Chapter 1367: Chapter 1367: Truly Able to Yield and Stand Firm!

"Teacher, you’re a Floating Life Realm peak expert, there’s no need to be afraid of a mere youngster, right?"

Originally, Xu Ban’s face was somewhat pale, but sensing his teacher’s presence behind him, he suddenly felt more confident. His loud voice resonated clearly in the quiet gathering, allowing everyone to hear it distinctly.

Hearing this voice, many nodded slowly, thinking it was indeed so. They all knew Huashan Old Monster’s temper, previously intolerant of any offense, let alone such blatant threats.

Smack!

However, in the next moment, a crisp slapping sound echoed in everyone’s ears. They watched in shock as the Huashan Old Monster, known for his extreme favoritism, suddenly backhanded his beloved disciple Xu Ban, knocking him head over heels.

"Teacher, why did you..."

Xu Ban, slapped to the ground, wasn’t seriously injured physically, but the psychological trauma was perhaps harder for him to accept. Covering his face with incredulity, he couldn’t help but ask.

Being the only disciple of Huashan lineage, Xu Ban would only get scolded when he was slacking in training, at least never in front of outsiders.

Who knew today, in front of everyone, the teacher would slap him so harshly? It was something Xu Ban couldn’t comprehend. Was his teacher really so intimidated by that mere youngster?

"Apologize!"

Gu Huashan, of course, wouldn’t express his thoughts and concerns in public. So, before Xu Ban could finish his question, he sternly ordered, causing his cherished disciple to tremble violently.

At this moment, even if Xu Ban still didn’t understand, he dared not ask further. He might be the only disciple of the Huashan lineage, but angering the teacher could lead to him accepting another disciple.

Given the Huashan tradition of single-lineage transmission, the consequences for Xu Ban if Gu Huashan took another disciple were unimaginable—it would be utter ruin.

Thus, even with intense reluctance in his heart, Xu Ban had to get up from the ground and walk hesitantly towards Yun Xiao under Gu Huashan’s gloomy gaze.

At this moment, Xu Ban didn’t dare show any bit of resentment. He slightly bowed and said to Yun Xiao, "I’m sorry, it was my fault, I didn’t recognize the true person, hope..."

"You didn’t offend me; I can’t accept such a grand gesture!"

Unexpectedly, the coarse-clothed young man in front of him interrupted directly while Xu Ban was speaking, stepping aside to reveal an even younger boy behind him.

At this point, Xu Ban felt as though a fire was blazing within his eyes, yet he dared not show any dissatisfaction. He took a deep breath and once again said, "I’m sorry, it was my fault, please forgive me, brother!"

This sudden apology made Lin Xuanhao feel like he was dreaming. He was just a Seeking Origin Realm Early Stage boy; when had he ever experienced such a situation?

He originally thought that not only would he not get the Fire Tree Core this time, but he would also be humiliated. But unexpectedly, events turned with this brother’s arrival, leaving him flabbergasted.

At this moment, Lin Xuanhao couldn’t help but recall the events in Yujiang City and Yuyang City. At that time, wasn’t this figure beside him dazzlingly brilliant?

In the years that passed, although Lin Xuanhao himself had seen significant breakthrough, compared to the figure beside him, it was nothing short of comparing a small witch to a great one. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Xu Ban was already something, but his teacher was an authentic Heavenly Rank expert, not just any Heavenly Rank expert, which left Lin Xuanhao hopeless at times.

But now, even the Heavenly Rank experts had to yield to Yun Xiao’s might.

Lin Xuanhao had every reason to believe that behind this boy’s apparent cultivation, there was something more that made the Heavenly Rank Third Realm experts wary; otherwise, the quirky Huashan Old Monster wouldn’t capitulate so easily.

"Brother, I was wrong, please forgive me!"

Seeing that after his apology, the young man in front remained silent, Xu Ban almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. This second, slightly disgruntled apology finally snapped Lin Xuanhao back to reality.

"Xuanhao, if you feel his apology is insincere, you can make him say it again!"

Yun Xiao, standing nearby, seemed to catch the sense of reluctance in Xu Ban’s tone and added a comment that almost toppled both Xu Ban and Gu Huashan.

"Enough, it’s sufficient!"

Hearing Yun Xiao’s words, Lin Xuanhao felt somewhat at a loss. He wasn’t a fool and understood the former’s purpose was probably to avoid completely tearing things apart with that Huashan Old Monster at this moment, so he went along with it.

"Hoo..."

