The Scum Is A ***

The musicians finally stopped playing after noticing the tension in the atmosphere. Zheng Fu Gong and Pai Lie looked at each other. Not only being an array master is the most dangerous work, but also the most important. They can make formations to erect a barrier keeping the whole city safe. They can make the best defense against the enemies.

However, important things are rare to find. It goes to array masters. Pai Lie is the only array master left. The last array masters are the Chen and Wu ancestors. They are sword cultivators but also array masters. Thus, the teleportation array of the Youxiwang Sect is made by them. The Shanliangde Sect, Zunjingde Sect and the Qianxu Sect's teleportation array was made by Pai Lie. The Xinfaxian Sect's teleportation array was made by Cheng Sheng.

Yes. It's Cheng Sheng, not Xie Lan nor Fan Wen. The Xinfaxian Sect was just starting thus they do not need teleportation array. However, one day, Cheng Sheng was practicing his knowledge of arrays and scribbled senselessly on the ground. With his little qi, he activated the array but was blown up. When Cheng Sheng woke up, he was chastised by Xie Lan while Fan Wen was crying on the side. He had gotten a scare. He thought that Cheng Sheng died. After he cried, he immediately nagged at him how dangerous can the arrays be. Cheng Sheng became deaf for a day because of Fan Wen. He never messed with arrays again until he finally and fully mastered it.

"Elder Zheng." Pai Lie spoke, which only added more tension in the air because of what he said. "I am dissatisfied with the result." He said. "We need more array masters." He told him, which is an obvious fact.

"But, the result…" Zheng Fu Gong said. "There're no more…" his voice trailed off.

"This is what I am dissatisfied with!" Pai Lie said and turned. "My candidate didn't take up the test!" he said, his gaze falling on Cheng Sheng.

"Your candidate…?" Zheng Fu Gong, as well as everyone, followed his gaze.

… when did I become your candidate? Cheng Sheng thought as he lowered his gaze, hiding the turbulence in his eyes. Damn it… he thought. Old people are really troublesome.

Zheng Fu Gong tried to ease the situation. "Cheng Sheng chose the martial arts test." He told him.

"I know that!" Pai Lie said. "However, can't he have chosen the Array Drawing?" he asked. "There are thousands of sword cultivators already, but there's none as array masters." He said.

"That's because it's a meticulous and dangerous job…" Zheng Fu Gong said.

"But, he is qualified!" Pai Lie said and finally pointed Cheng Sheng. "Very qualified!" he added.

The crowd obviously already heard about the second young master of the Chen Clan. He's a genius. Not to mention his martial arts, but he's a master in alchemy. He's not only a sword cultivator, but he's also a mage through and through.

The three other elders – Jing Xian, Su Yuan and Qi Ling, remained silent. However, they were sizing up Cheng Sheng. Before, because of Wu Yuan and Chen Jing's presence, they thought, like what Xi Shi was thinking that time, Cheng Sheng managed to catch a demonic cultivator because of Wu Yuan and Chen Jing's help. Unlike Pai Lie, they looked down on Cheng Sheng's array skill that time. They thought that Pai Lie was just overexcited since he finally found an array master like him. However…

"What do you suggest that we do?" Zheng Fu Gong asked as he combed his long beard.

Hey, old men. Can't you ignore my presence? Cheng Sheng thought. "I'll make him my successor – " Pai Lie said.

Everyone looked at him in shock. Even though the array masters are extinct, but he just can't be – "Elder Pai." It was Qi Ling. "Please don't be careless." He told him.

Pai Lie turned to him. "Elder Qi."

"I agree with elder Qi." Su Yuan said. "You can't just immediately make him your successor." He said.

"What do you suggest?" Pai Lie asked.

"A demonstration." It was Jing Xian. He rose from his seat and walked towards Pai Lie. However, his gaze is on Cheng Sheng.

… can't you all drop dead? Cheng Sheng thought. They're not considering my feelings! He internally screamed. "Wait!" it was Xie Lan.

