Chapter 231: A Nascent Soul Expert Arrives, The Farce Comes to an End

Hua Yuandu’s expression slightly froze, his eyes filled with deep disdain.

Yu Xian, however, simply cupped his hands once again toward Elder Lü Wanzhen and said, “This disciple still has cultivation to do. Elder, I shall take my leave.”

With that, he turned and headed back to his small courtyard.

Duel with Hua Yuandu? He had no such leisure.

Besides, he had just stepped into the late stage of Minor Pill Body Refinement and had yet to stabilize it completely. Fighting now would not only be pointless, it might also leave hidden injuries in his still-fragile body.

More importantly, it was impossible that there were no spies from the Blood River Sect within the Vast Heaven Orthodox Sect.

Thus, the less his true strength was revealed, the better. Letting no one see through him was his greatest weapon!

As for Hua Yuandu’s provocation? It was nothing but a joke.

“Yu Xian!”

Hua Yuandu saw Yu Xian turning away without even giving him a second glance and walking into his courtyard.

That feeling of being ignored made flames of fury erupt in his chest!

With a loud shout, before Yu Xian could activate the protective array to close his door, Hua Yuandu raised a hand and shouted, “You’re nothing but a rat! A turtle! A cowardly little rat! A turtle hiding in its shell! Are you afraid I’ll kill you!? Fine! I’ll lower my cultivation level to mid Foundation Establishment too! If you still don’t dare to fight me, then just wait to become the laughingstock of the whole sect! A rat like you getting a place in the secret realm? That’s a tragedy for the entire sect!”

Yu Xian paused slightly, but still shook his head and reached out to close the door.

“You!”

Hua Yuandu was practically fuming.

He had already spoken what he believed to be the most vicious insults, and yet Yu Xian remained unfazed?

Did he really have to start cursing Yu Xian’s mother? But he couldn’t say that out loud!

“Yu Xian! So you refuse to fight me? Fine! I’ll go report to my master! No matter the cost, I’ll have your name removed! A coward like you will only ruin the sect’s plans in the secret realm!!”

As the door was halfway closed, it suddenly stopped.

Yu Xian finally raised his head and looked at Hua Yuandu, his gaze calm.

Hua Yuandu stared back, eyes filled with mockery and seriousness. He had already said it—he would follow through.

“Why are you so insistent on fighting me?”

Yu Xian spoke slowly. “Why not fight for someone else’s slot? It seems you chose me because I’m only at mid Foundation Establishment—thought I was easy to bully?”

Hua Yuandu froze on the spot, momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he shouted, “Ridiculous! I, Hua Yuandu, would never pick an easy target! You’re just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator! You don’t deserve to be on the list! Everyone else is peak Foundation Establishment! If you die, fine—but if the evil sect seizes the secret realm, do you know the consequences!?”

Yu Xian had already stepped out of his courtyard and closed the door behind him.

He looked at Hua Yuandu and said, “Then what about you? You think just because you’re late Foundation Establishment, you’re qualified?”

“Ridiculous! Of course I am!”

Hua Yuandu replied proudly, “Peak Foundation Establishment is nothing! I could break through anytime! I just haven’t, because I want to lay the perfect foundation. My goal is Nascent Soul—Divine Transformation!”

“Really? So am I.”

Yu Xian’s tone remained calm. “Unlike some fools who chase immediate gains, I started refining my foundation back at mid stage.”

Hua Yuandu froze.

Yu Xian’s matryoshka-style jab left him a bit dazed. When he realized what had been said, his face flushed with rage. “Who are you calling a fool!?”

“No need to talk anymore,” Yu Xian said flatly. “If you insist on fighting, then fine. I accept.”

“I didn’t!”

Hua Yuandu screamed, “He’s lying!”

“Then why should someone give up their place in the list just to duel with you?”

A cold voice echoed as a new figure arrived.

It was Elder Ling Shengjiang.

“You want to gamble over something that rightfully belongs to someone else? Where is your sense of justice?”

“I… I…”

Hua Yuandu’s whole body trembled with frustration, but he had no justification. After all, he was trying to forcibly take Yu Xian’s slot.

“You what!?” Shengjiang scolded. “Get lost and reflect on your actions! I’ve spoiled you too much these years! You’ve become arrogant and tyrannical! I’m deeply disappointed!”

Hua Yuandu’s teeth clenched so hard they creaked. He let out a furious roar and stormed away toward the mountain peak.

“Thank you, Grand Elder, for standing up for this disciple!”

Yu Xian immediately bowed deeply.

Ling Shengjiang glanced at him and said calmly, “It’s your spot. Just defend it yourself. Sixteen days from now, head to the Xuantian Secret Realm. Your duty is to kill the evil cultivators without mercy. Understood?”

Yu Xian straightened and replied solemnly, “Yes, Grand Elder! I will give my all for the Vast Heaven Orthodox Sect, to slay the evil and protect the realm—without regret, even in death!”

“Very good.”

Ling Shengjiang was pleased with Yu Xian’s sensible and respectful response. He nodded and said, “Don’t worry—no one will take your spot.”

Then he swept his gaze across the surrounding disciples and barked, “What are you all staring at!? Not cultivating!? If you don’t work now, how will you survive when the Blood River Sect attacks!? Dismissed!”

Everyone, including Elder Lü Wanzhen, was shocked and hurriedly bowed, “Yes, Grand Elder!”

They quickly dispersed.

Finally, Ling Shengjiang looked once more at Yu Xian and said flatly, “Yu Xian, the path of a body cultivator does not go far. But if you can truly slay a peak Foundation Establishment evil cultivator and return safely, I’ll take you in as a named disciple, pass down a supreme sword art, and help you switch to sword cultivation. That may compensate for your body’s flaws and give you a chance to form a Golden Core.”

With those words, he stepped forward—and transformed into a beam of sword light, vanishing toward the mountain summit.

Yu Xian stood still, exhaling gently.

The farce had come to an end…

But it was the best outcome. There was no real fight, which was ideal. He never truly wanted to fight.

After all, a master protecting his disciple was natural. Even if Yu Xian won, it wouldn’t look good.

Thankfully, Ling Shengjiang feared Hua Yuandu might bring disaster if he entered the secret realm, and stepped in to stop it.

Otherwise, even if Yu Xian could win, the aftermath would’ve been troublesome.

Offending a Nascent Soul expert? That was nearly equivalent to courting death.

Yu Xian understood this clearly.

As for Ling Shengjiang’s last words, no one else heard them—he said them privately to Yu Xian.

It was clear: he had seen through Yu Xian’s body cultivation. And he looked down on it. That’s why he spoke of switching paths.

To take him in as a named disciple, pass down a supreme sword art, and transition him to sword cultivation?

Yu Xian gently shook his head and smiled faintly, turning to leave.