C5 Chapter 5

When they heard the grating voice, even Hua Hsing was furious. Many disciples turned to look at the speaker, and beside Re Yunzheng stood a voluptuous woman in a red dress. "Jiaang Xue, I didn't expect her to show up. It's said Feng Gan bullied Hua Hsing because Re Yunzheng and Jiaang Xue were backing him," one disciple said. "Yeah, Jiaang Xue seems to have a particular grudge against Hua Hsing. She'll do anything to try and take him down," another added. "This is going to be interesting. Let's see how Hua Hsing handles this."

Jiaang Xue, dressed in red, wore an indifferent expression, her eyes flashing with a hint of malice as she glanced at Hua Hsing. "Jiaang Xue, Hua Hsing took Feng Gan's arm. I'll settle this score," Re Yunzheng said with a slight smile.

Jiaang Xue was a prodigy in the Azure Edge Sword Sect's Outer Sect, with high talent and great potential. Despite her young age, her skills were top-notch, almost on par with Re Yunzheng. Her strength and beauty quickly earned her admiration from many Outer Sect disciples. However, because of Re Yunzheng's dominance, no one dared to express their feelings for her, fearing his wrath.

"A loser will always be a loser. Dream on if you think you can marry my sister," Jiaang Xue said, her sharp voice echoing in everyone's ears.

Hua Hsing heard this and gave a wry smile. If he remembered correctly, Jiaang Xue's sister was Jiaang Hong. Jiaang Hong was the daughter of the Jiaang family in Black Cloud City. Back then, the Hsing family had also been quite influential in Black Cloud City. As soon as Hua Hsing was born, the heads of both families had arranged a childhood engagement between them.

However, as time went on, Hua Hsing was recognized as a failure, showing no potential in martial arts. In contrast, Jiaang Hong had already achieved many honors at a young age. Eventually, the Jiaang family began to oppose the marriage arrangement, but Hua Hsing did not know what happened afterward. In his memory, it had been several years since he had last returned to Black Cloud City.

Jiaang Xue bullied Hua Hsing because of her sister, Jiaang Hong. Hua Hsing shook his head and said, "My matters with your sister are none of your concern."

"A loser will always be a loser. You want to marry my sister? Keep dreaming." Jiaang Xue's sharp voice rang in everyone's ears.

Hearing this, Hua Hsing gave a bitter smile. If he remembered correctly, Jiaang Xue's sister should be Jiaang Hong. Jiaang Hong was the daughter of the Jiaang family in Black Cloud City. Back then, the Hua family of Black Cloud City had also been very powerful. As soon as Hua Hsing was born, the heads of the two families decided on a childhood betrothal for the two of them. However, as time passed, Hua Hsing came to be recognized as a good-for-nothing with no potential on the path of martial arts. Jiaang Hong, on the other hand, had already earned many honors at a young age. Eventually, the Jiaang family began to oppose the marriage, though Hua Hsing did not know what happened afterward. In his memory, he had not returned to Black Cloud City for several years. The reason Jiaang Xue bullied Hua Hsing was precisely because of her sister, Jiaang Hong.

Hua Hsing shook his head and said, "The matter between your sister and me is not for you to interfere in."

"Hua Hsing, you loser, you think you can marry my sister? As long as I'm around, you won't even get to see her," Jiaang Xue retorted coldly, her expression darkening with displeasure.

"Jiaang Xue, don't be angry. I'll personally take care of him and make sure he disappears from your sight," Re Yunzheng said with a smile as he stepped forward, preparing to attack Hua Hsing.

Suddenly, a burst of force surged out. Re Yunzheng erupted with the aura of the peak of the third level of the Qi Refining Stage, and Hua Hsing instantly felt the pressure.

"The peak of the third level of the Qi Refining Stage. So powerful," Hua Hsing thought to himself.

"Hua Hsing, you brought this on yourself."

Re Yunzheng's figure flashed, his aura pressing down on Hua Hsing as he appeared directly in front of him. A loud crash echoed through the air.

Re Yunzheng threw a punch, and Hua Hsing's body was instantly sent flying backward.

"Hua Hsing." Seeing Hua Hsing under Re Yunzheng's attack, Hsu Feng and Jiang He could no longer hold themselves back. They lunged forward, trying to block Re Yunzheng's strike. Re Yunzheng gave a slight snort of anger and said coldly, "Two pieces of trash, get lost." As soon as his words fell, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were sent flying. The sound of bones cracking came from their bodies, and both men coughed up blood as they crashed to the ground. They struggled to rise, but their injuries were too severe, and neither could stand. Jiang He shouted, "Re Yunzheng, if you dare hurt Hua Hsing, I'll fight you to the death." Re Yunzheng ignored him completely. In the next instant, he appeared before Hua Hsing and threw another punch straight into his chest.

Another loud bang rang out. Hua Hsing's chest caved in slightly, and his body was blasted backward. His voice echoed across the entire square as he shouted, "Re Yunzheng, if I don't die today, I will kill you someday." Re Yunzheng was unwilling to waste any more time. "You won't get that chance," he said as he reached out with one hand to seize Hua Hsing's arm and cripple his cultivation. "No." Hua Hsing let out a furious roar. His Golden Heart began to pound rapidly, and his body suddenly shifted sideways in midair, narrowly avoiding Re Yunzheng's grasp.

Re Yunzheng let out a puzzled sound and immediately tried again. "Enough." At that moment, a voice filled with authority rang out. "It's Elder Tianhe. He's here," a disciple noted. Elder Tianhe, a deacon elder of the Outer Sect, was the only one who treated Hua Hsing well. Elder Tianhe appeared in front of Hua Hsing, blocking Re Yunzheng's attack. "Elder Tianhe, what is the meaning of this?" Re Yunzheng demanded angrily, clearly upset that Elder Tianhe intended to protect Hua Hsing.

