Chapter 133: Chapter 96: Liou Zhen’s Glorious Battle Record

This was the first time Liou Yuan had ever heard information about cultivators with special abilities directly from a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s mouth—knowledge that couldn’t be found even in the library—so he listened intently, ears perked up.

When he heard the Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment mention that a double-eyed mutant once made a name for himself in Jiuli and the Jin Dynasty, his expression showed yearning.

"When this young lord reaches Foundation Establishment, will these Evil Eyes be able to sweep through the entire Foundation Establishment Realm?"

Liou Yuan’s wild thoughts were swiftly brought back to reality by Mr. Zhao’s booming voice.

"Old Sun, don’t oversell the kid. That senior was formidable because he cultivated a Foundation Establishment technique compatible with his pair of mutated eyes."

"And those Spirit Eyes themselves held significant power."

"Not all Spirit Eye bearers are as remarkable."

Despite saying this, Mr. Zhao’s gaze softened unconsciously as he looked at Liou Yuan’s eyes.

He was even warmer than before, his tone full of undisguised admiration.

"Very good. With just those Spirit Eyes, your potential is already on par with any Five-Star Star Acupoint disciple."

"If it wasn’t for the Chouhuai City incident, you probably wouldn’t have easily revealed your background, would you?"

"Sneaky brat, hiding it pretty deep."

Liou Yuan smiled, neither humble nor arrogant as he replied, "Junior has no family backing me, everything’s thanks to my elder brother who guided me onto this path."

"So being cautious—not a mistake, after all."

Mr. Zhao caught the underlying meaning in Liou Yuan’s words and raised his aged brows.

He knew about the feud between the two branches of the Liou Family, so he had no reason to doubt Liou Yuan’s words. He even added, "As it should be."

After that, he even promised, "Don’t worry. Your actions are for the Chouhuai City folk; I, Zhao Zhuoran, am not a bigmouth. I’ll keep your secret under wraps."

As Liou Yuan spoke, he saw Zhao Zhuoran turn his head with a smile toward the Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment. "Old Sun won’t talk, right?"

It was Liou Yuan who had detected the Calamity-level Star Evil’s existence.

And it was Liou Yuan who had pinpointed it exactly.

As the Foundation Establishment in charge of guarding Chouhuai City, Liou Yuan had done this Sun-surnamed cultivator a huge favor.

If he spilled the secret, it’d smack of ingratitude.

Zhao Zhuoran’s words sounded like a question, but really it was nudging Sun to commit himself.

The latter, being a man of honor, readily promised, "Don’t worry. If I talk, I wouldn’t have the face to deal with your Five Extremes Mountain Foundation Establishment people."

Then came Zhao Feiyue.

She felt both Foundation Establishments’ gazes were on her, so she solemnly promised Liou Yuan, "Mr. Liou, rest assured. I’m not a chatterbox. If anything leaks, you can come for an explanation."

Liou Yuan had come here fully prepared for the possibility that his Evil Eyes would be exposed.

Who’d have thought Mr. Zhao was so shrewd, covering up his secret in just a few words.

He was, of course, happy to see this play out.

After all, the Evil Eyes were trump cards capable of turning the tide in certain situations; revealing them prematurely was not ideal.

He immediately offered a heartfelt thanks to the two Foundation Establishments up ahead: "Thank you, Mr. Zhao. And thank you to Mr. Sun as well."

Finally, he smiled at Zhao Feiyue.

"And Miss Zhao."

The unveiling of Liou Yuan’s Evil Eyes so easily dispelled the concerns of both Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Mr. Zhao finally brought up the main matter, asking in a deep voice, "Your eyes—where did you spot the Star Evil?"

Liou Yuan inhaled the searing airflow, then spoke in a half-truth, low voice: "Lingjue Temple!"

"Junior’s cultivation is too low, and these eyes don’t see clearly. After a whole month, the best I could manage was sensing a vague spot, right within Lingjue Temple."

This too was Liou Yuan’s way of hedging his bets.

He feared that exposing the secret of the Evil Eyes would make Mr. Zhao and Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment think he could always spot lurking Star Evil.

If a Foundation Establishment later asked him to help track Star Evil when his Fixed Star Compass wasn’t fully charged, he’d be in for big trouble.

It would also make the two Foundation Establishments suspicious about his performance today.

"Not seeing clearly is normal. Even the Jin Dynasty royal family’s artifact for detecting Star Evil can only lock in on a general area."

"Just for your Spirit Eyes to reach this level, they’re as good as a Spiritual Treasure."

Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment was all smiles, not suspicious at all, and found it only natural.

Mr. Zhao nodded, then started to transmit his voice to Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment.

The two Foundation Establishments began discussing actions based on Liou Yuan’s intel.

"With his Spirit Eyes, there shouldn’t be a mistake."

"Since the location is specific, no need to wreck the whole Chouhuai City."

"Once Jiangyang Prefecture’s reinforcements arrive, surround Lingjue Temple. It’s only a small area; if it gets destroyed, so be it."

This was Mr. Zhao’s proposal.

Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment nodded eagerly, sighing, "If we can save the city, all the better."

"This time you Five Extremes Mountain kids have rendered great service."

Mr. Zhao laughed: "Indeed, great merit. Jin Dynasty had better not be stingy."

Since it wasn’t Mr. Zhao’s money, as Five Extremes Mountain’s Protector he’d naturally speak up for his own disciples.

"Rest assured, the boy won’t lack reward." Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment gave Mr. Zhao a reassuring look.

Actually, he didn’t have to pay either; it’d go up to the Jin Dynasty imperial court for decision.

Mr. Zhao added with deep meaning, "When you report, don’t forget to add that this kid is the younger brother of Liou Zhen, the Snow Shattering Sword."

