Xiao Chuang's nose flared with anger.
Was that a threat?
It was a threat.
Who gave her the courage to threaten a Nascent Soul cultivator? Her grandfather?
Even if her grandfather was in the mid-Nascent Soul stage, what of it? And even if Shao Cheng was only in the early Nascent Soul stage, did she really think he would be afraid of her grandfather?
Foolish! Xiao Chuang cursed Xiao Qun in his heart, including her grandfather for raising such an idiotic descendant.
Shao Cheng, on the other hand, had a good temper. He was known as a benevolent elder in Lingxiao Sect. After all, only someone with an extraordinary temperament could endure his disciples' antics. However, a good temper did not mean he lacked boundaries.
Xiao Qun was merely a small Foundation Establishment cultivator. Shao Cheng could crush her with a single finger. Given her current behavior, if he did so, no one could fault him. Even her grandfather couldn't say anything.
A low-level cultivator offending a higher-level one—being killed for it would be considered a just consequence.
Shao Cheng's expression turned cold as he let out a chilling snort. "Are you threatening me?"
The force of his voice was like a physical blow, causing Xiao Qun to stumble back and fall heavily onto the ground. Her face turned pale as she looked up in fear, only now realizing she was facing a Nascent Soul powerhouse, not some petty figure from her own family.
Xiao Chuang scolded her harshly. "Fool! Open your eyes and look! This is an elder of Lingxiao Sect and the master of Tianyu Peak. His strength is not much weaker than your grandfather's. And you dare show him disrespect? It would be perfectly justified for him to kill you."
"Apologize to Elder Shao right now!"
Xiao Qun, drenched in shame, finally came to her senses. "Elder Shao, I... I was wrong," she said, kneeling down to apologize.
Shao Cheng's voice remained icy. "Reflect on your behavior. I have no interest in squabbling with you."
"Now, leave Tianyu Peak."
Xiao Qun's face turned even paler. "But, Elder, my belongings..."
"What belongings?"
"You offend me, and then you want to slander my disciple?"
"Leave. It's only out of respect for Elder Xiao that I'm letting this slide. But if you don't leave now, don't blame me for being harsh."
Shao Cheng's expression turned cold as his gaze fixed on Xiao Qun. The pressure emanating from a Nascent Soul cultivator was terrifying. At this moment, Xiao Qun felt as if she couldn't breathe; every cell in her body seemed to shiver, ready to explode at any moment.
It was as though Shao Cheng's eyes were piercing her body with countless swords, tearing apart her flesh and consuming her soul. Xiao Qun was filled with terror, certain that if she didn't leave, she would die on the spot.
Feeling like a small chicken waiting to be slaughtered, she trembled as she left. Judging by her fearful state, it would be some time before she recovered.
Once Xiao Qun was gone, Shao Cheng's expression softened, returning to his usual amiable demeanor.
He smiled at Xiao Chuang. "I scared your junior a bit, Elder Xiao. I hope you don't mind?"
Xiao Chuang waved it off indifferently. "It's nothing. She was disrespectful and deserved it. She should learn a lesson."
Xiao Chuang had no fondness for Xiao Qun. With the grand elder backing her, she had become arrogant. Better for her to suffer here than out in the real world.
However, Xiao Chuang noted, "I've known you for so long, and it's the first time I've seen you act like this."
Shao Cheng was renowned for his good nature, making it rare for him to be harsh, especially toward the younger generation. Even if they acted up, he would typically let it slide—especially with Lü Shaoqing, that troublemaker.
Wait.
Xiao Chuang's expression changed as he pieced things together.
"Elder Shao, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Shao Cheng's face flushed slightly. "What do you mean, on purpose?"
"What are you talking about, Elder?"
Xiao Chuang pressed on. "Stop pretending. That girl claimed she was robbed, and I'm certain it's true."
"We both know who did it."
"You pretended to be angry and chased her off Tianyu Peak to prevent her from pursuing the matter further. You're covering for that troublesome disciple, aren't you?"
Shao Cheng cleared his throat. "Elder Xiao, you're reading too much into it. There's no such thing."
How could he admit to that? It was too embarrassing.
Xiao Chuang said, "It's fine. I won't hold it against you."
"But what that brat did was too much. Are you really going to shield him?"
Shao Cheng replied, "Elder Xiao, you know that Shaoqing can be a bit extreme sometimes, but he wouldn't do this for no reason. There must be a motive."
"What motive?"
Shao Cheng continued, "Your niece mentioned encountering Shaoqing with Xiao Yi. Tell me, does Xiao Yi have any conflict with that girl?"
Xiao Chuang, a sharp individual, quickly caught on.
Shao Cheng wasn't just protecting Lü Shaoqing; he was also covering for Xiao Yi.
Xiao Chuang sighed. "You're quite the protective master."
Shao Cheng's actions were clearly biased in favor of his disciples. Given that one of them was his own niece, Xiao Chuang decided not to dwell on it.
But he did have another concern.
"Elder Shao, why is Xiao Yi with that rascal? Aren't you afraid he'll lead her astray?"
He had warned his niece repeatedly to stay away from Lü Shaoqing when she came to Tianyu Peak. But here she was, hanging out with him. What a disaster!
If Xiao Yi ended up like Lü Shaoqing, how could he face his elder brother?
Shao Cheng chuckled. "This was arranged by Ji Yan. As her master, I couldn't intervene."
Hearing that it was Ji Yan's arrangement, Xiao Chuang felt less resentful. If Ji Yan was behind it, the elders had nothing to worry about.
Curious, he asked, "Why arrange things like this?"
Shao Cheng explained, "Ji Yan wants Xiao Yi to comprehend sword intent before advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage."
Cough, cough.
Xiao Chuang choked at this revelation.