Chapter 33: The Dark Sect Reemerges

Three months later, Xiao Nanfeng turned seventeen. He had thought that the skeletons would leave after a while, but despite the incense offerings changing over a hundred times, Lady Rouge remained relentless, sitting in his room until dawn each day. This had tested his spirit greatly, but thankfully, his daily study of Daoist scriptures, combined with the sound of the zither, had led to a significant enhancement of his soul power.

"Nanfeng, it's raining! Why aren't you coming in to avoid the rain?" came the voice of Little Rain urging him.

Xiao Nanfeng slowly opened his eyes and looked at Little Rain, who was playing the zither not far away.

"The zither sounds so beautiful; I naturally became entranced. Senior Sister's skills are getting better and better!" Xiao Nanfeng praised as he walked under the eaves.

"Of course! I will master my master's zither skills sooner or later. Once you reach the Innate Realm and begin refining your soul, I'll help you cultivate with my music," Little Rain said proudly.

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Xiao Nanfeng smiled, not elaborating further.

Just as they were chatting and laughing, a young man holding an umbrella approached.

"Nanfeng Senior Brother, Little Rain Senior Sister," the young man said respectfully.

"Hmm?" Little Rain looked at the unfamiliar young man in confusion, clearly not recognizing him.

"Nanfeng Senior Brother, do you remember me?" the young man asked with a polite smile.

"You are…" Xiao Nanfeng said, puzzled but vaguely recalling the person.

"On the day of taking disciples, we both fell into an illusion at the Hall of Invoking Immortals plaza during the test. It was Nanfeng Senior Brother who led us to escape from the skeletons. I am Chen Ran, here to thank you for saving my life."

"It was just a small matter," Xiao Nanfeng remembered now.

"I'm currently assisting Zhao Yuanjiao Senior Brother, and I'm here on his order to invite you," Chen Ran added.

"Zhao Yuanjiao? What does he want with Nanfeng?" Little Rain's expression darkened at the mention of Zhao Yuanjiao.

Though Zhao Yuanjiao was also a disciple of Elder Ku, Little Rain found him disagreeable.

"Three months ago, we captured Tang Xiaoyi, Ma Shan, and others. They've been detained for interrogation, but this group of Dark Sect spies remained stubborn until yesterday when they finally started to talk. It seems they mentioned you, Senior Brother Nanfeng, so Zhao Senior Brother wants to invite you to assist with the interrogation," Chen Ran explained.

"Ma Shan? Tang Xiaoyi? They're still alive? And they've been interrogated for so long? Why not use extreme measures to scare them into talking?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, puzzled.

"Uh?" Chen Ran was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

"They've caused the deaths of many Xuan Faction brothers. With such a huge grudge, why bother with their rights? Who's in charge of the interrogation? How outdated!" Xiao Nanfeng wondered.

Chen Ran stared at Xiao Nanfeng in shock, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Nanfeng, actually not all members of the Dark Sect are utterly wicked. Only a few culprits deserve the death penalty; we generally only detain ordinary Dark Sect disciples. As for Ma Shan and the others, I suspect they haven't definitively been proven to be the culprits behind the deaths of our brothers," Little Rain explained.

"Why are we so lenient with the Dark Sect? They've infiltrated my Taiqing Immortal Sect. Just detaining them isn't enough to serve as a warning!" Xiao Nanfeng frowned in confusion.

"You don't know the situation with the Dark Sect?" Little Rain said, her expression strange.

"Uh, what situation?" he asked.

"The Dark Sect, also known as Taiqing Dark Sect!" Little Rain revealed.

"Taiqing Dark Sect? Wait, we are Taiqing Immortal Sect, and they are Taiqing Dark Sect? Does that mean there's some connection?" Xiao Nanfeng couldn't help but ask.

"You guessed right. The Dark Sect's upper echelons used to be members of our Taiqing Immortal Sect. It's said that after a catastrophe two hundred years ago, they split from Taiqing Immortal Sect due to differing philosophies, which is when they founded the Taiqing Dark Sect. Since they both belong to the same lineage, most disciples don't harbor hatred, and the high-ups of both sects prefer not to have internal strife, hence they show each other leniency. Only those who are truly evil are executed; most are just detained," Little Rain explained.

"Is it really like that?" Xiao Nanfeng looked intrigued.

"Nanfeng Senior Brother, when will you set off?" Chen Ran asked respectfully.

"Why doesn't Zhao Yuanjiao come himself? Does he think Nanfeng is someone who can be summoned at will? Go tell Zhao Yuanjiao that if he wants Nanfeng's help, he should come to invite him himself," Little Rain interjected, helping Xiao Nanfeng refuse.

"Nanfeng Senior Brother, Zhao Senior Brother is currently unavailable. He gave me a jade pendant, saying that if you were reluctant, I should immediately show it to Elder Ku to convey the importance of the matter and have Elder Ku persuade you," Chen Ran said with a苦笑, taking out a jade pendant.

