Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 206

Across the world, unless they were cultivators training in secret realms or small worlds, everyone could see the azure list floating high in the sky.

At the Tianxuan Sect, most of the disciples stared at the list hovering above, reading the words displayed on it. Then, they all turned their incredulous gazes toward Xu Ming.

Yue Lou was no exception.

Yue Lou had brought Xu Ming to Tianxuan Sect to protect Martial Aunt Qin’s reputation from being overshadowed. But she never expected that this Young Master Xu would not only prove his strength but even defeat Senior Brother Chen and rise to the second position on the Qingyun List! This was simply outrageous.

She recalled hearing that Martial Aunt Qin had a childhood friend named Xu Xuenuo, who was the only disciple of the Wanjian Sect’s Sect Master. Rumor had it that she was destined to lead the future of the sword path.

Good heavens. What could she say? Birds of a feather flock together? Geniuses are always surrounded by other geniuses?

“This second place feels a bit undeserved,” Xu Ming commented, glancing at his ranking. He shook his head lightly, clearly unimpressed.

In truth, he thought to himself, I should have lost that match earlier. It was only because Chen Yun, out of pride, couldn’t accept the fact that he barely managed to beat Xu Ming despite being one realm higher. So, he conceded instead.

Hearing Xu Ming’s words, the disciples of Tianxuan Sect all had complex expressions.

It was true. If Senior Brother Chen had fought with his full power, Xu Ming might have lost.

But then again, Senior Brother Chen barely managed to edge out a victory despite being a whole realm higher—and Xu Ming had even fought while injured. How could there be any doubt about the legitimacy of his second place?

Of course, no one thought Xu Ming was being arrogant or ungrateful.

It was clear to them that he simply didn’t care about the ranking.

That said, some couldn’t help but wonder: In a few years, could Xu Ming actually challenge the person in first place on the Qingyun List?

But this thought was fleeting.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

The cultivator ranked first on the Qingyun List was invincible—practically heaven’s chosen.

“Let’s go.” Xu Ming turned to Yue Lou and spoke calmly.

At this point, no one dared to cause him trouble anymore.

“Ah? Oh!” Yue Lou snapped out of her thoughts, hurriedly summoning a flying vessel.

She boarded it with Shen Shengsheng, and then they picked up Xu Ming, heading toward Liefu Peak.

Once they reached Liefu Peak, Yue Lou led Xu Ming to visit Xia Donghua.

“Young Master Xu, you’re not planning to do something to Senior Brother Xia, are you?” Yue Lou asked worriedly.

Xu Ming turned his head toward her. “Why would Miss Yue think that?”

Yue Lou, feeling uneasy, explained, “Because you and Senior Brother Xia had a conflict in the Baiwa Secret Realm. Young Master Xu, please listen to me: no matter what, Senior Brother Xia is still the Sect Master’s son. He hasn’t completely turned against us, so we should at least show him some respect on the surface.”

Xu Ming nodded with a faint smile. “Thank you for the reminder, Miss Yue. Don’t worry; I know my limits. I won’t act recklessly.”

“As long as you understand.” Yue Lou sighed in relief.

Before long, Yue Lou and Xu Ming arrived at Xia Donghua’s residence.

By then, a crowd of disciples had already gathered, curious to see the spectacle of Xu Ming confronting Senior Brother Xia.

“Ah, Brother Xu! Long time no see! Why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I would’ve come to greet you!” Xia Donghua had already been informed of Xu Ming’s visit. Now, seeing Xu Ming, he greeted him warmly, like an old friend he hadn’t seen in years.

This shocked Yue Lou and the onlookers.

Senior Brother Xia and Young Master Xu are on such good terms?

While Yue Lou was still confused, Xu Ming stepped directly into the courtyard. Without saying a word, he lifted his leg and kicked Xia Donghua.

With a loud bang, Xia Donghua flew back ten meters, skidding along the ground and leaving a long trail.

Yue Lou and the onlookers: “???”

Xia Donghua scrambled to his feet. Although his heart burned with hatred and a desire to tear Xu Ming apart, he maintained a façade of shock, confusion, and grievance.

“Brother Xu, why did you kick me for no reason?”

“You’re asking me why?” Xu Ming walked up and kicked Xia Donghua again. “You and I met in the Baiwa Secret Realm. It was brief, but we could at least be called friends, right? I’ve been the target of so much slander, and you didn’t step up to explain on my behalf? I’ve been harassed by the disciples of Tianxuan Sect, and you just sat here doing nothing?”

As he spoke, Xu Ming landed another kick.

“Ow, ow! Brother Xu, it’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!” Xia Donghua quickly cried out. “I’ve been meditating with my eyes closed and wasn’t aware of the situation outside. Besides, I just learned about the rumors regarding you recently! Ever since returning from the Baiwa Secret Realm, I’ve been in seclusion!”

“Oh? Then how are you planning to repay the fifty high-grade spirit stones you owe me? And what about the time in the Baiwa Secret Realm, when you got blocked at the brothel by the ladies there? It was me who pulled you out of that mess! You promised to give me five first-grade spirit fruits afterward. So, where are they?” Xu Ming pressed on.

Xia Donghua wanted to scream: When did I ever owe you fifty high-grade spirit stones? And when did I ever go to a brothel in the Baiwa Secret Realm? That place was full of snakes and lizards—none of them had even taken human form yet! Who in their right mind would go there?

But now was not the time to argue. Xia Donghua forced himself to nod and said hurriedly, “I’ve been in seclusion, haven’t I? But I’ve already prepared everything. I was planning to deliver them to you in Wuguo (Wu Kingdom)’s capital, but I didn’t expect you to come here first.”

“Really?” Xu Ming asked.

“Of course, it’s true.” Xia Donghua nodded furiously. “Have I ever lied to you, Brother Xu?”

Xu Ming stared into Xia Donghua’s eyes for a moment, then suddenly laughed heartily. He stepped forward, helped Xia Donghua up, and even brushed the footprints off his robes. “My apologies, my apologies! I thought I treated you as a friend, but you stabbed me in the back. Turns out it was all a misunderstanding. I was a bit rude just now. Please forgive me, Brother Xia.”

Xia Donghua gritted his teeth in rage but kept his face calm and amicable. “Brother Xu, you really need to work on that temper of yours.”

“True, very true,” Xu Ming nodded earnestly. “I’ve been through several matches recently, so I’m a bit tired. There’s plenty of time ahead. I’ll head over to the guest peak to rest first. Brother Xia, you’re welcome to come find me for drinks anytime.”

“Of course, of course.” Xia Donghua bowed politely. “Please rest well, Brother Xu.”

“Alright, I’m off. And make sure you send those things to my place soon. I’m broke these days.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Xu.”

“Farewell.”

“Take care.”

Xu Ming turned and left.

Once Xu Ming was gone, the other disciples, still confused about the whole exchange, gradually dispersed since there was nothing else to watch.

“Xu Ming!”

When everyone had finally left, Xia Donghua slammed his fist onto the stone table. The table shattered instantly into powder.