Chapter Ninety-Seven: You Really Know How to Put on an Act

After hearing Yue Chan's explanation, not only was Ye Qiu stunned, but Qing Cheng on the side also gaped with his jaw hanging open, his face full of disbelief.

"Damn it, am I really that amazing?" Qing Cheng stared at his own hands in astonishment, completely dumbfounded.

So this was how it was. He had spent his whole life searching for a great backer, only to discover at the end that he himself was the most formidable one of all.

"Ha ha, I’m going to be rich, I’m going to be rich! Turns out disaster can really turn into fortune. Who would have thought that after being beaten senseless for no reason, I’d not only survive, but, if this means anything, become incredibly impressive in the future?"

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Qing Cheng nearly floated off the ground, his whole demeanor turning self-assured, with a faint air of arrogance.

By his own reckoning, now that the taboo within his body had been lifted, his innate Dao body should at the very least merit fine tea and careful service.

With a talent like mine, I’d be fought over in any sacred land. Do you people not even have this much discernment? And you still won’t bring me tea?

"Ahem, I’m allowed to sit here, right?" Qing Cheng forced himself to look calm, wearing the expression of someone terribly impressive, and pointed to the chair before Ye Qiu.

"Oh? Getting cocky now?" Cao He said, instantly recognizing a fellow expert. In the blink of an eye, he’d become impressive? Just a moment ago he was shamelessly clinging to someone’s leg, so how had he changed so fast?

Ye Qiu only smiled without speaking, quietly watching him put on an act. But Ye Qiu’s silence, and that gaze, made Qing Cheng feel uneasy.

"Damn it, why do I keep feeling like he’s even more impressive than I am? Is this an illusion?"

Qing Cheng thought guiltily to himself, but then, remembering that he was about to become truly formidable, he swelled with confidence again.

Today, I’m sitting in this chair. What are you going to do about it...

Ignoring Ye Qiu’s expression, Qing Cheng was about to sit down when, just as he was lowering himself into the air, Yue Chan’s cold voice drifted over lightly.

"The innate Dao body is indeed terrifying. Unfortunately... even with the taboo removed, in my eyes it remains nothing but a waste body."

Qing Cheng: "???"

Waste body?

What did that mean?

So I’m not impressive anymore all of a sudden?

Hey, if you’re going to speak, can you at least finish your sentence? You keep lifting me up and dropping me down like this, and now I don’t even know what to do.

Should I sit in this chair or not? Give me a straight answer, would you? Are you trying to scare me to death?

That single sentence nearly made Qing Cheng explode with anger. Before his backside even touched the chair, he sprang back up.

"Ahem, senior, please, you sit. Please, you sit..."

Ye Qiu: "???"

A talent indeed! Your speed in changing your face is even faster than my speed in turning pages. Impressive.

After all these years of putting on an act, this was the first time Ye Qiu had felt that someone could outdo him at it. This guy was absurdly good at pretending; admirable, truly admirable.

I hereby name you the King of Pretenders...

"This is a ruthless one. There is truth in the saying that a shameless man is invincible under heaven," Ye Qiu praised inwardly. Then he glanced at Cao He with disdain and said with bitter disappointment, "See that? Learn from him. That’s why they say he has the makings of a protagonist. Look at him, then look at you, all stupid and clueless..."

Cao He looked utterly baffled. What did I do wrong this time? Damn it, why am I the one getting hurt again?

Ye Qiu sat back down and was no longer polite. Truth be told, he had really wanted to see how long this kid could keep up the act, so he had said nothing.

He had not expected Yue Chan to break him with just one sentence. It was obvious the boy lacked confidence and could not put on a convincing show.

Sigh... it seems the realm of acting impressive still belongs to me. Watching others do it just makes me cough.

"Waste body? Why is it waste body again?" Ye Qiu asked in confusion. To be honest, he knew very little about cultivation; in fact, he knew absolutely nothing.

Somehow, out of nowhere, he had acquired a full cultivation base and suddenly become astonishingly formidable.

Ye Qiu had never come into contact with any of this. If you asked him to explain it properly, he would never be able to.

Yue Chan said lightly, "Do you think cultivation is a simple matter? Without an experienced master to guide you, even if your talent is extraordinary, no one can guarantee you won’t go astray.

The more monstrous the talent, the easier it is to take the wrong path, especially with a physique like the innate Dao body.

And there is another fatal factor: this kind of physique is actually an excellent tonic. If it falls into the hands of those with malicious intent, it will become someone else’s sacrifice.

What is a genius who cannot grow up, if not a waste? Before, when the taboo still protected him, he was safe. But now that the taboo is gone...

Imagine for yourself what would happen once he is exposed to the public eye."

Yue Chan spoke very bluntly. Although she looked down on Qing Cheng’s physique, she could not guarantee that others would not be tempted by it.

An innocent man is guilty only of possessing treasure; this principle is something everyone understands, though few are willing to say it aloud.

Besides, this world was cruel to the extreme. When mediocrity became the norm, your intelligence and monstrous talent became a sin.

That was why most geniuses had to face the same fate: the whole world as their enemy.

In truth, Yue Chan was withholding one other reason. In the end, she could not bear to say it; she was afraid Qing Cheng would not be able to take it.

Ye Qiu saw the trace of reluctance in her eyes and knew she was concealing something, but he did not press her. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Hm? What you said makes a lot of sense! An innocent man is guilty only of possessing treasure. This kid really is quite the tempting prize. How about we tie him up and sell him to those devil gods instead?"

Shock!

As soon as Ye Qiu said this, Qing Cheng was scared half to death. He dropped straight to his knees before Ye Qiu and hurriedly apologized.

"Senior, big shot, I was wrong! I admit it, just now I was indeed a little young and reckless, and perhaps just a tiny bit rude.

But I promise, such a thing will never happen again. As long as you don’t sell me, I’m willing to do anything, even to serve you like an ox or a horse."

Qing Cheng’s legs were so weak from fear that he could barely stand. Before he had known any better, he had still been able to wander about freely; now that he understood his situation, he didn’t even dare to roam around.

This world is simply too terrifying. I want to go home.

Ye Qiu struggled to hold back his laughter as he looked at the trembling young man before him, and laughed from the bottom of his heart.

"Little brat, still trying to act impressive in front of me? Let me scare you to death, ha ha..."

In truth, Ye Qiu had no intention of selling him. He had only wanted to frighten him a little, and had not expected him to be so easily terrified.

Too amusing! This one is a talent; he must be kept around.

Just so happened that Ye Qiu was short-handed. Taking him in as a little brother to do the work would be perfect.

Ye Qiu pretended to be calm and said seriously, "Very well. Since you’re so sensible, I won’t sell you. But you have to stay and work for me. Otherwise, I’ll sell you off to the Boundary River, to those devil gods, those butchers..."

After saying that, even Ye Qiu himself laughed. This intimidation tactic was simply too useful; every time he used it, it worked.

Yue Chan had already seen through Ye Qiu’s thoughts and had no intention of exposing him. In the first place, she looked down on Qing Cheng’s talent, and besides... their Heavenly Palace did not accept male disciples anyway.

Better to keep such advantages within the family. Staying by Ye Qiu’s side would be good for both of them.

With Ye Qiu protecting the path ahead, this boy should be able to rise swiftly and avoid ending up with the whole world as his enemy.

One had to know that among the current desolate lands, Ye Qiu was the only one who could truly be called invincible. If even he could not protect this boy, then the boy would surely die.