Chapter 24: Covetous Eyes from the Outer Sect
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The Celestial Residence District.
It was only when Tianming and Chu Qingchen were about to step inside that Tianming realized the grandeur of these two towers—truly, one cannot fathom their magnitude until within. The twin, towering buildings soared straight into the clouds, their silhouettes at dusk reminiscent of pillars holding up the sky. Cultivators traversed the air, vibrant energies swirling in myriad forms. On the central lawn, countless disciples were immersed in cultivation.
Occasionally, groups of cultivators passed by Tianming, chatting and laughing, nourished by spiritual energy; the female disciples were all fair-skinned, graceful, their robes fluttering like celestial maidens. Perhaps because Tianming was only at the first stage of Qi Induction, or maybe because he wasn’t wearing sect attire, the passing female disciples glanced at him curiously, but quickly turned away—their realm was above his, not worth their attention.
Tianming...
Still, maintaining a friendly demeanor, Tianming nodded and smiled to all. Chu Qingchen, however, was a bit embarrassed, hurrying to walk behind Tianming, using his taller companion to hide himself.
“Stop right there!”
As Tianming, Chu Qingchen, and Little Black strode toward the left tower, a chilly voice shattered their cheerful mood.
Tianming looked ahead in surprise.
Blocking their path was a man in white sect robes, but quite different from Chu Qingchen—shifty-eyed and sly. As Tianming scrutinized him, the man’s small eyes darted over them and the surrounding disciples who had paused to watch, as if pondering something.
Tianming couldn’t guess why they were stopped. Was he looking for Brother Chu?
“Suo Yangcan, are you looking for a beating?” Before Tianming could react, Chu Qingchen stepped ahead to shield him. Though “shielding” might be a stretch, since Tianming was a head taller than Chu Qingchen—it looked rather comical.
Tianming...
It seemed Chu Qingchen knew the man, so Tianming remained silent.
“Heh, I wouldn’t dare. Brother Chu, please go ahead. But that brat behind you cannot.” Suo Yangcan sneered, shaking his head as he looked at Tianming with contempt.
Seeing Tianming hiding behind Chu Qingchen, Suo Yangcan’s disdain grew even deeper.
“What do you mean? Say it again if you dare,” Chu Qingchen said, glancing behind and fixing his face in a stern expression.
Though Tianming showed no displeasure, an outer disciple dared speak so boldly—Chu Qingchen was simmering with anger.
“Say it again? The answer’s the same: trash is forbidden here.” Suo Yangcan pointed downward with his middle finger, utterly unconcerned with Chu Qingchen’s glare, his lips curled in a sinister smile, clearly enjoying the attention.
Feeling so ostracized, Tianming could barely contain himself.
“Brother, can I hit him?” Tianming whispered, clenched fist by Chu Qingchen’s ear.
Chu Qingchen shook his head.
“Don’t worry, he won’t dare make a move!”
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Trash?
Chu Qingchen smiled coldly. If the Tianyan Sect allowed fighting, he’d have punched the guy ages ago—no need to endure this humiliation.
“Suo Yangcan, you call my brother trash, but what are you in my eyes? If you had any self-awareness, you’d move aside quickly!” Chu Qingchen pointed ahead, his face grave, matching Suo Yangcan’s contempt.
Suo Yangcan ignored Chu Qingchen, fixing his gaze on Tianming. Though Tianming’s expression was calm, Suo Yangcan’s disdain only intensified—just an act.
“Brother Chu, why get angry?” Suo Yangcan turned to Chu Qingchen with a false smile.
“Drop the fake courtesy—it’s disgusting,” Chu Qingchen replied.
“Hmph, so ungrateful. Just a first-stage Qi Induction trash. Kid, do you think you can always hide behind him?” Suo Yangcan’s sharp eyes turned to Tianming, sneering.
“Try making a move,” Chu Qingchen shouted.
“Heh, Brother Chu, why get implicated for someone irrelevant? Even if I don’t act, do you really think you can protect him?” Suo Yangcan shook his head, feigning pity.
After glancing at Tianming, Suo Yangcan turned away, not even bothering to look, full of arrogant disdain.
