37: Chapter 34: Raising the Stakes 37: Chapter 34: Raising the Stakes Lu Luanti turned his head to look at the four people at the neighboring table.
They were four Inner Sect Disciples from the North Courtyard.
One of the young men was speaking in disbelief, “Is that really true?
Brother Chu killed more than forty members of the Long Family in the Fire Bone Cave, and even those three from Heng’s Eighteen Riders were no match for him, all slain by his sword in a single stroke?”
Another person, animatedly, said, “Could there be any falsehood in this news?
I heard it from Hu Lai himself.
Although that guy is a bit of a gossip, everything he says does have a basis.
Moreover, Brother Chu’s talent was personally praised by Coach Ye and the head of the academy.
And to be able to kill an Eighth Rank Magic Cultivator in the Library and escape unharmed, isn’t that no small feat?”
Luanyi knew this Hu Lai, who was the brother of Hu Kan, and both were equally unreliable.
At this moment, another young man said with great admiration, “From this, it seems Brother Chu’s sword skill might be comparable to an Eighth Rank Martial Cultivator, right?
How long has he been in the Inner Sect?”
“Being able to kill Heng’s Eighteen Riders with a single stroke, even if not at Eighth Rank, must be close to it.
Even a true Eighth Rank Martial Cultivator, if not those particularly specialized in defeating heavy armor, might not be able to do it.”
Hearing this, Luanyi couldn’t help but shake his head.
Hu Kan only said that Chu Xisheng should be at the top at the Ninth Grade Level.
In these people’s mouths, he was already capable of rivalling an Eighth Rank Martial Cultivator.
She focused on her meal, then took her bowl to wash it by the sink.
Here too, people were talking about Chu Xisheng, discussing the events at the Fire Bone Cave, but this version was different.
“—Brother Chu was invincible in the Fire Bone Cave, killing over sixty members of the Long Family.
He also killed six from Heng’s Eighteen Riders with his blade.
The Long Family searched there for several days but still could not deal with him.”
“You don’t know, Brother Chu’s blade is as fast as the wind, like thunder and lightning, and those Heng’s heavy riders lost their lives in just an encounter.”
Luanyi couldn’t help but laugh silently.
These people were exaggerating more and more, the Heng’s Eighteen Riders changing from three to six, the dead doubling in number.
She filled her own cup with a pot of hot tea and went outside the cafeteria to drink it.
Sure enough, Chu Xisheng’s name was being mentioned everywhere in the cafeteria today.
There were discussions elsewhere too, each varying in their version.
“—At that time, members of the Long Family were chasing Tie Xiaosheng in the Fire Bone Cave, and were forcefully repelled by Brother Chu.”
“Brother Chu is so powerful?
His sword skill must be the pinnacle of our Martial Arts Academy’s Inner Sect by now, right?”
“Absolutely, he must undoubtedly be the foremost among our academy’s Inner Sect.
Impressive, how long has he been in the Inner Sect?
He’s certainly the fastest rising member in recent years.”
Luanyi finally couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of tea.
Chu Xisheng, the top person in the Inner Sect?
To become the foremost among the Inner Sect Disciples of Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall, one would need at least the combat power of the Eighth Rank.
With the way you all are spreading these stories, cows could fly up to the sky!
She turned her head to look at the crowd behind her.
She found that many of the nearby Inner Sect Disciples mostly showed admiration, deceived by these unfounded rumors.
However, there were also quite a few who were skeptical, even dismissive.
Almost all of them were wearing Inner Sect waist tokens with two or three leaves.
Among them, the most outstanding in strength had a cold expression, their eyes ambiguously changing.
Luanyi couldn’t help but click her tongue; Chu Xisheng might have big trouble ahead.
Fend for yourself then—
Ten days later in the afternoon, when Zhiqiu Ye invited her Senior Brother Jian Cangfeng to dine at the Drunk Dragon Inn, what she heard was the version of a cow being blown up to the sky.
It was a coincidence that in the private room next to them, there were five Inner Sect Disciples from Zhengyang Martial Arts Academy discussing over drinks.
Recently, a remarkable figure has emerged from the Eastern Courtyard of our martial arts academy.”
“Are you talking about Chu Xisheng?
I heard that during the battle at Fire Bone Cave, he killed a hundred Long Clan soldiers.
Wherever his blade pointed, everyone was sliced to shreds.
Half of Heng’s Eighteen Riders were lost too.
This has already spread throughout half of Xiushui City and truly boosted the morale of Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall.”
“Yes, that’s the guy.
He was also the one who killed the sorcerer in the Library that day.
It is said that not only is he the top figure in the Inner Sect, but he has also secured a spot for the true inheritance three months from now.”
