I forge immortality with a pagoda.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu smiled and said, "So it turns out that you two junior brothers have a past with Fairy Yue Ling."

"I am new to this place, and I am very pleased that my two junior brothers have come to visit me. I hope that you two will help me out in the future within the sect."

He added, "To be honest, since I entered the sect, I haven't been able to formally pay my respects to Fairy Yueling. Do you two junior brothers know where Fairy Yueling is currently traveling? And how long will it take for her to return to the sect?"

"This..." Gu Feizheng and Wei Qingjun exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of embarrassment.

Gu Feizheng replied with a hint of apology, "Senior Brother Shen, we truly do not know of this matter. Senior Sister Yueling's whereabouts are always elusive, and she has not yet announced her return date for this training trip."

Shen Yu nodded slightly, somewhat helplessly, thinking that the matter of breaking through the realm with the help of spiritual veins would have to wait for some time.

Seeing Shen Yu remain silent, Gu Feizheng comforted him, "Senior Brother Shen, please don't worry. Although Senior Sister Yueling has been traveling for several months, she should be back soon. Knowing her personality, since she made a promise with you, she certainly won't forget it."

He changed the subject, his expression becoming serious: "Senior Brother Shen, please don't blame me for being nosy, but there are some things I feel I need to remind you of, so that you can be prepared."

Shen Yu slightly raised his hand and said, "Junior brother, please speak freely."

Gu Feizheng paused for a moment, then said, "I suppose Senior Brother also knows that even a large sect like the Lu Jing Sect is not a monolithic entity, and internal conflicts are inevitable."

Shen Yu nodded slightly, indicating his understanding. Where there are people, there is a world of intrigue; where there are interests, there is conflict. He was naturally aware of this.

"Although Senior Sister Yue Ling is exceptionally talented and highly regarded by the sect leader, she is not the only true disciple in the sect."

"Besides Senior Sister Yue Ling, there is also Xiao Ling from Tianji Peak, Huang Daocheng from Shayun Peak, and Tang Yingu from Xuanxiu Peak, all of whom are true disciples of our sect in this generation."

Wei Qingjun added from the side.

Gu Feizheng nodded, his tone solemn: "In other words, all of these people are qualified to compete for the position of sect leader in the future. Senior Brother Tang Yingu of Xuanxiu Peak is alright; he has a detached nature and is only devoted to cultivation, not involved in sect affairs or power struggles."

"But Xiao Ling of Tianji Peak and Huang Daocheng of Shayun Peak are not like that."

He lowered his voice: "These two not only possess remarkable cultivation and astonishing talent, but more importantly, they have already gathered a group of followers and wield considerable influence within the sect."

"These followers naturally became their reliance in the future struggle for the position of sect leader."

"As the saying goes, I have no intention of harming anyone, but others have intentions of harming me. Although Senior Sister Yue Ling is unwilling to compete with them for anything, being in this vortex, she will inevitably be drawn in."

"Senior Brother Shen, as the person introduced by Senior Sister Yue Ling, you may also be targeted. I hope you will be careful."

Gu Feizheng solemnly reminded him.

Shen Yu nodded slowly with a solemn expression.

He had previously suspected that his placement in the lower courtyard was a covert attempt to delay his cultivation progress.

Gu Feizheng's words at this moment further confirmed what he had in mind.

He remained calm on the surface, simply saying, "Thank you for your guidance, junior brothers. I will be more careful in the future."

Seeing that Shen Yu had agreed, the two felt a little more at ease and reassured.

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the courtyard.

"Hey you, surnamed Shen, get out here! What kind of skill is it to hide in there like a coward? Since you've been granted entry into the sect, you must accept the challenge. Let's see what you're made of!"

Immediately following was Cao Yancheng's anxious voice, "Senior brother, the sect has rules that prohibit private duels in the lower courtyard area. If you insist on sparring, you must issue a challenge in advance and agree on a time to fight in the martial arts arena."

"Rules? What bullshit rules! I can fight whenever I want, why would I need to listen to your rules? You're just a minor cultivator in the Opening Yuan stage, what right do you have to speak here? What are you meddling for! Get out of my way!"

Jin Anping raised his leg and kicked. With a muffled thud, Cao Yancheng let out a short cry of pain and flew back five or six zhang away before crashing heavily to the ground.

Cao Yancheng, covered in dust and dirt, struggled to get up, but was unable to do so due to severe abdominal pain.

The other disciples in the sixteenth courtyard also came out of their rooms upon hearing the noise. They were shocked and furious at the sight before them and immediately surrounded the uninvited guest.

But no one dared to be the first to stand up for him.

Shen Yu, Gu Feizheng, and Wei Qingjun, who were inside the house, also heard the arguing outside.

Gu Feizheng's face immediately darkened, and he cursed angrily, "It's that bastard Jin Anping! Those dogs have a good nose; they've come knocking on our door so quickly!"

A cold glint flashed in Shen Yu's eyes, and he immediately stood up: "Let's go out and take a look."

After saying that, he took the lead and pushed open the door to go out.

Gu Feizheng and Wei Qingjun also had solemn expressions and followed closely behind.

When the three of them stepped out of the room and into the courtyard, they saw Cao Yancheng curled up on the ground, seriously injured.

Two other outer disciples also lay on the side, their faces contorted in pain, groaning softly.

Jin Anping looked completely at ease, not caring at all.

"Jin Anping! You injured a disciple from the lower courtyard without any provocation. What is your intention?!"

Upon seeing this, Gu Feizheng immediately stepped forward and angrily rebuked him.

Jin Anping glanced at him sideways and sneered, "Without any reason? Gu Feizheng, stop spouting nonsense."

"I heard there's a new disciple, so I came to the lower courtyard to pay my respects and make acquaintances, but these clueless bastards have repeatedly blocked my way. Don't you think they deserve a beating?"

He continued, "But you, Gu Feizheng, haven't improved your cultivation much in the past few years, yet you've become increasingly adept at sucking up to powerful figures and acting as a lackey?"

"What, you think you can yell at me just because you've hooked up with Yue Ling?"

"You!" Gu Feizheng was so angry that his face turned red, and he was about to make a move.

Shen Yu patted his shoulder and gestured for him to calm down.

Immediately, Shen Yu stepped forward and said, "Senior brother, the sect rules clearly state that private fights are prohibited in the lower courtyards."

"Junior Brother Cao and the others did nothing wrong by advising against it in accordance with the rules. Your actions of injuring people are unreasonable and violate the rules."

"If you truly wish to spar with Mr. Shen, you can simply issue a challenge according to the rules. Why resort to shouting here and losing your dignity?"

Although Jin Anping was in the wrong, he showed no shame whatsoever.

He sized Shen Yu up and down with interest. "Heh, sharp-tongued. I suppose you're the newcomer, Shen Yu?"

"It is I."

Jin Anping snorted coldly and raised his voice, "Fine, then listen carefully! There is indeed a rule in the sect that any cultivator who enters the sect by virtue of superior true qi can be challenged by all disciples of the same realm within three months of entering the sect."

"If the challenger loses, it proves their foundation is unstable, and they must immediately leave the sect!"

"Of course, if the challenger wins, then the challenger must leave behind a treasure suitable for the Qi Refining Realm."

"You couldn't possibly not know that, could you?"

Jin Anping stared intently at Shen Yu.

......

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