Jiang Chen passed through Rosy Valley unchallenged, thanks to his medallion of a core disciple. However, his group of followers were a bit more... conspicuous.
The Qiao Brothers, Guo Jin, and the others were all in the first or second level spirit realm. They stuck out like a sore thumb in Rosy Valley.
One had to know that the core disciples in the Rosy Valley were all firmly in the origin realm. Most were in the earth origin realm, and a few had even reached the sky origin realm.
Even if those geniuses were to accept followers, they wouldnât accept those with a low cultivation level for no reason at all.
The weakest of their followers were in the sky spirit realm, or even spirit kings.
Those in the small spirit realm such as Xue Tong and the others were almost nonexistent in Rosy Valley. Even the medicine boys running errands in the Rosy Valley were mostly in the earth spirit realm.
Therefore, the guards to the Rosy Valley had wry expressions of surprise when they saw Jiang Chenâs followers. They found this scene rather amusing.
Gouyuâs personality was bold and unconcerned, but she could also feel that their cultivation level seemed to be something embarrassing for Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen was rather calm. This so-called gap was only temporary. It was only due to those in the Valley being born in a better place and thus receiving better resources from the Regal Pill Palace.
If Gouyu, Xue Tong, and the others had been born here, there was a high likelihood that they would be inner disciples, if not core disciples.
Gouyuâs cultivation level had been rising without pause after eating a green Divine Fruit of the Rosy Dawn. She was now at the peak of the earth spirit realm. However, this level of cultivation was still nothing compared to the other followers of the core disciples.
A few of them, wearing the obvious adornments of followers, crossed their paths along the way. All of them were, at minimum, at the sky spirit realm.
Their faces displayed unconcealed mockery when they saw Gouyu and the others.
Some even started muttering, âLook at what the cats dragged in. When did the requirements of the Rosy Valley become this lax?â
âIndeed, the Rosy Valley is a place reserved for geniuses among the core disciples. How did people who arenât not even worthy of running errands make it in here?â
âPfft, is this kind of trash worthy of entering the Valley? Theyâll be thrown out sooner or later.â
Although these murmurings werenât loud, they were perfectly audible to Jiang Chen and the others.
Jiang Chenâs gaze grew frosty, flicking over to these fellows.
These followers didnât dare cause trouble when faced with Jiang Chenâs aura. They shrank in on themselves and quietly slunk away.
Although they didnât feel much pressure speaking idly about Gouyu and the others, they still didnât dare act impudently in front of Jiang Chen.
They wouldnât be able to seek justice anywhere if Jiang Chen beat them up. Although their masters could make an appearance and regain face for them, it wasnât worth it to take a beating for free!
Gouyu was a bit depressed. âYoung master, weâve lost face for you.â
Jiang Chen laughed, carefree, âThis is called snobs throwing their weight around. This is all theyâll ever amount to in their lives. Is there a need to fuss about such short sighted people?â
Huangâer also took Gouyuâs arm lightly. âBig sister Gouyu, these people accumulate no virtue with their mouths and do not have the appropriate breadth of mind for martial dao. Sir Jiang is correct, thereâs no need to bother with them. I trust that sister Gouyu will be far beyond them in a few years.â
Huangâer was as considerate as always. Her every word and gesture always gave one the feeling of a breath of fresh, spring air.
Although Gouyu was dejected, she felt a lot better after Huangâerâs words.
She grasped Huangâerâs hand, her eyes smoldering with determination. âYounger sister Huangâer is right. How could I, Gouyu, possibly admit defeat to these people? They were merely born in a slightly better place than me. Iâll make them look up to me in a few years!â
Sheâd always been one to not admit defeat to a guy. Now that she was being contemptuously dismissed, her self-respect had been severely challenged.
Huangâer laughed lightly, âPrecisely the case! Sister Gouyu is incredibly cleverâthereâs no doubt youâll be able to do it!â
Gouyu also smiled, âYouâre the clever one! If I were a guy, I would definitely fall for you.â
âWhat a pity that sister Gouyu is not a male.â
Gouyuâs spirits had taken a great turn for the better, and remained in good cheer as the group arrived at Jiang Chenâs residence.
The Rosy Valley had plenty of room, with quite the distance between each residence. There was ample private space to prevent being disturbed.
Jiang Chenâs residence wasnât actually the best in terms of terrain, and in truth, it was one of the lower quality ones in the Rosy Valley.
This was because Jiang Chen was only of the first level origin realm and lacked the qualifications for a higher level residence.
Even so, this residence was still much grander than the one heâd had in the Precious Tree Sect.
Gouyu and the others were all delighted when they entered the doors, completely sweeping away their previous melancholy.
This residence was designed in quite a grand fashion. There was a cultivation area, living quarters, relaxation area, receiving area, pill refinement room, and weapon refinement room. Areas for all sorts of purposes could be found here.
Even if he had another ten or twenty followers in addition to his paltry few, they wouldâve all been able to live comfortably as well.
âYounger sister Huangâer, look at this medicine garden! Youâll have ample space to exert yourself in the future for your flowers!â Gouyu was quite excited.
Huangâer smiled slightly, taking a stroll around the residence.
She would be spending part of her foreseeable future here.
Jiang Chen was catching up with everyone after theyâd all settled in when a voice came in from the outside. âSenior brother Jiang Chen, my houseâs master, senior brother Yan Hongtu tells you to make a visit.â
The voice came from a follower.
