Chapter 219 - 106: Ning Rong, Filled with Regret

Chapter 219: Chapter 106: Ning Rong, Filled with Regret

P.S. The end of the last Chapter wasn’t a case of plot-induced stupidity, nor was it an accident. You all forgot about someone.

...

Jiang Xuan’s build was quite tall, conveniently hiding most of Su Xingying behind him.

At the entrance of Star Sword Peak, someone also happened to be putting on a Dharma Performance. Dazzling starlight scattered across the sky, so bright that many couldn’t keep their eyes open.

Of course, these were not the key factors. If the group coming down had paid even the slightest bit more attention, they would have surely noticed Su Xingying behind him.

Unfortunately, from beginning to end, they never paid Jiang Xuan any mind.

After his words reminded them of his identity, they didn’t bother to look any closer before spewing their mocking remarks, treating him as nothing more than a tool for their amusement.

In response, Jiang Xuan wasn’t angry, nor did he pay it much mind.

A person walking down the road wouldn’t get upset over a few barks from a dog.

Besides, he had a feeling he wouldn’t even need to lift a finger here.

However, when Jiang Xuan turned around, he found that Su Xingying was so overwhelmed by the sudden flood of information and the shock of it all that she hadn’t reacted yet.

Of course, when Jiang Xuan’s gaze fell upon her, she did sober up a little.

But in that brief moment of pause, someone else spoke up.

Hua Xuan, the one who had been in charge of recruitment at the Star Sword Peak entrance, had, at some point, gotten friendly with this group.

Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, or perhaps asked by Xie Lianxing—in any case, he shrugged and chimed in matter-of-factly, "I think you’d better just quietly accept. I don’t know why you’re here, but our Star Sword Peak isn’t a place just anyone can enter...!!!"

Before he could finish his sentence, his pupils constricted, and he froze as if struck by lightning.

He saw Su Xingying step out from behind Jiang Xuan.

’The Young Mistress?! Why is she with this person?!’

Before he could make sense of the situation, he met the gaze of his own esteemed Young Mistress.

In that gaze was absolute, unadulterated fury. He even caught a thread of bone-chilling—killing intent!

’?!’

Just as he was filled with shock and disbelief, Su Xingying’s voice rang out.

"You must become someone’s servant to enter the peak? Since when did Star Sword Peak establish such a rule? How come I’ve never heard of it?"

Su Xingying’s voice had now lost the warm, lighthearted tone she had used with Jiang Xuan. All that remained was a bottomless calm.

Yet it was precisely this calm that made Hua Xuan’s face turn deathly pale. He knew all too well that sometimes, the calmer a person appeared, the more monstrous the rage churning within their heart.

And just as a chill ran down his spine, Su Xingying’s glacial voice sounded once more.

"I recall that one month ago, also before this very Mountain Gate, the person responsible for recruitment who personally turned Senior Brother Jiang Xuan away... that was also you, wasn’t it?"

"...It was me." Pinned by Su Xingying’s icy, direct stare, Hua Xuan had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer, however unwillingly.

However, he still wanted to salvage the situation, so he tried to explain, "It was because Jiang Xuan’s Spirit Root Talent was inferior and didn’t meet the standards for entering the peak! I was only following the rules when I excluded him!"

"Heh..." These words made Su Xingying laugh, a sound laced with bone-deep cold. "If Senior Brother Jiang Xuan’s talent is considered inferior, then what does that make me, Su Xingying? Worse than trash?"

"Furthermore, Star Sword Peak’s recruitment is decided by the mountain ascent trial. Since when was it your place to pass judgment based on your personal whims?"

After saying this, feeling weary and her heart filled with ice, she waved her hand, her voice leaving no room for negotiation. "Go to the Precepts Hall and receive your punishment yourself. I will personally oversee your case. I will not be lenient in the slightest."

CRACK. As if the final line of defense in his heart had shattered completely, Hua Xuan’s face drained of all color.

’Violating the Dharma Vein’s discipline by excluding a Profound Level Middle Grade Cultivator—this matter could be treated as either major or minor. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t even have to compensate with Spirit Stones; I could get away with just writing a self-criticism letter. But if someone from the upper echelons was watching, the punishment would inevitably be of the highest level, or perhaps even beyond it. And it was obvious that Su Xingying held an extraordinary status on Star Sword Peak.’

After dealing with Hua Xuan, Su Xingying turned her gaze to Jiang Xuan.

Then, she gave Jiang Xuan a deep bow and offered an apology. "I’m sorry."

At this, Jiang Xuan shrugged. "This has nothing to do with you. There’s no need to apologize."

"It does." Su Xingying forced a bitter smile and, holding nothing back, recounted what happened that day. "After you left that day, I arrived at the Mountain Gate. But at the time, I only gave him a light scolding and didn’t investigate further... It was my oversight. I’m sorry."

After bowing in apology once more, Su Xingying snapped her head up, her glacial gaze sweeping directly toward Xie Lianxing and the group of family disciples. At this moment, her mind was consumed by a single thought: ’I must salvage Jiang Xuan’s impression of Star Sword Peak.’

SWOOSH...

Stared down by Su Xingying’s frigid, icy gaze, the group of family disciples all took a step back in unison.

The moment Su Xingying had stepped out from behind Jiang Xuan, they had already sensed that something was wrong.

And this group was, after all, somewhat wary of Su Xingying.

Although they were all disciples from prominent families and had all come from the Daozi Courtyard, Su Xingying was the only daughter of the Star Sword Peak’s Peak Master. Such a status might not compare to the great families of the Upper Veins, nor could it make her strong enough to match the dozen or so most powerful individuals in the Daozi Courtyard.

But her status was such that even some of the top ten from the Daozi Courtyard had to show her some respect.

For ordinary Daozi Courtyard Cultivators like them, who couldn’t even enter an Upper Vein, she was completely out of their league.