Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

Chu Mingkong listened to the hatred in her words, but his heart remained unmoved:

"Don't worry, your level is too low to retaliate against me personally. But I'm afraid that your Xiao family will continue to do some impulsive things. If you can't touch me, you'll go after others to provoke me. If there's a next time, you might really lose your eyes. This is for the sake of your Xiao family."

He got up and left. Xiao Zhi watched his departing figure, then took out a jade token hidden under the quilt. It was a jade token from the Tianya City martial arts competition. This person had actually participated in the trial, plotting to become the city lord!

Last night, Xiao Zhi accidentally found the jade pendant in his arms, so she went to great lengths to hide it. She even pretended to be a lustful animal and clung to him, just to distract him.

"Just you wait, Feng Nan's hand will heal..."

Xiao Zhi really wanted to take a bath to wash away the nausea on her body, but she was afraid of delaying Xiao Fengnan's recovery, so she quickly got up and went back to Qingxin Mansion to deliver the medicine.

Chu Mingkong left the Xiao family mansion, wondering if Xiao Zhi still remembered the jade pendant she had secretly gotten up last night.

Chu Mingkong deliberately took it for her; otherwise, he would have put it in his storage ring, and she wouldn't have had a chance to touch it.

Hopefully, Xiao Zhi can take it to Tianya Tower as soon as possible so that the elders there can decide on the opponents for the next round, and make him and Xiao Fengnan their opponents.

"The White Jade Infused Twin Lotus is so expensive... But I finished two rounds of the ten-day tasks in one night, so I can exchange it for the 'Hehuan True Scripture'."

Chu Mingkong stroked his chin, realizing that this distorted way of obtaining filial piety was really a bit strange. Although he had temporarily bound Xiao Zhi to him last night, judging from her attitude, she couldn't wait to devour him alive.

It's unbelievable that this can produce distorted filial piety. What happened to the idea that filial piety can only arise when one has strong and positive emotions?

The score is played on the plain.

------------

Princess Chu returned to Qingxin Mansion, dragging her exhausted body, and delivered the black wooden box containing the medicinal herbs directly to Xiao Fengnan's courtyard. The old doctor had been guarding nearby, ready to respond to any changes in Xiao Fengnan's injuries.

She didn't really want to see her father, Xiao Chengren.

"This is a miraculous medicine to treat Feng Nan's injuries. Give it to Feng Nan immediately!" The Chu Princess's face, which usually maintained a calm and smiling demeanor, was now cold and indifferent.

The old doctor opened the black wooden box and saw the white jade-like lotus with its twin blossoms sap-covered stems inside. His eyes widened in astonishment, and he exclaimed:

"I thought it would be good if this ancient medicine had a hundred years of medicinal effect, but this is actually a thousand-year-old medicinal plant! Your Highness, how did you obtain this medicinal plant?"

The Queen Consort of Chu's face darkened further:

"Don't meddle in other people's business. How long will it take for Feng Nan to recover after receiving this medicine?"

"I can't guarantee the fastest recovery, as I've never handled such a precious medicine before. But at the latest, you'll recover within two days. Moreover, this is a thousand-year-old medicinal plant. Not only will your martial tendons be enhanced, but your spiritual veins will also be nourished. Young Master Xiao is already a prodigy; taking this medicine will allow you to reach an even higher level!"

Perhaps even the young lady can't compare to Young Master Xiao!

"Okay, then give it to Feng Nan now!"

Princess Chu trusted no one now. She was worried that the old doctor might secretly leave some medicine behind, which would affect Xiao Fengnan's recovery. She watched her son take the medicine and told him to rest well before walking out of the courtyard with numb legs.

Although I don't want to see my father, I have to now.

She ordered her servants to prepare a carriage and rushed to another mansion of the Xiao family, where she found Xiao Chengren.

In the study, Xiao Chengren was discussing matters with Minister Wan, who had accompanied several of his uncles to Tianya City. For such a grand occasion, the royal family naturally had to send representatives in person.

There was a group that came in secret, and naturally there was also a group that came openly. Minister Wan was one of the group that came openly.

Upon seeing Xiao Zhi's arrival, Xiao Chengren said to Minister Wan:

"Minister Wan, the Xiao family can arrange the accommodations for the royal family members and the Imperial Concubine. I will now send a trusted confidant to take the officials to see if they are satisfied with their accommodations. If not, we can change them. Once they are satisfied, we can then sit down together to discuss the matters of Tianya City. The Xiao family and the royal family are not completely opposing enemies."

