Chapter 123: Changing One's Tune

The sun gradually slanted westward. As he watched the hours slowly slip away while he waited in mounting frustration, Chen Jingzhi became increasingly unwilling to remain there any longer.

Yet although he was tempted to force his way inside, Chen Jingzhi truly did not dare do so.

That Luo Tian was an outer disciple at the ninth turn of the Qi Condensation Realm. Although the truth of his alleged defeat of a Meridian Flow Realm expert remained open to question, he was clearly no weakling when it came to combat. That alone might not have been enough to deter Chen Jingzhi, but Tang Xuan’s presence was what truly held him back.

Though Tang Xuan usually appeared neither arrogant nor overbearing, wearing the air of one who sought no quarrel with the world, Chen Jingzhi knew perfectly well what he was like when his temper finally ignited. There had once been an occasion when Tang Xuan had single-handedly fought three elite members of the Shen family. None of them had been allowed to deal a killing blow, and the three Shen family disciples had each comprehended only an ordinary True Intent, but Tang Xuan’s formidable strength had nevertheless been laid bare.

Chen Jingzhi glanced into the courtyard of Luo Tian’s residence. Tang Xuan was cultivating with his eyes closed, utterly absorbed in concentration. Luo Tian, by contrast, appeared relaxed and unhurried, as though everything were already under control.

Seeing Tang Xuan in such a state, Chen Jingzhi had no courage to make the slightest disturbance.

Nothing was more taboo for a cultivator than being disturbed during cultivation. Moreover, Tang Xuan was clearly comprehending something related to True Intent this time. At the very least, he was drawing close to such an understanding. Never mind whether he had actually made a breakthrough—if he ultimately gained nothing and Chen Jingzhi happened to make some disturbance, Tang Xuan would certainly find a reason to vent his anger on him.

That was only human nature. When the outcome before them was less than pleasing, people would always look for someone else to blame first.

What Chen Jingzhi feared most was that Tang Xuan truly was on the verge of an insight. He did not dare take that risk. If he interrupted Tang Xuan’s cultivation, the consequences would certainly be grave. It was even possible that the Tang family itself would intervene.

Endure!

Yuan Zhou watched Chen Jingzhi’s expression shift again and again. Naturally, he had no idea how many thoughts were turning over in the man’s mind, but he did not dare ask. He could only stand silently at his side.

Inside the courtyard, a long while passed before Tang Xuan finally opened his eyes, a brilliant light shining within them.

As Luo Tian sensed the subtle yet unmistakable changes taking place after the golden light cluster was absorbed by the Divine Eye, his heart filled with delight. Even his expression softened considerably.

In the beginning, the Divine Eye had been chaotic and indistinct, hazy and blurred. No matter how carefully Luo Tian contemplated it within his mind, he could perceive only its general outline. Even then, it seemed to be shrouded in a faint veil.

He could see it, but he could not see it clearly.

After the Divine Eye had previously advanced, however, that faint obstruction had dispersed like clouds and mist, revealing its true form clearly before Luo Tian.

But the second-level Divine Eye was still closed.

During this period, Luo Tian had continued receiving golden motes transmitted from the other disciples. The change brought about by this advancement was that the Divine Eye would open that layer of eyelids.

What wondrous things would he be able to see after the Divine Eye advanced again?

And what would lie beyond those eyelids?

Luo Tian’s emotions refused to calm. He was even impatient to tell Tang Xuan to summon all the other elite disciples so that he could instruct them one by one.

Guidance in the cultivation of vital energy yielded little experience for the Divine Eye. But whenever a cultivator made even the slightest progress in True Intent, the golden light it brought Luo Tian immediately grew much more substantial.

The eyelids, already more than halfway open, widened a little farther. Although he still could not see what lay beyond them, there was no doubt that the Divine Eye had gained a considerable amount of experience.

At this rate, perhaps a dozen or so disciples would be enough.

Luo Tian silently calculated. He guessed that the reason lay in the fact that guidance in vital energy produced almost immediate results. Unless the disciple himself had no desire to cultivate, there would be no real problem.

