The Scum Is A

Two days before the second elimination period of the third stage of the Intersect Competition.

Everyone watched as Xi He grinned with excitement but also held a malicious gaze as he flew between the trees, looking around the area for Wu Tie's figure. Sun Yu sighed in helplessness and disappointment and sent an apologetic gaze to Wu Tong because Xi He obviously wants to cause troubles to Wu Tie, thus would be impending Wu Tie's development in this stage.

He will definitely punish Xi He after the competition ends! Why can't Xi He be like Xi Bing? Although the Shanliangde Sect isn't as strict as it was before to its disciples now, and doesn't have high requirements, Xi He just remained a disappointment to them even though he possesses a great potential.

This must be due to Xi Shi, Xi He's father. Why does Xi He have to follow Xi Shi's footsteps, living in a grudge-filled world? Sun Yu thought, feeling distressed. The Xi Clan wasn't that much worse, for Xi Bing also became a promising cultivator of this generation, albeit looked average in his performance at first. Anyone who had a discerning eye could see that Xi Bing is hiding his strengths.

Yet, Xi He wasn't as lucky as Xi Bing for he has a father like Xi Shi who is envious of others.

…

"Great! The participants have figured out the other conditions!" Jing Hei exclaimed and clapped his hands after they all heard that Zheng Yi confirmed that the participants really found out the conditions for xiao Bao and xiao Ling stealing points.

Fan Wen and the others also felt relieved, since the participants now wouldn't struggle as blindly as before. At least, they can finally fight back against xiao Bao and xiao Ling by lessening their number when hunting for demons. Though, they still are losing since even if the points that were taken away from them have decreased, still, they can't stop xiao Bao and xiao Ling from taking their points away.

Thinking this, everyone's joy was dampened and they grimaced. They looked at Cheng Sheng but Cheng Sheng just laughed. Zheng Yi who saw this helplessly smiled. But, still, he would be lying if he will say he isn't enjoying this. No wonder Cheng Sheng likes to pit others. It was really fun!

With this, Zheng Yi's path to blackening became smoother.

"Xiao Sheng…" Fan Wen called, looking very helpless.

As a kind-hearted mother… ehem, wrong, master, Fan Wen really feels pained seeing the struggles of others, especially of the ones who are close to him. And more especially if the one who is causing others to suffer is also one of his own people. Ai. It is really hard for Fan Wen to have a disciple like Cheng Sheng, this sadist troublemaker.

Cheng Sheng's heart softened seeing the 'father' who raised him for ten years. "Master. Please don't worry. Xiao Bao and xiao Ling won't be too excessive towards the participants. They know their limits." He assured him.

Fan Wen saw Cheng Sheng's 'sincere' gaze and felt reassured. But, the others who saw Cheng Sheng's eyes flashing as soon as Fan Wen retracted his gaze on him. "…" fck! Cheng Sheng really is the most evil! He even has the heart to deceive someone pure like Fan Wen?! They thought as their faces were covered with black lines.

Li Tian, Feng Mo, Lei Qing, Lei Ling and You Rou. "…" shifu… we are sorry! We can't help our disciples! Cheng-shidi is too strong! Cheng-shidi is too fierce! They thought and inwardly cried. The bitterness they felt increased when they saw Fei Yin's doting smile on Cheng Sheng. Look! Even da shixiong not only bows, but also kneels before him! Da shixiong even kisses… his feet! How can we fight against Cheng-shidi?! They added.

The other elders also can see this, thus they can only admit defeat and pray for the participants to remain strong and hold on until the stage ends. In the next stage, and the last stage, they wouldn't let Cheng Sheng participate again! They thought and looked at Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi's lip twitched. "…" it seems like this is where my 'fun' ends… he thought and nodded at them to assure them that he won't collaborate with Cheng Sheng, this person who is a master in pitting against the others, again.

…

"Qi Lan-ge!" He Shun cried after he saw that Qi Lan's body flew mid-air before it hit the trunk of the tree.

Before Qi Lan's body could fall to the ground, He Shun caught him. But, Qi Lan was still conscious and, after he saw that he was about to flatten He Shun due to his fall, he swapped their positions and He Shun fell on top of him instead.