When Jiang Chen walked outside, he saw a spirit king cultivator standing outside, wearing the adornments of a follower.
Although the person looked at Jiang Chen respectfully, there was a subtle sense of superiority about him. It was apparent that he wasnât quite accepting of the core disciple whoâd just entered Rosy Valley.
âSenior brother Yan Hongtu?â Jiang Chenâs brows furrowed. He wants me to make a trip just when Iâve arrived?
Logically speaking, certain courtesies still had to be extended even if the other wanted him to make a trip. Sending a random follower to pass on a messageâthere were obvious hints of contempt and even blatant provocation in this action.
If this senior brother Yan Hongtu was truly interested in the newcomer, he shouldâve been the one to pay the visit. After, Jiang Chen was newly arrived in the Valley and wholly unfamiliar with everything.
âCorrect. Senior brother Yan Hongtu is one of the masters of the Soaring Clouds area of Rosy Valley.â A thick sense of pride suffused the words of the spirit king follower.
It was as if being senior brother Yan Hongtuâs follower was the utmost pride and joy of his life.
Jiang Chen nodded his head lightly, âTell me the address. Iâll pay him a visit when I have the time.â
Although Jiang Chen was a bit displeased, he didnât erupt in open hostilities.
âWhat do you mean pay a visit when you have the time?â The follower blanked momentarily and looked at Jiang Chen incredulously. âSenior brother Jiang Chen, you donât know the rules because youâve just arrived, right? In the Soaring Clouds area, senior brother Yan Hongtu is bestowing favor if he wishes to see someone. Who doesnât immediately spring to action when they hear of his summons, afraid to be even a moment too late? Are you... are you sure that youâll wait until you have time to? Youâll make senior brother Yan Hongtu wait?â
Halfway through, his words were tinged with an odd tone, a supercilious smile plastered on his face.
He was obviously telling Jiang Chen, how dare you reject our actions in giving you face? It is such a great honor that senior brother Yan Hongtu wishes to see you. How dare you drag your feet?
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. âI still have some things to attend to and wonât be able to see you out.â
He wasnât an easy target or a yes man. Am I to trundle over immediately to listen to your speeches whenever you, Yan Hongtu, summons me?
Jiang Chen wasnât the sort to be easily summoned even when he was free, never mind at a time when he was busy, as he was at the moment.
It wasnât that no one could stir him to action, but that he didnât even know this senior brother. Their relationship was far from the point of him being on call.
It was obvious that this Yan Hongtu wanted to take Jiang Chen down a peg. How would Jiang Chen possibly play along?
The follower was absolutely flabbergasted when he saw Jiang Chenâs attitude.
Apparently, senior brother Yan Hongtu was his sky, his everything in the world.
Heâd never thought there would be someone who dared resist against his senior brotherâs will in the Soaring Clouds area. There had once been a core disciple who hadnât obeyed, but heâd been taught quite the lesson in the end!
There were four areas in the Rosy Valley, and although the Soaring Clouds area was the lowest level, Yan Hongtu had absolute authority here since he was the boss.
There really had been no rookie over these years whoâd dared dragged his feet when Yan Hongtu issued a summons.
âYou must think things through carefully, senior brother Jiang Chen. If you donât go now, even if you want to in the future, you may not have the chance.â
Jiang Chenâs expression grew frosty. âIâll go when I want to. Can the master of your house kidnap me and force me there if I donât want to?â
Jiang Chen was also irate at this point.
A follower was still a follower in the end. He didnât dare act too atrociously in front of a core disciple. He only chuckled coldly and cast a pitying look at Jiang Chen.
In his eyes, the future of this rookie whoâd offended senior brother Yan Hongtu was basically over.
Yan Hongtu was a twenty something year old genius in the Regal Pill Palace. An aquiline nose punctuated a thin, vicious looking figure. He lived in the best residence in the Soaring Clouds area and held power over everything in this section.
He could absolutely be promoted to a higher level area with his cultivation level and strength, but he liked the power and prestige of holding sway over an area.
It was said that one would rather be the mouth of a chicken than the behind of a cow.
Heâd rather be the boss of the Soaring Clouds area than be subject to someone elseâs orders in a higher level area.
Over the years, Yan Hongtu had maintained his personal strength and authority at the peak. No one dared naysay him.
Which core disciple in this area would dare show him such lack of face?
His face instantly darkened when his follower brought this message back.
âHeâll come visit when he has time to?â Yan Hongtu flew into a rage. âWhen did the rookies of the Soaring Clouds area develop such personality?â
âSenior brother Yan, that kid looks like a country bumpkin and obviously doesnât think much of you. In my view, this kind of stubborn country mule will have no idea who the boss here is if we donât rough him up a bit.â
The follower also added fuel to the flame, his tone dripping with provocation.
âHmph, Iâve heard that this Jiang Chen has quite a name for himself in the Precious Tree Sect. He probably really thinks heâs something in the Regal Pill Palace.â A few hints of derision appeared on Yan Hongtuâs ruthless face.
âPah! Who the hell is he? A small place like the sixteen kingdoms alliance has completely exaggerated him. Heâs just a clueless rookie in the Rosy Valley. Heâll coil himself up even if heâs a dragon, and lay flat if heâs a tiger!â The follower carried on in the same vein as Yan Hongtu and started talking tough.