Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 401 - 252 A Short Parting is Better Than a New Marriage_2

Chapter 401: Chapter 252 A Short Parting is Better Than a New Marriage_2

Without any hesitation, she took out the pastries she had originally saved to bribe her senior sister. The girl’s eyes lit up, and without any pretense, the two of them sat on the edge of the attic, admiring the moonlight while tasting the sweets.

Under her long dress, the little feet swayed back and forth continuously. Cen Yueyue was the type who didn’t really like wearing socks. The first time they met, she was sitting barefoot on a tree, swinging her feet and pointing out things to her junior brother.

It was the same during their subsequent meetings. Whenever she relaxed, she would uncontrollably slide her jade-feet out and about. For someone who was vaguely a foot fetishist, it was nothing less than a blessing. Unfortunately...

This time, she wasn’t sitting in a tree.

"That woman is a direct disciple of Liu Yue, the elder of the Joyful Sect, and is also listed under the Sect Master. In this generation of the Joyful Sect, there are three people who are worth paying attention to, and she is one of them."

"The three are known as Jin Yintong, but I’m not sure about their specific names. It’s said that the eldest sister successfully formed her Nascent Soul two years ago and is extremely powerful, while the other two sisters are both at the Peak of Core Formation, with Ying Ling being slightly faster."

"But when it comes to talent, the youngest sister is actually the best. She’s the youngest and was exceptionally accepted into the sect. She’s quite outstanding, and supposedly about the same age as me, just one year younger."

"They say one year, but it’s actually just seven months apart. The three sisters will certainly become formidable foes once they enter the Phoenix Heavenly Cave. If possible, I actually don’t want to fight them. In a fair fight, the Joyful Sect might not seem impressive."

With a face full of surprise.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Those who dare to partake in such a grand event are inevitably from the top forces, not just in the Cultivation World but also in the secular world. Many powerful nations will surely send their people to compete for opportunities.

The most elite and top-quality disciples from all sects, basically, are around twenty years old and at Core Formation, including our Purple Cloud Palace’s finest disciples, like Senior Brother Chen Shan, who was responsible for overseeing internal combats when he first joined the sect.

He is legitimately the Chief Disciple of the third generation from Qingxia Peak. Before, he was oblivious to his cultivation realm, but it turns out that Senior Brother Chen has already formed his Nascent Soul!

It’s said that the Chief Disciple of Dragon Head Peak will also participate. He’s reputed to be a direct disciple of the current Sect Master. He can’t even begin to imagine how strong that person is. This is the true foundation of an old and established sect; Purple Cloud Palace just acts with restraint and never shows off.

"But as you know, the greatest threat of an assassin lies in hiding in the shadows. Once an assassin is familiar with the environment and complex terrain, the power they can wield is downright terrifying."

"Compared to that, our other clans from the Southern Border are at a disadvantage in such situations. Moreover, this year our cultivation levels can’t be considered overwhelmingly superior. Although we’ve prepared some powerful clansmen, the limitations are still too great."

"It is said that the landscape inside the Phoenix Heavenly Cave is particularly complex, far larger than any other Grotto Heaven that has been opened before. Conservatively estimated, we will have to stay inside for at least a year."

"Additionally, there are relics scattered throughout, with many ancient items left behind, fraught with dangers, but also significant opportunities. It is said that when this Grotto Heaven collapsed, it was during an ancient era when Spiritual Energy burst forth."

"The era we live in now is said to be slowly running out of Spiritual Energy. Grandfather said that he was caught up in wars back then, and when he was in there, his cultivation speed was immensely fast, with Spiritual Energy at least five or six times what it is now."

"If there are some cultivation treasures, the speed is simply terrifying. Look, the Xu Huoyao from last time was brought from the Phoenix Heavenly Cave."

"After my father and uncle studied it, we developed the current Xu Huoyao. This time, I have the good fortune to represent my family, and I will definitely try to bring back more good things."

"What about you? It’s said that the current Sword Control heritage of Swordmaster Peak also comes from the Phoenix Heavenly Cave. Liu Jianxian missed out because of his age, but you surely won’t."

"And your Cultivation Realm is just right. What are your plans after entering the Phoenix Heavenly Cave?"

The girl’s expression was filled with curiosity.

Unknowingly, the two seemed to draw closer, and feeling the tall figure beside her, she inexplicably felt a sense of safety. There was no shyness on her face; she found that she was quite comfortable sitting close to Jiang Feng.

She could do as she pleased, speaking whatever she wanted to say, as this guy never interrupted her and was willing to listen to every word she said.

