Fēng Língxiāo didn't even bother to look at Chén Qí, who was writhing on the ground and howling like a slaughtered pig.
He beckoned to Wáng Yán and the other to head to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.
Wáng Yán trotted up from behind, cupping his fists in salute. "Many thanks for your intervention, junior brother. You truly avenged senior brother's anger."
"It was nothing."
"But..." Wáng Yán hesitated.
Fēng Língxiāo glanced at him. "Is something amiss?"
"That Chén Qí fellow is indeed not to be trifled with. He's an outer disciple like us, but he has a younger brother."
"His brother's name is Chén Qí, and he's an inner disciple."
"Chén Qí normally relies on his brother's influence to bully outer disciples everywhere."
Wáng Yán was filled with worry, a sense of fear towards this Chén Qí.
Aside from the disparity in cultivation, there was also status.
The difference in status between inner and outer disciples gave them an inherent advantage.
Even if an inner disciple had lower cultivation, they looked down upon the more accomplished outer disciples.
Many outer disciples with high cultivation, upon meeting inner disciples with lower cultivation, would still have to force a smile and greet them as senior brother.
This was status.
Different status meant a disparity in standing.
Moreover, few outer disciples possessed the strength to contend with inner disciples.
Not to mention the backing of their families and clans; the difference in background was even more vast.
If one came from a well-off family, who would choose to be an outer disciple?
Therefore, outer disciples were looked down upon, forced to tread carefully.
Fēng Língxiāo chuckled lightly, unconcerned by all this.
The world was cold, and it was the same everywhere.
But he firmly believed that all of this was built upon strength.
As long as his own strength was formidable enough, then he would be the truth.
"It's nothing. If they dare come, I will face them."
Fēng Língxiāo replied casually, without looking back.
His calm tone was filled with dominance and confidence.
Though his cultivation was not high, and he had no formidable background, he possessed his own integrity.
If he couldn't even deal with such minor characters, how could he ever become a strong expert?
To become a strong expert, one must first have immense self-confidence and an unyielding heart that dares to advance.
One must not fear trouble.
Wáng Yán watched his receding figure, his eyes filled with admiration. He sighed, "Junior brother is a true man!"
Shàng Róng nodded his large head repeatedly. "So cool!"
"Senior brother, this is the spirit herbs submitted by our Spirit Herb Garden. Please examine them."
Wáng Yán presented the storage bag.
The disciple collecting the spirit herbs didn't even look at him, simply taking the bag.
He quickly scanned the storage bag before storing all the spirit herbs internally.
"A total of fifteen hundred contribution points. How shall it be distributed?"
The disciple tossed the storage bag back to Wáng Yán.
Wáng Yán instinctively turned to look at Fēng Língxiāo, seeking his opinion.
"Average distribution is fine," Fēng Língxiāo replied.
Wáng Yán and Shàng Róng each produced a token and handed it to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion disciple.
Seeing Fēng Língxiāo make no move, the disciple looked at him.
"Oh, this junior brother of mine just joined the sect and doesn't have a token yet."
"Please record one for him. His name is Fēng Língxiāo, a disciple of the Spirit Herb Garden," Wáng Yán hastily explained.
The man took out a new token, drew a spiritual brush across it according to the sect's records, and entered it into the system, including the contribution points.
Wáng Yán took the three tokens and bowed, bidding farewell.
As the three of them walked out, Wáng Yán asked, "Junior brother, these contribution points can be exchanged for various implements and objects within the sect. Would you like to go take a look together?"
Fēng Língxiāo was quite interested and nodded. "Alright, let's see what they have."
"Wáng Yán, you scoundrel, where do you think you're going?"
A curse rang out. It was Chén Qí, whose hand Fēng Língxiāo had just broken.
He spotted the three of them, his one good hand drooping, and hurried over, as if he had been searching for them.
"Chén Qí, a wise man knows when to retreat. I advise you to be sensible," Wáng Yán retorted.