Minister Wan naturally understood that Xiao Chengren had something to discuss with Princess Xiao Zhi. After nodding in understanding to Xiao Chengren, he spoke to the Princess of Chu before leaving:

"Princess Consort of Chu, Consort Wan has also arrived. You haven't seen each other for many years, so you can catch up sometime."

Princess Chu wouldn't reveal her emotions in front of outsiders; she offered a polite, courteous smile.

"Very well, as sisters with Consort Wan, I have missed her for a long time."

After Minister Wan left, Princess Chu took out the jade pendant and placed it on Xiao Chengren's desk:

"Father, this was found on Lord Zuo. He intends to compete for the position of City Lord of Tianya City and is a great threat. Let the people of Tianya Tower arrange for him to compete with Feng Nan and take the opportunity to eliminate him!"

Xiao Chengren picked up the jade tablet and said solemnly:

"Such a thing has happened. It seems we really need to be careful of this person. You did a good job. I'll go to Tianya Tower now... You've had a hard night. Go and rest. The family won't treat you badly."

------------

Inside the carriage, Xiao Chengren looked at the jade pendant in his hand and, recalling his daughter's disguise, couldn't help but sneer.

Having been her father for so many years, how could he not know Xiao Zhi's personality? How could he not know what she was planning just now?

This is an attempt to use him to deal with Minister Zuo.

Who would be foolish enough to let someone steal a martial arts jade token? This Lord Zuo must have deliberately let Xiao Zhi steal it. Xiao Zhi is so angry she can't even see that. He's trying to set her up so he can make further demands and force himself on her!

"Feng Nan must not harm this Minister Zuo; the power behind him is unimaginable!"

Xiao Chengren held the jade pendant, calculating in his mind.

It just so happens that Wan Hua was brought to Tianya City this time, which was a deliberate scheme to make her "accidentally" return to the Xiao family and be used by him.

As for Xiao Zhi... since she has harbored rebellious intentions, she needs to be taught a lesson so that she can face reality.

"The old saying is true. It's not that we're afraid of people with strange personalities, but we are afraid of people who are without desires and can give away a thousand-year-old elixir just to exchange for a night of pleasure. We should not befriend such people, and we should try to win them over even if it means suffering a great loss."

"Your Excellency, you gifted my Xiao family a twin lotus flower; in return, I will return a pair of twin lotus beauties. I'm sure you'll be satisfied!"

Chapter 210 The Center of the Abyss

Chu Mingkong did not return to Qingxin Mansion, but went directly out of the city and came to the place where he had previously "reunited" with Gundan, where he sat in a daze.

On one hand, he had to wait for the Xiao family to return the jade token to him. Given the Xiao family's current desire for the position of city lord of Tianya City, they would likely intensify their hostility once they discovered that he had this jade token. Once the opponents who had been pre-selected for the competition were decided, they would probably say, "Lord Zuo, you forgot something," and return it to him.

On the other hand, the sage's thoughts of regret, self-blame, and remorse crowded his mind, to the point that he had the saintly thought that "although Old Lu was killed because of me, Elder Hong was killed because of supporting me, and there may be more people who die because of me in the future, I still went too far in attacking the enemy." Chu Mingkong had experienced the horror of this kind of thinking many times in his previous life.

Each time he enters Sage Mode, all the resources he saved are deleted, and the recycle bin is emptied.

Having calmed down considerably, Chu Mingkong began to ponder something else. Without Shangguan Rong by his side, he had to force his mind to think painfully.

Will Xiao Chengren send Xiao Fengnan to deal with him?

It's possible not. To be honest, that medicinal herb was really quite precious. Chu Mingkong didn't know exactly how precious it was, but the price was so high that even Chu Mingkong, who was angry at the time, felt a pang of heartache. Among the things he had bought, the price of that twin lotus was second only to the fragment of the "Hehuan True Scripture" he had just bought.

Given Xiao Chengren's "generosity" in sending his daughter over so quickly, he might want to continue currying favor with him rather than becoming an enemy. He might even want to use Xiao Zhi to keep him hooked.

Xiao Chengren wanted to deal with him before because he felt that he didn't know how to win over "Zuo Gege" and that the value he showed was not enough for him to take seriously. But now "Zuo Gege" has changed his persona!

Chu Mingkong slapped his thigh hard; this time he was truly annoyed.

"Oh no! I was too naive. What if he doesn't return the jade pendant after I hand it over?!"

Of course, another regret was deeply rooted in Chu Mingkong's mind—Xiao Zhi possessed extreme yang energy, but he had not absorbed it.