“Yeah, does he think our Tianyan Sect is a garbage dump?”
“Exactly.”
“Who does he think we are? Trash, get out!”
“...You’re not welcome here.”
“Kid, you dare enter, we’ll break your legs.”
...
Rumors had long circulated of a Qi Induction cultivator directly appointed as an inner disciple—it was true. Before Chu Qingchen could respond, the surrounding disciples coldly mocked Tianming one after another, all unfriendly.
The Tianyan Sect was a top-tier sect in the Central Divine Continent, and while an extra disciple meant little, a mere Qi Induction brat becoming an inner disciple was a slap in the face to the outer disciples. They’d previously feared Chu Qingchen, but now, with someone leading, they grew bold.
“Heh...”
Suo Yangcan folded his arms, enjoying the sight of Chu Qingchen’s helplessness, his gaze ruthless, with not a trace of pity.
Damn it!
Chu Qingchen swept his gaze around angrily, his fury barely contained as he glared at Suo Yangcan, who all but looked down his nose at them.
“Brother, this matter has nothing to do with you. Let me handle it myself,” Tianming said softly.
“I’m sorry, Tianming, for making you the subject of ridicule...” Chu Qingchen turned, embarrassed.
Awo!
Suddenly, Little Black leapt from Tianming’s arms, licking Chu Qingchen’s cheek.
“...At least you have some conscience!” Chu Qingchen smiled, his mood lifting.
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“Hahaha... Seems you haven’t raised it in vain.” Tianming said, looking at Chu Qingchen.
Little Black’s antics brought a smile to Tianming’s stern face.
“I’m nothing compared to you, freak. But remember, you can’t fight here—you must go to the Martial Arena.” Chu Qingchen smiled, then grew serious.
Anyone with such a token was no minor character, so Chu Qingchen didn’t interfere with Tianming’s chance to make his mark.
“Don’t worry, brother. They’re just clowns. I’ll give these junior disciples a lesson in judging by appearances,” Tianming replied.
He understood what Chu Qingchen meant, but wasn’t bothered—he’d guessed as much, or else he’d have acted already.
“I’m very assured,” Chu Qingchen smiled.
Uh...
The unexpected response made Tianming’s mouth twitch slightly—perhaps Chu Qingchen was probing his strength.
But Tianming said nothing more, patting Chu Qingchen’s shoulder and stepping forward.
“Kid, you finally dare to show yourself?” Suo Yangcan seized the opportunity to jeer.
Tianming...
At this moment, Tianming’s face was calm, his gaze deep as he stared at Suo Yangcan, filled with pity—as if to say, “You’re finished.”
“Hmph, so you’re mute as well as trash?” Suo Yangcan’s face grew anxious as Tianming remained silent.
If Tianming didn’t speak, Suo Yangcan couldn’t make a move—it was his fault to begin with, and though he meant to intimidate, Tianming wasn’t playing along.
“Heh, you call me trash at every turn—why not ride the wind and soar ninety thousand miles?” Tianming replied coolly.
Unable to contain himself, Tianming shook his head.
Nothing but contempt—Tianming hated such people, pure jealousy and darkness, hoping to step on him for fame; how laughable.
“Damn it, what do you mean?” Suo Yangcan’s forehead bulged with veins, his face twisted.
Though he didn’t understand, he knew it wasn’t complimentary.
“If you don’t even understand, being used as a pawn, do you really think you’re glorious? To put it bluntly, you’re a pitiful worm. If you turn back now, it’s not too late,” Tianming said, shaking his head again.
He smiled dismissively.
“You...”
Seeing Tianming’s indifferent gaze, Suo Yangcan’s clenched fists crackled.
“Hmph, whether I’m glorious or not is none of your business... This world respects strength—do you have it?”
Suo Yangcan’s face flushed, clearly struck at his sore spot.
“It’s not my business, but strength? I think it’s enough to deal with you. Are all Tianyan Sect disciples so petty, always scheming instead of cultivating? You claim to represent the sect, yet you have the gall to say so—I’m ashamed for you!” Tianming sneered.
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