Too Honest Chu Xingchen

As Chu Xingchen struck a breach in Mist Mystic Temple's protective mountain array, figures rushed in from all directions through the opening. In an instant, the temple grounds buzzed with activity.

Yet, they all instinctively avoided crossing into the sightlines of Chu Xingchen and Daoist Yuyang. Regardless, the fact that the allied forces of the Eighteen Immortal Sects had arrived without hesitation in this critical moment spoke volumes about their reliability.

Chu Xingchen’s gaze locked onto Daoist Yuyang. The latter’s faintly purple Daoist robes fluttered slightly in the wind as the Taiji diagram beneath his feet rapidly expanded outward, covering the entirety of Mist Mystic Temple in what seemed like a mere instant.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone like you."

With just a glance, Daoist Yuyang recognized the masked man before him—wearing a monkey mask—as his own kind: a genius. It was a keen instinct, a sense of kinship.

Or perhaps, more accurately, a sense of danger. Only those of equal talent could pose a threat to him.

Daoist Yuyang never underestimated his opponents. He always granted them the respect they deserved. Raising his hand slightly, a violet wooden sword materialized in his grasp.

"With such talent… why resort to hiding behind a mask?"

"Or did you come here specifically to provoke my Taidao Sect?"

Electricity crackled along the wooden sword, and in the next moment, thunder surged across the entire protective array of Mist Mystic Temple.

His divine sense rapidly expanded, surveying the temple’s situation. At present, only this masked figure posed any real threat.

Zhang Daotan watched as Daoist Yuyang turned slightly, treating him—a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator—as nothing more than a Qi Refining novice.

Daoist Yuyang didn’t even bother to sweep his divine sense over him.

Yet, for some reason, Zhang Daotan felt a wave of relief. He knew this wasn’t his reinforcement, nor did he recognize the group assaulting Mist Mystic Temple.

If, as Daoist Yuyang claimed, they were here to provoke Taidao Sect…

Perhaps he could seize this chance to escape. All he needed was a little more time and opportunity…

Chu Xingchen’s eyes flickered between Daoist Yuyang and Zhang Daotan.

Before making his move, he had naturally familiarized himself with the key figures.

Holding back, he listened to Daoist Yuyang’s words and observed the tense standoff between the two. The situation became clear.

Daoist Yuyang… was suppressing the temple’s leader?

An internal conflict?

No matter. Soft targets first.

With feigned surprise, Chu Xingchen spoke, "Daoist Yuyang, why such words? I came here to assist. The leader of Mist Mystic Temple has deceived his superiors and concealed his crimes—his sins are too grave to overlook. And now, he dares to attack you?"

"As a righteous cultivator, how could I stand idly by? Daoist Yuyang, don’t worry about being outnumbered. I’ll lend you my aid!"

Nearby, Chen Mouguang was doing his best to stay out of the fray when he overheard Chu Xingchen’s words. He looked up, seeing the man’s righteous posture…

Had it not been for the fact that this very same "righteous" figure had vowed to "smash Daoist Yuyang’s head in" just moments ago, Chen Mouguang might have believed him.

This man’s ability to switch stances was almost too impressive—hardly the style Elder Bai would approve of.

Daoist Yuyang chuckled, pointing his wooden sword toward the other cultivators already looting the temple.

"Here to assist me? Or here to loot?"

Expression unreadable, Chu Xingchen raised his hand, condensing a flowing water sword from spiritual energy.

"Daoist Yuyang, stand back and watch as I prove my sincerity by severing this temple leader’s head."

Zhang Daotan’s brief flicker of hope instantly froze.

Damn it!

What had he done to deserve two top-tier cultivators gunning for his life?

Even one was bad enough—he wasn’t sure he could survive Daoist Yuyang alone, let alone both of them.

Daoist Yuyang didn’t respond, his expression still grave. He clearly didn’t buy Chu Xingchen’s act.

A group arriving so conveniently? Hardly believable as mere goodwill.

Ignoring him, Chu Xingchen fixed his gaze on Zhang Daotan.

[Target: Zhang Daotan]

[Cultivation: Nascent Soul (Mid Stage)]

[Orange Trait: Minor Authority]

[Purple Trait: Blessing of Faith]

[Purple Trait: Decent Talent]

[White Trait: Suspicion]

[Black Trait: Authority’s Misfortune]

[Black Trait: Authority’s Erosion]

[Black Trait: Authority’s Calamity]

[Black Trait: Greed-Born]

[Special Trait: Quest Target]

[Does Not Meet Disciple Criteria]

This was, without a doubt, the most heavily tagged individual Chu Xingchen had ever seen.

