Chapter 7 - 3

Excuse me, good men," I called out before reaching them. It was clear these guards were on edge. The last thing I wanted was to aggravate them or look suspicious for any reason.

They frowned as they saw me approaching and unsheathed their dark swords, "Who are you?"

I raised my arms, "I'm just someone looking to return to The Blazing Sun Sect."

"There is no such thing around here," one of the guards said. He was the taller one among the two of them and looked more dangerous.

How far had I run where people had no idea where the Blazing Sun Sect was?

Soon, the guards on the ground were joined by a dozen more guards on the walls. Unlike the people below, those up there had crossbows and were probably calibrated strong enough to kill a cultivator.

I had no intention of testing out how arrow-proof I was. What was more worrying was that these guys had no idea which way the Blazing Sun Sect was.

But after thinking about it for a bit, I remembered the average Greengrass Town citizen knew nothing about a way to reach the Blazing Sun Sect. I was not sure whether even the guards knew, though they did know such a sect existed somewhere nearby.

Maybe having a nearby mortal town who knew nothing about the sect wouldn't be so strange when those things were taken into account. Maybe only someone high up in this town's hierarchy would know anything.

It sounded kind of absurd due to the literal mountain the sect occupied and the giant walls around it. However, the Blazing Sun Sect had somehow managed to hide itself from mortal eyes. Though it was weird, despite how big the mountain was, I couldn't see it once I walked a certain distance from it.

"Then, can you tell me which way to go to Greengrass Town?" I asked, and this time there was a trace of recognition in their eyes.

Bless the monstrous eyesight cultivators had; even from such a distance on a bright sunny day that would have hurt my eyes, I could see their faces quite clearly.

"And why would you need to know such things, friend?" The large guard asked.

Okay, they were suspicious now. Did I say something wrong or what?

"That was my original destination. If some kind of weird explosion hadn't scared my horse, I would be there by now," I explained. "Though my horse wasn't the only thing scared by that freaky event. I ran away as far as my feet could take me and ended up here."

Now that I thought about it, these red walls, dark swords, and how no one was around. Was this a secret town or something? No matter how small, people would be coming in and out of a town...

Please don't be some kind of evil demonic sect hideout.

My luck was never that good, but it wasn't bad either! Stumbling into an evil sect's hideout would be too much misfortune for someone with average luck like mine!

The guards shared a look, and I tensed up, ready for anything. They had armor on, so I was confident in outrunning them. However, no matter what, I was not getting into another fight. I was in no shape for it.

"Were you close to the explosion, friend?" asked the guard.

The way he talked about it seemed like they knew something.

"Not close enough to see what happened, but close enough to feel the aftermath. But even then, the aftershock of the explosion, which rocked me off my feet," I sighed.

"Tell us anything you know, and we will show you the way to Greengrass Town. We will even give you the supplies needed to go there. However, we are in lockdown, and no one is allowed in or out of the town," the guard said. "Sorry for the late introduction, but you're in Red Lotus Town. Where the Red Leaf Clan, Crimson Sword Clan, and Black Scale Clan rule."

Clans? That meant there were cultivators here, and these guards were probably low-ranked body-tempering cultivators also.

Were they acting when they said they had no idea that such a thing as the Blazing Sun Sect existed? Maybe the clan patriarchs were using their power to suppress such knowledge to stop their people from finding some better alternative than being in their clan. Or perhaps they kept all their fighters here as they were in some rough balance of power, and any fighter leaving would break that balance.

Whatever it was, I had no notions of getting involved.

"I can't say much about it. Since I don't know much. But during these things, it's safe to assume that some kind of powerful cultivator was involved. Probably a fight between cultivators," I explained.

By the unsurprised looks in their eyes, they had reached the same conclusion.

Though unlike them, I had my own suspicions. There was a high chance that one of the said cultivators involved in causing that explosion was probably the jade-like beauty.

Wait, was this the xianxia version of racial profiling?

One of the guards sighed, "I thought so."

The big guard nodded and whispered something to his fellow guard on the ground, and the latter slipped through the large wooden doors and went into the city.

"I will have my comrade bring you some basic necessities for your journey. Greengrass Town is south of here," the guard seemed weary when he said that. "Make sure to be careful on the road. This incident has spooked many Monstrous Beasts, and some of them have a taste for human flesh. Come by again, and Red Lotus Town will welcome you with open arms."

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"I get it. It was just bad timing," I nodded. "How are you handling it, by the way? It couldn't have been easy."

"Well, the three clans help keep the town safe and take out their fighting to the sidelines. There has not been any Monstrous Beast Wave yet. But it is only a matter of time as scouts have reported dangerous Moon Wolf hordes on the west," the guard explained the situation in the town. He looked both pleased and irritated. "The younger generation is also competing with each other by killing Moon Wolves to show who really stands at the top of the Red Lotus Town. Young master Zhong has reached five-star Body Tempering at only fifteen years old, so many say he will have a bright future ahead of him."

He continued talking about the clans and whatnot. It looked like he was bragging about the younger generation, who somehow seemed talented in his eyes.

Also, this young master Shong, Zhong, or whatever his name was, reaching five-star Body Tempering at fifteen was a bit slow for Blazing Sun Sect standards.

Hell, I was more talented than him, and that was saying something. If this young master joined the Blazing Sun Sect, he would likely enter as a Chore Disciple and would stay that way until the day he decided to leave.

But then again, I was also considered talented in the Liu Clan. However, in the Blazing Sun Sect, I was about average.

This was the equivalent of doing well in high school and thinking you were good at math and then majoring in Civil Engineering in college. Which would show you were trash all along and knew nothing about math.

It seemed like the explosion had caused quite a stir in the cultivation world.

Finally, the other guard returned with the supplies, and the big guard picked them up and walked close to me with his hand on the handle of his sword.

Was he just cautious, or were the supplies something he was using as a trap to distract me?

Should I just run away? No, that would be way too suspicious.

I smiled and approached him, and once we were within arm's length of each other, every part of my body was ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The man handed me the sack, turned his back on me, and walked away.

Huh, okay. Maybe I was a bit too much on edge.

Putting the sack on the ground, I clasped my palm and fist in respect to them, "Thank you for this generosity. I, Ming Feirong, will remember the generosity the Red Lotus Town has shown me."

I picked up the sack that was the size of my head and started walking toward where they had told me Greengrass Town was. Hopefully, this wasn't all just an elaborate scheme by a demonic sect, though I doubted someone would dare pull something like that so close to the Blazing Sun Sect.

After I walked far enough from the town and out of their eyesight, I checked inside the sack. There were dried meats, some vegetables, and other things like flint and steel, bandages, and what looked like healing ointments.

These things would sure make the journey a hell of a lot easier, and the bandages seemed cleaner than mine. These were some actual medical supplies.

I tied the sack shut and put it by the side of the road, just out of view in the grass, and walked away.

If there was nothing wrong with it, some other guy or gal would be fortunate enough to find it. But for all I knew, there could be some invisible tracking inscription or poison in the food, or the medical ointment or bandages were doused in invisible venom. There was no way to tell, really.

The guards had seemed like good men doing their job and even went out of their way to help me. But it would be arrogant of me, some average Joe, to think I was somehow an expert at telling when people were lying to me.

Because if someone wanted to poison me, they would for sure do it with a smile on their face and not do some cliche shit like snickering like a two-bit villain. Real people were not actually that dumb, and unlike what shows and Hollywood made it seem like, most murder cases went unsolved. People were smart and elaborate when it came to these kinds of things.

...

It took hours before I finally ended up in a familiar place, with the walls of Greengrass Town in the distance. I had been traveling as fast as my body would allow, about the speed of a scooter, when I finally reached the town.

With Greengrass Town in sight, I knew how to return to the Blazing Sun Sect.

As I turned around and was about to start another journey back to the sect, I stopped.

Many things had happened that I wasn't aware of. Unlike Red Lotus Town, Greengrass Town was closer to the incident, and they might have even been able to see the action with their own eyes.

Making my decision, I turned toward the town again and walked to the front gate where the guards were checking someone's carriage. At first, the guards looked at me cautiously, but amongst them were some of the same guards who had welcomed me into the town. Despite the lack of my uniform, I was recognized.

"Liu Feng, you're back?" One of the guards called out to me.

Said guard was, of course, Mao Zhi. He was the guy I had gotten along quite well with as he had escorted me through town during my last visit. In hindsight, it wasn't that long ago, but it felt much longer.

"Mao Zhi," I called out to him and walked closer with a smile. But once I was close enough, and the other civilians trying to enter town wouldn't hear me, I asked. "What was this I am hearing about an explosion? Is everything alright?"

An uncomfortable smile made its way onto his face, "Alright? Things are far from alright, my friend. Everyone is on edge, and from what my friends who work at the governor's office say, it seemed like everyone who was even remotely close to the explosion had died."

