Chapter 60: Now It's My Turn to Prove It!
Once everyone had gathered, Zheng Xiaofeng quickly rose and introduced the visitors to the sect master and elders.
"These two are envoys from the Tianyan Sect of the Central State."
The Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect smiled warmly. "So, disciples of Tianyan Sect. May I ask what business brings you to our Qingfeng Sect?"
Chu Xingchen gave no reply. His eyes were fixed solely on Shangguan Hong, not even sparing the Sect Master a glance.
The Sect Master's expression grew slightly awkward, and his gaze shifted toward Zheng Xiaofeng.
His look clearly asked — What is going on here?
Zheng Xiaofeng's heart sank. What could he even say to that? Every time something went wrong, he somehow ended up the one catching blame.
If I knew everything, would you still be the Sect Master? he cursed silently.
No matter how frustrated he was, Zheng Xiaofeng could only force a humble smile and step in.
"Do you perhaps know Elder Shangguan?" he asked carefully.
"Of course, we've met before." Chu Xingchen finally spoke, the corners of his lips curling slightly. "I wonder if Elder Shangguan still remembers me?"
Shangguan Hong paused for a brief moment before replying, "Naturally, I remember."
His tone faltered, then he frowned slightly and said, "But at that time, didn't you claim to be from the Central State's Heavenly Dao Alliance?"
Chu Xingchen propped his chin on his hand, his voice casual and laced with mockery.
"Oh? From the way you put it, Elder Shangguan, are you implying you doubt me?"
"Of course not, I only meant—"
Shangguan Hong stopped halfway through his sentence, leaving the rest to the imagination.
The Sect Master turned his gaze again toward Zheng Xiaofeng.
His eyes asked once more — What in the world is happening here?
Zheng Xiaofeng was exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to take Chu Xingchen's token and slap it right onto the Sect Master's face.
He'd been doing this diplomatic groveling for years — and he couldn't even tell a genuine Central State command token from a fake?
He could only attempt to smooth things over again. "Elder Shangguan… perhaps there's been some misunderstanding?"
Shangguan Hong remained silent.
"Misunderstanding? Not exactly," Chu Xingchen said lightly. "Let's just call it a minor grudge."
Before the Sect Master could react, Zheng Xiaofeng forced a laugh and hurriedly tried to redirect the conversation. "Honored guest, you must be joking. Didn't you mention earlier that you were here on official duty? You wanted our Qingfeng Sect's cooperation, yes?"
Chu Xingchen's voice remained calm. "Listening to Elder Shangguan, it seems he suspects I'm an imposter from Tianyan Sect. Shouldn't your sect confirm my identity properly?"
He paused for a moment, then added lazily, "Or perhaps Elder Shangguan himself would like to verify it personally?"
Zheng Xiaofeng was about to mediate again when Shangguan Hong's aged voice cut through the hall first.
"That would be for the best."
Zheng Xiaofeng froze, staring at him in disbelief.
Has this old fool lost his mind?
Shangguan Hong ignored the bewildered looks from everyone around him.
He had his reasons. If this person hadn't come, it wouldn't have mattered — but the moment Chu Xingchen appeared, something had felt wrong.
To be safe, after returning last time, Shangguan Hong had secretly investigated Li Xingtian's background.
According to the records, Li Xingtian had originally worked at a mining site, later transferred to the outer sect due to a shortage of herb gatherers.
Shangguan Hong had been uneasy even then, but helpless — after all, he had been defeated and humiliated, saved by that very person, and left with no choice but to endure it.
When the mine was later attacked, he had suspected it might have been that man's doing, but after recalling Chu Xingchen's pure spiritual power — entirely free of demonic taint — he had dismissed the thought.
At first, Shangguan Hong had genuinely believed Chu Xingchen was most likely from the Central State.
But now—someone from the Central State, with companions, and knowledge of the mine?
If he truly were a disciple of Tianyan Sect, why would he lie and claim to be from some nonsense "Heavenly Dao Alliance"?
If his intent was to save people, he could have just shown his token—no one would have dared to stop him. Why pretend otherwise?
There was definitely something off here.
Perhaps the demonic cultivators who had attacked the mine were under his command. After all, Qingfeng Sect had its protective mountain array and multiple Golden Core elders.
If this man was truly an imposter posing as a disciple of Tianyan Sect…
Even if he wasn't, at worst, they could always lower their posture, offer an apology, or accept a light punishment.
The risk was small, but the gain—if proven right—was enormous. Why not take the chance?
Having quickly reached a decision, Shangguan Hong stepped forward without hesitation and said,
"If you truly are from Tianyan Sect, then besides that token, you must have other means of proof, don't you?"
The Sect Master, who had been about to stop him, froze upon hearing those words.
Shangguan Hong noticed the slight motion and understood—the Sect Master was tacitly allowing him to proceed.
A faint, confident smile crossed his wrinkled face.
But before he could say more, Yao Qin suddenly drew the sword resting beside her.
A brilliant surge of sword intent erupted from her hand—razor-sharp, pure, and boundless, as if it could split the stars themselves.
The violent spiritual energy condensed perfectly into one devastating strike. In an instant, a flash of light tore through the grand hall, cleaving the magnificent structure clean in half.
A blast of spiritual energy followed, pulverizing everything within.
The Golden Core elders barely managed to raise their protective barriers, shielding themselves from the overwhelming shockwave.
When the storm of energy finally subsided, the once-luxurious main hall lay in complete ruin.
The sword mark carved into the wall continued far beyond, splitting open the mountain behind the hall and leaving it sheared flat.
Boulders tumbled down in a thunderous cascade.
Shangguan Hong, who had been closest to the strike, was forced several steps back by the sheer pressure—despite the fact that the attack hadn't even been aimed at him.
Yao Qin calmly sheathed her sword and set it back beside her chair.
She had unleashed that strike without even standing up.
"Tianyan Sect divine art—Divine Manifestation: Taiqing Sword." Yao Qin's cold eyes locked on Shangguan Hong. "Would you still like to verify anything else?"
Shangguan Hong froze instantly, his breath catching in his throat.
Verify what? Verify your own death?
This was a technique only the true disciples of Tianyan Sect could possibly wield—far more convincing than any token.
Though… wasn't this a bit too much?
Chu Xingchen looked at Shangguan Hong's pale face and, feigning puzzlement, turned to Yao Qin.
"Senior Sister, why did you hold back?"
Yao Qin replied coolly, "This is still someone else's sect. One should leave them at least a little dignity."
Zheng Xiaofeng glanced around at the wreckage of the hall—the splintered beams, shattered tiles, and half-collapsed mountain.
Leave them some dignity? There wasn't a shred of it left.
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly, then stood up, casually picking up the sword Yao Qin had set beside her.
"My Senior Sister has proven that she is indeed of Tianyan Sect," he said lightly. "Now it's my turn to prove something to all of you."
As he spoke, Chu Xingchen turned toward Shangguan Hong, gripping the sword as though preparing to draw it—clearly intending to demonstrate by cleaving the man in two.
The Sect Master's composure broke instantly. "Wait—wait, honored guest, please wait!"
There was no need to verify anything else! Another sword like that, and Qingfeng Sect wouldn't even have a roof left!
He shot a furious glare at Shangguan Hong and roared, "Elder Shangguan! Apologize to our honored guests, immediately!"
No one knew how Chu Xingchen or Yao Qin would react, but Zheng Xiaofeng, upon hearing those words, felt a wave of pure relief wash over him.
Finally—finally—it wasn't his fault this time.
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