Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 766 - 749: The Bigger Fist Makes the Rules

Within the Spirit Wind Sect.

Xiao Yuanshan, who was already on the hot seat, felt only the flames grow more intense, burning him dry in the mouth and at a loss for words, especially after Wu Zitong's remarks.

Wu Zitong could use small tricks to provoke Zhouyang because his cultivation was in the same realm as Zhouyang's, so he was not afraid of offending him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

However, Xiao Yuanshan, a Golden Core Stage cultivator, even if he felt justified, had to decide his words according to the situation and couldn't speak directly.

Thoughts spun rapidly in his mind, and he spoke slowly while observing the expressions of Wu Zitong and Zhouyang: "Uncle Wu, please see clearly, there is indeed a misunderstanding involved, and it concerns my daughter's reputation. Please allow this disciple to explain the details to you."

After speaking, he switched to telepathy, privately explaining to Wu Zitong the entanglement between Zhou Liangyu and his daughter Xiao Yu.

Naturally, in his account, Zhou Liangyu's failure to form a core within the agreed time became the main reason for his opposition to this marriage.

He would never admit that he intended to marry his daughter to another Nascent Soul Stage cultivator's favored disciple within the sect, thus intentionally setting harsh conditions to separate the pair.

Moreover, Xiao Yu's rebellion against her father through her divine soul was hinted to be instigated by Zhou Liangyu, rather than being forced by him to marry someone she disliked.

In the end, Xiao Yuanshan himself got carried away with his emotions and lamentedly said, "Uncle Wu, please see clearly. This disciple does not think he has done anything wrong. Yu'er is my daughter, and naturally, I should make decisions on her marriage. That Zhou Liangyu has never been harmed by me, not even a single hair, so I can say I am at peace with my conscience!"

At peace with his conscience?

Wu Zitong looked at Xiao Yuanshan, who wore a wronged expression, and sneered inwardly in silence.

How could he only listen to Xiao Yuanshan's side of the story? Just when Xiao Yuanshan was conveying his words via telepathy, Wu Zitong also concurrently inquired about this matter with other Golden Core cultivators in the Spirit Wind Sect.

About Xiao Yuanshan wanting to marry his daughter to another Golden Core stage cultivator within the sect, that naturally reached his ears.

Thinking of that Golden Core cultivator being a fellow clansman and direct disciple of another Nascent Soul stage cultivator in the sect, how could Wu Zitong not see through Xiao Yuanshan's intentions back then?

This matter might not have been wrong on Xiao Yuanshan's part initially. A Zhou Family Purple Mansion stage cultivator, who hadn't even met his own clan's ancestor Zhouyang, despite having promising talent, could obviously not compare to the favored younger generation under the sect's own Nascent Soul stage cultivator.

But Xiao Yuanshan's mistake lay in not anticipating that Zhou Liangyu would persuade Zhouyang, the Zhou Family's ancestor, to personally stand up for him to seize the bride.

His mistake was in not foreseeing that Zhouyang's cultivation would leap to the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul stage in just two or three hundred years!

"Do you think Junior Brother Han would stand up for you today to shield you from the wrath of Master Qianyang if he were within the sect?"

Wu Zitong glanced at Xiao Yuanshan with a calm expression and asked in a suppressed tone.

The "Junior Brother Han" he referred to was another Nascent Soul stage cultivator from the Spirit Wind Sect, Han Lingjun, who was currently traveling in the Donghua Continent's Cultivation Realm and not present in the sect.

In truth, he already knew the answer without needing to ask.

Even he dared not easily contend against Zhouyang upon witnessing the latter's sixth-layer Nascent Soul cultivation, not to mention Han Lingjun who was only at the second layer.

Sure enough, upon hearing Wu Zitong's words, Xiao Yuanshan's face turned pale, and his formerly self-righteous demeanor instantly dissipated into unease and shortness of breath.

