C15 Bang!

The youth in the white robe had a sour expression, clearly intimidated by Han Le. His face was beet red with emotion. When he caught Lee Qingyun's gaze, he shot back a fierce glare, as if issuing a command with his eyes.

Order me?

Lee Qingyun couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He had been about to let the matter slide, to spare the boy some dignity, but now that he'd been glared at, he decided to play dumb.

With that thought, Lee Qingyun turned his attention to Han Le, putting on a sweet, compliant smile.

"Hurry up!" Han Le prompted once more.

Zheng Yuan managed through clenched teeth, "Uncle Lee Qingyun, I pay my respects." His eyes bore into Lee Qingyun as if trying to drill holes through him.

Lee Qingyun responded, "Please, there's no need for formalities."

From the moment Zheng Yuan had walked in, his condescending gaze had grated on Lee Qingyun. He seemed to think he was leagues above Lee Qingyun, which was irritating. Now, Lee Qingyun relished the chance to turn the tables, especially after the way Zheng Yuan had ogled Xiaoyu at the banquet...

"I've already surveyed the Twin Rage's status. With the infrastructure in place, the sect's rating might surprise you..."

As Han Le was sharing his insights on Twin Rage, a system notification popped up: "Sect Name: Twin Rage

Sect Overview:

Buildings: 200

Profit: 100

Disciples: 100

Teaching: 0

Sect Leader: 10

Total Score: 410. One-star sect (Two-star sects require a score of 500)."

"Therefore, after careful consideration, I believe the sect should be rated as a two-star sect," Han Le announced.

"A two-star sect?"

"Exactly."

"Thank you, Brother Han."

Lee Qingyun gazed at Han Le with heartfelt gratitude and nodded emphatically. The system's evaluation was undoubtedly accurate; Twin Rage was still a good distance from being a two-star sect, yet Han Le had awarded them that rating.

Though Han Le's gesture was to honor the kindness his parents had shown him, Lee Qingyun saw it as a significant boon.

"After the evaluation, Twin Rage's grace period will expire," Han Le continued. "Without the protection of Nature's Mystery Pavilion, the sect will be exposed to the cutthroat competition from other sects. Sect Master Lee, you'll need to be prepared."

"Moreover, the original three hundred miles of territory under the Twin Rage Sect's jurisdiction... Given that they've long lost control over it, I predict a significant reduction to just a hundred miles following this assessment."

Lee Qingyun inquired, "Is it because they've lost control of the central city?"

"Exactly, however..."

"What?"

Han Le continued, "I intend to advocate for the Twin Rage Sect, to secure a two-month dispute period, providing your sect with a chance to catch its breath."

"Two months? If I manage to reclaim Deepmere within that time frame, could I rightfully claim the three hundred miles of territory?" Lee Qingyun pressed, aware that a hundred miles was insufficient; the difference in area was a staggering ninefold!

"Or if I elevate to a three-star sect within two months, would that suffice?"

Han Le paused, "In theory, yes. But establishing a strong foundation for a new sect is crucial. Patience is key to success."

"I'd like to give it a shot in two months."

Seeing his determination, Han Le refrained from further comment. It was normal for the youth to be driven and idealistic.

"May I visit the back mountain? It's quite nostalgic to revisit the old grounds."

Lee Qingyun responded, "Certainly, Brother Han, feel free."

With a nod, Han Le vanished from the hall. Lee Qingyun's eyebrows shot up. Teleportation? Wasn't that a skill exclusive to Nascent Infant Stage cultivators? Could Brother Han be a grand cultivator at that level?

Then, Zheng Yuan's voice echoed, "Two months? To ascend from a two-star to a three-star sect? And to retake Deepmere?"

"You truly underestimate the vastness of the world..."

"Do you really think the Soul Capturing Sect will just let you off the hook? Who in Deepmere still trusts you? To wrest control of a city from a four-star sect?"

