They stared at Cheng Sheng with a dumbfounded expression. Now, they fully understood why is Cheng Sheng so valuable. If that power just now is an extra, then how will it be if he exerted his full power? They thought. They didn't dare think of what will happen.
"Xiao Sheng. How is Wen? And the sect?" Xie Lan asked Cheng Sheng, breaking the sudden silence.
Cheng Sheng sat on the floor cross-legged and then scratched his head. "I used my qi after I saw them through the barrier in Xinfaxian. Shifu and Wu Bai are being pushed back. There are hundreds of demonic cultivators, and they looked strong." He explained. "However, I was impulsive. I cannot use it again." He said.
"Why?" Wu Yuan asked.
"If I used my qi again and then release it through my arrays, how many arrays do you think I made? And in which places?" Cheng Sheng asked. "If I'd release my qi, all of the arrays will release it." He explained.
They fell silent. Qi is beneficial to the body thus there are people who cultivates using it. However, if they'd release qi, it might harm an ordinary person, especially if he has bad intentions. Just now, Cheng Sheng did it so after the citizens were evacuated – both in Xinfaxian and in Zhongyang. However, if something unexpected happens and he'd do it again, without evacuating the people…
"Shifu took the residents to the Meditation Hall. They're all safe." Cheng Sheng said and stood. Then, he paused when he seemed to remember something. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you – " he said and turned to Chen Jing and Wu Yuan.
"Hm?" the two said.
Xiwang, Youxiwang Sect.
"UGH - !" Luo Shi groaned when a demonic cultivator kicked him. His body was thrown in mid-air before it fell on the ground. "Bastards…" he gritted his teeth and placed his hand on the ground to stand. However, his arms were shaking in pain and his face was covered with his blood.
"Ahahahaha!" the demonic cultivators just laughed.
Luo Shi gnashed his teeth in anger and balled his fists as he looked at the elders of their sect fighting on the other side.
"You bastards… which land do you think you're standing on?" a voice said and it was followed by footsteps. "Which land do you think you're bullying, ahn?" it asked.
Luo Shi felt the voice is familiar and he tried to raise his head to see, only for his body to fell on the ground again. "You…" he called, his voice hoarse.
A pair of shoes stopped before him. "Luo-xiong… I'm sorry I'm late." A soft voice said before the shoes in front of him disappeared. The next thing he heard is the cries of the demonic cultivators behind him.
"You're…" Luo Shi said as he finally managed to turn. Then, he saw a familiar kind face smiling at him.
"Luo-xiong… I'm back." Wu Fan told him.
Zhongyang, Yunxiao Inn.
Wu Yuan and Chen Jing froze as they stared at Cheng Sheng in shock. "Father…" Wu Yuan muttered.
"Fan…" Chen Jing said.
Cheng Sheng nodded. "Yes. I saw his shadow before I turned my 'eyes' back to the Xinfaxian." He explained. Then, he turned to the others. "I'm sorry for earlier. See you tomorrow." He told them and apologetically smiled before he left to go to his room and sleep.
Everyone watched him left. They didn't feel relieved. Instead, they felt dread. They could feel Cheng Sheng's killing intent earlier, thus they were frozen along with the demonic cultivators. Fortunately, the qi isn't harmful to them as cultivators, but it is to the demonic cultivators. Thus, the demonic cultivators were destroyed.
Cheng Sheng is highly-valuable, but he's also terrifying. He's like a double-edged sword. One side can protect them, but the other side can also kill them. If Cheng Sheng were to kill them, they wouldn't have time to realize their death. Fortunately, even if he is a scum but he is innately good. Just don't touch his bottom line – his family, his friends and his sect.
Yu Sheng, Zuo Zhe and Fei Yin silently watched the others. "How is Sheng?" Fei Yin asked Yu Sheng.
"His Highness is fine." Yu Sheng said.
"How about the qi he used earlier?" Fei Yin asked.
"It's as he said." Yu Sheng answered.
"… you're not lying, right?" Fei Yin asked as he looked at Yu Sheng.
"At the least, His Highness wouldn't1." Yu Sheng said as he stared back at Fei Yin.
