194: Chapter 194 Shameless Scoundrel

"Junior Brother Ye, what's wrong?" Lei Zhen asked steadily, sensing his unusual reaction.

Luo Qiushui also cast an inquiring gaze toward him.

Ye Tian took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart.

He glanced at the heavily injured Lei Zhen and Luo Qiushui, knowing full well that now was definitely not a good time to investigate.

"It's nothing," Ye Tian said, slowly withdrawing his gaze as his face returned to a state of calm. "It might be because my injuries are just beginning to heal, making my Divine Sense a bit sensitive. It was just an illusion."

Lei Zhen's thick eyebrows knitted slightly. Although he was heavily injured, his perception remained; he hadn't noticed anything obviously abnormal, but seeing that Ye Tian's expression didn't seem fake, he said in a deep voice, "Mhm, it's always good to be cautious.

Let's report back to the Elder first before making any further plans."

Luo Qiushui frowned slightly. She was meticulous and sensed that Ye Tian's moment of gravity was definitely not a simple illusion. However, seeing that Ye Tian was unwilling to say more, she didn't press him, only saying softly, "Junior Brother Ye, be careful in all things."

Ye Tian nodded, thinking a bit more highly of this cold Senior Sister's sharp intuition.

Without staying any longer, they rode the Sect's spiritual birds back to the Inner Sect area and went straight to the Mission Hall to hand in their mission.

The three of them entered the Mission Hall and informed Elder Huang of what had happened, though they omitted the lightning technique Legacy.

After hearing this, Elder Huang's expression became incredibly grave. He immediately upgraded the mission to a grade a mission, rewarded them with three thousand contribution points and Heart-Clearing Jade Dew Pills, and strictly ordered the three to rest recently, stating that this matter would be reported to the Sect's higher-ups.

As for the villagers of Muyin Village, the Sect would handle them naturally.

Exiting the hall, the sunlight was warm and gentle, but Ye Tian's heart was shrouded in gloom.

The Sect's high level of attention confirmed that the threat of the Shadow Calamity Tower and the Black Fiend far exceeded his imagination.

Strength!

He urgently needed to increase his strength!

However, the tree craves stillness but the wind will not subside.

Just as the three were preparing to return to their respective Immortal Caves to heal, they heard a voice full of mockery coming from nearby: "Yo!

I was wondering who was making such a scene. Turns out it's the champion of our Outer Sect Grand Competition, Junior Brother Ye Tian!"

The voice instantly attracted the gazes of many Disciples in the plaza.

Among the crowd, Gao Ling, with a sinister smile on his face, led a few lackeys and swaggered over to block the path of Ye Tian's group.

He crossed his arms over his chest, chin tilted slightly, sizing the three of them up with a condescending look.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk,"

Gao Ling shook his head, his tone exaggerated. "Look at this, look at this! Isn't this the triumphal return after completing a magnificent mission?

What's this, Senior Brother Lei Zhen? Was your arm gnawed on by a wild dog in the mountains?

Senior Sister Luo, how did your precious body end up getting wounded too?

And our great Genius Ye, your complexion doesn't look too good either!"

He deliberately emphasized the word 'magnificent' with heavy sarcasm.

As soon as he finished speaking, a wave of whispers immediately broke out in the plaza.

Many Disciples had heard that Ye Tian's group had returned from an extremely dangerous mission, and they now began to gather around.

"It's Gao Ling! He's looking for trouble again!"

"I heard Ye Tian and the others encountered assassins from the Shadow Calamity Tower this time, and they were True Martial Realm fourth-layer experts!"

"My god! True Martial fourth layer? How did those three new Inner Sect members survive?"

"It looks like a Pyrrhic victory. Look how badly Senior Brother Lei Zhen is hurt! His Aura is completely withered."

"Gao Ling jumping out now is clearly picking on them while they're down because they're heavily injured!"

"This is too shameless!"

The surrounding discussions reached his ears, making Gao Ling's expression turn even more somber.

Hearing this, fury rose in Lei Zhen's tiger-like eyes. Even though he was plagued by poison, that domineering Aura of a fierce battlefield general remained awe-inspiring.

