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Chapter 126: Brewing Storm

Translator: DavidT Editor: celllll

Western Han, Eastern Zhao, Wu Empire, Southern Zheng, Northern Wei, all of them almost reacted at the same time! They all sent their trusted aides to the Sky Bearing Empire! Even if they cannot get any benefits from the Sky Bearing Empire, they can get some information about their opponent's strength. This can also be considered to be a great harvest for them. If they can form an alliance with one of the other powers, that would be even better! Now, the storm is brewing in the Sky Bearing Empire with many powers gathered within it. This is also the best time for them to take advantage of the troubled times!

Every empire had been preparing in secret for battle! Everyone could tell that the death of this insignificant silkpants had already became the best chance! As long as this matter wasn't handled carefully, the flames of war would burst forth, starting with the Sky Bearing Empire!

Before Meng GeLi had a chance to set off from the Northern Wei, he received this unexpected news, thus increasing his entourage.

After receiving this piece of news, Meng GeLi went silent for a full 10 minutes, before letting out a long sigh!

The Sky Bearing Empire now was just like an ancient beast, opening it's malevolent mouth while revealing the treasures hidden within its stomach! While everyone knew that it was dangerous for them to go, risking the possibility of being eaten up, all the heroes of the world still chose to enter into the mouth of the beast. Despite the risk of death, they hoped that the treasure in the beast would belong to them!

With the current unstable situation, who knows how many heroes would be buried in the Sky Bearing Empire!

NanGong Le was originally an insignificant character, who only had the advantage of the 'NanGong' surname. He was the son of the family head and he was even the eldest son of the first wife. However, he did not inherit the family's legacy and did not have the rights to become the next family head. He was just nothing more than a silkpants with no merit to speak of.

The death of someone as insignificant as him was something that no one would have paid attention to originally. But in such troubled times, NanGong Le had unexpectedly died on the way to a marriage proposal. If the party he was making a proposal to wasn't the granddaughter of the Yang family, if the Yang family wasn't in the center of the continent and part of the Sky Bearing Empire, the death of NanGong Le would be completely unimportant.

However, all of the conditions had all been luckily fulfilled. Thus, even if he was just an insignificant character, he was already fated to be recorded into the annals of history. No matter what his reputation was, no matter how the people in future would discuss about him, the name of NanGong Le was definitely going to be recorded down in the books.

How many virtuous officials had worked their hearts out, striving for the very best in everything they do. How many famous generals had spilled their bloods in the battlefield, fighting a hundred battles. However, they were unable to be recorded down in history! As for NanGong Le, this absolutely unlikely character to appear in the history books had actually lived forever in the books! If NanGong Le were to find out about that in his afterlife, would he feel gratitude towards LingTian?

"What? NanGong TianLong's son died in the Sky Bearing Empire? Furthermore, it was after Yang KongQun accepted the marriage?"

Xiao Family.

Xiao FengHan stood up and laughed, "Gather all the elders and family members for a meeting in the Meeting Hall! For this matter to happen in such a sensitive time, this is just like a biscuit falling down from the sky! Hahaha, Ling Tian, Ling Tian. After making me depressed for a full ten years, you finally gave me a big present! If this old man does not accept it, wouldn't it be a waste of your good will!"

While he did not understand the whole affair, and did not investigate the matter, Xiao FengHan was certain that this matter was definitely done by Ling Tian!

Xiao FengHan still had a lingering fear from facing that demon like little brat! Now that the world was about to erupt into chaos with undercurrents all around, who would dare to risk the chaos of the world, stirring up the world to seek some benefits from it? Apart from that mysterious teen, who else could there be?

But if he wants to send men to the Sky Bearing Empire to make use of this opportunity, Xiao FengHan would not be able to avoid facing Ling Tian. But how can Ling Tian's wisdom be underestimated? Since he had chosen to stir up a storm, how was it possible for him to not have a trump card?

If the person sent there wasn't wise and capable enough, he would definitely be led by the nose! If he wasn't careful, not only would he be unable to win any benefits for his family, he may even fall into the trap of that little brat.

We must be extremely careful! Extremely cautious! Who should we send?

"The weeping willow extends three thousand miles, with ninety thousand graceful threads;

Seating and watching the storms of the world, only my northeast number one Xiao!"

This little poem was to describe the number one financial magnate, the northeast Xiao family. The wealth, manpower, resources, and power of the Xiao family could be described from this poem. The three thousand miles of mountains and rivers in the northeast region was completely controlled by the Xiao family. It wouldn't be too much to call the Xiao family an empire. It was also no wonder that the Xiao family would disdain to be ranked together with the Eight Great Families. With the power they controlled, it was not something which any of the great family can compare with.

As long as the Xiao family was present, the place would definitely be filled with willows.

"With the weeping willows all around, the Xiao family will be wealthy for a thousand years!" This was phrase which their wise ancestor had left behind for them. The Xiao family had always kept to this teaching; as long as the Xiao family was present, they would definitely grow willows regardless of the difficulty. After generations of planting willows, this hand resulted in the spectacular scene of the willows across three thousand miles.

The Xiao Family, Green Ripple Immortal Park.

Here, was where the headquarters of the Xiao family was. There were continuous rows of buildings, overwhelming but yet solemn. The beauty of the buildings made it seem like an immortal's palace. At the gate of the immortal park, a large crater was cleaved out from a small hill before being flattened carefully. Then, a gigantic azurite rock, over ten thousand catties heavy, was embedded into it, with the words 'Green Ripple Immortal Park' engraved into it. Then, the words were painted in gold, shining in the sunlight. Every word was at least the height of half a person, filled with the domineering aura of a monarch!

At this moment, there was a hundred men squadron stationed at the entrance of the villa with a healthy horse behind everyone. The eyes of the hundred men were extremely calm with a clear divine light in their eyes. The temples by the side of their heads were raised up high, obviously looking like experts of the pugilistic world.

The person at the very front had a refined scholarly appearance, with his beard flowing gently in the wind. He had red phoenix eyes, sharp nose, broad forehead, square face and an unrestrained vibe behind his imposing aura. He was dressed entirely in green with his posture upright, looking as though he was about to make a trip. He was the wisest person in the Xiao family, the younger brother of Xiao FengHan, Xiao FengYang.

By the side of Xiao FengYang was a plainly dressed young lady. Her fine black hair was like the waterfall, with a jade like face, arched eyebrows and clear eyes. Below her charming nose bridge, her lips were a red rosy color. Her body's figure was extremely balanced, being a little fat if she put on a little more weight and looking a little skinny if she lost any more weight. She was indeed a beauty who could cause nations to topple! She was the precious jewel of the Xiao family, Xiao YanXue!

Xiao FengHan walked out from the inside and the hundred-plus people bowed to him respectfully.

"FengYang, when you go to the Sky Bearing Empire this time, it would be best if things go your way. If it doesn't go your way, it is best for you to pull out early with your safety as the number one priority. You can make the decision for everything on the ground and you do not need to be too concerned about the losses and gains. You are someone who my Xiao family cannot lose!" Xiao FengHan's tone was solemn and cautious.

After he heard about the news, he was first excited. But after thinking about it, he felt as though something was wrong. To stir up a storm in such a critical period, Xiao FengHan would not believe that there wasn't a scheme hiding within it, even if his head was chopped off! Especially since the Sky Bearing Empire was the territory of that little devil, how could Xiao FengHan not be worried?

But if he were to give up the matter and ignore it completely, Xiao FengHan felt that it was a waste of this chance. After much consideration, Xiao FengHan personally picked out his second brother, Xiao FengYang, who was resourceful and extremely careful. Xiao FengHan was extremely certain that with his second brother's brains and might, he may be able to contend with Ling Tian. Even if he wasn't able to do so, he would definitely be able to make a full retreat.

As for sending Xiao YanXue as well, it was Xiao FengHan's precautionary measure. While Xiao YanXue was still young, she was extremely intelligent and shrewd, being one of the most outstanding person of her generation! Together with the fact that a female was more meticulous, she would definitely be of great help to Xiao FengYang. If not for the fact that Xiao YanXue was a lady, he would have definitely made her the successor to the Xiao family.

Besides that, he had another thought, "The Sky Bearing Empire is the territory of the little monster after all. If Xiao FengYang were to frustrate him with his actions, Xiao FengYang may not even be able to return!" After all, while the world may ignore Ling Tian's existence, Xiao FengHan had personally experienced the wisdom of this brat. He had paid close attention to Ling Tian in these few years, understanding the strength which Ling Tian grasped. As long as Xiao YanXue was present, she would be able to serve as a buffer. First, Xiao YanXue was Xiao FengHan's only granddaughter and her status would make one cautious about touching her. Second, Old Madam Ling had always loved and doted on Xiao YanXue, with the both of them even exchanging letters over the years. In case anything goes wrong, she should be able to serve as a mediator. Third, Xiao YanXue was related to a huge gamble between both their families. If Ling Tian does not want to hand over half of his family's wealth, he would definitely have to be polite to Xiao YanXue. Fourth, there was a vague intent of using her as a honey trap. Facing such a beauty, even if she were to really make a mistake, which man on earth can bear to kill her?

"Rest assured elder brother, when this foolish younger brother goes there this time, I will definitely not let you down!" Xiao FengYan replied with a smile, ignoring his elder brother's concern as he thought to himself, "At the very most, Ling Tian is just a young man who is still wet behind the ears. Is he worth so much attention? Us brothers had roamed unhindered in the world for a few decades already. Since when have we been afraid of anyone?"