Zuo Zhe looked at the two. One is a 'former' lover of Cheng Sheng while the other is the present one. Fei Yin's story isn't danmei but purely fantasy action. However, it became one when Cheng Sheng crossed over. This isn't what he planned. He originally wrote for his two novels' characters to meet each other. But, he didn't expect for a war to be present and for Fei Yin to turn gay after meeting Cheng Sheng. Most of all –
He looked at the man sitting beside him. "Hm? What's wrong, Zhe?" Yu Sheng asked. His voice is gentle and affectionate.
Zuo Zhe's face was covered in black lines. "… nothing." He answered. He didn't expect for Yu Sheng to be gay for him!
Righteous Alliance.
Zheng Fu Gong, Pai Lie, Qi Ling, Su Yuan and Jing Xian stared at the direction of Yunxiao Inn. Then, they looked at the ground where the sect leaders are battling against the demonic cultivators. "…" could Cheng Sheng also take care of the demonic cultivators on their side? They thought.
"As expected, he's very powerful." Qi Ling said as he felt the rise in qi in the surroundings.
"Uh-huh!" Pai Lie answered. He feels very happy since the others now realize Cheng Sheng's power!
"However – " Jing Xian said and frowned.
"That makes him dangerous, too." Su Yuan said.
Pai Lie frowned when he heard what they said. "Are you saying this because you're still mad of what he did before?" he asked Jing Xian. He's referring to when Cheng Sheng let Jing Xian made Shan Lu drink the Sundry Leaf juice.
Jing Xian's eyes narrowed as he looked at Pai Lie. "This got nothing to do with it!" he said.
"Elder Pai. We're speaking objectively." Su Yuan tried to mediate.
"Hmph!" Pai Lie and Jing Xian glared at each other before they looked away, frowning.
Zheng Fu Gong helplessly placed a hand on his forehead. I've had enough of these people! He thought. Mages are really troublesome! He added and sighed tiredly.
Meanwhile, on the battle on the ground, Fei Huang also looked at the direction of the Yunxiao Inn. Mu Jun… he thought as he felt the change in the atmosphere. He is worried Mu Jun might have been implicated by Cheng Sheng's power. However, he also knows that won't kill Mu Jun. He took out a voice talisman. "Lin-er. Secure the area around Yunxiao Inn." He said before he threw the Voice Transmitting Talisman in the direction of the Yunxiao Inn.
"Sect leader Jing! Are you alright?" Qian Shan asked when Jing Rui suddenly fell on his knee.
"I'm fine." Jing Rui answered and he stood alone. His footsteps are wobbly, but he's managing.
"Sect leader Jing… thank you for saving me." the sect leader Jing Rui saved said.
"Yeah." Jing Rui coldly said before he walked to the side to rest.
"What's with his stuck up attitude?" the sect leader frowned as he glared at Jing Rui's back.
"Now, now. Sect leader Jing is just tired." Another sect leader said.
"I'm tired, too! He's not the only one who fought!" the temperamental sect leader said. His voice laced with anger. "Acting all high and mighty because his sect is one of the top! Hmph!" he said and marched away.
"Aia… everyone…" Qian Shan sighed and sat on the ground regardless of his image.
"Father." Qian Tian called.
"Oh. Perfect timing. You go and check on your younger brother." Qian Shan told his son.
"How about father?" Qian Tian asked.
"I'll take a rest first to not end up being grumpy like the others." Qian Shan laughed while Qian Tian grimaced and then excused himself. "Your wound looks bad. Will you be alright?" he asked Jing Rui and looked at his limp right arm.
"You're one to talk." Jing Rui said and looked at Qian Shan's back that he didn't show to Qian Tian to hide his wound.
Qian Shan chuckled and turned to Fei Huang who collapsed on the ground. His head is bleeding as well as his shoulder. Fortunately, they had killed all the demonic cultivators before they reached their limit.
They immediately took a magic pill and ate it. Their wounds slowly closed and their qi was replenished.
"Elder Zheng. How's the Cleansing Stone?" Fei Huang asked as Zheng Fu Gong, Pai Lie, Qi Ling, Su Yuan and Jing Xian arrived. He wiped the blood off his lips.
Zheng Fu Gong turned to him. "The Cleansing Stone is safe and unmoved." He answered. "I had Zheng Yi watch it." He told them before he looked at each one of them. "The battle tonight is our win. The third stage of the Intersect Competition will resume as scheduled." He said.