books44 Chapter 118 The Dog-Beating Stick (2)
Chapter 118 The Dog-Beating Stick (2)
Chapter 118 The Dog-Beating Stick (Part Two)
Chapter 118 The Dog-Beating Stick (Part Two)
"Hehe, my method... is quite simple. The problem is that you, my junior brother, can't prove that this stone wall can indeed help people break through."
Xing Jian rubbed his hands together and laughed, "Then what if you, my junior brother, used this stone wall projection to help someone break through?"
"Xing Jian, how dare you!" A furious shout came from Liu Yiji's mouth, "Don't think that I really dare not kill you!"
Xing Jian's expression remained unchanged as he smiled at Bai Ke, "Nephew, you must already understand my meaning. What is your opinion?"
Bai Ke pondered for a long time, "Elder's words and thoughts are profound and unfathomable. I do not understand them. I hope Elder will explain them clearly."
Xing Jian felt like spitting blood in Bai Ke's face. Now he realized that Bai Ke definitely knew about his plot to harm him.
Since that's the case, then he no longer needs to pretend to be a kind old man. He snorted coldly and cupped his hands to Ning Fengyi, saying:
"Sect Leader, if I remember correctly, Bai Ke broke through temporarily because he saw that stone wall, and then he was rejected by the world. Nephew Bai, am I wrong?"
“What the elder said is absolutely true, there is no mistake!” After pondering for a while, Bai Ke felt that he could roughly guess what Xing Jian was trying to do.
However, we need to see what Xing Jian says to come up with a solution. If it's really what I think, then Xing Jian is really shameless.
"Hehe, since Junior Nephew Bai has confirmed it, then things are much easier. I'm just afraid that Junior Nephew might go back on his word about my method!"
Xing Jian chuckled insincerely for a while, then grinned sinisterly at Bai Ke, "Your stone wall projection isn't very effective against Nascent Soul cultivators like Elder Liu, but..."
He suddenly pointed outside the hall and asked, "Gentlemen, what is the foundation of our Tian Ce Palace's existence? Is it us, old and frail?"
"No!" he shouted hoarsely, "It's the endless stream of geniuses and outstanding individuals! Talented people emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years! Most importantly, it's the disciples of my Tian Ce Palace!"
After saying the above, Xing Jian paused to catch his breath, gave Bai Ke a strange smile, and then continued:
"In that case, Junior Nephew Bai, why don't you open that stone wall projection to a suitable disciple of my Tian Ce Palace?"
Bai Ke chuckled. Sure enough, this old man really has no shame at all. Next, he'll probably suggest that his son try to understand it!
Long after the incident at Wanhua Valley, Bai Ke heard from A Can that several geniuses in Tian Ce Palace had broken through to the late stage of Golden Core, and there were even some monstrous talents who had reached the peak of Golden Core.
As his sworn enemy, Bai Ke was naturally not foolish enough to ignore him completely. On the contrary, he had already sent A Can to thoroughly investigate Xing Jian's family.
Xing Jian's only son, Lin Xiu, has been obsessed with cultivation since childhood. He is about the same age as Bai Ke, but their personalities are quite different.
Bai Ke's original self was usually aloof and cold. Because of Bai Yan, not many of the upper-class second-generation members of Tian Ce Palace were willing to play with him.
So this unfortunate child became increasingly withdrawn. When his mother was still alive, in order to find a playmate for Bai Ke, she sent A-Can, whom she had adopted and raised since childhood, to Bai Ke's side.
Nominally a master and servant, he was actually Bai Ke's only playmate during his childhood. As for Lin Xiu, he was different; being arrogant, domineering, and vindictive were the least of his traits.
Bai Ke also asked A-Can why Lin Xiu's surname was Lin instead of Xing. It is said that it was because Xing Jian's wife shielded him from a murder because of something, and since then Lin Xiu has taken his mother's surname.
Lin Xiu was spoiled and indulged by Xing Jian from a young age, which gradually fostered his fearless nature. He acted arrogantly and domineeringly among the disciples of Tian Ce Palace, just like his father.
However, Lin Xiu then disappeared without a trace and never appeared in the Tian Ce Palace again. Now that he has reappeared, he has already reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core realm.
Since Xing Jian brought this up at this time, his purpose is obvious. Since Bai Ke has indeed won the bet with him, he should try his best to minimize the losses and even make a profit.
Sure enough, just as Bai Ke was pondering, an elder who was on good terms with Xing Jian asked:
"I wonder what Elder Xing means by 'suitable disciple'? Is there some other condition for selecting a disciple to study the teachings?"
Xing Jian nodded to the elder with satisfaction. This was a good time to see a person's reaction speed. This elder was quick-witted and sharp-handed, and was indeed a promising talent. He should be nurtured properly in the future.
Bai Ke watched the two of them put on a show in front of him in silence, without exposing them, but just looking at them with amusement.
"Heh, no matter how much you scheme and plot, it's all for nothing in the end. Let you keep acting. Even if your son breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, so what? I can suppress him with a flick of my wrist!"
Xing Jian, of course, had no idea what Bai Ke was thinking. With the close cooperation of the familiar elders, he was beaming and laughing as he said:
"Of course, this stone wall must be a rare treasure of heaven and earth. How can it be shown to just anyone? In my opinion, it must be someone who is loyal to my Tian Ce Palace."
Upon hearing this, the other elders who had been doubting nodded repeatedly. Xing Jian's words were indeed true. If they were to go to great lengths to train disciples for others, wouldn't they be making a complete waste of time?
Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Xing Jian felt even more pleased with himself. He then pressed his advantage and said, "Moreover, from what Junior Nephew Bai said, this stone wall seems to be even more useful for those who are about to break through."
Therefore, considering all factors, I believe it is necessary to find a young man with excellent temperament and aptitude under my own Tian Ce Palace, preferably one who has reached the Golden Core stage, as this will make it easier for him to comprehend the mysteries within.
"In your opinion, Elder, is there anyone suitable?" Bai Ke asked with a slight smile. He had already seen through Xing Jian's purpose and naturally no longer cared that the old man had any other schemes.
"Hehe, I'm ashamed to say, but as the patriarch said, one should not avoid recommending relatives when making recommendations. My only son, Lin Xiu, has a decent temperament and cultivation, making him the best candidate!"
The truth was finally revealed, and the other elders, who had been listening in a daze, finally realized what was happening and looked at Xing Jian with shock.
This old codger has really lost all sense of shame, setting up such a meticulously planned scheme for the sake of choosing a holy son.
This is a calculated move: either you, Bai Ke, lose the bet and request to spend ten years in seclusion, or you personally help your formidable enemy break through his cultivation level.
Faced with this dilemma, Bai Ke could have continued to stall, waiting for someone to bring back the stone wall to prove that what he said was true.
However, before that, Xing Jian could continue to use Bai Ke's destruction of the spiritual veins of Tiandu Peak as a pretext to launch a frenzied attack on Bai Ke and his son.
Now that things have come to this, neither side can back down, either for the sake of the Heavenly Strategy Holy Son election or for the sake of revenge.