Xiao FengHan was naturally able to read his younger brother's thoughts. Xiao FengHan knew that everything about this brother of his was good, apart from the fact that he was too arrogant. That bad habit of his was something which had never been corrected. Xiao FengHan then let out a long sigh as he warned again, "Second brother, YanXue, when the both of you go to the Sky Bearing Empire, the both of you would definitely face Ling Tian from the Ling family. The both of you must bear this in mind, do not be careless!!" Xiao FengHan purposely emphasized on his last few words.

Chapter 127: Invitation from the Royal Consort

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: celllll

On the other side, Xiao YanXue snorted lovably, apparently unsatisfied with how her grandfather kept mentioning that infamous silkpants' name with such a serious expression. The only thing praiseworthy about him would be the fact that he had a good grandmother as well as a good mother. In their family, which of the males was actually outstanding?

Xiao FengHan merely laughed as he pinched YanXue's nose lightly, saying, "Little lass, don't be angry. Don't forget, you're the gambling stake between our two families, hahaha…"

Her face turned red at this comment. Xiao YanXue could not help but shout out embarrassedly, "Grandpa, you're already at such an age but you're still so childish. Grandma Ling is a woman of calibre to be respected. But, she has made a mistake of thinking too highly of her grandson and thinking too lowly of me! Hmph, I can guarantee that, for this gambling match, our Xiao Family will not lose. You can rest assured and wait to receive half of the Ling Family's wealth, this is more worth looking at!"

Xiao FengHan burst out into raucous laughter.

The crowd cupped their fists and bid their farewells. Under the order of Xiao FengYang, the hundred of them got onto their horses at the same time. All the horses neighed in unison as the people got onto them, tossing their manes and galloping off!

Sky Bearing Empire! My Xiao Family, is coming! All the rains and winds will gather at Sky Bearing, so how can our Xiao Family be absent?

Just as every major power on the continent was preparing themselves anxiously by recruiting and deploying armies, the Sky Bearing's Ling Family, who was situated in the centre of the vortex, was actually holding a welcoming dinner for the great Mister Qin.

In the feast, Grandpa Ling — as per usual — lectured Ling Tian for failing to meet up to expectations. After which, Grandpa Ling then grumbled continuously towards Mister Qin, complaining about Ling Tian's unruly behavior for the past few years and how Ling Tian was not improving. Grandpa Ling finally beseeched Mister Qin to further educate Ling Tian, since he was the only teacher willing to take Ling Tian in, and that he had to make Ling Tian see the error in his ways, so that Ling Tian might change. He was allowed to beat and scold Ling Tian as he saw fit, so long as Ling Tian had a breath of life remaining.

While Grandpa Ling was venting his frustration, Ling Tian merely kept his head down, not daring to make a sound. As for his mother, Chu Ting'er, her face was full of guilt as she lowered her head, not even daring to eat; it was as though her face had been completely thrown away by the silkpants son of hers. Sitting by the side, Ling Xiao originally expressed his agreement and even wanted to add his own thoughts. But with a 'penetrating' glare from his wife, this Sky Bearing's great general was suddenly tongue-tied. Seems like this was an inherited fear in the Ling Family's men...

Mister Qin had an expression as though he wanted to laugh but could not. Teach him? Stop joking with me! Since ten years ago, I had nothing left to teach him. It is more like him teaching me instead! With a mouth full of wine, he choked till his face turned red but was unable to swallow it, afraid that he would spit it back out and make a greater fool of himself.

The only person who understood everything, Old Madam Ling, was rolling her eyes. She originally looked at Grandpa Ling with eyes that were between laughter and anger. But seeing that old man spewing endlessly, she finally blew her top, "You darned old man, have you finished talking? We're having a meal, why are you talking so much? Seeing that no one is stopping you, you're becoming more and more vigorous, huh? This is a welcoming feast for Mister Qin! Shut up and eat!"

Grandpa Ling seemed to have lost the ability to talk and could only resentfully raise his cup, downing the wine in a go. His larynx suddenly seemed to have a lock on it, unable to even speak a word.

After the meal, Mister Qin put on a severe expression, commanding Ling Tian to follow him to his courtyard as though he was about to give the latter a dressing down. He flicked his sleeves and blustered, glaring at Ling Tian. Grandpa Ling watched with satisfaction at the side, before clasping his hands behind his back and strolling back to his study, waiting for the good news from Mister Qin.

The duo barely stepped into the courtyard before Mister Qin lost control of himself. His snow white beard trembled and his old wrinkled face curved into something resembling a flower blossom as his solemn self moments ago vanished totally. "My dear Young Noble Ling, your subterfuge is top-notch! This old me regrets not staying here for the past three years, missing out on so many entertaining shows!"

Ling Tian also laughed in response, "Mister, there's no need to feel regret. So long as you remain here, I can assure you that what's coming next will be even more interesting!" His face now revealed a mischievous look as he continued, "Charging in from the front, how can that beat the euphoria of sneaking up on someone and assassinating them? To let your enemies die without knowing who the mastermind is, depressed to the point of puking blood, isn't that more efficient! Rather than merely hiding in a secret place and controlling the scenes from behind, to be someone who is a good-for-nothing and yet be able to summon the winds and call the rains, that is what I'm after! All under the heavens might think they know me, but who under the heavens actually does! Letting my enemies die under confusion and depression, is my greatest joy!" Ling Tian shook his head and winked.

"Hahaha…." Mister Qin felt as though he had laughed more today, than he had for the past three years. However, he suddenly thought of something, and asked, "By the way, you haven't gotten rid of the Ling Kong and son pair?"

Ling Tian smirked, "Both father and son have fallen into my trap a long time ago. I currently have their lives in the palm of my hand and can let them disappear without sound nor news at any moment. I was actually intending to find an opportune time. Now, an opportunity has arrived; after the NanGong and Yang family duke it out, it would be the best time to cleanse the Ling Family!"

Mister Qin trembled involuntarily; he naturally understood what 'cleansing the Ling family' meant. Most likely, thousands of people were about to pay the price for Ling Tian's 'cleanliness program'! That price, would be their lives.

In Mister Qin's impression, Ling Tian was a good person and a good student. However, this good person had a limit — so long as you do not provoke him, all would be fine; since Ling Tian was a magnanimous person. But if you touch his baseline, he will change his attitude, faster than the time taken for you to flip a page on a book. Once he reveals his cruel and vicious self, it would surpass anyone's imagination!

For Ling Tian, his 'endure' came in two different forms. The first was the 'endure' in tolerance, the second was the 'endure' in ruthlessness! [1] For both, Mister Qin had first hand experience!

Needless to say, Ling Tian personally helped Mister Qin to settle down. However, when he returned, he did not see any traces of Ling Chen and Yu BingYan. Only after asking around did he realize that his mother had called the two of them over for some idle chat. This got Ling Tian puzzled, what sort of weird ideas is my mother up to again? Ever since Old Madam Ling got her to slowly take over the family business, Ling Tian had begun to feel that his mom was getting more and more difficult to deal with. He originally thought that his mother was merely a kind and loving person; but after digging deeper, he discovered that this was not the case. Just take a look at the females in the Ling Family, all of them were incomparably valiant. This was especially true after his mother took over the family business. She seemed to be enthusiastic about it, revealing her outstanding talents. In addition to the support from Old Madam Ling, she had turned into the model of a career superwoman in Ling Tian's eyes.

An interesting cycle was imperceptibly formed in the Ling Family. From the memories of his previous life, Ling Tian had numerous business plans and ideas. As the saying goes, even a person who hasn't eaten pork before would have seen a pig walk. A few random pointers thrown to Old Madam Ling would make her treat them like treasures. After polishing them and passing them to Chu Ting'er, she would not carelessly treat them as mere recipes to blindly follow. Instead, she would input in her own variations, turning these ideas into shiny white taels of silver that flowed unceasingly into the Ling Family.

However, whatever that Old Madam Ling learned was only limited to whatever the 'pedantic celestial' master of Ling Tian chose to give. Chu Ting originally thought that these ideas were obtained from her erudite mother-in-law. Thus, Ling Tian had always managed to keep himself under wraps. However, Ling Tian had begun to think that both women were becoming harder and harder to placate. His mother was still better off, since she did not know the truth. But Old Madam Ling would keep trying to probe Ling Tian, staring at him for long periods of time, causing him to feel trepidation and fear. Even if you say that it was normal for a grandmother to stare at her grandson, but would the stare make one feel afraid??!

Finally, Ling Chen and Yu BingYan strolled back leisurely. At this point, Ling Tian had almost fallen asleep due to his boredom. But upon seeing their weird expressions, Ling Tian jolted back awake in fright, not knowing what his mother did this time to incite such weird expressions on their faces.

"Young Noble, the Royal Consort sent an invitation over to our residence, inviting all the Madams of the Imperial Court to the Smoky Thea Pavilion for a feast. Madam had already agreed to attend and thus, was preparing some gifts for the Royal Consort as well as the other Madams," Ling Chen spoke in a weird tone and a face full of mischievousness. She had obviously come to a conclusion to what Chu Ting'er was scheming.

"Ah? After that year of gathering, didn't mother swear that she wouldn't attend these sorts of banquets ever again?" Ling Tian asked in doubt.

Since Chu Ting'er was the wife of the Sky Bearing's war-god, to say that she was the top of the noblewomen was not exaggerating at all. So why was she not willing to gather with the other wives? Was she putting on airs? The actual case was that Chu Ting'er was a virtuous and caring wife, unwilling to put on any airs. But who asked Ling Tian to be Sky Bearing's number one silkpants, unwilling to settle down even now. Hence, Chu Ting'er had always been worried about her son's future, gritting her teeth to promote her son to all her 'sisters' around the city. However, everyone had already heard of Ling Tian's morals and conduct, hence the obvious results!

