"I don’t think there is anything to say between us," Xiang Shaoyun said indifferently.
Mei Lianhua shivered when she heard that. Her face dimmed as she said, "It was too dangerous back then. I-I was left with no other option."
"Well, there is no need to explain yourself. It's not like we know each other that well anyway," Xiang Shaoyun said and proceeded to leave with Xia Liuhui. That left Xia Liuhui completely confused, having no idea what the two were talking about.
Teardrops trailed down Mei Lianhua's cheeks, her face a curtain of regret. Inwardly, she vowed, Since you are treating me this way, don't blame me for what's going to happen!
Xiang Shaoyun was not aware that the love Mei Lianhua had for him had now transformed into hatred. Although he despised what Mei Lianhua and Mo Buhui had done, he still understood why they had done so. Nobody would want to suffer for the sake of others.
However, they were unaware that due to the betrayal Xiang Shaoyun had experienced, he hated such betrayals of trust the most. That was why Xiang Shaoyun had not bothered to give Mei Lianhua a chance to explain herself.
When Xiang Shaoyun and Xia Liuhui arrived at the restaurant, they became the center of attention. After the ruckus earlier, everyone now knew who Xiang Shaoyun was. He was the owner of a five-star physique and had created a big ruckus. It was almost impossible to not know him in the Martial Hall Palace.
Xiang Shaoyun paid no attention to all of them. In fact, he was thinking to himself that he was still far too weak. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed his senior brother to save him today. While Xiang Shaoyun was deep in thought, a certain person took a seat at his table.
"S-senior brother, have you taken the wrong seat?" Xia Liuhui asked.
That roused Xiang Shaoyun from his thoughts. When he raised his head, he laughed and said, "Haha, my martial nephew is here. I was just about to go look for you."
"Is that so? I thought you had completely forgotten about me," said the newcomer nonchalantly. Naturally, the person Xiang Shaoyun would call martial nephew was Wang Zhenchuan, the person wanting to become Zi Changhe's disciple.
"No way! I never forgot about you!" Xiang Shaoyun quickly said. He grew more and more passionate as he said, "Martial nephew, your martial uncle will first treat you to a feast. I'll bring you to see your master later!"
"No thanks, I've eaten. I'll just wait for you here," Wang Zhenchuan replied before shutting his mouth and eyes, sitting there silently.
"Senior brother, don't be shy! Join in!" Xia Liuhui extended Wang Zhenchuan an invitation as well.
Unfortunately, Wang Zhenchuan behaved as if he had heard nothing. He sat there silently, not giving any sort of response whatsoever. The ignored invitation placed Xia Liuhui in an awkward spot.
"Don't mind him. We'll feast!" Xiang Shaoyun did not mind as he understood the kind of person Wang Zhenchuan was, so he started eating. Shortly after, they were done eating. The tactful Xia Liuhui decided to take his leave first. As for Xiang Shaoyun, he proceeded to bring Wang Zhenchuan to Zi Changhe's residence.
On their way there, Xiang Shaoyun spoke to Wang Zhenchuan, "You ought to have known about what happened to me, right? If you come under my senior brother, it means that you will stand against the thirteenth elder as well. You will have a hard time in the future. Think over this properly."
"I know," Wang Zhenchuan said expressionlessly.
By this point, not even Xiang Shaoyun knew what to say anymore. But then again, he had great respect toward this unwavering attitude of Wang Zhenchuan’s. Before long, they arrived at Zi Changhe's residence. Like it was his own home, Xiang Shaoyun pushed the door open and entered.
On the other hand, Wang Zhenchuan stood outside and did not dare enter. Instead, he said, "I will await the elder's summon here."
"Summon my ass. Come with me," Xiang Shaoyun said before dragging Wang Zhenchuan into the courtyard.
"Senior brother, look, I found you a disciple with an outstanding aptitude. Come, take a look!" Xiang Shaoyun started shouting the moment he entered the courtyard.
"What nonsense are you on to this time?" Zi Changhe's voice rang out.
"No, no nonsense. You will know after you take a look!" Xiang Shaoyun replied.
Zi Changhe walked out from the building. He first glanced at Xiang Shaoyun before focusing his gaze on Wang Zhenchuan.
"Inner court disciple Wang Zhenchuan pays his respect to Elder Zi." Wang Zhenchuan saluted Zi Changhe respectfully.
"Forget the pleasantries," Zi Changhe replied. Then, he said coldly, "I have no intention of accepting any disciples for now. You may leave."
If he really wanted to accept a disciple, he would have done so long ago. Why would he have waited until now? At present, his sole focus was on cultivation, hoping that he could one day leave this place and head to an even bigger world outside.
As for Xiang Shaoyun, he was an exception that was too talented for even Zi Changhe to give up on. When Wang Zhenchuan heard how resolute Zi Changhe sounded, his face dimmed.
"Senior brother, I can see that he has a unique frame that grants him an excellent aptitude in terms of martial cultivation. In fact, he is only a little bit worse than me. How can you miss an unpolished gem like this?" Xiang Shaoyun spoke on behalf of Wang Zhenchuan.
Zi Changhe ignored Xiang Shaoyun and asked Wang Zhenchuan, "If memory serves me right, you have a three-star physique, right?"
Wang Zhenchuan nodded, "Yes."
"Three stars is extraordinary. You have the potential to enter the Transformation Realm. But...it will be hard to go beyond that." Zi Changhe sighed.
Wang Zhenchuan withdrew his gaze and bowed as he said, "This disciple understands."
Then, he turned to leave. He understood that Zi Changhe was rejecting him.
"Hold on," Xiang Shaoyun called out loudly.
Then, he looked at Zi Changhe and said, "Senior brother, I have already decided that he will be my martial nephew. What will it take to make you accept him as your disciple?"
Zi Changhe frowned and said, "Stop messing around!"
"Senior brother, you think a third-star physique owner will not reach far in the future? You are wrong. The awakened stars are merely a representative of one's innate potential, but they are not an accurate representation of one's future. In fact, there are a lot of godlike experts who have only awakened a small number of stars yet have still reached a level beyond many others through perseverance and hard work," Xiang Shaoyun said solemnly.
Both Zi Changhe and Wang Zhenchuan were shaken when they heard those words. In their understanding, the number of stars represented everything. But Xiang Shaoyun's words seemed to have opened up a brand new world before their eyes.
"Perhaps you are right. Both perseverance and hard work are important. But nobody can deny that the number of stars represents a person's potential!" Zi Changhe said. He then said to Wang Zhenchuan, "You are currently a primary-phase, third-stage Astral Realm cultivator, a decent level among the inner disciples. I trust you must have worked hard. Fine, I will give you a chance. If you can reach fourth-stage Astral Realm in two months, I will accept you as my disciple."
The higher the level of a cultivator, the more energy the cultivator would require to advance to the next level. Thus, the speed of advancement would only slow down as one grew stronger. It wouldn't be easy for a primary-phase, third-stage Astral Realm cultivator to reach fourth-stage Astral Realm in only two months.
Even so, Wang Zhenchuan did not appear discouraged at all. Instead, he said joyfully, "Many thanks, Elder Zi, for the opportunity. I will not disappoint you!"