At this moment, how could he not understand Wu Zitong's implication? He could only grit his teeth and express with a tone filled with helplessness and regret, "Fine, fine, I'll marry Yu'er to that boy, would that suffice?"

"As long as you understand."

Wu Zitong nodded, indicating his agreement with Xiao Yuanshan's response.

Then his expression darkened as he gazed at Zhouyang and said with a heavy tone, "Wu has understood the situation. For this trivial matter, Fellow Daoist Zhou came this aggressively, does it not show a lack of regard for our Spirit Wind Sect? Bear in mind that you do not have the upper hand here. If today's matter spreads, aren't you afraid of being notorious for seizing a woman by force?"

"Hahahaha..."

Zhouyang suddenly burst into laughter as if he had heard an extremely amusing joke.

He coldly looked at Wu Zitong and said with a chilling voice, "Now you say Zhouyang doesn't regard your Spirit Wind Sect, but back then when you bullied the young and naïve children of the Zhou Family, setting traps forcing them in, did your Spirit Wind Sect regard the Zhou Family? Did you consider Zhouyang?"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, this is a bit unreasonable."

Wu Zitong's brows furrowed, and he looked at Zhouyang with an angry expression, saying deeply, "Junior Xiao did not harm your Zhou Family children, not even a single hair. That agreement was willingly accepted by him, and he failed to meet it in time. How can it be blamed on Junior Xiao and our Spirit Wind Sect?"

"Moreover, marriage has always been about parental orders and the words of matchmakers. Junior Xiao, as her father, fully reserves the right to decide his daughter's marriage. Even if he completely denied your offspring an opportunity, he would still be logical in doing so. Yet he nonetheless provided an opportunity, sufficiently taking into account the face of the Zhou Family and you, Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

After saying that, many cultivators within the Spirit Wind Sect couldn't help but nod in strong agreement with Wu Zitong's words.

Xiao Yuanshan's spirits were also lifted upon hearing this, his complexion improved significantly.

That was how he thought too; Wu Zitong had perfectly expressed his own thoughts.

"Your reasoning may not be Zhouyang's reasoning!"

Zhouyang coldly smiled and said to Wu Zitong, his words making the latter's expression change dramatically.

"Zhouyang only knows that my Zhou Family's children were bullied, and even the woman they loved was taken away."

"Zhouyang only sees someone treating their daughter like merchandise, forcibly detaining and coercing her into marrying someone she dislikes against her will, leading her to risk death in defiance. Such a person is unworthy of being a father!"

"Fellow Daoist Wu also mentioned earlier, Zhouyang is straightforward and tolerates no sand in his eyes. If Xiao Yuanshan, as despicable as a beast, does not correct his mistakes, and let those with affection be together, wouldn't Zhouyang have misled the praise of being a righteous gentleman just spoken by Fellow Daoist Wu?"

These resounding words from Zhouyang left Wu Zitong's face ashen, Xiao Yuanshan's face whitened, and all the disciples of the Spirit Wind Sect silent and at a loss for words.

Alongside Zhouyang, Zhou Liangyu felt his blood boiling, his face flushed with overwhelming emotion, wishing to stand up and cheer loudly, venting the resentment that had accumulated over a hundred years.

Zhouyang's words spoke his mind too, expressing what he had suppressed for a century without daring to articulate to others!

At this moment, his gratitude and admiration for Zhouyang, the clan's patriarch, soared to an unparalleled height.

One could say, after today, even if Zhouyang asked him to commit suicide, he would do so without batting an eyelid.

A loyal warrior would die for a confidant!

Never had Zhou Liangyu experienced such excitement, gratitude, and admiration for a person as he did today.

Unconsciously, tears gently slid from the corners of his eyes, soon dried by the fierce wind, yet this Golden Core stage cultivator shed tears on the spot in his excitement!

"Good, good, good! What grandiose words! What magnificent reasoning by Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

Wu Zitong's face was ashen, repeating the word "good" several times, unable to contain the fury finally erupting from his chest.

