Chapter 691: Chapter 691 - 667: The Missing Grandfather Caught in a Jealousy Scandal Part 2

"Indeed! Although Lingxiao Mountain isn’t as famous as Shengtian City, it’s still among the notable powers within our Cultivation Realm. Moreover, the Seventh Elder of Lingxiao Mountain is among the top ten renowned figures in the rankings. How could the Third City Lord of Shengtian City be so brusque with him?"

Among those whispering, a young man suddenly interjected. With an ever-inked short pen in one hand and a notebook clutched tightly in the other, he was rapidly jotting something down as he spoke, "Oh, you all don’t know? Didn’t you see? The person who just handed the handkerchief to Lingxiao Mountain’s Seventh Elder was none other than the First Elder of Lingxiao Mountain. She is the foremost disciple of Venerable He Ming of Lingxiao Mountain and is also acknowledged as the number one beauty in the world. The way she handed her handkerchief to the Seventh Elder clearly shows she’s interested in him. Meanwhile, the Third City Lord of Shengtian City has been infatuated with the First Elder of Lingxiao Mountain for many years. How could he bear to watch the woman he loves treat another man so kindly?"

Once the young man finished speaking, everyone present had a sudden realization.

"Ah, so that’s how it is! That makes sense, that makes perfect sense!"

Immediately, people began to agree with the young man’s claims. Their gazes couldn’t help but fixate on Ji Shang and the Third City Lord.

At this moment, Ji Shang was still sneezing uncontrollably, his nose rubbed red and swollen. Looking at the enraged Third City Lord, he couldn’t help but frown and glare fiercely at his Eldest Martial Sister—this troublemaker was always making things difficult for him.

"Junior Martial Brother, the way you’re looking at me... is it because..." Mei Ji flirtatiously winked at Ji Shang. He, however, simply flung his sleeve in her direction, glared at her again, and turned to leave.

However, though he wanted to leave, others were not necessarily willing to let him go.

"Stop right there! Is this how Lingxiao Mountain treats its guests?"

The Third City Lord shouted, and with a WHOOSH, his flying sword appeared, blocking Ji Shang’s path.

Ji Shang let out a massive sneeze, sending a spray of mucus flying towards the Third City Lord. The Third City Lord’s face paled. He retreated hastily, slashing his flying sword at Ji Shang.

The moment the fight began, the young man who was continuously writing became excited.

"They’re fighting, they’re fighting! The gentlemanly Song Yuzhong and the former child prodigy Ji Shang, driven by jealousy over the world’s number one beauty, Mei Ji, have actually started brawling right in front of Lingxiao Mountain’s Council Hall!"

The young man murmured to himself with a smirk, This is gold, pure gold! Once this story gets out, it’ll sell like crazy!

While the young man was muttering, Ji Shang and the Third City Lord had already drawn their weapons on each other.

Ji Shang’s lips curled into a slight smile as his eyes fixed on the Third City Lord. He held no weapon, only a handkerchief. Yes, the scented handkerchief Mei Ji had kindly lent him to wipe his nose.

"Third City Lord, do you really intend to fight me?"

The Third City Lord was seething, his anger boiling over. "Such arrogance from Lingxiao Mountain! If I, Song Yuzhong, were to tolerate this, my elder brother and second brother would not stand for it either! Ji Shang, I’ve heard your Illusion Technique is quite formidable. I would like to experience it for myself. Please, show me!"

Hearing this, Ji Shang’s lips curved into a smirk. The scented handkerchief in his hand was already unfurled. "As you wish!"

Then, everyone saw countless flowers suddenly bloom within the Council Hall, while outside, hundreds of birds flew in, circling in the sky.

Seeing such a scene, Venerable He Ming’s expression changed. With a wave of his hand, a horsetail whisk appeared in it.

"You truly are too mischievous."

As Venerable He Ming’s voice faded, an energy barrier materialized out of thin air.

"Those not involved in this matter, enter the barrier to maintain your senses!"

Everyone quickly moved into the barrier.

Mei Ji walked over to Venerable He Ming’s side, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she pouted, "Master, looking at Junior Martial Brother’s behavior, isn’t he fighting out of jealousy over me?"

Venerable He Ming shook his head upon hearing this and sighed. "Why do you always provoke him? Pushing him like this will surely backfire!"

Mei Ji giggled. "Master, I just want to give him a little push, the one most likely to enter the Venerable Realm! If our Lingxiao Mountain had two Venerables, who would dare act so presumptuously on our mountain? Look at that Third City Lord’s smug face—he’s only acting like that because Shengtian City has three Venerables!"

Hearing Mei Ji’s words, Venerable He Ming couldn’t help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm. "Even if you pushed him into the Venerable Realm, Lingxiao Mountain would still only have two Venerables, one fewer than Shengtian City. Besides, who knows when I might pass away? When that time comes, Lingxiao Mountain will only have your Junior Martial Brother as a Venerable Realm expert. Wouldn’t Lingxiao Mountain still be the weakest of the four major powers then? Mei Ji, one cannot force such matters! Everything follows the will of Heaven!"

Venerable He Ming stroked his beard and shook his head, speaking to Mei Ji with a sense of helplessness.

Meanwhile, the Third City Lord had already launched his attack on Ji Shang. His Sword-controlling Technique was exceptional. Ji Shang had just begun to weave his Illusory Realm, so his defenses were currently quite weak. Song Yuzhong, as a swordsman, deeply understood the principle that ’only speed is unbreakable.’ Therefore, he unleashed his most powerful sword strike at Ji Shang before the Illusory Realm could fully form.

However, Ji Shang was no ordinary cultivator; he was someone with one foot already in the Venerable Realm. He naturally understood a vulnerability that even Song Yuzhong could perceive regarding defenses. Therefore, as Song Yuzhong’s most potent strike bore down on him, Ji Shang merely smiled and, with a flick of his hand, sent several hidden weapons flying out.

Seeing the hidden weapons, Song Yuzhong’s expression changed drastically. He hastily withdrew his sword to defend himself, cursing, "Despicable!"

Ji Shang paid no mind to his curses, retorting sharply...