Master 05

Shen Xiaoxiao slowly raised her lowered head, gazing at the dozen or so fellow disciples she had spent some time with. They had never interacted with her, rarely even nodding in acknowledgment. Yet today... they were actually standing up for her?

Jiang Leng knew that despite their numbers, they were no match for the opposing group. So during the verbal confrontation, he said, "We're under Master's orders and have urgent matters to attend to. If you delay us, I'll have no choice but to report this to him."

"Who cares about your master?" someone snapped, pointing at him. But a bystander among the watching disciples spoke up, "Senior Brother Hu Lai, Master Qingxu has already reached the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage. I suggest you think twice before speaking."

At these words, the expressions on the faces of the opposing group shifted dramatically.

"Junior Sister, let them go for now. We'll find another opportunity," one of them muttered.

Shen Wanwan felt like she was about to explode with frustration, but she couldn't vent her anger at her senior brothers. She took a deep breath to suppress her rage and nodded. "You got lucky today. There will be plenty of time for us to settle this!" She pointed at Shen Xiaoxiao.

The Second Senior Brother would be back soon—he doted on her the most. She'd just wait and bring him into this later.

The group left in silence. Once they passed the mountain gate, Shen Xiaoxiao suddenly whispered, "Thank you... Senior Brother."

Hearing her call him "Senior Brother," Jiang Leng's heart trembled with a pang of shame. The others also lowered their heads, remembering how they had ignored this junior sister when she was bullied before.

Jiang Leng recalled the words Master had whispered in his ear before they left:

"If someone provokes you and you can't handle it, coming back to complain is understandable—I'll deal with it myself. But as fellow disciples, and as the eldest senior brother, if you can't even protect your juniors, I'll break your damn legs and throw you out!"

He knew Master wasn't joking—his tone had made that clear.

But his decision to speak up wasn't just out of fear. It was because Master had called him the eldest senior brother. He had never thought of himself that way before, but... now they had a master. He needed to live up to that role.

The trip outside took three days. Under Jiang Leng's leadership, everything was arranged smoothly—lodging, meals, even a visit to a commoner's marketplace. By the end of the journey, the group of over ten finally began to feel like true fellow disciples.

On their way back with the newly tailored clothes, they were stopped just past the mountain gate—once again by Shen Wanwan, this time with the sect leader's second disciple, Ren Xuan, standing behind her.

"Greetings, fellow juniors," Ren Xuan said with a smirk. "I heard your master has emerged from seclusion and must have imparted some insights. Today, I’ve come to seek your guidance." He was clever—disciples sparring was normal, and even if Master Qingxu found out, there was nothing he could say.

At worst, he could only blame his own disciples for being unskilled.

And who told them to offend the junior sister he fancied?

Seeing Ren Xuan's mockingly polite bow and challenging gaze, Jiang Leng and the others grew uneasy. Sparring with one of the top talents of their generation? Impossible!

Everyone knew this was just an excuse to beat them up.

Shen Wanwan was even more brazen. "Senior Brother, and that one—my maid! She actually slapped me!"

Ren Xuan's eyes narrowed, locking onto Shen Xiaoxiao. This scrawny, plain-looking girl dared to strike his junior sister?

Jiang Leng stepped forward. "Senior Brother Ren Xuan, the conflict between our junior sister and Shen Wanwan was just a misunderstanding—"

Ren Xuan waved off his explanation, his tone dripping with mockery and disdain. "Since when do you call her 'Junior Sister Wanwan'? Are you even worthy?"

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have spared these trash a second glance.

Jiang Leng knew he was no match but still clasped his hands politely. "Today, we’re in a hurry to report back to our master. Please let us pass."

Ren Xuan chuckled. "No rush. Surely you have time for a spar?"

Shen Xiaoxiao understood—he just wanted to beat up her senior brothers under the guise of sparring. She took a deep breath. If she apologized and endured a couple of slaps, maybe this could end here. But before she could step forward, the eldest senior brother moved first.

"Then... I’ll spar with you..."

"Senior Brother..." Shen Xiaoxiao stared at his back.

Ren Xuan knew someone was going to get beaten today—and it definitely wouldn’t be him. Otherwise...

"Sparring? I love sparring!" A sudden voice from behind made Shen Wanwan jump. She turned, her heart nearly stopping.

Fang Zhiyi stood behind them, eyeing his disciples. "I send you out to buy a few things, and you take forever!"

"Master..." The disciples were both surprised and relieved.

Fang Zhiyi waved a hand and turned to Ren Xuan. "So you’re the one who wants to spar with my disciples?"

Ren Xuan bowed properly. "Disciple Ren Xuan pays respects to Master Qingxu." Given the difference in seniority, he was also startled—Fang Zhiyi had arrived without a sound.

"Enough with the formalities. You want to spar with my disciples, right?"

Ren Xuan hesitated, unsure how to respond. From what his junior sister had said, Master Qingxu was fiercely protective. If he misspoke, things could get messy.

But Fang Zhiyi suddenly clapped a hand on his shoulder, unleashing the full pressure of a Great Perfection Nascent Soul cultivator.

Ren Xuan’s legs nearly gave out. Was this for real? He just wanted to spar with some juniors—was the master really going to intervene?

"Sparring is great! Wonderful!" Fang Zhiyi laughed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But this isn’t the place. Let’s go to my peak!"

The group was dragged along in confusion to Qingxu Peak.

Fang Zhiyi pointed at the open training ground in the center. "Here. This is where we spar."

"Master Qingxu..." Ren Xuan felt something was off.

Fang Zhiyi waved impatiently. "No more talking. Time’s short—let’s spar!" He pulled up a chair and sat to the side like a referee.

Ren Xuan was dumbfounded. With Master Qingxu watching, he couldn’t go all out. But since he’d already agreed, he had no choice but to proceed. Still, it was obvious—how could these nobodies possibly be his match?

Jiang Leng and the others had the same question, but Fang Zhiyi offered no explanation, simply arranging their order of participation.

Ren Xuan had no choice but to spar properly. One move—Jiang Leng lost.

Next disciple—another loss. Then another.

Shen Wanwan was puzzled. Was Master Qingxu insane? Letting his disciples get beaten up? Though it wasn’t exactly a beating—Second Senior Brother was holding back. But why did he look so tense?

Ren Xuan was suffering in silence. Though Fang Zhiyi sat there calmly, his spiritual energy was locked onto him like a vise. Ren Xuan had no doubt—if he injured these nobodies, he might be crushed to death in the next instant. The threat was palpable.