At this age, one should know how to exercise restraint.

Looking at Chen Chang'an's shameless demeanor, Lu Xiaoyun's eyes seemed ready to kill.

Shameless!

Utterly shameless!

After eating and drinking your fill, you still dare to call me a swindler?

What kind of swindler lets you freeload without paying a single coin? Have you no shame?

"City Lord Lu, you don't look too well. Are you feeling unwell?"

"I happen to know a thing or two about medicine. How about I take a look?"

"Don’t worry, since you were so generous to treat me to a meal, I won’t charge you."

"To be honest, my consultation fees are exorbitantly high."

"You’re getting a free checkup—consider yourself lucky."

If Chen Chang'an had kept quiet, it might have been better. But after his words, Lu Xiaoyun’s expression darkened even further.

Lu Xiaoyun had gained a whole new understanding of Chen Chang'an’s shamelessness. Having lived for millions of years, he had never met anyone more brazen than this bastard.

Damn it, I’m already a Celestial King—what kind of health problems could I possibly have? This bastard is playing dumb on purpose.

"I’m tired. I won’t keep you any longer." Lu Xiaoyun directly issued the order to leave, fearing that any more of Chen Chang'an’s nonsense might give him internal injuries.

"You’re tired already?"

"Hmm… You really don’t look well."

"Even though you’re a Celestial King, you’re still quite old."

"You should learn to pace yourself."

Sigh.

Chen Chang'an shook his head, his gaze filled with concern as he patted Lu Xiaoyun’s shoulder before walking out of the room.

Only after Chen Chang'an left did Lu Xiaoyun finally snap out of it.

"You bastard!"

"What the hell do you mean ‘pace myself’?"

"What’s wrong with being old? My body is in perfect condition!"

"Seven times a night, still going strong!"

"You—"

Lu Xiaoyun gnashed his teeth in fury. If it were anyone else, he would have already thrown hands. But facing Chen Chang'an, he knew that even if he did fight, he’d still end up the one seething in anger.

Damn it! That brat’s skin is thicker than armor. My attacks wouldn’t even tickle him.

"Tch, seven times a night? That’s way too short."

Though Chen Chang'an had already left, he still heard Lu Xiaoyun’s furious outburst. He scoffed disdainfully—clearly, the man had health issues. A Celestial King should be lasting seven nights in one go, not seven times in one night.

What a weakling!

After returning to his courtyard, Chen Chang'an checked on Da Huang and the others, who were still deep in cultivation.

This training session had lasted longer than he expected. It was clear that both Da Huang and Xiao Yao had been spurred on by him.

They knew that if they didn’t work harder to improve their strength, the gap between them and Chen Chang'an would only widen.

Meanwhile, just as Lu Xiaoyun had predicted, the Meng Family arrived in Skypride City seven days later.

"Xiaohui, what do you think of Chen Chang'an’s true strength?"

The Meng Family Patriarch’s first priority was to assess Chen Chang'an’s power. After all, someone who could climb to the 99th floor of the Skypride Tower was no easy opponent.

"Patriarch, based on my deductions, Chen Chang'an is indeed strong, but his strength likely stops at the Celestial King level."

"Most probably, he’s at the peak of the Celestial Immortal realm."

"If he were a Celestial King, word would have spread across the Profound Heaven Domain by now. And he’s not exactly the low-key type."

"The fact that he updated the Skypride Rankings mid-climb shows he loves to show off."

"So, my reasoning should be correct. That’s also why I believe we should strike first and eliminate him."

"If we give him more time, given his monstrous talent, he might actually break through to Celestial King."

Hearing Meng Xiaohui’s analysis, the Meng Family Patriarch nodded in agreement before giving him an approving look.

"Xiaohui, you’ve done well."

"Our Meng Family cannot allow such a monstrous talent to exist in the Profound Heaven Domain."

"Besides, he killed one of our own. If we don’t retaliate, how will the Meng Family maintain our standing?"

"Others might think we fear him." The Patriarch’s voice was icy.

"The Patriarch speaks wisely."

"Where is he now?"

"Patriarch, he’s at the Skypride Pavilion. He hasn’t left in days."

Still at the Skypride Pavilion?

The Patriarch frowned. The Skypride Pavilion wasn’t a place they could recklessly provoke. Acting inside would be nearly impossible.

"This is troublesome. If Chen Chang'an never leaves, we won’t be able to make our move," the Meng Family Head said with a frown.

"I refuse to believe he’ll stay there forever."

"By the way, have you paid a visit to the City Lord of Skypride City?" the Patriarch asked.

"Patriarch, I already did. Though the City Lord didn’t meet me, he surely knew my intentions."

"He only relayed a message—as long as we don’t break Skypride City’s rules, the City Lord’s Manor won’t interfere."

"So, if we want to kill Chen Chang'an, we’ll need to lure him outside the city."

"After all, as a Skypride Rankings member, he’s under protection within the city."

Meng Xiaohui wasn’t acting purely on impulse. He knew they had to first test the City Lord’s stance.

"Patriarch!"

"Chen Chang'an… has left the Skypride Pavilion!"

At that moment, a Meng Family member rushed in with urgent news.

He left?

"Where did he go?"

"Heaven helps us! We just arrived, and he shows himself?" The Patriarch chuckled.

"I… I don’t know. Our people saw him leave and immediately sent word via the Sound Transmission Jade. I’ll ask right away."

"Yes, find out immediately. Better yet, have our people try to lure him outside the city."

"As you command, Patriarch."

Just as the Meng Family member was about to transmit the message, Meng Xiaohui frowned in thought.

"Patriarch, an ordinary person trying to lure Chen Chang'an out might… not work."

"Chen Chang'an isn’t a fool. He’ll see through it. What if he refuses to leave?"

Hearing this, the Patriarch hesitated. True, a prodigy like Chen Chang'an wouldn’t be easily fooled.

If he refused to leave, wouldn’t that tip him off about the Meng Family’s intentions?

"Do you have a better idea?" the Patriarch asked.

"I… haven’t thought of one yet."

Meng Xiaohui shook his head helplessly. There were only two options—wait for Chen Chang'an to leave on his own, or find a way to lure him out, which was far from easy.

"How about I help you come up with a plan?"

A sudden, unfamiliar voice made all the Meng Family members freeze.

"Who’s there?"

"Chen Chang'an!"