"Everyone died?" I asked.

"There were some far away, but they either died due to the clash between two powerhouses. Or one of the said powerhouses killed everyone after that to cover their tracks," Mao Zhi sighed. "Until now, we haven't found anyone who knew anything, and the governor is in a frenzy."

A chill went down my spine.

I could have been one of those unlucky people. I had definitely been close enough to the explosion. If I had been keeping an eye out, I would have been able to see the cause of the disaster.

Since I was attacked twice, it was safe to assume there were a lot of people at that distance away from the explosion.

But they had all ended up dead? It seemed like getting the fuck away from there was the best decision I had made in this life.

"You were that way too, right? Were you close to the explosion?" Mao Zhi asked.

His question was nothing more than one of curiosity, and from what I had seen so far, Mao Zhi wasn't the kind of guy who would spill the beans even if I told him the truth.

"No. Thankfully I was occupied by some things just on the outskirts of the forest and decided to do some training," I shook my head, lying through my teeth. "I usually like going out of uniform and talking with normal people. Helps get rid of the annoying edge that comes with being a cultivator and thinking everyone is after you."

He chuckled, "So you just decided to spend some time with us mortals."

Whatever had happened in there, I wanted no one to even think I was close to such a thing. "Much more fun than being around some pretentious cultivator. By the way, did anything new happen around here while I was gone?"

What I said was more of my way to try and change the subject, but the grimace that returned on Mao Zhi's face said enough.

My healing injuries hadn't bothered me much on the way to Greengrass Town. Showing the resilience of a cultivator. But just seeing the grimace on Mao Zhi's face made those injuries act up again.

"Someone stole from the Greengrass Auction House," he said with his grimace growing. "Wanna know the worst of it?"

That was already more than enough of a reason for me to get the hell away from here. "Not really."

"Well, I'm gonna tell you anyway," he shrugged. "The Blazing Sun Sect sponsors the auction, and they're already breathing down our necks. An inner sect elder is currently in the governor's office, and some say he is a Core Formation Realm expert."

As expected of my intuition that had grown from reading many xianxia novels. I really should be getting the fuck away from here. The last thing I wanted was for suspicion to fall on me.

But before I could turn around, Mao Zhi grabbed my wrist, glanced at his fellow guards, and said, "Can we talk by the side here. I have a message for you from one of the merchants you bought something from."

I could easily overpower him and get the hell away from here. But Mao Zhi's gaze seemed solemn. He wasn't the kind of guy who would do this for no reason. So I followed him.

We walked thirty feet from the other guards, and he leaned on the wall. He sighed and looked around to make sure no one was around.

As we were far enough out of earshot, he explained, "Okay, that thing about the merchant was a lie. But I had something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"A good friend of mine that works in the governor's manor told me that the Blazing Sun Sect elder that came here wasn't just because of the things stolen from the auction. But also because he was trying to get something for his great-grandson to help with his cultivation," he whispered and looked around carefully again. "A Spring of Power was discovered somewhere around here, and the clans will fight fiercely to get it. They say there is enough for someone to bathe in the damn thing!"

A Spring of Power was a natural gathering of pure Qi. The Qi was compressed and so dense that it turned into liquid form. Bathing in it or even drinking something like that was beneficial. But it usually was better to do so when someone was at the Qi Gathering stage. However, even Body Tempering would cleanse impurities, help with strengthening the body, and make the breakthrough from Body Tempering to the Qi Gathering realm much easier.

I was tempted. But that was only my greed speaking here. It was like knowing that there was money in a bank vault, and there was a reason why it didn't usually go well when someone tried stealing it.

This would have been free real estate if I were a cliche xianxia protagonist with plot armor. But the chances of me stealing that from Qi Gathering and perhaps some Foundation Establishment cultivators were slim to none. On the other hand, the chances of me dying were high already, and it was guaranteed death with the Core Formation guy around the corner.

Also, I could see the signs: a jade-like beauty around, a secret treasure that spawned, and many clans gathering around. There was only one thing I should do for now; I had to get the hell away from here. It felt like this was all just a time bomb waiting to blow up.

Some might call it stupid and superstitious, but I had no intention of tempting fate.

"Thank you," I put a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "You're putting yourself in danger by saying this information, and it means a lot to me that you're going through such troubles just to help me with my goals. You're a true friend."

I wasn't even lying because I hadn't known Mao Zhi for long. But this was a xianxia world. Maybe friendships developed easier here?

Either way, I took out all the change money I had left from exchanging that one gold coin and sneakily put it in his pocket. "Make sure the other guards don't see you with that money, or they might get ideas to take a part of the share. Also, don't spend it all at once. People might think you're involved in unsavory things to get this money."

With that said, I turned around and waved.

"Ha, that old cod. He is always trying to tie me up with some of his granddaughters," I said loud enough for the others to hear.

After saying some things unrelated to what we had previously talked about, I departed from Greengrass Town.

As I walked away, I couldn't help it as a sense of worry fell over me. It felt like an invisible weight on my shoulders. The kind of tiredness that was comparable to working for eight hours straight in the office plus another two hours of overtime. My body wasn't tired. However, my mind was.

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Unlike the last time, I chose not to take the direct path toward the Blazing Sun Sect. Instead, I opted for a roundabout route, steering clear of the site of the explosion.

Fortunately, the road I traversed appeared devoid of trouble. I moved stealthily from tree to tree, striving to minimize any noise. Finally, the white walls surrounding the giant mountain appeared in the distance.

I stopped and released a sigh of relief.

The wind, gentle and cool, brushed against my face, carrying with it the soft aroma of grass and trees. With each breath, my lungs filled with the purity of the night air, rejuvenating my spirit.

I had learned a profound lesson during this journey. Engaging in battles fueled by supernatural powers held a certain allure. After all, crushing trees and flesh under my fist had its charm. Yet, it was not something I relished or liked. With each fight, death loomed like a guillotine over my neck, with only a strand of hair stopping it from falling down.

Who could predict when a cultivator two major stages above me could appear? No matter how hard I fought, someone at that stage could reduce me to a smudge on the ground with a single slap.

Abruptly, movement stirred in the grass, and a rabbit emerged, its ears perked. Swiftly, I altered course and charged toward the unsuspecting creature. While its senses detected my approach, I seized it by the ears.

With swift, decisive action, I twisted its neck like a screw, snuffing out its life in an instant. I had barely eaten anything while outside the sect. Now, with the opportunity to sate my appetite, I refused to enter the sect on an empty stomach.

Who knew what awaited me there. After all...

Typically, I had a weak stomach when it came to bloodshed and gore. Yet, having killed someone with a fist through their chest, killing a rabbit and skinning it with my bare hands seemed a trivial task. Igniting a fire proved equally uncomplicated—a matter of coaxing flame from dry grass and sticks through vigorous friction.

As I surveyed the rabbit meat skewered on sticks, I grabbed a piece of meat, devouring the chunk of meat in a single big bite. The second and smaller piece I offered to my little turtle buddy as he poked his head out of my pocket.

"Hey there, little guy, you hungry?" I inquired.

Unlike myself, he lacked the supernatural fortitude of a cultivator, capable of sustaining boundless energy for days on end. However, a nagging concern surfaced—did turtles even eat meat?

To my relief, the little fellow eagerly devoured the bits of meat as though they were a rare delicacy.

Do turtles eat meat? It wasn't a question I'd ever contemplated googling in my former life. Whenever turtles crossed my mind, I envisioned creatures munching on grass, carrots, or tree bark. Only now, removed from the vast expanse of the internet, did I realize how effortless such inquiries had been in my prior existence.

Regardless, perhaps turtles feasting on meat was a phenomenon unique to the realm of xianxia!

Following that brief, all-natural brunch interlude, the formidable walls of the Blazing Sun Sect finally came into view. Towering marble structures surpassed any fortifications within the neighboring towns.

Retrieving my wooden badge, I clutched it tightly in my palm. Though without my uniform, the badge was proof of my affiliation, warding off suspicions of espionage. Holding it in clear view was a matter of life and death, should the guards opt for a shoot-first, question-later approach.

In a world where police brutality was not an anomaly but rather the accepted norm, one couldn't afford to take chances.

As I neared, it became apparent that something had shifted since my last encounter. Previously, youthful sentinels—perhaps Qi Gathering disciples from the inner sect—had manned the gates.

Now, however, two elders, their scalps nearly barren save for tufts of wispy, white hair, greeted me. One sported a robust, bushy beard while the other boasted a lengthy chin adornment reminiscent of a goat's.

By xianxia standards, the older and frailer they looked, the stronger they usually were.

Their gazes locked onto me like hawks as I approached, and I clasped my left fist into my right palm.

