Chapter 291 : Number One Rogue Cultivator

Chapter 291: Number One Rogue Cultivator

The ten Giant Hawks of the Dao Gate had already flown into the region of Spring and Autumn Mountain by the time the sun set.

The Little Martial Uncle Ancestor, Jiang Zhi, who had been “clearing the way” at the front, reappeared before the Dao Gate disciples.

Returning together with him was also a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar.

He held a folding fan in his hand. Despite the cold climate of this region, he continued fanning himself without pause.

Jiang Zhi had brought back Cheng Yuyan, this Ninth Realm rogue cultivator, so there was no longer any need for him to clear the path alone ahead.

Anyone blind enough to jump out now would only have a dead end awaiting them.

After Scholar Cheng landed on the Giant Hawk, he immediately began greeting everyone.

“Daoist Nangong, Daoist Chu, it has truly been a long time.”

After speaking, he also looked toward Chu Yinyin and congratulated her: “Congratulations, Daoist Chu, for finally figuring it out and stepping into the Seventh Realm.”

“Mind your own business. Who asked for your congratulations?” the old loli snapped fearlessly, relying on Jiang Zhi standing beside her for support, as well as knowing that the other party owed the Dao Gate a favor.

Her nature was lively and straightforward, and she had always disliked people like him who were full of twists and schemes.

Admittedly, Chu Yinyin loved to have fun.

But Cheng Yuyan was different—his entire life seemed to revolve around the word “interesting.”

Even she felt that he wasn’t just playful like her—he was simply mentally ill!

After being retorted, Scholar Cheng did not get angry.

Who would argue with a little brat?

He immediately shifted his gaze toward Chu Huaixu and the others.

“I presume these three are little friend Chu, little friend Han, and little friend Xu?”

While Big Ice Block and Little Xu were still momentarily stunned, Chu Huaixu had already stood up first and cupped his hands in greeting:

“A Dao Gate disciple, Chu Huaixu, greets Senior Cheng Yuyan.”

Only then did the two realize that this scholar-like man before them was actually the legendary Number One Rogue Cultivator in the world—a dignified Ninth Realm expert!

They immediately stood up and followed with their own salutes.

Niu Yuanshan and Mo Qingmei, seated in the corner, could not help but exchange glances before also standing.

The two ribbons on Scholar Cheng’s hair crown fluttered in the wind. As he lightly waved his folding fan, he sized up Chu Huaixu from head to toe.

Dead Fox felt as though he had nowhere to hide before this Ninth Realm expert.

This was a feeling that even Zhao Shuqin, who cultivated eye techniques, had never given him.

Fortunately, he was confident that none of his greatest secrets could be seen through.

“With Third Realm cultivation yet possessing such strength, truly a hero born young,” Cheng Yuyan said, not hiding the fact that he was probing him, even offering praise.

Jiang Zhi, listening from the side as Chu Huaixu’s grandmaster, directly said:

“How does my disciple’s disciple compare to you back then?”

“Far surpasses me,” Cheng Yuyan replied.

Still lightly waving his folding fan, he added with a smile: “If, during that year’s Third Realm Competition, the one I encountered had been little friend Chu, then this title of Xuanhuang Champion would never have been mine.”

Only then did Chu Huaixu recall that the Scholar Cheng before him was also a Xuanhuang Champion.

It was just that he had won the title many years ago in the Third Realm Competition.

He was also the only person in the past three hundred years to claim this honor as a rogue cultivator.

The last time someone without sect or affiliation had won was over three hundred years ago.

Basically, every powerful rogue cultivator surely carried some great secret.

And for Cheng Yuyan to have cultivated all the way to the Ninth Realm and even seized the championship, the secret he carried must be immense.

“Too bad even in 《Borrowed Sword》, players never uncovered it.”

“But that makes sense. When I transmigrated, the level cap was only 49.”

“A figure standing at the peak of the cultivation world—his character storyline definitely wouldn’t be released in this version,” Chu Huaixu thought.

