C8 Conflict

"Feng Yi, is this Spirit Stone the common currency in the cultivation world?"

Fatty Hong pulled out a Spirit Stone the size of a fingernail, fidgeting with it as it emitted waves of pure spiritual energy.

"Fatty Hong, these are just material possessions. Let's focus on purchasing the spiritual herbs and then take a walk around," Feng Yi said, pressing down the Spirit Stone in Fatty Hong's hand with a careful demeanor. Unbeknownst to Fatty Hong, Feng Yi had arrived from the same direction as Ms. Fairy.

Regrettably, Feng Yi was aware that flaunting wealth could attract unwanted attention. Despite understanding this, he had already caught someone's eye.

Soon enough, they reached the designated Spiritual Grass Shop and completed their purchase of the necessary herbs for their sect.

It must be said, Fatty Hong was quite the haggler. He managed to save thirty Spirit Stones from the three hundred the sect had allocated to them, dubbing it a 'handling fee'.

The shopkeeper, intimidated by Fatty Hong's assertiveness, had no choice but to comply.

"Hehe, what a great deal. I'll definitely be back," Fatty Hong chuckled slyly as he slipped the bag with the thirty Spirit Stones into his chest pocket.

Just then, someone rushed past them in a hurry, accidentally colliding with Fatty Hong.

Fatty Hong was about to berate the clumsy stranger, but the man quickly bowed, apologized profusely, and scurried away.

"Feng Yi, come on, I'm buying dinner. I've been craving something other than mountain rabbit for years now," Fatty Hong declared, patting his chest where he'd stashed the Spirit Stones. Suddenly, his face turned ashen.

"Oh no, my Spirit Stones!"

Fatty Hong exclaimed, frantically searching his chest, but the bag with the Spirit Stones was gone.

"That guy from before!"

Feng Yi quickly deduced that the hurried passerby must have been a pickpocket, making off with Fatty Hong's Spirit Stones.

"Damn it, if I catch him, I'll make him regret it!"

Fuming, Fatty Hong and Feng Yi scoured the area, but the thief was nowhere to be found.

Just as they were about to give up, a graceful figure appeared in the distance, escorting someone who stumbled along toward them.

"Ms. Fairy!" Feng Yi exclaimed, instantly recognizing the enchanting figure before him as the very Ms. Fairy he had longed for in his dreams.

Meanwhile, Fatty Hong let out a low growl, "Curse that thief, daring to lay hands on my possessions. Today, you'll pay dearly for that."

In a flash, Feng Yi and Fatty Hong were at Qingcheng's side. Fatty Hong snatched the thief from her grasp and started to discipline him.

Feng Yi, on the other hand, was all smiles, standing next to his beloved Ms. Fairy. "Ms. Fairy, at last, I see you again."

Qingcheng giggled behind her veil, her charm captivating even the bystanders who paused to gaze at her in wonder.

"After all these years, I never imagined you'd actually join the Profound Heaven Sect," she remarked.

Qingcheng had felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing Feng Yi earlier. Despite the changes in his appearance, she recognized him.

"Indeed, if not for you, Ms. Fairy, I would never have embarked on this celestial journey," Feng Yi replied, his face awash with gratitude. But then, his expression shifted to one of hopeful expectation. "Ms. Fairy, do you remember the promise we made?"

With a gentle smile, Qingcheng nodded. "Ye Qingcheng, disciple of the Falling Sunset Peak. From now on, you may call me Senior Sister Qingcheng, my dear Youngest Junior Brother Feng Yi."

As she spoke, Ye Qingcheng reached up to pat Feng Yi's head, having to stand on her tiptoes to reach the top of his seven-foot stature.

Feng Yi blushed with embarrassment. A man of his height being treated in such a manner by Ye Qingcheng was a bit mortifying.

Yet, in his heart, Feng Yi felt an overwhelming sense of joy, not only for reuniting with his Ms. Fairy but also for learning her name.

"Ye Qingcheng, a leaf signifies autumn, a beauty that can overthrow cities. Her name is as lovely as she is," Feng Yi murmured to himself.