Wherever Chu Ting'er went, those noblewomen with status would immediately scatter as though they had encountered the plague. Only those who schemed to get into their inner circle would suck up to her. However, Chu Ting'er was unwilling to entertain them! With the path to the top closed off, but unwilling to cast her eyes downwards, Chu Ting finally made up her mind not to attend such gatherings any longer, so as to avoid the supercilious looks of the other noble women. Furthermore, many of the Ling Family's matters required her attention. Thus, she did not have much time to devote towards such trivial matters.

"Aunt summoned me over to ask about a lot of matters regarding Sister Wei. It seems like Aunt Wei will be present tomorrow," Yu BingYan's voice sounded weird, unlike her usual tone.

[1] The author is using a homonym here. The Chinese character '忍', which means endure, can be used in '隐忍', meaning tolerance, or '残忍' meaning cruelty or ruthlessness.

Chapter 128: Unique Skill, Unique Book

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: celllll

In actual fact, for the past three years, Ling Ran would organise this sort of meetings with the Madams under the consent of the Emperor, so as to keep in touch, as well as increase her content for pillow talk with her husband.

However, ever since Ling Tian became infamous, Chu Ting'er only attended the first year and never afterwards; because she was embarrassed! With such a strict household like the Ling Family, they still managed to raise a silkpants! Chu Ting'er really had no place to put her face if she were to brazenly turn up — especially since she would face all the ridicule and taunts of the other madams. The reason she made up her mind to go, was because Wei XuanXuan as well as Yu BingYan coming over to pay a visit to Ling Tian, which gave her some confidence. Whatever the case, she had to take this opportunity to chat with the Madam of the Wei household, since this was probably her last chance to get a wife for Ling Tian.

Ling Tian could only smile ruefully and shake his head. He guessed that other than this, there had to be another hidden meaning behind. A few days ago, he had just told his grandmother regarding how news conferences were held for product launches in his previous world and, all of a sudden, her aunt in the palace organised a banquet, how much of a coincidence this could be! This was probably his mom coming out with an idea after refining the pointers. Hmm, for all it was, this banquet could have been a pretext for Chu Ting'er to do her business, after egging her sister-in-law to send out the invites! Ling Tian could not help but respect the two women in his family for their quick-wittedness. His mother asking Yu BingYan about Wei XuanXuan was akin to being another Sima Zhao, most likely scheming to find another prospective bride for him.

Looking at how Yu BingYan was displaying a face of jealousy, Ling Tian could not help but laugh secretly, before pretending to sniff at the air while saying, "Strange… this is strange!"

This made the two girls stare blankly at him, asking, "What's so strange?

Ling Tian then put on a bewildered face as he replied, "I remember not having any vinegar in the room, so why do I detect a whiff of vinegar? Can you smell it?" As he spoke, he sniffed around continuously, slowly walking over to Yu BingYan. Finally, he stopped beside her and his nose twitched as he exclaimed, "My god, turns out it's my Yan'er! What a pungent scent of vinegar, it's practically stifling me! What did you eat for dinner? Or did you swap water for vinegar to drink?" [1]

"Pffft!!" Ling Chen clutched on her stomach as she burst into laughter, unable to control her laughter towards her young noble's eccentric actions.

"Hateful!!" Yu BingYan stomped on the ground in frustration, her little face burning red. Her tiny fists pummelled like the rain on Ling Tian's body, only stopping after Ling Tian curled up with his head tucked in surrender.

Just now, when Chu Ting'er had requested her to come over with Ling Chen, Yu BingYan still felt embarrassed. Ever since she became more and more intimate with Ling Tian, she found out that she would feel strange whenever she came face to face with Chu Ting'er, much like how a daughter-in-law comes into contact with her mother-in-law! Every time she thought of this, she would feel shyness, bliss as well as discomfort. However, how would she know that when she went over this time, she got enthusiastically questioned about Wei XuanXuan, with Chu Ting'er putting on an expression as though she could not wait for her son to get a wife. This made Yu BingYan incomparably downcast. This felt like having a treasured belonging snatched away from her without rhyme or reason, making her feel very irritated.

Although she knew that her current condition would not allow her to be with Ling Tian for the rest of his life, hearing how desperate Chu Ting was in finding a wife for her son, Yu BingYan still found it difficult to stomach.

Ling Tian burst out into laughter, saying mischievously, "Yan'er, rest assured. Your brother here has no intention to settle down yet!"

"What has you settling down got to do with me? Hmph! I can't be bothered with you. Where's that portrait of the maid that you promised me? I'll go and do some painting!" Yu BingYan was shy, yet secretly happy, and prepared to escape into the study.

Ling Tian's heart jumped at that response, but he merely tapped his head as he lazily spoke, "It should be at the right hand corner of the bookshelf, I had long gotten it ready, but forgot about it over this few days."

As for the reason why he emphasized on this sentence, it was because he had ingeniously placed a separate diagram on it; the moment one tried to take down the portrait of the female, the other diagram would naturally fall into their hands as well. This was a diagram of internal energy cultivation, which Ling Tian had racked his brains for a long while before recalling. Ling Tian remembered that this internal cultivation manual, named the Mysterious Yin Essence Heart Sutra, was most suitable for females with pure yin bodies. Although it did not result in enhanced strength, it was beneficial for females to improve their physique.

Due to her affliction with the Divine Black Negative Meridians, Yu BingYan would be able to counteract the frost toxins within her body if she focused on practicing this set of internal cultivation method. Though the effects might be slight, the effect on improving her physique, as well as prolonging her life, were nothing to scoff about. Ling Tian arranged it in this way because he knew that if he were to treat her illness in future, Yu Bingyan's weak body would cause her immeasurable pain if she were to undergo the treatment. If anything happened to her, it would cause all their efforts to go down the drain. Thus, it was only after a long while did Ling Tian think of this idea, which was to first strengthen Yu BingYan's body, followed by supplementing it with the Great Cyclic Pellet. Only after he had managed to raise his cultivation and pair with Ling Chen's pure Yin strength, could he then open up her Divine Black Negative Meridians in one go, removing any further complications.

Ling Tian had spent painstaking effort to draw out the diagram, followed by applying smoke and fire to that diagram to create the impression of it being dirty and tattered. A cursory glance would allow people to pass it off as a hundred year old ancient artefact. After his meticulous care, Ling Tian's first reaction was actually to pat his own head in remorse. For if he had discovered his talent in forgery in his previous life, he could still have managed to make a living for himself after being crippled.

The little lass Ling Chen was the main accomplice in this entire operation. When she heard Ling Tian speak as such, she could not help but wittily wink at Ling Tian, together with a mysterious smile, as though hiding some form of profound meaning.

The process was made so unnecessarily complicated because Ling Tian wished to add another layer of protection; although he had a good feeling towards Yu BingYan, and she seemed to be harbouring some affection towards him, Yu BingYan was after all someone from the Yu Family! This sort of millennium-long aristocratic family would definitely place their family benefits above all else. Ling Tian was not narcissistic enough to think that Yu BingYan would be willing to throw aside everything for him, and he cannot take this risk. As such, some things are still better off not letting Yu BingYan in the loop!

Indeed, it did not take long before a commotion sounded inside the study.

A 'pa' sound was heard as something fell onto the floor and, mere moments later, a sound of surprise was heard. If one were to listen closely, they would detect hints of pleased surprise in that sound.

Ling Tian secretly nodded his head, she was definitely a descendent of the Yu Family; to think she could see the true value of the diagram with just a look!

Following which, Yu BingYan rushed out like a gust of wind, one hand holding onto the drawing of the maid, and the other clutching onto the forged 'ancient artefact'. She flourished the diagram in front of her, saying, "Where did you get this treasure from?"

"What's this? My dear, isn't this rubbish?" Ling Tian stood up with a puzzled look, scratching his head with a look of non-understanding.

"You don't know what sort of treasure this scroll is?" Yu BingYan asked with a face full of shock.

"Oh, I remember now, the other day when I asked Ling Chen to clear up my study, she found this thing. At that time, Ling Chen asked me if I had a use for this, but one look and you can see it's some old thing, so I threw it away. Why did you dig it out again? This sort of dirty thing, quickly throw it away." Ling Tian stared blankly for a while, before stretching out his hand to take it away, as though he would throw the item away once he got it into his hands.

"You…." Yu BingYan hurriedly placed the diagram behind her back, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry as she said, "My silly brother, this is a priceless treasure!"

"Ahhh?! Priceless treasure? This sort of torn and tattered thing? Girl, are you having a fever?" Ling Tian spoke with an expression of disbelief. Then continued enthusiastically, "If you say this is a treasure, then it definitely is, how much is it worth? Hundred thousand taels?"

"How much…. Is it worth? Hundred thousand taels?" Yu BingYan seemed to have lost the ability to speak.

"Not even a hundred thousand taels?! What kind of treasure is this if it's not even worth that much? Be good and throw it away, brother will give you a hundred thousand taels as compensation, much better than that dirty thing!" Ling Tian spoke with an expression of consideration.

Yu BingYan finally got angry, she almost screamed at him, saying, "You silly fool, how could you use silver to measure the worth of this sort of thing? I… I really… do you know how beneficial this thing is to me? Huh?!" Yu BingYan got more and more emotional as she spoke, "Do you now, with this diagram, a woman can actually be a carp and have the opportunity jump through the dragon's gate and turn into an actual dragon?"

"Really? What sort of dragon's gate… hais, I better not ask, if you think this is good you can take it away, seeing this dirty thing annoys me, isn't it just a rag? Later, brother will give you a hundred thousand taels as compensation." Ling Tian continued to give a look of curiosity mixed with a tinge of revulsion, waving his hands as though he had just rid himself of something of no consequence to him, not even putting it in his heart.