Then, Mr. Jiang casually reached out, lightly wiping the girl’s mouth which had been smudged by the pastry, with an indifferent and nonchalant remark.

"What’s the Phoenix Heavenly Cave?"

"..."

"..."

They looked at each other in dismay.

You look at me, I look at you.

Jiang Feng’s demeanor remained relaxed and composed, but in such a situation, Cen Yueyue’s expression was like she was looking at an idiot.

"You, serious? You don’t know about the ceremony in two years?"

Almost in disbelief, he uttered these words. It shouldn’t be so, they had already mentioned it when they first met. Back then, Cen Zhuangzhuang said he would drag Jiang Feng in a few years to compete in the ceremony. How come he now knows nothing?

"Of course, I know about the ceremony in two years. It’s just that I’ve never even heard of Phoenix Heavenly Cave. Senior Sister only told me that in two years, all sects would go inside Candle Dragon’s belly to compete in martial events, saying that there are fun things inside and told me to just go and have fun. And that was it."

"..."

The hand reaching for the pastry stopped midway, suspended in the air.

Hesitating to speak.

Honestly, if it were anyone else, she would have already started cursing.

Not at Jiang Feng, but at that irresponsible master. A disciple will be risking his life in two years, and disciples from all families are usually informed at least three years in advance and start forming alliances and solidifying relationships with others two years prior.

But for Jiang Feng, everything changed abruptly.

There’s a kind of untainted, innocent beauty – he really knows nothing, not even given a hint of news.

"I..."

His mouth twitched.

He gulped back the curse that had almost left his lips and then asked, "What did Liu Xianzi want by sending you to Country Liang?"

"Er, she told me to come here to find someone. The little princess of Country Liang has gone missing, and she wanted me to find and bring her back to Purple Cloud Palace. She said the child has good talent and wants her to become a disciple. From what I’ve heard, it seems like everyone is convening here for something important?"

His gaze was a bit drifting. He pondered for a long time but still didn’t dare to utter the words "matchmaking". In fact, both Cen Yueyue and Jiang Feng had refused matchmaking for two years.

Yes, he was introduced to more than two hundred prospective matches here, over fifty of which were quite suitable. In a way, these two were quite in sync.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She finally understood why Jiang Feng kept falling into dangerous situations after joining Purple Cloud Palace. She tried to comfort him softly, "It’s okay, maybe Liu Xianzi just wanted to toughen you up by not telling you the whole truth... Or else come directly to us at Southern Border? If you stay at Purple Cloud Palace, I really fear that one day you might die without even knowing how it happened."

Couldn’t hold it back anymore.

Mainly because Liu Tangxi’s extremely abstract training method was just too harsh. Liu Tangxi seemed to know everything, but she wouldn’t reveal any of it to Jiang Feng.

Whether it’s gathering intelligence, socializing, relationships, you’d have to figure out all the aspects by yourself; she wouldn’t care about anything else. She’s only responsible for teaching you cultivation, teaching you swordsmanship. How you want to grow and what you want to do is your business, not hers.

This also fits her personality. When Jiang Feng was yet to start practicing cultivation and was attacked, she didn’t even bother to give it a glance.

For a moment, Cen Yueyue couldn’t help feeling annoyed but was more helpless. She still didn’t understand how Jiang Feng managed to frequently cross realms to compete with others, daring to challenge even her during his Qi Refinement days.

But now, in the early stages of Core Formation, he had fought to a stalemate with Ying Ling at the Peak of Core Formation. Now she finally got it – all of this originated from Liu Tangxi’s almost perverse laissez-faire education.

"No need for Southern Border. When my realm surpasses yours one day, I’ll go to your home myself."

The young man spoke very seriously.

He never felt any dissatisfaction with his Senior Sister allowing him to run wild. He probably guessed her intentions - letting him come to Country Liang, to East Liang City, might as well be to get him accustomed to it early on, which is just like Senior Sister’s usual style.

Because when teaching swordsmanship, Liu Tangxi would never speak; she would directly swing her sword at you a couple of times, hitting you twice, which was more memorable than any verbal instruction.

"Eh?"

The girl was momentarily stunned. After hearing Jiang Feng’s words clearly, she flusteredly stuffed the pastry in her mouth. If she wasn’t mistaken, does this... does this mean he’s planning to take the initiative to ask for her hand in marriage?

Her ear tips turned red instantly, but Miss Cen still tried to pout, wondering why wait until his realm surpasses hers. Wouldn’t that take several more years?

"Hmph, men’s pitiful and boring ego."