"Honored elders, I'm outer disciple Liu Feng, returning from my excursion outside the sect," I announced.

They scrutinized me in silence for what felt like an eternity before the bushy-bearded elder spoke, his voice gruff. "Did you find what you sought outside?"

What kind of question was that? I wasn't out there on some treasure hunt.

"Um, yes?" I replied tentatively, bowing my head as a show of respect.

The elder cleared his throat and issued an unexpected command. "Okay, seize him and escort him to the dungeons."

What?

Before I could react, four disciples clad in blue robes encircled me, swords poised at my throat. The chill of their blades pierced the air, even without physical contact.

"Honorable Elders," I interjected, thrusting forth my wooden badge. It might seem audacious, but I had to clarify the misunderstanding. "This badge signifies my authorized presence outside—"

The bushy-bearded elder waved dismissively. "Take him away."

Two disciples sheathed their swords and seized my arms. The world spun as I found myself atop the wall, then blurred again as I was dragged along the road toward an unknown destination—presumably a prison cell.

"Seniors, please, wait a moment!" I protested, but their grips were unyielding, like iron chains digging into my flesh. "I have no involvement in whatever is happening. I am Liu Feng, an outer disciple of the Blazing Sun Sect. I have cousins from the Liu Clan, and they're inner sect disciples. They can vouch for me!"

"Silence! The elders can hear us, even from this side of the wall," one disciple rebuked me with a frigid glare.

I wanted to protest further, but the two disciples with unsheathed swords silenced me with a single glance.

What the fuck did I even do to get in this situation?!

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In the end, there wasn't much I could do but let myself be escorted to the sect's prison—a bit of a surprise, as I hadn't known such a facility existed within the sect. Technically, it didn't, as they led me to a small boat. Said boat wasn't on the water, but it was there on the grass.

"Get in," instructed one of them, and I complied, joining them in the vessel.

It was a somewhat absurd sight, five men in a boat on land, all wearing serious expressions. However, the situation soon changed as the boat trembled and emitted a steam-like aura. Gradually, we lifted off and began to ascend toward the side of the colossal mountain housing the Blazing Sun Sect.

Glancing over the edge, a shiver ran down my spine. This felt like a hardcore airplane ride without any safety measures. At least we moved slowly enough to avoid the full force of the wind.

Surveying the somber faces of my companions, I inquired, "So, do any of you know what the prison looks like?"

"Only from the outside," replied one of them.

"Wei Zemin, we're not permitted to converse with prisoners," cautioned another.

Wei Zemin shrugged and sighed, "That's not an official rule, just common courtesy when elders are present. Besides, it's only fair to inform him. We don't want a repeat of the last ten individuals who resisted, one even attempted to leap from the Cloud Sailing Boat."

"They likely had something to hide," frowned another. "No innocent person would resist the sect's security so vehemently. The sect doesn't punish the blameless!"

Clearly, this one was a hot-headed youth, steadfast in his belief that the sect's authority was infallible. Many adhered to such a mindset, akin to the school mentality of unquestioning trust in authority figures. Yet, with time, they'd come to realize that age or credentials didn't necessarily equate to wisdom or righteousness.

However, considering how sheltered individuals within the sect tended to be, it would likely take some time for someone like him to outgrow such behavior.

"Apologies for the interruption, honorable seniors," I redirected their attention to me. "But may I inquire as to why I'm being detained? I believe I've committed no wrongdoing, but if I have, could you kindly inform me so I can avoid repeating it?"

"Oh, don't fret. It's nothing too severe," Wei Zemin reassured me. "Given recent events outside, we've implemented a new protocol to investigate everyone who was outside the sect during that time and bring them in for questioning regarding their knowledge of said events."

His tone suggested that this might entail an indefinite period of confinement. It wasn't ideal, but there was little I could do, and I doubted they'd detain us for long, perhaps a month at most, considering that holding disciples in cells didn't exactly instill confidence in the others or how people saw the sect.

If there was one thing I could count on in xianxia, it was the need for the strong to save face amongst themselves.

Now that clearly there was no escape, I decided to make the best of the situation. "Can I train while in imprisonment?"

"Of course," Wei Zemin confirmed. "You'll even receive your monthly allowance. Just to clarify, you're not truly a prisoner. We simply need to question all disciples who've been outside and verify whether any spies have infiltrated, perhaps by using skin masks. You'll also keep your belongings."

"There's no chance you could escape cells designed to contain individuals of higher cultivation," the hot-blooded youth interjected.

Well, wasn't he a bundle of joy? He appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties, still quite young. Hopefully, he wouldn't metamorphose into an arrogant young master and instead contribute positively to society.

...Who was I kidding? Knowing this world, he'd soon be spouting lines like; Courting death!

After several seconds of uncomfortable silence punctuated by the rush of wind, I couldn't resist breaking the tension. "So, what exactly happened to warrant such high-security measures?"

"What happened?" Wei Zemin sighed wearily. "It'd be easier to list what didn't happen."

"Careful," the hot-blooded youth cautioned, his brow furrowing. "We're not supposed to disclose anything about the incident. It could compromise the investigation."

"Relax, I wasn't planning on revealing anything," Wei Zemin dismissed his fellow disciple's concerns with a wave of his hand. "They'll all find out soon enough, one way or another."

As they spoke, we approached a rocky section of the mountain—a treacherous landscape of sheer cliffs and jagged rocks, with the only relief being a cave-like opening. Its perfectly rounded shape hinted at it being man-made, likely the handiwork of a past cultivator's amusement.

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As the boat neared the cave, the winds intensified. Unlike the others, I abandoned any pretense of appearing composed and clung to the vessel for dear life. I had no intention of risking my life for the sake of pride or some foolish display of bravado.

These guys were likely in the Qi Gathering realm and unable to fly on swords. It seemed foolish not to hold on, as even Qi would not protect against such a steep fall.

Despite the biting winds feeling like icy blades against my skin, the boat smoothly entered the cave, and the wind vanished as if it had been an illusion.

Looking back at the entrance, I noticed inscriptions etched into the cave's shadows, likely forming a barrier to block the winds.

Inside, the cave was illuminated by flickering torches—which I hoped was the presence of some artifact sustaining their perpetual flame. Without light, this place would quickly transform from prison into solitary confinement.

In the corner sat a desk, attended by a chubby middle-aged man in a dark uniform, reclining in a creaking wooden chair. Despite looking more like a dad with four kids who wouldn't seem out of place overlooking a barbecue, this Inner Elder exuded a formidable aura—likely at least middle Foundation Establishment.

With a nonchalant mood around him, he yawned, "Another one? Just kids caught outside during some commotion. Why's everyone acting like the sky's falling? These poor kids are scared shitless, no matter how many times I reassure them."

The discomfort among the inner disciples was palpable at his words. Ignoring an elder was deemed disrespectful, yet agreeing would be tantamount to insulting the sect—an offense with dire consequences. Inner disciple or not, they had to trod carefully, a predicament I didn't envy in the slightest.

"Excuse us, honorable elder. We have other duties to attend to," the hot-blooded youth bowed, his fist against his palm, followed by the other inner disciples. Maintaining the bow for a respectful duration, they departed in the boat, leaving only the elder and me.

His gaze settled on me, and I couldn't help but gulp. This was likely the strongest individual I had encountered in my life.

"How old are you, kid?" he inquired with bored indifference. Making it clear that he didn't care about what he was asking about.

"I'm sixteen years old, sir," I responded.

Glancing at the paper in his hand, he sighed, "What's with these ridiculous questions? Who even writes them?" Throwing away the paper, he propped his elbows on the desk, resting his head on his palms. "Anyway, kid, what's your take on teenage dating?"

...Excuse me?

What the fuck were we talking about here? Did I zone out, or was this question out of nowhere?

"I don't really have a strong opinion on it," I replied, trying to keep a calm facade.

"Why not?" he pressed, his brow furrowing.

"Because it never really affected me. I never really thought about dating. I'm more focused on training and delving deeper into cultivation itself," I explained.

"Dedicated and hard-working… That's good," the man smiled warmly. "That's a very commendable answer. Did you know I have a daughter around your age?"

Of course, I didn't know. How could I even know about something like that? We just met.

I refrained from voicing those thoughts out loud. This wasn't the internet, where one could blurt out anything without consequence.

Despite my reservations, it seemed he wasn't particularly interested in my response, his expression turning melancholic. "Even though she was born with average talent, being an inner elder allowed me to kickstart her cultivation journey as an inner disciple."

Was he confessing to corruption? While it was an open secret, most elders preferred to keep such matters behind closed doors.

"Do you know what she said when I offered her that?" His eyes welled with tears. "She said she wanted to start on equal footing with everyone and didn't need the advantages offered to inner disciples. She said she wanted to prove her worth to herself."