He took a step forward, and though his body swayed slightly, his voice boomed like muffled thunder: "Gao Ling, what did you say!

The danger of the Shadow Calamity Tower's villains is not something a person like you, who only knows how to fight and bully within the Inner Sect, can even imagine!

If you have the guts, go to the Mission Hall and take a grade a pursuit order to test your mettle!

What kind of skill is it to bark like a dog here!"

The rolling sound waves made the faces of the lackeys behind Gao Ling turn pale, and they subconsciously retreated.

Gao Ling was intimidated by Lei Zhen's Aura, especially upon hearing the words 'grade a pursuit order,' causing his eyelids to twitch slightly. But under the watchful eyes of the crowd, how could he be willing to show weakness?

He forced a cold laugh and said, "Lei Zhen, stop putting on a front here!

Whether a mission was completed well or not is obvious to everyone!

To end up in such a miserable state with casualties, what is it if not incompetence?

In my opinion, these so-called Outer Sect geniuses are nothing more than people with undeserved reputations!"

Ye Tian's gaze turned completely cold.

Gao Ling's move was definitely not a simple provocation; he was targeting their weakness while they were heavily injured, trying to goad them into fighting.

Openly brawling in a vital area of the Sect was a violation of the rules. Regardless of the outcome, they wouldn't escape punishment. Especially after having just achieved a great merit, being punished for such a thing would be the joke of the world.

The maliciousness of this person's heart was evident.

He pressed down on Lei Zhen's trembling arm to signal him to stay calm.

He then took a step forward to stand face-to-face with Gao Ling, his gaze so deep it made one's heart skip a beat.

He cupped his hands, his tone flat yet every word clear: "Senior Brother Gao."

Ye Tian spoke, suppressing the surrounding noise. "Elder Huang has already made a clear judgment on the details of the Muyin Village mission, designating it as grade a.

The contribution points and Medicinal Pills are the Sect's recognition of our meager contributions.

If Senior Brother has doubts about this, you are more than welcome to go to the Mission Hall to check the records, or personally volunteer to the Sect to take on a similar mission to slay the evil Disciples of the Shadow Calamity Tower and rid the Sect of this great harm. At that time, I will surely cheer for you, Senior Brother."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Gao Ling's slightly changing face, and continued, "As for whether we have undeserved reputations... if Senior Brother is interested, once Senior Brother Lei and Senior Sister Luo's injuries are healed, we can properly seek guidance from Senior Brother on the Martial Arts Stage.

Rather than here and now, taking advantage of people's peril to engage in this pointless war of words.

Such behavior is somewhat beneath your status, Senior Brother."

These words were neither humble nor arrogant, and were grounded in logic.

First, he brought up Elder Huang and the Sect's official conclusion to shut down Gao Ling's questioning.

Then he turned the tables, goading Gao Ling into taking a dangerous mission.

Finally, he pointed out that the other party was 'taking advantage of people's peril,' seizing the moral high ground.

It could be described as a needle hidden in silk, incredibly sharp!

The plaza immediately erupted into an uproar!

"Well said! Every word Junior Brother Ye said makes sense!"

"Gao Ling is just a bully who fears the strong! If you're so capable, go kill the people from the Shadow Calamity Tower!"

"A grade a mission! Being able to come back alive is a great merit! Gao Ling, if you're so good, you go do it!"

"Coming to find trouble while people are heavily injured is truly embarrassing!"

Public opinion instantly shifted to Ye Tian's side.

Gao Ling was choked by Ye Tian's words until his face turned red. Hearing the words 'taking advantage of people's peril' felt like being slapped in public, leaving him both ashamed and furious.

He pointed at Ye Tian, shaking with rage: "You... you sharp-tongued brat! Humph! A mere first-layer True Martial Realm dares to be so arrogant before me!"

Seeing Gao Ling fly into a rage and about to strike regardless of the consequences, the atmosphere suddenly became tense!

Just then, two clear and pleasant voices broke the hostile atmosphere: "Senior Brother Gao, what has happened to make you so furious?"

The voice was as gentle as water, making one feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

"Junior Brother Ye, Senior Brother Lei, Senior Sister Luo, are your injuries alright?"