Progress in True Intent was another matter entirely. Even if Luo Tian devoted himself completely and exhausted himself to the point of vomiting blood, and even if the junior brothers and sisters seeking his guidance possessed astonishing comprehension and secluded themselves for three months without eating or drinking, they would still need that flash of inspiration before they could possibly succeed.

“Junior Brother Tang, you are truly impressive!”

Noticing the strange look in Tang Xuan’s eyes, Luo Tian immediately came to his senses and smiled as he changed the subject, preventing him from continuing to stare.

“Judging from your appearance, you must have gained an even deeper understanding of True Intent!”

Of course, Luo Tian knew that Tang Xuan had gained something. Otherwise, the Divine Eye could not possibly have changed.

“Luo—”

Tang Xuan had just begun to call Luo Tian by name, but suddenly felt that it was inappropriate and forcibly stopped himself.

Which disciple born into one of the Four Great Families was not proud and high-spirited? Those of lesser status might be one thing, but the true elite disciples absolutely looked down on anyone inferior to themselves.

No matter how illustrious Luo Tian’s reputation had recently become, in the eyes of the Four Great Families’ elite disciples he was still nothing more than a country bumpkin and a nouveau riche. No matter how outstanding a disciple of common birth might be, he would eventually have to place himself under the protection of one of the Four Great Families. In the better cases, he would marry a member of the opposite sex within the clan and form a genuine husband-and-wife relationship.

In the worse cases, he would not even have the chance to continue using his own surname. It would be tantamount to changing his ancestor.

This was one of the methods by which the Four Great Families of the Shenyang Sect maintained their advantage and rule. It was not especially upright, but it was extraordinarily effective.

Tang Xuan was unwilling to bow his head and submit to Luo Tian just like that.

Besides, he had treated Luo Tian rather indifferently before. If he changed his manner the instant he achieved a breakthrough, what kind of conduct would that be?

It was utterly absurd.

Would that not make him look like one of those despicable opportunists who swayed whichever way the wind blew?

Yet Tang Xuan found it even more impossible to continue addressing Luo Tian bluntly by name. If he turned his back on Luo Tian the very moment he achieved a breakthrough, regardless of whether it was right or wrong, then he would lose any chance of continuing to exchange cultivation insights with him in the future.

“Junior Brother Tang, such forms of address are nothing more than empty titles. You need not take them too seriously. It will not be too late to call me Senior Brother in the future. For now, I am simply happy for you.”

Luo Tian’s expression was solemn and sincere.

Hearing this, Tang Xuan could not help thinking that the man was truly shameless. He called titles empty distinctions, yet he had been addressing him as Junior Brother Tang with exceptional ease, while continuing to call himself Senior Brother. Clearly, he had never cared about Tang Xuan’s feelings in the first place.

Tang Xuan stammered several times. His lips opened and closed, yet he still could not bring himself to say the words.

“There is no need for you to dwell on it, Junior Brother. This is only what a Senior Brother ought to do.”

Luo Tian had also begun to despise Tang Xuan inwardly. The words he had spoken had evaporated like a fart before even a day had passed—truly, the man was hateful to the extreme.

“However, after you give me the contribution points in a moment, remember to have the junior brothers and sisters come here and give it a try as well. I cannot guarantee that it will work, but it is still better than burying themselves in solitary cultivation.”

After exchanging a few more polite words, Tang Xuan, who felt uncomfortable from head to toe, suddenly stopped. He turned around and stared fixedly at Luo Tian.

Were these words merely empty courtesies, or did they truly come from the depths of his heart?

Had he really not minded being neglected by Tang Xuan at all, and was he even eagerly hoping that the other elite disciples would come to seek his guidance?

Could Luo Tian truly be such a good person?

Or had he already decided to change his name to Shen Tian, or perhaps become husband and wife with Tang Yueran, which was why he was being so courteous?

When Tang Xuan thought of this, the barrier between himself and Luo Tian suddenly seemed to vanish. His heart filled with joy.

“Very well, Senior Brother Luo. I will have them come over later!”

First update. I will make up the remaining chapters later. I am exhausted—my apologies.