Inside the private room, Lü Shaoqing and Xiao Yi were waiting for their meal when a knock came from the door. Before Lü Shaoqing could respond, the door swung open, and Xie Chong strode in.
"Senior Brother Lü, I am—" he began.
Lü Shaoqing frowned, cutting him off unceremoniously. "Get out."
The smile on Xie Chong's face froze, quickly giving way to a surge of anger. You think you're Ji Yan?
If you were Ji Yan, I'd leave without a word, but who do you think you are?
Just because you've got your master and senior brother backing you, you think you're important?
Behind him, Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong entered, their faces filled with amusement, as if they had anticipated the reaction.
"Seems like Senior Brother Lü is quite arrogant," Wu Tianzong said mockingly. "It appears he doesn't even consider you worth acknowledging, Brother Xie."
Zhang Zheng added, "Is it because you rely on your senior brother Ji Yan as your backer that you think you can ignore others so freely?"
Lü Shaoqing's frown deepened, his patience wearing thin. Can't I even eat a meal in peace?
He crossed his arms and replied nonchalantly, "What of it? I do have my senior brother backing me. Are you unhappy about that?"
He scanned Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong. "And who are you, exactly? Tell me which peak you belong to. I'll have my senior brother pay a visit."
The shamelessness in Lü Shaoqing's words stunned everyone present, including Xiao Yi, who couldn't help but stare at her second senior brother with disbelief. Is he really this shameless?
Zhang Zheng, with a sneer, said, "I'm not a disciple of the Lingxiao Sect. I'm from Guiyuan Pavilion."
Lü Shaoqing's expression turned colder. "You're not even from the Lingxiao Sect, and you dare to disturb me?"
He continued, "What's a Guiyuan Pavilion disciple doing here anyway? Looking to cause trouble?" He raised an eyebrow. "Do you think Lingxiao Sect is easy to bully?"
He leaned forward, his tone dripping with mock seriousness. "You want me to sound the alarm and summon all the Lingxiao Sect disciples to deal with you?"
Does he think he's Ji Yan or something? Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong were left speechless.
Even the steward, Zhang Jin, inwardly scoffed. So he's just a powerless guy who leans on others for protection. A true cultivator values personal strength; no matter how strong your backers are, if you have no abilities of your own, you'll always be looked down upon.
Wu Tianzong's expression turned stern. "Senior Brother Lü, that's a bit much. We came here with the intention of making friends, yet you show no hospitality. Is this how the Lingxiao Sect treats its guests?"
He tried to appeal to Lü Shaoqing's sense of sect pride, thinking Surely, you'd want to maintain Lingxiao Sect's reputation.
To his surprise, Lü Shaoqing nodded without hesitation. "Yes, that's exactly how Lingxiao Sect treats its guests. Got a problem with that? Doesn't matter; it's not going to change."
Everyone was dumbfounded. Wu Tianzong felt his blood pressure rise. This guy can't really be from Lingxiao Sect, right? There's no way a sect would have a disciple like this—one who not only fails to uphold its image but actively tarnishes it.
Does your master know about this? Does your sect leader know? If they did, would they not crush you on the spot?
Seeing Lü Shaoqing's completely unconcerned attitude, Zhang Zheng decided to drop the pretense. "Senior Brother Lü, as the junior brother of Ji Yan, I assume your strength must not be far behind his. Care for a friendly match?"
Lü Shaoqing's expression remained indifferent as he glanced at Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong. "And who might you two be?"
"Zhang Zheng," one replied.
"Wu Tianzong," the other introduced himself.
Lü Shaoqing turned to Zhang Zheng. "Is Zhang Conglong your brother?"
Zhang Zheng's face lit up with pride. "Yes, he's my elder brother."
Wu Tianzong added, "Senior Brother Zhang is the pride of Guiyuan Pavilion."
Lü Shaoqing smirked. "And yet, he's still no match for my senior brother, is he?"