"Nanfeng, don't worry about it. Let Zhao Yuanjiao come personally. Hmph, does he think he can pressure you with Master? How do we know if this is genuine? We're not falling for that!" Little Rain interrupted.

Xiao Nanfeng thought for a moment and said, "I should go just this once. Zhao Yuanjiao knows my identity and wouldn't dare to make things difficult for me. Moreover, Master just went into seclusion; I shouldn't disturb him over such a trivial matter."

"Fine!" Little Rain still looked somewhat unwilling.

It was early spring, and the icy rain pattered on the umbrella, making one feel the chill of spring even more.

Along the way, Chen Ran was quite chatty, sharing gossip about the island, and they wandered further into the wilderness.

"Nanfeng Senior Brother, just over that mountain is our destination. Thank you so much this time; otherwise, I wouldn't know how to report back to Zhao Senior Brother," Chen Ran expressed his gratitude.

"Do you often receive guidance from Zhao Senior Brother in your training?" Xiao Nanfeng suddenly asked.

"Thanks to Zhao Senior Brother's guidance, I finally reached the tenth level of the Acquired Realm recently. He often praises you, Nanfeng Senior Brother," Chen Ran replied with a polite smile.

Xiao Nanfeng's smile froze, and his eyes narrowed as he focused on Chen Ran.

Zhao Yuanjiao praised me? Are you kidding? Just a few days ago, Zhao Yuanjiao came to visit Master and looked at me with a wary expression. Would he really praise me?

In an instant, Xiao Nanfeng sensed something was off.

Just because Chen Ran is a familiar face, I believed him?

"Nanfeng Senior Brother, please hurry…" Chen Ran politely urged.

But in response to Chen Ran was a massive fist. Chen Ran's pupils constricted as he suddenly threw out a punch.

With a loud bang, their fists collided, both of them pushed back, and the umbrella in their hands shattered under the tremendous force.

"You really have a problem!" Xiao Nanfeng's expression darkened.

If not for Chen Ran being prepared, that punch could have knocked him unconscious.

Chen Ran's expression also darkened: "How did you notice the flaw?"

Xiao Nanfeng didn't explain but coldly questioned, "Even if you are a Dark Sect spy, I saved your life, yet you repay kindness with enmity?"

"What of repaying kindness with enmity? I thank you for saving me that day, but I have orders I must follow. Since you've followed me here, don't think of leaving," Chen Ran replied without shame, coldly blocking Xiao Nanfeng's escape.

"Orders? Who else is above you? Who set up this trap to deceive me today?" Xiao Nanfeng asked sternly.

"Trying to extract information from me? Ha, wait until I capture you; then I'll tell you," Chen Ran sneered, stepping on the ground and shattering a stone slab as he lunged at Xiao Nanfeng like a cheetah. With another bang, their fists collided again, forcing Xiao Nanfeng to retreat three steps before stabilizing himself, while Chen Ran only took one step back.

"Such strength! I'm at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm, yet I'm only slightly stronger than you? You're at the ninth level of the Acquired Realm? No, you cultivate pure Yang true energy; you're only at the eighth level of the Acquired Realm?" Chen Ran exclaimed in surprise.

"That's enough to beat you!" Xiao Nanfeng surged forward.

"Is that so?" Chen Ran mocked, charging forward.

Bang! Bang! Two loud crashes echoed as their fists and elbows clashed, both of them locked in a stalemate. Suddenly, Xiao Nanfeng's fist transformed into an afterimage while another fist struck towards Chen Ran's face.

"What is this!?" Chen Ran exclaimed as he saw the approaching fist.

With a sudden crash, the fist hit, sending Chen Ran flying against a large stone. As he got up, his face was covered in blood, his nose broken, looking utterly tragic.

Xiao Nanfeng did not relent, leaping forward like a fierce tiger.

"Dominance Fist, Shadow Kill Technique? I was just careless! How could you possibly defeat me when you're two levels lower?" Chen Ran charged in with a dark expression.

"Didn't Tang Xiaoyi tell you? When I fought Chen Hai last time, I jumped two levels!" Xiao Nanfeng countered, launching another punch that manifested four afterimages of his fist. Chen Ran suddenly became confused, unsure which two fists to block.

"Boom!"

Chen Ran was sent flying once more, crashing into a large stone, bloodied and dazed as he struggled to rise.

"You really are relentless! Why does your Dark Sect always target me? Why can't you choose someone else? Since you've plotted against me, today you'll pay the price. The sect may show you leniency, but I have never been merciful to my enemies," Xiao Nanfeng's eyes glinted with cold fury.

With a swift kick, he aimed straight for Chen Ran's head.

"Don't!"

With a loud crash, Chen Ran narrowly dodged, but Xiao Nanfeng's leg whip broke his right arm with a sickening crack, sending him tumbling into a pile of rubble.

"Help! Someone! Please!" Chen Ran screamed in agony.

Xiao Nanfeng watched, expressionless. A Dark Sect spy still dares to cry for help? This guy is even more shameless than Tang Xiaoyi!