Chapter 269: You Said It Yourself—Don’t Blame Me If Something Goes Wrong!
Zhang Yangqing’s appearance truly shocked Chu Yiyi.
If Zhang Yangqing hadn’t been holding her shoulders, she probably would have fainted.
But she wasn’t looking too good right now. Even though Zhang Yangqing had transferred a bit of spiritual energy into her body, she was still pretty weak.
“I just got here. You must be thirsty. Here, have some water.”
Zhang Yangqing noticed her lips were chapped and she was breaking out in a cold sweat.
So he handed her the water bottle he was carrying.
He called it a water bottle, but it was really just a plastic bottle with no label on it.
Chu Yiyi took it and thanked him seven or eight times without stopping. Zhang Yangqing urged her to just drink it already—she was already weak, and if she kept thanking him like that, she’d end up dying of thirst.
Hearing him say that, she stopped being polite.
She tilted the bottle, put the opening to her lips, and chugged it down.
There was nothing ladylike about it at all; it felt like she was afraid Zhang Yangqing might change his mind.
Her throat moved slightly as the sweet spring water went down, bringing with it waves of coolness and moisture.
After drinking the bottled water Zhang Yangqing gave her, Chu Yiyi not only felt much better mentally but also felt like she had been reborn entirely.
This was the miraculous dew that cleanses the marrow and remakes the bones—a huge help for a cultivator with her lower level of strength.
Running into Zhang Yangqing here was already a great stroke of fortune for her.
“So this is the famous miraculous dew that caused such a stir last time? I can’t believe I actually got to drink some!”
Chu Yiyi was overjoyed inside. She felt like the happiest person in the world right now.
After all, even some of the big shots from various sects who visited Dragon Tiger Mountain couldn’t get their hands on this stuff.
She held the now-empty bottle with both hands and said reluctantly, “Heavenly Master Zhang, could you give me this bottle?”
Zhang Yangqing was a bit taken aback. He wasn’t the type to litter and had been looking for a trash can to throw it away.
He never expected that someone would actually want this broken bottle he’d casually grabbed from the backyard.
What Zhang Yangqing didn’t know was that the last time he threw away a bottle on Mount Wudang, it caused dozens of small sects to get into a fight.
So he simply replied, “If you like it, then take it.”
“Thank you, Heavenly Master Zhang!”
A satisfied smile appeared on Chu Yiyi’s face, and she hugged the bottle to her chest.
To her, this was an incredibly important gift.
More valuable and delightful than any birthday present she had ever received.
Seeing Zhang Yangqing head up the mountain, Chu Yiyi immediately followed.
This was a rare chance to get close to her idol, Heavenly Master Zhang—an opportunity that others could only dream of. How could she let it slip away?
“Heavenly Master Zhang, why did you come so late? I thought you would have been here much earlier.”
By the time Chu Yiyi reached this spot, there was no one else around.
And it was already ten in the morning.
Many people had arrived as early as eight o’clock.
Some of the old-timers had even been waiting up there since six or seven.
That was why Zhao Kai had hurried up ahead without waiting for her.
“I took an early morning flight. After I landed, I had breakfast and then came over.”
Zhang Yangqing said it casually, not seeming worried at all.
And his steps were as light as a swallow’s. Even after walking such a long distance, he showed no signs of fatigue.
It felt like he was just walking up one or two flights of stairs at home—effortless.
Unlike those disciples who were gritting their teeth and forcing themselves along, Zhang Yangqing showed no strain at all.
For Taoist disciples, this kind of walk was just part of their daily training.
After all, the back mountain of Dragon Tiger Mountain is quite a distance from the main hall.
“Huh? Aren’t you afraid those old-timers will criticize you?”
As Chu Yiyi climbed the steps, she had heard from others going up that there were many venerable old masters up there.
When the younger disciples arrived, they needed to show those old masters the utmost respect.
And they had to stay alert and demonstrate their sect’s depth and strength to impress them.
These young people were the future pillars of their sects and had to withstand the scrutiny and tests of their elders.
This was actually a tradition of the Heaven Worship Ceremony.
Chu Yiyi had been in the cultivation world for a long time and knew that once those old-timers started criticizing you behind your back, you’d get pointed at and whispered about no matter where you went.
Since Zhang Yangqing was the most perfect person in her eyes, she didn’t want to see anyone badmouth him.
“What’s there to be afraid of? I deliberately left them waiting for a while.”
As soon as Zhang Yangqing said that, Chu Yiyi froze in place.
She was so shocked she couldn’t find the words.
Wow, just wow.
