Chapter 16

Just as the rainbow-like light appeared like a meteor, Dongchenzi's room door suddenly opened, and a figure instantly flashed out from the room, appearing beside Bai Shi in an instant, just like Bai Shi, looking up at the sky.

"Haha... What kind of wind has blown Senior Brother Xichen, Senior Sister Beichen, and Junior Brother Nanchen here?"

As Dongchenzi cast his gaze toward the sky, his loud laughter echoed through the Daochen Mountains, lingering in the air for a long time. Clearly, he knew exactly what these rainbow-like lights represented.

"This morning, Senior Sister Beichen insisted that I come to Dongchen Village with her, saying that Dongchen Village is harboring disciples and that I, as a senior brother, should take charge..." As Dongchenzi's words trailed off, Xichenzi's voice echoed from the sky.

Dongchenzi smiled faintly and said, "So, it looks like you all have come here to... demand an explanation?"

"Junior Brother, you're exaggerating. If this is true, we only hope that you will hand over the person involved." As Xichenzi's words ended, the several rainbow-like lights in the sky descended, landing opposite Dongchenzi and Bai Shi, transforming into several people.

Bai Shi glanced over and saw a total of six people. Among them, he recognized two. One was the kind and smiling elderly face of Xichenzi, who had once taken great care of him in Xichen Village. The other was Cai Heng, whom he had injured in Daochen Town yesterday!

However, Cai Heng's right hand, where his palm was, was wrapped in thick white bandages.

One of them was an old woman, dressed in a green robe, with her hair neatly braided and a white silk scarf woven through it. Some of her hair had already turned gray, making her already aged face look even more weathered.

She held a sword, which, though it seemed ordinary, emitted a faint power fluctuation from its sharp edge, compressing the air and creating ripples.

Her expression was not as calm as Xichenzi's; instead, it was somewhat angry, adding more wrinkles to her already wrinkled face, making her look almost fierce at times.

This person was none other than the head of Beichen Village, Beichenzi!

Another was an old man, dressed in a gray robe, standing with his hands behind his back, his chin adorned with a long beard. He looked younger than Xichenzi, standing there silently without any intention of speaking, like someone who had come to watch a play. This person was the head of Nanchen Village, Nanchenzi.

For Nanchenzi, he did not want to get involved in the disputes between the villages, but since Beichenzi had called him, he could not refuse and thus came with them.

"Chen Peng, have you been listening to Uncle Dongchen in Dongchen Village?" At this moment, Nanchenzi noticed Chen Peng beside him and asked with concern.

From Nanchenzi's words, it was clear that he was not a malicious person.

Chen Peng looked up at Nanchenzi, nodded, and said, "Master, don't worry. Uncle Dongchen has always been very good to us."

Nanchenzi stroked his long beard, nodded, and remained silent.

The other two were middle-aged men, each holding a sword. Their strength was certainly no less than the Dongxuan Realm, as every sword cultivator knew that to have a sword of their own, they must reach the Dongxuan Realm.

These two middle-aged men had a cold expression, standing behind Beichenzi, seemingly waiting for orders. They wore green robes similar to Beichenzi's, but the color was slightly lighter. Even so, Bai Shi could easily tell that these two were from Beichen Village.

Dongchenzi did not show any displeasure. He still smiled, looked over the people opposite him, and said, "Come, come... let's go to the hall to talk about things."

He beckoned to Xichenzi and the others, leading them to the hall, with Bai Shi and the others following closely behind.

Although Beichenzi was full of anger, she did not refuse in front of her senior brothers and thus went with them.

Dongchen Village's hall was not like Dongchenzi's room, which was filled with wine jars. The hall was neatly arranged, with wooden chairs and tables. In the center of the hall hung a landscape painting, about three meters long and one and a half meters wide, emitting a faint ink fragrance. The entire hall looked like a place where scholars and artists would gather to hone their skills.

He beckoned Xichenzi, Beichenzi, and Nanchenzi to sit down, and the other disciples stood aside. Dongchenzi looked at Su Xuan and said, "Su Xuan, go and brew some tea for these senior uncles and aunts, and for your master."

Su Xuan did not hesitate and left the hall after Dongchenzi's words.

At this moment, Beichenzi shot a glance at Su Xuan as he left, saying disdainfully, "I really don't understand why Senior Brother Dongchen would have chosen Su Xuan to join Dongchen Village. Could it be that Dongchen Village only accepts useless disciples?"

Beichenzi's words made the entire hall fall silent, and almost everyone's gaze turned to Dongchenzi. Even a fool could tell that Beichenzi's words implied that Dongchenzi was also a useless person. After all, the alcohol-loving Dongchenzi had long been seen as a carefree person in the eyes of the hot-tempered Beichenzi.

Dongchenzi's smiling face froze for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and said, "When I first saw Su Xuan, I found him very likable. As for whether he has cultivation talent or is a useless person... that is a different matter. I hope, Senior Sister Beichen, you won't jump to conclusions so quickly."

"Huh... So, according to Senior Brother Dongchen, Su Xuan still has the potential to reach the Dongxuan Realm, or even... the Zixu Realm?" Beichenzi said sarcastically.

Dongchenzi shook his head and smiled faintly, saying, "That... is not impossible."

"Oh?" Standing up from the wooden chair, Beichenzi scanned the hall and continued, "I, Beichenzi, am looking forward to seeing how Senior Brother Dongchen cultivates a disciple to the Zixu Realm in Dongchen Village."

"Alright, let's skip the small talk. What is the matter that Senior Sister Beichen has brought us here for today?" Nanchenzi, who had been sitting to the side, clearly became impatient after listening to their conversation.

"Fine, I'll get to the point. Today's matter..."

"Wait, Bai Shi, come over. I'll introduce you to these senior uncles and aunts." Before Beichenzi could finish her sentence, Dongchenzi interrupted. Dongchenzi knew very well that Beichenzi and the others had come today for Bai Shi's sake. By introducing Bai Shi first, he was showing respect and ensuring that they would not make things difficult for Bai Shi.

"This is the head of Beichen Village, Senior Aunt Beichen..." Dongchenzi pointed to Beichenzi, who had stood up.

At this moment, Su Xuan entered with the tea.

Taking the teapot from Su Xuan, Bai Shi was very considerate and walked toward Beichenzi, ready to pour tea into her cup.

Beichenzi sized up Bai Shi, her eyes full of doubt. Unconsciously, she gripped the sword in her hand, and an invisible force from the sword struck Bai Shi. However, this force did not intend to harm Bai Shi; Beichenzi was probing his strength.

After a brief probe, Beichenzi had a rough idea of Bai Shi's strength. Staring at Bai Shi, a cold glint flashed in her eyes, and she said, "You are Bai Shi?"

Bai Shi looked up at Beichenzi, nodded, and replied, "Yes, I am."

"Whoosh!"

The moment Bai Shi's words ended, Beichenzi's sleeve swept out. Before anyone could react, a powerful force burst from her sleeve, breaking the air and striking Bai Shi directly!