"...." Yu BingYan had no words to describe him.

"Brother Tian might not be aware of this; but this sort of scroll, while it is not any world shaking unique book, but in my Yu Family's treasury, there's only two or three of such scrolls even after centuries of collection. How could this sort of unique books be measured using silver or money, it is simply belittling the actual value of this book!" Yu BingYan held her temper and carefully explained. "This is especially so for this little sister here, it's like sending me coal on a snowy day! Brother Tian knows that I've been afflicted with an incurable disease — the Heavenly Negative Locked Meridians. The negative energy in my body is naturally more as compared to other females, as such I can't practice any sort of internal cultivation. I have searched through my Yu family's sacred pavilion and, while I've found miraculous and strange canons and sutras, I've never been able to find something that I could practice. However, this diagram here explains a type of inner cultivation method which is strangely different, only suitable for those with pure Yin bodies to practice, especially for my type of body constitution. It is as though it was tailor made for me…"

Yu BingYan suddenly stopped talking, for she found out that as Ling Tian listened, his head started to tilt towards one side, his eyes seemingly blurred, as though he wasn't focused… if she were to continue talking, he would probably start snoring….

"Simply playing the lute to a cow!" Yu BingYan stamped her foot angrily, she was actually excited beyond words, happily explaining, but he actually treated her words as a lullaby! In her anger, she viciously aimed a kick towards Ling Tian's calf.

[1]: Another homonym from the author. The word '醋' could either mean vinegar or jealousy.

Chapter 129: Smoky Thea Heavenly Fragrance

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: celllll

"AHHH~~" Ling Tian jumped up, hugging his calf. He seemed ready to burst into anger, but the moment he saw Yu BingYan's seething look, he immediately put on a placating expression, "Hehe… this… en, sister, please continue, continue speaking… keke, I'm listening! What you said was very interesting, really full of meaning… I'm still listening…"

"Meaningful your *ss!" Yu BingYan was towering in rage. After snorting heavily, she hugged the diagram and ran into her own room to cultivate. A once in a blue moon opportunity, if she did not grasp it, then how could she be worthy of the care shown by the heavens?

Care shown by the 'heavens'?! Seems like our main character just gained a new nickname...

Born in an aristocratic family surrounded by martial arts, yet unable to cultivate internal energy, this was one of the thorns in Yu BingYan's heart, and also one of the reasons why she felt inferior in the family! With this diagram now, Yu BingYan's heart, for the first time in forever, was filled with hope! Although she was not too satisfied with Ling Tian's reaction, she knew deep in her heart that without him, she would have never gotten the chance to lay her hands on such a diagram! Furthermore, because Ling Tian did not practice martial arts, he naturally would not know the value of such a scroll.

In frustration, Yu BingYan dashed out of the place immediately, not even glancing at Ling Chen. If she had, she might have suspected something: Is Ling Chen sick? Why were both of her shoulders trembling non-stop?

-Scene Swap-

Smoky Thea Tower, fragrant smoky Thea,

Gathering those of talent and wit, from the cardinal and ordinal!

While the clouds dance at the rooftop, a spring flows at the bottom,

A toast is made to the moon, one gets intoxicated over the faces of the beauties,

To enjoy drinking whilst one's name is made known,

The number one pavilion in Sky Bearing Royal Capital! Smoky Thea Tower!

Those who could afford to hold banquets in this very pavilion were the upper echelons of the society. While it looked like an ordinary pavilion from the outside, the interior actually boasted a spring, as well as bluffs. Surrounding the spring were tender shrubs, as well as lush green grass, with flower blossoms dotting the entire place. This made people feel that they had stepped into an immortal paradise on earth, an otherworldly utopia!

Today, the Smoky Thea Tower had long between cordoned off on all four sides; the chainmail of the soldiers a clear contrast, as they stood in orderly rows, from the bodyguards dressed in all sorts of robes as they patrolled the area, scanning their surroundings with eagle sharp eyes.

The Royal Consort Ling Ran had organized a feast at the Smoky Thea Tower! The various wives of the ministers would all gather for this grandiose annual meeting and those who had received her invite would feel immensely honored. A few days before the actual feast, the various noblewomen all seemed to be of one mind, as they opened what seemed to be a fashion show in their houses. The ladies seemed to have become a carousel, turning round and round with different styles and different dresses, and their husbands naturally became the only evaluator for this entire fashion show.

This caused the many ministers of the court to attend the morning sessions sporting deep eye bags. Looking at them, it was as though a group of pandas had arrived to convene a meeting!

At the third floor of the Northern Spine, a multitude of females with delicate faces, all clad in unadorned clothes, walked to and fro frantically as they tried to make the comfortable room they were in even more perfect than it already was. While it was called a 'room', the venue was so spacious that it could suffice as a banquet hall! The place could comfortably accommodate hundreds of people and not feel claustrophobic. This was indeed the private room which the Royal Consort Ling Ran had booked, known as the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion! Ever since Ling Ran had taken a fancy to this place and hosted the first-ever Wives' Meet in there five years ago, it had never been opened to the general public ever since! The only exception was the annual 'Sky Bearing Beauties Meet'.

If one were to push open the windows of that pavilion, they would be greeted with an expanse of tranquil bluish-green waters of the lake, rippling every now and then when a gentle breeze blew. The willows on all sides waved together with the breeze and flowers carpeted the ground outside; whenever the breeze entered the pavilion, it would bring with it a heavenly fragrance, allowing one's troubles to magically disappear from their heart and losing themselves in their revelry.

Inside the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, there were already a few of the noblewomen sipping on the fragrant tea, as they sat upright; every one of them wore a mask of forced smile, their clothes gorgeous and their fine black hair arranged neatly, looking as though they could serve as mirrors. These few were the noblewomen who had received Ling Ran's invitation for the first time this year and came much earlier in advance to await the consort. Some of them had an expression of haughtiness, some with fright, some expectant. There were even some that were behaving unnaturally, as well as one or two of them looking around bewilderedly.

However, all the serving girls did not have the least bit of contempt towards the actions of those women, as all who were able to sit here today were definitely the top of the upper class of noblewomen; they were all the wives of the major figures in the imperial court. Those who sat here today were a proof that the Sky Bearing Imperial Court had recognized the contributions of her husband, as well as her family! It was a recognition of incomparable honor!

Smoky Thea Tower, Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion; this had become the place that the wives of all Sky Bearing Officials yearned to enter, and had become the utmost sacred place in all the young girls' hearts!

The tower master of Smoky Thea Tower, Xi Yan, once told those under her this: If there comes a day when you get an invite from the Royal Consort and step into Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion as a guest, then as a woman, you have already reached the apex!

This one sentence was enough to explain everything!

"Arrival of the Madam of General Shen…"

"Arrival of the Madam of Rites Minister Wei…"

"Arrival of the Madam of Rites Minister Su..."

"Arrival of the Madam of General Yang…"

...…

Following the announcement, a few noblewomen with graceful bearings appeared at the scene in succession, heading towards Smoky Thea Tower leisurely, into the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion!

Everyone who walked in would arouse a chorus of greetings from the rest. As for those who were on friendlier terms with each other, they would naturally seat together, swapping some gossips.

"Do you think the Madam of General Ling would come this year?"

"I'm afraid not? Remember that year, when her son Ling Tian was only eleven? That boy actually went to a brothel to indulge in wine, and even got into a fight with someone over a courtesan. That person actually turned out to be Mister Li's grandson; both of the Madams were even publicly shamed by Madam Yang during the banquet. From then on, both Madams did not turn up anymore."

When the subject touched on this topic, a few women tittered softly. One of them replied, "Only eleven and he already went to a brothel for wine, getting into a fight over a prostitute. This Young Master Ling seems to be quite the talent."

"Heehee…. What do you know? I heard that he was caught by the Royal Consort harassing his maidservants when he was only five years old and got a huge wallop by General Ling!" Another woman spoke as though offering up a precious treasure.

"Five years old?! My goodness! Haha… it seems like General Ling and his wife… their teachings seem to be quite unique!" The first noblewomen spoke with an ambiguous tone.

"Hahaha…. You crazy person, what are you even thinking of? You're full of dirty thoughts!"

"What I said was the truth… haha, harassing maids at the age of five, and going to drink wine at the age of eleven, hais! How could General Ling have this sort of son, their family really is unfortunate. Who knows how many ladies have been 'spoilt' by him… If not for the fact that the Ling Family has a huge influence, that kid would have probably died, even if he had seven or eight lives. I pity the families of those poor ladies…" One of them sighed.

Were Ling Tian at the scene, he would have vomited blood in distress, thinking 'what have I ever done to those ladies? This noble here is still 100% a virgin, added from my past life, I can already be considered an old virgin. You all are just slandering without basis, talking about frostbite in summer! One song breaks the heart, O where do I find a person that understands me?' [1]

"Just yesterday, this Young Noble Ling came out with another stunt. At the Northern Capital Gates, he got into an argument with Old Mister Yang," At this point, she glanced shiftily left and right before continuing with an even lower voice, "I heard that he lambasted Yang KongQun in front of everyone, calling him a bastard and all that, then extorted him of twenty thousand taels of silver! This is what I call tyrannical!"

"Ah? There was such a thing?"

"It's true! Ling Tian was being unreasonable at first, blatantly allowing his family servants to provoke them, beating them up. He then became unreasonable at the end, slandering Yang KongQun. That sort of unbridled attitude, is still my first time seeing!"

"Whoever gets such a 'good' son, will definitely have a headache over it!"