Other young disciples were terrified of being scolded by the old-timers, but Heavenly Master Zhang truly didn’t care.
Her idol really was her idol—he simply ignored those old masters and even made them wait.
Zhang Yangqing had done something that young cultivators across the country wouldn’t even dare to dream of.
Even Luo Hao, the lead disciple of Kunlun Mountain, who was as strong as he was, still had to bow and scrape when he ran into less powerful seniors.
What Zhang Yangqing did left Chu Yiyi utterly stunned.
If anyone else had said that, it might have been a joke. But as a devoted superfan of Zhang Yangqing, she knew that when he said something like that, he meant it.
While Chu Yiyi was still in shock, Zhang Yangqing’s figure had already disappeared up the steps.
Did Zhang Yangqing care about that? Did he care about what others thought?
Since he dared to come today, he was fully prepared.
If you don’t like what you see, come up and hit me.
As long as you can beat me, I’ll listen to you.
At this moment, the person who was most unsettled wasn’t Chu Yiyi—it was Xiao Xuan, who was walking behind Zhang Yangqing.
As Zhang Yangqing’s professional shield, if he didn’t speak up, no one would even know he existed.
Chu Yiyi actually knew Xiao Xuan too, and during the climb, he had been ready to greet her.
After all, she was beautiful, and he had wanted to get to know her as a goddess.
But Chu Yiyi didn’t even say hello to Xiao Xuan, which left him very confused.
No—that was exactly it. In Chu Yiyi’s eyes, there was only Zhang Yangqing. Xiao Xuan had been automatically blurred out like a piece of censored image.
Thinking about this, Xiao Xuan felt a bit speechless.
Before, when I was beside the Heavenly Master, I didn’t even have a name.
Now, it feels like I don’t even need to exist.
It’s as if others can’t even see me!
Oh well, I’m just a tag-along anyway. I don’t have the right to complain about such things.
While Zhang Yangqing was slowly climbing the steps, things were already in an uproar up above.
Around the grand and imposing Heaven Worship Altar, the young people all stood with their heads bowed in silence.
Because over a hundred white-haired old-timers were so angry their beards and mustaches were bristling.
Zhang Yangqing had kept them waiting for over three hours.
Ever since they had risen to fame in the cultivation world, they had been respected wherever they went. Others waited for them, not the other way around.
And now a junior had made them wait.
It infuriated them so much that they wanted nothing more than to grab Zhang Yangqing and give him a beating right then and there.
“Is he coming or not? If he isn’t, let’s just start. How can the Heaven Worship Ceremony be held up for just one person? This is ridiculous.”
“I think he’s too afraid to come. Yesterday’s agreement was probably just empty words. This young man has no integrity.”
“Haha, I think you guys are just too intimidating. When Zhang Yangqing heard that, he probably went and hid in some corner. After the ceremony is over, he’ll come up with some excuse to apologize. It’s just a little trick.”
“This kid has no sense of propriety. I really don’t know how his master taught him.”
The elder generation on site was harshly criticizing Zhang Yangqing’s behavior.
Meanwhile, the disciples nearby didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
If those old-timers couldn’t deal with Zhang Yangqing, they could certainly deal with them.
Master Qingxu and the disciples from Wudang Mountain remained silent, while the presidents of the other six major associations also seemed a bit impatient, their words filled with complaints about Zhang Yangqing.
Tang Chong, the president of the Tang Sect Association, was especially loud, shouting that he would teach Zhang Yangqing a lesson on behalf of his master.
Many others urged Yao Ci to start the ceremony early and stop waiting for that guy.
Yao Ci also hesitated. The whole purpose of inviting Zhang Yangqing this time was to give him a harsh welcome.
Then to explain some of the rules of the country and find a way to get some benefits.
After all, getting a spot to enter the Weird Tales World to farm resources was useless if you couldn’t actually farm them.
On the Blue Star, other countries and their many factions had lost people, which proved just how difficult the Weird Tales World was.
So the main goal of this Heaven Worship Ceremony was still to make Zhang Yangqing compromise.
But if Zhang Yangqing didn’t show up, many of Yao Ci’s plans would fall through.
Still, he was also very dissatisfied that Zhang Yangqing hadn’t arrived yet.
Yao Ci looked around at the people nearby, and everyone seemed to be getting impatient.
Just as he was about to start the Heaven Worship Ceremony, a disciple under him hurried over and whispered in his ear, “Master, Zhang Yangqing is here.”
As soon as he said that, the anger on the faces of the old-timers with good hearing nearby grew even stronger.
So the kid finally decided to show up, huh? After leaving us waiting here so long, let’s see how you explain yourself.
