Offended Someone?

Offended Someone?...

Qin Wentian's eyes ignited with curiosity at the mention of sparring. Sparring? He couldn't help but scrutinize the young lady who stood before them, her aura brimming with innate arrogance and nobility, like that of an elevated, untouchable princess. Her alabaster skin and exquisite features only served to accentuate her status, setting her apart from the mundane masses.

This air did bear a resemblance to Ouyang Kuangsheng, and also to Yang Fan.

At only eighteen years old, the young lady possessed the cultivation of the fifth level of Yuanfu. She radiated vitality akin to a scorching sun, her proud demeanor casting an immediate aura of remoteness upon those around her.

Even her fiery ember-steed sported a pair of wings on its back. Every aspect of the young lady exuded extraordinariness. It was evident that her standing within the Ouyang Clan far exceeded that of the two young cultivators and even the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign dispatched to Qiyun for recruitment.

But why sparring? Did she intend to test their combat prowess or perhaps temper her own skills? And the young man who had been her sparring partner earlier, despite sustaining injuries, maintained a serene smile. It seemed such encounters were common among transcendent powers.

While some might consider such defeats a stain on their pride and opt to forfeit the chance of entering the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, others wouldn't hesitate to invest everything for such an opportunity. With talent in hand, they could scale the ranks and ascend like the two young cultivators bearing the name 'Ouyang.' That status alone granted them dominion over Qiyun, making even the high princes of the realm tread lightly in their presence.

This brought to mind the lofty stature of individuals like Luo Qianqiu—simply because of their association with the Nine Mystical Palace. Demon-level prodigies like Chu Tianjiao and Sikong Mingyue, didn't they all consider eligibility for entry into the Nine Mystical Palace the pinnacle of pride? However, if granted entry, their external status would diminish. They would be relegated to the lower rungs, beholden to the commands of others.

Such was the path of cultivation.

In a swift motion, a fiery red whip lashed out. Qin Wentian's eyes narrowed, but he quickly realized the attack wasn't aimed at him—it was aimed at his sidekick, Fan Le. Reacting with agility, Fatty narrowly evaded the whip's strike.

"Crackle..."

The long whip cracked against the ground, its resonating snap echoing through the air. A glint of icy determination flickered in the young lady's eyes as she fixed her gaze on Fan Le. "If your wandering eyes dare to stray again, I'll pluck them out for you. Mingyue, take them to the waiting area."

With her command delivered, she swung her whip, and her ember-steed surged into the sky, heading toward an unknown destination. Fan Le winced; he had reined in his impulses only because they were in the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan. He had merely stolen a brief glance at the lady's face and, well, perhaps a tad more at her ample bosom. But who would have guessed that such a harmless gesture would nearly earn him a whipping? Had they been anywhere else, he'd have openly ogled her.

"What a firebrand," Fan Le muttered, his comment raising eyebrows among the young cultivators escorting them. Even they had to avert their eyes and refrain from gazing at Ouyang Ting when she spoke. It was unexpected that Fan Le would be so audacious.

"Keep your mouth shut," snapped the female cultivator, her voice icy. "You were brought here by us; be mindful not to drag us into your foolishness."

"Teach these newcomers the rules," added the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign, before sweeping his sleeves dismissively and departing. The petty squabbles of the younger generation held no interest for him.

"Now that you're here, mind your words and conduct," the young man interjected coldly. He turned and started to walk away. "Follow me."

Qin Wentian patted Fan Le on the shoulder, signaling for him to hold his tongue. Fan Le merely shrugged, refraining from further sardonic remarks.

"Miss Ting comes from the direct line of descent, placing her far above us all. Moreover, she's a fervent cultivator who relishes sparring against opponents," the young man continued, his tone level. "If you're clever, you'll seize this chance to spar with her. Gaining her recognition could elevate your chances of being granted the surname 'Ouyang,' placing you on par with us."

"But here's the catch," he added, "when you spar with Miss Ting, give it your all. If you manage to force her to exert herself, she'll be pleased. However, don't lay a finger on her. Got it?"

The implication was clear: win, but not at the expense of harming her.

"Why not offer this golden opportunity to others?" Fan Le glanced at Thirteen and the rest, his tone nonchalant.

"I've heard that you two excel in combat, beyond the ordinary. That's why I've chosen to extend this chance to you. If you fail to recognize an opportunity when it knocks, don't lament your loss later," the young man responded coldly. He led them to another expansive area, where buildings clustered closely together and several people were already gathered.

Most were from the younger generation, engrossed in simultaneous sparring sessions.

"Here in this area, strength does the talking. You three can go find yourselves a spot," the young man instructed Qin Wentian's group before turning to the others. "The rest, follow me."

And with that, he practically abandoned Qin Wentian, Fan Le, and Chu Mang right where they stood.

"Where are we supposed to go?" Fan Le grumbled discontentedly.

"Let's explore," Qin Wentian suggested, hoisting Little Rascal. They headed toward the sparring zones. But after a while, Qin Wentian exchanged glances with Fan Le, signaling that they should double back.

Someone was shadowing their movements!

With his heart sense extended, Qin Wentian realized that every building was already occupied by people. The young man's act of leaving them here hinted at his ulterior motives.