Ye Qingcheng chuckled and playfully scolded him, "I see the years have only made your flattery more refined."

As the two of them were lost in memories, a disdainful huff reached their ears. Fatty Hong, too, had ceased his scolding, his brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Feng Yi, Hong Jinbao, have the two of you completed the sect's mission? And yet you find time to idle away in conversation?"

Feng Hua approached from a distance, his face shadowed with a dark hue, his eyes simmering with resentment, particularly when he glared at Feng Yi, as if he could barely restrain himself from tearing him apart.

A sense of foreboding gripped Feng Yi as he recalled the way Feng Hua had looked at Ye Qingcheng, and he sensed trouble brewing.

"Senior Brother Feng, we've indeed finished the sect's mission. We just happened to run into Senior Sister Qingcheng and exchanged a few words," Feng Yi quickly explained, yet Feng Hua's expression only grew more discontented, his glare sharp enough to cut through Feng Yi.

"And you think you have the right to address her as Qingcheng? Have you even considered your level of cultivation?" Feng Hua was seething, wishing he could deliver a few sharp slaps to Feng Yi. If Ye Qingcheng weren't present, he would not have been so lenient.

He hadn't even had the chance to share a laugh with the woman of his dreams, and here was this new Outer Sect Disciple, managing to elicit a smile from her. It was utterly absurd.

"Senior Brother Feng, there's no need to be so harsh with a new disciple. I have matters to attend to, so I'll be on my way," Ye Qingcheng said, her previous smile vanishing, replaced by a frosty demeanor.

Her words left Feng Hua's face darkening further, as if black lines of anger were etching across his skin.

But then, as if remembering something important, Ye Qingcheng added, "Oh, and Senior Brother Feng, don't forget the sect's rules." With that, she vanished into the distance with a swift motion.

Ye Qingcheng's final remark, meant to be a reminder, only fueled Feng Hua's irritation, his face contorting into an expression even more unsightly than a liverwurst, as he shot Feng Yi a venomous look.

Clearly, Ye Qingcheng had intentionally shielded Feng Yi, a fact that was intolerable to Feng Hua, who harbored feelings for her.

"Scram!"

Without delay, Feng Yi and Fatty Hong made themselves scarce. Feng Yi, however, had a sinking feeling that his future within the sect would be fraught with difficulty.

Hours later, as dusk settled, Feng Yi and the others regrouped. Feng Hua, still visibly upset, uncorked his wine flask and led the group away without another word.

Throughout the journey, Ye Qingcheng remained aloof to Feng Hua's sycophantic attempts at conversation, further fueling Feng Hua's smoldering rage. Occasionally, she would whip her head around to shoot a venomous glare at Feng Yi.

If glares could kill, Feng Yi would have traversed the depths of hell several times over.

Upon returning to the sect, Feng Yi and his companions submitted their mission reports and retreated to their respective cave dwellings to engage in cultivation.

The night passed in silence. Come morning, Feng Yi's cave was visited by several unwelcome guests.

"Are you Feng Yi?"

The newcomer's face was marked by hostility, his voice dripping with scorn as he addressed Feng Yi.

"Senior brother, indeed, I am Feng Yi. May I ask who—"

Before Feng Yi could finish his inquiry, the man's fist collided with his nose.

Puchi!

A gush of bright blood erupted from Feng Yi's nostrils.

"Senior brother, why have you struck—"

"I'm teaching you a lesson; remember to pick your battles wisely. You can't just offend anyone you please."

Crackle!

The group of disciples laid into Feng Yi with a beating, leaving him without any chance to defend himself.

A quarter of an hour later, the instigator spoke harshly, "Kid, if you dare to approach Senior Sister Qingcheng again, I'll break your legs."

With those words, the disciples stormed off, spitting on Feng Yi as they departed.

"Hey, kid, why didn't you let me step in?"

The voice of Nine-spirit Taoist reached Feng Yi's ears.

Despite the beating, Feng Yi's body ached, and a chilling light flickered in his eyes, his voice resolute.

"There's no need. I'll settle this score on my own."