He Shun's eyes widened in shock.

"You are good." Xiao Ling spoke as he looked at Qi Lan while he landed on the ground. Then, he glanced at He Shun. "You also know how to protect." He added before he returned his gaze on Qi Lan and mouthed something.

Both Qi Lan's and He Shun's eyes widened in shock. But, everything was too fast and xiao Ling's figure disappeared, leaving a strong gust of wind to hide their shocked expressions.

…

The smile on Cheng Sheng's face decreased after he saw the scene.

"Sheng." Fei Yin whispered.

Cheng Sheng closed his eyes. After he opened them, the worry in his eyes disappeared and was replaced by the usual calm. He didn't answer and just resumed watching. The others were focused on their respective participants supporting, anxiously watching since xiao Bao is about to attack the other participants next, so no one noticed Cheng Sheng's and Fei Yin's movements.

Only they know what xiao Ling spoke, including Qi Lan and He Shun whom he mouthed those words at.

…

"Whew! It is exactly as Er Zi said last night!" Tang Li spoke after he and Li Yan watched as their points decreased only a little unlike yesterday after xiao Ling attacked them.

This time, it was xiao Bao who attacked them two.

"But, Er Zi… he is with – " Tang Li grimaced.

Li Yan's lip twitched when he also recalled their arrangement. "Yeah. He is with Ling Yun, who is xiao Ling is targeting." He said when they recalled that Ling Yun told them that xiao Ling is targeting him.

"But, what happened yesterday… wouldn't xiao Ling also target Er Zi?" Tang Li worriedly asked. "And both of them just had to pair up together!" he sighed and anxiously pulled his hair.

...

Last night.

"The points deducted to us are based on the number of people we have." Chen Wu spoke. "Then, we have to minimize our people." He said and immediately looked at his brothers. He sighed when he saw Chen Yu's timid appearance.

"Chen Yu, you stay here." Chen Su told him.

Chen Yu nodded and looked at Chen Wu with an apologetic gaze. Chen Wu smiled, comforting him.

"Then, we'll maintain our pairs?" Jing De spoke as he looked at his older brother, Jing Xu. Then, he turned to the Qian brothers, as well as the Su siblings.

There is no need to ask the Qi-He, Qian Lan and He Shun pair, as well as the Tang-Li, Tang Li and Li Yan pair.

"G – ge… can I go?" Wen Wen asked and looked at Wen Yan with a pleading gaze.

Wen Yan pursed his lips.

"Take him." Zhu Xi spoke.

"I'll go help my jie then concoct potions." Cui Xiao spoke. She and Wen Wen then replaced each other.

"I'll take Chen Su with me. You…" Chen Wu looked at Wu Lian.

"Ge! I have a plan!" Chen Su suddenly spoke.

Everyone looked at him.

"Until now, we only found out one condition of xiao Bao and xiao Ling stealing points, and that is 'lesser number, lesser deduction of points'." Chen Su spoke. "But, even if we found out this, we are still at a disadvantage because our points still kept decreasing even if the deduction has lessened." He explained.

"You are right." Su Yi agreed. "Even if Cheng-shishu wanted to pit us, it wouldn't be this bad. Or else, the Righteous Alliance would blacken its name for being too heavy-handed to us, participants, this year." He explained.

Everyone. "…" are you sure you won't be sacked as soon as this competition ends? They thought and looked at Su Yi in awe because of his bold words.

The Righteous Alliance, the sect leaders and the elders. "…" they all turned to glare at Xie Lan while Li Tian's smile is about to collapse.

Meanwhile, Cheng Sheng boisterously laughed. He really likes this shizhi of his because of his sharp tongue!

…

"So… ge, how about you and Wu Lian-ge take the initiative to attack xiao Bao and xiao Ling instead?" Chen Su looked at the two.

"This is a good idea…" they all nodded in agreement.

Chen Wu and Wu Lian also think this is reasonable. Chen Su will go with Zhu Xi, and Chen Wu felt reassured since Zhu Xi is reliable.

That leaves… everyone turned to look at Fei Yinzi and Ling Yun.. "…" fck. Is it okay to leave this two together? They are both disciples of Cheng Sheng and one of their attackers will be their master's sword spirit!