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

Chu Mingkong is indeed the best bodyguard, but his position is too obvious and he is prone to causing trouble. He should be aware of this.

The Xiaoxiang Qin Academy and the Wenqing Pavilion are located next to each other. When they were found, the disciples from both sides were chatting together and had a very good relationship.

“We’ve already been to two auctions, and we thought His Highness wasn’t coming,” Qu Wuyue said with a gentle smile.

"You've come so early, what have you found?" Chu Mingkong replied with a smile.

"Yes, but no. I originally wanted to find a zither, but unfortunately I didn't find one I liked. Although the dazzling array of treasures is tempting, I can't use them in the end."

"Yes, it was an eye-opening experience, but it also tempered my character, helping me resist making impulsive purchases," said an elder from Xiaoxiang Qin Academy.

Although Xiaoxiang Qin Academy is a sect that emphasizes quiet cultivation and seeks detachment in many things, the urge to buy things still exists!

Many things look like must-have treasures at first glance. Even though I know I might not use them after buying them, I still want to keep them for now, thinking to myself, "Maybe I'll need them someday."

Chu Mingkong exchanged a few pleasantries and thanked Qu Wuyue in advance:

"Senior Sister Qu, then I'll trouble you to look after my female relatives. We've already arranged to go back together. I happen to have something I'd like to discuss with you and see what your opinion is."

Chu Mingkong had not forgotten about the plan he had previously made to have Wenqing Pavilion and Xiaoxiang Qin Academy occupy several places near Xiling. On the way here, in order to pass the time, he had already written to his master's wife and Qu Wuyue to briefly mention this matter.

Then we can find a time to meet and discuss it in person to finalize the decision.

"It's not really a favor, it's just a matter of having a few more people to stroll around the East China Sea together. It's more lively with more people."

"By the way, is Sect Leader Shen around here?" Chu Mingkong had already come all this way, so it was impossible for him not to visit his master's wife, but he was still a little uneasy.

His master's wife had previously set a rule for him: when he saw her, he had to consciously act like a child. In this crowded place, he needed to be polite and couldn't just act like a child anywhere. But since he was already here to see Qu Wuyue, he couldn't very well refuse to see his master's wife, could he?

Deliberately avoiding meeting will only make things worse!

Qu Wuyue wasn't entirely clear on Shen Xuejun's specific movements, but she had sensed them somewhat:

"She's not around here. Perhaps she went to see today's auction? I'll ask the elders of the Wenqing Pavilion for you!"

Chu Mingkong was overjoyed and seized the opportunity to quickly return to Qingse's place. He hurriedly grabbed Qu Wuyue:

"No need, no need, I'll come again next time."

“In that case, when I see Senior Shen, I will convey His Highness’s greetings... Hmm? It seems His Highness doesn’t need to wait until next time, Senior Shen has just returned.”

"..." Chu Mingkong.

Chapter 76 Back when my leg wasn't broken

This grand event, occurring only once every century, is something even cultivators, whose lifespans increase with their cultivation, can only witness a few times in their lifetime. Even disregarding the rare treasures at the auction, simply witnessing the passing of the torch from the old to the new every century is worthwhile.

After decades of tranquility, Guanhai Town was unusually overcrowded, with hotels fully booked, streets packed with people, and traffic flowing continuously throughout the day.

With such a formidable gathering of cultivators, even the most arrogant cultivator would worry that they might inadvertently fly over the head of some old monster and offend him, thus incurring his wrath.

Therefore, a strange phenomenon has emerged in Guanhai City, where cultivators are everywhere.

Although the city was full of cultivators, very few dared to fly through it; everyone walked the streets like ordinary people.

Chu Mingkong's brief act of taking flight to take "photos" of the female relatives far away in Xiling naturally attracted the attention of many cultivators.

"They only flew for a short while before coming down. These young cultivators of the new century are really itching for a fight. They know they're likely to offend people, but they still want to show off their uniqueness... Back in the day, I had such a spirit!"

"Senior brother, you have great courage. I'm different. I was just as mischievous back then. A hundred years ago, my legs were still intact. Time flies..." The cultivator who spoke touched his wheelchair and sighed deeply.

"I also broke my leg, but it's just that it's inconvenient for you to see it."

The man who spoke this time had both legs intact and could walk normally. Everyone looked at him in confusion. These legs weren't prosthetics, so where were they broken?

After a moment's thought, the female cultivator still didn't understand, while the male cultivator silently mourned.

