CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: JUNIOR BROTHER, I APOLOGIZE TO YOU! (ALLIANCE LEADER BONUS, THIRD RELEASE)_1

Li Zuoyue: ???

Wang Xiu: ???

With a sigh, Li Zuoyue interrupted Ji Yan. "Uncle-Master Ji, let’s discuss this matter later."

"I’ve disturbed you this time mainly to ask whether Junior Brother Ji Jinglei from your Thunder Sect has recently left the mountain gate for training in Maple City."

Ji Jinglei?

Ji Yan glanced at his foolish son, who had been knocked unconscious beside him and was still mumbling, "Brother Wang and I are like a Sleeping Dragon and a Fledgling Phoenix. It’s my father’s fault for not teaching me well."

After a moment’s thought, Ji Yan shook his head. "That boy’s intelligence isn’t sufficient for him to go down the mountain for training."

SHING!

Three more Flying Swords shot out, bringing the total to twelve. They surrounded Wang Xiu, making him look like a porcupine.

Li Zuoyue sneered, "You fiend, what else do you have to say!"

Senior Brother, you’ve wronged me!

Wearing Ji Jinglei’s face, Wang Xiu felt like his brain wasn’t working properly. His mouth twitched slightly as his figure and appearance changed once more, this time completely reverting to his original form, which was somehow even more handsome than Li Zuoyue’s.

How audacious! You don’t take me seriously at all! At death’s door, and you still dare to become more handsome than me? Are you trying to humiliate me?

SHING!

His rage surging, Li Zuoyue launched three more Solar Term Flying Swords from their sheaths. Fifteen swords were now unleashed at once, their combined sword energy shattering the void!

"Senior Brother," Wang Xiu said, spreading his hands helplessly. "If I told you that I’m actually Wang Xiu from Spirit Turtle Peak’s Divination Sect, would you believe me?"

Wang Xiu?

Li Zuoyue’s pupils constricted. He had heard of this person, whose name was far more renowned within the Sanqing Immortal Sect than Ji Jinglei’s.

But... Isn’t his Cultivation Level only at the early Foundation Establishment Stage? You’re radiating the aura of a First Heaven Core Formation Stage cultivator, yet you tell me you’re Wang Xiu? And the Wind-Thunder Talisman Sword Art you just used was clearly at the major mastery stage. How could a disciple of the Divination Sect like Wang Xiu master such a powerful Thunder Technique? Despicable! You’re insulting my intelligence more and more!

At this thought, a furious Li Zuoyue bellowed, "You scoundrel! Even if you really are Wang Xiu today, I’ll still tear you limb from limb! Prepare to die!"

On the other end of the Communication Token, Ji Yan’s thoughts raced. Wang Xiu? Who wants to kill Wang Xiu and tear him limb from limb? Outrageous!

Li Zuoyue had barely finished speaking when Ji Yan’s furious roar came through the Communication Token. "Stop!"

The Sect Leader of the Thunder Sect, who had been sitting composed a moment ago, shot to his feet with a bang. His face was a mask of pure rage. "Li, if you dare to lay a finger on Wang Xiu, I swear I’ll skin you alive!"

Li Zuoyue: ???

Even through the Communication Token, Li Zuoyue could feel Ji Yan’s unbridled fury. For a moment, he was utterly bewildered. "Uncle-Master Ji... are you talking to me?"

In my memory, Uncle-Master Ji Yan has always been polite to me, constantly trying to poach me. Why the sudden, explosive anger? Besides, isn’t there a deep-seated grudge between the Thunder Sect and the Divination Sect? This Uncle-Master Ji Yan was supposedly beaten to a pulp by that tyrant, Luo Binglan, more than once when they were young. So why would he so vehemently protect this fiend who claims to be Wang Xiu?

"Are you two close?" Li Zuoyue asked.

"Close? We’re as close as can be! Exceptionally close!" Ji Yan took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with a complex light.

As the image on the Communication Token shifted, Ji Yan saw the scene at the Zhao Residence and was equally stunned.

Good grief. One moment he looked like Ji Jinglei, and the next he’d transformed into Wang Xiu.

Ji Yan couldn’t probe Wang Xiu’s aura through the Communication Token, so he couldn’t determine how convincing the disguise was. But Li Zuoyue was still on the scene. The fact that he specifically used the token to ask Ji Yan about this meant that even he couldn’t see through the disguise.

