Chapter 1015: Painting Saint Ancestor?
Most of the cultivators who came to attend the banquet held extremely noble identities or possessed powerful cultivation bases. They were quite puzzled—given Chi Yutang’s status, why would he personally strike to kill an old man?
This matter was very strange and also abnormal.
Of course, some people noticed the clues.
Although the old man with half-white and half-black hair had no fluctuations of Saint Qi or Spiritual Power on his body, making him indistinguishable from an ordinary person, his blood energy was vigorous and full of vitality, not at all like a decrepit elder.
It was highly possible that Chi Yutang had seen this and thus personally made a move to test him.
Moreover, even if the half-white, half-black-haired old man really was just an ordinary person, what difference was there between Chi Yutang killing him and crushing an ant to death?
It was nothing major at all.
However, at that moment, a figure flashed out from between Chi Yutang and Chu Siyuan.
That figure struck like lightning, pointing a finger forward and unleashing a bowl-thick bolt of purple electric light that spread outward.
"Boom!"
Chi Yutang was forced back seventeen consecutive steps, yet fine electric patterns still flowed along his arm, crackling with a hissing sound.
The young man standing between Chi Yutang and Chu Siyuan wore a golden mask—it was Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen retracted his Spiritual Power, and the electric light at his fingertip vanished along with it. He said mockingly, "A royal prince acting so tyrannical and arrogant, killing innocent people indiscriminately—is this the prosperous world under the Empress's rule? Today, I have truly broadened my horizons."
The surrounding banquet attendees all exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe.
"This young man actually managed to block Chi Yutang, one of the four young masters of the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor. Even if Chi Yutang didn't use his full strength, it's still incredible."
"That person used Spiritual Power to control lightning. The power of that strike was at least comparable to a full-force attack from a forty-seventh-order Spiritual Power Half-Saint. And it's possible he didn't even use his full strength."
Although Zhang Ruochen wore a Phantom Gold Mask, everyone could still tell that he was not very old.
On the carriage of the Golden Winged Eagle King, Wan Huayu's eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen. Her crystalline lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of a smile.
"So young and already possessing such powerful Spiritual Power, this child is definitely no unknown figure. Chi Yutang is probably going to stir up quite a bit of trouble."
Wan Huayu made no move to stop the conflict between Chi Yutang and Zhang Ruochen, happy to watch the spectacle. At the same time, she was somewhat curious about the origins of the golden-masked man.
Chi Yutang's face took on a cold expression. He said, "Today, the Cai Clan's Saint Lord will announce the whereabouts of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll. Undying Blood Clan experts are sure to infiltrate the Cai residence to gather information."
"I saw through the two of you long ago, which is why I made a move to test you. As expected, you're no ordinary people. Why don't you immediately remove your disguises and reveal your true faces?"
The cultivators present immediately erupted into a commotion, staring at Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan with increased hostility.
The human race and the Undying Blood Clan were absolute opposites—it was either kill or be killed.
If Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan were confirmed to be Undying Blood Clan members, they would surely be cut into a thousand pieces today.
"The Cai Clan's Saint Lord will announce the whereabouts of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll?"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze shifted to Chu Siyuan, wanting to ask what was going on.
However, Chu Siyuan was also staring at Zhang Ruochen, quite angry. He transmitted his voice, saying, "Zhang Ruochen, didn't you claim to want a low profile? Why did you reveal your cultivation but stop me from revealing my identity?"
Thinking back to how he had just been rolling around and making a scene, Chu Siyuan's old face flushed red. He felt that he had completely lost all the face he had accumulated over hundreds of years.
Only now did he realize that he seemed to have been tricked by Zhang Ruochen.
This kid was definitely getting revenge. He was probably standing behind him just now, laughing at him.
Zhang Ruochen dared not show any amusement and said solemnly, "Senior Chu is the master of a sect, a highly respected elder. Naturally, you need to keep a low profile. I, on the other hand, am different—I'm in the prime of my youth and vigor. Seeing someone disrespect a senior, I couldn't control myself and acted impulsively."
Zhang Ruochen didn't want Chu Siyuan to keep dwelling on this matter, so he immediately asked, "What exactly is this Blood Clan Secret Scroll all about?"
Eight hundred years ago, an ancestor of the Cai Clan had served as a cabinet elder of the Holy Bright Central Empire and had indeed participated in compiling the Blood Clan Secret Scroll.
But why was it the Cai Clan announcing the whereabouts of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll, and not the Shangguan Clan?
After all, Imperial Teacher Shangguan Que was the most important figure in overseeing the compilation of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll.
When Shengshu Cainü visited Shangguan Que, she hadn't even seen him in person, nor had she learned the specific whereabouts of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll. She had only received a slip of paper.
In fact, because of this matter, she had nearly lost her life.
Chu Siyuan transmitted his voice, saying, "What's so strange about that? Back when the Holy Bright Central Empire still existed, the Cai Clan's founder once held the position of Minister of the Fengyun Pavilion and personally participated in compiling the Blood Clan Secret Scroll. Isn't it perfectly normal for the Cai Clan's descendants to know about the Blood Clan Secret Scroll?"