The "Authority" traits were particularly baffling.

Strong? Undoubtedly. "Minor Authority" alone warranted an orange-tier trait—further refinement might even elevate it to gold.

His own disciple’s gold-tier trait spoke for itself.

But the negative traits… were overwhelming.

Everything came at a price, it seemed.

For now, the authority resided with Zhang Daotan. Regardless, eliminating him was the priority.

Chu Xingchen’s figure blurred. The watery sword in his hand dissipated, yet his motion continued as if still gripping it—a phantom slash aimed straight for Zhang Daotan’s neck.

Zhang Daotan’s hair stood on end. His jade sword rose to block.

Though nothing tangible struck, an overwhelming force crashed against his blade.

His eyes widened. A… divine ability?

He couldn’t sense Chu Xingchen’s sword, nor detect much spiritual energy—yet the terrifying power was undeniable.

Boom!

Chu Xingchen’s phantom slash landed.

The earth trembled violently as shockwaves rippled outward. The temple’s protective array flared to its limits, struggling to absorb the impact.

Zhang Daotan’s face twisted with resentment.

Before him, Daoist Yuyang’s violet wooden sword hovered silently—having intercepted the strike at the last moment.

Zhang Daotan could have blocked it himself, but Daoist Yuyang clearly doubted his ability.

The sheer disrespect burned.

Chu Xingchen calmly turned his gaze to Daoist Yuyang, who stood unmoved.

Daoist Yuyang spoke, voice icy, "This is Taidao Sect’s internal affair, on Taidao Sect’s territory. I’ll humor you as an ally—for now. But we don’t need your help. Leave with your people, and I’ll pretend this never happened."

"Refuse, and I’ll label you an accomplice. Kill you, and no sect would dare question me."

Might as well play the righteous card first—it never hurt.

From behind his mask, Chu Xingchen let out a soft laugh.

"Rare to see someone so eager for a beating. If you insist on shielding Mist Mystic Temple, then I’ll uphold justice in your stead!"

Daoist Yuyang smirked, raising a hand.

The violet sword before Zhang Daotan vanished in a flash of light.

Outside the hall, Chen Mouguang looked up at the sky.

A colossal sword of purple lightning tore through the heavens, descending upon Mist Mystic Temple.

Ye Antao and Wang Ling were currently in different locations, yet they both halted their movements simultaneously, their gazes drawn to the colossal thunder sword in the sky.

At this moment, a dawning realization struck them.

Even though they had given Daoist Yuyang the respect he deserved and had already wildly overestimated his strength in their imaginations, facing that massive purple thunder sword—feeling its terrifying, soul-shaking aura as it pierced through Mist Mystic Temple’s protective formation—they finally understood.

Daoist Yuyang was even stronger than they had imagined.

Now, they could clearly witness the true majesty of the legendary Daoist Yuyang.

Without hesitation, everyone’s first instinct was to retreat. Faced with a power far beyond their comprehension, no one dared to remain overconfident.

Dozens of streaks of light hastily fled Mist Mystic Temple, some even rushing far beyond its borders.

The thunder sword seemed to deliberately allow them to escape, descending at a deliberately slow pace, granting ample time for retreat.

In the distance from Mist Mystic Temple, the members of the previous council had all gathered in the same spot.

Chen Mouguang pressed his lips together tightly as he watched the thunder sword tear through Mist Mystic Temple’s protective formation as if it were mere tofu, plunging straight toward the main hall.

Then, in a flash of blinding violet light—

The entire Mist Mystic Temple became a stage for thunder.

A surge of immense spiritual energy erupted into the heavens, its shockwaves exploding outward in all directions.

Ye Antao’s eyes swept across the crowd, but she failed to spot Chu Xingchen. Anxious, she turned to Chen Mouguang and demanded,

"Where’s that guy of yours who was supposed to keep stalling?!"

Chen Mouguang gave a bitter laugh and pointed toward the now thunder-ravaged Mist Mystic Temple.

"Probably still in there… stalling."

Ye Antao’s eyes widened.

Surely he didn’t have to take the task that seriously?!

Was this man even more earnest than she was?!