Before, it might have been a bit awkward for us to use our status to pressure you, but now you’ve given us plenty of reason to.
If we don’t teach you a lesson today, do you think these past few decades were for nothing?
Yao Ci was also a man with a temper. This was the Heaven Worship Ceremony he was hosting, in front of everyone.
If Zhang Yangqing showed up late so openly, wasn’t that a slap in the face to him?
With so many old friends present, where was he supposed to put his dignity?
Not to mention the most vocal one, Tang Chong—even the normally composed Yao Ci wanted to give Zhang Yangqing a harsh lesson.
But first, he wanted to see what reason or excuse Zhang Yangqing would give him.
Seeing Yao Ci’s angry expression, the disciple reporting to him had a look on his face like he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Yao Ci noticed his expression and waved his hand, saying, “You don’t need to say anything more. Your job here is done.”
He thought the disciple was about to put in a good word for Zhang Yangqing, since that was the usual routine.
But after he spoke, the disciple nodded.
Fine, you said it yourself—don’t blame me if something goes wrong.
The disciple seemed to have seen something indescribable and ran off immediately.
Tang Chong had already come down from the high hall and was standing near the entrance.
He wanted to be the first to call Zhang Yangqing to account as soon as he appeared. No one was going to stop him today.
The next second, golden light shot straight into the sky, piercing the heavens, changing the colors of the world, and making everything surge!
A tall Taoist priest in a purple robe stepped into everyone’s view.
No one even knew how he got there. It was as if he had taken a single stride and arrived.
Those waiting at the gate and staring at the entrance were completely dumbfounded.
At that moment, Zhang Yangqing was surrounded by flowing light and radiant colors, his aura swallowing mountains and rivers as if a celestial being had descended to receive the worship of heaven and earth.
The power of this aura was so immense it felt like the very center of Kunlun Mountain might shatter!
Waves of energy radiated outward, making space itself begin to tremble.
All the young disciples nearby frantically backed away, terrified of being hurt by this overwhelming energy.
Their eyes were filled with fear, and this was just Zhang Yangqing’s entrance!
The old-timers of the cultivation world also had grim expressions, crushed by the immense heavenly pressure to the point of speechlessness.
They were desperately circulating the energy within their bodies to resist the overwhelming force Zhang Yangqing was giving off.
The closer someone was to Zhang Yangqing, the greater the pressure they felt.
It felt like being ground into the dirt by the palm of a god.
Some of the weaker old-timers already had blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.
They could only grit their teeth and bear it, hoping Zhang Yangqing would retract his aura quickly.
The presidents of the seven major associations weren’t doing too well either, but they still managed to stand near Zhang Yangqing, though their whole bodies were uncomfortable.
Decades of cultivation felt like a small boat in a huge wave in front of Zhang Yangqing—on the verge of capsizing at any moment.
Some of them had even activated their secret techniques just to barely remain standing.
Some Taoist elders were starting to question their own existence. Was this guy really a cultivator like them? Wasn’t he practically a real immortal?
Tang Chong, who had been so eager to teach Zhang Yangqing a lesson moments ago, wasn’t having an easy time either. He couldn’t even get close to Zhang Yangqing.
Seeing Zhang Yangqing’s domineering arrival, he was also astonished inside.
Only Master Qingxu, standing off in the distance, had an admiring look on his face. He stroked his beard and sighed: The younger generation is formidable. Truly formidable!
The Taoist disciples and elders fared much better since they were standing farther away and had no intention of clashing with Zhang Yangqing.
Some of them were even gloating a bit. Go on, be arrogant all you wanted just now.
Now Zhang Yangqing is here. Go on, take him on.
Those who had been prepared to teach Zhang Yangqing a lesson were now the ones getting one themselves.
Was that it? Of course not.
This was just Zhang Yangqing’s entrance. You’re all gritting your teeth and holding on. Are you hoping my momentum will fade after building up two or three times?
Let me tell you, we’re far from done!
Seeing that they seemed to be holding up, Zhang Yangqing decided not to be polite anymore.
Continuous streams of golden spiritual energy poured into the sky, waves of power rippling across the horizon!
At that moment, Zhang Yangqing was like an endless sea of stars, while heaven and earth were just a small stream.
High above the nine heavens, phantom dragons and serpents appeared—an extraordinary celestial phenomenon!
The endless golden divine might shook heaven and earth, making the sky itself tremble.
A colossal image of the Tao Ancestor slowly condensed at the peak of the heavens!
The terrifying aura was enough to suppress heaven and earth!
On the Heaven Worship Altar, weaker cultivators were already unable to resist the urge to bow down.