"Haiz, isn't that so, the Lings are really unfortunate to give birth to such an ingrate. No wonder Madam Ling has no face to meet anyone; if I had a son like that, I would have probably strung him up for a beating already. Then I will lock him at home, lest he goes out to embarrass me."

"Heeheehee… sister, don't speak too early, seems like that little tyrant in your house also has some name for himself! Although he can't compare to Ling Tian, they seem to be the same cut…"

"Similar your head! Speak one more word, see if I tear your mouth apart…"

"Hahaha… spare me, sister…"

"Oh~ Madam Wang is here."

"Madam Wang, you mean the mother of one of the three young masters, Wang Bo?"

"Who else?"

"Seems like she isn't too happy, her brows are all furrowed…"

"Of course she wouldn't be happy. A few days ago, the NanGong Family's second son, NanGong Le was killed, and of all the coincidences, Young Noble Wang just got into an argument with him a few days ago. He even threatened to marry the NanGong miss as a concubine. Now, they are first on the list of suspicion by the Yang Family. I suspect Madam Wang is now in terrible shape, how could she be happy?"

"Hais, that is true. At this age, rather than raising a silkpants son that is a disappointment, it would be better to raise a caring and sweet girl, just like the lass of my house, obedient and docile…"

"Yeayea, oh right, sister, I heard your lass has turned of age this year? This sister's son still can't find a suitable candidate, but still looks decent, I'm sure you will take a fancy to him. How about the two of our families…"

"Cough cough… this matter, this… oh my, look who's here…"

Just as the discussions of the women in the pavilion got more and more heated, getting more and more imaginative, they suddenly felt as though the entire Smoky Thea Tower had gone silent, only making out the vague sounds of saluting. After which, a loud and clear cry sounded, "Arrival of the Royal Consort! Arrival of the Madam of General Ling!"

Chapter 130: Fashion Announcement

Translator: DavidT Editor: celllll

Under the gazes of everyone, both the graceful, elegant and beautiful ladies entered into the Heavenly Fragrant Pavilion, heavily surrounded by maids.

Witnessing the arrival of these two individuals, all the madams present stood up respectfully and bowed. Chu Ting'er then took a step back silently and hid behind Ling Ran's palace maid.

"Ah ah, my fellow sisters, there is no need to be so courteous. This little sister has been looking forward to this meeting for a long time already. My wish can be said to be finally fulfilled today." With a single sentence, Ling Ran had narrowed the gap between her and the others present. Instead of calling them 'respective madams', she called them 'my fellow sisters'. At the same time, by calling herself 'little sister' instead of 'this consort', it made her seem like a friendly and easily approachable character, making everyone present more relaxed.

Especially those madams who were attending this meeting for the first time, they looked as though a burden was just lifted from their shoulders. They all felt that Consort Ling was an amiable person and wasn't the least bit overbearing!

Ling Ran's dressing today was also extremely different from normal. All the madams present were dressed in a buttoned up chinese jacket with long skirts and a shawl around their shoulders, looking wealthy and majestic.

However, this Consort Ling Ran was actually dressed extremely simply. She was wearing a long dress which clung onto her figure nicely, displaying her beautiful figure. The lapels at her chest overlapped each other and were buttoned up neatly; the hem of her dress dangled all the way down to her ankle. The strangest thing was that a small seam was made by her left leg up until Consort Ling Ran's kneecap. However, it was this small seam, which fluttered in the winds as Ling Ran walked, which brought out her elegance. Every time she took a step, it was the wind blowing past the surface of a lake, creating a small ripple. It made everyone feel like she had reached the epitome of beauty, shining above all other beauties around.

On Ling Ran's slim feet, she was wearing a strange looking pair of leather boots. The heels of her boots were long and sharp. As Ling Ran stood up, she was tall with an elegant bearing. As she walked, she looked as though she was fluttering in the wind like a willow tree swaying in the wind. Her gentle and enchanting charm exuded out with every single action she took! With a single look, one could not help but praise her for her nobility, grace and poise.

While the madams present were usually dressed extravagantly, their clothes were usually thick robes with large sleeves, completely covering up their beautiful figure. The dress which Ling Ran was wearing, comfortable but yet skin-tight, graceful with a classical beauty, was something unheard of. In that instant, the eyes of all the madams present were drawn to this dress which was unheard of before. Envy could be seen in all of their eyes as they looked down at what they were wearing, inevitably feeling a sense of inferiority.

In that instant, there was an awkward silence in the atmosphere, showing how great Ling Ran's charm was!

"My dear sisters, it has been a long while indeed." Chu Ting'er stood out with a smile and greeted the rest.

The eyes of all the madams present had already been drawn to Ling Ran's dress. Hearing Chu Ting'er's greeting, they only replied with a customary 'oh'. They did not even notice that the one who was talking was the wife of General Ling, the female head of the number one family in the Sky Bearing Empire! It was indeed a little rude of them.

However, Chu Ting'er was not bothered about that at all. The first time she saw this dress, she also had a similar reaction as those present here today. A dress which is able to completely display the beauty of a lady was just far too attractive to a lady!

Under the envious gazes of everyone present, Ling Ran's esteem as a female had also been raised to an unprecedented level. She walked passed everyone and walked to her seat. As she walked, her elegance exuded with every step she took, looking as though she was a fairy who had descended from the heavens.

After Ling Ran sat down with a lazy posture, her clothes tightened up further, further revealing all the curves on her body. If a man were to be present here, he would definitely stare with his eyes wide open and mouth drooling. However, if there were really officials present here today, Ling Ran may not have worn this eye-catching dress.

This dress can be said to be the most wonderful dream for every female but also the most fatal nemesis for every male! In that instant, all the madams here could imagine how their husbands would pounce onto them like wolves if they were to wear this dress. All of their faces could not help but turn red as spring filled their eyes.

They all asked impatiently.

"Your highness, did the emperor custom make this dress for you?"

"Your highness is indeed like a beautiful fairy wearing this dress. I wonder which master made this dress of yours?"

"Is this the tribute from another empire?"

"The materials used probably can't be easily purchased, right?"

Ling Ran replied with a joyful smile, "About this dress, it is rare for it to gain the praise of all you sisters. However, it wasn't made by me or given by the emperor. This is something which my sister-in-law tailored for me specially."

As Ling Ran said that, the expectant gazes of everyone present were immediately directed to Chu Ting'er. Even madam Yang, who wanted to make use of this opportunity to mock Chu Ting'er had immediately dispelled any thought about that.

"Madam Ling, ah ah ah, you really have good skills…"

"Eh, sister Chu, you are really beautiful today…"

"Hehe...Madam Ling, what do you think…"

"I was here first, why are all of you so near to be? Ah ah ah, sister Chu…"

The refined and serene Heavenly Fragrant Pavilion had suddenly become a loud marketplace. The originally serious and dignified madams present had green light shining out from their eyes, fighting to squeeze by Chu Ting'er's side.

The seat which Chu Ting'er had chosen was also extremely special. Opposite her was Madam Yang, and to her left was the wife of the Minister of Rites, mother of Wei XuanXuan, Madam Wei.

Making use of this opportunity to advertise the new product of their Ling family was also one of Chu Ting'er's goal. As she saw how all of the madams present were so excited, Chu Ting'er was elated in her heart, and could almost see a pile of gold right in front of her.

"Err, my dear sisters, please be quiet." Chu Ting'er stood up and said, "This dress is something which I asked someone in the family to make specially for Consort Ling Ran. As for the design of the dress, it was something which I came up with after racking my head." Chu Ting'er said calmly and slowly, claiming all the credit for the dress without hesitation.

"I never imagined that it would attract so much love from all of you. If that's the case," Chu Ting'er paused for a moment, "after this little sister returns home, I will instruct them to rush out a batch. When they are done, it will be sold to the public at our Ling family's shop. But due to the lack of time, I will not be able to make many. Then again, the rarer something is, the more precious it is. If there really is too many of these dresses, it would destroy the beauty of it. I hope that those sisters who wishes to buy it would be there early. However, the material used for this dress is strictly chosen, thus the price would be a little high…"

As Chu Ting'er said that, all the madams present let out a cheer. These women were all extremely wealthy individuals who could not be bothered with those few hundred taels of silver. The most important thing would be for the dress to look good on them! Thus, they all completely ignored the last two sentences which Chu Ting'er said. Is that even a problem? If price is really a problem, we don't have to stay in the Sky Bearing Empire anymore.

"However, sisters have also seen it for yourselves that the dressed must be accompanied by the boots which Consort Ling Ran is wearing to bring out the full beauty of it. If, ah ah ah…" As Chu Ting'er said that, she did not complete her sentence.

However, everyone present understood what she meant. The few smaller sized madams present nodded their head in agreement. If they were too short, they would not be able to bring out the beauty of the dress. However, with that high heeled boots, it would be a completely different story!

In that instant, the discussions of everyone revolved around the topic of the dress and boots. Ling Ran also ignored her status as a Consort and joined in the conversation as well. At times, she would model the new dress for the madams present with a proud smile. Every time she does so, the various ladies' eyes would shine with envy as though they wished they could strip her naked to wear the dress on the spot.

The imperial family's thanksgiving gathering had completely become the fashion announcement gathering for the Ling family. All the madams present rubbed their hands anxiously, ready to be the first to buy this dress back the moment it appears on the shelves. There were even some who planned in their heart to send their servant to the doors of the Ling family's shop to stand guard, buying the dress back the moment it is released! If they were to arrive late and miss out on the dress, wouldn't they lose a great deal of face? Not having something which everyone else has, wasn't this akin to saying that they do not have enough silver at home?