Clearly, Chu Siyuan had known about this for a long time.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze turned heavy. "As far as I know, the person who oversaw the compilation of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll was Imperial Teacher Shangguan Que. Why isn't he the one to announce it?"
"Que Saint King hasn't appeared in many years. Whether he's still alive is unknown."
Chu Siyuan's expression was somewhat strange. Then he added, "Last time, when that proud daughter of the Nalan Clan went to visit the Shangguan Clan, didn't she almost meet with misfortune? I suspect that the Undying Blood Clan has already infiltrated the Shangguan Clan. Que Saint King may have fallen many years ago."
Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan communicated through voice transmission for a long time, completely ignoring Chi Yutang.
"No one has ever dared to ignore me. You two are far too arrogant," Chi Yutang said in a deep voice.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Chi Yutang. "No one has ever ignored you—it's just that we find you too foolish."
Chi Yutang's pupils contracted. He formed his hands into claws, and two surges of powerful Saint Qi burst forth from his palms. "Just now, I used less than one-tenth of my power. Now, I'll use ten-tenths of my strength and see if you still dare to spout nonsense."
Zhang Ruochen remained calm. "Don't be so unconvinced. Calling you foolish is already a compliment. What kind of pig brain do you have to suspect that we're Undying Blood Clan?"
"The Cai Clan spread the news several days ago that they would announce the whereabouts of the Blood Clan Secret Scroll today. If you were an Undying Blood Clan member, would you be stupid enough to infiltrate the Cai residence only today?"
"The Cai Clan is a medieval aristocratic clan with vast estates. Just the servants, maids, and guards alone number in the thousands. If I were an Undying Blood Clan member, I could simply capture a guard, drain his blood, transform into his appearance, and easily enter the Cai residence."
Zhang Ruochen scolded Chi Yutang relentlessly, leaving everyone present stunned.
Chi Yutang was no ordinary figure—he was one of the four young masters of the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor, the elder brother of Chi Wansui. And yet, someone dared to call him foolish and insult him as having a pig brain?
Chu Siyuan, a highly cultivated Confucian elder, felt that Zhang Ruochen had gone too far, but in his heart, he was extremely pleased.
Chi Yutang's face alternated between red and white. Bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes, and his killing intent grew even stronger.
Anyone could see that Chi Yutang was on the verge of losing control, ready at any moment to use ruthless means to grind that old man and young man into dust.
"What? Want to kill someone?"
Zhang Ruochen glanced toward Cai Mingliang, somewhat indignantly. "The Cai Clan is, after all, a medieval aristocratic clan whose ancestors once produced a Great Emperor. How has it become so pathetic? On such a joyous day, someone wants to kill people right at your doorstep, and you don't dare to intervene?"
Cai Mingliang's face showed a look of shame and anger.
Of course, Cai Mingliang truly didn't dare to offend Chi Yutang, after all, Chi Yutang represented the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor and the imperial clan.
On a carriage from a certain saintly clan, a young man said, "Those two are deliberately causing trouble, aren't they? Blocking the entrance to the Cai residence like this—if they keep it up, tonight's banquet at the Cai Clan won't even be able to start."
"Offending both Chi Yutang and the Cai Clan at the same time—just who are these two?"
If Zhang Ruochen hadn't revealed his identity as a Spiritual Power Half-Saint, the banquet attendees present might have truly believed they were just there to freeload.
But now it was different.
After all, a Spiritual Power Half-Saint was a top-tier figure wherever they went. Even a medieval aristocratic clan would try to recruit them with generous treatment.
How could such a person be a freeloader?
Just then, from within the Cai residence, a figure with a powerful aura flew over rapidly, landing in front of the gate. He glared at Cai Mingliang. "Cai Mingliang, what's going on? Why are you blocking all the guests outside?"
This man was named Cai Jin, a high-ranking member of the Cai Clan with a cultivation at the ninth-order Half-Saint level. He managed all major and minor affairs of the Cai Clan's sacred residence.
Seeing Cai Jin, Cai Mingliang breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Chief Steward, there are two freeloaders who got into a dispute with Prince Chi."
Cai Jin saw Chi Yutang and put on a genial smile, cupping his hands. "Prince Chi, your presence at the Cai Clan's sacred residence truly brings us great honor."
Chi Yutang glared at Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan with a venomous expression, then retracted his Saint Qi. He cupped his hands to Cai Jin. "Chief Steward, you've arrived just in time. In the Cai residence, it's not quite proper for me to handle some matters. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Just two petty thieves—I certainly won't let them off lightly... them..."
Cai Jin smiled as he turned his head, but when his eyes landed on Chu Siyuan, his heart suddenly leaped, and he froze completely.
Was that... the Painting Saint Ancestor?
Cai Jin had indeed not stepped into the Saint realm, but as the chief steward of a medieval aristocratic clan, his status and position were by no means inferior to a Saint-level titan. Naturally, he had met the Painting Sect's Sect Leader.
So, in that instant, he recognized Chu Siyuan.
The world-renowned Painting Saint, one of the four great Confucian elders, had been mistaken for a freeloading thief and blocked outside the Cai Clan's sacred residence?