Tian Xu was a scholarly and refined man that looked about 30 years old, which was much younger than his actual age. When Xiang Shaoyun laid his eyes on the vice pavilion master, he muttered to himself, Looks like this vice pavilion master is a person with an outstanding talent in cultivation as well. Only someone with a rapid cultivation speed can maintain a young look. Sigh, what a pity.

The sigh was because he was feeling sorry for someone as talented as Tian Xu to be stuck in a tiny city like this. His environment would limit his future accomplishments despite his talent.

After all, the Cloud Margin Pavilion only had the resources to nurture someone to the Emperor Realm. To grow further, the resources available to the Cloud Margin Pavilion was far from enough. One had to leave this place entirely and head toward some other province—or even some other region—where powerful organizations assemble. Only at those places would one find enough resources to support one's further growth after reaching the Emperor Realm.

Naturally, Xiang Shaoyun would not tell the vice pavilion master all that. He could only keep his thoughts to himself.

"The two of you may leave first," said Tian Xu with a wave of his hand.

Liu Xinji and Zi Changhe both left at his command. Tian Xu then looked at Xiang Shaoyun, noticing the complete confidence emanating from the young man standing with his back perfectly straight. This young man was completely unlike others who would be in shock when meeting a vice pavilion master. Noticing that, a look of approval appeared in Tian Xu's eyes.

"I've heard all about you. You have a praiseworthy courage, but you are still a tad bit too rash. Do you know that the tallest tree in the forest is normally also the first tree to fall?" said Tian Xu with a gentle tone.

Xiang Shaoyun pondered the words for a bit before saying, "Thank you for the advice, vice pavilion master. Shaoyun will keep the advice in mind."

Yes, the tallest tree was usually the first to fall. Xiang Shaoyun had been having an impression that with his impressive combat prowess, he could now protect himself. But there were still a lot of people who were much stronger than him.

Now that he was behaving in such a high-profiled manner, he could still die if someone decided to assassinate him. After all, the Zither Empress wouldn't be able to keep an eye on him at all times. At that realization, Xiang Shaoyun started regretting going overboard in his attempt to establish his dominance.

After revealing so many of his trump cards, if someone wanted to kill him in the future, that person would definitely come fully prepared to deal him a sudden blow powerful enough to kill.

I have been too careless, cursed Xiang Shaoyun inwardly.

"Hehe, don't feel discouraged. Back when I was your age, I was a hot-blooded young man as well. I did things without thinking it through all the time. Only after much suffering did I survive till this day," said Tian Xu with a warm smile. He then entered the main topic, "I heard you are now staying in a first-class estate under Granny Mei's arrangement?"

With the wide network of information Tian Xu had, it was easy for him to know about Xiang Shaoyun's affairs. But he was more interested to hear the true story from Xiang Shaoyun's mouth.

To be precise, he wanted to know if Xiang Shaoyun was related to the Zither Empress. Although he knew that Xiang Shaoyun was from the Martial Hall Palace, he kept having a feeling that Xiang Shaoyun might have a powerful master behind him. It wouldn't be easy to grow this fast just relying on talent and luck alone.

That was why Tian Xu had not openly declared his intention to accept Xiang Shaoyun as his disciple. Xiang Shaoyun scratched his head and spoke with an innocent expression, "Yes, Granny Mei was the one making the arrangements, but it was under the order of Big Sister Hua Cheng."

He spoke like a naive and innocent young man who did not know the ways of the world. But he was actually using Hua Cheng's name to scare the vice pavilion master off his back. Sure enough, Tian Xu shivered when he heard Xiang Shaoyun address the Zither Empress as "Big Sister Hua Cheng". He staggered and nearly collapsed from shock.

"What did you just call the Zither Empress?" Tian Xu stabilized his footing and cried out in alarm.

"Big Sister Hua Cheng. Why?" asked Xiang Shaoyun while feigning a doubtful expression on his face.

Tian Xu stared straight at Xiang Shaoyun with a piercing gaze that seemed capable of reading minds. He found that Xiang Shaoyun still stood tall under his gaze with no fear whatsoever.

At that, Tian Xu took a deep breath and asked, "Tell me. How do you know Junior Sister Hua Cheng? Tell me everything."

It was worth noting that Tian Xu and Hua Cheng were from the same generation, but Hua Cheng's talent was above Tian Xu's, and she was able to reach the Emperor Realm, whereas Tian Xu was still stuck at the peak of Skysoar Realm. Also, he had always admired Hua Cheng. But unfortunately, Hua Cheng had someone else in her heart.

As the gap between the two grew, he came to realize that there was not much of a chance that he could actually be together with Hua Cheng.

Xiang Shaoyun did not hide anything and told him everything. Of course, he exaggerated his story a bit, bragging about how he had managed to reach the human zither unity phase. That was how he caught Hua Cheng's attention and caused her to accept him as a little brother.

Tian Xu did not doubt a word of that, as he knew Hua Cheng was a friendly person who appreciated those with artistic talent. It was completely possible that Xiang Shaoyun had gained her favor by his talent in the zither.

And with the relationship between Gong Qinyin and Xiang Shaoyun, Hua Cheng would favor this young man even more. Tian Xu started lamenting the good luck this Xiang Shaoyun had.

"Since you have the backing of Junior Sister Hua Cheng, I doubt anyone will dare to give you any trouble in the pavilion," said Tian Xu with a sigh. But he still couldn't help asking, "Since Junior Sister Hua Cheng has not accepted you as her disciple, do you actually have a master?"

Xiang Shaoyun shook his head. "Not for now, but Big Sister Hua Cheng told me she would find me a powerful master."

"I see. Yes, that would be good for you," said Tian Xu in disappointment. They continued chatting for a bit before he let Xiang Shaoyun leave.

"Shaoyun, did the vice pavilion master accept you as a disciple?" asked Liu Xinji when sending Xiang Shaoyun off.

Xiang Shaoyun shook his head. "No."

"What? Did you say something to offend the vice pavilion master?" asked Liu Xinji who instantly turned nervous. He was hoping that Xiang Shaoyun could become the vice pavilion master's disciple. With that, the status of both him and Zi Changhe would grow as well.

Xiang Shaoyun answered, "Not really. Don't think too much, Elder Liu."

He then stopped Liu Xinji from continuing to send him off. He wanted to take a walk with Zi Changhe alone. Since Liu Xinji was feeling discouraged because his plan had failed, he agreed and let the two walk alone.

Is it possible that this kid already has a master? Is it the Zither Empress? questioned Liu Xinji inwardly while looking at Xiang Shaoyun's departing back.

While walking through the pathway between two mountains with Xiang Shaoyun, Zi Changhe nagged repeatedly, "Shaoyun, you have challenged the Lightning Alliance. I'm afraid the stronger members of the alliance will start showing up. You need to be careful."

He was one of the few that knew about Xiang Shaoyun's extraordinary origin, which was why he had never viewed Xiang Shaoyun as an ordinary young man, and he had been keeping Xiang Shaoyun's origins a secret from even his master.

Xiang Shaoyun nodded and said, "Don't worry, senior brother. I will be careful." He paused for a bit before saying solemnly, "Senior brother, I think it is best you attempt your Skysoar Realm breakthrough within this month."

"Why so?" asked Zi Changhe in astonishment.