Volume One: Turmoil in the Small Town Chapter 36: A Chorus of Opinions

As expected, no matter where you are, there will always be a crowd eager for drama, never content with the mundane, the so-called spectators. In less than half an hour, events at the Zhang residence had spread throughout Liunan City.

What? So many prominent figures attacked the Zhang family, yet they came away empty-handed?

Your news is outdated.

Not only did they fail, each of them had to compensate with a spirit stone.

A spirit stone is a trifling matter; dignity is the true loss.

…

What? The fairy from Linglong Sanctuary has arrived in Liunan City and is currently staying with the Murong family.

Heh, do you know who Dugu Bai is? He’s recognized as the strongest Sword Saint across our cultivation continent, his strength has reached the legendary pinnacle.

The princes of Yuan Kingdom came in grand procession to trouble the Zhang family, only to suffer a humiliating defeat?

"Of course. Haven’t you heard? That useless Zhang Heng from the Zhang family managed to summon both the Sword Saint and influential figures from Linglong Sanctuary. Everyone who besieged Zhang family ended up fleeing in disgrace."

Before the Sword Saint, the prince of Yuan Kingdom is nothing. Even if the Yuan Emperor himself came, he’d have to bow his head.

Breaking news: the Saintess of Linglong Sanctuary is actually Murong Qingxue of the Murong family.

What? It’s her? Impossible!

I’ve seen Murong Qingxue; she’s quite ordinary. How could she be the Saintess of Linglong Sanctuary?

Countless cultivators witnessed it, and the prince of Yuan Kingdom as well as Lord Liunan personally confirmed it—it's absolutely true.

You must not know: Murong Qingxue—no, she should be called the Saintess of Linglong Sanctuary—though her face was veiled, her aura alone makes it clear she’s a celestial maiden. Not only could she be the Saintess of Linglong Sanctuary, even if you called her the most beautiful woman under heaven, people would believe it.

Now, the Murong family is destined to rise. With Murong Qingxue, they could leap to become the top family in Liuguo, even among the seven ancient kingdoms!

How dare you address the Saintess by name? Do you have a death wish?

…

Cultivation years are ever so monotonous, so this affair instantly became the hottest topic for cultivators and ordinary people alike over tea and meals. Among those involved, the most attention was paid not only to figures like Dugu Bai, Qian Muyun, and Murong Qingxue, but also to Zhang Heng.

Yet, the public’s appraisal of Zhang Heng was:

A reckless boy who doesn’t know his limits, daring to humiliate so many strong men in public—I wager he won’t live much longer.

Rumor has it that Zhang Heng and Saintess Murong Qingxue have a marriage pact. Surely, this shameless scoundrel used that to coerce the Saintess into helping him.

Agreed. Otherwise, he’s nothing but a good-for-nothing. Why would the greats of Linglong Sanctuary help him?

Zhang Heng can’t cultivate, yet acts so ostentatiously—utterly foolish.

Of course, some speculated that Zhang Heng was able to invite Sword Saint Dugu Bai and the dignitaries of Linglong Sanctuary because he knows the secret of Dragon Burial Abyss. News recently spread that Zhang Heng’s parents emerged unharmed from the spatial turbulence of Dragon Burial Abyss eighteen years ago, which suggests they did obtain its secret. Thus, Zhang Heng likely does know the truth, and used it as a bargaining chip to enlist the superpowers.

This guess is highly probable; after all, Zhang Heng is otherwise a worthless fellow—only the secret of Dragon Burial Abyss could draw those superpowers.

Naturally, such speculations could only be whispered in their hearts. Anything involving the mighty cultivators of the divine transformation realm was not to be spoken aloud; even if it were true, it would have nothing to do with them.

Hearing all the talk, Zhang Heng felt immensely pleased. Whether praise or criticism, after this event, his presence had increased dramatically.

“Go ahead, spread the word, shout my name to the heavens! The more you talk, the more excited I become.” Zhang Heng chuckled as he strolled down the street, paying no heed to the jeers that followed him.

Arriving at the Murong residence, he found throngs gathered at the gate, all hoping to pay their respects to Murong Hai—locals of Liunan City as well as outside cultivators drawn by Dragon Burial Abyss. The Murong family's rise was inevitable; forging ties with Murong Hai in advance might grant them meteoric success. Everyone held this hope.

But the news they received was that the Murong patriarch had gone to visit Master Zhang Lie at the Zhang family, and so they were told to return another day.

Although disappointed, none departed; instead, they waited outside the gate.

Witnessing the scene, Zhang Heng decided he’d best enter by the side door. His presence was already overwhelming and he could not afford to provoke these people further.

Sizing up his own strength, Zhang Heng shamelessly muttered, “Hmm, I probably can’t take them all on. There are so many after all.”

At the side entrance, though less crowded than the main gate, there were still plenty of people waiting.

After stating his identity and purpose, the guards allowed Zhang Heng inside.

This immediately provoked the crowd’s resentment. They’d been waiting so long their legs were numb and still couldn’t enter—why should that boy get in so easily?

Upon hearing the guards’ explanation, the crowd erupted in noisy protest.

“That’s Zhang Heng? He’s uglier than I imagined.”

“What’s he so smug about? He could be killed any day now.” Their hearts were filled with indignation.

Murong Qingxue’s father, Murong Hai, had always maintained good relations with the Zhang family. At this moment, his visit to the Zhangs spoke well of his character. No wonder he could raise a remarkable daughter like Murong Qingxue. Following the Murong family’s guards, Zhang Heng walked and mused.

So many came to the Murong residence merely to curry favor with Murong Hai. If he opened his doors to welcome them, it would greatly boost the Murongs’ strength, not to mention the gifts piling up into mountains. Yet, he ignored them, and upon learning that Murong Qingxue was the Saintess of Linglong Sanctuary, he immediately went to the Zhang family to declare his stance. This moved Zhang Heng deeply.

Now that the Sword Saint resided at the Zhang home, no one dared trouble them. But once matters regarding Dragon Burial Abyss were settled, Dugu Bai would surely leave, and the people of Linglong Sanctuary would return to their cultivation.

Then, the Zhang family would again become vulnerable, prey to any who wished to exploit them. Many powerful figures were humiliated at the Zhang residence; they wouldn’t dare challenge Dugu Bai or Linglong Sanctuary, but dealing with the Zhangs would be easy. Without backing, the Zhangs were doomed to destruction.

Now things were different: Murong Hai clearly intended to protect the Zhang family. With Murong Qingxue as the Saintess of Linglong Sanctuary, no one would dare harm the Zhangs. Offending the Zhangs meant offending the Murongs, and Linglong Sanctuary would not stand by.

Across the entire continent of cultivation, no one dared antagonize Linglong Sanctuary, for it was the most unique place in the land.

Zhang Heng had once worried for the Zhang family’s future, but now, at last, he could set his mind at ease.

He could focus on his plans regarding Dragon Burial Abyss.

Yuan Yi, Liu Tianqing, Wang Zewei, Lin Ye—I won’t let you off so easily.