Was it you that night?
Chapter 167 - 165: Mr. Wuya Jealous, Sky Pole Sect Trembles Thrice

Chapter 167: Chapter 165: Mr. Wuya Jealous, Sky Pole Sect Trembles Thrice

Dongfang Wuya watched Zuo An with cold eyes. Under his scrutiny, Zuo An showed no hint of unease and spoke in a low voice, "We also need to choose an elder to lead the team. Wuya, who do you think we should select?"

With one glance, Dongfang Wuya saw through the game Zuo An was playing. Even though he knew it was a trap set by Zuo An, he had to walk into it, simply because he couldn’t rest easy allowing Shen Qinghe to be alone with Yan Changsheng and Xiao Chen.

He sneered with a curl of his lip, "Who do you think is best suited to lead?"

Zuo An responded with a smile that reached his eyes, "If we’re judging by appearance, you’re the most handsome. If we’re talking about cultivation base, you’re the deepest. If you were to lead, our Sky Pole Sect wouldn’t even need to participate in the competition; we’d outshine the other Immortal Sects right away."

Dongfang Wuya’s deep, peach blossom eyes half-closed, "You have quite the scheme up your sleeve."

"I respect your thoughts and know you prefer quietude. If you’re unwilling, then let’s reluctantly ask Elder Wang to lead the team," Zuo An compliantly offered.

Dongfang Wuya was so frustrated he could nearly laugh.

How could he maintain his detached stance when Zuo An was roasting him over the flames?

And yet, he knew this was Zuo An’s machination and could do nothing about it; he still had to follow Zuo An’s script, the thought itself was suffocating.

"Wuya, I know what you’re thinking. Letting these four young people set an example this time was well-intended on my part; I wanted to give the youth more opportunities to forge themselves. The Sky Pole Sect has been besieged by misfortunes in recent years, and now we’re relying on these younger disciples to quickly stand tall. Although Qinghe has only reached Core Formation, she has a magical treasure to protect her. If you don’t accompany her, she should be safe..."

At this point, Zuo An deliberately paused for a moment, "Of course, if you were to assist, this competition would surely make the Sky Pole Sect disciples renowned throughout the world."

Dongfang Wuya’s gaze fell on Shen Qinghe’s figure. Sensing his look, Shen Qinghe turned her head and flashed him a toothy smile.

He coldly looked away, and Shen Qinghe, feeling embarrassed, didn’t know what she had done to offend him again.

Zuo An thought his plan was foolproof, yet Dongfang Wuya’s reluctance to make a stance had him inwardly drumming with worry—could it be that Shen Qinghe’s ace was no longer effective?

He felt maybe he was overthinking it.

Dongfang Wuya had not planned on coming to Juxiu Hall at all, but his sudden presence meant he must’ve heard the rumors about Xiao Chen wanting to marry Shen Qinghe. If Xiao Chen and Shen Qinghe were to lead the team together, Wuya was bound to be nervous; he would definitely want to follow close by to keep an eye on Shen Qinghe for peace of mind.

By the time the disciples for the competition were selected, Dongfang Wuya still had not expressed his intentions, and Zuo An finally lost all hope.

In this case, they had no choice but to have Elder Wang lead the team and personally make the journey.

Shen Qinghe finally had a chance to see Dongfang Wuya and wanted to speak with him, but upon receiving a cold stare from him, she was too intimidated to approach.

After Dongfang Wuya walked about thirty feet away and saw that Shen Qinghe hadn’t followed, he felt disgruntled, finding the girl to lack sincerity.

Once back at Bixiao Tower, Xiao Bai greeted him with a broad smile, "Master, aren’t you accompanying Fairy Qinghe in the competition?"

"Don’t you know that’s Zuo An’s scheme? If I were to participate, wouldn’t I be falling right into Zuo An’s trap?" Dongfang Wuya’s long eyelashes cast a shadow of darkness.

Last time, Zuo An also used Shen Qinghe to make a point. If Zuo An would exploit Shen Qinghe every time, wouldn’t he be at Zuo An’s mercy?

Xiao Bai didn’t ask further and instead stared into the Xuantian Mirror.