"Ha, I suggest you concentrate on managing your sect. It's been two thousand years since Stormford has seen a sect rise three stars in a single year."

"Nature's Mystery Pavilion even has a reward for sects that rapidly advance through the stars in one year. Are you considering claiming it, Sect Master Lee?"

"Heh, you're nothing but low-grade Dao Foundation trash, still in the early stages. Better worry about how you'll survive the Soul Capturing Sect's grasp."

Lee Qingyun's eyebrows shot up at the barrage of rhetorical jabs, and he retorted with surprise, "So you are in cahoots with the Soul Capturing Sect, aren't you, Nephew Zheng Yuan?"

"You..." Zheng Yuan pointed an accusing finger at Lee Qingyun.

"Me?" Lee Qingyun queried, "What's the matter? Nephew Zheng Yuan?"

"Are you upset because I called you 'Nephew,' or is it because I mentioned your collusion with the Soul Capturing Sect?"

"I'm betting it's the collusion accusation that's got you riled up. After all, a deacon from the Nature's Mystery Pavilion isn't supposed to secretly accept gifts from inferior sects, right?"

"You... I'm not... Stop slandering me!" Zheng Yuan snapped back, as if Lee had stepped on his tail.

"Oh, so it's the 'Nephew' title that's got you steamed. But then again, colluding with the Soul Capturing Sect isn't exactly something to lose your temper over; it's practically mundane," Lee Qingyun coolly observed, watching Zheng Yuan seethe.

Taking a deep breath to calm the storm in his chest, Zheng Yuan spat out, "What a smooth talker you are, Lee Qingyun... I won't stoop to argue. Just you wait!"

Lee Qingyun let out a mocking chuckle, "Heh."

That chuckle was the last straw for Zheng Yuan, who had been desperately trying to keep his cool. His eyes blazed with fury as he bellowed at Lee Qingyun, "Do you truly think I'm afraid to strike?"

"And what if you strike?" Lee Qingyun challenged.

Zheng Yuan burst into derisive laughter, "Heh, do you really believe you're a match for me just because you bested Zhang Tiankui?"

"I'm at a loss myself," Lee Qingyun confessed, "I don't see why you're so eager to challenge me, nor why you think I'm itching for a fight with you. Could it be that you're as foolish as Zhang Tiankui, itching for a death wish by provoking me?"

"Today, it seems I must show you your place."

Zheng Yuan's power surged, his aura of spiritual energy growing several times more formidable than Zhang Tiankui's, catching Lee Qingyun off guard.

"Scared now, aren't you, you country bumpkin? How could you possibly grasp the concept of true genius?" Zheng Yuan boasted with a triumphant laugh.

"Hahahaha..."

"Thud!"

A massive hand materialized and smacked Zheng Yuan down.

Lee Qingyun spoke with a hint of resignation, "You're picking a fight in my own lair? What does it matter if you've reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment?"

Hmm, this mountain-protecting formation is pretty handy, though it does cost a pretty penny...

"Ding! The mountain-protecting formation has been successfully activated once, consuming 50 Heavenly Points. Your remaining balance is 295 Heavenly Points."

Lee Qingyun winced at the expense, but seeing Zheng Yuan sprawled on the ground eased his mind a bit. Without the mountain-protecting formation today, Zheng Yuan might have succeeded in his ploy.

As for the aftermath of striking Zheng Yuan, it's unlikely to sour relations with Han Li. The relationship between high-level and ordinary deacons at Nature's Mystery Pavilion is strictly professional; the former typically have the latter running errands, with no personal bonds involved. Han Li's earlier instruction for Zheng Yuan to address him as 'Uncle' made that clear.

Lee Qingyun squatted down, looking at Zheng Yuan who had ceased resisting and was lying prone, "Admit your fault, and I'll let you go."

"Wuwuwu..." Zheng Yuan was beyond words, reduced to whimpering sounds.

"Fine, if you won't admit your mistake, then you can wait for your teacher to return before I release you."