Chapter 45: Mistaken for a Thief...

The appointed time had arrived.

Bai Feiyu wrapped himself tightly from head to toe, afraid of being recognized, and crept toward the place where he had agreed to meet Ziyan.

Since he had made a promise to the Hawk Alliance, Bai Feiyu naturally intended to keep his word.

Even so, it was still necessary to avoid suspicion—he must not let others think he had anything to do with the Hawk Alliance.

During these past days, thanks to those spirit stones, Bai Feiyu had already advanced his cultivation to the fifth level of the Haoqi Realm. Such strength was already quite impressive even among the inner disciples.

Within the Gui Xu Sect.

Quite a few inner disciples watched curiously as this strangely dressed fellow passed by. He seemed almost allergic to daylight, so thoroughly wrapped up that no skin showed; such attire was truly unprecedented.

"Hey, what are you up to? Don’t tell me you’re here to steal from the inner sect?"

"Everyone, be careful these days. If this thief dares walk so openly, he probably has something up his sleeve."

"Should we report him to the elders?"

...

Disciples passing by pointed at Bai Feiyu and accused him loudly.

This left Bai Feiyu rather embarrassed. If not for fear of exposing his identity, he would have liked to slap these people.

Especially since some disciples really seemed about to report him to the elders, which made Bai Feiyu panic. He hastily quickened his pace and fled in a hurry.

After all, if he were really caught by the elders at a time like this, rumors would surely spread in the sect saying that, despite his wealth, he still resorted to theft.

Such rumors would be utterly devastating to his reputation.

"Hey, stop! Who are you? Why are you here?"

At that moment, a handsome senior brother suddenly appeared in front of Bai Feiyu, pointing his longsword at him.

"What shady thing have you done? Speak! Or I’ll take you straight to the elders!"

This senior brother spoke with great authority.

"Senior Brother Xiao Jian has stepped in—now this thief is in trouble."

"Senior Brother Xiao Jian is truly impressive. Ranked sixth on the Heavenly Roll, no one can match that aura."

"I’ve heard Senior Brother Xiao Jian detests evil all his life. This thief is really unlucky to run into him."

A group of inner disciples whispered and pointed, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Bai Feiyu was speechless at their words.

He’d really been mistaken for a thief—at this rate, he might not get away. And if he didn’t, the Hawk Alliance would think he had broken the agreement, which would be hard to explain.

How could he possibly justify this? How would he explain that he wasn’t courting trouble, or that he hadn’t deliberately disguised himself as a thief just to run into Xiao Jian?

Wouldn’t it seem he simply didn’t want to keep his promise?

At this, Bai Feiyu became frustrated. In the next instant, his cultivation erupted, and he darted away with astonishing speed.

Though it wasn’t the most honorable action... at least he was so tightly wrapped that no one could tell who he was.

“Trying to run, are you?!”

Seeing Bai Feiyu flee, Xiao Jian was both shocked and furious. His sword flashed like a white crane, turning into a streak of white light as he gave chase.

He clearly wasn’t backing down.

However, though Xiao Jian was formidable, Bai Feiyu excelled most at agility and speed.

Within moments, Bai Feiyu had left Xiao Jian far behind.

“Damn it! Who is this guy? He’s actually that powerful!”

Having failed to catch the thief, Xiao Jian was clearly enraged. What he hated most in life was this kind of person, and now one had slipped away right under his nose.

It felt as if his very Dao heart had been challenged.

A collective gasp swept the crowd—no one had expected that, right before Senior Brother Xiao Jian’s eyes, the thief would escape.

It seemed they would have to keep all their valuables on their person for now—who knew when this mysterious thief might strike again?

And... some weren’t entirely sure he was just a thief.

If not, then he must be a robber—and that was even more terrifying.

The disciples watching from around the sect all made up their minds: until this matter was resolved, they would always stay with a crowd, never alone, lest they fall victim to this formidable fellow.

Bai Feiyu had no idea that, after he left, the disciples’ imaginations ran wild.

Today’s farcical incident set off a wave of rumors; very soon, the entire inner sect would be abuzz with tales of a powerful flying thief, spreading unease among all.

...

Bai Feiyu arrived at a small grove outside the Gui Xu Sect.

There, Ziyan, Liu Qing, and several Hawk Alliance members he did not recognize were waiting for him.

These Hawk Alliance members all shared one trait: most wore proud, aloof expressions.

They held their faces as if everyone owed them spirit stones.

Bai Feiyu sighed. It seemed these Hawk Alliance members had come today for the sake of showing off.

"So, you’re Bai Feiyu?"

A tall, thin youth, hawk-eyed and sharp, fixed Bai Feiyu with an intimidating gaze.

"That’s right," Bai Feiyu replied, unmoved by the youth’s attitude.

He was, after all, a well-known figure in the sect—why should this guy look at him as if he were an ant?

"Senior Brother Liu Guang, this is Junior Brother Bai Feiyu..." Liu Qing began to explain to the thin youth, but before he could finish, Liu Guang suddenly attacked.

In an instant, a powerful gale surged, golden divine light blazing from Liu Guang as he shot forward like a sword, throwing a punch at Bai Feiyu.

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, Bai Feiyu responded—a dragon’s roar echoed between heaven and earth, and it was as if a golden dragon surged from within him. His strength exploded, and he met Liu Guang’s punch head-on, showing no intention of backing down.

Since the other party had chosen to attack without a word, Bai Feiyu would show them he was not to be underestimated.

Bang!

The impact from their clash sent shockwaves rippling outward; both Bai Feiyu and Liu Guang staggered back several steps before regaining their balance.

A look of surprise flickered in Liu Guang’s eyes.

"No wonder you were able to kill Li Zikun. I was in closed-door cultivation at the time and thought it was just a rumor," Liu Guang said, staring at Bai Feiyu. "Turns out, you really do have some skill."

"Senior Brother Liu Guang, let’s all calm down—there’s no need to fight!" Liu Qing hurried forward to mediate, shooting Bai Feiyu a meaningful look.

For Liu Qing knew that just now, Liu Guang had not used his full strength; it had merely been a test.

Had Liu Guang truly gone all out, Bai Feiyu might have found it very hard to withstand.