In the Desolate Heaven Empire, whispers filled the air as news spread of Bai Zihan’s unexpected victory over Li Feng, adding to the already incredible news of his engagement to Chu Ziyan.
For days, the Empire had buzzed with rumors and speculation about the battle between the two heirs.
Li Feng, once the pride of the Li Clan, had been humiliated by the infamous “waste” of the Bai Clan.
“He actually defeated Li Feng… the genius of the Li Clan?”
“I heard Li Feng stood no chance and just begged for mercy. For Zihan to pull it off… it’s astonishing!”
“Damn! This trash… If only he had won, Mrs. Chu Ziyan wouldn’t need to be engaged to someone like Bai Zihan. It seems like his reputation was all but a lie.”
Adding to the humiliation that Li Feng received from Bai Zihan, the people were angry at Li Feng because he could have prevented Chu Ziyan’s engagement but failed.
Everyone thinks that Bai Zihan doesn’t deserve Chu Ziyan, and that sentiment stayed true despite the news of Bai Zihan defeating Li Feng.
After all, Bai Zihan was still in the Core Formation Stage, and his misdeeds were known to everyone.
They thought that a girl like Chu Ziyan would suffer under Bai Zihan’s hand, not knowing that it was just the opposite.
“I also heard that Bai Zihan is going to be admitted to the Heaven Sword Sect as their disciple.”
“What? How can that be?”
“With his talent, it is impossible for him to be qualified to enter the Heaven Sword Sect.”
“Damn! This Bai Clan must have bribed some elders of the Heaven Sword Sect.”
“Looks like chaos is going to befall the Heaven Sword Sect. I don’t think their disciples are going to appreciate this.”
…
And indeed, as many thought, the news had also spread to the Heaven Sword Sect, and many were not happy about it.
The Sect disciples, most of whom had been diligently training for years to gain recognition, were increasingly frustrated by the announcement that Bai Zihan would be admitted.
Not only admitted, but also immediately accepted as an Inner Disciple rather than starting as an outer disciple.
“Can you believe it? That waste Bai Zihan is being made an Inner Disciple. On what basis? Even a 14-year-old has a higher cultivation level than him.”
“He’s barely entered the Core Condensation realm, and yet he is already an Inner Disciple?”
“What about us? We’ve been slogging away here for years, having entered the Core Condensation Realm but still an outer disciple? Now, some random kid gets to leap over us just because he has a good background? Where is the integrity of Heaven Sword Sect? I am going to protest!”
The group of disciples who gathered in the courtyard exchanged disgruntled looks.
Most of them had entered the Sect at a young age, training tirelessly. They could easily be considered geniuses anywhere else, but here, they were just outer disciples.
The news of Bai Zihan’s sudden admission as an Inner Disciple struck a nerve with them.
And more than that, they were angry at another fact.
“And this trash dares to be engaged to Senior Sister Chu!”
“I can’t believe Senior Sister Chu would willingly be engaged to someone like Bai Zihan. She must have been forced.”
With Chu Ziyan’s beauty and talent, there was no end to her admirers and pursuers in Heaven Sword Sect, almost equivalent to that of Bai Xueqing.
Of course, those male disciples couldn’t help but be jealous and angry at Bai Zihan for his engagement to Chu Ziyan as well.
“I heard Senior Brother Liu Tian is furious about this.”
“Senior Brother Liu Tian? The one who has pursued Senior Sister Chu for years? If that’s true, Bai Zihan won’t have a peaceful day the moment he steps into the Sect.”
“Hmph, not just Senior Brother Liu Tian. There are hundreds of disciples angry about this. Some because of his engagement, others because of his ridiculous admission as an Inner Disciple.”
“Senior Brother Liu Tian even declared that he would challenge Bai Zihan the moment he steps into the Heaven Sword Sect.”
“Challenge? More like humiliate him!”
“But he is the brother of Senior Sister Bai Xueqing and fiancé of Chu Ziyan. Won’t they stop them?”
“Hmph! He must accept the challenge, otherwise, no one will accept him as an Inner Disciple unless he proves himself in front of everyone.”
“We should go as well! If enough of us protest, the Sect Elders will have to reconsider.”
With that, a restless energy spread among the disciples.
Bai Zihan hadn’t even stepped into the Heaven Sword Sect yet, but already, a storm was brewing, waiting for his arrival.
Bai Zihan, on the other hand, was comfortably resting in the grand carriage, which was about to land at the Heaven Sword Sect.
The grand flying carriage soared through the sky, cutting across a sea of rolling clouds as it neared the Heaven Sword Sect.
Bai Zihan leaned back against the cushioned seat, arms crossed, his expression one of feigned indifference.
Yet, his eyes occasionally flickered toward the window, taking in the scenery below.
The landscape beneath them was breathtaking.
Towering mountain ranges stretched into the horizon, their peaks crowned with mist.
Rivers of crystalline water cut through the valleys, their surfaces shimmering under the golden rays of the morning sun.
Verdant forests, dense and ancient, sprawled across the land like a vast emerald carpet.
And then, emerging through the mist, stood the Heaven Sword Sect.
Perched atop the highest peaks of the Azure Sky Mountain Range, the sect resembled a celestial fortress.
Grand temples and pagodas, their roofs adorned with golden tiles, gleamed under the sunlight.
A colossal stone gate marked the entrance to the sect, its surface etched with the words “Heaven Sword Sect” in bold, flowing script.
The aura surrounding the place was profound, the very air thick with spiritual energy. It was a land where only the strong could stay.
As Bai Zihan took in the sight, Bai Xueqing spoke up from beside him, her tone cool and instructive.
“Listen up, Bai Zihan. Since you’re going to be an Inner Disciple, you should at least know the basic rules of the Heaven Sword Sect.”
Bai Zihan sighed dramatically, tilting his head toward her with an exasperated look.
Bai Xueqing continued to explain all the rules, big or small, but Bai Zihan wasn’t listening at all.
Finally, the carriage reached the Heaven Sword Sect.
As the carriage descended, Bai Zihan’s expression shifted slightly as he noticed the massive gathering below.
Hundreds—no, thousands—of disciples had assembled in the grand courtyard at the sect’s entrance.
They stood in clusters, their gazes locked onto the descending carriage. The atmosphere was tense, whispers and murmurs spreading like wildfire.
Bai Zihan stepped forward, peering down at the gathering with a lazy smirk.
“I didn’t think I was so popular at Heaven Sword Sect!”