Chapter Thirty-Eight: Senior Brother Is Nothing
Tianhai Sect!
In the new disciples’ resting area, the atmosphere inside a small house was tense. Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan sat facing each other, their expressions grave. The heavy mood lingered for a quarter of an hour before the impulsive Sikong Xuan slammed his hand down, shattering the chair beneath him.
“Hmph! Those bastards in the Purple Star Pavilion did this on purpose, locking down the Ancient Mountain Stream. They're out to kill Brother Luo! Besides, even Blood Gathering realm martial artists shy away from the Dragon Ape. No, Old Yan, let's go check out the Ancient Mountain Stream ourselves!”
Clearly, Sikong Xuan was still unaware of the true situation within the Ancient Mountain Stream; someone had likely kept him in the dark, failing to report the incident in time.
Yan Longyuan, who had been sitting silently all along, glanced at Sikong Xuan. “On my way back to the sect, I overheard disciples from the Purple Star Pavilion saying that the Dragon Ape in the Ancient Mountain Stream went berserk, and not a single Tianhai Sect disciple who sealed off the stream survived.”
His voice was low, but anyone could hear the chilling intent contained within. To him, whether the matter was true or not, Luo Hao's death was certainly inseparable from the Purple Star Pavilion.
“What! If something really happened to Brother Luo, I’ll make the Purple Star Pavilion pay!” Sikong Xuan’s fists cracked but soon relaxed, though his eyes blazed fiercely with murderous intent.
Yan Longyuan did not respond; he merely nodded. People like him and Sikong Xuan rarely had many friends, let alone brothers they truly acknowledged. To them, anyone who dared to plot against Luo Hao was as good as plotting against themselves.
“Sikong, we don’t have the power to avenge Brother Luo yet, but we can strike at the disciples of the Purple Star Pavilion in secret.” Yan Longyuan exchanged a glance with Sikong Xuan, and a cruel smile appeared on both their faces.
Within the Contribution Hall of Tianhai Sect, a graceful figure stared blankly at the main entrance, lost in thought. She only snapped back to reality when a disciple called her name, sighing softly, “I told you the Dragon Ape was dangerous, but you wouldn't listen and insisted on betting with the Purple Star Pavilion. Now look. But I won’t let them off easily.”
“Sister Ji Rou, disciples from the Purple Star Pavilion are here to hand over their tasks,” a charming young woman beside her said crisply.
Ji Rou’s face turned cold at the words. “Yue Lin, from now on, all contribution points earned by Purple Star Pavilion disciples for tasks will be halved. I’ll talk to Grandfather, don’t worry.”
Yue Lin was puzzled but didn’t ask further, inwardly sympathizing with the Purple Star Pavilion disciples. Whoever had offended Ji Rou clearly didn’t know her grandfather was the master of the Contribution Hall.
A group of disciples clad in purple robes from the Purple Star Pavilion entered the Contribution Hall, faces beaming with confidence, likely expecting to earn plenty of contribution points from their task.
“Sister Yue Lin, we’ve come to hand over our task.” One of the disciples took out the required items. Yue Lin didn’t bother to look, simply took the token, swiped it, and quickly handed it back.
The initially smiling disciples froze when they saw the contribution points on the token. Their voices turned cold, “Sister Yue Lin, these points don’t add up. Where’s the other half?”
“From today onward, Purple Star Pavilion disciples only receive half the usual points for tasks. That’s my rule. Any objections?” Just as Yue Lin was about to speak, Ji Rou interjected from behind.
The Purple Star Pavilion disciple’s cold demeanor vanished instantly upon seeing Ji Rou, replaced by a gentle smile. “Ah, Sister Ji Rou, I wonder which fool annoyed you!”
Every Purple Star Pavilion disciple forced a smile; after all, Ji Rou’s background was formidable, and even the Pavilion itself preferred not to provoke her. Ji Rou merely sneered and said nothing more.
“Ji Rou, even if you’re the Contribution Hall master’s granddaughter, you have no right to arbitrarily deduct our points!” The disciples, proud and arrogant, couldn’t lower themselves any further and decided to confront her head-on, raising their voices.