The reason he blindfolded her yesterday was, of course, to conceal the truth about "how to use the jade pendant." In order to let her "accidentally" discover the martial arts jade tablet, Chu Mingkong went to great lengths to arrange it. He showed it to her a few times and then immediately blindfolded her again.

If Chu Mingkong really wanted to make Xiao Zhi suffer, he would have made her open her eyes wide and watch. He had considered this when he blindfolded her, and there was also the relationship with Yun Han involved, which is very strange.

"I desperately crave the power of extreme Yang; without it, the golden threads around my heart are almost completely faded..."

He really can't stay in Xiling for too long now. The extreme yin energy in Xiling is generally higher than in the capital. Tianya City seems unaffected, but that's just because the extreme yin energy is relatively thin. However, Chu Mingkong's perception of this energy is extremely clear.

Moreover, his heart was automatically absorbing the extreme yin energy scattered between heaven and earth, and his extreme yang energy was being consumed too quickly. In the two days since he returned to Xiling, apart from the extreme yang energy he had consumed on the way, a whole strand of golden thread had become so dim that it was difficult to see with the naked eye.

We need to find a way to speed things up in Xiling, otherwise his injuries will return to their initial state, or even continue to worsen!

Suddenly, a bear paw slapped his shoulder, and a "get lost!" sounded, saying:

"Xiao Mingkong, what are you doing sitting here? Counting ants?"

Chu Mingkong smelled a sour odor, glanced at Gundan's paws, and asked:

Why did you eat a lemon? And why did you smear lemon juice on my nails?!

"I'd like to improve my diet, and it's been so long since I've had Xiling lemons. I miss them, but they're so expensive... Why are lemons so expensive? I don't have to pay for food in the demon realm."

"Because there's no land left suitable for growing lemons, it's already good enough that we can sell them now, be content... How did you end up here looking for me?" Chu Mingkong patted the bear's belly, its fur a bit prickly.

"I thought I'd come and see if you were there. I'd like to exchange some things for some money, is that alright?"

"Just say you want money, why are you talking about exchanging money? When did you become as polite as me?"

Chu Mingkong laughed at his formality, and then saw Armored Bear take out a storage ring, shake it on the ground, and a mountain of martial arts jade tablets appeared.

He was stunned.

Where did you get it?

"Those people from the Princess's family targeted today's winners, stealing and robbing their jade tokens. Actually, there were other forces involved, but I couldn't catch them, so I seized these spoils. I figured these jade tokens were like trash to me, and going up to compete would just mean getting beaten up. Only a fool would go, so I came to ask Mingkong if you wanted them. If you do, exchange them for some money with me."

Chu Mingkong: "..."

I sell my trash to Qingse, and you, you bastard, turn around and sell your trash to me, huh? Which dog did you learn that from?

Seeing the bear paw that Gundan stretched out towards him, Chu Mingkong sighed and placed the silver on the paw.

It has to be said that Gundan did a great job for him. In this way, even if Xiao Chengren doesn't arrange a match between him and Xiao Fengnan, with so many jade tablets, surely one of them can match Xiao Fengnan, right?

When Armored Bear saw that Chu Mingkong had given him so much silver, he was so surprised that he danced with joy.

"My goodness! This thing is so valuable? I have plenty more here, do you want some?"

Chu Mingkong's expression was complicated. He had serious doubts about the character of the person who had gotten out of the way, but he was also puzzled as to why the Xiao family would act this way.

Is this a genuine attempt to give Xiao Fengnan a bye throughout the entire tournament, allowing him to rest until the finals?

------------

The central part of the Abyss.

Aside from the creatures that had transformed into beings of the abyss, a few human figures appeared here, wearing ferocious dragon-shaped masks on their faces.

Despite the intense Yin energy, they stood there as if nothing was wrong, gazing down at the bottomless crack.

In their eyes, this most yin and most malevolent power in the world was not a deadly poison, but an unparalleled power, a power that could be mastered and was comparable to the power of extreme yang!

One of the figures removed his mask, greedily inhaling the extremely yin energy. If Elder Hong were here, he would recognize this man as the one who had appeared at Tianya Tower.

He was among them.

A woman's voice rang out from among the figures.

"I still have to admire your keenness and luck. Could this be considered a kind of opportunity? Being chased by ferocious beasts of the Abyss, you accidentally entered the depths of the Abyss, but unexpectedly brought back a child, and even gained the opportunity to come into contact with such power, thus gaining the favor of the Celestials."