"Got it, got it!" Anyone who reached Foundation Establishment was shrewd; the Sun-surnamed cultivator understood Mr. Zhao’s intent perfectly.

The two Foundation Establishments discussed for a while, working out detailed plans for handling the Star Evil.

Their discussion, of course, wouldn’t be overheard by Liou Yuan or Zhao Feiyue.

Liou Yuan was not worried, having gained their trust; he only kept his head modestly lowered and waited.

Zhao Feiyue, though, couldn’t keep still, her eyes flicking from side to side as she secretly observed Liou Yuan multiple times.

She was intrigued and astonished that Liou Yuan possessed Spirit Eyes; she still hadn’t gotten over it.

As one of the upper clan geniuses at Five Extremes Mountain, Zhao Feiyue had only heard occasional rumors about cultivators with special abilities; rarely did she meet one.

This was the first time she saw one face-to-face—and it was her old acquaintance, Liou Yuan.

"Mr. Liou’s Spirit Eyes aren’t just for vision enhancement. There must be other powers too."

"He’s already formidable without even using Spirit Eyes. If it’s a real life-and-death battle, few among this year’s new disciples could match him."

The batch of disciples Zhao Feiyue referred to naturally included the seven Five-Star Star Acupoint talents—including herself.

Liou Yuan and Zhao Feiyue didn’t wait long.

Mr. Zhao and Sun-surnamed Foundation Establishment had reached a conclusion.

It was up to Mr. Zhao to arrange specifics for what would happen next in Chouhuai City.

Liou Yuan saw him turn to Zhao Feiyue, giving her a gentle instruction: "Yue’Er, you go out together with Liou Yuan. Mobilize the city’s cultivators and immediately move Chouhuai City’s residents to the city gate area."

"When Jiangyang Prefecture’s support arrives, you may escort the people out of the city."

The reason Mr. Zhao wanted Zhao Feiyue to go with Liou Yuan was entirely due to her status.

As Zhao Zhuoran’s granddaughter, her orders carried more weight here in Chouhuai City than any Five Extremes Mountain disciple; there was no better person for the job.

"Yes!" Zhao Feiyue, sharp as a tack, immediately understood the reasoning and responded with a respectful voice.

Liou Yuan had good instincts; after listening to the conversation, he knew it was time to leave.

He hurriedly bid farewell and bowed to the two Foundation Establishments in the chamber.

He and Zhao Feiyue took their leave together, walking out of the chamber with measured steps.

Outside, the array shielding the chamber closed back up as Liou Yuan and Zhao Feiyue emerged. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Zhao Feiyue glanced back at the chamber, then asked Liou Yuan crisply, "Mr. Liou, what do you make of this?"

Both being clever, Liou Yuan immediately grasped that Zhao Feiyue was asking about the significance of Zhao Zhuoran’s order.

He replied softly, "They’re planning to make their move inside the city."

"Now with the Auspicious Star active, even if there’s no array protection outside, with our manpower, we can safeguard the people just fine."

"You’re not worried about the people’s safety, but about Second Grandfather and the others."

"That’s a Star Evil listed in the library," Zhao Feiyue pursed her lips slightly, worry in her eyes. Zhao Zhuoran was a pillar of the Zhao Family and couldn’t afford an accident.

"No need to worry, Miss Zhao. My brother fully respects Mr. Zhao’s strength. Besides, Jiangyang Prefecture will be bringing magical artifacts as support, and four Foundation Establishments to boot—against one Calamity-level Star Evil with the Auspicious Star weakening it, not a problem."

Liou Yuan already knew the Star Evil’s strength from the Fixed Star Compass.

It was stronger than the Calamity-level Star Evil slain by Liou Zhen, but still fit within Foundation Establishment range—classified as Grade C, Level 1 danger.

So he was thoroughly confident about this mission.

His confidence was contagious; Zhao Feiyue broke into a smile, her gaze turning playful.

"If it wasn’t for the Calamity-level Star Evil crisis, who knows how long Mr. Liou would have hidden those twin Spirit Eyes."

"Oh, Miss Zhao, aren’t you well aware of my situation?"

Liou Yuan shot a helpless look at Zhao Feiyue, replying quietly, "Xiangshan the Liou Family is always watching me, plotting my demise."

"If these Evil Eyes are exposed, they’ll never let me grow strong."

"You underestimate your big brother," Zhao Feiyue shook her head; at this point there was no need to conceal anything.

She gradually disclosed a secret only known to Five Extremes Mountain’s higher-ups.

"The Snow Shattering Sword’s reputation is all built on his blade."

"Now, within the Fog Acupoint Lineage of the Liou Family, only two or three Foundation Establishments are qualified to spar with your big brother."

"Even Second Grandfather admits he’s not confident about beating Mr. Liou."

Liou Yuan only knew his eldest brother had reached Foundation Establishment, but did not know how strong he actually was within the realm, since he hadn’t reached that level himself.

After all, he’d only seen Liou Zhen fight once.

Hearing Zhao Feiyue say even Five Extremes Mountain’s dignified Protector Zhao Zhuoran had no assurance of victory over his brother, his spirits soared.

"My big brother’s that strong?"

"Extremely strong!" Zhao Feiyue nodded solemnly, then comforted him softly, "Now that Mr. Liou is back, you’re even safer; the Fog Acupoint Lineage dares not provoke him madly."

When she said ’madly,’ a palpable terror flashed across Zhao Feiyue’s face, her tone muddy: "When he goes crazy, he even dares fight Inner Sect Disciplinary Hall Foundation Establishment seniors."

"He was locked up for a year because of that incident."

"After he got out, his strength shot up. He went back and beat that senior again, even trashed their cave dwelling."