Before Chén Qí could speak, a person emerged from behind him, coldly retorting, "Be sensible? Based on you lot?"
This person was burly, completely different from the scrawny Chén Qí.
However, their faces bore a strong resemblance.
Upon seeing this person, Wáng Yán's expression instantly changed, and his imposing manner weakened considerably.
He spoke softly to Fēng Língxiāo, "This is Chén Qí, Chén Qí's brother."
Upon hearing this, Fēng Língxiāo looked him up and down.
From his aura, he could tell this fellow had some strength.
He also noticed the big nose beside him and understood.
So he had gone to fetch reinforcements. He thought the other guy had just fled.
As Fēng Língxiāo sized him up, Chén Qí was also observing them.
He merely glanced at Wáng Yán and Shàng Róng, paying them no mind.
His gaze was fixed on Fēng Língxiāo.
He could also tell that among these three, perhaps only Fēng Língxiāo possessed any real substance.
"Brother, it's him! This brat broke my hand," Chén Qí said urgently, pointing at Fēng Língxiāo.
"You hit my brother?" Chén Qí questioned in a deep voice.
"I did," Fēng Língxiāo replied calmly.
His nonchalant demeanor greatly displeased Chén Qí, provoking his anger.
"Break your own hands and kneel to apologize, and this matter will be dropped," Chén Qí said sternly.
He spoke as if he were being magnanimous, demanding that Fēng Língxiāo break his own hands and kneel to apologize.
Upon hearing this, Fēng Língxiāo chuckled, asking with curiosity, "What if I don't?"
Chén Qí's expression turned grim, and his tone became threatening. "You won't? Then I'll personally break all four of your limbs and cripple you."
Fēng Língxiāo's eyes narrowed, flashing with a dangerous glint. "Then come and try."
The atmosphere immediately became taut and filled with hostility.
Quite a crowd had gathered by this point. Seeing that a fight was imminent, they retreated a bit to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
They watched the unfolding drama from a distance, discussing it amongst themselves.
The two men faced off, like two wolves staring each other down.
The atmosphere grew heavier, filled with oppressive tension, as either side could erupt into action at any moment.
"I say, what is this place? Daring to cause trouble in front of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion?"
A disciple dressed in the Pill Cauldron Pavilion's uniform stepped forward and spoke.
The surrounding crowd instantly lost interest. With someone interfering, they wouldn't be able to enjoy the show.
Chén Qí heard this and looked at the other person's identity.
He had reservations about acting directly, but he couldn't back down publicly.
"This senior brother, this brat broke my brother's arm. I must seek justice for this matter."
"Heh, isn't that simple?"
"Take it to the Martial Training Stage. You fight at your own risk, where death is a possibility. How fitting," the Pill Cauldron Pavilion disciple sneered, offering a suggestion.
The surrounding crowd became interested again. They thought this fellow was here to mediate, but instead, he was adding fuel to the fire.
There would be a good show after all.
Upon hearing this, Wáng Yán grew anxious and whispered to Fēng Língxiāo, "Junior brother, you absolutely must not agree."
"Once on the Martial Training Stage, the fight is in accordance with Sect Rules. If death is a possibility, then no one can say anything if someone is killed."
He genuinely feared that Fēng Língxiāo, in a fit of pique, would rashly agree.
He didn't believe Fēng Língxiāo stood any chance against Chén Qí; he could be killed.
Although he didn't know how strong Fēng Língxiāo truly was, Chén Qí was an inner disciple who had been in the sect for many years.
He was certainly far more formidable than Fēng Língxiāo.
At that moment, he prepared to de-escalate, apologize to them, and offer some spirit stones as compensation.
As long as the matter didn't escalate, showing some humility and suffering a small loss would suffice.
Wáng Yán stepped forward, cupping his fists and bowing his head in apology. "Senior brother Chén Qí, I apologize. This matter..."