Chapter 897: The Quanshan Daoists Throw Their Weight Around

The cat was not only foolish but lazy, a fact they had long since grown accustomed to.

At most, it meant suffering a few extra scoldings from Yu Hongjin. Lihua knew this stinky fish talked too much; her true form was definitely some kind of big-mouthed fish. Or at least, that was what Lihua thought.

They made their way up the mountain and arrived before the mountain gate.

No disciples stood guard at the Daoist temple's mountain gate. For the most part, Quanshan avoided interfering in the affairs of the Mortal World. Throughout these long years, the sect's disciples had remained largely behind closed doors focused on their cultivation. In the words of the Quanshan Sect Master, the ordained time had not yet arrived.

That being said, whenever pilgrims from the foot of the mountain occasionally came seeking aid, Quanshan would not sit idly by. The temple still needed incense money, and cultivation was a costly endeavor. Wealth, coin, and land—every one of these was an essential resource for practice.

Quanshan actually had quite a few pilgrims, and many people could be seen making the trek up the mountain path.

In truth, however, most were only heading halfway up to fetch water and would not ascend all the way to the peak.

The mountain path was not exactly smooth, but stone steps had been laid down. Taking them one by one made the climb far less strenuous. The cat bounded up the stairs step by step, having the time of its life.

As they continued their ascent, they suddenly spotted several figures coming down the mountain. These individuals wore Daoist robes. Unlike the cultivators of Qingshan City, the Quanshan Cultivators wore stark black, giving them an air of heavy solemnity.

The moment these two cultivators laid eyes on Chen Changsheng's group, their hands immediately dropped to the Peachwood Swords at their waists.

They did not come with good intentions!

"Halt!"

The Quanshan Cultivators wore stern expressions as they blocked the group's path.

Chen Changsheng raised a hand and asked, "Why do you block our path, Priests?"

Furthermore, their aggressive posture made it look as though they were about to attack.

The two Daoists fixed their gazes upon the civet cat.

"This is the domain of Immortal Practitioners. How can evil demons be allowed inside?"

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng understood.

Lihua also realized that these two were targeting it. Blinking, Lihua asked, "Lihua is an evil demon?"

Seeing the cat demon speak, the two Daoists were instantly startled.

"It really is an evil demon!"

They drew their Wooden Swords from their waists. As they spoke, they cast a spell, wrapping incantations around the blades.

Thrum.

A sharp sword chime rang out.

The two Wooden Swords, wreathed in spellcraft, pointed directly at the cat.

Yu Hongjin furrowed her brow at the sight. She immediately shielded the cat behind her and glared at them. "You two Priests had better think carefully. The last Daoist who bullied Lihua ended up mute for years."

The Daoist flared with anger at her words and rebuked, "You are a spirit of heaven and earth, yet you speak for an evil demon? Hmph, you must be no good either! To dare threaten this humble Daoist—do not even think about walking out of our mountain gates today!"

Standing to the side, Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. "Priests..."

The two Daoists turned their gazes upon him.

Chen Changsheng simply continued, "Before I arrived, This Chen heard others say that the Quanshan Cultivators view all demons in the world as wicked, making no distinction between good and evil. At first, This Chen didn't quite believe it, but now I see it is true."

The Daoist scoffed coldly at him. "I don't know where a backwater Daoist cultivator like you came from. Your Dao Cultivation is meager, yet you choose to associate with evil demons. Truly a pathetic sight."

Yunxiang furrowed her brows. "You two Priests have sharp tongues. You could even be called arrogant," she said. "Quanshan is an Immortal Mountain of the Mortal World. Are all of its disciples like you—incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, casually slandering and belittling others?"

The two Priests raised their brows. "You wretched old hag, you truly don't know what's good for you! We showed you mercy by not drawing our swords and driving you down the mountain, yet you still dare to spout such insolence!"

Chen Changsheng took a step forward, pulling Yunxiang behind him.

"Who are you calling an old hag?!"

Yu Hongjin shouted furiously, her brow pinched in outrage. Though rarely prone to anger on ordinary days, this time she was truly infuriated.

Lihua was equally furious, the aura radiating from its body beginning to swell.

Chen Changsheng, however, just lifted his gaze toward Quanshan. He felt there was probably no need for diplomacy anymore; it would just be a waste of time.

"Insolent!"

The two Daoists moved to strike.

Yet they suddenly saw Mister Qingshan slightly raise his hand; with a mere tap of his fingertip, the two Wooden Swords shattered instantly.

Whoosh.

With a sweep of his sleeve, the two Daoists were thrown backward, crashing heavily against the mountain steps.

Chen Changsheng didn't say a word, but his expression was exceptionally cold.

"Ah!"

The two Daoists cried out in pain, struggling to push themselves up from the stone steps.

Panic flashed in their eyes.

Perhaps they finally realized that the Dao Cultivation of the man before them far surpassed their own. Furious as they were, they decided to take a safer approach.

"Senior Brother, you hold them here! I'll go get the elders!"

"Mm."

The Daoist stood up from the steps, glaring at Chen Changsheng. "Don't even think about running away later!"

The Daoist spouted these arrogant words, acting as if he had Chen Changsheng dead to rights.

Chen Changsheng looked at him and replied calmly, "This Chen isn't going anywhere. I will wait right here."

The Daoist sneered. "At least you have some guts."

Chen Changsheng glanced at Yunxiang beside him, then instructed Yu Hongjin, "Hongjin, take Miss Yun down the mountain first. Lihua, you go too."

But Yu Hongjin shook her head. "Hongjin isn't leaving. Hongjin wants to beat them up."

"Lihua wants to beat them up too." Lihua swiped its paws in the air, visibly disgruntled.

Yunxiang looked at Chen Changsheng. After a brief pause, she said, "Mister need not worry about Yunxiang."

"You're joining in on their fuss." Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly. He stepped forward, gently patted Yunxiang's head, and said, "Be good and head down the mountain first."

Yunxiang's body stiffened slightly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"Why is Mister coaxing me like a child?"

Chen Changsheng caught himself. He awkwardly pulled his hand back and coughed lightly.

"Yunxiang will listen to Mister."

Yunxiang called out to stop Yu Hongjin. The fish spirit was naturally a million times unwilling, protesting, "They called you an old hag, Sister Yun! They deserve a beating!"

Yunxiang flicked her on the forehead. "Children shouldn't always think about fighting. Besides, Mister Chen can handle this on his own. There's no need for you to lift a finger."

Yu Hongjin pouted, thoroughly reluctant.

But in the end, she still listened to Yunxiang. After hesitating for a moment, she followed her down the mountain.

As for Lihua, it adamantly refused to leave no matter what.

Lihua declared, "Ruyi told Lihua that if someone hits Lihua, Lihua must hit them back! Hit them until they're scared, so they won't dare mess with Lihua anymore!"

Chen Changsheng looked at Lihua and chuckled. "Can Lihua defeat a whole mountain of Daoists?"

Lihua thought for a moment. "Then Lihua needs to be a little taller than this mountain."

Its analogies were always quite thought-provoking.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Alright, then we will wait and see what kind of tricks these people can pull."

When Chen Changsheng turned back to face the Daoist, his gaze turned frigid once more.

In the limited years he had experienced, it was exceedingly rare for Chen Changsheng to lose his composure like this. As far as he was concerned, being cursed at was no big deal. But these Quanshan Daoists were simply far too arrogant.

Even more arrogant than Daoist Wuren had been back then.

Unless he taught them a harsh lesson, he would not let this matter rest.

And it wouldn't matter who came to stop him.