C7 Strange

Shortly after, Qin Yu approached Chu Feng, eyeing him with a cold gaze as he took in the latter's pitiful state. Recalling Chu Feng's earlier arrogance, Qin Yu's brow furrowed slightly. After a brief pause, he commanded in a deliberate tone, "Kneel down!"

Chu Feng shuddered at the command, knowing better than to defy Qin Yu. Without a second thought, he bit back the pain from his injured arm and slowly knelt before Qin Yu. Swallowing hard, he looked up and pleaded, "Qin, Qin Yu, I admit my past mistakes. I'm apologizing to you now. Please, as the better man, forgive me and let this go."

As soon as Chu Feng spoke, the disciples around them looked on with scorn. After all, Qin Yu had just severely beaten Chu Feng's sister, and instead of seeking revenge or at least showing some backbone, Chu Feng was kneeling without a fight. It was clear to everyone that he was nothing more than a spineless coward, easily intimidated and shamelessly submissive.

Qin Yu felt nothing but contempt and revulsion for Chu Feng. He had intended to give Chu Feng a thorough lesson, but now, he couldn't even muster the enthusiasm for it. Dealing with someone as craven as Chu Feng seemed like a waste of effort, like sullying his own hands. With a disdainful glance, Qin Yu pointed to the ground and instructed, "Bow your head to the ground three times, then you're free to go."

Chu Feng paused, visibly conflicted, but ultimately, he steeled himself and delivered three resounding kowtows to Qin Yu, each thud drawing murmurs from the onlookers. Unseen by the crowd, his fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

After the kowtows, Chu Feng looked up at Qin Yu and asked, "Qin Yu, may I go now?"

Qin Yu didn't even spare Chu Feng another glance, turning away with a dismissive wave of his hand. He spoke with an air of indifference, "Get lost. From now on, keep out of my sight at the Clear Essence Sect. If I see you, I'll beat you—understood?"

"I want to see who's talking so big!" As Qin Yu's words hung in the air, the sound of howling wind approached from a distance. Accompanied by several stern shouts, three elders descended gracefully behind Chu Feng.

The elder on the left had a somewhat puffy face and an average build, dressed in a black robe. On the right stood a shorter man with a resolute gaze and an aura of intense killing intent. The elder in the center towered over the others, his silver-gray hair fluttering in the breeze, exuding a demeanor of modesty tinged with seriousness.

As the elders touched down, every disciple present knelt in reverence, proclaiming in unison, "We greet the Sect Master, Elder Feng, and Elder Tian."

Qin Yu's feet rooted to the spot, and he stood there, dumbstruck. Slowly turning to face the elders, he was at a loss for words. These were the most venerable figures of the Clear Essence Sect, and for a Miscellaneous Affairs Disciple like him, an audience was a rare privilege. Now, with them standing so close, it was no wonder he felt overwhelmed.

"Sect Master, Elder Feng, Elder Tian, you must help us seek justice. This man has just crippled my hand and injured my sister. His actions are utterly reprehensible!" Chu Feng implored the elders, his voice filled with desperation, as if he had found his saviors.

"What?" Elder Feng was taken aback. At that moment, an invigilator rushed over, carrying a grievously injured female disciple, and laid her at their feet. He bowed respectfully and reported, "Greetings, Sect Master, greetings, Elders Feng and Tian. Core Disciple Chu Yao has suffered severe injuries, her meridians are completely severed, and she's fallen into a deep coma. Without immediate treatment, she may very well perish."

"Chu Yao!" Elder Feng's face contorted with concern. He squatted down to examine her closely, his anger rising. He turned sharply to the invigilator and demanded, "Who is responsible for this?"

The invigilator's heart raced, his forehead beaded with sweat. Aware that Chu Yao was a favorite of Elder Feng, he knew the elder's wrath was inevitable. A misstep now could mean his own demise. With trepidation, he pointed towards Qin Yu and stammered, "It was him."

"Exactly, exactly, that's the one. He's the Great Demon!" Chu Feng chimed in repeatedly, echoing the proctor's words.

"A Great Demon!" Elder Feng and Elder Tian were taken aback as they observed Qin Yu. They had indeed sensed the presence of a Great Demon earlier, and had hurried over, only to find the aura had vanished. They had assumed the Great Demon had left, but now, with the proctor and Chu Feng claiming Qin Yu was the Great Demon, it seemed almost inconceivable. After all, Qin Yu wasn't exuding even the faintest trace of a Great Demon's aura, nor did he bear any resemblance to one.

"Elder Feng, what's your take? Could this young man be the Great Demon they're referring to?" Elder Tian furrowed his brows as he scrutinized Qin Yu. From every angle, he couldn't see how this unremarkable Qin Yu could possibly be a Great Demon.

Elder Feng, however, took a decisive step forward and, in the blink of an eye, was right in front of Qin Yu. He grabbed Qin Yu and demanded fiercely, "Bad Boy, was it really you who beat Chu Yao to such a state?" For Elder Feng, his primary concern was discovering who had harmed Chu Yao; whether Qin Yu was a Great Demon was secondary.

"Yes, it was me!" Qin Yu, somehow finding the courage to withstand Elder Feng's daunting presence, was no longer nervous. Instead, a surge of righteous indignation filled him, prompting him to lift his head and respond coldly to Elder Feng.

"Very well, Bad Boy, you're about to get a taste of my discipline!" Elder Feng, incensed by Qin Yu's defiant demeanor, let out a cold huff. A pale green cyclone began to swirl around his right hand, poised to strike Qin Yu.

Just then, a figure swiftly interposed itself between them, with a hand shooting out to forcefully press down Elder Feng's arm, saying calmly, "Junior Brother Feng, let's not be hasty."

Elder Feng paused, turning to see that the newcomer was none other than the Sect Master. The Genuine Qi in his hand slowly ebbed away, and after giving Qin Yu a cold glance, he tossed him to the ground and addressed the Sect Master, "Sect Master, why do you intervene?"