468: Chapter 50: A Thorn in the Eye 468: Chapter 50: A Thorn in the Eye In this world, there are many ways to express gratitude.
But Xie Xuanyi thought for a long time, and finally chose the simplest two words.
The person opposite to the Ruyi Order also responded in the most nonchalant tone.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
This conversation was completed in just two or three breaths.
The Divine Soul Token was very calm, like a stone dropped into a lake causing only a slight ripple, which quickly smoothed out.
The two exchanged four words across dozens of miles, and then neither spoke again, as if nothing had happened.
Some things don’t need to be spoken; they can just be kept in the heart.
“Little Mountain Master…
are you unhappy?”
Duan Zhao’s voice sounded gently.
He cautiously observed the other’s face.
Duan Zhao didn’t quite understand, becoming the top of the Heavenly Pride List should be an incredible achievement, so why was there no smile on Xie Zhen’s face?
“No, I’m not unhappy.”
Xie Xuanyi spoke softly.
Watching the crowd outside the Great Pudu Temple celebrating loudly, he calmly said, “Not showing emotions outwardly is an essential lesson in spiritual practice.”
After so much.
Xie Xuanyi had long stopped caring about such empty titles.
Now standing again at the pinnacle of worldly fame…
he felt neither sadness nor joy, his heart as tranquil as a still lake.
The scene before him, gradually overlapping with the memories.
What’s different?
Nothing is different.
“Truly worthy of being Little Mountain Master.”
Duan Zhao understood only half, but couldn’t help but express, “If it were me, I’d probably be showing off for a while.”
“That’s why you can’t be the top of the Heavenly Pride List.”
Deng Baiyi couldn’t help but speak, “…of course, neither can I.”
Although she tried to suppress her smile, it still couldn’t help but spill over the corners of her lips.
Xie Zhen becoming the top of the Heavenly Pride List made her happier than anyone else present.
“I don’t know how to describe you, you seem smart but sometimes lack common sense?”
Xie Xuanyi looked at the silly girl beside him and couldn’t help but sigh.
This unveiling of the Heavenly Pride List did not have Deng Baiyi’s name; as a disciple of the illustrious World Pavilion Master, not even making the top hundred was indeed not a glorious thing.
According to Taoist traditions and teachings, at this moment, Deng Baiyi should be composed, restrain her joy, and not let others feel frivolous negative perceptions about Taoism…
if not mourning as if for her father, at least her demeanor should be solemn.
“Hmph.”
Deng Baiyi clearly understood what Xie Zhen meant.
She raised an eyebrow and waved her hand carelessly: “I’m just a commoner from Yuzhu Town, stumbled into the Cultivation World by accident, and only wanted to watch the excitement…
It’s good that I’m not on the list, it’s better for seeking tranquility.”
“That’s also true.”
Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved inside.
If Deng Baiyi had really become a “rule-abiding” Taoist disciple today, with every action constrained, would that really be good?
Upon reflection, when he taught Deng Baiyi cultivation and guided her into Taoism, did he really want to see this girl’s side of freedom and happiness, or did he want to see her confined within the strict rules of the sect?
“Little Xie Mountain Master, congratulations on achieving the top spot…
I wonder if you have time, the teacher invites you for a meeting.”
Sang Zheng stood under the giant monster’s wings, smiling and waving.
He looked towards Duan Zhao and Deng Baiyi, adding, “If the two of you don’t mind, you could also come along.”
Within the ear-splitting cheers, Xie Xuanyi put away the Ruyi Order, walked forward, and a long pathway opened up through the crowd for him.
At that moment, the distant sound of intense horse hooves beating the ground echoed—
At the end of the crowd, someone shouted loudly.
“Yuan Jimo!
Yuan Jimo is coming!”
In the Imperial City, there are not many people who can strike fear into the populace by reputation alone.
Yuan Jimo, was indeed one of them.
A tall majestic horse, treading through rain and mud, the man in black armor sitting on the horseback, his expression cold and grim, held the reins tightly in an overbearing manner, forced his way through the crowd, and abruptly blocked in front of Black Scale Guard Sang Zheng and Xie Xuanyi.
“Lord Yuan?
What is this about?”
Sang Zheng’s expression darkened, he spoke coldly.
Normally, a Black Scale Guard, upon seeing the Chief of the Imperial City Department, would naturally bow their heads in respect.
But Sang Zheng was different.
He belonged solely to the Book Tower, and did not need to follow Yuan Jimo’s orders.
“I heard that Brother Xie has topped the Heavenly Pride List, I specially came to offer my congratulations.”
Yuan Jimo sat on the horseback, glancing at Sang Zheng, and calmly said, “Why…
isn’t this allowed by the laws of the Imperial City?”
Sang Zheng had no reply, so he chose silence.
“Brother Xie.”
Yuan Jimo looked around slowly and said, “Being able to defeat the Buddhist Reincarnator Miao Zhen, you truly have great skill.”
“…”
Xie Xuanyi stood with hands folded behind his back, his face expressionless as he watched the man in black armor before him.
“I heard that the envoy from Fan Yin Temple, coming to Great Chu this time to preach and exchange insights, didn’t come merely for this purpose.”
Yuan Jimo paused slightly: “In a few days, the envoy from Fan Yin Temple will welcome back the ‘Tanluan Buddha Bones’ that have been stored at the Great Pudu Temple for many years…
I wonder if my information is accurate?”
“You’ve asked the wrong person.”
Xie Xuanyi replied indifferently: “This is a matter for the Fan Yin Temple envoy; you should ask them.”
Saying so.
Xie Xuanyi glanced back.
The gates of the Great Pudu Temple were closed, the Golden Light Array had risen at some unknown time, clearly signifying ‘outsiders do not enter’…
Ming Zhen was clearly inside, watching all of this, and this was his silent response.
People like Yuan Jimo, are not only disliked by the citizens of Great Chu.
The monks from Li Kingdom also very much disliked him.
“I was just curious to ask.”
Yuan Jimo smiled faintly and said, “Brother Xie, competing with Miao Zhen must have been tiring, right?
Maybe it’s time you took a good rest?”