Now It's My Turn to Prove

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zheng Xiaofeng quickly stood up and introduced to the Sect Leader and the elders:

"These two are from the Tianyan Sect of Zhongzhou."

The Sect Leader of Qingfeng Sect, with a warm smile, said, "So they are esteemed disciples of the Tianyan Sect. May I ask what brings you to Qingfeng Sect?"

Faced with the Sect Leader's inquiry, Chu Xingchen showed no reaction, his gaze fixed solely on Shangguan Hong.

The Sect Leader looked slightly embarrassed and glanced at Zheng Xiaofeng.

His eyes questioned—what is going on here?

Zheng Xiaofeng felt helpless inside. What kind of mess is this? This job is truly unbearable. Not only do I have to act subservient to those I can't afford to offend, but every little thing seems to be my fault.

If I knew everything, would you even be the Sect Leader?

But no matter how frustrated he felt, Zheng Xiaofeng had to step up now.

He put on his usual humble smile and cautiously asked,

"Do you and Elder Shangguan know each other?"

"Naturally, we've met once before," Chu Xingchen finally responded, a faint smile appearing on his face. "I wonder if Elder Shangguan still remembers me?"

Shangguan Hong, after a moment of silence, replied, "Of course, I remember."

He paused, then added with a hint of confusion, "But back then, didn't you say you were from the Heavenly Dao Alliance of Zhongzhou?"

Chu Xingchen propped his chin with his right hand, his tone both flippant and disdainful:

"Oh? So Elder Shangguan doubts me?"

"Of course not, it's just..."

Shangguan Hong trailed off, leaving room for endless speculation.

Hearing this, the Sect Leader once again turned his gaze to Zheng Xiaofeng.

His eyes still questioned—what the hell is going on here?

Zheng Xiaofeng was exhausted. He really wanted to grab the token from Chu Xingchen's waist and throw it in the Sect Leader's face.

I've been doing this subservient job for so many years. Can't I even tell if a Zhongzhou token is real or fake?

He could only try to mediate again, "Elder Shangguan... is there perhaps some misunderstanding between you?"

Shangguan Hong remained silent.

"A misunderstanding? Hardly," Chu Xingchen said, his tone still flippant. "It's more like a grudge."

This time, Zheng Xiaofeng didn't wait for the Sect Leader's questioning look. He quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile:

"Our esteemed guest must be joking. Didn't you say you had a mission that requires our Qingfeng Sect's cooperation?"

Hearing Zheng Xiaofeng's awkward attempt to change the subject, Chu Xingchen replied calmly,

"From the tone of Elder Shangguan, it seems he thinks I'm an imposter from the Tianyan Sect. Don't you want to verify my identity further?"

Chu Xingchen paused, then added leisurely, "Or perhaps, let Elder Shangguan personally verify it?"

Just as Zheng Xiaofeng was about to continue trying to calm the situation, Shangguan Hong's aged voice cut in:

"That would be best."

This statement left Zheng Xiaofeng momentarily stunned, his eyes wide with disbelief as he looked at Shangguan Hong.

What the hell is wrong with this guy?

Shangguan Hong ignored the looks of disbelief from the others.

He had his reasons for doing this. If this person hadn't shown up, it would have been fine, but now that he was here, Shangguan Hong felt something was off.

To be safe, Shangguan Hong had looked into Li Xingtian's background when he returned.

The records showed that Li Xingtian had initially worked in the mines before being transferred to the outer sect due to a lack of alchemy talents.

Although Shangguan Hong had concerns, there was little he could do. After all, he couldn't defeat the man, and being rescued by him was a blow to his pride.

When the mine was attacked, Shangguan Hong had suspected it might have been this person's doing. But upon reflection, Chu Xingchen's spiritual energy was pure, with no trace of demonic cultivation.

Moreover, Shangguan Hong had truly believed at the time that Chu Xingchen was likely from Zhongzhou.

But now... a Zhongzhou native, with a group, who knew about the mine.

If he were truly a disciple of the Tianyan Sect, why would he deceive me by claiming to be from the Heavenly Dao Alliance?

If he really wanted to save someone, he could have just shown his token, and I wouldn't have dared to say a word. Why the pretense?

There must be something fishy going on!

It's possible that the demonic cultivators who attacked the mine were led by this man. Qingfeng Sect has its protective mountain array and so many Golden Core elders.

If this man is truly an imposter from the Tianyan Sect...

Moreover, even if he is genuine, at most, I'll lower my stance and apologize, or accept punishment.

The potential gain outweighs the risk, so why not?

Shangguan Hong quickly made up his mind and stepped forward without hesitation, saying:

"Since you're from the Tianyan Sect, besides the token, you must have other means of proving your identity, right?"

The Sect Leader, who had initially intended to stop Shangguan Hong, paused upon hearing this.

Shangguan Hong noticed the Sect Leader's hesitation and understood that he had tacitly agreed.

A faint smile appeared on Shangguan Hong's aged face.

At that moment, Yaoqin, who had been silent, suddenly drew the sword at her side. A sword intent filled with infinite sharpness, as if it could easily slice through stars, erupted from her hand.

The wild spiritual energy was perfectly condensed, and in a flash of light, the grand hall was completely split in two by the sword strike.

The violent spiritual waves crushed everything in the room.

Several Golden Core elders hurriedly raised their spiritual barriers to block the exaggerated aftermath.

As the spiritual energy settled, the hall was already in ruins. The terrifying sword mark had not only shattered the walls of the hall but also continued with enough force to flatten the mountain behind it.

Massive boulders tumbled down.

Shangguan Hong, who was closest to the sword intent, was even forced back several steps, even though the attack wasn't aimed at him.

Yaoqin slowly sheathed her sword and placed it back beside her chair.

She hadn't even stood up to deliver that strike.

"The Tianyan Sect's divine technique, the Yan Shen Taiqing Sword," Yaoqin said coldly, her gaze fixed on the shaken Shangguan Hong. "Do you still want to verify anything else?"

Shangguan Hong immediately held his breath. What the hell is there to verify now?

This divine technique, which only true disciples of the Tianyan Sect can learn, is far more convincing than any token.

But isn't this person... a bit too overpowered?

Chu Xingchen, seeing Shangguan Hong's grave expression, deliberately turned to Yaoqin and asked with feigned confusion:

"Senior Sister, why did you hold back?"

Yaoqin replied indifferently, "This is someone else's sect, after all. We should leave them some face."

Zheng Xiaofeng glanced at the nearly ruined hall... It didn't seem like much face was left.

Chu Xingchen nodded lightly, then stood up and casually picked up the sword Yaoqin had placed beside her.

"My senior sister has proven that she's a disciple of the Tianyan Sect. Now it's my turn to prove myself to all of you."

As he spoke, Chu Xingchen faced Shangguan Hong, pretending to draw his sword as if he, too, intended to unleash the Yan Shen Taiqing Sword and cut Shangguan Hong in two.

The Sect Leader hurriedly intervened, "Wait... esteemed guest, please wait!"

What more is there to verify? If another strike like that happens, will there even be a Qingfeng Sect left?

The Sect Leader glared at Shangguan Hong and scolded, "Elder Shangguan! Apologize to our esteemed guests at once!"

It's unclear how Chu Xingchen and Yaoqin reacted.

But Zheng Xiaofeng, hearing these words, felt an immense sense of relief.

Finally, it's not my fault this time.