At this moment, Cheng Yuyan looked at the young man before him and suddenly changed the topic:

“However, I must remind you— the Heir of Prince Rui has obtained another opportunity to enter the 【Imperial Pool】. I heard that this time he gained tremendous fortune.”

“Moreover, he is a member of the royal family, born carrying the power of the nation’s fate.”

“This Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition will be held in the Imperial Capital of Moon Country.”

“Overall, his personal strength will receive a certain degree of enhancement depending on the location.”

“Oh right, you should have also been granted an opportunity by His Majesty to enter either the 【Imperial Pool】 or the 【Imperial Mausoleum】, correct?”

After speaking, he looked at Chu Huaixu with a playful and intrigued gaze, not hiding it in the slightest.

Meeting his gaze, Chu Huaixu felt alarm bells ringing in his heart.

He could sense hidden meaning in the man’s words, and that gaze was clearly off.

“Cheng Yuyan… is from Moon Country.”

“Could it be… he knows I was sent by 【The Organization】?” Chu Huaixu’s thoughts raced.

But he did not dwell on it and instead continued the conversation.

“May I ask, Senior Cheng, back then did you choose the 【Imperial Pool】 or the 【Imperial Mausoleum】?” Dead Fox asked.

Since Cheng Yuyan was from Moon Country and had once obtained the Xuanhuang Champion title and was now in the Ninth Realm, he must have entered the second layer of the Origin Spirit Realm and resolved its issues. The royal family would certainly reward him accordingly.

So he must have entered either the Imperial Pool or the Imperial Mausoleum.

“As for me, I chose the Imperial Pool back then,” Scholar Cheng answered without concealment, smiling.

He added: “If I had entered the Imperial Mausoleum, with my talent—and the Origin Power within me—I would most likely have been granted the nation’s fate.”

“Senior, since you are from Moon Country, wouldn’t obtaining the nation’s fate be a good thing?” Chu Huaixu continued to ask.

“It is good, but I’ve always been accustomed to freedom. You must understand—opportunities tied to the nation’s fate may seem like gifts, but they naturally come with a price.”

“Or perhaps ‘price’ is too heavy a word. It should be called a restriction,” Cheng Yuyan said.

What appeared to be a gift had its price clearly marked behind the scenes.

Chu Huaixu nodded, then asked curiously: “Then after entering the Imperial Pool, you didn’t obtain the Emperor-level Divine Sense?”

“You brat, taking advantage of Senior Jiang being here to openly fish for information from me?” Cheng Yuyan laughed and scolded.

His gaze turned deep as he looked at the young man before him. Whether intentional or not, he said:

“When I entered the Imperial Pool back then, I indeed could have obtained the Emperor-level Divine Sense—but I didn’t dare take it.”

“I’ve always disliked being bound, and I’ve grown cautious in this regard.”

“The Emperor-level Divine Sense is, after all, transformed from another’s divine soul.”

“Carrying someone else’s divine sense within my body… I ultimately feel uneasy. It also feels uncomfortable to me.”

As he spoke, Cheng Yuyan’s eyes stared directly into Chu Huaixu’s.

From this brief exchange, Dead Fox completely understood why Jiang Zhi had said that this scholar-like supreme expert excelled most at manipulating human hearts.

Every word and action of his made people unable to resist overthinking, unable to stop pondering deeper meanings.

He would intentionally or unintentionally embed hidden messages within his words.

Yet he only spoke half of it, only revealed half of the information.

At this moment, Jiang Zhi let out a cold laugh from the side:

“You, a Moon Country man, dare to feel disgusted by the Founding Emperor’s divine sense?”

Cheng Yuyan immediately smiled apologetically: “Well, I’m just chatting with you people from Mirror Country. If anyone from Moon Country were present, I wouldn’t dare say such things.”

After speaking, he glanced around at everyone.

However, his gaze lingered noticeably longer on Chu Huaixu and Niu Yuanshan.