Chapter 10: The Turbid Village

Not long after Hai Yunfan entered Taoyuan Village, a third group of guests arrived.

It was not surprising. Although Hai Yunfan was exceptionally talented, the Ascension Conference gathered the best from all over the world. Apart from Wang Lu, there were several others with similar potential.

Therefore, while Hai Yunfan was chatting happily with Wang Lu, he had already foreseen that the upcoming days in Taoyuan Village would be quite lively.

---

"Damn, what is this place?"

"Shouldn't the Cloud Wave Map lead to Chijis Mountain and Ice Wind Valley? Why is there suddenly a village?"

"This isn't what we agreed on..."

In the afternoon, three new arrivals appeared in the village, all from prestigious cultivation families. If the families were ranked by grade, they were all above third grade, with noble and illustrious backgrounds. Even Hai Yunfan had to be cautious when dealing with them.

These three were not only from prestigious families and exceptionally talented, but they had also formed a mutual assistance pact, combining their strengths. They were the biggest opponents Hai Yunfan had anticipated. If it weren't for the extraordinary Wang Lu, Hai Yunfan would have had to rack his brains to compete with them. But now... it was probably not his problem to worry about.

Watching the three newcomers walking together outside the village, Hai Yunfan sneered inwardly: A good show is about to begin.

On one side was the mysterious mountain hermit Wang Lu, and on the other, the arrogant cultivation families. This small village could not accommodate both sides. Once they met, there would be a clash. Perhaps this was also a deliberate move by the Spirit Sword Sect?

But this had nothing to do with him. He might as well hide and watch the show for now.

Hai Yunfan didn't have to wait long for the show he was looking forward to.

---

"Move out of here."

In the backyard of the village chief's house, a young man from the Xie family of Youzhou's Tingyuxie pointed at Wang Lu, full of disgust, and made his demand.

Then, as the recipient, Wang Lu, while munching on a corn cob, asked in a muffled and puzzled voice, "Who the hell are you? Are you crazy?"

Xie Qianlong's anger flared up, his eyebrows rising: "How dare you be disrespectful to me? Do you know who I am?"

Wang Lu slapped the corn cob: "That's why I'm asking! You must be crazy!"

Xie Qianlong instinctively reached into his inner pocket, as if to take something out, but after a moment of hesitation, he calmed down slightly.

"I am the fourteenth generation descendant of the Xie family of Youzhou's Tingyuxie..."

"Hello, descendant. What brings you here?"

Xie Qianlong's temples throbbed: "I've already said it once, move out of here."

"Move out? Why?"

"Because I want you to."

"Tsk, for a grown man to say 'I want' so openly, you're quite bold."

Xie Qianlong finally couldn't hold back and was about to take action. At that moment, his two companions, who had been waiting impatiently, walked in: "Young Master Xie, why are you taking so long?"

"Is that boy being unreasonable?"

Xie Qianlong stopped his hand: "You two, don't get involved."

Wang Lu took back the corn cob and looked even more puzzled at the trio who had broken into the house, then asked Hai Yunfan, who was following behind them.

"Xiao Hai, what's going on with these three?"

Hai Yunfan cursed silently, not expecting to be caught by Wang Lu while hiding behind a tree. He had planned to watch the show from the sidelines, but now he was dragged into the scene as an actor.

Caught by Wang Lu, Hai Yunfan walked out boldly and greeted the three young nobles.

"Young Master Xie, Young Master Yun, Young Master Li."

The three were surprised to see Hai Yunfan: "Hai Yunfan? It's you?"

Wang Lu was also surprised: "Xiao Hai, it seems you don't have much status in their eyes?"

Hai Yunfan cursed silently: "Shut up, this place is within the immortal mountains, not under the jurisdiction of the mortal emperor. Moreover, with the three of them working together, I, the second prince of the Yun Tai Empire, naturally don't have much status! You, who are usually slow to react, are particularly perceptive when it comes to causing awkwardness!"

But Hai Yunfan, being Hai Yunfan, was already very mature for his young age. He ignored Wang Lu's question and said, "Young Master Xie's meaning is that he hopes you will move out of the village chief's house."

Wang Lu turned to Hai Yunfan, ignoring Xie Qianlong: "Why?"

Hai Yunfan looked at the three young nobles, who clearly didn't intend to say much to Wang Lu and were waiting for his response.

Well, since the show has come to the stage, I might as well participate. Hai Yunfan cleared his throat and began to explain: "Well, it's quite simple. Young Master Xie and the others are from very famous cultivation families, with noble backgrounds. As for you, Brother Wang, although you have astonishing potential, you are ultimately a mountain hermit..."

At this point, Wang Lu became impatient: "I'm not interested in their mothers and don't plan to become a stepfather. Why are you talking about the difference in background?"

"About that... because you, who come from a humble background, are now living in the best place in the village, while Young Master Xie and the others can only stay in ordinary houses. This... is not reasonable." Hai Yunfan added, "Of course, I'm just explaining, not expressing my own views."

After making this clear, Hai Yunfan continued to play his role as the explainer, remaining silent and waiting for Wang Lu's reaction.

Wang Lu's reaction was a long silence.

Xie Qianlong couldn't stand it anymore: "Boy, what do you want? Wasting our precious time, you can't afford the cost!"

