Chapter 210: Gathering at Wudang, a Promise Made; Corruption Purged from Sakura Island Tomorrow

In a corner of the courtyard, Shi Qianzhang squatted. Shaking his head, he muttered, "To think that Brother Sheng, ranked first on the Earthly Rankings, famous even among the Heavenly Rankings, and a rising star of the Hua Republic's cultivation world, actually ended up being..."

Seated near him in meditation were Zhou Yinglong, Huai Jing, Meng Hong, and Liu Yunzhi. They all looked at Wang Sheng with a mix of sympathy and helplessness.

At the door of the main house, a multicolored silk ribbon made out of enchanted power hung from the eaves, its other end tied around Wang Sheng's ankle. He was only in his training attire's long pants. His hair hung to the ground, and his lips were curved into a bitter smile.

Before him, reclining on a wicker chair, was the graceful, seductive, and charming half-immortal fox. She held a small whip of condensed enchanted power.

Mou Yue sat on a small stool beside her, carefully peeling cherries for her. Each time she placed one beside Xi Lian's lips, she flicked the whip gently, tapping Wang Sheng on the waist. Instead of causing pain, the whip triggered an unbearable itch with each hit.

Mu Wanxuan knelt on a cushion beside Wang Sheng with a faintly concerned expression. She used her true essence to support her junior brother, worried the binding would hurt him. Though unable to stop Xi Lian's antics, she kept whispering words of comfort to calm Wang Sheng, fearing the punishment would upset his Dao Heart or damage his cultivation.

If Mu Wanxuan hadn't intervened in time, Wang Sheng wouldn't even have been able to put on his pants before being strung up like this.

"

Tsk.

" Xi Lian stretched lazily. "Santong always said the more handsome a man is, the more of a flirt he tends to be. You look so proper, Little Fei Yu, but as it turns out, you're quite mischievous too."

Mou Yue chuckled. "Sister Xi Lian, maybe that's enough? Daoist Master Wang is one of the most talented young cultivators we have, and his friends are watching."

Mu Wanxuan gave Xi Lian a pleading look. "Big Sister..."

"

Heh.

" Xi Lian smiled as her eyes narrowed. She gave Wang Sheng one more flick of the whip, releasing the immobilization technique binding him. Grinning, she then sat up and leaned in. "Have you learned your lesson?"

Wang Sheng coughed and calmly nodded.

At times like this, without a thick enough skin, there was no way one's Dao Heart could remain steady. Still, someone far stronger than he was had subdued him. There was no shame in that, and he had no reason to feel aggrieved either.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Xi Lian tapped him with the whip once more. "Are you just going to stay silent?"

Wang Sheng quickly gave in. "Senior, I was only joking. Please forgive me."

"

Hmph.

I'll let it slide this time... Now tell me, will you ever bully Little Xuanxuan again?"

"Of course not," He replied as he turned to Mu Wanxuan. "I would never bully my senior sister."

She blinked, which unexpectedly made Wang Sheng blush.

Xi Lian withdrew her enchanted power. Wang Sheng straightened up and flipped to the side. He landed smoothly, without a hint of panic or breathlessness. With a flick of his wrist, his Flowing Celestial Robe flew into his hand, and he draped it over his shoulders.

Mu Wanxuan walked over gracefully and quickly fixed his hair. Mou Yue stuck out her tongue and returned to playing the role of personal attendant.

"Senior, I'll go greet my friends now," Wang Sheng said.

Xi Lian waved him off casually. "Go on. Don't mind me. Had I known they were coming, I wouldn't have embarrassed you like that."

"It's fine," Wang Sheng replied with a relaxed smile and walked away.

Hao Ling peeked in from outside the courtyard. Pretending nothing had happened, she glanced at Wang Sheng, then quietly ran over to Mu Wanxuan and Mou Yue.

As Wang Sheng approached, Zhou Yinglong finally burst out laughing. Shi Qianzhang and the others also howled with laughter. It was a miracle the courtyard wall didn't collapse from the noise.

Wang Sheng calmly cleared his throat and sat down cross-legged before them. Once they finished laughing, he said with resignation, "You've all seen me at my worst."

Shi Qianzhang wiped away tears. "Brother Sheng, what did you do to get that senior tie and whip you up?"

Wang Sheng shrugged. "It was just a little joke."

Thinking back to the morning's spectacle and his senior sister's growing affection for him, it really didn't feel like a loss.

Huai Jing smiled. "Fei Yu, you've always had a mature, refined aura. Who would've thought someone could put you in such a position...

Amitabha,

as a monk, I shouldn't speak so frivolously."

"All right, that's enough," Liu Yunzhi cleared his throat with a straight face. "For the sake of Fei Yu's reputation, let's pretend none of this ever happened."

"

Eh...

" Zhou Yinglong looked like he wanted to speak but held back. From the way he avoided eye contact, Wang Sheng sensed something suspicious.

"Senior Brother Zhou, may I borrow your phone?" Wang Sheng asked.

