Chapter 30: Rescue Zhao by Besieging Wei—Xiao Ling’er’s Extraordinary Wit

"I think you’re a bit feverish—why don’t you cool off down below for a while..." Ling Tian tugged at the corner of his mouth. With such a temper, is he really the Lord of the Sacred Land of Autumn? Tsk, tsk...

Yan Chen felt much better seeing Ling Tian treated the same way. What was this called? The wicked reap what they sow; retribution is only a matter of time. The way he treated me—now he’s suffering the same fate. Heaven spares no one!

Ling Tian possessed a formidable constitution, and with his protective spiritual artifact, he blocked the wind and remained unscathed. Of course, he could have used spiritual energy to resist, but it was exhausting. If there was a shortcut, why not take it?

Yan Chen, seeing Ling Tian safe and sound, couldn't help but grumble about the evils of privilege.

On the back of the dragon eagle, Chu Xuan watched Ling Tian's treatment—several times she wanted to stand up and plead with Lord Luo Changsheng. Yet, recalling Ling Tian’s actions, she abandoned the idea. After all, it seemed he was at fault first.

"He deserves it—let him dig his own grave!" Xiao Ling’er snorted twice, took out a sweet-scented osmanthus cake, and stuffed it into her mouth. Though her words were harsh, she brought the cake over to Luo Changsheng, her voice sweet and pleading: "Lord Luo, try this cake. It’s really delicious."

Luo Changsheng took a piece and tasted it, finding it quite good.

"Lord Luo, I feel a bit dizzy. Could we perhaps slow down a little?" Xiao Ling’er, seeing Lord Luo had eaten her cake, revealed her true intent, her eyes sparkling with wit.

Luo Changsheng paused, then smiled and ordered the dragon eagle to slow down considerably.

There’s an old saying: “One’s hand is tied if you accept gifts, your mouth is short if you eat from others.” Having tasted Xiao Ling’er’s offering, Luo Changsheng had no reason to refuse such a reasonable request.

He reached for another piece, but Xiao Ling’er had already turned around, guarding the cakes beneath her.

Luo Changsheng... So it’s true, you’re really stingy! Once matters are settled, you won’t let anyone gain even a little benefit!

Xiao Ling’er’s move—diverting attention to achieve her goal—was indeed clever.

"This girl," Chu Xuan mused as she watched Xiao Ling’er and reflected on her behavior, "how can she sometimes be so clever, and at other times so foolish?" Perhaps this is what’s called “great wisdom appearing simple.”

...

"Sect Master, I’ve said it before—Autumn Sacred Land took them away with ill intentions. Look, it’s been months, and they still haven’t returned them." In the great hall of the Fire God Sect, elders sat on both sides. The speaker was Elder Xu Yun, who glared at Xiao Ding, his lips twisted in a cold sneer.

"So Elder means to blame me?" Xiao Ding, seated in the central position, tapped his finger rhythmically on the armrest, his expression displeased. "Don’t forget—the Emperor was present at the time, and the Lord of Autumn Sacred Land as well. What could I say? If I had refused, would I even be here now? Besides, Yan Chen is your disciple, so of course you’re worried. But Ling’er is my daughter, and I’m even more concerned. Are you suggesting I sent my own daughter into the fire?"

At this, Xiao Ding’s voice grew icy. Irritated—how could he not be? That was his daughter; if anything happened, what would he do? He hadn’t expected, at such a critical moment, for someone so blind to stumble onto the firing line.

"Yes, Elder, at the time there was no other choice. The Sect Master had his own difficulties."

"Exactly, we should all calm down. We’re here to discuss solutions, not to argue." The other elders, sensing the tension, hurried to smooth things over. Meanwhile, each was calculating their own benefit.

More of them didn’t want Yan Chen and Ling Tian to return. After all, with their absence, those positions would be vacant. Their own disciples might have a chance. If one succeeds, all benefit; they, too, would reap rewards.

"I was impulsive," Elder Xu Yun admitted, his face shifting between gloom and resignation, finally sighing deeply and conceding. His urgency wasn’t because he cherished Yan Chen, but because Yan Chen was crucial to him.

On the surface, they were teacher and student; but in reality, Xu Yun needed him. When breaking through the Eighth Realm of Holy King, he suffered a Dao injury; his cultivation stagnated. Yan Chen, before his eyes, refined a pill that partially healed the injury. Thus, Yan Chen leaped from an inner disciple to his personal protégé.

He’d tried countless methods to no avail; Yan Chen was his hope! The more they interacted, the more he marveled at Yan Chen’s extraordinary talent, even intending to pair him with his granddaughter. Yet Yan Chen didn’t seem interested in her.

So, if Yan Chen didn’t return, Xu Yun’s Dao injury would remain unresolved—how could he not be anxious? No wonder he’d lost composure.

"Your sect’s two talents are indeed exceptional, but our Autumn Sacred Land is not lacking in comparable prodigies, nor do we harbor the ill intentions you claim!"

