C17 Strange

"Exactly, senior brother. The sect strictly prohibits Inner Sect disciples from engaging in private duels, particularly with those from the Outer Sect."

But still, do you dare to strike?

"I'm standing a good hundred steps away from the Sky Stairway, which should be considered a public area."

Just shout that an Inner Sect disciple is seeking a private duel with someone from the Outer Sect, and you'll be docked a month's pay.

Feng Xiaonan's face twisted in anger. Fu Chengyang's provocation was like pouring gasoline on a fire. In a flash, he drew his sword and bellowed, "You're asking for it!"

With that, he lunged, aiming his sword straight for Fu Chengyang's forehead.

The onlookers were horrified. They had done everything to dissuade their senior brother from taking action, but who could have guessed this Outer Sect disciple would be so audacious? Sure, if an Outer Sect disciple died, that was that, but they had violated the sect's rules, and now they wouldn't be able to enjoy any leisure activities for at least a month.

Fu Chengyang was eager to test the fruits of his cultivation technique, so he rose to his feet at an excruciatingly slow pace.

As Feng Xiaonan's sword came down, Fu Chengyang merely stepped to the left, narrowly avoiding the critical strike.

A smirk played on Feng Xiaonan's lips. He thought this Outer Sect disciple would be groveling on the ground after a few exchanges.

So, he angled his sword to slash at Fu Chengyang's arm, intending to teach the upstart a lesson in respect. But to his astonishment, there was no sound of the blade piercing flesh even though it should have hit its mark.

What was happening?

Before he could process the situation, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Senior Brother Feng, I'm right here," came Fu Chengyang's voice from behind. Feng Xiaonan snapped out of his daze only to be sent flying by a palm strike. As he sat up, he couldn't help but clutch his abdomen and cough up blood.

Fu Chengyang withdrew his hand, quite pleased with his performance of the Godly Shadow Steps.

Until now, he had been diligently practicing without ever applying this technique in real combat. Seeing Feng Xiaonan bested, it seemed his training had indeed paid off.

He had merely utilized the Godly Shadow Steps to maneuver behind his opponent and launch a surprise attack. To his astonishment, his adversary was utterly unguarded from behind and was effortlessly propelled a great distance by a gentle palm strike.

"What on earth has this kid been practicing? How did he manage to emerge from behind Senior Brother in the blink of an eye?"

The Inner Sect disciples exchanged puzzled glances. They were merely at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm, save for the tallest among them who had reached the mid-stage. He was currently eyeing Fu Chengyang in silence.

Fu Chengyang noticed the man's piercing eagle eyes scrutinizing him with a sharp intensity, as if trying to see right through him.

Meanwhile, Feng Xiaonan had begun to vomit blood incessantly after sitting down, as though trying to expel her very organs.

Her cries captured everyone's attention, sending the Inner Sect disciples into a frenzy as they clamored to find someone to administer aid.

The tall man, however, remained motionless, rooted to the spot. Fu Chengyang realized that this individual was not aligned with the others; it seemed they had merely been grouped together for duty.

Fu Chengyang took a moment to consider this distinct individual before him.

Name: Liao Ruofeng

Realm: Mid Golden Core

Spiritual Essence: Sword Spirit Body (Gold)

Destiny: Heaven's Favor (Perfect)

Life Script: Male Lead of "The Long Journey of a Martial Artist"

Affinity: 0

Recent Turn of Events: In three days, he will be betrayed, resulting in the loss of an arm and significant trouble.

It was a rarity to encounter such a commendable destiny within the Inner Sect. Fu Chengyang stroked his chin, his gaze toward Liao Ruofeng now filled with a new perspective.

Liao Ruofeng withdrew his attention and turned to Feng Xiaonan, who was still wailing nearby. He furrowed his brow, gave Fu Chengyang a meaningful look, and then strode away.

It was clear that he was not only a practitioner of swordsmanship but also a man of few words.

Fu Chengyang couldn't afford to dwell on his personality; after all, Feng Xiaonan's cries were piercing the air: "Help me, I'm not going to make it! Don't let him leave; he's the villain responsible for my plight!"

Upon hearing that, the other disciples all turned their heads to look at Fu Chengyang, who spread his hands and smiled harmlessly. "How could that be? I merely gave him a gentle tap."

The Inner Sect disciples silently turned their gaze to the tree that had been sliced in half by the sheer force of the blow. If that was a gentle tap, what would a hard hit look like? Would Feng Xiaonan have been reduced to a pile of mush?

"Injuring a fellow Inner Sect disciple means, according to our sect's rules, you're sentenced to three months of hard labor and confinement," Liao Ruofeng stated, having returned unnoticed and now leaning against a tree trunk behind him, his voice deep and serious.

"I had assumed your eyes were for seeing, not for venting your anger," Fu Chengyang retorted with a glance at him. "He struck first; I was merely defending myself. What's it to you?"

"Engaging in a personal fight results in one month of hard labor and a three-month salary penalty," Liao Ruofeng said, ignoring Fu Chengyang and instead turning to look at Feng Xiaonan sprawled on the ground.

The latter let out a roar that could shake the heavens. "I'm this badly injured, and you're not even making this kid compensate me for my medicine, yet you still want me to be punished alongside him?"

Is he really that keen on playing the victim?

Fu Chengyang responded, "Considering how loudly you're able to yell, I doubt your injuries are all that severe, right?"

"Enough talk, go and accept your punishment," Liao Ruofeng said, still not engaging with their banter but issuing another reminder to Fu Chengyang.

"The Inner Sect Patrol has decreed that no one is permitted to enter the Stairway."

Fu Chengyang quickly gestured with his hands, indicating he had no such intentions. It was Lu Xingyao who had accidentally trespassed into the Stairway. Surprisingly, the trial set ten days later, a time etched into Lu Xingyao's destiny, had been unexpectedly brought forward by a significant margin.

Whether this was fortunate or not remained to be seen. It appeared that with Liu Rongwei out of the picture, Lu Xingyao's life path had shifted ever so slightly.

In the future, I must refrain from meddling in others' affairs unless absolutely necessary. Fu Chengyang furrowed his brow as he thought back to Liao Ruofeng's recent experiences.

By all accounts, with the heavens' favor, one would expect a swift and steady rise. So why then did he remain in the Inner Sect, taking on the role of a mere patrolman?

There had to be more to the story, but Fu Chengyang wasn't inclined to probe further.

Feng Xiaonan was hauled away, wailing, by several Inner Sect disciples. Fu Chengyang was hardly taken aback. "If you don't leave, are you planning to implore me for enlightenment?"

Liao Ruofeng stood his ground. "I'm on patrol here. It's you who should be leaving."

"You're making it sound more serious than it is. I'm merely waiting for someone. If you're busy, go ahead with your duties. If push comes to shove, I could even assist with your patrol." Fu Chengyang's gaze followed the swiftly departing disciples, clearly recognizing them as Feng Xiaonan's men.

It appeared that the Inner Sect was far from the serene sanctuary for cultivation it was supposed to be, at least not on the surface.