Founder! Cheng Sheng cried in his mind. Save me! Even though I'm fooling around, but I love the sword more than the alchemy –

"Sect leader Xie." Zheng Fu Gong called. Of course, Cheng Sheng is a Xinfaxian Sect disciple. They shouldn't just decide without Xie Lan's permission.

"I can't have you – " Xie Lan said as he walked towards them, his face frosty. " – doubt my disciple's talent!" he said. "I agree with demonstration!"

FOUNDERRRR!!! How could you?! Cheng Sheng was crying in his heart. I trusted you! How can you pit me more?! "Wait!" it was Chen Jing.

Father! My biological father! Cheng Sheng turned to Chen Jing, his eyes filled with hope. Zheng Fu Gong and the others turned to Chen Jing. Of course. Cheng Sheng is his son. We can't decide without his permission. They thought. "Chen patriarch." Pai Lie called.

"I can't have you – " Chen Jing said as he stopped in front of them, his face stern. " – show my son's brilliance in front of everybody! Sheng-er is is my son– mrmph!" he said when Wu Yuan appeared behind him and covered his mouth.

"Please pardon me." Wu Yuan said and bowed. Chen Jing, his head being held, was forced to lower his head. "Elder Zheng. Elder Pai. Elder Jing." He called as he stood upright facing them. "Please excuse my words, but the decision lies on Cheng Sheng himself, isn't it?" he said and turned to Cheng Sheng.

Wu-shixiong!!! Cheng Sheng almost cried on the spot. Thank you! Thank you for not pitting me unlike my reliable father and foster father! He thought and smiled in gratitude. "Ah Yuan is really reliable, right?" Sun Yi whispered.

"Yes, Sun-shixiong!" Cheng Sheng answered. Fortunately, the new sect leader of the Youxiwang Sect isn't an idiot. If the sect leader position fell on Chen Jing's hand, they can kiss goodbye to the Youxiwang Sect.

"Of course – " Zheng Fu Gong answered.

"Wait!" Pai Lie frowned.

Cheng Sheng almost fell on his knees. Geezer, can you cut it out already? He thought. "Elder Pai…" Zheng Fu Gong called.

"Obviously, he'd choose his sword since it's what the test he took." Pai Lie said.

"Ah…" they all nodded. Don't just 'ah'! Cheng Sheng screamed in his mind. It is I in-question here. Let me decide! Let me decide my fate, you old men!

"However, elder Pai wanted him to be his successor." Zheng Fu Gong said.

"And, of course, Xiao Sheng is, unquestionably, highly-skilled in arrays." Xie Lan proudly said. Chen Jing nodded in agreement.

"But… how do we…" Zheng Fu Gong looked torn. He wanted for Cheng Sheng to make his decision, but he can't ignore Pai Lie.

Just let me make my decision! It is MY decision, isn't it?! Cheng Sheng's lips thinned. Fei Yin saw his changing expressions. He knew, Cheng Sheng is irritated. He's close to exploding now. "Cheng-shidi." He called.

"Da shixiong?" Cheng Sheng heard Fei Yin.

"It'll be alright." Fei Yin told him. He knew, even though Cheng Sheng is a braggart, but Cheng Sheng doesn't want to be treated like a dancing monkey.

Cheng Sheng saw the comforting look in Fei Yin's eyes and his heart was moved. Da shixiong… he thought and lowered his gaze.

"The second stage." Su Yuan spoke. They turned to him. He rose from his seat. "Both the sword and the alchemy can be used." He reminded them.

"Oh!"

Don't 'oh!' me. Cheng Sheng frowned. "Yes." Qi Ling spoke as he joined them. "The participants of the martial arts test just don't know only martial arts, and don't use only martial arts. The same can be said for the participants who took the alchemy test." He said and looked at the 100 winners from the preliminary stage. "This is the Intersect Competition, which aims to showcase the skills of each cultivator." He said. "The preliminary stage is over. Time for the next stage – the real competition to start!" he said as he flung his wide sleeves.

Everyone made an applause. "… elder Qi. You just stole my dramatic speech." Zheng Fu Gong told him.

"Oh."