Chapter 44 of 100

Chapter 44

17 min read4,308 words

"......"

Feng Luming was just about to take this opportunity to fabricate a story, but all his malicious thoughts suddenly vanished. Recalling the various rumors about the deputy hall master of the Discipline Hall, he quickly changed his words, "Hall Master, this is a trivial matter. As a disciple of the sect, Li Chen did not respect the sect rules and has already had a negative influence on the named disciples. If not punished severely, it will be difficult for me to manage and command the disciples. The named disciples are all young, and if they all learn his behavior, it will be..."

"What will it be?"

Zang Xingqian said indifferently.

"It will make the sect rules a mere formality!"

Feng Luming's body trembled as he boldly said.

"Bold!"

Suddenly, the six enforcement disciples shouted in unison.

Feng Luming felt a fierce aura rush towards him, making him shudder and lose his composure.

As for Li Chen, he had not spoken a word and seemed completely unaffected by the aura of the six True Cultivation Realm martial artists, standing quietly.

For him, who had even seen a fourth-stage demonic beast, the Golden-Winged Thunder Eagle, how could he fear the aura of True Cultivation Realm martial artists?

"Boy, do you have nothing to say?"

Zang Xingqian's expression was indifferent, but if one looked closely, a glint of interest flashed in his eyes.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, I indeed left for half a year without returning, but there was a valid reason. Please allow me to explain!"

Li Chen bowed and calmly recounted the story he had prepared.

Originally, He Kongming and two others had used him and Chen Songtai as bait to set a trap to kill the Iron-Backed Bear. However, they had underestimated the bear's strength. As a result, the three inner disciples, with their noble and selfless spirit, protected the two of them. Li Chen, in a panic, fled and fell into a deep valley.

While recuperating, he obtained several treasures, which greatly improved his cultivation, allowing him to escape.

As for the other four, they denied everything.

"Nonsense! Hall Master, don't listen to this boy's lies. You don't know, but this boy has always been known for his sharp tongue and ability to turn black into white. In my opinion, the three inner disciples were ambushed by this boy and his accomplices when they were exhausted after killing the Iron-Backed Bear. He used the treasures from the three disciples and the bear's demonic core to achieve his current cultivation!"

Feng Luming, drenched in cold sweat, quickly blurted out his thoughts.

If Zang Xingqian believed his words, colluding with outsiders to ambush the sect's geniuses would be tantamount to treason, and Li Chen would surely die.

"Please look, Hall Master. These are the treasures I found in the valley. I dare not keep them for myself and have brought them to contribute to the sect!"

Li Chen calmly took off his backpack and pulled out a jade box about a foot and a half long, as thick as two arms placed side by side, and opened it with a snap.

Instantly, a strange and fragrant aroma filled the hall, dispelling the gloom and adding a touch of vitality.

Feng Luming widened his eyes, sniffed deeply, and a look of ecstasy appeared on his face.

Inside the jade box, two rows of yellowish-orange fruits, each about the size of a baby's fist, lay quietly.

Even the six cold and stone-like enforcement disciples turned to look.

"Cloud Pear Fruit, a mid-stage second-rank spirit fruit, with the effects of strengthening the tendons and bones and refining the body and soul!"

Zang Xingqian's gaze flickered, and he looked at Li Chen with a hint of approval, "You, boy, have a good heart!"

"I dare not accept your praise, Hall Master. I am grateful for the sect's cultivation, which has given me my current skills and freed me from my slave status. This is nothing much!"

Li Chen, who had been orphaned since childhood, had long honed his ability to speak well and adapt to different people. He knew what to say at this moment.

As for his cultivation, apart from swallowing a demonic core and cultivating inner breath in the Xuan Yun Sect, he had not received much benefit from the sect.

"Neither arrogant nor impatient, your character is good. You should be at the ninth level of inner breath, right?"

Zang Xingqian's approving expression grew even more intense as he suddenly said.

"Your insight is sharp, Hall Master. I have indeed cultivated to the ninth level of inner breath!"

Li Chen was slightly surprised but maintained his composure and flattered.

"What? Ninth level... Impossible, a year ago, you were only at the second level... Impossible!"

Feng Luming felt dizzy, forgetting the current setting, and muttered to himself.

"Silence!"

An enforcement disciple coldly shouted, scaring Feng Luming back to his senses and preventing him from speaking further.

"I have understood your claims. Li Chen left for a year without returning, violating the sect rules, and should be punished. These fruits are your own gain, and you could have kept them. However, considering your loyalty to the sect and the lack of major offenses, the merits and demerits cancel each other out. Do you agree?"

Zang Xingqian said indifferently.

"I will follow the Hall Master's instructions!"

Li Chen respectfully bowed, handed the jade box to an enforcement disciple, and stepped back.

"Hall Master, you cannot... What about the three inner disciples, He Kongming..."

Feng Luming, sensing the danger, hurriedly spoke again.

"According to your words, Li Chen's cultivation was not much, yet he managed to escape from the Ancient Azure Mountains. It is likely that the others were also cultivating somewhere. There is no need to discuss this further. Step down!"

Zang Xingqian waved his hand indifferently, showing no interest.

Hearing this, Feng Luming, despite his reluctance, had to swallow his words and slink away.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, I have something to report!"

Unexpectedly, Li Chen spoke loudly before turning around.

"What is it?"

Zang Xingqian, like a thousand-year-old stone statue, showed no emotion in his voice.

"I want to accuse the outer court manager, Feng Luming, of oppressing named disciples, extorting, and... raping... disciples. Every word I say is true. If the Hall Master does not believe me, you can send someone to investigate the outer court. If any of my words are false, I am willing to die for it!"

Li Chen, without looking at the pale-faced Feng Luming, said coldly.

Although his character was not vengeful, he was definitely not one to let grudges linger. Moreover, before coming here, he had seen and heard about Feng Luming's despicable deeds, which filled him with anger.

Furthermore, every word Feng Luming said here was aimed at putting him to death. If he showed mercy, it would be a disregard for his own life.

"You... Hall Master, Hall Master, don't listen to this boy's lies. This is revenge, public revenge!"

Feng Luming almost crawled forward, sobbing and pleading.

But before he could reach the front, an enforcement disciple blocked his path.

"Step down!"

Zang Xingqian waved his hand indifferently, his eyes revealing a cold glint.

An invisible chill suddenly erupted, and the six flames in the hall flickered as if afraid of the cold.

"I will step down!"

Li Chen involuntarily shivered, having heard rumors about the Discipline Hall and knowing that Feng Luming was in grave danger.

He was more impressed by the power of the Discipline Hall and the decisiveness of Hall Master Zang Xingqian, who made a decision based on a single word.

Of course, these were just his speculations. No matter how smart Li Chen was, how could he possibly understand the thoughts of a Solid Foundation Realm expert?

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