As he spoke, he retrieved a porcelain bottle from beneath the table, its potent aroma reaching me even from a distance. Taking a sip, tears streamed down his cheeks. "On one hand, I was so proud of her… But on the other, I wanted to explain just how misguided such a decision could be. Coming from a regular civilian background, I understood the hardships she would face."

Suddenly, I felt a pang of sympathy for him. It was evident he was intoxicated, which explained his behavior. What parent wouldn't seek solace in alcohol if their child met an unfortunate end due to decisions made with the best intentions?

Regardless of one's cultivation prowess, no heart was made of stone. Even with centuries of life experience, the love for family and children remained undiminished.

"I think she went down there to meet up with a guy! She definitely has a lover!" His hand slammed onto the table, causing the cave to tremble, yet strangely, the table remained intact despite its shoddy appearance. "That's the only explanation! Have you heard any rumors about her?! Has she been courting anyone?! I will kill that bastard and five generations of his family for daring to deceive my beautiful, gentle, smart, cute, and kind daughter!"

His intense gaze bore into me, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt an overwhelming urge to punch someone.

Seriously, bring back my sympathy, you bastard! Here I was, feeling sorry for you, and you're out here fretting over whether your daughter is dating someone.

And what was with asking me if I knew anything? I didn't even know her name!

Of course, I would never voice such thoughts to his face. No matter how absurdly he behaved, this was someone who could obliterate me with a single blow.

"I…" I struggled to think of a response. "I don't really know much about these matters. I don't belong to any social circles and avoid rumors. I've heard nothing about your daughter."

His intensity waned, and he wiped the tears from his eyes. "You're right. My honest daughter would never deceive me. She'll always keep the promise she made when she was four, that she won't see any boy until she's at least thirty! My old heart couldn't bear to see my girl grow up so quickly."

What in the world was my life, and who the fuck thought it would be a good idea put this guy in charge of the prisons?

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I gazed up at the familiar stone ceiling, coldness seeping into my back as I lay on the stone floor. It was a strange sensation, the stones colder than one would expect ordinary rocks to be.

Perhaps they were magical rocks capable of withstanding the power of a cultivator?

Despite the bizarre circumstances of my first day in this new prison, subsequent days passed relatively uneventfully.

The warden, when sober, proved to be a fairly ordinary guy. Though he undeniably harbored a soft spot for his daughter. No one dared mention her, even in his sober moments, let alone when he was intoxicated. No one was eager to discover the consequences of such a thing.

I learned that he often indulged in alcohol during the evenings, a revelation I made on my second day of imprisonment.

Three days had already elapsed since my arrival, and I had to admit, the accommodations weren't all that terrible. Other inmates occupied nearby cells, and while sunlight was absent, arrays prevented us from hearing each other—a stark contrast to the guards, who could listen to our every word. That was probably for the better, as I didn't want all the noise usually associated with the prisons.

The rocks retained a dampness at night, inducing a slight chill, but nothing a cultivator's body couldn't endure. Inner disciples dutifully delivered our preferred meals daily, their roles reduced to that of mere servants within these walls.

It seemed even among the talented inner disciples, hierarchy prevailed, with the power lying in the hands of the elders. True power in their hands was more important than the disciples, who only had the potential to hold such power.

The environment might have been drearier had I not spent my days engrossed in training or playing with Speedy when fatigue set in.

On a positive note, my wounds had healed. The prison provided top-notch medicine, with a healer ensuring my recovery before giving me the green light to resume activities.

My cell exuded a faint mustiness, and the thin futon served as my bed, but all in all, it was relatively spacious—for a cell, at least. I even had my own toilet hole tucked away in a corner, mercifully distant enough not to assail my senses.

Now that I thought about it, there was no way my sense of smell wouldn't have picked up something like that. So some poor bastard had to put an array over that so it wouldn't smell.

My recent journey in the wild had given me a newfound appreciation for such basic comforts. This was still a far cry from the harshness of sleeping in the cold wilderness, where the threat of a Monstrous Beast lurking around any corner loomed ominously.

The solid rocks enclosing the cell ignited a longing to continue training in Piercing Fang Fist. With little else to occupy my time, I saw this confinement as an opportunity to catch up on the training I had missed outside the sect.

Though there was an instinctual urge to test my fist against the wall, I hesitated. They wouldn't put us in a prison we could break out of; I would probably end up breaking my fist instead. Even if, by some miracle, the wall broke, what would I gain? Just a cave-in and I wasn't willing to gamble on surviving something like that, cultivator or not.

Rising to my feet, I assumed my training stance, eager for another session. If I overexerted myself and ended up injured, there were medicines and medical staff readily available—no need for unnecessary concern. Presuming I broke anything by overtraining, it wasn't my problem to deal with that.

Really, putting me in this prison with nothing to do was like putting an alcoholic in a brewery. Nothing held me back from going to lengths I had never gone before.

"Time for another four hours of relentless training," I mused aloud. "Perhaps this time, I'll finally push myself to the brink and collapse from exhaustion. It would certainly break the monotony."

The recuperative abilities of a cultivator were nothing short of remarkable; a brief pause following an intense training session, and I would be ready to repeat the process in less than five minutes.

…

After an exhausting routine of a couple of hours, during which I used nothing but the Piercing Fang Fist, generating gentle winds in the aftermath of my swings swishing through the air.

I sat down for a small break as it felt like my arms were about to fall off. I placed the little turtle on my head. Speedy had grown accustomed to me and no longer even attempted to bite. He simply fell asleep on my head.

"Maybe I should call you Sleepy instead of Speedy?" I chuckled.

Were turtles supposed to sleep this much? Maybe I should have the medical staff check on him the next time they come around. Perhaps his shell was more comfortable than spending time with dear old me.

"It feels like yesterday when I bought you, and now you're already in your teenage phase where you don't want to spend time with anyone."

Even if it wasn't due to needing him for my new technique, I was glad I had bought Speedy. After all, it would have been rather odd if someone was spying on my cell and saw me talking with myself.

I ceased dwelling on peculiarities and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and focusing on the connection between me and Speedy. I adopted strange rhythmic breaths, and the turtle on my head now felt much heavier, akin to a stone the size of a bowling ball. I made a concerted effort not to move even an inch, as the Turtle Body Technique required the user to remain still during training.

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Soon enough, the pressure in my head spread throughout my body like a voodoo curse, making me feel significantly heavier. My muscles strained, and it felt as though my arms were on the verge of dislocation due to the increased weight.

Despite the realistic sensations, I reminded myself repeatedly that it wasn't real; it was merely an illusion intended to trick the body into becoming stronger to cope with the heaviness. My muscles began twitching and flexing autonomously as if they were beating against my bones like drums. I could feel the blood coursing through my body, everything internally colliding with one another in the hopes of recuperating and growing stronger.

There were countless techniques out there, and most of those I had trained until now required movement to train them. Yet, somehow, chanting a mantra internally with a sleeping turtle on my head caused my body to beat itself and grow stronger.

The weirdest part was that I could sense something changing within me. Hopefully, there wasn't some secret drawback where I would turn into a humanoid turtle… The technique book had been pitch black. Maybe it was a demonic technique all along? Did some demonic practitioner put it there to mess with an orthodox sect?

Damn, I really didn't want to become a ninja turtle. Now I really wished there was more room in the cell to practice Rushing Bull Step.

Suddenly, the metallic door to my cell opened with a loud screech. I immediately halted my training and opened my eyes, a bead of sweat rolling down my cheek.

The newcomer was an old woman who looked like she already had one foot in the grave; she was hunched and used a walking stick. Her hair was tied in two braids that fell down to the front of her shoulders.

Despite her frail appearance, I was instantly on guard. Her red robe signified she was a core elder in the sect, one of the super big shots, just below the sect leader.

How had it come to this, where I had to meet with such a prominent figure? By this point, even I was curious about what had happened to involve so many people.

"Hello, you're Liu Feng, correct?" She asked, with a gentle and grandmotherly smile on her face. Before I could even answer her, she took out a sack and opened it. "Do you want some candy? My granddaughter took most of my strawberry-flavored ones, but you can have some orange-flavored ones."

Flavored candies in this world? Well, some cultivators flew on swords. But flavored candies felt more modern. I didn't know much about the history of candies either way.

"Yes, thank you, if you wouldn't mind," I replied, attempting to mask my nervousness, though it wasn't easy. The granny likely noticed, but it wasn't uncommon to feel nervous when in the presence of someone who could potentially assume leadership of the sect in the event of the Sect Leader's absence. "Sorry if this was some kind of test, and I wasn't supposed to take the candy."

