Chapter 31: The Sect Leader's Promise

Bai Feiyu continued, “The reason I didn’t complete the task before was because Li Zikun went into hiding within a minor sect. That sect, though small, still wields some strength—far beyond what a disciple like myself could handle, so I was unable to kill him. But I was the one who discovered Li Zikun’s whereabouts. If I can defeat him, it should count as me completing the task.”

He explained his reasoning in detail. This was his way to ensure the spirit stones would return to his hands; otherwise, all his previous wagers would have been for nothing. More importantly, he could seize this opportunity to fight Li Zikun before the Sect Master, drawing direct attention to himself.

Upon hearing this, the Sect Master frowned and spoke sternly, “Bai Feiyu, don’t push your luck. The rewards for this mission have already been given to you, and you’re still not satisfied? Now you want to defeat Li Zikun as well? Li Zikun is a formidable cultivator at the ninth level of the Vast Qi Realm—he’s not someone you can contend with. The only reason you haven’t encountered him yet is due to your luck. If you were to face him, you’d have no hope of surviving unless an elder intervened. Besides, if you insist on this duel and lose, not only will your mission rewards be reclaimed, but you’ll also forfeit an entire year’s worth of spirit stones. Do you still wish to proceed?”

As the Sect Master finished, he looked at Bai Feiyu, eyes urging him to withdraw while the outcome was still favorable. He had never encountered such a brazen and ungrateful disciple before. Furthermore, Bai Feiyu was considered a hero of the Sect; if he were forced to duel Li Zikun, what would the other disciples think? Was this truly how they treated their heroes—letting Li Zikun take revenge at will?

An entire year’s cultivation resources were no small matter. The Sect Master still had high hopes for Bai Feiyu, wishing that he would advance and perhaps one day become a core disciple. However, if he lost those resources, Bai Feiyu’s progress would halt for a year, and a genius would be wasted. The Sect had its rules and would not offer extra compensation; no matter Bai Feiyu’s current brilliance, he could be toppled in an instant.

The Sect Master’s sternness was, in truth, for Bai Feiyu’s own good.

“Bai Feiyu is really overreaching—still thinking about such things at a time like this,” some of the inner disciples whispered.

“Doesn’t he fear the Sect Master might get angry and reclaim his spirit stones?”

“If he really fights Li Zikun and loses, let’s see how he explains himself.”

“He found the minor sect’s location by sheer luck and now thinks he’s the chosen one.”

“He’s just arrogant. If he hadn’t been so lucky, if he’d met Li Zikun first, he’d have been doomed.”

The gathered inner disciples mocked Bai Feiyu’s attitude, convinced he was blinded by greed and had lost his sense of place. But Bai Feiyu paid them no mind.

He bowed to the Sect Master and said, “Please, Master, grant me this chance. If I dare to issue this challenge, I have my reasons. I would never willingly ruin my own future; I have my own considerations for all of this.”

His tone was earnest, and for a moment, the Sect Master was taken aback. Bai Feiyu did not seem the sort to act recklessly. Despite his recent achievements—enough to make most disciples’ heads spin—he remained calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Could it be that he truly had a secret weapon against Li Zikun?

“If you are so determined to compete, I will order that Li Zikun’s life be spared during the match. However, if you fail, you must accept the consequences. Are you certain?” the Sect Master asked once more.

“Yes, Master, I have thought this through,” Bai Feiyu replied.

How could he not? The total wagered spirit stones were equivalent to three years’ worth for an inner disciple. Such a fortune would allow his cultivation to soar. How could he be blind to these benefits?

“Since you have made up your mind, I have nothing more to say. I will see to the arrangements. Whether you win or lose, it will depend on your abilities—I hope you’re not just boasting,” the Sect Master declared. With that, he left the Hall of Missions.

He went to oversee the extermination of the minor sect himself, deploying elders and a host of disciples to ensure its complete destruction. This achievement would add greatly to the Sect’s prestige, and the morale within would be bolstered.

After the Sect Master departed, Bai Feiyu ignored the opinions of those around him and went straight to the elders to collect his spirit stones.

“Elder, I’d like to exchange for my spirit stones,” he requested.

“Hey, boy, you must be joking. You’ll only get your spirit stones after the sect wipes out the minor sect and brings back Li Zikun—provided you defeat him. After all, this was your own request. If you lose, the task isn’t considered complete,” the Hall elder replied, eyeing Bai Feiyu as if he were a fool.

Bai Feiyu was speechless. The elder seemed unable to see the bigger picture. The Sect Master’s words were strict, but if Bai Feiyu did lose, he’d surely still receive some symbolic compensation, and when the minor sect was destroyed, he would be further rewarded for his contribution. Did they really think he’d be left with nothing?

Without bothering to argue further with the elder, Bai Feiyu left the Hall and returned to his courtyard. In the coming days, his brothers in the dormitory would sense something amiss as rumors inevitably reached their ears—and this time, the rumors would be true. His friends would no doubt feel uneasy.

Bai Feiyu wondered whether he ought to visit Senior Sister Qianshuang to borrow some spirit stones. After all, his own supply was running low, and without someone to fight, he had no way to collect attributes in the short term.