Ji Rou glanced at the speaker coldly. “Well! If you think you can, go ahead and tell the Hall Master. Let’s see whether he listens to you or me.”
“You… you…” The disciples were speechless. Sure, she was the Hall Master’s granddaughter, but did she have to be so blatant?
Over a dozen disciples trembled with rage, but each suppressed their anger, for Ji Rou was not someone they could afford to offend. With a cold snort, the Purple Star Pavilion disciples reclaimed their tokens and stormed out, like beasts barely holding back their fury.
“Serves them right.”
“Sister Ji Rou is amazing. Let them be arrogant, she should deduct all their points!” As the Purple Star Pavilion disciples left, the other sect disciples in the hall erupted in excitement.
On Zhen Tian Peak, there had always been only two branches: the Purple Star Pavilion and the Hall of Non-Action. True to its name, the Hall of Non-Action preferred tranquility and avoided conflict, focusing solely on cultivating the martial way, uninterested in disputes.
Over time, the Purple Star Pavilion flourished, and its disciples became increasingly domineering, running rampant. The other disciples could only grumble in secret. The sect’s leadership turned a blind eye as long as no major bloodshed occurred.
“What? Ji Rou deducted your points without permission? Outrageous!” With a furious shout, Senior Brother Li slammed the table upon hearing his fellow Pavilion disciples’ account.
“Brother Li, don’t be rash. Ji Rou is the Hall Master’s granddaughter. Even branch leaders tread carefully around him. We’d best not provoke her.” The speaker was another man—had Luo Hao been present, he’d recognize them as the two with whom he had wagered, Senior Brothers Zhang and Li.
“Brother Zhang is right. We should report this to Senior Brother Murong. We also have business at the Contribution Hall—today’s the last day for the three-star task, and Murong previously ordered us to bring back either the man or his corpse.” With that, Zhang led the way to the Contribution Hall, Li following close behind.
“There’s going to be a show! The Purple Star Pavilion is here—Li Long and Zhang Hu!”
“Li Long and Zhang Hu have come. Looks like trouble is brewing. Judging by the Pavilion’s posture, this won’t end peacefully.” As the fierce group of Pavilion disciples surrounded the two men on their way to the Contribution Hall, the other branches’ disciples whispered among themselves.
“Hm!” Sensing several wild, unrestrained auras at the entrance, Ji Rou looked up to see the Pavilion disciples leading Li Long and Zhang Hu to the main platform.
Seeing their ominous faces, Ji Rou’s expression was icy. “Zhang Hu, Li Long, bringing a crowd of Pavilion disciples here to the Contribution Hall—are you planning a rebellion?”
Li Long sneered. “Ji Rou, don’t accuse us unjustly. We’ll settle accounts with you later. Today, Zhang Hu and I are here for the wager from ten days ago. Though we know the new disciple couldn’t possibly complete the task, we’ve come anyway.
“We’re here for one reason: new disciples, remember this—don’t think a bit of cleverness lets you challenge the Purple Star Pavilion. Also, remember: senior brothers are always senior brothers. Don’t think too highly of yourselves.”
As he spoke, Li Long addressed all the new disciples in the hall. They clenched their teeth in silent fury, but dared not show it—none of them could afford to offend the Pavilion.
For a moment, the entire Contribution Hall fell into a deathly silence. Suddenly, hearty laughter echoed from outside: “Hahaha, well said! Don’t take yourself too seriously—on the Ancient Continent, strength is everything. Senior brothers? They’re nothing!”
“No way! That troublemaker is back alive!”
“How could he possibly survive? Didn’t they say there was a mishap at the Ancient Mountain Stream?”
“Is it an illusion?”
The voices outside persisted, and in an instant, all eyes turned toward the entrance. Ji Rou’s beautiful eyes sparkled with delight at the familiar laughter, while Li Long and Zhang Hu’s gazes grew icy, Li Long’s face especially dark, as if dripping with gloom.