"Ah, I forgot to bring my phone," Zhou Yinglong said while scooting back.

Meng Hong, however, smiled and handed his phone over. "Too late. The two photos we sent out a few minutes ago have already gone viral."

Wang Sheng was instantly filled with exasperation. Before he could respond, his phone in the main house started vibrating wildly. The last time this happened was the night the three cultivation rankings were released.

He used his Sword-Controlling Art to bring his phone to him. Opening his inbox, he found all kinds of ridiculous texts.

Daoist Brother Fei Yu, your selfless sacrifice for the peace of the cultivation world is truly admirable.

Daoist Brother Fei Yu, do you need any help? If that senior really has such hobbies and you can't handle it alone, my junior brothers and I are willing to help share the burden.

Daoist Master Fei Yu, if you're looking for multiple Daoist partners, you can consider my senior sister...

Wang Sheng stared at the screen, overwhelmed by the flood of nonsense.

What are these people even saying?

He looked up at the sky and sighed. His reputation was gone for good.

***

Wang Sheng planned to leave that afternoon. To protect Xi Lian and ensure no one could provoke her, which could disrupt her condition, the location of the mountain villa they were heading to was kept confidential. No one would be allowed to visit freely.

Zhou Yinglong, Meng Hong, and Hao Ling had come to see Wang Sheng and his senior sister off. Huai Jing, Liu Yunzhi, and Shi Qianzhang were also here to say their goodbyes before returning to their own mountains.

"The battle at the Ziyan Temple crippled the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect for now," Huai Jing said seriously. "But they still have a strong foundation in Sakura Island, which has a large population. Those corrupt cultivators could be biding their time before striking back."

Zhou Yinglong, who had been cultivating in the mountains, nodded. He had been following the matter closely, and he'd heard many of the Wudang Daoists discuss it. "The authorities will surely take action. They won't let the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect recover. If it hadn't been for the officials holding everyone back earlier, Daoist elders from various sects would be standing at the foot of Mount Futu right now, admiring cherry blossoms."

"There's no precedent for a clash between the cultivators of two nations," Meng Hong commented. "It's best to follow the official plan: apply pressure first, then strike."

Liu Yunzhi added, "Agreed. This is more than just revenge. It involves diplomacy."

"Well, if there's a fight in Sakura Island, count me in," Shi Qianzhang said. "I'll start training hard once I return. Next time, I won't drag you down, Brother Sheng."

After a moment's thought, Wang Sheng replied, "You've matured quite a bit, Shi Qianzhang. Maybe by three to five percent."

Shi Qianzhang teared up. "Must you be that specific? Brother Sheng, where am I still lacking?"

With a straight face, Liu Yunzhi answered, "As a cultivator, you've still got a long way to go. As a person? You're a rather mature delinquent."

"Little Liu, you'd better not push your luck right now. Fortune shifts with time. Today might be yours, but tomorrow could be mine," Shi Qianzhang warned through clenched teeth, clearly seething with frustration.

Liu Yunzhi simply smiled, remaining calm and indifferent.

Zhou Yinglong sighed. "Junior Brother Wang, now that you're moving away, we won't get to see each other much. I truly feel a bit reluctant to part."

Wang Sheng smiled. "I can't stay in the mountains forever. Sooner or later, I'll want to roam."

"Do your parents need help, Brother Sheng?" Shi Qianzhang asked. "Since you'll be busy taking care of that senior, you won't be able to visit them often."

"It's better not to disturb their peace." Wang Sheng looked slightly downcast, but he quickly returned to his usual calm. He warned, "We may have suppressed the corrupt cultivators for a while, but as cultivation spreads through the internet, small criminal groups like the ones before may pop up. Tell your families to be careful."

Everyone nodded in response.

Of them all, Zhou Yinglong had the closest bond with Wang Sheng. They'd faced life and death together, after all. Hence, he was clearly the most reluctant to part ways.

Huai Jing patted his bald head. "Rather than feeling sad, why not look forward to the next time we all meet? As cultivators, we should be free-spirited."

Liu Yunzhi smiled. "There will surely be more developments in Sakura Island. Maybe in a few months, half a year, a year, or maybe even two years, the Daoist sects will go there to battle those corrupt cultivators. When they do, unless we're in the middle of seclusion, how about we all join them? We can reunite then and have a proper battle with those corrupt cultivators!"

"Absolutely!" Zhou Yinglong shouted. "What do you guys think?"

"

Amitabha.

" Huai Jing smiled as well. "I'll certainly join. The Buddhist sects will have to contribute too."

Shi Qianzhang shrugged. "I don't mind. By then, I'll definitely have caught up to Little Liu in cultivation. If he goes, I naturally won't back down."

"Count me in," said Meng Hong.

"Then it's settled," said Wang Sheng.

Zhou Yinglong declared, "Today, we gather at Wudang. Tomorrow, we'll purge corruption from Sakura Island!"

"Agreed!"

The five men exchanged glances, broke into laughter, drew their swords, and sang. Their words were light, their joy heartfelt.