The remark stung. Zhang Zheng and Wu Tianzong's faces flushed with anger. It was true—Zhang Conglong, despite his strength, had recently lost to Ji Yan in a tournament, placing second.
"Enough talk, Senior Brother Lü. Do you dare to spar with me?" Zhang Zheng challenged, his tone sharp. "If I lose, you may handle me as you wish."
Lü Shaoqing glanced away, appearing disinterested. "Not interested. Why should I?"
Zhang Zheng's eyes narrowed. "Afraid, are you?"
Lü Shaoqing shrugged. "Yep, afraid."
Everyone was stunned. Did he really just say that? Is this guy even a man?
Lü Shaoqing continued, "I'm afraid I might accidentally kill you."
His tone was so casual, so filled with arrogance, that it made Zhang Zheng's blood boil.
"Try it, then! I dare you!" Zhang Zheng shouted, seething with anger.
Lü Shaoqing remained unbothered. "Not interested."
"You—" Zhang Zheng clenched his fists, but before he could continue, the steward, Zhang Jin, stepped in.
"Young Masters, let's keep the peace. If you fight here, someone will lose face no matter the outcome. It's best to settle things amicably, don't you agree?"
In the background, several onlookers began to murmur, their interest piqued by the commotion.
"Why hold back? Let's see a fight already!" one shouted.
"Yeah, stop wasting time!" another chimed in.
The presence of disciples from Tianyu Peak, including Ji Yan's junior, along with members of Guiyuan Pavilion, had attracted a significant crowd. Zhang Jin's intention was clear—he was stirring up trouble, not defusing it. The door had been left open, allowing everyone outside to witness the scene unfold.
Lü Shaoqing cast a cold glance at Zhang Jin. This fat fool.
He knew Zhang Jin was trying to incite conflict under the guise of mediation.
Outside the room, a young woman around twenty years old furrowed her brows. She had fair skin, delicate features, and sharp, focused eyes. Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, adding a touch of energy to her appearance. She stared at Zhang Jin with visible displeasure.
Inside the room, Lü Shaoqing shifted his gaze to Xie Chong. "Which peak do you belong to? Did you bring these guys here to humiliate Tianyu Peak?"
Xie Chong felt his temper flare. "I'm from Biyun Peak, and I have no intention of humiliating anyone. I'm here with the two senior brothers from Guiyuan Pavilion for a friendly visit."
Lü Shaoqing's expression didn't soften. "Friendly, you say? Seems like you're just trying to provoke trouble. If you've got issues with Tianyu Peak, why not say it outright?"
Xiao Yi tugged at Lü Shaoqing's sleeve, trying to calm him down. "Second Senior Brother, maybe they're really just here to meet you."
Lü Shaoqing huffed. "Meet me? For what? To pick a fight?"
Zhang Zheng stepped forward again. "Senior Brother Lü, we truly came with good intentions. A simple sparring match wouldn't hurt, would it?"
Lü Shaoqing waved dismissively. "I said I'm not interested."
The young woman outside the room could no longer contain herself. She stepped forward, and her voice rang out clearly, "Enough of this nonsense."
All eyes turned to her. Lü Shaoqing's expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed as he assessed her.
"And who are you?" he asked, his tone challenging.
The young woman held her ground. "I am Bai Ling, an inner disciple of Lingxiao Sect's Xuanyu Peak. And I won't stand by while you embarrass our sect with your behavior."
Lü Shaoqing raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. "Another one? Is this a lineup to lecture me today?"
Bai Ling's eyes sharpened. "I'm here to remind you that as a disciple of Lingxiao Sect, you carry the reputation of the entire sect. Act like it."
Lü Shaoqing scoffed. "And who are you to lecture me on how to act? If you're so concerned about the sect's image, maybe you should focus on your own."
Tension filled the room. Bai Ling's expression remained calm, but there was a glint of challenge in her eyes. "If you think you're untouchable just because you have your senior brother's protection, you're mistaken."
Lü Shaoqing's smirk grew. "Is that so? Then why don't you try me?"