After pacifying everyone with much difficulty, Chu Ting'er, whose mouth was dry from talking, did not bother with resting. Instead, she inched nearer to Madam Wei beside her, "Ah ah, elder sister Wei, I have not seen you for such a long time. You are still as beautiful as ever and do not even seem to be growing older. Just how did elder sister maintain your youth? This skin is even smoother than most young ladies."

Madam Wei replied with a bright smile, "Younger sister praises me too much. Older sister is already old and my face is turning yellow. I am already an old lady"

"Haha, how can that be? If elder sister is an old lady, then that old saying should be changed to, 'The beauty of a female captivating even the fishes and animals, face of an old lady'..." Chu Ting'er replied with a laugh.

Madam Wei was overjoyed in her heart as she heard that and the both of them began to chat. The more they chatted, the more they felt similar to each other, actually seeming as though they hated the fact that they did not meet earlier.

"Elder sister, that young lady at your place is called XuanXuan right? She really is a good lady and came to my place to find Tian'er two days ago. Ah ah, this little sister liked her the moment I saw her. At that time, I felt that in this capital, no one apart from you will be able to give birth to such a beautiful lady. Without asking, I already knew that she must have been your daughter." A short while later when Chu Ting'er saw that the atmosphere was about right, she began to praise Madam Wei's daughter.

Chapter 131: Coincidental Meeting

Translator: DavidT Editor: celllll

"Ah ah, that lass, Xuan… Err, nothing much. She is extremely ugly, extremely mischievous, extremely playful, extremely cute, extremely despicable, extremely beautiful, extremely alluring, extremely flirty, extremely gentle, extremely pleasant and also extremely unreasonable. Such a headache." Just when Madam Wei wanted to brag about her own daughter, she suddenly understood what Chu Ting'er meant and began to stutter. At the same time, she thought to herself with frustration, "This darn lass, actually going to find that number one silkpants in private. She is really too bold! If this matter were to spread, how would I be able to find someone to marry her? Who would dare to risk offending the number one family in the Sky Bearing Empire and accept my daughter?" In that instant, the expression on her face became ugly.

Being someone who gained the approval of Old Madam Ling, how was it possible for her to be someone foolish? With her acute senses, it was as though she would be able to detect anything in the world. However, it was as though she was completely unable to tell that Madam Wei did not want to continue. In fact, she also ignored the obvious look of disgust on Madam Wei's face. Since the bow was already taut, there is no choice but to fire the arrow. Thus, Chu Ting'er could only grit her teeth and continue, "Elder sister, this little sister really likes your XuanXuan. That lass also isn't young already, right? Look at her looks and figure, there really isn't any part of her that isn't beautiful. I also heard that she doesn't have any marriage plans yet, right? I can tell that XuanXuan is a little…"

"Err, this, ah ah, little sister, it's like this! Let us not talk about this matter today. Ah ah ah, besides that, it wouldn't be of any use for me to promise you anything. It's not like you don't know, that temper of my husband is as stubborn as a donkey. He is just too much of a chauvinist and all the decisions at home must be made by him…" Helpless, Madam Wei could only direct all of the trouble to her husband.

"That's right, that's right, your husband is the most straightforward and honest person in the Sky Bearing Empire. The rare thing about him is how he is uncorrupted in his ways, gaining the love of the people. At home, he is an extremely loving figure and should naturally be the decision maker for all the huge things at home. However, all of the small things at home is all decided by elder sister. You don't seem to have anything big at home to trouble your husband with and all the small things at home are all controlled by elder sister. Which of us sisters aren't envious about you controlling… I mean having mutual respect for each other." Chu Ting'er replied excitedly, not letting Madam Wei finish her sentence.

"Err… ah ah ah… this… younger sister, XuanXuan is still young and this elder sister does not wish to tie her down too early. Your child is just too exceptional…" Madam Wei replied bitterly.

"That's right, that's right. Elder sister, both of us are equally worried for our children, "Chu Ting'er added on with a sigh, "that little brat of mine is going to worry this little sister to death. From young till old, I have only seen him talking to your XuanXuan; his face would always turn red when talking to other ladies…"

"Cough cough cough… cough cough cough… cough cough cough…" Before Chu Ting'er could finish, Madam Wei who had drank a mouth of tea was already choking with tears in her eyes and face red.

"Ah? Elder sister, what is wrong? Why aren't you careful when drinking tea?" Chu Ting'er patted Madam Wei's back lightly and said gently.

Madam Wei rolled her eyes as she thought to herself, "Your son is honest? Your son's face will turn red when talking to ladies?? Even the ghosts wouldn't believe that! Who knows how many females he harmed already. How can I let my daughter jump into that crater!"

"My goodness, I am really someone who face will turn red when talking to a lady, a virgin who had never touched any females!" Our main character, Ling Tian, shouted out at the top of his voice outside of the painting.

"Elder sister, both of them really look like a match made in heaven. Since they are still young, we can set a…" Before Chu Ting'er got a chance to finish, Madam Wei, who was still coughing, disappeared swiftly as though she knew how to fly.

The next moment, Madam Wei was already bidding her farewell to Consort Ling Ran. Then, Madam Wei, who had already calmed down, came in front of Chu Ting'er and said, "Little sister, this elder sister suddenly remembered that I have something important to do at home. I won't be accompanying younger sister anymore. I hope that younger sister will forgive me. We will definitely have the chance to have a good conversation in the future again. Let us meet again next year!" As she finished, she did not wait for Chu Ting'er to reply and took her leave hurriedly. The way she left in a hurry, it looked as though her house was on fire.

Chu Ting'er rolled her eyes in anger as she began to curse Ling Tian in her heart. However, she quickly suppressed her anger as she thought to herself, "While Madam Wei has left, there are still many madams here who has a daughter in their family…"

Chu Ting'er then walked towards the wife of General Shen with a warm smile…

This was originally a gathering which would last for a very long time. But due to Chu Ting'er's presence, the duration of this gathering was dramatically shortened…

Just when Chu Ting'er was racking her head to find a way to bluff a wife back for her son, Ling Tian was out shopping with the two pretty ladies.

It was just because Miss Yu was just too curious about how Ling Tian managed to have his infamous name of being a silkpants spread all across the continent. In the heart of Miss Yu, young noble Ling was a suave, cultured and talented man. How can such a perfect person become the number one silkpants of the Sky Bearing Empire?!

Especially after Yu BingYan cultivated the Mysterious Yin Essence Heart Sutra in the morning, she realized that she was indeed able to cultivate this inner Qi formula. After she was able to make a full circulation of inner Qi in her body, she was extremely overjoyed, almost causing her inner Qi to become disorderly.

Miss Yu, who wanted to adjust her emotion, pulled Ling Tian along and demanded that she wanted to see the silkpants side of Ling Tian. Originally, Ling Tian already intended to go out to witness the useless search of the Yang family. Thus, he brought both the ladies out of his mansion, looking as though they were out for a casual walk.

The moment they left the mansion, Yu BingYan was startled by Ling Tian's change in personality. This young noble began to smile evilly, with his eyes cruising along the body of every female who walks past him. At the same time, he let out an evil chuckle every now and then, wolf whistling at every corner, frightening all of the ladies on the streets.

The hat which Ling Tian wore was slanted with a few strands of hair drooping down, further increasing his evil look. The buttons by his chest were loosened, revealing half of his inner clothing as he walked about arrogantly. His whole body looked extremely skinny without an ounce of meat on it, looking completely like a domineering silkpants. There was not a bit of his usual charm, elegance and culture. (Author's note: The 'usual' here refers to how he usually is when interacting with Miss Yu)

If Yu BingYan did not know that all of these were faked, she would probably want to spit at him the moment she sees him and walk away immediately! It was just too derogatory and embarrassing to even walk by his side! But even knowing that all of these were faked, Yu BingYan felt as though she had just eaten a fly. She was almost wondering if that gentle and elegant young noble Ling and this disgusting and repulsive person is the same person…

In the front, Ling Tian suddenly grabbed a middle-aged man who tried his best to escape. The Ling family guards behind him would naturally be able to recognize that the person Ling Tian grabbed was a guard of the Yang family. They already had a few encounters up till now. "Has the culprit who murdered NanGong Le been found?"

Seeing that he was grabbed by Ling Tian, that guard was startled but did not dare to retaliate. With a bitter expression, he replied, "Replying young noble Ling, we have not found the culprit."

"There are at least 10,000 of you are you cannot even catch a single culprit?? Is Yang KongQun that old brat feeding you guys for nothing? A bunch of useless trash! I really feel ashamed on behalf of Yang KongQun. If this young noble is Yang KongQun and my subordinates were so useless, I would have definitely found a rope to commit suicide! What a pity! How depressing! Yang KongQun, you should just commit suicide!" Ling Tian said dramatically with a high-pitched voice. The next moment, he attracted the attention of everyone on the streets as they turned over to look at the commotion.

The guard of the Yang family lowered his head in shame as he thought to himself, "How is it your business that we cannot catch the culprit? What rights do you have to question us like that? Meddlesome fellow! Bastard silkpants!"

Only after a round of scolding did Ling Tian finally let him go and continue to roam around the streets. As he walked along the streets, he was like a crab, taking almost half of the road.

Ling Chen and Yu BingYan followed behind him from afar as they looked around at any direction apart from Ling Tian. Their faces were filled with an expression which said, 'I don't know him', 'I really don't know him'. Such an action was nothing new, Ling Chen had already trained out such an expression after going out with him for so many times. Thus, she still acted rather naturally. However, Miss Yu who followed them out today was a little different. As she looked around, she prayed silently, "Better not meet anyone I know. If I really meet someone I know, how am I going to explain this to them? Even if I say that I don't know him, would they believe me? How embarrassing, how embarrassing!"

