Great Sage Path

Chapter 2 Adding Insult to Injury

Sun Sheng walked out of the main hall, where a group of young members of the Bai family had gathered.

They all knew that Sun Sheng might be expelled from the family today. After all, he was once a genius of the Bai family, and his current state was a cause for pity, attracting many onlookers eager for a spectacle.

Sun Sheng emerged, limping, his face cold, head bowed, staring at his feet.

Everyone understood the implication, and a murmur of discussion arose.

"Judging from his face, the methods of the family elders must have worked. He's going to be kicked out today."

"Alas, a former genius! The glory of our Bai family has fallen to this state. Why was he so blind to offend the heir of the Purple Sect? Now he's a fool, his cultivation crippled and expelled from the family. He's utterly worthless."

"It must have been because he was arrogant and self-important back then, thinking he was so great, challenging the heir of another sect. He got crippled as a result."

"That's true. Although he was a genius in Mufeng City, in the grand scheme of things..." "In the eyes of the sects, he's insignificant, like a common cabbage, yet he dares to act so arrogantly."

"No, no, I've heard others talk about it. They say that back in the Purple Sect, Sun Sheng offended a sect's heir while protecting two other members of his family."

"Shh, be quiet! The family elders have strictly forbade mentioning that matter; it's still a taboo topic. Don't say too much."

"It's a pity that a genius from back then is now worthless."

"Hmph, there's nothing we can do about it. The family doesn't support useless people. I think this is a good idea." Someone objected.

"Exactly! I also think it's better that he's gone. Although he was once the honor of the Bai family, now he's a disgrace. Many people in the city will use this to ridicule our Bai family. Letting him go is like erasing a stain on our Bai family."

Sun Sheng remained silent, sighing inwardly. He had naturally heard these words as well.

Because those people were talking without any restraint, loudly and harshly, unafraid to offend Sun Sheng, how could he not hear them?

“Silence!” A large figure stepped out of the crowd. It was a very fat man, round and chubby, with a neck that was almost invisible, his head was practically fused to his body, covered in fat, walking with a swaying gait.

This was Bai Yi, known to others as Wu Bao, a rather comical nickname. He had four older sisters, and as the fifth child in his family, he was the most beloved, hence the nickname "Wu Bao" (Five Treasures). He was a close friend of Sun Sheng within the family.

Furthermore, another person stepped out from the crowd, not very old, only fourteen years old. Although not conventionally beautiful, she was quite pretty and gentle. Her name was Bai Ziming, also a friend of Sun Sheng.

"Great Sage, how is it?" Bai Yi asked as he approached.

Bai Ziming also looked at Sun Sheng expectantly, her eyes filled with deep concern.

Sun Sheng gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and said, "I'll go to the backyard. I should at least take Tie Zhu with me." With that, Sun Sheng turned and walked towards the backyard.

Bai Yi and Bai Zimo exchanged a glance, both lowering their heads in despair. There was no need to guess; it was definitely the elders' scheme that had succeeded. From this day forward, Sun Sheng would never be able to return to the family; he had truly been expelled.

"How could this be? Brother Da Sheng did so much, why did the elders..." Bai Zimo burst into tears, her small face instantly streaked with tears.

"Don't say anything more, let some villain overhear and go to complain," Bai Yi, being quite observant, glanced back at the crowd and whispered.

Sun Sheng arrived at the backyard, where there was a cowshed, which he had built himself.

Inside the cowshed was a large, dark blue water buffalo. This buffalo was robust, its hide a deep blue, with four visible spiral patterns on its skin. The ox lay drowsily beneath the cowshed, its two large horns gleaming like metal.

Seeing Sun Sheng approach, the blue ox slowly rose, its previously sleepy eyes brightening and becoming alert.

"Tiezhu, we're leaving here today. Come with me," Sun Sheng said, touching the ox's dark blue hide.

Sun Sheng had brought this ox back from the wild when he was ten years old. When he first saw it, it was swimming in a large river outside the city, unattended.

So Sun Sheng took it in and settled it in the family's backyard, feeding it morning and evening.

Sun Sheng led the ox out of the cowshed. Bai Yi and Bai Ziming followed behind, sighing repeatedly. Bai Ziming was crying uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face, completely ignoring her appearance.

"Why is this happening? How could the family elders treat Brother Dasheng like this? Brother Dasheng was injured while protecting two of the family's direct descendants, and now they're kicking him while he's down." Bai Ziming sobbed softly, someone who knew the truth of what happened back then.

“Hmph!” Bai Yi sneered, "For the sake of the family's reputation, those old guys have truly abandoned all principles. Those two heartless people, Bai Zhanfei and Bai Yingying, didn't even bother to see Brother Dasheng off. Brother Dasheng clearly saved them back then, but after he returned, the family elders, to protect the reputation of the direct line, forbade everyone to discuss this topic. It's so unfair!"