"No need to worry about tests. I always carry candy with me, and my granddaughter loves them," she sighed. "It must be difficult for someone your age to spend time in prison. All the other Core Elders refused him, but just because of the suspicion of one Core Elder, we have to disturb all the others. Can you believe he insisted on putting my granddaughter here and almost took her? Just because she was outside during that time?"

She clenched her fist and ground her teeth as veins popped on her forehead, creating quite a haunting appearance that sent chills down my spine. So I nodded along with whatever she said.

When she mentioned her granddaughter, I doubted it was actually her granddaughter. As a Core Elder, she was likely hundreds of years old and appeared aged, so her descendant might be more of a great-great-granddaughter.

"Hey! Bring me a chair!" She called out, and one of the inner disciples promptly entered with a wooden chair.

The young man bowed and then left without uttering a word. Meanwhile, the old lady settled onto the chair, producing a notepad with a swipe of her hand. "Right, Liu Feng. The Liu Clan has another three members in the inner sect, with you being the only one in the outer sect. All three of your relatives have vouched for your innocence and affirmed that you were never involved in anything untoward during your youth. What do you say to that?"

Her gaze shifted from the tablet to me. Unlike the previous grandmotherly look, her expression now bore a more serious and calm demeanor. A weight settled upon my shoulders, and bile rose in my throat, threatening to spill over. However, I pushed through and took a deep breath.

"My cousins are fair people," I responded.

I didn't know much about my relatives in the inner sect. Liu Feng wasn't the most friendly guy, even back home. Sure, he knew what the Liu Clan Head's daughter looked like, but everyone did, and it wasn't like they were particularly close. Especially since the generation now in the inner sect were at least two or three years older than him, and when they had left the clan, Liu Feng had been thirteen or twelve.

Liu Feng had his own petty rivals in the clan, but thankfully none of them had made it to the Blazing Sun Sect. Even if they had, I doubted they would have spoken badly about their cousin. After all, they knew that whatever conflicts they had within the family, it was better to keep it in-house and not involve outsiders.

"Well, now that we've warmed up a bit, how about we get to the real questions," the old woman said, smiling, revealing rows of missing teeth. "Do you know anything about the explosion on the road between Blazing Sun Sect and Greengrass Town?"

"No," I replied. "I heard that there was an explosion, and rumors suggested that many people died. But it's just hearsay, and I'm not entirely certain if anyone actually died due to the explosion."

The old granny hummed thoughtfully and jotted something down in her notepad.

It was beyond dangerous to lie to someone of her caliber. With centuries of experience under her belt, I doubted I could match her in scheming or deception.

Whatever was behind that explosion, it didn't take a genius to realize that having my name associated with it would be a disaster waiting to happen. It was a ticking time bomb, and I wanted no part in whatever was brewing.

As far as I knew, no techniques or artifacts could accurately discern if someone was lying. While there might be methods to detect changes in heart rate or other physiological responses, those signals didn't definitively indicate lying. Moreover, I genuinely knew nothing about the explosion, even if such techniques existed.

"Good," she remarked shortly, "Now, when you came to the sect, you were injured. What happened there?"

"A man attempted to ambush me. He wielded a sword and brass knuckles. Though I hesitate to call it a fight, I must admit that I fled and barely escaped, employing various tactics," I recounted.

"You claim you fled from him? The cut on your arm, I understand, as you may have used your arm to defend yourself," Her gaze intensified, sending a shiver down my spine. "But what about the injury to your side ribs? From what you've described, you ran from your assailant. Yet, a rib injury typically happens when one is not fleeing but engaged in a fight...usually, people who run sustain injuries to the back. So what do you make of that?"

We had a brief confrontation before I made a run for it. When the guy slashed my arm, I froze a bit in shock. Then, he aimed for my neck again, but I managed to dodge, only to be caught off guard by a surprise attack to the ribs," I scratched the back of my head nervously and offered a strained smile. "Honestly, I don't remember the exact details of what happened after that. It's all a blur like I could sense my opponent's bloodlust lingering in the air as I escaped."

"Well, I'm not here to pass judgment on whether running away is good or bad," the old woman shrugged. "And there's no need to be so nervous. You're just a Body Tempering outer disciple. Nobody suspects you or anyone else at your level of being involved in this mess."

Yeah, that made sense. But the old lady gave me a scare for a second there. Thankfully, it seemed she wasn't too invested in this investigation, and her questions lacked enthusiasm.

Or did they? For all I knew, everything she had done until now might have been to put me at ease. I couldn't afford to let my guard down. She was a dangerous woman who would pick up on any inconsistencies in my story. The best I could manage was to offer her some half-truths, wording my responses so that if there were any means to detect falsehoods, my words would technically hold true.

It sounded much simpler than it was, considering I had to concoct responses on the fly.

As far as I knew, I was the only survivor of that incident, and if I outed myself now I would have to get involved. There was no other way around it, and depending on who that young girl who had tried to kill me was and who eliminated all the other people who were observing. It had to be a group of people covering things up, and they had a list of people to take care of, and who knew where I sat in that hierarchy.

While the Blazing Sun Sect would protect me to a certain degree, there was a limit to where the costs would outweigh the benefits of protection. Then, they would likely throw me to the wolves.

She continued probing me with miscellaneous questions about my activities outside the sect. I mostly stuck to the truth, mentioning my visit to the Greengrass Town market and the purchase of the turtle, conveniently omitting the encounter with the three bandits and replacing it with an altercation with someone else, which accounted for my injuries.

The story contained enough truth that I could recall the details; if anyone decided to investigate, they wouldn't find anything incriminating.

The three bandit brothers were my only vulnerability. Though they were likely victims of the explosion, given its proximity to their village. I hoped the villagers had managed to escape despite the weakness it might pose to my case. They were decent folk.

Either way, even if they miraculously survived, they couldn't provide a detailed description of me. My face had a lot of average features. Dark hair, dark eyes, and somewhat pale skin, that described most of the cultivators out there.

"Well, that concludes our session. I may return with more questions, perhaps the same ones, perhaps not," she announced, rising from her seat with a sour expression as if she'd prefer eating a raw lemon to this task. "Honestly, the sect leader places too much trust in that paranoid old coot."

It was ironic that she was calling someone old, but I held my tongue and bowed respectfully toward the elder woman. "Thank you for your time, honorable elder."

"Don't mention it, brat," she waved off my gratitude. "I'll attempt to persuade the sect leader to abandon this foolishness. So you can return to focusing on your martial arts. And I'll ensure you're all compensated for the time wasted here by that old fool. What did he hope to achieve by imprisoning over a hundred kids?"

She was surprisingly amicable. Or perhaps she was playing the good cop to coax me into lowering my guard.

As she exited, the door screeched loudly behind her, and I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Relief washed over me.

I was still curious and wanted to inquire about the whole incident, but I bit back my questions. After all, the prison had our silence arrays, preventing even the prisoners from discussing what had occurred.

Prison life wasn't terrible; meals were delivered, and I had ample time to train and only train.

Though, I did miss the old man's company and his snarky remarks.

"Welp, little buddy. Time to get back to training," I scratched Speedy's head and resumed my meditation where I had left off.

…

Three days passed—or at least I believed they did, judging by the nine meals I'd received. It was challenging to gauge time without sunlight.

Despite the circumstances, I had grown somewhat accustomed to prison life. There were no complicated schedules, and no curfews to abide by. I didn't fret over meetings, readings, or conversations. I simply woke up, ate, trained, and slept.

Occasionally, the old lady would drop by, feigning interest as she posed her questions. Her disdain for the situation couldn't have been clearer; she was vehemently opposed to it. From what I noticed, it seemed like her granddaughter was also entangled in this mess too.

Today unfolded much like the previous ones. Upon waking, I felt rejuvenated and brimming with energy, ready to embark on another grueling training session until my arms threatened to detach. However, I deviated from the routine today, opting to assess my progress.

After a series of swift tests, I recorded my stats in my trusty notebook, crossing out the previous entries.

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Name: Liu Feng

Age: 16

Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

Cultivation: Body Tempering (seven-star)

Strength – 7.5 → 7.7

Agility – 7.2 → 7.5

Endurance – 7.4 → 7.9

Qi – 0

Techniques:

-Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

-Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

-Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

My Endurance had soared, evident in the lengthy duration it took for the Turtle Shell Body technique to induce fatigue and discomfort nowadays. Previously, I'd feel the strain almost instantly; now, it would take hours.

Still, according to my calculations, achieving an eight in endurance should propel me to eight-star Body Tempering.

I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. While a one-star improvement might appear insignificant, it marked a minor bottleneck that many struggled to overcome. Liu Feng had relied on body-strengthening pills to forcibly advance from six-star to seven-star Body Tempering. Even then, the breakthrough had been arduous and painful, requiring multiple attempts.