A powerful voice echoed into the hall; then, the dragon eagle swooped in and released Ling Tian and Yan Chen onto the ground. Luo Changsheng and his companions dismounted.

"Father!" Xiao Ling’er, just landed, ran straight to Xiao Ding. Three years had passed without seeing her father—she missed him dearly.

Luo Changsheng, meanwhile, openly revealed his cultivation at the Ninth Realm of Saint Emperor, his aura sweeping through the hall. The elders’ faces instantly darkened, their heads bowed under the pressure. In their hearts, they cursed Elder Xu Yun’s ancestors. Didn’t he know walls have ears? Was he qualified to comment on the affairs of Autumn Sacred Land? This was simply handing himself over!

They were dumbstruck—not afraid of formidable opponents, but of foolish allies!

Elder Xu Yun’s expression was equally sour. Couldn’t he give a rough arrival date? Had he known they were coming, he’d never have uttered those words.

"Ling’er..." Xiao Ding took her hand, looked her over—she’d grown taller, her cultivation had deepened, but the Phoenix bloodline hadn’t awakened. Was he truly deceived?

As for Luo Changsheng's oppressive aura toward the elders, Xiao Ding didn’t immediately intervene. Elder Xu Yun was at fault, and deserved some hardship.

What? You say it’s disrespectful for outsiders to oppress your elders in front of you? That’s only true if those elders are truly devoted to the sect, in which case he would step in.

But what had Elder Xu Yun just done? Not only had he spoken ill of Autumn Sacred Land, he’d accused Xiao Ding of wrongdoing. Such an elder—if he didn’t suffer for it, he’d never learn his place! This had nothing to do with the sect's reputation.

After a while, Xiao Ding spoke: "Elder Xu, apologize to Lord Luo..."

Xu Yun gave Xiao Ding a resentful look. Damn it—if I could speak, I wouldn’t be so embarrassed! Under Luo Changsheng’s pressure, even uttering a word was hard.

If he could have, he’d have apologized long ago! Though dissatisfied with Luo Changsheng, martial strength was paramount. Having finally reached this realm, he had no wish to lose his life over this.

Xiao Ding glanced helplessly at Luo Changsheng. "Lord Luo, for my sake, spare him."

Only then did Luo Changsheng wave his sleeve. The crushing pressure vanished from the elders, and they breathed a sigh of relief. Ninth Realm of Saint Emperor—terrifying indeed!

"Lord Luo, I was wrong—I spoke out of turn!" Elder Xu Yun apologized sincerely.

Luo Changsheng said nothing. He wanted some compensation, but as a Lord of a Sacred Land, his magnanimity had to exceed petty grievances.

"If apologies sufficed, why bother with action?" No sooner had Elder Xu Yun finished speaking than Ling Tian’s voice rang out. He gave Luo Changsheng a look—if you’re embarrassed, I’ll handle it!

Without waiting for a reply, Ling Tian continued, "Let’s do this: just follow the compensation outlined here." He produced a list and handed it over, eyes gleaming.

"Hiss—" Elder Xu Yun sucked in a breath as he read, astonished at the outrageous demands. It was daylight robbery!

"This seems rather unreasonable, doesn’t it?" Elder Xu Yun glared at Ling Tian. Were it not for the fact that Ling Tian was with Luo Changsheng, he’d have already unleashed his spiritual power and crushed this impudent brat.

Arrogant—far too arrogant.

"Are you his master?" Ling Tian ignored his protest and gestured toward Yan Chen.

"So what if I am?" Elder Xu Yun didn’t deny it—it was common knowledge.

"That’s right. My compensation plan includes not only reparations to the Sacred Land, but also payment for instructing your disciple."

Ling Tian smiled calmly, his reasoning impeccable.

"Absurd! You teach him? Your age is likely less than his!" Elder Xu Yun finally lost his composure—this boy was making a mockery of him!

Yan Chen’s face darkened. When Ling Tian pointed at him, he knew what was coming—another display of superiority. In swordsmanship, Ling Tian truly had the credentials.

Yan Chen tried to stop Xu Yun, but it was too late.

"Have you heard of the Nine Tolling Bells of the Sword?" With those words, Ling Tian struck, his finger as a sword, aimed directly at Xu Yun’s face.

"Clang..." Xu Yun’s eyes widened, staring at Ling Tian’s hand so near, sensing a faint, razor-sharp aura.

So it was the same monstrous genius from three years ago! No wonder—Ling Tian had disappeared for three years, his appearance completely transformed. Not recognizing him was hardly surprising.

Xu Yun felt utterly frustrated. Ling Tian’s challenge was blatant, but upon realizing his identity, Xu Yun dared not retaliate. Retaliate? Ling Tian was the disciple of the Emperor—that would be suicide!

Elder Xu Yun glanced at Yan Chen, bit his lip, resigned. "My disciple is lacking; thank you, young friend, for guiding him. Compensation will be as you say..."