Chapter Thirty-Nine: At the Gate of the Golden Flame Sect

The plump disciple of the Golden Flame Sect secretly mocked the ignorance of the Jiang Yan Sect's leader, thinking it ridiculous that he didn't even know what was required for registration. His tone was full of dissatisfaction as he said, "Registration? As long as your sect master comes, that's enough. What do you need to bring? Of course, it's spirit stones."

Jiang Yan had already anticipated that upgrading the sect might require spirit stones. However, he had just completed a series of construction tasks, and his reserves were plentiful. Such a trivial matter didn't trouble him in the slightest.

"May I ask how many spirit stones are needed, brother?" Though his supply was abundant, Jiang Yan was cautious. His sect’s resources, the blue-robed talisman soldiers, the great formation, the cultivation grounds, and the spirit beast garden all consumed vast quantities of spirit stones. Moreover, Mount Hua had no reliable income of spirit stones at the moment. So he carefully inquired of the plump disciple how many stones the sect advancement would require.

The disciple’s brows furrowed, as if Jiang Yan’s question had annoyed him. He snapped, "What, kid, acting like you have a lot of spirit stones? Fine. If you can bring out fifty spirit stones right now and call your sect master over, I’ll register your sect advancement on the spot."

Jiang Yan felt a pang of pain in his heart—fifty spirit stones just for a simple registration...

The plump disciple seemed to notice Jiang Yan’s distress and looked at him with blatant disdain. "Kid, no spirit stones and still dreaming of advancing your sect? Go chase your pipe dreams. Get lost, don’t interrupt my leisure. Go gather your fifty spirit stones, scram!"

He turned his pudgy face away and addressed another Golden Flame Sect disciple, "Junior Brother, what kind of people are these from the smaller sects nowadays? Can’t even muster fifty spirit stones, yet they dare think about advancement. Poor to the bone, willing to do anything shabby."

The other disciple scoffed, "Brother Wu, you don’t have the authority to approve sect registration. If this fellow does come up with fifty spirit stones, wouldn’t you be embarrassed?"

Brother Wu’s chubby face jiggled with contempt. "Don’t worry, Junior Brother Bai. There’s no way this kid can produce fifty spirit stones. I’ve seen plenty of disciples from these poverty-stricken sects."

A flash of irritation crossed Junior Brother Bai’s eyes, clearly annoyed by the fat man’s bluster. "Brother Wu, for sect registration at least an elder’s approval is needed, right? I doubt you have any real authority."

The fat disciple scowled at these words, shooting Bai a hostile glance. "Junior Brother Bai, don’t think I’m afraid of you just because you have a Foundation Establishment grand-uncle. I have people backing me too."

Suddenly, Jiang Yan interjected, "Brother, if I can produce fifty spirit stones, can you really approve my sect’s advancement?"

Junior Brother Bai shot Jiang Yan a cold glance, obviously annoyed that his argument with the fat man had been interrupted. "Kid, stand aside. To register for sect advancement, you need your sect master, qualified experts, and enough spirit stones. Even if you have the stones, without your master and top disciples, what use is it?"

The fat disciple also gave Jiang Yan a frosty glare, but his disdain made him dismiss Jiang Yan instantly. He returned to his quarrel with Bai. "Don’t look down on me, Bai. I’m with Senior Brother Xu—he’s not someone you can mess with. If I tell Senior Brother Xu, getting this kid’s sect advanced is no trouble at all."

Junior Brother Bai sneered, "Senior Brother Xu? Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because he supports you. Even he can’t make the final call on sect advancement."

The fat disciple’s face flushed, "Don’t underestimate me, Bai. For Senior Brother Xu, advancing a small sect like this is child’s play."

"Child’s play?" Bai’s handsome face twisted with scorn. "Let’s see you do it, then. I doubt even Senior Brother Xu’s father could manage it! Ha!"

