Chapter 83: Isn't That Exactly What You're Eating?

Beside the Inch-Deep Pool, the two parties faced each other.

In truth, Wang Ran had sensed this group’s presence long before they arrived, but he paid them no mind—after all, they were strangers, and there was no reason for their paths to cross. Yet, unexpectedly, the moment these people appeared, their arrogance was palpable; they demanded that others leave at once.

Watching their conceited expressions, Wang Ran could guess with little effort—clearly another batch of so-called prodigies, children of destiny. He had never shown a pleasant face to bullies, and now, he cast a cold, disdainful glance their way.

Before Liu Junhou could speak, a female disciple from the Northern Ze Sect stepped forward. Her voice was sharp as she called out, “What are you staring at? Let me tell you plainly—we are disciples of the Northern Ze Sect. We’ve claimed this spot. If you know what’s good for you, get out.”

Her eyes and tone were thick with superiority, making it obvious she held the two before her in no regard. In her mind, the name “Northern Ze Sect” was enough to cow anyone in these mountains.

The other disciples from the sect shared her sentiment. Smirks played at their lips as they watched Wang Ran. As for their leading prodigy, Senior Brother Liu, he didn’t even bother to look at Wang Ran. After a brief moment of surprise, his gaze became restless, scanning their surroundings in search of the Inch-Grass. To him, Wang Ran was nothing more than a passerby, an insignificant ant, unworthy of the attention of one who stood at the threshold of the Golden Core realm.

Liu Junhou had reached the Seventh Star Foundation Establishment, not yet thirty years old, and already half a step into the Golden Core. Such achievements were rare even among the great sects, never mind the Northern Ze Sect; he was a figure who could look down upon his peers. His arrogance was well-founded—those who held true power rarely cared for the lives of ants.

Everyone expected Wang Ran, upon hearing the name of the Northern Ze Sect, to tuck his tail and flee. Yet the youth before them remained unmoved, his face calm, as if the three words held no threat. He glanced aside indifferently and replied coldly, “What stray chickens are these, trying to make themselves important?”

The female disciple was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting Wang Ran to retort, let alone with such crude words.

“You… Who are you calling a stray chicken?” Her brows shot up, her voice bristling. “Do you know who I am? I am a prodigy of the Northern Ze Sect! You dare insult me? You’re dead!”

“Northern Ze Sect? What’s that supposed to be?” The youth frowned, looking to the obedient girl beside him, who was peeling garlic for him.

She shook her head, wearing an innocent expression. “Never heard of it. Probably some country bumpkin faction from the sticks. Why bother? Senior Brother, isn’t the garlic I peeled beautiful?”

“Yes, beautiful—as beautiful as you,” the youth replied, nodding, and in an instant forgot the previous question, engrossed in discussing whether garlic tasted good with the girl.

The disciples of the Northern Ze Sect were left standing awkwardly, the sting of being ignored burning their faces—so accustomed were they to commanding the wind and rain.

The sharp-tongued female disciple’s cheeks flushed, her chest heaving with indignation. She had never imagined that their name would be so thoroughly disregarded. Moreover, the youth’s confusion seemed genuine, as though he truly had never heard of their sect.

The truth was that Wang Ran and his junior sister spent most of their time within their own sect, knowing little of the outside world. At the last banquet of prodigies, they hadn’t even recognized the Ze family of Northern Ze. If not for Zhu Tianyun and others introducing them, they wouldn’t have known of Chu Yichen at all.

While the Northern Ze Sect dominated its region, its reputation was small compared to the whole of Cloud Province. In contrast, the Sole Self Sect was a true top-tier sect, renowned throughout Cloud Province, with multiple Nascent Soul experts, Golden Cores aplenty, and hidden grand elders of unfathomable power. Their might far surpassed anything the remote Northern Ze Sect could muster.

Both Wang Ran and his junior sister were elite prodigies of the Sole Self Sect, their starting point so high that it was entirely natural they’d never heard of the Northern Ze Sect. After all, people seek the heights, and their peers were disciples of other distinguished sects like Purple Sky Palace.

