97: Chapter 97 Take Care of Yourself?

"Li Sen."

Deacon Tang Hao's voice was low, making it impossible to tell his mood. "Are these the facts?"

Li Sen's lips trembled. After struggling for several breaths, he finally lowered his head dejectedly. "It... it is as he said."

"But I did not intend for this. It was just an impulse; I lost my sense of propriety for a moment."

"I am willing to accept punishment. I only ask the Deacon to consider my years of service to the Sect and deal with me leniently..."

He wanted to explain further, but Deacon Tang Hao waved his hand and cut him off. "No need to say more. The facts are clear and the evidence is solid. As a Earth-rank True Disciple, I have no right to punish you directly."

"From this moment on, you are to return to the mountain gate to reflect on your mistakes and await the verdict of the Law Enforcement Hall committee."

"Yes..."

Li Sen trembled all over, his face turning deathly pale.

Awaiting the verdict...

That meant this matter would be brought to a Law Enforcement Hall meeting, where several Deacons and even the Hall Revered Master would jointly deliberate on the sentencing.

With Chu Feng's ruthlessness, he would surely refuse to let go. When that time came, the lightest punishment would be being thrown into the 'Immortal Prison'! If it were more severe...

He glared at Chu Feng with extreme resentment, the venom in his eyes almost manifesting into something physical.

But with Deacon Tang Hao present, he didn't dare to make any move. He could only bow, jump onto his thunder cloud boat in disgrace, and fly slowly toward the Duobao Sect mountain gate, his back looking as desolate as a stray dog.

"Deacon Tang, look how arrogant this kid is! He even glared at me before leaving. He doesn't have a shred of remorse!" Chu Feng continued to badmouth Li Sen.

"Enough! Stop talking!!!" Deacon Tang Hao couldn't help but rub his temples, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.

How could Chu Feng's little schemes escape his Dharma Eye?

This matter was not small; attacking a fellow Disciple violated the bottom line of the Sect rules.

But it wasn't exactly huge either. After all, no actual casualties were caused, and Li Sen's attitude in admitting his guilt was acceptable.

Chu Feng's refusal to let it go was clearly an attempt to use the Law Enforcement Hall to completely bring down Li Sen and eliminate any future trouble.

As a Deacon of the Law Enforcement Hall, Deacon Tang Hao naturally couldn't sit by and watch the Sect rules be trampled upon.

However, Li Sen was an Earth-rank True Disciple after all, and punishing him would involve many complications.

It required convening a Law Enforcement Hall meeting, reporting to the Hall Revered Master, and balancing various factions.

Moreover, since Deacon Tang Hao was handling the case, if Li Sen received a heavy punishment, his Revered Masters and friends would surely hold a grudge against him.

Offending an Earth-rank True Disciple and his network for no reason naturally made Deacon Tang Hao displeased.

"Is it that difficult..."

Observing the situation, Chu Feng suddenly grinned and said with feigned magnanimity, "How about we just forget it? I'm not hurt anyway, and Senior Brother Li has apologized. Between fellow Disciples, harmony is most precious."

"Bullshit!"

Deacon Tang Hao's eyes widened as he shouted sternly, "The facts are clear! Li Sen violated the Sect rules! Violating the rules means punishment! Otherwise, wouldn't the Sect fall into chaos? What the hell would be the point of our Law Enforcement Hall?"

He stared at Chu Feng, his tone serious. "Chu Feng, remember this: with great power comes great responsibility! The more outstanding your talent, the more you must be cautious in word and deed, and the more you must uphold the rules of the Duobao Sect!"

"Without rules, there is no order. If we let Li Sen off today just because he is a True Disciple, will Golden Core Deacons be able to kill Disciples at will tomorrow?"

"Will Nascent Soul Elders treat the Sect rules as nothing the day after?"

"Without the restraint of rules, the Sect would become a savage jungle where the strong prey on the weak! The powerful would bully the weak at will, just as Li Sen bullied you today!"

"If the Sect does not uphold justice, would the Disciples not lose their loyalty? If we encounter a foreign enemy in the future, wouldn't Duobao Sect become a pile of loose sand?"

