Chapter 24: Just an Outer Sect Disciple

Chapter 24: Just an Outer Sect Disciple

Su Wanning learned about Xiao Chen’s breakthrough to the sixth layer of Foundation Building the day after returning from the Feihong Mountains.

“He’s awakened again? Hmph!”

After a brief moment of shock, she smirked smugly. She’d already figured out Xiao Chen’s secret—some ancient legacy technique that dramatically accelerated cultivation. This explained why he’d needed to hoard spirit stones before breaking through. The truth was clear: those spirit stones were the cost of using the secret method.

Such techniques weren’t particularly rare. From what Su Wanning knew from family records, they usually had two major flaws. First, while granting cultivation speeds multiples of ordinary practitioners, they consumed dozens of times more resources—a poor tradeoff overall. Second, relying on external forces often led to stunted growth, making future bottlenecks between major realms even harder to overcome.

But these were problems for Xiao Chen to face. Su Wanning was already plotting how to use these weaknesses to forge a deeper alliance, making him willingly join the Su family. From her research, Xiao Chen only had a basic Green Gourd artifact, leaving him lacking in three key areas: magic artifacts, spirit stones, and realm-breaking elixirs. She’d simply target these vulnerabilities.

After preparing for days, Su Wanning confidently arrived at the Second Sub-Academy.

“Senior brother, open up!” she called. Xiao Chen cracked the door. “What’s up, Junior Sister Su?”

“Senior brother, let’s go eat! I’ve reserved the White Jade Restaurant’s signature dishes today.”

“Sorry, Junior Sister, I’m busy. Go without me.”

Though flattered by the invitation, Xiao Chen’s instincts warned him Su Wanning’s motives weren’t simple. He’d learned to trust his gut.

“But Senior Brother, I even brought you a gift! Won’t you at least take a look?”

“Don’t refuse so quickly. I guarantee you’ll find this interesting.”

Su Wanning’s lips curled upward. “Wait—didn’t we just meet yesterday? You’re being unusually generous.”

“Is that so? I hadn’t noticed. To me, we’re already close friends.”

“I don’t think we’re that familiar yet…”

“Then I guess the Green Wood Spirit Essence I collected for you will just have to go to my plants instead.”

Xiao Chen’s ears perked up. Green Wood Spirit Essence—the key ingredient to repairing his Green Gourd! He’d been desperately seeking it, only to find the markets empty since the Divine Flame Cult severed trade routes. The Sui family actually had stockpiles?

“Why not just say you had it all along?” he thought, then quickly changed his tune. “Well, wasting good essence would be a shame. You mentioned dinner? Let’s hurry before it gets cold.”

“Senior Brother, slow down!”

At the White Jade Restaurant’s second floor, Xiao Chen noticed a third person at the table. Beside Su Wanning sat a young man in a blue robe radiating the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation, a sky-blue Flying Sword at his waist. He idly fiddled with a string of agate beads without glancing up.

"This is my second brother, Su Yuanpeng", Su Wanning introduced. "He studies under Elder Qi at Bishui Peak in the sect."

The Lihuo Sect’s five surrounding peaks corresponded to the Five Elements. Inner sect disciples trained at the peak matching their spirit roots. Elder Qi, Bishui Peak’s master, was renowned for water techniques and considered one of the sect’s beauties.

Xiao Chen bowed politely. “Honored to meet you, Senior Brother Su.”

Su Yuanpeng barely lifted his gaze. “You don’t look special. No pretty boy, yet you swindled my sister’s magic artifact?”

“What?” Xiao Chen blinked. Swindled?

Su Wanning stiffened—this wasn’t part of their plan. She’d invited her brother to help recruit Xiao Chen, not start trouble.

“Second Brother, did you start drinking early? There’s a bed in the next room if you need rest,” she suggested, signaling him to leave.

Su Yuanpeng ignored her. “Third Sister, you’re too naive. Don’t let this lowborn climber fool you.” He pointed at Xiao Chen. “I’m here to warn you—stay away from my sister. Don’t think you’re a frog aiming for a swan.”

“I don’t care what tricks you used, forget the past. But if you keep bothering her, I’ll break every bone in your body.”

Su Wanning flushed. “Second Brother, what are you saying? What about my reputation?”

Su Yuanpeng turned to her. “Explain why you suddenly care about this trash with inferior spirit roots after your trial?”

“You lost spirit stones, your artifact, and apparently your sense! You even had someone investigate him. Mother mentioned you asked for Green Wood Spirit Essence. Who was that for?”

Her face darkened. “That’s my private matter. How did you know?”

“Hmph, I have my ways. Admit it—have you fallen for this brat?”

Su Wanning groaned, turning to Xiao Chen. “Senior Brother Xiao, my brother’s clearly mad. Wait a moment.” She yanked Su Yuanpeng out.

Xiao Chen’s instincts proved right—the Green Wood Spirit Essence wouldn’t come easily.

Eavesdropping at the door, he heard Su Yuanpeng sneer, “Sixth layer Foundation Building? Just an outer sect disciple. His luck’s carried him this far.”

Familiar accusations. Since breaking the outer sect’s cultivation speed record, whispers of “luck” had spread across sub-academies. Su Yuanpeng had clearly bought into them.

Su Wanning’s voice was muffled, but Su Yuanpeng’s rose. “What potential? What merits? Can’t say, can you? Did he make you swear secrecy? I’ve seen his type—con artists all.”

“Why invest in him? Why care?”

Footsteps returned. Su Yuanpeng slammed a glass vial on the table. “I’ve got Green Wood Spirit Essence too. Take it if you can.”

“I’ll seal my cultivation at sixth layer Foundation Building. No artifacts—fair fight outside. Lose, or back out, and stay away from my sister forever.”

The challenge seemed unfair—higher cultivators usually dominated. But Xiao Chen’s hex made him unbeatable at equal levels.

“What if I win?” Xiao Chen asked. “Do I get this essence too?”

Su Yuanpeng scoffed. “You win, I’ll give both vials, bow, apologize, and serve you dinner myself.”

“Don’t agree!” Su Wanning urged. “He’s fought same-tier opponents for ten years without losing!”

Su Yuanpeng goaded, “Third Sister, don’t scare him. Add your vial to the prize!”

Xiao Chen nodded. “Deal. Both vials if I win.”

Su Wanning stamped her foot. “Xiao Chen, why did you—”

Su Yuanpeng cut her off. “He agreed himself. Don’t worry—I’ll go easy.”

“I’m coming too!” she declared.

The trio left the bazaar.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end