Dongfang Wuya’s gaze also fell upon the Xuantian Mirror. He saw Xiao Chen and Yan Changsheng standing on either side of Shen Qinghe, ostensibly discussing the competition details, but their gazes harbored dark desires toward Shen Qinghe that only men could understand.

Shen Qinghe looked like a simpleton, still smiling at the two men who had once harmed her. Seeing this, he felt a deep irritation from the bottom of his heart.

"Ignorant woman!" Dongfang Wuya flung the Xuantian Mirror away.

Xiao Bai felt the entire Bixiao Tower was filled with his master’s jealousy. He hurriedly picked up the Xuantian Mirror and continued to watch.

It was inevitable for Dongfang Wuya to see the scene where Shen Qinghe was being "sandwiched" by Yan Changsheng and Xiao Chen. He frowned tightly and stepped forward to throw the Xuantian Mirror out of Bixiao Tower.

His toss, though seemingly casual, managed to shake the entire Sky Pole Sect thrice!

Shen Qinghe, who had been dubbed as "simple-minded," did not smile at all. She heard the sudden quaking of the Sky Pole Sect and was startled.

Xiao Chen and Yan Changsheng also froze on the spot, not understanding what had happened.

The group waited quietly for a while, and once assured there was no more disturbance, they continued on their way to the Simple Residence Courtyard.

"Qinghe, you should carefully consider the matter I mentioned to you before," Xiao Chen suddenly said.

Shen Qinghe did not react at first: "What matter?"

Shen Zhiyao kicked her and made faces at her, but she looked utterly clueless.

It wasn’t until Xiao Chen made his intentions clear, "I’ve broken off my engagement with Nan Sheng and need a fiancée. You and I know each other well. If we can form a pact, Master will also be at ease..."

Shen Qinghe couldn’t bear to listen any further, interrupting Xiao Chen’s lengthy speech. She outright rejected him, "Big Senior Brother, you should find another junior sister. I only want to cultivate diligently and have no time to form such pacts. I will not delay your search for a match!"

Shen Zhiyao secretly gave Shen Qinghe a thumbs up for dealing with a shameless man like Xiao Chen so straightforwardly.

In that moment, she forgot that she once wanted to become Daoist companions with Xiao Chen.

She purely felt that a man who could get involved with a woman like Nan Sheng not only had poor judgment but also poor character, and Xiao Chen should not be allowed to bring disaster upon Qinghe.

Xiao Chen wasn’t surprised by Shen Qinghe’s response: "Well, when you’re looking for a man, you can consider me."

We’ll be setting out in two days. You should both head back and prepare," said Shen Zhiyao, effectively giving them the boot.

Xiao Chen and Yan Changsheng exchanged glances; neither of them wanted to shamelessly linger in the Simple Residence Courtyard, so they left together.

Once the Shen sisters were out of sight, Yan Changsheng spoke indifferently, "Big Senior Brother has good luck with women. Why bother pestering Qinghe? She has a simple nature, unlike Nan Sheng. She won’t play ambiguous games with you."

"Actually, I prefer someone straightforward like Qinghe. At least I don’t have to worry about her stabbing me in the back." Xiao Chen patted Yan Changsheng’s shoulder, "Changsheng, don’t worry about my love life. I know what I’m doing."

Yan Changsheng and Xiao Chen looked at each other, sealing his lips tightly, his eyes slightly ominous. He then departed on his sword without another word.

After Yan Changsheng left, Xiao Chen suddenly turned back to the Simple Residence Courtyard and called Shen Qinghe out alone, saying he had something to tell her.

Shen Qinghe thought Xiao Chen had something important to say and just wanted him to get it over with quickly: "What do you want to say, Big Senior Brother?"

Xiao Chen flashed a gentle smile at Shen Qinghe. He was naturally handsome, and his cultured and genteel demeanor was unique in the entire Sky Pole Sect.

Yet, at the sight of Xiao Chen’s smile, Shen Qinghe felt her scalp tingle and instinctively took a step back.

Seeing this, Xiao Chen’s smile grew even gentler, "Qinghe, come closer; I really do have something important to tell you. With the Black Rope to protect you, do you think I could harm you?"