Yet, despite it all, a surge of excitement coursed through me at the prospect of experiencing a breakthrough to the next level. While I had Liu Feng's memories of such an event, undergoing it myself was a wholly different sensation, and I could not wait for it!

Lost in my daydreams of advancement, the door to my cell creaked open, and I scarcely needed to glance to determine the visitor's identity. By now, the familiar sound of the old lady's walking stick tapping against the ground had become second nature.

"Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself," she remarked.

The fact that she could observe me training and going about my routine was unsettling. It amounted to a gross invasion of privacy, but this is the realm of xianxia, so there was no use whining about it. Even if I did, who would even bother to listen?

"I'd be having even more fun if I had enough space to practice the Rushing Bull Step Technique," I reminisced.

She leaned her cane against the doorframe, and two tea cups appeared in her hands with a flick of her wrist. "I learned during the investigation that you enjoy sharing tea with the old janitor."

"Yes."

"Don't look so uncomfortable; it kills the mood," she chided gently, sipping from her cup before offering me the other. "By the way, your frequent interactions with the old janitor essentially clears you of suspicion. He's been around for quite some time, and his integrity is well-known."

Her words lifted my spirits, prompting a grateful smile as I accepted the tea. "Thank you."

"Anyway, about this Rushing Bull Step technique and your desire to train it more... Why exactly can't you practice it here?"

"Well, this space is confined, and the technique involves kicking off the ground and charging forward blindly. I can't exactly halt mid-motion, and the technique only allows forward movement."

She arched a skeptical brow, regarding me as though I had uttered the most absurd statement. "So what?"

"So... what?" I echoed, equally puzzled.

The corner of her lips curled upward. "If your technique is direct and would result in you crashing into a wall, then master it until that's no longer the case. Every technique's weaknesses can be overcome with mastery!"

What she said was very basic, yet its simplicity held profound wisdom. After all, while techniques could be learned, true mastery allowed for personal imprint and refinement.

"Also, don't fret about breaking the stone," she chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

Okay, that laugh was a tad unsettling.

"You'd break your face and every bone in your body before the wall even registers a hit. This stone wall was built to withstand forces far greater than you, brat."

At that moment, everything clicked into place. It was a eureka moment for me!

"May I begin training now?" I inquired.

"Go ahead," she shrugged. "Chair!" she called out, and an inner disciple promptly brought in a chair before departing once she was seated. "There's no use questioning you further. Nobody suspects you anyway. You're mostly here because certain inner elders would complain if their sons remained confined while you walked free. But don't worry, the longer you stay, the more that paranoid bastard will have to pay in reparations."

I only half-listened to her words, focusing instead on crouching and setting aside the teacup. In an instant, I launched myself off the ground, activating Rushing Bull Step. Suddenly, within the confines of the room, new ideas began to flow.

Control it! Control the power! I mentally urged myself as I felt my thighs swell, though not as much as usual.

First and foremost, I realized I didn't always have to employ Rushing Bull Step at full force. Furthermore, I discovered that I could manipulate my movements within the technique, allowing for strategic positioning. With each landing against the wall and subsequent rebound, my speed increased.

The old granny waited patiently until I finally grew fatigued, offering only a nonchalant hum when I ceased. Thankfully, my legs didn't ache more than they would from a brief run. The Turtle Shell Body was perfect for what I had lacked.

"Since I'm not free, may I inquire about what's happening outside?" I asked, retrieving the tea I had set aside. Its flavor mirrored the tea I often enjoyed with the old janitor.

"Well, a Spring of Power was discovered near Greengrass Town, and someone managed to steal it right from under our noses. There's now a hunt for the thief," she explained, her expression clouding with disapproval. "At least that bastard's nephew didn't get his hands on it."

The notion of someone stealing from a prestigious sect like ours sounded straight out of xianxia protagonist material. Stealing such a valuable resource that sects invested considerable effort to obtain required exceptional skill and audacity. Even when rival sects were involved, such resources were safeguarded with utmost vigilance, given their critical importance in cultivation.

Stealing something of that magnitude was akin to making a horde of enemies, each eager to exact revenge.

I often joked about the tropes of xianxia protagonists. But this situation really resembled one—a character who stole from dangerous sects and formidable adversaries, only to find his own clan targeted once his adversaries couldn't apprehend him. Some were hypocritical enough to decry their enemies as dishonorable scum for such acts, conveniently ignoring their own similar tactics.

Did actually something as ridiculous as someone favored by the heavens exist? A so-called protagonist?

I was curious, since if they did exist, I would have to take a second look at everything I knew about this world…

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A week had passed since I began practicing the Rushing Bull Step in my cell. During that time, little had changed aside from my continued training regimen.

The prison environment had grown increasingly dull. The initial sense of novelty had faded, leaving a longing for the simple pleasures I once took for granted—like sharing tea with the old man or venturing into the forest to inhale the clean air before demolishing a few trees.

To alleviate the monotony, I conducted some tests and compared my current stats to those from the previous assessment. As I recorded my findings, one number caught my attention, prompting a frown of confusion. "This can't be right."

Name: Liu Feng

Age: 16

Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

Cultivation: Body Tempering (eight-star)

Strength – 7.7 → 7.9

Agility – 7.5 → 7.9

Endurance – 7.9 → 8.2

Qi – 0

Techniques:

-Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

-Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

-Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

It made no sense. All of Liu Feng's past experiences breaking through minor realms contradicted this outcome.

Liu Feng had previously relied on pills that forcefully strengthened his body to achieve breakthroughs—a method considered normal in cultivation circles. It had felt as though his body was being torn apart, utilizing pills to stimulate muscle growth, cleanse bone marrow, and eliminate impurities.

So how, then, had I seemingly broken through a bottleneck? Was my method flawed? Had I miscalculated the numbers somewhere along the line?

"Oh? Already at eight-star Body Tempering? Congratulations," the old woman remarked. Startling me quite a bit. I hadn't even noticed her arrival.

Truth be told, I had grown somewhat weary of her presence and conversation. Despite being the sole individual I could interact with, her company left much to be desired.

Nevertheless, as a Core Elder in the sect, she possessed a wealth of knowledge about cultivation. While I harbored numerous questions—chief among them how she had discerned my breakthrough—many seemed trivial thoughts of a curious mind. Unlike me, who relied on physical indicators like strength and punch to gauge my progress, she seemingly could assess one's cultivation level with a glance.

"Well, this breakthrough is as surprising to me as it is to you. I didn't even feel it passing," I admitted, furrowing my brow to convey a sense of concern. In matters of cultivation, being an outlier could lead to unforeseen consequences. I had no desire to be such an anomaly when I knew so little. "What do you think caused it?"

"Likely a combination of factors, such as real life and death experiences, as well as you training every waking minute," she replied calmly, indicating she had already discerned the underlying reasons. "Also, you don't seem to have used pills."

As expected of a Core Elder, her insight into cultivation was extensive. This development didn't seem like a bad thing.

"While elixirs and pills often worsen bottlenecks, especially the cheaper stuff, they can also quicken progress and save considerable time. If someone were to train for an hour a day with pills, it would yield results equivalent to training around the clock without them," she advised, her gaze sharpening as it always did when she was about to say something important. "Finding a balance between pill usage and training is crucial. Additionally, allow your body time to recuperate from the impurities left by pills and elixirs. Pushing yourself to extremes, working sixteen-hour days, and piling on pills could prove dangerous, potentially resulting in permanent damage. I knew someone in my youth whose dantian ruptured due to greed and overconsumption of pills while fatigued. However, concerns like dantian ruptures are typically reserved for higher realms."

I contemplated her words, committing them to memory. Overall, it seemed that while pills could offer shortcuts and expedite progress, they carried their own set of risks and pitfalls.

For me, rushing through cultivation in my youth held little appeal. I wanted to savor the journey, experiencing cultivation without the need for shortcuts. After all, I had my entire youth ahead of me and intended to make the most of it.

This wasn't the kind of experience one could enjoy twice. The joy of cultivating, even the mundane aspects, held a special allure for me. Skipping through it would be akin to missing the climax of a thrilling movie!

No, I had no intention of tainting my body with those pills. Who even tested them? What human trials were conducted, and what about long-term effects? I doubted anyone cared much; users were likely more concerned with immediate Qi gains than future consequences.

Perhaps when I grew older and found myself unable to progress, or if I fell too far behind my peers, I might consider pills and elixirs. But for now, I was content. Besides, I wasn't exactly flush with spirit stones, so the choice wasn't entirely mine to make.

For the time being, reveling in day-long training sessions brought me more satisfaction. There was little entertainment better than feeling the power course through my body as if I were living in a dream.

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...

Following the interview, I anticipated another day dedicated to training. However, a few hours after the old woman's mandatory visit, during which she shared anecdotes about her granddaughter's sweetness and other trivialities, an inner disciple arrived with an impeccable blue robe and a gray one in hand.

