Chapter 58 - "The Dominant Hansu Zhenren!"

Chapter 58: “The Dominant Hansu Zhenren!”

“Hansu Zhenren, what brings you to my humble domain?”

Bai Yunqing asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“Must I have a reason to visit Burning Heaven Valley? Or does Bai Yunqing not welcome my presence?” Hansu Zhenren replied casually.

At Hansu Zhenren’s level of cultivation, he could traverse the void, ignoring spatial distances. Despite the vast ten-thousand-li gap between Tianyong City and Burning Heaven Valley, he could make the journey within the time it took to sip a cup of tea.

“Of course not.”

Bai Yunqing’s tone was cold.

For Hansu Zhenren to suddenly appear in the valley unannounced, it was unlikely to be a mere casual visit. He was undoubtedly here for something significant.

“Hansu Zhenren, you seem to be in good spirits, while I, unfortunately, have been dealing with a few minor issues. But they are of no concern to someone of your stature.”

Bai Yunqing’s subtle irritation was not lost on Hansu Zhenren, who smiled faintly.

“Minor issues? Is that so?” Hansu Zhenren said with a knowing look. “And yet I heard a certain Nascent Soul elder from your sect, Shangguan Ce, was recently slain by a Golden Core cultivator. If such an incident is considered a ‘minor issue,’ then surely no major issues exist in this world.”

Bai Yunqing’s brows furrowed deeply.

“Golden Core cultivators lack the ability to kill a Nascent Soul expert,” Bai Yunqing countered. “Surely, Hansu Zhenren, you of all people should understand this fundamental truth.”

Indeed, in the cultivation world, the gap between levels was monumental. A Golden Core cultivator defeating a Nascent Soul expert was unheard of—a violation of the natural order.

“Oh, a Golden Core cultivator couldn’t kill a Nascent Soul expert alone, that much is true,” Hansu Zhenren admitted with a faint chuckle. “But what if I happened to be nearby? Perhaps lending a hand?”

The implication was clear.

“You dare admit it?” Bai Yunqing’s eyes widened in fury.

“Why wouldn’t I? Shangguan Ce dared provoke my disciple. Naturally, I stepped in and dealt with him.” Hansu Zhenren’s tone remained calm, his expression unbothered, as though he were discussing someone else’s misfortune.

“Hansu!” Bai Yunqing’s anger erupted, his voice booming as he abandoned any pretense of civility.

The audacity of this old man—killing one of my most trusted elders and then calmly confessing to the act—is a slap on my face.

“Temper, temper,” Hansu Zhenren said with a sly grin. “Actually, I came here to offer an apology.”

“An apology?” Bai Yunqing’s expression darkened further.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Hansu Zhenren summoned a spirit stone and tossed it onto the ground in front of Bai Yunqing.

“What is this?” Bai Yunqing asked, his voice cold as he glanced at the object.

The spirit stone was of inferior quality—blemished and nearly devoid of spiritual energy.

“Consider it a token of my remorse for Shangguan Ce’s demise,” Hansu Zhenren said, his smile unwavering.

“A Nascent Soul elder’s life is worth no more than a low-grade spirit stone?” Bai Yunqing’s fury reignited.

Hansu Zhenren’s smile vanished, replaced by a chilling intensity.

“Bai Yunqing, let me make one thing clear,” Hansu Zhenren said icily. “My personal visit here is already a gesture of immense respect. Do not test my patience.”

Bai Yunqing sneered, refusing to back down. With a wave of his hand, he sent the spirit stone hurtling back toward Hansu Zhenren.

“Take it back. Burning Heaven Valley does not need your scraps!”

This rejection was a blatant dismissal of Hansu Zhenren’s so-called apology—a direct refusal to reconcile.

“Oh? You refuse to accept it?” Hansu Zhenren’s voice turned cold, and the spirit stone shot back toward Bai Yunqing.

“You

will

accept it, whether you like it or not. Do you think anyone in the entire cultivation world—be they from the righteous, demonic, or Buddhist paths—dares to refuse a gift from me?”

Bai Yunqing attempted to deflect the stone once again, but this time, it remained unmoving as though anchored in place. Despite his best efforts, he could not send it away.

His expression twisted in frustration, but at last, he clenched his teeth and grabbed the stone.

“Fine! I’ll take it!” Bai Yunqing growled, his tone filled with bitter resentment.

“Good. Now that you’ve accepted my apology, this matter is resolved,” Hansu Zhenren said with a satisfied smile. “But before I leave, let me offer you a word of advice: Don’t target my disciple again. If anything happens to him, you’ll receive something far more severe than a spirit stone—perhaps a flying sword from Tianyong City.”

With that, Hansu Zhenren vanished into the void, leaving behind a furious Bai Yunqing.

“Damn that old fox! How dare he threaten me!” Bai Yunqing roared, his voice echoing across the valley.