Chapter 838: At the Critical Moment

Chapter 838: Chapter 838: At the Critical Moment

Northern Julu Continent border.

Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling sat at a street noodle stall, their expressions eager as they called for the owner to serve the unparalleled Clear Bone Soup Noodles.

The small noodle stall was already packed with people, and as they watched the owner bring out the freshly cooked, steaming Clear Bone Soup Noodles, their expressions varied.

But surprise was the predominant reaction.

Bai Xuanling’s noodles were specially served in her own bowl. She deftly picked up the bowl, took a clean sip of soup, then nodded with satisfaction, her expression relaxing.

Chu Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony either. He picked up his bowl without a word and started eating.

The noodle stall owner’s eyes swept over the packed stall, a satisfied expression on his face. This single wave of business nearly equaled an entire day’s worth. The handsome young man leading the group was quite generous with his spending.

If only the noodle stall owner knew what kind of people were sitting honestly on those stools — he might not even dare to collect payment.

Yunmeng Pavilion’s Sect Master, two Tribulation Transcendence Supreme Elders, five Mahayana Elders, an Enforcement Hall Elder, an External Affairs Hall Elder — all were present, filling every stall.

Among these people, the lowest cultivation was at the peak of Mahayana.

Bai Xuanling was the world’s only living True Immortal.

The people currently sitting at this stall, without interference from any of the other Eighteen Immortal Sects, could flatten all forces currently in Northern Julu Continent.

And these outrageous combat powers were all sitting at this tiny noodle stall.

Chu Xingchen ate his noodles, raising an eyebrow slightly to signal the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master sitting across from him to eat as well.

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master hesitated for a moment, but still picked up his bowl and began to eat.

Seeing their own Sect Master also eating, the others didn’t hesitate to pick up their bowls and taste the noodles.

For centuries, these top cultivators had stopped eating for the sake of appetite. Even when they did eat, they would consume pills or spirit plants beneficial to their cultivation.

A bowl of noodles.

The steam in the bowl still swirled.

Chu Xingchen placed the bowl on the small table before him, then smiled and called out to the noodle stall owner:

"Everyone gets another bowl."

"Coming right up," the owner responded quickly.

Hearing the response, the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master also put down his hand, which had been about to object.

"I want two bowls," Bai Xuanling said, raising her chopsticks with a satisfied expression.

"Understood~!" the owner responded even faster.

Chu Xingchen sat up straight with satisfaction, his gaze turning to the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master:

"Thank you for Yunmeng Pavilion’s strong support."

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master replied naturally:

"We’re benefiting from your light, Fellow Daoist. I haven’t eaten noodles in a long time myself."

"But for some matters, a letter from you would suffice. There was no need for you to come in person."

Now everyone knew Chu Xingchen was a hot potato. If he died within someone’s sphere of influence, it would truly be worse than being skinned alive.

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master had especially heard that back then, Xiaoyun Hall had been so thoroughly played by Chu Xingchen that they’d wished they could have two Tribulation Transcendence cultivators attached to him.

Chu Xingchen said lazily: "The main issue is your procedures take too long. If I didn’t come personally, I’m afraid my foolish disciple would end up single-handedly fighting the entire Evil Spirit Sect. My coming here was convenient, and now you all have time to accompany me for this bowl of noodles."

Hearing this, the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master naturally understood. Chu Xingchen was blaming Yunmeng Pavilion for being too slow in handling Cui Hao’s request, to the point where they could barely mobilize any people.

After all, if Chu Xingchen hadn’t arrived with Bai Xuanling, Zheng Zhaoling’s letter for help might not have resulted in so many disciples being sent, and the timing wouldn’t have been so urgent.

But what needed explaining still had to be explained clearly.

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master, holding his nearly finished noodles, spoke:

"Yunmeng Pavilion’s core disciple Zhaoling has already been accompanying Junior Nephew Cui. Some procedures have been greatly simplified. In fact, before departing for Northern Julu Continent this time, a Tribulation Transcendence Supreme Elder was already accompanying and protecting them."