These cultivators came from all over the country. Some were from the Sword Profound Sect, Xiaoxiang Qin Academy, Wenqing Pavilion, Zhenlei Island and other cultivators near the Tianji Empire. Although they did not get along with each other, they would not cause trouble for no reason while in the East China Sea. Others came from various cultivator families and immortal island forces.

As the conversation progressed, the topic naturally turned to the suddenly rising secular human empire and the prince who murdered the emperor.

"I've heard that the Heavenly Pole Empire, a mere secular dynasty, has been riding roughshod over those otherworldly sects. Is this true?"

The news had already spread, but information transmitted through multiple channels is bound to be distorted, and each person heard a different version, making it difficult to discern the truth. Moreover, it is an inconceivable thing that a secular emperor could ride on the heads of those hermit sects that had existed for hundreds or even thousands of years in just a few decades.

Someone asked if there were any disciples from nearby sects present, but no one answered. Those from sects like Jianxuan Sect, who had been dealt with before, were afraid of losing face and naturally went into hiding. The disciples from the two sects that were close to each other also felt that they had nothing to do with the Heavenly Emperor and had not been suppressed. They thought, "We are on Chu Mingkong's side, so don't try to smear us!"

There was no response, but the conversation had to continue.

The female cultivator from the Sword Emperor Dynasty in the north, her eyes gleaming with wonder, said:

"What happened in the Heavenly Pole Empire was said to be a battle at the level of dual polar power, which ordinary cultivators could hardly set foot in. So, isn't he the one who truly rose to prominence? So many cultivators spent a hundred years of their lives, and if they hadn't cultivated extreme yang, wouldn't they have had no choice but to run away in front of him?"

These words were very unpleasant to hear, especially for cultivators who had poured their hearts and souls into enduring loneliness. Some people even dissented with contempt:

"It's just a rumor after all. The further it spreads, the more exaggerated it becomes. Maybe it's just some small-scale fighting with a few weapons tainted with extreme yin energy, but it's been blown out of proportion!"

The immortal cultivators from the East Sea agreed: "That makes sense. We can't believe everything we see. There's always the possibility that rumors can spread. We're just scaring ourselves."

Those sect cultivators who had suffered at the hands of the Heavenly Emperor were filled with humiliation and frustration. If it were really such a minor skirmish, would they have had to endure such a dark period? It wasn't like they didn't have weapons that had been corrupted by the extreme yin energy.

But you can't refute it, because if you do, you'll expose your background; it's all a provocation tactic!

"It's a real pity you couldn't experience it firsthand, otherwise you would definitely have been able to compete with that prince." The female cultivator from Xiaoxiang Qin Academy answered calmly, even with a hint of mockery.

These disciples are definitely no match for the young prince, not even ordinary elders. Only the supreme elders of the sect could be alerted to test Chu Mingkong's abilities.

"But to be honest, the new Dragon King in the East Sea Dragon Palace is also a young man, only a little over two hundred years old this year. He swept away the old Dragon King with thunderous force. I wonder what the outcome will be when he competes with that king of Xiling?"

"Two hundred years old is considered young? My grandfather's pubic hair is more delicate than this Dragon King's nose hair!"

"Dragons are not comparable... Don't your grandfather's hairs fall out? Look how long they've grown."

"roll!"

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

Not far away, a beautiful woman in an elegant long dress walked in the chill, her snow-white hair gathered up. Her attire was not extravagant, yet no one dared to treat her rudely; all bowed respectfully.

Chu Mingkong nervously joined the line of people bowing, even hoping that his master's wife would be blind for a moment and not be able to see him.

“Senior Shen, His Highness and I were just talking about you when you appeared. I wonder if you went to see today’s auction?” Qu Wuyue glanced at Chu Mingkong and smiled slightly, then bowed to Shen Xuejun as a junior.

The sect leader's senior sister was dignified and gentle in appearance and manner. Her politeness was similar to that of everyone, but she could make the other person feel whether her attitude was just polite etiquette or genuine affection from the heart.

“…Master’s wife.” Chu Mingkong smiled somewhat reluctantly.

Fortunately, his master's wife didn't immediately order him to "transform for me!" or anything like that, but Chu Mingkong's heart was still not at ease.

If the master's wife feels that he has broken the rules and no longer allows him to taste that rich milky flavor, it would be a great pity.

"When I had nothing to do, I met a Taoist priest who told me that I would have a pleasant surprise today. I thought I would see something I liked at the auction, but unfortunately I left empty-handed. Although there were many treasures at the auction, very few of them caught my eye."

