Upon hearing Zhao Wu Yan’s words, both Xu Xiang Gan and Yang Liu instantly ceased their clamor. Continuing their dispute would only lead to their exclusion from the scene entirely.

Jiang Wang, standing to the side, couldn’t help but feel a touch of embarrassment for the two. Hailing from renowned sects, their cultivation wasn’t low, and they could even be considered promising talents, yet they still behaved like mischievous three-year-old children.

However, embarrassment is a peculiar thing; as long as one remains unashamed, the shame falls upon others.

Xu Xiang Gan, completely oblivious to embarrassment, maintained his firm grip on Jiang Wang’s arm. This time, he gave Jiang Wang a yank, pulling him forward. Yet, he offered no explanation to Zhao Wu Yan, but instead addressed the girl standing opposite her: “Zi Shu, look who I’ve brought!”

Like someone presenting a prized possession, he patted Jiang Wang a few times: “The other half of Catch Horse Mountain’s Double Pride, the male from Great Qi’s Qing Yang Town, fifth-rank Green Card Jiang Wang! Oh no, now he’s fourth-rank!”

He leaned in with a grin: “Haven’t you always wanted to see him?”

Zi Shu, initially annoyed by his persistent boisterousness that had disrupted the tea house, had been pouting. But upon hearing Jiang Wang’s name, a sudden blush bloomed across her cheeks, and she lowered her head.

She had always found Xu Xiang Gan’s words unreliable, thinking he was merely boasting. She hadn’t expected him to actually bring Jiang Wang over!

What should she do? she thought.

The surname Xu had spoken of matchmaking them to become Dao Companions. This… how utterly mortifying!

Being thrust forward like an exhibit, Jiang Wang was suddenly speechless.

He finally understood why Xu Xiang Gan had been so afraid he would slip away.

He also finally knew why Xu Xiang Gan had been so “eager” for his presence. The moment they met, he spoke of longing and missing him, utterly sickening, even composing poems.

Previously in Lin Zi, he hadn’t come daily. But overseas, he had suddenly become overly intimate. So this was what he was waiting for!

He suddenly felt a strong urge to ask the opposite-standing Yang Liu if he could make a move now and beat Xu Xiang Gan to death. Beating him half-dead would also be acceptable. He would absolutely stand by and watch.

Silently following along, Li Long Chuan wore a look of sympathy. He could only offer a silent thought, “Brother Jiang, be calm!”

“Ah.” Xu Xiang Gan gave Jiang Wang a shove towards the seat beside Zi Shu. Although there was clearly only one meditation mat, he forcefully made Jiang Wang squeeze in beside her.

“Zi Shu, I’ve brought the person for you. Your Senior Brother Xu keeps his word, so you have to keep yours too, alright?”

With a brilliant smile, he smoothly began to squeeze in beside Zhao Wu Yan.

But one person blocked his path, firmly occupying his intended position.

Yang Liu used his back to press against Xu Xiang Gan, his face turned towards Zhao Wu Yan.

He was indeed exceptionally graceful. Even in such a moment, he strived to lean back slightly, ensuring he didn’t appear overly forward or give Zhao Wu Yan a feeling of being intruded upon.

“Senior Sister Zhao.”

He squeezed out his gentlest smile: “Haven’t you recently encountered some bottlenecks in your cultivation? That’s why you’ve come overseas to relax. I’ve always been worried about this matter, and this time, I’ve specially invited the Great Master Nan Shuo for you… ah!”

He couldn’t help but turn back, glaring furiously at Xu Xiang Gan.

It was Xu Xiang Gan, unable to squeeze in, who had reached out and pinched a handful of his soft flesh at the waist.

“What are you howling about!” Xu Xiang Gan, the villain, was the first to complain: “Everyone competes fairly, and should know and abide by etiquette. What is that, relying so close? Stand aside with me, and leave Senior Sister Zhao some space!”

Yang Liu didn’t bother arguing with him, turning back to continue smiling at Zhao Wu Yan: “Great Master Nan Shuo is most skilled in offering guidance and helping people resolve doubts. Even my family’s Senior Brother has received his pointers.”

“Oh?” This time, Zhao Wu Yan seemed genuinely moved: “Your family’s Senior Brother personally admitted it?”

Yang Liu laughed: “How could that be false!”

