As outer disciples in the inner sect’s joint training, Ling Xiao and his companions’ treatment was a far cry from their time in the outer sect.
In the outer sect, they were elites, each with their own cave dwelling and no menial chores.
But in the inner sect, the three were crammed under one roof.
Not a cave dwelling, but a wooden shack meant for slaves.
It was a blatant message: outer disciples in the inner sect were no different from slaves.
When they reached their lodging, they found Zhao Zhi, Zhao Ci, and Dai Yuling waiting.
Having recently joined the inner sect, they’d only just learned about the joint training.
Zhao Zhi and Zhao Ci, who’d advanced quickly, hadn’t experienced it as outer disciples.
But in the inner sect, they’d heard of its brutality—for outer disciples.
Some returned so demoralized they lost all will to cultivate.
They were here to warn Ling Xiao.
Given their close ties—especially Dai Yuling, a life-and-death friend—they felt compelled.
“I already know what you’re going to say. Elder Bai nagged me plenty before I left,” Ling Xiao said before they could speak. “You know me. I don’t act without confidence. Relax.”
“Tch, pretty cocky, aren’t you?”
A discordant voice cut in.
“Jian Renwang!” Xiao Yan shouted.
“What? Cheap Man King?”
Ling Xiao marveled at the name’s audacity.
“Cough, Senior Brother Ling, it’s ‘Jian’ as in sword. He’s from my clan, but far more talented. His cultivation’s probably late Mortal Realm first level now,” Xiao Yan explained with a wry smile.
“Oh, ‘sword’ Jian. Still, he seems pretty cheap to me,” Ling Xiao sneered. “I’m talking with my friends. What’s it to you? Don’t you know manners?”
“Hahaha, I heard the outer sect’s Ling Xiao was bold, hiding behind Guanghan Heavenly Venerable’s skirt to kill inner disciples. Seeing you today, you’re as arrogant as they say,” Jian Renwang laughed loudly. “When Xiao Yan first came for joint training, he was cocky too. Took two days to tame him. Kid, know your place!”
Ling Xiao smiled. “I once met another ‘Renwang.’ Wan Renwang, I think. But such a name isn’t for commoners like you. Guess his fate?”
“Don’t compare me to secular trash!” Jian Renwang roared.
Ling Xiao continued, unfazed. “I crippled his martial arts and took his martial soul. He’s a waste now, but that spared him.”
Wan Renwang, crippled, hadn’t joined Wan Ben’s attack on Tianfeng City, escaping death by luck—otherwise, he’d be another of Ling Xiao’s victims.
“Shut up!” Jian Renwang bellowed.
“You think I’ll shut up just because you say so?” Ling Xiao said coolly.
“You really don’t get it. As an outer disciple, we inner disciples couldn’t touch you due to sect rules, no matter how much we disliked you. But now, in joint training, you *must* spar with us. It’s called training!”
Jian Renwang calmed, smirking at Ling Xiao. “Right here, right now, you must accept my sparring challenge, or it’s a sect rule violation!”
“Spar with you? What’s the rule? And what’s the reward for winning?”
Ling Xiao had expected trouble during the training. He hated dealing with challengers one by one, so since Jian Renwang had stepped up, he’d make an example of him.
Let the inner sect know Ling Xiao wasn’t a soft target anyone could bully.
But a spar without rewards held little appeal.
“The rules are simple. Per sect regulations, joint-training outer disciples must accept at least three inner disciple sparring challenges daily, as long as they’re physically able. Refusal means expulsion.”
What a tyrannical rule—treating outer disciples like less than human.
“In combat, no killing or causing severe disability. If violated, outer disciples face death. Inner disciples lose three months’ stipend and face three months’ confinement.”
Hm?
What kind of rule was that?
An inner disciple killing or crippling an outer disciple got a slap on the wrist—three months’ stipend and confinement?
But an outer disciple doing the same faced death?
The Yuehua Sect truly didn’t value outer disciples’ lives.
No wonder the outer sect’s status was so low.
Perhaps to the sect’s higher-ups, the outer sect existed to boost inner disciples’ confidence, serve as punching bags, and train them.
They likely believed true geniuses had already been selected by elders, so losing the outer sect entirely wouldn’t matter.
Cruel and biased.
No wonder so many fought to enter the inner sect.
“Fine, I get the rules. What’s the stake?”
Though Xiao Yan and Lin Feng looked ready to cry, Ling Xiao remained calm.
The rules were unfair, but with his control over true essence, he could defeat and injure opponents without killing or crippling them—child’s play.
He was more interested in the stakes.
“Heh, if you lose, all three of you become my slaves for life!” Jian Renwang sneered.
“Sorry, I can only decide for myself. I accept, but I can’t speak for my two junior brothers,” Ling Xiao said, shrugging.
“We agree too!”
Xiao Yan and Lin Feng exchanged a glance, making a bold decision.
It wasn’t reckless.
Based on their understanding of Ling Xiao, his ability to block multiple soul attacks outside the main hall suggested he could defeat a peak Mortal Realm first-level martial artist.
What were the odds?
Maybe fifty percent?
Sixty?
It was a risk worth taking.
Ling Xiao glanced at them, surprised, then smiled and turned to Jian Renwang. “How about this: if you lose, you give us your cave dwelling to stay in for a few days?”
“Hahaha, you think you’ll get my cave dwelling?” Jian Renwang roared with laughter. “Deal! But you’re in for disappointment, because I’m no ordinary inner disciple!”