With just a move of his form, he gracefully left the range of the Mountain Protection Array, appeared in the sky outside the mountain gate, and then continued to ascend, flying towards the Nine Heavens Forbidden Realm full of Gang Wind and Thunder.

"Come, I, too, wish to see for myself whether the renowned Master Qianyang lives up to his reputation or is merely in name only!"

A clear and cold voice drifted down from above the sky; it was Wu Zitong issuing a challenge to Zhouyang.

"Hahahaha, since Fellow Daoist Wu has such an interest, I, Zhou, will naturally accompany you to the end."

Zhouyang laughed heartily, readily accepting the challenge.

He then lightly nodded at Zhou Liangyu beside him and whispered, "Wait here for a moment, I will be back soon!"

As he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a golden light and soared skyward, disappearing from Zhou Liangyu and the Spirit Wind Sect disciples' view in an instant.

Soon, the sky erupted with intense magical power fluctuations, clearly indicating that the two Nascent Soul Stage cultivators had already engaged in battle.

Initially, both the Spirit Wind Sect disciples and Zhou Liangyu believed that a duel between two Nascent Soul Stage cultivators would certainly not be decided quickly and had prepared for a long wait.

However, to their surprise, Zhouyang's "I will be back soon" truly meant just that!

In less than a quarter of an hour after the duel began, a voice from the sky said, "Thank you for letting me win," and it was Zhouyang who spoke.

Then, all the cultivators saw a golden light descend from the sky, revealing Zhouyang's tall and dashing figure.

Moments later, Wu Zitong, with white hair and dressed in green, also returned to the Spirit Wind Sect's mountain gate.

He looked across at that youthful figure with a complex expression and sighed with a slightly melancholy tone, "Fellow Daoist Zhou's divine techniques are vast, Wu is impressed; indeed, you are someone whom even Immortal Venerable Chongyang praises and values. In today's battle, it is I, Wu, who lost. You may take away Xiao Yuanshan's daughter, Fellow Daoist!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanshan trembled all over, instantly appearing as if all Essence, Qi, and Spirit were drained from his body, his face filled with dejection.

Zhouyang, however, freely laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Wu, you overpraise me. I am not a bandit; how could I do such a thing as forcibly taking people? The Spirit Wind Sect is also a renowned major sect, and the Zhou Family will naturally give due respect. In a year, the Zhou family's wedding procession will come to your sect to fetch the bride, and I hope at that time, Fellow Daoist Wu can personally see off the bride and groom."

Wu Zitong's expression finally improved somewhat.

Being taken away directly by Zhouyang and being ceremoniously fetched by a wedding procession are two different situations for the Spirit Wind Sect.

The former would mean the Spirit Wind Sect's reputation would be utterly tarnished, and this matter would become the most shameful event for the Spirit Wind Sect in a thousand years, causing Spirit Wind Sect disciples to hang their heads in shame at its mention.

The latter, although still worthy of ridicule from those who know the inside story, at least provides a passable explanation and a consoling narrative for Spirit Wind Sect disciples in the public eye.

The Zhou Family is a prestigious clan, and Spirit Wind Sect disciples marrying into the Zhou Family is considered a good match!

Thinking of this, Wu Zitong immediately adjusted his expression, nodded with a smile toward Zhouyang, and said, "Naturally, I, Wu, will personally officiate the wedding for the couple when the time comes, making it a lasting tale!"

The two who were fiercely battling moments ago could now resume cordial conversation with smiles, a sight that left the Spirit Wind Sect disciples in awe of the two Nascent Soul Stage cultivators' temperament and composure.

As for Xiao Yuanshan, the true father of the bride, he was now mutually and actively ignored by both Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Zhouyang would not bully the weak by targeting a Junior Golden Core Stage cultivator, and even if Wu Zitong wanted to punish this disciple for bringing trouble to the sect, he wouldn't display it in front of outsiders, leading to him being temporarily forgotten.