The Senior Brother Yang Liu spoke of was Diao Hai Lou’s head disciple, Chen Zhi Bo, who already possessed Shen Lin cultivation. He was a renowned strong practitioner in the maritime region.

And Yang Liu, being from the same sect as Chen Zhi Bo, made his own testimony highly persuasive.

A master capable of guiding Chen Zhi Bo, how powerful must they be?

Was it a True Person? Or… a True Monarch?

No wonder Yang Liu was so full of confidence; he had apparently invited such a high-level figure.

Jiang Wang felt a surge of surprise in his heart, yet he saw Xu Xiang Gan’s entire face suddenly sink, looking extremely displeased.

He smoothly stood up, avoiding the awkward interaction with the girl Zi Shu, and used his eyes to inquire of Li Long Chuan.

Li Long Chuan transmitted his voice back: “I’ve heard of this person. He has quite a reputation in the nearby islands. He specifically commented on the battles between Yang Liu and Xu Xiang Gan, completely dismissing Xu Xiang Gan. He said his moves were all wrong, and that one should not be used. He even said he should go back to Qing Ya Book Academy to study for a few more years! This comment was spread very widely by Yang Liu! Following that, various remarks were made, some even calling him ‘the shame of Qing Ya’!”

Only then did Jiang Wang understand why even a character as unruly as Xu Xiang Gan appeared so unhappy.

From a very early time, Jiang Wang knew that Xu Xiang Gan’s heart was actually very proud. In You Guo’s Lower City, he stood up for a weak woman. In Qi Country’s Lin Zi, he came forward to collect Xu Fang’s corpse. This guy, although he appeared shameless and carefree, actually possessed his own pride and persistence.

Even during the Tian Fu Secret Realm, he paid no heed to Wang Yi Wu. One could say he was quite arrogant.

Evaluations like “the shame of Qing Ya” were almost unbearable for someone who loved to boast like him. If that master’s background hadn’t sounded so prominent, he might have already gone to his door.

But this time, Great Master Nan Shuo had been invited by Yang Liu specifically to help Zhao Wu Yan resolve her doubts. He also keenly knew that Zhao Wu Yan was in a cultivation predicament and had come overseas to seek an opportunity.

Therefore, he couldn’t cause a disturbance. He couldn’t mess this up; he couldn’t let himself ruin Zhao Wu Yan’s opportunity.

Because he had truly fallen for Zhao Wu Yan!

In the midst of a strange silence.

Outside, fragmented whispers gradually arose.

“Great Master Nan Shuo!”

“Great Master Nan Shuo is here, Great Master Nan Shuo is here! He is a high person from beyond this world, rarely seen. We are fortunate to see his immortal face today!”

Yang Liu offered a light, airy smile: “I shall go and welcome the Master. Senior Sister Zhao, please wait here.”

“How can I do that?” Zhao Wu Yan stood up and said, “I should also go and welcome him.”

“That sounds good.” Yang Liu smiled and stepped aside, completely in the posture of a victor, ignoring the standing Xu Xiang Gan beside him.

Zi Shu also lowered her head and stood up, squeezing past Jiang Wang. She pulled on Zhao Wu Yan’s sleeve and followed her out.

As they rounded the corner, she smoothly turned back, with the speed of covering thunder in her ears, stole a glance at Jiang Wang, then quickly turned her head back. Like a small quail, she followed closely behind Zhao Wu Yan, step by step.

He’s a clean and handsome young man, she thought.

The matters of this young girl’s heart remained quietly hidden, undetected by anyone.

Inside the quiet tea room, at this moment, no one’s heart was calm. Each person held their own emotions.

Zhao Wu Yan thought about cultivation, Yang Liu thought about performance, and Xu Xiang Gan remembered the humiliation.

What should we do? Li Long Chuan looked at Xu Xiang Gan, questioning Jiang Wang with his eyes.

Jiang Wang directly wrapped an arm around Xu Xiang Gan and laughed: “Let’s go, let’s go see!”

Xu Xiang Gan let out a cold laugh: “See, just see, what’s the problem? I’m actually curious to see how powerful this master is!”

With the foundation of Qing Ya Book Academy, even facing a True Person, he wouldn’t need to feel too inferior.

His master, the contemporary Great Scholar Mo Ya, was indeed a True Person.

The confidence of a renowned sect was nothing more than this.