"This is for you. As of today, you're free. After a thorough investigation, the elders have concluded that you're innocent and have no connection to the events outside."

"I still don't know exactly what happened," I remarked. "Can I at least learn why I ended up here?"

The inner disciple nodded and closed the door behind him, likely activating any silence array embedded in the cell. Despite hearing doors opening nearby, I never caught a whisper from neighboring cells. Silence arrays seemed the only logical explanation—unless I was the sole prisoner, and they were going to needless extraordinary lengths to deceive me.

"Nobody is entirely sure what happened. Apparently, some treasure surfaced, leading to the deaths of a few outer elders and the injury of an inner elder," he explained. "I'm sorry, but even we inner disciples aren't privy to all the details."

At least he was respectful, and I couldn't help but appreciate the kindness I had encountered from most inner disciples thus far. It made sense; the young masters likely wouldn't be tasked with such mundane duties.

As we exited the cell, the absence of the inner elder who usually manned the desk caught my attention. The distant light from the cave entrance beckoned, and I spotted a boat waiting at the edge—a floating vessel akin to the one that had brought me here.

Stepping onto the seemingly ordinary wooden boat felt peculiar; one would expect it to sway, yet it remained as rigid as a rock.

Heh, magical boats were rather awesome.

Finding a comfortable spot proved futile; this was just like any other small wooden boat in that department.

"Do you know where I could get one of these?" I inquired.

Seated across from me, the inner disciple met my gaze. "Yes, but it's rather impractical for anything beyond transportation, given its slow speed. Also, I'm unsure if outer disciples can possess items that enable them to fly over the sect's walls."

"Fly over the walls? Isn't there a barrier array meant to prevent entry and exit?" I questioned.

"Probably. I haven't tested it," he shrugged. "Where should I drop you off?"

"Just somewhere in the nearby forest. I'll find my way back," I replied.

Navigating back wouldn't pose a challenge, with the library tower serving as a landmark. However, for now, I enjoyed the thought of resting beneath the shade of a tree after a rigorous training session. It was the simple pleasures in life one learned to appreciate, and prison had been sorely lacking in such comforts.

The inner disciple regarded me with a quizzical expression. But given the recent events, he was rather nonchalant and listened to my request without insistence. No doubt, he, too, wished to return promptly to his cultivation training—I knew that feeling well.

As soon as my feet touched the grass, I felt as light as a leaf carried by the wind. The crisp outside air enveloped me as I plopped down and rolled in the grass, eventually settling with the little turtle resting on my chest.

After a brief pause, the next moves were clear. I changed into my sect uniform the disciple had given me and went to the dining hall, where I fetched two cups of tea and walked toward the towering library in the distance.

…

The library greeted me with its familiar atmosphere, bustling with disciples engaged in various activities. The librarian acknowledged me with a nod and a faint smile, but otherwise, his reaction was subdued.

Scanning the room, I searched for the old goat to no avail. Just as I was about to ask the librarian, something nudged me to the side, and there stood the old guy.

"What took you so long to notice me, brat? Were you deliberately ignoring me to be rude?" he grumbled, his tone laced with aggression.

But that was the old man for you—always blunt. With a polite smile, I handed him his cup of tea. "Here. Take care of your tea addiction, old man."

He huffed, accepting the tea begrudgingly. "Well, it's good to see you back, kid."

"I'm glad to be back," I replied, a genuine smile gracing my lips.

Everything seemed to have returned to normal... or had it?

An uncomfortable sensation gnawed at my stomach. The tales of stolen treasures from the auction, the mysterious explosion, the Spring of Power—they lingered in my thoughts, breeding a sense of unease. Perhaps it was just paranoia, but something felt off.

I had entertained thoughts of protagonists and clichéd novels, but the likelihood of such a scenario seemed slim. The notion of someone favored by the heavens, advancing at an unprecedented pace, felt more like fiction than reality. Though my situation made such things much easier to believe.

Personally, I harbored little concern for others' cultivation speeds. I had long realized that comparing oneself to others was a futile endeavor. Each person moved at their own pace, and comparisons only led to disappointment.

Even if there were heaven's favorites out there, as long as they stayed far away from me, I'd continue training in my Mortal Grade Martial Arts as always. Complaining or getting angry about such things was futile; it would only distract me from my training. The world was unfair, and I had accepted that before coming here. Some people were born rich and wouldn't have to work a day in their life, while others would have to break their backs to be able to live.

"What's got you looking so serious?" the old janitor asked.

"As a hardened criminal, I have much to contemplate nowadays," I joked.

"Heh," he shook his head. "Hardened criminal? Do you think I don't know about those cells? They're better than most mortal houses, and you don't have to worry about things like the cold or excessive outside noise due to the engraved arrays."

Actually, the cells were pretty chilly if someone were a mortal, but I decided not to mention that. "You're just jealous that I'm a hardened criminal now, and you're not."

"Keep talking nonsense, and I'll throw this tea in your face," he threatened, his eyes narrowing. It seemed like he might actually do it, but then his demeanor softened, and he sighed. "Just make sure to take care of yourself, kiddo. The world out there is a crazy place."

Despite our banter, my thoughts kept drifting back to the peculiar incidents involving the Spring of Power and others. For now, though, I lacked proof of any such occurrences. I resolved to keep an eye out, as everyone who had read a xianxia novel knew that while a heaven's favorite might benefit from misfortune, they were often surrounded by disaster.

"I'll have you know that I fought eight guys in prison. All one realm higher than me, and I beat them all to show dominance," I boasted.

"Try coming up with a more believable lie," the old man retorted. "We both know you're not the type to do that. You're more of a background guy."

Damn, he knew me well.

"And as I already told you, I know how comfortable those prisons are," he added with a knowing grin.

My third day out of prison began like many others, with breakfast in the cafeteria.

I was never much of a breakfast person in my previous life, but since inhabiting Liu Feng's body, I found myself adopting his habits. I actually quite enjoyed breakfast now. Sometimes, I wondered just how much of Liu Feng's personality I had inherited. It would be worrying if I started spouting phrases like "you're courting death."

But dwelling on such thoughts served no purpose. I knew just the thing to shake myself out of such ruminations: a grueling twelve-hour training session. After that, I wouldn't be thinking much of anything.

"Liu Feng!" A familiar voice called out to me, and I knew there was only one person who would address me in the cafeteria.

It was the overweight guy whose name I hadn't bothered to learn yet. I regretted not asking him when I took over as Liu Feng. Now, asking would be too awkward. Despite that, he was a nice guy and good company. He was the only one who kept me informed about the happenings around the sect, as I paid little attention to rumors.

After all, with at least twelve hours of training a day, how could I keep up with gossip?

"Yeah, hi... man," I replied as he sat beside me, his plate containing a surprisingly modest portion of food.

Was his obesity the result of a technique? Or perhaps he was one of those people who ate little but still ate often.

"You know, I was quite worried about you when the inner disciples came and started asking strange questions. They only mentioned it was for an investigation," he sighed, finishing his food quickly. Turning to me, he wore a concerned expression. "You're the only friend I have here, and I'd be really sad if you were executed for treason or something."

His words struck a chord, and I suddenly felt guilty for not knowing his name and being so self-centered since arriving here.

I was a pretty lousy friend.

"You know," I nodded, meeting his gaze. "I would also be pretty sad if something happened to you too."

The young man smiled. "I knew there was a soft side hidden behind that tough exterior."

"Yeah, yeah, make fun of the tough guy," I waved him away.

He chuckled at the jest and leaned in closer. "I've been hearing rumors about the prison since I heard you were imprisoned. It seems like you got into a bit of a complicated situation."

"Are you going to tell me what happened already, or are you just going to tell me how screwed I am?" I asked, half-jokingly.

"I could keep you in suspense a little longer," he teased. "But seriously, there's a whole conspiracy thing going on. Many cultivators died, even some at Foundation Establishment level. There were no survivors, not even anyone who witnessed it from afar."

So, there were no living witnesses to the incident? I felt a rush of relief knowing I had escaped before getting entangled in such a mess.

However, amidst the chaos, there was a silver lining. The girl I left behind during the fight probably wouldn't return seeking revenge like a typical villain who miraculously grows stronger. 'Probably' was the keyword here, as one never knew these things.

I could only hope she was not the daughter of some monstrous cultivator or sect leader. It was the main reason I hadn't mentioned her during the interrogation with the core elder. There was no way to tell who she was. For all I knew, this was just needless worry, and she was some rogue cultivator with no connections.

Still, knowing all this, it was likely the village had been destroyed. I winced at the thought. For ordinary people, clashes between cultivators were akin to natural disasters. It was a shame; the villagers had seemed like good people. Sadly, they were too close to the explosion.