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw two women walking gracefully from the other side of the hall, instantly attracting everyone's gaze.

The one on the left had a slender figure and a pretty, bright countenance, with an inherent Aura of liveliness in her eyes; it was Su Xuan.

The one on the right had a graceful figure and a temperament as gentle as water, with a clear and refined appearance; it was Mu Yu.

The two women were extremely popular among the Inner Sect Disciples.

Their arrival immediately eased the tense atmosphere significantly.

Upon seeing the two women, Gao Ling's arrogant air immediately deflated by more than half. His expression became somewhat unnatural as he forced a smile: "So it's Junior Sister Su and Junior Sister Mu.

It's nothing, just discussing some cultivation insights with Junior Brother Ye and the others."

Su Xuan walked closer, first giving a graceful bow to Ye Tian's group, and said softly, "The three of you have worked hard.

We just heard inside the hall that your mission this time was fraught with danger. To be able to return safely is already a great blessing."

Her gaze fell on Lei Zhen's blackened arm and Luo Qiushui's blood-stained shoulder. Her eyebrows knitted slightly as she turned to Gao Ling: "Senior Brother Gao, Senior Brother Lei and Senior Sister Luo's injuries are so heavy that they urgently need rest.

Is it not somewhat inappropriate to discuss insights at this time?

Fellow Disciples should be considerate of one another."

Mu Yu also spoke softly: "Junior Brother Ye and the others have gone through a fierce battle and are exhausted in both body and mind.

If there is to be any sparring or exchange, why not wait until their injuries are healed?

For now, the priority should be healing and rest.

Sect rules also forbid Disciples from private fighting in non-sparring areas. Senior Brother, do not let a moment of impulse cause you to violate the rules."

The spectating Disciples nodded in praise upon seeing this: "Senior Sister Su and Senior Sister Mu are indeed sensible!"

"That's right! They just came back from risking their lives, how can anyone block them to find trouble like this!"

"Quickly disperse, don't delay the Senior Brother and Senior Sisters' healing!"

Under the implicit pressure from the two women's gazes and the discussions of the Disciples, Gao Ling's face turned from red to white. He knew he wouldn't be able to get any advantage today.

He glared fiercely at Ye Tian and squeezed out a sentence: "Humph! Ye Tian, just you wait!"

Having said that, he no longer had the face to stay. He led his lackeys, shamefully pushed through the crowd, and quickly left.

"Many thanks to Senior Sister Su and Senior Sister Mu for speaking up for us."

Ye Tian cupped his hands to the two women and thanked them solemnly.

"Junior Brother Ye is too polite." Su Xuan smiled radiantly, her gaze lingering on Ye Tian with a hint of admiration. "Junior Brother remained calm in the face of danger and spoke with such propriety; it is truly admirable.

Are your injuries serious? If you need anything, you can come to Tianji Peak to find me."

Mu Yu also smiled gently: "It is best for the three of you to return and heal as soon as possible. If you need Medicinal Pills or other help, Shuiyue Peak is also very welcoming."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sisters. We will be sure to recover carefully."

Ye Tian thanked them again, his tone maintaining his usual distance.

After a few more simple pleasantries, Su Xuan and Mu Yu took their leave, their postures elegant and composed.

Watching the two women's receding backs, Lei Zhen gave a cold snort. Though he didn't say much, his tense body relaxed slightly.

Luo Qiushui, on the other hand, looked at Ye Tian's profile thoughtfully.

Ye Tian said in a deep voice to Lei Zhen and Luo Qiushui, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, let's go as well. Our injuries are the priority."

The three of them didn't stay any longer and walked toward the Inner Sect Disciple residential area under the admiring gazes of many Disciples.

Under the sunlight, the Liuli Xuan Sect with its towering palaces and swirling mists looked like a tranquil immortal realm.

But Ye Tian knew in his heart that Gao Ling's provocation was just a trivial prelude.

That True Disciple was the real person behind the scenes.

And what made his heart skip a beat the most was that lingering 'Black Fiend' Aura.

The top priority was to recover his strength and increase his cultivation as quickly as possible to face the impending storm.