But this attitude left the Northern Ze Sect’s disciples feeling humiliated and angry. Even Liu Junhou was now frowning.

To openly defy the Northern Ze Sect here in the mountains meant one of two things: either they had extremely high standing and hailed from a powerful force, or they were utterly insignificant, ignorant bumpkins who simply didn’t know the name.

Liu Junhou couldn’t quite place the pair, but, confident in his own cultivation, he still didn’t take them seriously. He cupped his hands, though his tone remained arrogant. “Are you determined to oppose my Northern Ze Sect? You should know, this is our territory. Even dragons don’t suppress the local snakes. No matter who you are, it’s unwise to provoke Northern Ze Sect disciples in these mountains.”

“Besides, this is wild country. If I kill you here, who will ever find out?”

The menacing words sent a chill through Chu Yichen, who was hidden among the crowd.

“Doomed, doomed! That clueless Liu Junhou actually provoked the great demon king. He’s like an old man eating arsenic—courting death!”

Chu Yichen was close to tears, cursing Liu Junhou for his ignorance. Did he not know there was always someone stronger? Daring to threaten Wang Ran—never mind the wilderness; even at the gates of the Northern Ze Sect, if Wang Ran killed him, would the sect master dare demand justice from the Sole Self Sect? The mere name would scare them witless!

At this point, Wang Ran narrowed his eyes, sweeping the sect’s disciples with a chilling gaze, already growing impatient. As his eyes passed over the crowd, he spotted the inconspicuous Chu Yichen, and his brows furrowed.

Chu Yichen shuddered, fearing Wang Ran might misunderstand. He quickly stepped forward, distancing himself from the sect’s disciples, squeezing out a smile more bitter than tears. “Brother Wang… I’m not with them, truly. I have no intention of opposing you—I’m just passing by, just passing by!”

Chu Yichen’s sudden fright puzzled the sect’s disciples, and Liu Junhou frowned repeatedly.

“Brother Chu, what do you mean by this?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Who’s your brother? I don’t know you!” Chu Yichen cursed outright, ignoring Liu Junhou’s darkening face as he tried to ingratiate himself with Wang Ran. “Brother Wang, I was foolish at the last banquet. I’ve reflected since then. I hope—no, I beg you, Big Brother Wang, to give me another chance!”

Seeing how much more docile Chu Yichen had become after his previous lesson, Wang Ran felt quite pleased with his handiwork—he had guided a rebellious, lost youth back onto the right path.

He smiled kindly. “To recognize and amend one’s mistakes is the sign of a good child. Come, join us for a meal.”

He handed over a skewer of meat.

Chu Yichen, surprised and grateful, accepted it. Wang Ran smiled, “Come, try my cooking.”

“It smells wonderful, Brother Wang. You’re truly talented.” Chu Yichen muttered his praise, though his eyes nervously scanned his surroundings. “Brother Wang, why are you here at the Inch-Deep Pool? I’ve heard it’s dangerous—there’s a beast here at the peak of Foundation Establishment. We should leave quickly, before it shows up.”

“Oh, you mean that beast? Isn’t that what you’re eating now?” Wang Ran replied carelessly, glancing at him.

Chu Yichen froze, then his eyes widened in realization. He looked down at the skewer in his hand, then caught sight of the decapitated giant lizard head by the pool. His face turned deathly pale.

He was eating… the very beast that had bitten off his uncle’s arm, a creature feared even by Golden Core cultivators—the Six-Winged Water Lizard?

In that moment, Chu Yichen’s world seemed to collapse. He jumped to his feet, dropping the skewer.

The disciples of the Northern Ze Sect, overhearing this exchange, were equally stupefied. The furious Liu Junhou staggered, barely keeping his footing.

“Ding! Congratulations, Host, for causing a profound psychological shock to Foundation Establishment disciples. Awarded thirty Dao Points!”

“Ding! Congratulations, Host, for causing a profound psychological shock to Foundation Establishment disciples. Awarded twenty Dao Points!”

“…"

Hearing the prompts in his mind, Wang Ran smiled lightly, the very picture of composure, still savoring his garlic as if he’d accomplished nothing of consequence.