in doing so, he exposes his rather unimpressive rear end...]
Clearly, Lord Ling Wuxie had no inkling of the true impression he was making. He stood facing the wind, relishing the moment. He even thought that the wind was insufficient, so he subtly employed some form of cultivation to summon a stronger breeze.
The wind picked up forcefully, and Lord Ling's hair and robes billowed dramatically. He presented the image of an immortal with chiseled features and piercing eyes.
[Look into the depths of my profound gaze!]
Evidently, this was not his first time performing such a spectacle. His execution was so skilled and rehearsed that it gave the illusion of a seasoned and accomplished cultivator. Few could achieve such a display without countless hours of practice.
Yet, it was equally apparent that his antics mirrored those of an unworldly, naive young man, a fact that he was far from adept at concealing.
Wan-Er and Xiu-Er exchanged incredulous glances again. In their eyes, they shared a sense of speechlessness and helplessness. [How on earth did our master befriend someone like this? It's hardly fair or reasonable...]
[It's no wonder he frequently finds himself in physical altercations.]
[Perhaps it's only fair to beat some sense into him; there's no shortage of good reasons...]
[If given the chance, we might consider administering such corrective measures no less than eight times a day – that's the bare minimum...]
Back on the other side of events...
Cha Eun Xiao reclined casually on his chair, despite the formidable adversaries now before him. He observed the two groups of people and addressed them in an indifferent tone, "Esteemed sects, I must apologize for not extending a formal greeting at the entrance. I'm curious to know the purpose of your visit to my humble Ling-Bao Hall. These are complicated times, and I fear our capacity to serve may be limited."
The elder from Sunlight Sect flashed a friendly smile and responded, "Feng Monarch, you are the true benevolent ruler of Ling-Bao Hall. Your few words not only resolved the crisis but also turned those erstwhile assassins into your allies. Admirable indeed. We have come to meet you in person, and your personal reception is more than we could ask for. There is no need for apologies. Feng Monarch, your generosity knows no bounds."
However, he then shifted the conversation's tone and lowered his voice, adding, "Feng Monarch's financial ploy may have worked wonders with the assassins, but it may not yield the same results with us, wouldn't you agree?"
Cha Eun Xiao's countenance darkened as he spoke dispassionately, "As I mentioned earlier, our situation is quite intricate at the moment. I've been occupied throughout the day. Kindly state your purpose, for I am fatigued and in need of rest. I do not wish to prolong our encounter."
Despite the imminent threat posed by the two most prominent sects in the Land of Han-Yang, Cha Eun Xiao retained his casual demeanor and showed no deference in his speech. His voice was tinged with impatience, giving off an air of complete arrogance.
The old man who had spoken previously couldn't hide his displeasure at Cha Eun Xiao's discourteous words and overbearing attitude. His eyes emitted a sharp glint as he locked a cold, unrelenting gaze on Feng Monarch, without uttering a word.
The elite cultivators of the two great sects displayed a variety of expressions on their faces: disdain, mockery, and even pity, as they regarded Cha Eun Xiao as a reckless fool who failed to grasp the gravity of his predicament.
After a brief silence, the old man's eyes brimmed with a murderous intent as he spoke deliberately, "Feng Monarch, perhaps you are unaware of my identity... Heh, heh. I am Bu Jingtian!"
Bu Jingtian!
The name echoed like a thunderclap, shattering the tranquility of Ling-Bao Hall as if a bomb had detonated from the heavens.
The members of the five clans exclaimed in unison, their faces turning ashen, resembling blank sheets of paper. They gazed at the old man with a mixture of reverence and fear.
Bu Jingtian!
The name possessed an almost mystical power, striking terror into the hearts of those who heard it and inducing shivers down their spines.
It was only natural, for Bu Jingtian was renowned as the world's preeminent cultivator, the most formidable figure in the Land of Han-Yang. He was none other than Bu Jingtian, the master of Cloud Clashing Hand!
Approximately eleven centuries ago, the name Bu Jingtian began to resonate throughout the land, sending shockwaves that rippled far and wide. At the time, Bu Jingtian was a formidable cultivator, standing at the third level of the Sky Origin Stage. He engaged in a fateful battle with an opponent who had attained the sixth level of the same stage. Astonishingly, within a mere ten moves, Bu Jingtian emerged victorious, defeating his higher-level adversary.
This remarkable feat marked the genesis of his legendary status.
A century later, the Black Dragon sect, renowned as the most powerful and widespread faction in the world, found itself at odds with Bu Jingtian's family due to a dispute over financial matters. When Bu Jingtian became aware of this transgression, he embarked on a solitary journey to confront the Black Dragon sect, armed with only a single sword.
Despite the Black Dragon sect's numerical superiority and presumed strength, they failed to accord him any respect. Instead, they resorted to hurling derogatory insults in his direction. Undeterred, Bu Jingtian initiated a relentless assault, slashing his way from the sect's gates to a distance spanning seventy miles.
The path behind him was strewn with lifeless bodies from the Black Dragon sect, and the blood that flowed from the encounter trickled down the mountainside for more than a dozen miles. Corpses lined the road leading to the entrance of the Black Dragon sect's main hall.
Bu Jingtian's inexorable advance did not halt at the hall's entrance. He continued his rampage, storming through the sect's stronghold. A full day of relentless carnage unfolded, and he eventually emerged from the main hall, his clothing drenched in the blood of his adversaries.
In the days that followed, a curious individual ventured into the site, only to be so profoundly terrified by the scene that madness consumed him. The Black Dragon sect's main hall, once teeming with life, had been transformed into a lifeless chamber. A staggering toll of forty thousand individuals had met their demise.
Bu Jingtian had wrought this gruesome tableau within the span of two brilliant days and a single dark night.
This incident solidified his reputation as the Land of Han-Yang's preeminent Slaughterer, the embodiment of ruthless combat and merciless retribution. He stood atop a pedestal as the unrivaled master of carnage.