C14 – We’re Not the Same!
The Mysterious Immortal Sect was situated just outside the Western City of the Royal Capital. The Royal Capital was renowned for two picturesque landscapes: the Great Goose Mountain Range to the east and the Emerald Lake to the west. It was at the heart of Emerald Lake where the Mysterious Immortal Sect had established its base, anchored upon the lake’s surface by a sophisticated array formation that served as its foundation.
Beneath Emerald Lake lay a vein of Spirit Stone, infusing the lake with a thick concentration of Spiritual Energy. Cultivators practicing within the Mysterious Immortal Sect could naturally progress at a swifter pace than the average person. Such a prime location for cultivation was coveted by many, yet the Mysterious Immortal Sect had managed to claim it, a testament to their formidable strength.
At the third quarter of the hour of Chen, Liu Xingchang arrived at Emerald Lake with Liu Yichang in tow. A small boat, moored at the shore in anticipation of their arrival, ferried them to the Mysterious Immortal Sect’s enclave at the center of the lake.
Unlike a typical family, the Mysterious Immortal Sect was a faction with numerous disciples, necessitating expansive architectural grounds. Three colossal structures floated atop the water’s array formation: the Stellar Courtyard, the Bright Moon Courtyard, and the Solar Courtyard. The Stellar Courtyard was designated for disciples’ cultivation, the Bright Moon Courtyard for their rest, and the Solar Courtyard served as the main pavilion. It was where the sect master and elders practiced and rested, and also where the sect would entertain guests.
Upon reaching the Solar Courtyard, Liu Xingchang and Liu Yichang were greeted and escorted to the grand hall by two Mysterious Immortal Sect disciples. These young men, clad in the sect’s uniform, exuded youthful vigor. However, upon meeting Liu Xingchang and Liu Yichang, their expressions betrayed a mix of scorn and annoyance.
Liu Xingchang’s boldness in bringing Liu Yichang to the Mysterious Immortal Sect to break off an engagement was, in some respects, seen as a slight against the sect itself.
“Heh! You truly have no fear of death, brazenly coming to our Mysterious Immortal Sect to cause trouble. Today, you will not leave here alive!”
The two disciples spoke with blatant arrogance, yet Liu Xingchang and Liu Yichang remained silent.
Liu Xingchang carried himself with an air of indifference, standing tall and proud, exuding a regal presence.
Navigating the uneven cobblestone path and meandering through the corridors, Liu Xingchang and Liu Yichang at last reached the grand hall of the Courtyard of the Day.
This was where Liu Xingchang needed to be on high alert.
The grand hall was immense, easily five times the size of the Liu Family’s main hall. It resembled less a place for receiving guests and more a meeting place for the esteemed members of the greenwood.
Above the hall hung a plaque inscribed with the words “Honor the Teacher, Value the Way.”
”Reporting to the Sect Master, Liu Xingchang and Liu Yichang have arrived,” the two disciples announced, bowing respectfully to a middle-aged man seated prominently in the hall.
This middle-aged man was somewhat portly, with a round belly and a round face that seemed to be squeezed between two chunks of flesh.
His cheerful appearance made it difficult to link him with the grand master of the Mysterious Immortal Sect, yet he was indeed Qi Libai, the sect’s grand master.
Qi Libai stood behind Qi Libai, glaring at Liu Xingchang with a mix of disgust and bitterness.
The disgrace Liu Xingchang had brought upon her within the Liu Family was an affront she would never forget.
Naturally, the hall was bustling with individuals. Present were not only Qi Libai and Qi Libai, but also the esteemed elders of the Mysterious Immortal Sect, as well as the leaders of various influential groups who had previously sent their respects.
The Mysterious Immortal Sect’s elders and disciples erupted in outrage.
The green-robed Protector leapt forward, pointing accusingly at Liu Xingchang and berating him, “Liu Xingchang! What do you think you are? A nobody who, by sheer luck, managed to defeat a few fools from the Dai Family, and now you believe you’ve leapt through the dragon’s gate? Who gave you the audacity to raise your voice at our Sect Master!”
When the green-robed Protector was in the Liu Family’s grand hall, he had already been subjected to a scolding from Liu Xingchang, who pointed right at his nose and berated him. He dreamt of returning the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of the Liu Family. He had mentally rehearsed this moment countless times. Now, at last, his opportunity had come.
Liu Xingchang had been domineering within the Liu Family, but surely he wouldn’t dare to be so brazen within the Mysterious Immortal Sect?
The green-robed Protector stepped forward, bringing his face inches from Liu Xingchang’s, a thick sneer on his face. “Liu Family Head, take a look. Isn’t life a matter of fortunes revolving? You humiliated me back at the Liu Family, and I was powerless to respond. Now, here in the Mysterious Immortal Sect, I’m humiliating you. Surely you can do nothing but stand and take it?”
Liu Xingchang replied coolly, “We’re not the same.”
“How are we not the same?” the Protector challenged.
“I am the master of the Liu Family, while you are nothing more than a dog of the Mysterious Immortal Sect. When I humiliate you, you have to take it. But if you humiliate me...” Liu Xingchang trailed off.
The Protector scoffed, “What? You think you can hit me on the Mysterious Immortal Sect’s turf?”
”Congratulations...” A sharp gleam suddenly burst from Liu Xingchang’s eyes.
”You guessed right!” Before his sentence was even finished, Liu Xingchang’s fist had already slammed into the Protector’s stomach with brutal force.
”Bang!” The Protector’s body flew backward like a cannonball, crashing into two Mysterious Immortal Sect disciples.
The abrupt turn of events raised eyebrows in surprise among the onlookers.
”Huh... Does this fellow not realize whose ground he’s on?”
Xia Changge watched Liu Xingchang with a curious gaze, noting that this young man was indeed someone who could pique one’s interest. Yet, while Liu Xingchang’s actions were satisfyingly bold, without a plan to save his own skin, such behavior was nothing short of foolish.
Xia Changge was keen to find out whether Liu Xingchang was merely a reckless individual with misguided bravery or a true hero with both courage and strategy.
As the green-robed Protector was sent flying by Liu Xingchang’s punch, the disciples and Protectors of the Mysterious Immortal Sect immediately showed their displeasure, leaping into action one after another.
“Liu Xingchang! You’ve got some nerve, attacking a member of our Mysterious Immortal Sect on our own turf!”
“Today, we’re going to show you the proper way to conduct yourself!”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the disciples and Protectors, weapons at the ready, surged forward.