"This is already an above-standard arrangement for Yunmeng Pavilion."

Chu Xingchen reached out to take the noodles the stall owner had prepared, chuckling softly:

"Then I’m honored. This should be considered above-above-standard treatment, right?"

"Heh." Bai Xuanling sat to the side with a light scoff, then said in a leisurely tone, "Stop flattering yourself, boy. You’re just a Tribulation Transcendence junior cultivator. This is clearly the standard treatment I, as a living True Immortal, should receive."

With that, Bai Xuanling turned her calm gaze to the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master:

"Wouldn’t you agree?"

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master understood these two were playing a double act, expressing that Yunmeng Pavilion’s attitude was ambiguous and their support limited — not as promised before.

Seeing that the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master didn’t immediately respond, Chu Xingchen continued:

"Forget it. Every family has its difficulties. I don’t like making things difficult for people. I’m lazy too — if it weren’t absolutely necessary, I definitely wouldn’t have come."

"The Evil Spirit Sect is deeply entangled with the Celestial Demons. The Great Tribulation is about to begin. Such forces must be eradicated."

"The Tianyan Sect, Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, and Taidao Sect have been tracking their movements, clearly identifying demon hideouts. The Buddhist Sect is in Southern Zhanbu Continent, and Yunxiao Hall is in Eastern Divine Continent."

"While the immortal sects are powerful, to truly cover all five continents and myriad regions — they’re still far from enough."

"This matter can’t be taken lightly. That’s why Senior Bai and I came here together."

"Northern Julu Continent is governed by Yunmeng Marsh regarding Incense Gods. Moreover, if we were to organize our own forces to cross boundaries, I’m afraid the Sect Master would be even more apprehensive."

"It’s difficult for both sides. I had to come here personally, troubling you all to make this trip to Northern Julu Continent."

Hearing this, the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master nodded slightly:

"We’ll do our best with these matters."

"Exactly." Chu Xingchen said, holding his noodles. "The Eighteen Immortal Sects have sworn the Great Oath. No one can escape this Great Tribulation. Standing by and watching the fire means being defeated one by one. Even the Celestial Demons can unite — let alone Sect Masters who have experienced the Great Tribulation and understand its suffering?"

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master glanced at Bai Xuanling, who had fallen silent again and was eating her noodles, then nodded slightly.

Actually, when it came down to it, it wasn’t that Yunmeng Pavilion wasn’t cooperative enough.

The standard procedures simply required this. Tribulation Transcendence cultivators weren’t cabbages that could be brought out to dry in the sun whenever you wanted. They were Yunmeng Pavilion’s treasures — even showing them to others for a glance would cause heartache. Those pillar disciples weren’t leeks that could be cut and grow back.

But given Chu Xingchen’s special identity, plus Bai Xuanling, Yunmeng Pavilion had arranged such an impressive escort.

The newly ordered bowls of noodles weren’t even finished yet when Bai Xuanling had already consumed her additional two bowls.

She put away her bowls and chopsticks with satisfaction:

"Full. The smoke and fire of mortals has its own flavor."

Bai Xuanling sighed, then turned her gaze to the Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master:

"Let’s not discuss previous matters anymore. Finish the noodles, and handle the serious business properly."

"Also, that kid Cui Hao — I think quite highly of him. He might not need us to back him up at all. Our coming here might just be a casual stroll."

The Yunmeng Pavilion Sect Master nodded again in praise:

"Cui Hao is indeed exceptionally intelligent."

Bai Xuanling smiled but didn’t respond. Her gaze drifted back to Chu Xingchen, who had started eating noodles again.

Cui Hao probably hadn’t expected this either.

To make things easier for him, Chu Xingchen had actually pulled out several of Yunmeng Pavilion’s core members.

As a master, Chu Xingchen —

At critical moments, he really did have that certain quality.

The more critical the moment, the less likely he was to drop the ball.