Bai Yi's complaints resonated deeply with Sun Sheng. But what could he do? He was powerless now, unable to cultivate, an orphan, with no one to protect him. What could he do to argue with the family?

Besides, this was the Bai family, and he wasn't even a Bai.

Even though Sun Sheng grew up here, he was still an outsider.

"Great Sage, take care on your journey. We're seeing you off. Although you're leaving, you'll live on in my divine world, and I will never forget you," Bai Yi said.

"Get the hell out of here! Where are you taking me?!" Sun Sheng glared at the fat man, annoyed.

Bai Yi scratched his head, looking aggrieved, and said, "Sorry, I haven't been very well-educated. Anyway... have a safe journey, I won't forget your kindness."

"You're the one who should die!" Sun Sheng glared, this fat man was so tactless.

"Five Treasures, can't you speak properly? You big fatso should be dead!" Bai Ziming also glared at Bai Yi, she'd never seen anyone so tactless.

The three of them all laughed, after all, they were all young, and this eased the tense atmosphere considerably.

"Sun Sheng, this is your seriousness pay from the family. Take it." At this moment, a young man, about sixteen or seventeen years old, approached, carrying a box. He handed it to Sun Sheng, his brows furrowed and a cold snort escaping his nose.

Sun Sheng took the box and opened it. Inside were ten third-grade spiritual herbs, Dan Shen (**), which could not only enhance one's Qi cultivation but also make one's Qi exceptionally vigorous.

"Hmph, I really don't know what the elders were thinking. They're already gone, yet they still waste ten spiritual herbs. Even if you had ten, could you turn things around? It's utterly laughable. Such precious herbs, wasted on a good-for-nothing." Bai Jing said irritably. He was also a direct descendant of the Bai family.

"Bai Jing, what did you say!" Bai Yi immediately roared, veins bulging on his forehead.

"Don't make a fool of yourself. You're no match for me, and besides, what I said isn't wrong," Bai Jing said with a cold laugh, glancing at Sun Sheng with utter sarcasm. "I hope you can present these spiritual herbs in public."

With that, Bai Jing strode away, leaving Sun Sheng and the others with a dashing silhouette.

"Damn it, that kid deserves a beating. He's just relying on being a direct descendant; his strength isn't anything special. If it really came down to a fight, I might not lose to him," the chubby Bai said angrily.

"He's already at the Qi Refining stage, while you're still in the Qi Refining stage. You can't beat him," Sun Sheng said with a wry smile.

"I..." The chubby Bai blushed, saying, "I'll subdue him with my divine power! I despise him for his character!"

"Never mind..." Sun Sheng smiled speechlessly, leading his blue ox towards the gates of the Bai family mansion, carrying a box of ten spiritual herbs in his arms.

In front of the Bai family mansion gates, a group of young people had gathered, including Bai Jing.

Of course, they weren't there to see Sun Sheng off, but rather to surround a young couple, attending to them with the utmost respect.

This young couple possessed an extraordinary air about them. The first was Bai Zhanfei, fifteen or sixteen years old, but already over 1.7 meters tall, with handsome features—absolutely outstanding in appearance among the group of young people.

The second was Bai Yingying, also around the same age, although perhaps appearing a year or two older due to having children earlier.

Sun Sheng, leading his blue ox, accompanied by Bai Yi and Bai Ziming, approaching. Upon seeing Bai Zhanfei and Bai Yingying, his brows immediately furrowed.

Bai Yi, however, was simple-minded. Seeing Bai Zhanfei and Bai Yingying, he immediately exclaimed, "Oh, oh, oh, Bai Zhanfei, Bai Yingying, you two have some conscience, at least you knew to come and see us off."

A group of young people accompanied Bai Zhanfei and Bai Yingying as they approached. These young people were all members of the Bai family, surrounding this young master and lady. However, most of their gazes towards Sun Sheng were filled with contempt and mockery, and some even wore malicious smiles.

"Sun Sheng, did your family give you ten grade-three spiritual herbs?" Bai Zhanfei spoke first, his attitude cold, his eyes filled with obvious rejection towards Sun Sheng.

Bai Yingying stood to the side, her gaze equally indifferent, glancing at Sun Sheng before looking away.

"Yes," Sun Sheng nodded.

Bai Zhanfei smiled slightly and said, "Good that you admit it. I thought you would keep them. These ten spiritual herbs are quite valuable. To be honest, they're useless to you. Since you can't cultivate, what use are these herbs?"

"Bai Zhanfei, what do you mean?" Bai Yi's eyes widened in surprise.

Bai Zhanfei's horns curled slightly. Although he was smiling on the surface, his eyes clearly showed his rejection of Sun Sheng. He said, "I am currently at a critical stage of my breakthrough and need some spiritual medicine to help me. Sun Sheng, please lend me these spiritual medicines first. When I have time, I will arrange for my servants to send you some money as a reward."