21: I've finally become an outer disciple.

'The harvest is acceptable.' Lin Feng expressionlessly put them away, then began to clean up the scene.

After repairing the Formation, he turned to the left fork in the road and quickly found Zhang Tie and Liu Xiaoying, who were trapped in a Formation.

Lin Feng broke through the weak point of the Formation with a few sword strikes.

The two escaped, and seeing Lin Feng, covered in blood with a pale face, they were both startled.

"Senior Brother Lin? How are you... Where's Senior Brother Chen?" Liu Xiaoying's voice trembled, but her eyes quickly scanned Lin Feng.

His clothes were torn and blood-stained, there were cracked wounds on his tiger's mouth, and the ironwood sword was nowhere to be seen.

Zhang Tie also stepped forward: "Senior Brother Lin, are you alright? That broken Formation suddenly activated just now, trapping us so we couldn't move. Wasn't Senior Brother Chen with you?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept in the direction Lin Feng had come from, and his nose seemed to twitch.

Besides the smell of blood and gunpowder, there seemed to be a faint... extremely faint burnt smell?

Lin Feng squeezed out a few tears: "Senior Brother Chen and I encountered a large number of Yao Beasts ambushing us in the right fork in the road. One of them was exceptionally fierce... Senior Brother Chen, to cover me, was dragged into the darkness by the Yao Beast... I fought desperately to break through the encirclement and find you..."

Neither Zhang Tie nor Liu Xiaoying spoke immediately.

'A large number of Yao Beasts? Senior Brother Chen is at the Peak of Qi Refining Fifth Layer, would he be dragged away? Lin Feng is only at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, yet he managed to escape?'

'Although Lin Feng's aura is weak, why are his eyes so calm?'

'Lin Feng couldn't possibly confront so many Yao Beasts head-on. Could it be that Lin Feng took advantage of the chaos... and didn't save him? Or even finished him off?'

The two exchanged glances, and instantly thought of the same crucial point: Lin Feng was only at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, how could he have survived a pack of Yao Beasts that could kill Chen Qing? And even killed a Yao Beast in return?

But precisely because of this, the conclusion was too absurd.

Killing someone above his cultivation level? In their understanding, this was almost impossible.

In comparison, it was more likely that Lin Feng abandoned Chen Qing to die or escaped by chance, and Chen Qing met an unfortunate end.

Zhang Tie's mind quickly weighed the options: 'Accuse Lin Feng? Without proof, if he turns around and bites back, or if he has someone behind him... Besides, Chen Qing's death doesn't harm me. Why offend an unfathomable guy for a dead man?'

Liu Xiaoying also understood clearly: 'Expose him? What would I gain? Would the Sect believe me? What if he's ruthless enough to deal with me too... It's better to pretend ignorance and leave this cursed place first.'

Almost simultaneously, the two made the decision most beneficial to themselves.

Zhang Tie's face showed even greater grief and indignation, his eyes even reddened: "Senior Brother Lin, you've suffered. We must avenge Senior Brother Chen. When we return, we must report to the Sect and wipe out that den of beasts."

Liu Xiaoying also looked up, her eyes slightly red, and nodded vigorously: "Yes... Senior Brother Chen sacrificed himself to save us... We can't let him die in vain..."

Lin Feng watched their performance, a cold sneer in his heart, but on his face, he nodded: "The mission still needs to be completed. Let's first check the Formation core, then leave here."

"Right, right, right. Completing the mission is important," Zhang Tie quickly echoed.

Liu Xiaoying also softly responded: "Mm, I'll listen to Senior Brother Lin."

Each with their own hidden agendas, the three completed the maintenance of the Formation core and cleared the scattered Yao Beasts from the main path.

On the way back to the Sect, the three even "perfected" the details: the types and numbers of Yao Beasts, Chen Qing's "heroic" posture... Lin Feng was surprised that Zhang Tie and Liu Xiaoying's additions were even more realistic and moving than what he himself had said.

Inside Shang Gong Hall, the duty deacon Disciple listened to the highly consistent, detailed, and even indignant report from the three.

The duty deacon Disciple was listening as a matter of routine, but when he heard, "Senior Brother Chen Qing, to cover us, unfortunately fell victim to the Yao Beasts and heroically sacrificed himself," his recording motion suddenly paused, his pen tip hovered above the Jade Slip, and for the first time, a clear look of astonishment and disbelief appeared on his face.

Chen Qing... dead?

An Outer Sect Disciple at the Peak of Qi Refining Fifth Layer, died during a mere Menial Servant promotion assessment mission?

And the three Fourth Level of Qi Refining Menial Servants being assessed... although injured, all returned alive?

This was simply inconceivable.

He had been in charge of assessment affairs for many years; accidents had happened, but mostly the assessed Disciples suffered casualties. The Outer Sect Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters leading the team at most sustained injuries. When had there ever been a precedent of an assessor dying and all candidates surviving?

His gaze sharpened, and he swept over the three again, one by one.

Too perfect... almost abnormally perfect.

Doubts arose in the duty deacon Disciple's mind.

He had naturally heard that Chen Qing was somewhat overbearing and unpopular in his daily life. But precisely because of this, the matter seemed even stranger.

He tapped his fingers on the desk, pondering for a moment.

Question them closely? Or even report it to the Hall of Punishment for a thorough investigation?

But this thought was quickly suppressed.

Investigating the death of an Outer Sect Disciple, especially in such an unclear mission, was extremely troublesome.

Moreover... there was no evidence.

The three in front of him had consistent stories, and their injuries matched.

To go to great lengths for a dead, unpopular Outer Sect Disciple, offend survivors who might have backing, and add countless tasks and uncertain risks to himself... It was better to avoid trouble. This thought quickly gained the upper hand.

Were there not enough low-level Disciples dying in the Sect every day?

As long as the procedure was acceptable, why delve deeper?

The astonishment and doubt on his face quickly receded, returning to his business-like expression, though his tone was slightly more solemn:

"Cough... I didn't expect Senior Brother Chen to bravely sacrifice himself... It's truly heartbreaking. It's not easy that you were able to complete the mission and return safely. This matter will be recorded."

He asked no more questions, took Lin Feng's identity Jade Slip, imprinted the "Outer Sect" mark on it, and waved his hand: "Go to the Registration Office to change your jade token and collect your clothes."

The duty deacon Disciple at the Registration Office expressionlessly tossed over a set of clothes and a new jade token.

"Outer Sect Disciples, with this jade token, can receive three Low-Grade Spirit Stones monthly. Basic Cultivation Techniques can be viewed on the first floor of the Myriad Laws Pavilion. Missions must be completed on time; no slacking is allowed."

Lin Feng took the set of blue clothes. It wasn't the flowing cloud-patterned white robe of Inner Sect Disciples, but only had simple cloud scroll patterns embroidered with dark blue silk threads on the lapel and cuffs, symbolizing the identity of an Outer Sect Disciple.

He didn't go to the crowded Outer Sect Disciple dormitories assigned to him at the foot of the mountain first, but instead turned to the medicinal garden.

The Spiritual Qi in the medicinal field was still sparse, and several unfamiliar Menial Servants were working diligently.

Ye Yuner was squatting by the field ridge, mounding soil around a Spiritual Plant. Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

When she saw Lin Feng's brand new clothes, her eyes lit up, and she put down the small hoe in her hand: "Senior Brother Lin. You... you succeeded! That's great!"

She lowered her head, looking at her muddy fingers: "That's really good... Outer Sect Disciple... Senior Brother Lin, you have boundless prospects now..."

Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes, which were still the gray Menial Servant robes.