“I have also heard of this person, who, despite his frail health, possesses exceptional talent.
With a fast sword that’s unrivaled within the Inner Sect—”
Ye Zhiqiu heard these words, and her expression turned somewhat peculiar.
She noticed Jian Cangfeng listening intently and hurriedly offered a toast with a smile, “Senior Brother, drink up!
I didn’t expect that the inspector sent by the Formless Divine Sect this time would be you, Senior Brother.”
About thirty years old, Jian Cangfeng’s name may include the words ‘sword’ and ‘blade,’ yet he showed no sharpness nor seemed like a man of hidden depth.
He was of average height, with a round, pudgy face, tender white skin, small eyes, and a small nose, resembling a ball of dough.
Sure enough, Jian Cangfeng’s attention was diverted by Ye Zhiqiu’s words.
He raised his cup, laughing heartily, “I’m also surprised.
How did this task fall to me?
To be honest, after receiving the elder’s decree, I was completely dumbfounded.
I’ve been trembling with fear the whole time, as if walking on thin ice, afraid of failing the heavy responsibility.”
“Senior Brother must be joking,” Ye Zhiqiu actually couldn’t understand why, with so many heroic figures in the sect’s true inheritance, the elders chose Jian Cangfeng, whose cultivation, martial prowress, and achievements were the least outstanding?
Don’t they know how dire the situation at Zhengyang Martial Arts Academy is?
She cursed in her heart but still smiled broadly, “Others may not know Senior Brother, but how could I be unaware?
In my view, whether in wisdom, character, or martial prowess, Senior Brother ranks among the top ten of the true disciples of the Formless Divine Sect.
It’s just that Senior Brother has always hidden his skills, not showing off.
The minor turmoil at Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall could be suppressed with just a flip of Senior Brother’s hand.”
Jian Shenfeng showed a look of pride when he heard the words ‘top ten.’
Yet he set down his cup next, his expression growing serious as he shook his head slightly, “It’s not that easy.
The situation this time is rather troublesome.
The Rebellious God Flag involves great stakes, and the Lie King’s Treasure is coveted by various parties, even involving the Imperial Family.
The situation is complex.
On one hand, we must suppress this storm, and on the other, we must protect the reputation of the Formless Divine Sect and ensure the Academy’s disciples are unaffected; we also need to track down the source to see who is stirring the waters.
This task requires the strong support of everyone in the Academy.”
“That’s my duty as a junior sister!” Ye Zhiqiu’s expression turned solemn, and then she ventured to ask, “Senior Brother, I wonder how the sect plans to deal with Master Ye?”
The Master Ye she mentioned was none other than the former Tower Master, Ye Jingyuan.
Jian Cangfeng chuckled, “Master Ye’s fault is not significant.
The sect has already clarified that there was a third-tier sorcerer who cast a spell remotely, disturbing Master Ye’s Five Senses, preventing him from detecting the change in the Library.
Nevertheless, there will still be a punishment; the elders have stripped him of his Tower Master title and ordered him to be confined in the top floor of the Library for five years, forbidden from leaving without orders.”
Ye Zhiqiu felt relieved.
This punishment for Ye Jingyuan was practically negligible.
Since the sect took a lenient approach even with Ye Jingyuan, then they were even less likely to have issues.
Jian Cangfeng had another drink, changing his tone slightly, “However, after the turmoil in the Library, there are still some criticisms within the sect about you all.
Especially Academy Chief Lei Yuan, many senior and junior brothers are questioning his negligence in duty.
Therefore, in addition to overseeing everything related to Qin Muge, I also have the duty to ‘observe.’ Tomorrow after meeting with Lei Yuan, I will gather the disciples and instructors in the Academy to review each disciple’s martial arts cultivation, to examine the Academy’s educational standards and the instructors’ worth, observing the diligence and laziness of the disciples.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
They still needed to review the disciples’ martial arts?
Just how distrustful were they of their Academy?
“Junior Sister, rest assured, the criticisms in the sect are not directed at you,”
As Jian Cangfeng spoke, he thought about the discussion of the few people nearby.
The ‘Inner Chief’ they’re talking about, ‘Chu Xisheng’, he’s an Eastern Courtyard disciple, isn’t he?
How could the Eastern Courtyard where Junior Sister teaches have such a capable person?
Given the relationship between him and Junior Sister Ye, he would certainly take care of him during the real combat inspection tomorrow.
He then showed a bashful expression, sneaking glances at Ye Zhiqiu’s bright and beautiful face, “By the way, I heard that Junior Sister Ye has yet to be married?”
Ye Zhiqiu’s face turned slightly dark.