But there was a good chance that the jade-like beauty and perhaps the person she sought had survived the ordeal.

"Also, the whole prison situation turned sour when internal sect politics started getting involved. Some of the elders' sons, nephews, and grandsons were caught doing some suspicious activities. Rumors say that it wasn't anything too bad, just the normal abuse of power as expected from them. But rival elders are bashing heads about that, and pulling up obscure sect laws and how the lustful sons and nephews of the elders could have been goaded..." the chubby guy continued explaining inner sect politics that I cared very little about. But I was a polite friend if nothing else, and whenever he finished a sentence, I would nod and agree with him.

To make a very long explanation short, some of the higher-ups' sons were involved with brothels, laziness, and many other debauchery things. Just like any other rich kid born into money who never had to try for anything in life. Not really surprising, but some elders were using those incidents as ammo against their rivals.

The core elder in charge of questioning me in prison hinted at something like this. But I paid little close attention to it since these things had nothing to do with me. The Blazing Sun Sect was too big, and people were from many different backgrounds. Unlike clans, there were barely any blood relationships in the sect's higher-ups. It was no surprise there would be some forms of conflict up there.

But that had nothing to do with me. However, it was a bit worrying how jade-like beauties and inner sect turmoil were coming up at the same time. It made me nervous and it was as if at any moment, it would all boil over in some horrible catastrophe.

I had no control over something like that, and there was little I could do about it. So, there was no need to even try to think of a solution to those things. Cultivators much more powerful than me were involved.

For now, the only thing that could cause trouble would be the payment the core elder had promised me for being held for so long in prison. But even then, I wasn't knocking down nobody's door for that.

"So, what do you think you should do now?" My fat friend asked.

"What else is there to do?" I shrugged. "I'm just going to continue living my life."

He looked more worried than me after I said that. But sometimes in life, one had to understand when they could do nothing.

It was like learning the company was closing down and I would be out of a job. No whining, worrying, or crying on my part would change anything. There was literally no reason to stress oneself out about these kinds of things. Maybe a younger me would have worried, but life was going to do its thing and beating myself while I was already down would only make things worse.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

After finishing my food, I stood up, delivered the tray back to the staff, said thanks, and was about to walk out when my chubby friend called out, "Where are you going?"

"To train."

...

The next couple of weeks were relatively quiet, and I spent most of my time in the forest training like there was no tomorrow. With my Turtle Shell Body, now I could handle using Rushing Bull Steps continuously and I tried addressing most of the weaknesses that the last fights to the death had exposed.

After another day of training, the sun was about to set. I wrote down the last recorded stats.

Name: Liu Feng

Age: 16

Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

Cultivation: Body Tempering (eight-star)

Strength – 7.9 → 8.1

Agility – 7.9 → 8.2

Endurance – 8.2 → 8.6

Qi – 0

Techniques:

-Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

-Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

-Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

All of my stats were now fully into the eight-star Body Tempering level, or maybe they were there already and I made some mistakes in my calculations. Either way, my endurance also seemed to have skyrocketed, though it had slowed down recently as there was not much progress due to my strength and agility having to keep up with it. Also, Turtle Shell Body was still only a Mortal Grade technique and couldn't work miracles. However, bringing me halfway into eight-star Body Tempering was already more than I had expected. It really was an amazing technique.

At the rate I was going in about half a year, I should be able to break through into nine-star. Maybe even faster, depending on how much of a bottleneck I would end up having to deal with.

Ironically, my training speed surpassed that of the original Liu Feng when he relied on cultivation pills, albeit the cheaper ones within his budget. These pills left his body laden with impurities that would take time to naturally flush out. He had been in a bit of a rush to enter the inner sect and gave his body no time to rest. Additionally, I was trained with a more diverse array of techniques, fostering somewhat balanced growth.

Turning to the second book, I transcribed the knowledge I had gleaned from reading and from Liu Feng's memories.

When one attained one-star Body Tempering and embarked on the journey of cultivation, they didn't necessarily become instantly stronger. However, they did expel the impurities hindering their progress, and their mortal limitations were lifted. With rigorous physical training or the aid of alchemical pills, they could embark on the cultivation path.

As night descended, I rose from the forest floor and returned to the dormitories. Spending excessive time secluded in the forest and only returning to the sect when necessary wasn't prudent for someone recently cleared of suspicion.

Employing the Rushing Bull Step at a subdued intensity to avoid damaging the ground, I dashed through the forest, the trees blurring around me. Speedy stirred in my pocket, likely adjusting after a long day of slumber.

It seemed these days he only woke up to eat and shit. Was the Turtle Shell Body technique having an effect on him? The book said nothing about what the martial technique did to the turtles the cultivators worked with. Hopefully, it wasn't anything that would hurt him, and the little guy was just a growing turtle who needed a lot of sleep.

Upon arriving at the dormitories, I encountered students engaged in conversation, some scanning their surroundings. Stealthily, I slipped past them and entered my dormitory room—a simple place furnished with a bed, chest, and desk. Scrolls were neatly arranged on the desk, and the bed was impeccably made, despite my infrequent visits.

Shedding my clothes, I sank onto the bed, and sleep came almost immediately.

…

The next day, I headed straight to the cafeteria, finishing my meal before making a beeline for the library with two tea cups in hand. Upon arrival, I spotted some familiar faces, and the old janitor waved at me while nodding his head toward the librarian.

Did he want me to go and talk with the librarian? Did something happen?

As I approached, the librarian leaned in and whispered, "Yesterday, an inner disciple came looking for you. Mentioned something about a reward."

A reward? I hadn't held much hope for it after weeks had passed. "Where do I need to meet them to collect it?"

"I told him I'd store it here for you," he whispered back, gesturing for me to come closer. "But I'll give it to you after working hours when there aren't any other disciples around."

I wondered why he wouldn't give it to me now, but scanning the library, I noticed the other disciples engrossed in their studies.

"Well, I could catch up on some reading in the meantime," I replied.

Despite his gruff exterior, the librarian was relatively kind compared to most cultivators, diligently performing his duties. The reward must be significant if the old janitor thought it necessary to keep it under wraps.

As I contemplated my reading options, my gaze drifted toward the technique books. Perhaps I'd get lucky and stumble upon something akin to the Turtle Shell Body Technique?

...

Sadly, even as darkness fell and the library emptied out, I found no hidden secret technique waiting to be discovered. It seemed that the first find had truly been a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

By now, I had familiarized myself with enough martial techniques that there were few mortal techniques used by outer disciples that I wouldn't recognize. Still, I had the reward I had been looking forward to. As soon as the last disciple left, I approached the librarian's counter and asked, "Can I get the thing now?"

The librarian closed his eyes, and a shimmering pulse emanated from him, sending a chill down my spine.

"Good, no one is spying on us," the librarian said as his ring shimmered, conjuring a sack larger than two fists combined. "There are one hundred spirit stones in here."

For a moment, my mind went blank as I processed his words. In the outer sect, a disciple received one spirit stone a month as an allowance. A hundred spirit stones were nearly a decade's worth of resources for an outer disciple!

The reward was generous, far beyond my expectations. However, in a world where people killed for resources, having an abundance of wealth could be a liability. I was like a free Thanksgiving turkey, ripe for the cutting.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath.

"By the look on your face, I can tell you understand the gravity of this situation," the librarian remarked.

"And he said 'fuck,' so that's a clear indicator of just how much in deep shit he's in," the old janitor sighed. He was the only other person present besides the librarian, and oddly enough, I trusted the old man. After all, what use did he have for cultivation resources at his age?

The librarian remained unperturbed by the old janitor's remarks and interjected, "There will be many disciples who will want to see you dead. While the sect's rules may not endorse murder, no core elder will step forward to enforce such rules in person in the outer sect, so tread carefully. Some disciples would go to great lengths to eliminate any evidence. Though outsiders may deem the Blazing Sun Sect tame compared to its rivals, the Sect Leader supports survival-of-the-fittest tactics."

In a world like this, it was likely that the Sect Leader himself had employed such tactics in his youth. Despite hailing from an ordinary mortal family, he had risen through the ranks, surpassing countless clan children and relatives of elders to claim the top position. While his exceptional talent played a role, one couldn't overlook the immense effort he must have exerted to secure his position.

I sighed, accepting the sack of spirit stones. Opening it revealed a radiant glow emanating from the sky-blue stones nestled within.

"A decade's worth of cultivation resources," I remarked, closing the sack. "Finding an outer disciple who wouldn't kill for these would be more challenging than finding one who would."

"That is true," the old janitor took a casual sip from his tea as if the matter didn't concern him.

Turning to him, I declared, "If I die, I'll haunt the hell out of this library. You'll be my main victim."

The old man merely shrugged. "You should haunt my broom and do some chores instead. That way it would be more productive."