Chapter 761 - 404: Too Slow

A Life Plate only records one lifetime. After reincarnation, it resets to zero, and a new life record is created for the new person.

"Who were you in your past life?"

Chang Wang asked.

"I don’t know."

Yang An replied without hesitation. ’He was just trying to bluff them; it was an excuse he’d made up on the spot. There was no way he could answer in such detail.’

"You don’t know?"

"During the years I lingered as a Wandering Soul, I awakened many memories related to cultivation. That’s why I’m certain I’m the reincarnation of a Cultivator, and that’s all that matters."

Yang An seemed extremely confident. In truth, his actual experiences were remarkably similar to the story he was telling.

"Do you have any proof?"

Chang Wang pressed.

"This power I possess—isn’t that the best proof there is?"

Yang An smiled again.

But his smile made Steward Liao anxious. He hadn’t expected Yang An to use such an explanation and was suddenly at a loss for a counter-strategy. If even Chang Wang couldn’t find a flaw in Yang An’s story, what hope did he have?

Just then, however, Yang An spoke again:

"Instead of asking me for proof, why not ask this disciple of yours? He says I’m involved with a Demon, so what proof does he have?"

He once again turned the tables, focusing back on the accusation of colluding with a Demon.

’The question of his strength? He himself was the best evidence. That topic couldn’t be explored too deeply, so it was better to toss the question right back to the one who asked it.’

’As the old saying goes, the burden of proof lies with the accuser. Why should *he* have to prove anything?’

’Yang An had never even seen what a Demon looked like. If they wanted to slander him, they’d have to show him the proof.’

Chang Wang looked back at Steward Liao, but this time, the Steward was speechless.

In his panic, he seemed to have thought of something.

"I have a witness! The junior disciple in charge of background checks re-examined the records with me. We found the discrepancies together..."

"Mere discrepancies are enough for you to slander me so carelessly? I’ll say it again: show me real evidence!"

Before Steward Liao could finish, Yang An cut him off, unwilling to waste any more time.

"If you have no proof, then your slander is a provocation."

’And what did he mean by provocation? That he was going to give him a good thrashing, of course.’

Steward Liao fell silent. From his disciple’s expression, Chang Wang could also tell what was going on. Empty words, no proof—this was all a farce.

Perhaps his intentions were good—to make Yang An lose face so they wouldn’t look so pathetic—but this method would only bring them more shame.

"That’s enough. Leave us."

Unable to listen any longer, Chang Wang commanded sharply.

"Master..."

Steward Liao tried to say more, but one look from his Master made him shrink back. He scurried away with his tail between his legs.

As an Elder of Emei Mansion, Chang Wang was no fool. Yang An’s opinion of him had improved slightly. ’He might not be a paragon of justice, but at least he isn’t blind.’

Yang An said nothing more. ’No point in pressing the issue,’ he thought. ’It would only bring me more trouble.’

After Steward Liao left, the great hall fell silent.

"You are no ordinary man. But why did you choose to come to our Emei Mansion?"

After a long moment, Chang Wang composed himself and looked at Yang An again.

"I’ve told you. I want to be an Elder—and I’m not just aiming for that one position. I came to Emei Mansion simply because it was the closest. You don’t need to read too much into it."

From the perspective of a reincarnated Cultivator, climbing the ladder one slow step at a time would indeed be far too tedious. Cultivation requires resources—that’s true for everyone. A higher position meant more resources. It was understandable.

However, Chang Wang shook his head at this.

"You’ve been a member for less than a month. Every high-ranking position in the mansion is held by someone who has cultivated here for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. You can’t do it. Even the Mansion Master wouldn’t let you have such a position."

"That’s why I’ll fight my way up. If I can’t rely on seniority, I’ll rely on my fists. And if that still doesn’t work? No problem. I’ll just go somewhere else."

Yang An laughed, his tone extremely casual.

’If this place doesn’t want me, somewhere else will.’

’If beating everyone in the mansion into submission doesn’t work, he’d just find another place and do it all over again. Then we’d see who would be the one panicking.’

Yang An’s answer left Chang Wang breathless. He was even starting to believe him. If he wasn’t some reincarnated master, how could anyone be so arrogant and brazen? Chang Wang had never encountered anyone like him in his entire life.

"If anyone is unconvinced, then they can accept my challenge. How about we start with you?"

Yang An then added with a grin.

"..."

Having already clashed with Yang An once, Chang Wang had to admit the man was powerful. He was no fool. Even if he used his Lifebound Magical Treasure, he wasn’t certain he could win. ’Better to let someone else suffer this defeat,’ he thought.

"How about this: I’ll report this matter to the Mansion Master and let him decide. What do you say?"

Chang Wang proposed.

Yang An thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, that’s still too slow."

"Then what are you suggesting...?"

Chang Wang suddenly had a bad feeling. He suspected this man was about to say something truly outrageous.

"Why don’t you do me a favor and notify everyone in the mansion? Tell them I’m setting up a challenge arena right here. I’m challenging everyone in the mansion. Anyone who loses to me has to give me their position!"