Wang Lu sneered: "I understand. You're the kind who can't make it in your family, so you leave home and try to prove your worth through adventures. Xiao Hai, your information is complete. If I'm not wrong, these so-called young masters and princes are probably not doing well in their families, right?"

Hai Yunfan smiled bitterly, how could he say such offensive words? Moreover, to say they were doing poorly was an exaggeration. To achieve their current results in the Spirit Sword Sect's trial was already a rare talent... but indeed, as Wang Lu said, each of them had their own difficulties and was not entirely satisfied.

Xie Qianlong and the others were already burning with anger and could no longer tolerate it.

"Brat, if you're looking for death, don't blame us!"

"Hmph, you don't know when to die!"

"Just because you did well in the Cloud Wave Map, you think you're something special?"

The three took up fighting stances. Xie Qianlong reached into his pocket, the young master of the Yun family made a sword gesture, and the young master of the Li family stood with his hands behind his back, his long hair moving without wind.

Hai Yunfan's heart raced: These children from cultivation families were indeed extraordinary, each carrying treasures bestowed by their families... and quite high-level treasures!

What was the Spirit Sword Mountain? How could they bring immortal artifacts up the mountain so easily? On the Golden Bridge, ordinary artifacts were already rejected. To bring them into Taoyuan Village through the Cloud Wave Map, they must be more than just artifacts, likely magical treasures!

Even for third-grade families, magical treasures were not given out casually. The status of these three in their families was probably higher than the intelligence suggested... but the key point now was that these three twelve-year-olds, armed with magical treasures, could wipe out a hundred elite soldiers of the Yun Tai Empire in an instant. How would Wang Lu defend himself?

Hai Yunfan had no doubt about the ruthlessness of Xie Qianlong and the others. Cultivation families always treated human lives like ants, and the families these three came from were among the best, though barely on the side of righteousness, they were essentially the evil path within the righteous path...

In their eyes, Wang Lu, with no family background and no strength, though with astonishing potential, was just a nuisance... and only one word could describe his fate: death.

As for Wang Lu... he indeed had various extraordinary qualities, but he was ultimately from an insignificant small village... and was far from being on par with Xie Qianlong and the others.

So, what could this young genius do in the face of the imminent threat?

As a spectator, Hai Yunfan was extremely curious!

There were ways to stop this conflict. Although Xie Qianlong and the others didn't respect him much, if he revealed his true strength, he could still intimidate them for a while. But... Wang Lu and he were not related, and there was no reason to reveal his true strength for him, right?

Moreover, if he couldn't handle this situation, it would only mean that he had misjudged Wang Lu, that Wang Lu was overrated and not worth paying attention to, let alone befriending.

Come on, Wang Lu, show me your answer... Hai Yunfan watched with deep anticipation.

Then, Wang Lu calmly tapped the table: "You... are you trying to bully me with numbers?"

The three young nobles looked at each other, and the young masters of the Yun and Li families simultaneously withdrew their hands.

Since Xie Qianlong had started the conflict, it was natural for him to resolve it. Immortal people indeed treated mortals like ants, but rules still mattered. For their status, bullying with numbers would be a laughingstock.

Xie Qianlong, after a moment of hesitation, couldn't help but laugh: "Boy, whether it's one against three or one against one, what difference does it make to you? Do you think you have the qualifications to fight me?"

Wang Lu also laughed: "You're quite impatient. What I meant was, if you're willing to bully me with numbers, that would be even better. Fighting one by one would be too troublesome. Let's all go at once."

"What did you say!?"

Wang Lu's face turned serious: "I mean, to deal with you few scoundrels, I'm enough on my own, or rather, I can take care of you with just one word."

Such a shocking statement made the room silent for a moment.

As a spectator, Hai Yunfan felt his heart rate increase, a sense of excitement completely overwhelming him as the climax was about to unfold.

Even if it was just a bluff, the attitude Wang Lu displayed was impossible to ignore. Moreover, Hai Yunfan didn't think Wang Lu was just bluffing. In other words, those three young masters were in trouble.

As for Xie Qianlong and the others, they were filled with endless shame and anger.

Being so humiliated by a mountain hermit... it was not just a matter of personal honor but a great disgrace to their families! Wang Lu, you deserve to die a hundred times!

"Ice Seal Rain Charm!"

"Flowing Cloud Invisible Sword!"

"Red Blood Essence!"

The three simultaneously summoned their magical treasures, and the room was instantly filled with killing intent. Although they had not yet officially embarked on the path of cultivation and had no real cultivation, they relied on the power sealed in their magical treasures by their elders, which could only be used to a fraction of its potential... but it was enough to tear Wang Lu to pieces.

Wang Lu's response was just one sentence.

"Village chief, there's a disturbance."

Before the words were even finished, a black shadow broke through the window and pounced on Xie Qianlong and the others.

The black shadow moved as fast as lightning, its fists and feet creating countless illusions, accompanied by strange sounds.

"Ah, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit!"

In an instant, blood flew from their noses, and the three were knocked to the ground, unconscious, before they could even activate their magical treasures.

The black shadow, after knocking out the three, broke through the window and left without a moment's delay, leaving Wang Lu and his servant, and a shocked Hai Yunfan, in the room.

Then, Hai Yunfan clearly heard Wang Lu's disdainful voice.

"A few prop users dare to challenge me, the master of the reporting style? You don't know when to die!"