Shen Xuejun responded softly, then dismissed the accompanying disciples and let them go about their business.

"Mingkong, you mentioned me to Wuyue, did you come to see me because you need something?"

"...It's nothing!" Chu Mingkong maintained his smile, but only the corners of his mouth were raised; every single eyebrow exuded a forced expression.

"Nothing wrong?" Shen Xuejun looked at him and asked, her face expressionless, her eyes like an unyielding snow mountain.

"Something's up!" Chu Mingkong quickly changed his tune: "There is something, but it's nothing serious."

"If you have something to say, come with me and tell me what's on your mind," Shen Xuejun said calmly.

"Okay." Chu Mingkong nodded meekly, unable to muster any backbone.

"Then this junior will not disturb Senior Shen any longer." Qu Wuyue did not follow along, nor did she think there was anything wrong with Shen Xuejun's impromptu departure. She had followed Shen Xuejun in cultivation for a period of time and knew her temperament. She knew that this senior was the type who didn't stand on ceremony with people.

Chu Mingkong followed behind Shen Xuejun and found that his sister Xiao Yunhan was also there. He and Xiao Yunhan followed Shen Xuejun to the Wenqing Pavilion's residence.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Is the Demonic Embryo Possible?

The disciples from Wenqing Pavilion who came this time numbered only a dozen or twenty. In contrast, some cultivator families often sent forty or fifty people, bringing their families along as if they were migrating to this grand event. Very few people came from Wenqing Pavilion.

Although cultivators don't need very good accommodations, the sect leader is here, so it's not feasible for a group of people to camp out in small tents.

Chu Mingkong entered the mansion rented by Wenqing Pavilion, accompanied by his master's wife, Shen Xuejun.

Feeling slightly uneasy, Chu Mingkong tried to start a conversation with his older sister beside him, attempting to hint at something:

"Yunhan, Mother Consort came along too. She's at Xiaoxiang Qin Academy now. Why don't you go and visit her when you have time?"

He subtly hinted that he wanted Yunhan to visit Xiao Zhi later, so that he could use the excuse of chatting for a few minutes to leave with Yunhan to go find his mother.

"I'll go visit later."

Yunhan's statement was very simple, which made it difficult for Chu Mingkong to bring up the idea of ​​"going with you."

Upon entering the room, the mistress sat down, and the window opened automatically, letting in light that made the snow-haired beauty's black dress appear slightly translucent. This was not an illusion; Shen Xuejun was unusually dressed in an elegant black long dress, her plump and slender legs encased in black lace stockings, and some fabric on the dress once again exhibited a semi-transparent effect due to the icy aura.

Chu Mingkong sat down next to his sister and spoke first, expressing his curiosity:

"Master's wife, I always saw you in white dresses before, so why did you change into a black dress this time when you went on a long trip to the East Sea? And this style looks a little familiar."

Shen Xuejun glanced down at the dress she was wearing, but because she looked down, she couldn't see her lower abdomen or her feet. She could only admire the fabric that was being stretched at her chest and the delicate embroidery on it.

"This was brought to me by Yunhan when she went back to Xiling to visit relatives a few days ago. I'm wearing it on this trip because Xiling seems to prefer dark black," she explained casually.

"Indeed, black clothes have their own unique charm, and they look especially beautiful on my teacher's wife!"

Chu Mingkong sweetly praised the dress for its beauty and how well it fit his master's wife. Having finished his flattery, he didn't know how to continue. Meanwhile, the voluptuous beauty sitting opposite him watched him calmly.

It was as if they wanted to see what other tricks he had up his sleeve.

During this eye contact, the room suddenly fell silent.

Xiao Yunhan glanced at her younger brother, her eyes like a cold, calm pool, and reminded him:

"Wu Yue said you had something to discuss with your master, why did you suddenly stop?"

"...Oh! That's exactly what happened!" Now that things have come to this, Chu Mingkong can't really say that he was more interested in finding out his master's wife's whereabouts and whether it was appropriate to just run away.

If he really wanted to say something to his master's wife, it wouldn't be convenient to bring it up with Yunhan present.

For example, expressing gratitude to the teacher's wife for providing milk, and for her guidance on the matter of the palace map, etc.

After a moment's thought, Chu Mingkong silently finished pondering and adopted a serious expression:

"I want to find Master's wife because I want to ask about the obstacles in Yunhan's cultivation. I'm afraid she's too stubborn to solve it herself, which will only waste her time and damage her mind. I wonder if Master's wife could tell me what's going on so that I can have some reference for my future cultivation."