"You are all disciples of the Outer Sect. Do not fight among yourselves," Elder Tianhe said. "Elder Tianhe, when Hua Hsing cut off Feng Gan's arm, where were you?" Jiaang Xue interjected. Elder Tianhe replied slowly, "Hua Hsing and Feng Gan are both at Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Feng Gan lost because he wasn't strong enough. But you, Re Yunzheng, are the top disciple of the Outer Sect, and you attack someone at Qi Refining Stage Level Two?" Hearing Elder Tianhe's words, Re Yunzheng fell silent and glanced at Jiaang Xue.

Jiaang Xue let out a cold snort, clearly displeased. Elder Tianhe was obviously protecting Hua Hsing, and there was nothing she could do about it. "Hua Hsing, in the Outer Sect competition next month, I'll make sure you regret this," Jiaang Xue threatened before turning to leave. With the elder present, she could not attack Hua Hsing, and Re Yunzheng also shot him a fierce look before departing. "Thank you, Elder Tianhe," Hua Hsing said gratefully. If Elder Tianhe had not appeared, he would not have been able to withstand Re Yunzheng's attack.

"Hua Hsing, I have always believed that you are no ordinary person. One day, you will shine brightly," Elder Tianhe said. "However, you have made enemies of Re Yunzheng and Jiaang Xue, so life in the Outer Sect will be difficult. Be careful. I can protect you once, but not forever." Hearing Elder Tianhe's words, Hua Hsing nodded solemnly. After Re Yunzheng left, the disciples in the square gradually dispersed, and Elder Tianhe also departed. Hua Hsing then helped Jiang He and Hsu Feng up from the ground.

Re Yunzheng let out a sound of confusion, then attacked again.

"Enough."

At that moment, a commanding voice rang out, filled with authority.

"It’s Deacon Elder Tianhe. He’s here," one of the disciples said when he saw him.

Deacon Elder Tianhe was one of the Outer Sect’s deacon elders. In the entire Outer Sect, he was the only one who had ever treated Hua Hsing well. He appeared in front of Hua Hsing and blocked Re Yunzheng’s attack.

"Deacon Elder Tianhe, what do you mean by this?" Re Yunzheng demanded angrily. It was obvious that Tianhe intended to protect Hua Hsing, and that made him furious.

"You are all Outer Sect disciples. Do not kill one another," Deacon Elder Tianhe said.

Jiaang Xue stepped forward and said, "Deacon Elder Tianhe, when Hua Hsing cut off Feng Gan’s arm just now, why didn’t you come out then?"

Deacon Elder Tianhe replied calmly, "Hua Hsing and Feng Gan are both at Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Feng Gan lost because his own strength was insufficient. But you, Re Yunzheng, are the strongest disciple of the Outer Sect, yet you attacked someone at Qi Refining Stage Level Two."

Hearing those words, Re Yunzheng fell silent and glanced at Jiaang Xue. She gave a cold snort, clearly displeased. It was obvious that Deacon Elder Tianhe was determined to protect Hua Hsing, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Hua Hsing, in the Outer Sect competition one month from now, I will make you suffer terribly," Jiaang Xue said threateningly before turning to leave.

Now that an elder had appeared, she could no longer attack Hua Hsing. Re Yunzheng shot Hua Hsing a vicious look as well before departing.

"Thank you, Deacon Elder Tianhe," Hua Hsing said gratefully. If Tianhe had not appeared, he truly would not have been able to withstand Re Yunzheng’s attack.

Deacon Elder Tianhe looked at him and said, "Hua Hsing, I have always believed that you are no ordinary person. One day, you will shine brilliantly."

He then added, "However, you have offended both Re Yunzheng and Jiaang Xue. Your life in the Outer Sect will surely become very difficult. You must be careful. I may be able to protect you once, but I cannot protect you forever."

Hearing Deacon Elder Tianhe’s words, Hua Hsing nodded heavily.

After Re Yunzheng left, the disciples in the square gradually dispersed, and soon the elder Tianhe departed as well. Hua Hsing helped Jiang He and Hsu Feng up from the ground. "Hua Hsing, are you all right?" Jiang He asked. "I'm fine. How about you two?" Hua Hsing replied. Jiang He lowered his head, his face filled with sorrow. "Hsu Feng's internal organs were injured. I'm afraid he won't recover within three months." For a martial artist at the Qi Refining Stage, the internal organs were extremely important. Once they were damaged, recovery in a short time was nearly impossible. In one month, the Outer Sect disciple competition would begin, and Hsu Feng was destined to miss it. "I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me," Hsu Feng said with a broad grin, trying to break the heavy mood. Seeing Hsu Feng force a smile, Hua Hsing silently swore that he would find a way to help him recover within one month.

After taking Hsu Feng back, Hua Hsing left. On the way, Jiang He said, "Re Yunzheng was far too ruthless." Hua Hsing turned to him and asked, "What can we do to help his internal organs recover quickly?" Jiang He replied, "If we had a Healing Pill, we could help Hsu Feng recover. Unfortunately, obtaining one is far too difficult." Hua Hsing paused slightly. "A Healing Pill?" Jiang He nodded and said, "For Outer Sect disciples, getting medicinal pills is extremely difficult. Nearly all the resources of the Azure Edge Sword Sect are given to the Inner Sect disciples. However, there is still another way." "What way?" Hua Hsing asked at once. "Black Spirit Grass. If we can get Black Spirit Grass, it can also restore Hsu Feng's internal organs," Jiang He said. Hearing this, Hua Hsing fell into deep thought.

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