All of a sudden, there was a large bamboo pole erected in front of him with the words, '100% Accurate!'. It was right in front of Ling Tian!

Ling Tian had never bothered about these fortune telling things and brushed past the fortune teller. But right before that, he felt that his shoulder was lightly bumped into by this fortune teller!

Ling Tian immediately stopped as he sneered in his heart, "Still feigning! It's best you feign for your whole lifetime! If you do not touch me, I will not be able to see through you. But now that you touch me, the next half of your life can no longer be decided by you…"

Chapter 132: Green Dressed Fortune Teller

Translator: DavidT Editor: celllll

Although Ling Tian concealed his aura intentionally to prevent his inner Qi from emanating, he was still an inner Qi expert — no matter how ordinary he may look. Even if he walked in the bustling crowd, it was impossible for someone to bump into him without his notice at all! This was the natal instinct of an expert. Unless the person who bumps into him is at the same level like him, a top-class expert!

He turned around calmly and looked at the fortune teller with a smile which wasn't like a smile.

The fortune teller looked like he was fifty to sixty years old; the color of his green robes had already faded from being washed too often. His loose clothes hung upon his skinny body and frail looking face. He had a thin beard and few strands of untidy white hair, with a haggard looking face as though he had not eaten for a few days already. He held up a green bamboo pole with a tattered white cloth with the words '100% Accurate' written on it messily.

With a single look, he looked like an extremely poor scholar who had no choice but to come out and become a con artist. The way he looked, he did not seem the least bit reliable!

At this moment, he raised his head up while stroking his beard, trying his best to look like an elegant and refined scholar. However, no matter how hard he tried, he was just unable to mimic that elegance, making him seem even more vulgar.

"Fortune teller, you bumped into this young noble." While this green dressed man looked extremely vulgar, it made Ling Tian even more wary in his heart. The aura of a martial arts expert would definitely be leaked out no matter how hard they want to conceal it. If they want to completely conceal their aura, they would have to first reach the completed XianTian stage before being able to hide their aura completely. This fortune teller in front of him was someone like that, or at an even higher level!

Just when the storms were brewing in the Sky Bearing Empire, a top-notch expert like him actually appeared! An alarm bell immediately went off in Ling Tian's head! He wouldn't affect Ling Tian at all if he chose not to do anything. But the moment he decides to take action, he would definitely be a game changing factor in Ling Tian's plans! But if he does not plan to do anything, why would he come to the Sky Bearing Empire at such a sensitive time?

Now, Ling Tian would not allow for there to be any uncertainties in his perfect plan! Thus, Ling Tian had to find out everything about this mysterious expert quickly! At the very least, Ling Tian will have to figure how great an effect this fortune teller would have on his plans.

"Fortune teller, you bumped into this young noble." This phrase, in the ears of a wise person would mean, "I have found you, there is no need for you to continue hiding."

"Ah ah, so sorry. The eyesight of this old man is failing. I never expected to disturb you, young noble. My crime deserves death." This green dressed fortune teller bowed respectfully. As he straightened his back, his eyes landed immediately on Ling Tian's face! All of a sudden, it seemed as though he found out about something and a trace of surprise flashed passed his eyes before being quickly concealed. But, with the sharpness of Ling Tian's eyes, he had already realized that flash of surprise in the fortune teller's eyes and sneered in his heart.

"Young noble, aiyah, your facial features are really out of the ordinary. Your forehead is extremely full and face round…" As though it was a professional habit, the green dressed fortune teller began to help Ling Tian read his fortune. He rocked his head back and forth in a scholarly manner but his eyes were shining with greed, as though he found a wealthy individual to extort.

"... this is the sign of being a dragon among the commoners, the face of an emperor and monarch of the pugilistic world. Your future is limitless." Before the fortune teller could finish, Ling Tian had interrupted as they both of them said that same thing at the same time, starting and stopping at the same time without missing a single word. Even the tone of the 'your future is limitless' was completely the same! It was as though a teacher had just given a lesson and both the students were able to recite what the teacher said in unison and chemistry.

"Ah? Why do you know what I want to say? You are also from my sect…" As though he had seen a ghost, the green dressed fortune teller gasped. As he said that, the originally depressed Ling Chen and Yu BingYan began to burst out into giggles.

"Cheh! Nine out of ten of the con artists in the pugilistic world says the exact same thing. This young noble can already memorize the full script! You actually dared to try and scam me!" Ling Tian said with disdain. Looking at the fortune teller's artificial expression, Ling Tian suddenly had the urge to smash his fist on the fortune teller's face.

Acting like a pig to eat the tigers, hiding in secret to fool the crowd. That is this young noble's trademark move! How dare you even try to mimic me! You are really thinking too highly of yourself!

"Err, ah ah ah, I see… hahaha, if that's the case, this old man will take his leave." As though he was left speechless, the green dressed fortune teller let out an awkward chuckle and wanted to escape.

"Mister, hold up!" How would it be possible for Ling Tian to let him do as he wish? Thus, Ling Tian quickly held onto the fortune teller's sleeves. What a joke, if he were to really disappear into the crowd, it would be like a clay ox in the sea, impossible to ever find him again!

It was best to control an unpredictable danger in his own hands!

"I said, you, bumped, into, me!" Ling Tian glared at the green dressed fortune teller, emphasizing each of his words with a pause in between. If someone ordinary were to hear the tone of Ling Tian's words, he would probably faint right on the spot.

From Ling Tian's reaction, Ling Chen immediately realized that something was wrong with the green dressed fortune teller. While she was unable to detect the cultivation of the green dressed fortune teller with her present cultivation, she trusted that her young noble would definitely not make a mistake. Moving silently, she quickly shifted herself behind the green dressed fortune teller. Then, she let out her aura and locked onto the green dressed fortune teller and his surroundings, sealing away all possible paths of escape.

This move was something which Ling Tian taught her; letting out her aura to lock onto her target. Furthermore, apart from the experts who reached the XianTian stage, no one else would be able to detect her aura. Putting it in Ling Tian's words, he would say, "Confucius once said, silently and stealthily forcing someone into the depths of despair, isn't that the most efficient."

However, Ling Chen's cultivation was still not at that level yet. Just comparing their cultivation, this green dressed fortune teller's cultivation was far more profound than hers. But by relying on Ling Tian's aura to aid her, it was still a great threat to the green dressed fortune teller.

The green dressed fortune teller was extremely depressed in his heart. He could not stand Ling Tian's arrogance behavior and wanted to bump into Ling Tian to teach Ling Tian a lesson with his own eloquence. Then, he will escape and forget about this matter. In any case, he was extremely certain that there was no one in the Sky Bearing Empire who would be able to block him, with his cultivation.

Furthermore, there were only a few people in the continent who would be able to see through his true cultivation and he even knew most of them. Thus, it was impossible for them to deal with him! Thus, the green dressed fortune teller was extremely confident, confident to the point it was almost conceit. However, his strength was enough to support his conceit.

After roaming around the continent without any opponent, that sense of superiority which he had developed over the years had already turned his originally careful personality to become more and more careless.

From afar, he thought that Ling Tian looked like a silkpants who was only capable of bullying others with borrowed strength and would be extremely easy to deal with. However, he never imagined that this lousy silkpants in his eyes was actually a living hades!

While he was not really afraid of this living hades, he would try to avoid these troubles as far as possible. 'Everyone should sweep the snow of their own front yard and ignore the snow collecting on the roof of your neighbor's house!' This teaching by the ancestors really makes sense! The green dressed fortune teller sighed in his heart.

Who would have thought that the Ling Tian in front of him, the domineering silkpants teen, was actually an expert at the same level as himself! While the young lady behind him was weaker and not at the XianTian stage yet, her aura melded together with Ling Tian's aura perfectly, fully displaying the chemistry the both of them had. If the both of them were to attack him together, their combined might would be far stronger than their individual strengths added up. He would probably face great difficulty to deal with the both of them together! If he wasn't careful, it would be extremely likely for him to be injured or even dead. Don't tell me my reputation will be ruined in the Sky Bearing Empire today?

A trace of praise appeared in Ling Tian's eyes, extremely satisfied with Ling Chen's reaction. The timing which Ling Chen chose was extremely perfect; choosing the moment where he had just revealed his own aura, getting into position before the green dressed fortune teller had a chance to react! Surrounding the green dressed fortune teller in a pincer attack, the green dressed fortune teller was completely caught off guard as the weak silkpants in front of him turned into a solid iron board! The little rabbit turned into a tiger! In shock, the aura of the green dressed fortune teller was still concealed and had not been unleashed yet. As such, he was already on the losing end if they were to compare their auras.

Now, the green dressed fortune teller did not even dare to move his fingers. If he were to make a wrong move, both Ling Tian and Ling Chen would take action immediately, striking him down with a decisive blow! A martial arts expert who was no weaker than Ling Tian, or perhaps even stronger, was trapped in such an awkward situation because of a moment of carelessness! It must be said that the silkpants appearance which Ling Tian displayed had indeed created a great effect!

Since things have already developed to such an extent, there was no need to think too much! The green dressed fortune teller calmed himself down, standing there steadily in the middle of the road as though he was a ten-thousand-year-old statue.

Ling Tian was also not willing to fight the green dressed fortune teller out in the open. While he would be able to gain the upper hand and even heavily injure his opponent to remove a huge threat, his own strength would definitely be exposed! Furthermore, from the strength of his opponent displayed, while Ling Tian was certain that he would be able to heavily injure him, Ling Tian did not have the confidence to do so without any injury! If he were to be injured in such a critical period, the losses would far exceed the gains! Furthermore, it was also not in his character to make an enemy for himself for no good reason.