"Remember, the path of cultivation is long and treacherous. No matter how strong an individual is, how much can they achieve alone?"

"Only with the protection of fellow Disciples and the Sect as a backer can one go far! Today the Sect upholds justice for you; tomorrow, if you are bullied outside, the Sect will also support you! This is the foundation of a Sect!"

His words were powerful and resonant, spoken not only for Chu Feng but for all the Disciples present.

Chu Feng put away his playful expression and bowed solemnly. "Yes, this Disciple understands his mistake. I will surely keep the Deacon's teachings in mind. In the future, I will act according to the Sect rules, never daring to use my strength to bully the weak, nor fearing the oppression of the powerful!"

"Good."

Deacon Tang Hao's expression softened slightly. He gave Chu Feng a deep look and gave one last piece of advice. "You have a great future. Do not let current grudges cloud your mind. Settling down to cultivate is the Righteous Path."

"The Peak Revered Master thinks very highly of you. Take care of yourself."

With that, he said no more, waved his sleeve, turned around, and led the group of black-armored Law Enforcement Disciples onto the thunder cloud boats.

The three war boats roared to life, turning into streaks of light that disappeared into the horizon.

The matter ended just like that.

Chu Feng was unharmed, while what awaited the Earth-rank True Disciple Li Sen was a formal trial by the Law Enforcement Hall.

Although the final result was unknown, after this commotion, Li Sen's reputation in the Duobao Sect would surely plummet. Whether he could keep his position as a True Disciple was an unknown.

At this moment, Senior Brother Zhao Tieshan and the surrounding Duobao Sect Disciples who had witnessed the entire event felt stormy waves in their hearts.

A Yellow-rank True Disciple at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment had actually gone head-to-head with an Earth-rank True Disciple at Foundation Establishment Completion Stage.

And... he won!

Not only did he force the other party to apologize in public, but he also brought in the Law Enforcement Hall, leaving the other's future uncertain!

What was even more shocking was Deacon Tang Hao's final sentence: "The Peak Revered Master thinks very highly of you."

The Master of Duobao Peak!

That was a true big shot of the Duobao Sect.

Ordinary Golden Core Deacons could hardly catch his eye, and Earth-rank True Disciples were merely juniors with a bit of potential.

But Chu Feng, a Yellow-rank True Disciple in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, had actually gained the Peak Revered Master's favor!

What did this mean?

It meant that his future within the Sect would be limitless!

Senior Brother Zhao Tieshan and the others looked at each other, seeing the same shock in each other's eyes, along with... a hint of eager heat.

They had fought alongside Chu Feng and seen his courage and methods, and they had personally experienced today's storm.

This man, Chu Feng, was not only exceptionally talented and powerful in battle, but also decisive in Heart-Nature, bold as the heavens, and seemingly possessed a deep background.

Following such a person, perhaps... there really was a chance to carve out a place for themselves in the Sect?

On the path of cultivation, Wealth, Companions, Techniques, and Land were all indispensable.

"Companions" referred not only to Dao Companions, but also to fellow travelers and allies.

Walking alone, one would inevitably be weak; if one could be led by a strong person and supported by fellow travelers, the path would undoubtedly be much smoother.

Action followed thought.

Senior Brother Zhao Tieshan was the first to step forward, cupping his fists and bowing to Chu Feng, his tone more respectful than ever before. "Junior Brother Chu... no, Senior Brother Chu! Today's matter has left this Zhao completely convinced!"

"Senior Brother's courage is extraordinary, your wisdom and bravery are both complete, and your character is upright in protecting your fellow Disciples. You are truly a role model for our generation!"

"In the future, if there is any place where Senior Brother needs this Zhao, just say the word. This Zhao will surely do his best, without a second thought!"

His words were extremely sycophantic, lowering his status so much that he was almost respecting Chu Feng as a 'Revered Master'.

The other True Disciples were even more clamorous, praising Chu Feng to the skies, calling him a "heavenly genius," a "future True Disciple," and a "pillar of the Sect"...

The flattery was deafening, every sentence so cloying it made one's skin crawl.