Hearing Lin Xuanhao’s words, Xu Ban let out a long breath. He couldn’t be sure, but if he had to keep bowing like this for a long time, he might really spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Yun Xiao, I hope your Meridian Refining Technique has reached the Heavenly Rank level!"

This immense humiliation made Huashan Old Monster forcibly suppress his anger and utter such a strange sentence, leaving many people bewildered.

"Rest assured, you won’t be my match in the Meridian Refining Technique either!"

Yun Xiao reacted quickly, immediately responding, his eyes gleaming. This old fellow seemed uncertain about his combat strength and wanted to beat him fair and square at the upcoming Meridian Refining Conference.

However, with Yun Xiao’s current Meridian Refining prowess, neither Qian Sanyuan nor Qingmu Wu would be a match for him. As long as this guy hadn’t advanced to the Middle-level Heavenly Rank Meridian Refiner, Yun Xiao had nothing to worry about.

"Hmph, let’s go!"

Feeling the various gazes around him, Huashan Old Monster didn’t want to stay a moment longer, ignoring Xu Ban who was walking back, and with a cold snort, quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Watching the backs of the master and disciple, everyone felt a sense of awkwardness and a surge of emotion, secretly thinking that the boy who recently made a name for himself on Tenglong Continent was indeed extraordinary.

Anyone present knew that if they faced Huashan Old Monster alone, it would be a tragic outcome, possibly life-threatening, and Lianyun Mountain wouldn’t even bat an eye.

Yet now, the dignified Floating Life Realm Peak expert Huashan Old Monster, succumbed to a harsh word from the boy, even making his disciple apologize. What a humiliation!

People could imagine Huashan Old Monster’s reluctance, but he ultimately compromised, indicating that the boy had gained a strength that even a Floating Life Realm Peak expert feared.

"This old fellow is quite adaptable!"

Yun Xiao’s gaze slowly followed the disappearing aged figure, and his murmuring seemed to contain a trace of regret among other emotions.

Yun Xiao didn’t know much about Huashan Old Monster, nor did he have any significant interaction. He had decided earlier that if the master and disciple wouldn’t yield, he would definitely show them a lesson today.

With Yun Xiao’s current strength and all his cards revealed, taking care of a Floating Life Realm Peak like Huashan Old Monster would not be impossible. However, the old fellow was too sensible, denying him the opportunity.

In fact, Yun Xiao’s guess was somewhat simplistic. This time, Huashan Old Monster came to Lianyun Mountain aiming for the championship of the Meridian Refining Conference, as his Meridian Refining Technique was already ranked among the top five on Tenglong Continent.

Apart from the elusive President of the Meridian Refining Master Association, Lu Yanji, most of the well-known Heavenly Rank Meridian Refiners on Tenglong Continent were only at the Heavenly Rank Low Level, and Middle-level Heavenly Rank Refiners were extremely rare.

Currently, Huashan Old Monster’s Meridian Refining Technique was at the pinnacle of Heavenly Rank Low Level, just half a step away from breaking through to Middle-level Heavenly Rank, thus his ambitions were high, determined to outshine others and claim his honor this time.

However, because of Xu Ban’s incident during this trade fair, Huashan Old Monster was caught off guard. If it were any other time, he would never compromise, having the temper of Huashan Old Monster.

But facing this extraordinary talent this time, Huashan Old Monster knew clearly that if he truly persisted, though the opponent might not be able to stop him, his ambition to participate in the Meridian Refining Conference would be shattered.

Ultimately, the Meridian Refining Conference was hosted by the Meridian Refining Master Association, and this was their territory. Huashan Old Monster, being just two people, couldn’t compete with the giant Lianyun Mountain.

Huashan Old Monster knew that if things escalated, the Meridian Refining Master Association would definitely side with Yun Xiao, and even other Heavenly Rank Refiners probably wouldn’t easily offend this rising genius.

Anyone could see Yun Xiao’s talent. Given time, even the power holders of the four top forces wouldn’t dare say they could suppress him. Didn’t the Spirit Fighting Commerce and Wuyan Palace already suffer at Yun Xiao’s hands?

This lone strongman had his strengths but also many drawbacks, such as not being able to compete with these top forces in open confrontations.

Thus, to avoid having his qualification to participate in the Meridian Refining Conference revoked, Huashan Old Monster eventually gave in. But he had resolved that if his Vein Energy Combat Power couldn’t guarantee victory, he would defeat the boy with his Meridian Refining Technique at the conference!

These thoughts were deep within Huashan Old Monster and naturally unknown to others. Yun Xiao only guessed some of it, and with the matter already past, he didn’t pay much further attention to it.