Chapter 133: Competing in Internal Strength

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: celllll

The green robed fortune teller was definitely not as useless as he looked; this person had already experienced the mortal dust for a long period of time. Because the fortune teller believed that his eyesight was good, and precisely because he could see through Ling Tian, he was able to be at ease and use his life as a bet. Since the person was so obsessed with hiding himself, why would he bother to make a move against him? Furthermore, even if Ling Tian were to really make a move, though he would be gravely injured, but that lady behind him would also suffer nonetheless from forcibly activating her powers, since she had not reached the required stage to do battle with them. In a situation where both sides had nothing to gain, why would they bother to pick a fight?

All these thoughts flashed past in the time it takes for a spark to be produced. As for Yu BingYan and company, they were still far from having the ability to compete in the upper level of strength, and thus could only watch on in confusion. Just as everyone was at a loss, Ling Tian suddenly burst out into laughter.

"The fortune telling abilities of Mister are simply mysterious and unpredictable, it fills this young noble with admiration! If Mister does not find me a nuisance, Ling Tian would like to treat you to a drink and have a good discussion. I can also ask Mister to help me to read my fortune in detail, would that be ok?"

Once these words left his mouth, those standing beside him stared in shock. A moment ago, the very same person was accusing the fortune teller of being a liar. But in just a blink of an eye, the liar became an expert of a generation? Ling Tian even took the initiative to ask him for a prediction!

After Ling Tian smiled, the green robed fortune teller suddenly felt the mighty pressure in front of him vanish like a breeze, along with the rest of his suspicions. He was also someone of status, and also fond of talents. Thus, he did not blame the duo for attempting to sneak an attack on him, instead letting out a smile of curiosity, "Young Noble has invited me so graciously, if I were to refuse, that would be not knowing how to appreciate favors."

Inside this sentence, a faint trace of praise was hidden. One had to know that for such a top-class expert like himself to have a confrontation like just now, where he had been placed in a disadvantageous position before they even made a move, was actually few and far between; no matter what sort of tricks Ling Tian had pulled in order to achieve what he did, it was still the first time out of his decades-long life that he had suffered from such a disadvantage! As such, he could not help but have a surge of curiosity. No matter the alignment of the youth, be it good or evil, to have someone of his young age standing at the top of the martial world, in the vast earth, he would probably be the only one!

Ling Tian pulled at the left hand of the fortune teller affectionately, rushing straight towards a small tavern at the roadside. The counter staff, upon seeing that it was Young Noble Ling, hurriedly came out of the place to personally welcome him in, while groaning in misery inwardly. However, he did not dare to show any hesitation. Before Ling Tian had opened his mouth, the owner had already arranged the best room in the place for him!

After bidding the guards to settle themselves comfortably outside, Ling Tian rushed the man into their room impatiently. However, when Ling Chen and Yu BingYan followed in, he could not help but frown a little.

Ling Chen immediately caught his meaning, turning to Yu BingYan and saying, "Miss Yu, I have a feeling young noble would be discussing some business. It might be inconvenient for us women to remain here, so how about we take a walk outside?"

Yu BingYan hesitated for a little, but seeing that Ling Tian did not urge them to stay, could not help but feel a little disappointed as she nodded her head.

Seeing the two females head out of the door, Ling Tian signalled with his eyes and four of the guards outside stood up to follow them.

"Haha, this servant lass of young noble is certainly bright, and possesses high martial talent. Furthermore, she understands you perfectly; this is hard to find, really hard." The green robed fortune teller looked at the figures of the two women walking out. However, what he focused on was Ling Chen's silhouette and his words seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Ling Tian merely smiled as he picked up the teapot and filled their cups, before saying slowly, "Mister is generous with his praises, for someone of Mister's status, this lass would be considered mediocre at most, unable to put in your eyes."

The fortune teller in question smiled in return as he replied, "Sending such a capable assistant out while you face off with this old man alone, aren't you scared that this old man would take advantage of you? Based on what I can tell, although young noble's skills are good, they're only half of what this old man possesses!"

Ling Tian laughed, his brows raising up suggestively as he retorted, "Senior is pulling my leg. Why would Senior do such a thing?"

The green robed man was caught unaware as he paused for a moment, before bursting out into laughing, "This small friend here turns out to be such a clever person!"

Ling Tian waved his hands at the compliment, giving a smile that was not a smile as he said, "Senior is overpraising me, I could say the same of you!"

However, Ling Tian was inwardly thinking, 'Even if you were to try something against me, do you think I would really be afraid? Let's not talk about the fact that your strength is only a notch above mine, this doesn't mean you have an advantage. Just based on the high quality concealed weapons I'm carrying, it would be enough to let you die thrice over without me having to move from my seat! You bunch of backdated people still wielding your blunt weapons, how would you understand the formidable might of concealed weapons?'

"May I know the purpose of this little friend calling me over, is it to tell me something?" The fortune teller smiled as he questioned. The fortune teller had already put aside the formalities of a vastly different age, instead becoming more natural and unrestrained. In just a wave of a hand, he no longer bothered with his disguise and a sense of natural elegance emanated from his posture, worlds apart from his previously wretched appearance.

"I wouldn't dare, it's just that I was surprised about someone of senior's calibre appearing in Sky Bearing Empire." Ling Tian lowered his eyes, as he picked up the teacup in front of him, blowing on it gently. His tone was light and indifferent, as though he did not put it in his heart.

The green robed fortune teller remained indifferent on the surface, but deep inside he was already smouldering; are you trying to interrogate me? I am already giving you a great deal of face by following you here. How dare you use such a tone against me! This old man here has walked unhindered for decades, why would I allow myself to be at the beck and call of a baby like you? I originally thought you were deeply hidden and considerably polite, but I'm disappointed! Looks like I have to give you a small lesson...

Seeing Ling Tian bring the teacup to his lips, the fortune teller's expression turned frosty as his right hand flipped upwards without making a sound, touching the teacup. A strand of pure internal energy flowed out of his palm, wrapping itself tightly around the teacup in Ling Tian's hands like silk.

The teacup that was moving in Ling Tian's hands suddenly halted in mid-air! Ling Tian flicked his sleeves, almost releasing his entire body's worth of hidden weapons on him. He then realised that the fortune teller's objective was just his teacup and realized the fortune teller's motive immediately. A sense of deep respect arose from his heart.

Even under the situation of utter disrespect from him, the fortune teller only applied slight pressure as a form of demonstration and did not fly into a rage! Just based on this, his mental state was a lot stronger than most others.

Seeing how he did not make any other moves after coming into contact with the teacup, Ling Tian understood that the fortune teller's intention was to actually compare their strengths. By showing his prowess, the fortune teller merely wanted to intimidate Ling Tian, leading him to relax a great deal. The immensely pure XianTian internal energy steadily flowed from Ling Tian's hands as well, coming into contact with the teacup, and also paused at there.

A tiny and ordinary teacup made of clay, turned into a battlefield for two masters of internal strength in an instant! Both of them raised their heads at the same time, smiling at the other, then urged their internal force simultaneously!

The fortune teller's objective was to take over the teacup from Ling Tian's hands, while Ling Tian's was to send the tea into his mouth! After inciting their strength, the duo's body only jerked once, before the both of them froze like two wooden dummies.

The teacup was suspended in the middle of the two, the tea in the middle constantly in a state of change. One moment, it was frothing and bubbling, almost boiling over, then another moment it fell back to the cup, emitting chill air as it underwent a flash freeze!

Ling Tian's expression remained indifferent, although his brows were furrowed. The sleeve of his right hand holding his teacup did not move a single jolt all this while, drooping horizontally. His body resembled a thousand-year boulder, remaining rock solid and stable despite a thousand years of waves crashing against it, as though it were Mount Tai itself.

A faint smile hung on the face of the fortune teller, his left hand twirling idlily while his right hand seemed to be weakly propping up the teacup. His body was like a deep pool of water, full of endless strength!

Time ticked by slowly, second by second.

The sounds of merriment echoed from the outside, the din growing in intensity. It seemed like those guards who had followed Ling Tian over had gotten to know the people sitting inside and started to make merry amongst themselves. After a couple of beers, they started to shout and cheer, the sounds of cups clinking sounding more and more often.

The private room with the two of them remained eerily silent. The time taken to pour a cup of tea had already passed.

Ling Tian grew more and more shocked in his heart, repeatedly shouting 'Oh my god' to himself. As the saying goes, 'Three years may pass without having a transaction, but one transaction allows you to eat for three years', [1] Ling Tian had thought that he was at the pinnacle in Sky Bearing Capital. Though the words of humility hung off his mouth, he was arrogant in his heart, believing that he was number one under heaven. He had been cultivating the internal force of the purest XianTian internal energy since he was born, and his cultivation art was the at the epitome of all XianTian arts in his past life. Thus, he expected that he would have no competition on his road to success in this world!

How would he know that a random fortune teller he met on the streets would actually have the similar strength to his, and even stronger by a notch? This was not all, the person's internal force was not only pure, it showed signs that he had already stepped into the XianTian stage! Ling Tian felt warier now. In this world, how many of such people existed? Could it be that his luck was so good that he could meet the number one expert in this world just by doing sightseeing? This was not very probable.

However, little did Ling Tian know that the fortune teller's heart was already in a spectacular mess. If not for the fact that he had trained his mental state to a top-notch level, he would probably have his jaw drop at the scene now! Beforehand, he had already overestimated Ling Tian's strength as much as possible. But now, he found out that this teen had actually already cultivated to such a profound stage!

[1]: The original meaning talks about how anything it takes time and investment at the beginning of something, but the rewards would be great once it comes to fruition. However, the author probably meant it literally as going by for a long time without encountering any martial arts opponent, but once he meets with one it just had to be an expert.