Chapter 438: Brother Liang... I'm really not close to him.

Ever since meeting Xu Sanyan, Jiang Yun’er had changed. She hadn’t contacted anyone in ages, and she even stopped feeding the fish in her pond, letting them starve to death.

In the past, Jiang Yun’er would always write letters to them, sharing trivial daily matters while leaving a hint of suspense to keep them hooked.

But after witnessing Xu Sanyan’s brilliance, she finally understood what a true “young prodigy” meant.

Not only had he achieved Perfected Soul Refinement at a young age, but he had also mastered the Formation Dao, becoming a Grand Formation Master. Even Shan Zhoushan himself had acknowledged that Xu Sanyan’s mastery of the Formation Dao rivaled his own!

In comparison, the fish in her pond suddenly seemed too small—like mudskippers, only capable of flopping around in a muddy pit.

She needed to open her arms and embrace bigger fish.

Thus, Jiang Yun’er, disregarding her pride, was determined to compete with Qin Shutong for Xu Sanyan’s attention. This was her chance to climb to the top of the pyramid, and she couldn’t let Jiang Yu ruin it.

Jiang Yun’er’s mind raced, desperately searching for a way to resolve this situation.

“You know him?”

Xu Sanyan asked.

Jiang Yun’er snapped out of her daze and nodded slightly. “Yes, he’s the second son of the Jiang Family clan head, named Jiang Yu. We’ve only met twice by chance before, so I wouldn’t say we know each other.”

Wouldn’t say they know each other?

Xu Sanyan glanced at the elated Jiang Yu, then back at Jiang Yun’er.

Dare you say that to his face?

Xu Sanyan smiled faintly. If she says they’re not close, then they’re not close. Besides, what does it matter to me? Even if they’ve slept together, I wouldn’t care.

“Yun’er, long time no see! What are you doing here? I went to your residence earlier, and they said you’d come here…”

As Jiang Yu spoke, he reached out to take Jiang Yun’er’s hand. She immediately recoiled, her expression darkening. “Young Master Jiang, please maintain your decorum.”

Jiang Yu froze, utterly bewildered. Why is she being so distant? The last time we met, she let me hold her hand…

“Yun’er, you…”

Jiang Yu suddenly turned to Xu Sanyan, realizing that Jiang Yun’er’s change in attitude might be related to this man. He vented all his frustration on Xu Sanyan, pointing at him and demanding,

“Who are you?!” Jiang Yu demanded, his voice sharp and aggressive.

The formation master behind him, sensing the tense atmosphere, silently turned away, pretending not to exist.

Jiang Yun’er, growing anxious, quickly interjected, “Young Master Jiang, show some respect! This is Young Master Liang, a Grand Formation Master.”

“A Grand Formation Master?” Jiang Yu exclaimed in disbelief. The man looked to be about his age—how could he be a Grand Formation Master?

But even if he were a Grand Formation Master, what could he do? How dare he try to steal a woman from Jiang Yu, the Young Master of the Jiang Family of Southern Heaven Valley? Who would dare compete with him?

This man had already signed his death warrant!

Ever since Jiang Yu gained his family’s favor, those who had once scorned him now fawned over him. Everywhere he went, he was greeted with smiles, gradually nurturing his arrogant nature.

Yet Jiang Yu wasn’t foolish. He never displayed his arrogance before those with higher cultivation levels or status. Instead, he acted humbly, earning the favor of his elders.

This only emboldened others to avoid crossing him, further fueling his arrogance and solidifying his overbearing personality.

“Do you dare duel me?” Jiang Yu roared, brandishing his sword. “The loser will never show his face before Yun’er again!”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. Where did this idiot come from, rushing to his death?

Are all members of the Jiang Family like this?

Jiang Yu’s elder brother, Jiang Yan, hadn’t been much better. It was clear they were from the same family—the Jiang Family’s education was truly remarkable.

“Young Master Jiang, no!” Jiang Yun’er cried out urgently.

Is this idiot trying to get himself killed? she thought. If you want to die, at least do it somewhere else! Drown yourself in a latrine—no one would care. But dying here would cause endless trouble.

Jiang Yu, mistaking her concern for fear of bloodshed, reassured her, “Don’t worry, Yun’er. I’ll show mercy. At most, I’ll just break his legs.”

Jiang Yun’er grew even more frantic. Before she could speak, Xu Sanyan had already risen to his feet.

“Heh, very well,” Xu Sanyan said. “I’d like to see how you plan to break my legs.”

Without another word, Xu Sanyan’s figure blurred, vanishing from his spot in an instant. His speed was so astonishing that the three onlookers had no time to react—he seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye.

“Ah!”

“My legs!”

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air as Jiang Yu collapsed to the ground. His thighs were twisted into a grotesque tangle, every bone in his lower body shattered. He lay writhing on the ground, his agonized cries futile.

“Young Master Liang, stop!”

“Brother Liang, show mercy!”

Two voices rang out simultaneously—Jiang Yun’er’s desperate plea and Li Wuxing’s urgent warning.

Xu Sanyan lowered his raised hand, sparing Jiang Yu’s life for the moment.

If not for maintaining his public persona, Jiang Yu would have suffered far more than just broken legs.

Li Wuxing breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Jiang Yu still alive. He was grateful he had arrived in time; otherwise, how would he explain this to the Jiang Family?

When Jiang Yu saw Li Wuxing, his twisted face contorted with hatred. He shrieked, “Uncle Li, arrest him! Arrest him! I’ll kill him!”

“Silence!” Li Wuxing roared, his voice thunderous. “You fool! You nearly caused a disaster!”

If Xu Sanyan had killed Jiang Yu just now, Li Wuxing would have had no choice but to intervene and fight him.

To be honest, Li Wuxing wasn’t entirely confident of victory. Both were at the Perfected Soul Refinement stage, and he knew nothing of Xu Sanyan’s techniques. How could he guarantee success?

“Thank you for showing mercy, Brother Liang,” Li Wuxing said, his tone conciliatory. “To my shame, this boy’s father and I are old friends. I humbly ask you to overlook his behavior.”

“Uncle Li…” Jiang Yu couldn’t comprehend it. Who was this man that the esteemed Junior High Priest would speak to him so politely?

“Since you’ve said so, Brother, let’s drop the matter. Please take him back and discipline him properly. Don’t let him cause any more trouble.”

“Thank you, Brother Liang.”

Li Wuxing glared at Jiang Yu with exasperation, then grabbed him and left.

Xu Sanyan withdrew his gaze, casting an enigmatic glance at Jiang Yun’er before closing his eyes to rest.

Jiang Yun’er’s heart, which had just settled, leaped again. Though Xu Sanyan said nothing, his silence spoke volumes.

After this commotion, any goodwill she had painstakingly cultivated was likely gone.

Furious, Jiang Yun’er’s face flushed crimson as she cursed inwardly: That useless Jiang Yu ruined everything!

“Brother Liang… I barely know him. I have no idea why he suddenly acted like that…”

Before she could finish, Xu Sanyan raised a hand to stop her. “No need to explain. Your relationship is none of my concern. I’m only teaching you because of my agreement with the prefect.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yun’er’s heart sank. She wanted to rush over and tear Jiang Yu to shreds.

A useless fool who can only make things worse! I actually mistook this idiot for a hero. What a blind fool I’ve been!

(End of the Chapter)