Li Zuoyue was at the Ninth Heaven of the Golden Core Stage and possessed innate Sword Eyes that could counter most transformation techniques in the world. As for Wang Xiu, his revealed Cultivation Level had been at the seventh or eighth heaven of Foundation Establishment just a few days ago. While the cultivation he now displayed had reached the First Heaven of the Core Formation Stage—a tremendous leap—the gap between him and Li Zuoyue was still as vast as that between the clouds and the mud. For Li Zuoyue to be unable to see through Wang Xiu’s disguise even with his Sword Eyes... it just showed how profound Wang Xiu’s transformation technique must be. It also showed how terrifying his talent and mastery of this technique were—likely not the least bit inferior to his talent in Thunder Techniques!

For a moment, Ji Yan’s heart grew more fervent, but also more panicked.

After all, if Wang Xiu’s talent was limited to Thunder Techniques, I could just coordinate with the Sect Leader. I could use Wang Xiu’s ’future’ as an excuse and leverage the greater good of the Sect... Hmm, it wouldn’t be too hard to shamelessly beg for Wang Xiu to take on another master. But what if his talent and comprehension weren’t limited to just Thunder Techniques? What if he could cultivate any spell and achieve twice the results with half the effort? If word of that got out, it wouldn’t just be the Sect Leader speaking up for me. By then, even the Sect Leader’s junior brother, that old scoundrel, would probably cast aside his pride to fight me for this disciple. How could I possibly compete then? There’d be no way! No, this won’t do! This precious disciple is mine to poach! Even if it costs me my reputation, I have to get him to jump ship to the Thunder Sect! At the very least, he has to major in our Thunder Sect’s spells! I need to curry favor with him immediately, or it’ll be too late!

"Li!" Ji Yan’s presence was imposing, his body wreathed in purple thunder. He stated righteously, "My worthy nephew Wang Xiu not only saved my daughter Zi Dian’s life, but he also holds deep affection for her. Sooner or later, he will be family to us in the Thunder Sect. If you dare to harm him in the slightest, don’t blame me for skinning you alive! Your master won’t be able to protect you!"

[Ding!]

[Detected someone bluffing. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining Mana +666.]

At this moment, where was the gentle, fatherly demeanor Ji Yan had shown just a moment ago? He had switched straight into a thunderous rampage.

What a joke. Li Zuoyue might be a genius, but compared to the talent in Thunder Techniques that Wang Xiu has demonstrated, he’s not even worth mentioning! Not worth mentioning at all! Moreover, Wang Xiu and my little Xiao Jiu have mutual affection. Their bond is far closer than that of an outsider like Li Zuoyue. The priorities are crystal clear.

Li Zuoyue: ???

Skin me alive? You’re testing my patience! You old scoundrel, who do you think you’re scaring? An old lecher over a thousand years old who does nothing but marry and have children, and he hasn’t even reached the Saint Manifestation Stage. And he thinks he’s worthy of threatening me? The nerve! Go ahead and try to touch a single hair on my head. Do you think my Master’s fearsome reputation, on par with Martial Aunt Luo’s, is just for show?

Giving Ji Yan a sidelong glance, Li Zuoyue remained composed, neither servile nor overbearing. He gave a formal bow and said calmly, "Since this was all a misunderstanding, Zuoyue won’t disturb you any longer, Uncle-Master."

With that, he decisively cut the connection to the Communication Token.

Then, he turned towards Wang Xiu, his gaze deep and intense, making Wang Xiu shiver involuntarily.

My goodness. He dares to be so defiant in front of a Great Ability at the Emergence Stage? That’s just too arrogant! He wouldn’t kill me just to save face, would he?

Just as Wang Xiu’s scalp was tingling and he was thinking about making a run for it, Li Zuoyue spoke.

"Junior Brother Wang Xiu."

"I was impulsive just now and offended you. Please don’t take it to heart. I apologize."

The previously arrogant and unrestrained young man suddenly cupped his fist in his palm and gave Wang Xiu a deep, ninety-degree bow. "I’m truly sorry, Junior Brother Wang Xiu!"

Wang Xiu stared, dumbfounded.

His expression shifted to one of pure confusion...

...

Watching Li Zuoyue bow so deeply and apologize with such sincerity, Wang Xiu was completely stunned. He admitted his mistake without a moment’s hesitation, showing not a hint of the pride that should accompany a peerless genius.

The senior brothers from the Sword Sect... are they all this sincere?