Even a great power of the cultivation world like Yao Ci had to step back from the overwhelming force.
Other old-timers who had been trying to hold their ground also retreated a few steps.
Otherwise, they would surely be injured by the golden power!
“Why can he materialize the Tao Ancestor’s image? What level has he reached with his Golden Light Mantra?”
“Good heavens, if that comes down, no one here will survive! What is Heavenly Master Zhang trying to do?”
Seeing this scene, even some of the cultivation world’s old-timers couldn’t help but curse.
Some of the people on site were just there for the excitement and had heard some rumors.
They hoped Heavenly Master Zhang would settle his scores and take revenge on those who had crossed him, while they cheered from the sidelines.
But they were begging him not to unleash a full-screen ultimate attack—they were innocent!
At the edge of the Heaven Worship Altar, some young disciples were tugging on their masters’ sleeves and asking with admiration, “Master, how many years of training do I need to reach that level?”
Their masters thought for a moment and then said, “Son, don’t worry about things that aren’t realistic. Just try harder in your next life!”
Not to mention you—even your master can’t achieve that in this lifetime.
They knew that being able to resonate with heaven and earth and summon the Tao Ancestor’s image came down to talent. In other words, the Tao Ancestor had already recognized him.
A cultivator of this level had already received the favor of the heavens. How could anyone else compare?
Even the abbot Huiyuan from the Buddhist sect, who was present, had spent his entire life only able to summon the Palm of the Buddha.
That was the so-called resonance with heaven and earth, something countless cultivators could never hope to achieve.
It was also Abbot Huiyuan’s ultimate technique, the highest-level skill of the Shaolin Temple.
But that was just one palm of the Buddha. Zhang Yangqing had summoned the entire image of the Tao Ancestor.
In other words, he had written the word “invincible” across the sky.
What was Zhang Yangqing trying to express?
He was saying: I came here to fight. If you’re not satisfied, come at me.
I’m wearing my purple robe today—do you think I’m afraid of you?
Don’t make me dye this purple robe red!
If you want to pull rank on me, I’ll show you what it means to be the supreme Heavenly Master.
When Zhang Yangqing wears his ordinary Taoist robe, it means he’s being casual and open to conversation.
But when he wears his purple robe, it represents a certain status.
The authority of the purple robe is not to be questioned.
If anyone dares to speak to him disrespectfully, he really will take action.
Because when Zhang Yangqing isn’t wearing the purple robe, people can criticize him, since he’s young.
But once he puts on the purple robe, it becomes a symbol of the Taoist tradition. If anyone criticizes him, they’re questioning the Taoist tradition itself.
And that alone is enough reason for the inheritor of that tradition to strike back.
At Zhang Yangqing’s aggressive appearance, the group of old-timers were all too angry to speak, though they dared not voice it.
Even though they were suffering under Zhang Yangqing’s pressure, they could only swallow their complaints.
Especially those with bad tempers who had prepared hundreds of lines of criticism for Zhang Yangqing, just waiting for him to show up.
After he appeared, not only did they fail to say any of those things, but they also didn’t even dare to fart, and some were too afraid to even look Zhang Yangqing in the eye.
Zhang Yangqing, wearing his purple robe, brought an unparalleled pressure to everyone present, making it hard to breathe.
The most awkward part now was that Zhang Yangqing had arrived in front of the Heaven Worship Altar, and most of the people around him were strangers.
These people all knew who Zhang Yangqing was, but they had never spoken to him. Since he wasn’t holding back his aura at all, they didn’t even know how to start a conversation.
Master Qingxu had already positioned himself early on at the periphery, watching the drama unfold, and naturally couldn’t be bothered to mediate.
Even when he saw the desperate look Yao Ci gave him, he chose to ignore it.
Ridiculous. I advised you not to play this game a few days ago. I pleaded with you for days, but you didn’t believe me. You insisted that Zhang Yangqing would show you respect.
Feeling good now?
Not only does he not show you respect, but he won’t even let you speak.
Happy now?
When things blow up, you want me to clean up the mess?
Go handle it yourselves!
Zhang Yangqing stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
Everyone his eyes fell upon lowered their heads to avoid meeting them.
The entire place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No one dared to breathe heavily.
Seeing that no one spoke, Zhang Yangqing casually said:
“Everyone’s here, huh? I’m not late, am I?”
As soon as he said that, the whole place was shocked.
Wow, you show up at this hour and still dare to say that.
But who would dare to say he was late!
Looking at Zhang Yangqing’s expression, wasn’t he clearly itching to find someone to take down?
He just wanted to see who would dare to speak up!