Therefore, after settling this matter, Zhouyang returned to the Zhou Family with Zhou Liangyu, while Wu Zitong turned back and severely dealt with Xiao Yuanshan.

"Great Master, this great kindness and generosity, the junior is deeply grateful, and in the future, should you give any orders, the junior will go through fire and water, swearing to repay the great Master's kindness with my life!"

Upon returning to the Zhou Family, Zhou Liangyu knelt to the ground as soon as his feet touched the ground, banging his head loudly in gratitude and excitement toward Zhouyang.

"Rise, let this matter end here. I hope you will learn from this incident and not easily make promises beyond your capability. Remember, your status is different now; your every word and deed represents not only yourself but also the Zhou Family!"

After receiving Zhou Liangyu's grand gesture with calmness, Zhouyang solemnly admonished him.

"Yes, the junior will definitely adhere to the Master's teaching."

Zhou Liangyu sincerely bowed again, nodded resolutely, and agreed.

Without lingering longer in the Zhou Family, after handling Zhou Liangyu's affairs, Zhouyang departed to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to visit his son Zhou Guangcheng.

Zhou Guangcheng's cultivation had already reached the seventh layer of the Golden Core, and according to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect's rules, he could have had an independent peak within the Profound Sun Mountain Range as a cave dwelling long ago.

However, compared to peaks where the intensity of Spiritual Qi did not reach a Tier Six Spiritual Vein, the Tier Six top-grade Spirit Mountain, Profound Sun Peak, was undoubtedly many times better, so he had always cultivated in Master Cyan Yang's Cyan Yang Cave.

This was an unspoken benefit for direct disciples of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators within the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

This time, upon learning that his father Zhouyang would visit him, Zhou Guangcheng temporarily moved out of the Cyan Yang Cave and returned to his independent peak assigned by the sect to cultivate.

Moreover, he personally greeted his father beyond the mountain gate, guiding Zhouyang back to his cave dwelling.

"Originally, upon hearing that father had returned from cultivating outside, I intended to go to Fire Birch Mountain to pay my respects. However, upon receiving a message from mother saying you would come here to see me, I had no choice but to wait here."

Zhou Guangcheng, dressed in a red gold robe and wearing a bright yellow jade crown, had a graceful demeanor, walking beside Zhouyang like a pair of differently dressed twin brothers rather than father and son.

"Your mother always spoils you. I said you should come over, but she insisted on me coming here. I don't know who's the real son and who's the father."

Zhouyang glanced at his son, who bore a striking resemblance to himself, feeling satisfied inwardly but not showing it at all, speaking out of jest.

Faced with such a remark, Zhou Guangcheng felt awkward, unsure of how to respond, only managing a sheepish smile, not daring to speak.

Toward his incredibly powerful father, Zhou Guangcheng harbored admiration and respect, as well as a hint of fear.

This was related to his strict upbringing, his towering reputation, as well as the lack of close interaction due to his father's long-term travels.

Zhouyang did not mind this situation.

In fact, he was quite satisfied with their current relationship and had no intention of changing it.

Seeing his son rendered speechless by a slight reprimand, Zhouyang eased off, displaying a pleased smile and praised, "At least you are diligent in cultivation, living up to neither Elder Qingyang's nor your father's expectations, nor wasting your talent."

Before Zhou Guangcheng could even modestly respond, Zhouyang raised his hand and brought out the Flood Dragon Spirit Blood released by Cyan Flood Dragon Green Luo at Donglai Immortal Island.

"I see your Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique has reached a critical juncture; these Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood will help you break through to the fourth layer."

"Also, cultivating the Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique requires the Heaven-Suppressing Azure Dragon Cauldron as an auxiliary artifact. Given your cultivation level, it's difficult for you to wield it. Next, I will stay here with you for a period to help you complete this stage of cultivation."