"Newcomers?" a round-faced man approached, pausing when he saw Qin Wentian and his companions.

"Yes, could we ask you a few questions?" Qin Wentian nodded.

"Of course." The round-faced man strolled to a nearby grassy patch and settled down, offering a friendly smile to the trio. "We might be rivals in the future."

"What do you mean?" Fan Le inquired.

"Are you unaware of the rules? Countless cultivators aspire to join the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan. Merely arriving here doesn't secure your place among them. They group individuals of the same cultivation level together in a region and employ elimination matches to determine who advances. It's a ruthless process, but only by overcoming these trials can one earn the 'Ouyang' name," the round-faced man explained.

"They're willing to give up their original surnames to become 'Ouyang'?" Fan Le questioned.

"No, it doesn't entail relinquishing one's true surname to adopt the 'Ouyang' clan name. It's a status—a recognition that you're officially part of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan. You gain access to potent cultivation arts, innate techniques, and guidance from masters who help with your progress. You might even become a disciple of these experts and ascend through the clan hierarchy, possibly attaining core disciple status. At that point, your rank could surpass even some direct bloodline members," the round-faced man elucidated.

"All the cultivators here possess exceptional talents and lofty goals. Some, even without Ouyang lineage, exhibit potential that the Ouyang Clan seeks to integrate. Of course, if their aptitude falls short, they might choose to leave in silence, though that's quite embarrassing," he added.

"Can the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan compel people to stay, or can they leave freely?" Qin Wentian queried.

"Of course, but those who've come this far desire a better future. Who'd easily abandon that? The Ouyang Aristocrat Clan doesn't need to force anyone. Before becoming core members, no one will care about where you want to go," the round-faced man replied.

"Hmm, are you acquainted with Miss Ting?" Qin Wentian inquired again, and the round-faced young man's eyes brightened. He surveyed the surroundings before speaking in a hushed tone, "Ouyang Ting holds a lofty position in the Ouyang Clan, but she's also known for her impulsive and headstrong nature. She enjoys challenging others to spar, but if her opponents are too weak, she humiliates them and might even inflict severe injuries. This often drives them to leave. Those stronger than her must hold back and 'play' along, lest they provoke her anger or that of other Chosen, which would lead to dire consequences."

"Anger?" Qin Wentian probed further, but the round-faced young man dismissed the topic with a wave of his hand. He then whispered, "Just be cautious, and keep this information to yourselves. Lastly, pray for your own luck."

The round-faced young man's eyes held a trace of sympathy as he looked at Qin Wentian's group. His words triggered a chilling glint in the eyes of Qin Wentian and Fan Le. It appeared the young man had intentionally guided them to this situation, hoping they'd meet an unfortunate fate.

"Have you met Ouyang Kuangsheng?"

"I've only heard that he's a direct bloodline member and holds an esteemed status in the clan. If all goes as planned, he might even ascend to a leadership position. Rumor has it that he's quite bold and free-spirited. Unfortunately, despite spending half a year here, I haven't crossed paths with him."

Qin Wentian's expression turned wistful. He had come to the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan with the intention of reuniting with his good friend. Yet, little did he know the Ouyang Clan was so expansive that finding him would be an arduous task. Nevertheless, he felt genuinely happy upon learning of Ouyang Kuangsheng's high standing.

"Could you assist us in finding accommodations?" Qin Wentian asked with a smile.

"How did you manage to stir up trouble so quickly? Well, you can temporarily stay in my courtyard," the round-faced young man offered amiably. Qin Wentian and his companions accepted his invitation with gratitude.

However, when they attempted to leave the Ouyang Clan, they were abruptly stopped.

"What's going on? We're not allowed to leave?" Fan Le stared coldly at the person blocking their path. "We were informed that until becoming core members, our movements wouldn't be restricted."

"For now, the three of you don't have the liberty to move around freely," the person blocking them replied. Frowning, Qin Wentian questioned, "Why not?"

"I've heard that Miss Ting intends to spar with you all tomorrow," the man replied straightforwardly.

"When will we be allowed to leave then?" Qin Wentian's voice turned icy.

"After the sparring match," came the equally frosty response. Qin Wentian sighed, then turned away with a glint of determination in his eyes. What was happening? Who had they offended? But who could it possibly be?

She wanted to use them as sparring partners? Well, he was more than ready!

Indeed, on the second morning since their arrival, the same young man and woman came to escort them to the training grounds. Qin Wentian noticed that they weren't the only newcomers; there were others present as well. After a while, a figure on an ember-steed appeared, flying through the air from the Ouyang Castle's entrance. Ouyang Ting wasn't alone; she was accompanied by several individuals from the Ouyang Clan, all emanating an air of exceptional status. Clearly, they were from the direct bloodline.

Ouyang Ting wore a calm smile. "Lately, my sparring partners have been rather disappointing. If you've come to see me lose, you might be in for a letdown."

"We didn't come to mock you. Ouyang Kuangsheng's progress has been astonishing. At this rate, he'll outshine all of us," one of the young women by her side commented with a frown.

"Hmph, he's older than us. Trust me, there's nothing extraordinary about him," Ouyang Ting retorted with a cold snort, though her eyes betrayed a hint of unease. After all, they were all part of the same generation; that unpredictable guy wasn't someone to provoke lightly!