C7 Suspicion

When the elders tested for talent, they were astounded. Rumor has it that the soulstone used for the test shattered due to the overwhelming talent it encountered. Several Peak Leaders vied for the individual to join their ranks, likely impressed by their prodigious ability. Shen Yueluo, however, chose a different path and decided to focus on her own cultivation.

Despite not witnessing her practice, it was evident that her cultivation was advancing more rapidly than theirs. In a remarkably short time, she had reached the Golden Core stage, which naturally sparked envy among her peers. Shen Yueluo remained unfazed by their admiration.

"Consider Fu Chengyang," she said coolly. "He's been in the sect for many years, and it's taken him this long to reach his current level of cultivation. You've only been here for a few years in comparison. Fu Chengyang has been with us for over a decade, yet he never allowed his modest aptitude to deter his progress. What about you? Are you contemplating quitting?"

"If my guess is correct, you've sneaked in here. If you dare abandon your cultivation, I'll report your actions to the elders and the sect leader. They'll expel you from the sect, and then you won't have to concern yourselves with cultivation any longer."

The two disciples were taken aback by her words. They were certainly unhappy with their own levels of cultivation, but they had no intention of quitting. Apart from those in the Outer Sect, those who remained in the Inner Sect were genuinely capable. Even a single Inner Sect disciple was significantly more formidable than an average person. This alone was testament to the benefits of remaining in the sect.

Their concern for their cultivation had led them to stealthily enter the Myriad Books Pavilion, hoping to find texts that could aid their progress. Yet, not a single book within the pavilion was of any use to them. It seemed that cultivation was indeed an inequitable affair: those with high levels had everything, while those with less were deemed unworthy of anything.

They had grown accustomed to this harsh reality, and their current discomfort was just another reminder of the struggle. "If you wish to keep today's incident a secret from the elders and the sect, then you must dedicate yourselves to your cultivation. Otherwise, I won't promise to keep silent."

Upon hearing this, the two individuals quickly nodded in agreement, not daring to linger. They hastily exited the Myriad Books Pavilion, fearful of being caught in a compromising situation.

Fu Chengyang watched one of them depart and reflected on the person's fate he had just glimpsed, feeling somewhat contemplative. That individual likely had no idea that upon leaving the Myriad Books Pavilion, they would be crushed to death by a falling pillar.

"Who are you? Why haven't you revealed yourself?" Shen Yueluo narrowed her eyes, scanning the area before her gaze settled on the cabinet where Fu Chengyang was hiding.

Startled, Fu Chengyang stepped out from behind the cabinet.

"Why are you sneaking around and eavesdropping on me?" Shen Yueluo's expression grew colder, clearly displeased with such behavior.

Fu Chengyang, recalling that he had just observed her fate, knew she had misunderstood him. Yet, considering her formidable strength, he softened his tone considerably.

"The Myriad Books Pavilion permits Golden Core disciples to enter and select books once. Surely, Junior Sister, you're aware of this privilege?"

Fu Chengyang recalled that his predecessor had only met Shen Yueluo once or twice. His memories provided some recognition of her, primarily because she was known as a genius.

Shen Yueluo was taken aback, not quite satisfied with his response, but unable to pinpoint any fault with it.

"Eavesdropping isn't a commendable habit."

"I had no intention of eavesdropping on Junior Sister's conversation; I just happened to be standing here," Fu Chengyang explained.

Hearing this, Shen Yueluo's interest in the man who dared to speak to her in such a manner intensified. In the sect, even those who sought her out spoke with the utmost respect, never addressing her with the casual tone this man used.

Although he wasn't rude, his lack of deference was unusual. Typically, such behavior would suggest he didn't recognize her. Yet, she could see in his eyes that he did, indeed, know who she was.

Recognizing her and yet treating her without any attempt to curry favor? A spark of curiosity lit up in Shen Yueluo's eyes, and she became thoroughly intrigued by his identity.

This situation likely indicated that his cultivation level was higher than hers, which would explain why he seemed indifferent to her own.

Despite his youthful appearance, he seemed to be only a few years her senior. If his cultivation was higher than hers, it would mean that he, too, was a prodigy like herself. She was quite intrigued by the prospect of getting to know him.

"What's your name?" Shen Yueluo inquired, mentally scanning the man before her. She couldn't recall ever having seen him before, which was odd considering she would surely remember someone with a higher cultivation level than her own.

"Fu Chengyang," he responded, his tone subdued.

Yet, he quickly noticed the spark of interest that had initially lit up her face now vanished without a trace. Her entire demeanor towards him had undergone a complete turnaround, lacking even a hint of the curiosity she had shown moments before.

"You're Fu Chengyang?" Shen Yueluo's lips formed a tight line as she pondered something.

"Indeed," he confirmed.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yueluo arched an eyebrow and closed the distance between them. "How did you manage to advance your cultivation so rapidly?" She gave him a thorough once-over, yet nothing about him seemed to indicate any special qualities.

After all, he had been considered a good-for-nothing for over a decade, only to suddenly defeat a rather well-known member of the sect in a single move. This dramatic change in strength was bound to raise suspicions, and Shen Yueluo was no exception.

"It was merely by chance that I pierced through the veil of destiny. Besides, as a genius yourself, junior sister, you should understand how one's cultivation can progress swiftly," he explained.

Shen Yueluo didn't bother responding, finding his explanation to be utterly nonsensical. It was one thing for her, a recognized genius, to advance quickly, but Fu Chengyang had been deemed a lost cause by the sect master from the start, with no hope of improvement. Yet now, his cultivation had surged forward incredibly. Without a doubt, there had to be more to his sudden advancement than what met the eye.

Shen Yueluo considered several possibilities, the most likely being that Fu Chengyang had illicitly practiced a forbidden technique, which would account for the rapid increase in his cultivation. A flicker of disappointment crossed her gaze as she contemplated the implications of her senior brother's actions.

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