"Don’t get cocky, Bai. You think you’re something just because you have a fifth-level Qi Refining brother and a Foundation Establishment grand-uncle? Senior Brother Xu’s connections are far better. If he helps, this sect could be advanced before dawn," the fat disciple blustered, waving his pudgy fingers as if he longed to slap Bai’s smug face. But he restrained himself—should a real fight break out, not even Senior Brother Xu could protect him.

Bai’s face was full of derision. "‘Naturally can advance’? Nonsense. You really think Senior Brother Xu is someone special? He’s only at sixth-level Qi Refining. My brother is at that stage now too. A mere ant, thinking himself an elephant."

"You, you—" The fat disciple pointed a trembling finger at Bai, so furious he could barely speak. Inside, though, he was shaken—when had Bai Lun advanced again?

Indeed, this Junior Brother Bai was Bai Lun’s younger brother, Bai Da. Thanks to his brother’s status, he’d never had much respect for Senior Brother Xu. Now, with the fat man praising Xu, Bai Da naturally put him down. As for Jiang Yan, Bai Da regarded him much as the fat man did—just another small sect nobody.

A cold snort suddenly sounded in Bai’s ear.

He started in surprise, turning to look toward the west gate of Linqing Prefecture.

At the gate, several young men and women emerged. Leading them was a handsome young man in yellow robes, striding ahead with an imposing presence—none other than Xu Shi of the Golden Flame Sect. Behind him came a group of disciples in purple, among them Zisu Duo’er.

Jiang Yan saw the icy expression on Xu Shi’s face and realized that the “Senior Brother Xu” mentioned by Bai and the fat disciple must be this very man. He was curious—Bai Da dared show such contempt for a sixth-level Qi Refining expert. How would Xu Shi react?

Xu Shi’s face was cold as he walked up to Bai Da and said curtly, "Bai Da, was it you who called me an elephant just now?"

Bai Da’s face turned awkward; he’d been caught mocking Xu Shi behind his back. Still, he couldn’t let his brother lose face.

"Senior Brother Xu, I never said you were an ele—"

But before he could finish, Xu Shi kicked him hard, sending him sprawling.

"Junior Brother Bai, think before you speak. I may have a good temper, but I never hesitate to deal with enemies," Xu Shi said, a cold smile on his lips, his tone thick with irony.

Bai Da spat out a mouthful of blood, a hint of viciousness flashing across his face. "Xu Shi, so you’re tough. But did I say anything wrong? Can you get this kid’s sect registered tonight? Can you do it right now? You can’t, can you?"

Xu Shi’s smile grew mocking. He stepped closer, crouched in front of Bai Da, and patted his face. "Whether I can or not isn’t for you to say. Neither your useless brother nor your grand-uncle gets a say, understand?"

A flurry of slaps rang out as Xu Shi struck Bai Da’s face.

A look of malice flickered on Bai Da’s face. "Xu Shi, insult my grand-uncle and he won’t let you off."

Xu Shi was unfazed. "Bai Da, remember—you’re not Bai Lun, and certainly not—"

...

Duo’er squeezed out of the circle of senior sisters and made her way to Jiang Yan. Standing on tiptoe, she glanced up at him and waved. "Hey! Hey, you rascal!"

Jiang Yan turned around in surprise and saw the lively girl beckoning to him. He smiled wryly, wondering why she seemed so attached to him.

Reluctantly taking a few steps back, he looked at the solemn-faced girl and asked, "What is it, Miss Duo’er?"

Duo’er was all seriousness. Her bouncing had knocked the hilt of her sword askew on her back. "What do you mean, what? Didn’t you see Senior Brother Xu fighting with Junior Brother Bai? How could you dare go over there? Those Golden Flame Sect disciples are not to be trifled with. We just had a meal in Linqing, and you went straight to the Golden Flame Sect?"

Jiang Yan smiled wryly; this girl seemed not to treat him as an outsider, but he rather liked her frankness and answered her question, "I came to the Golden Flame Sect on business, to register for my sect’s advancement. I thought I’d try my luck tonight—if all goes well, I’ll head back tonight."

Duo’er continued to scold him, "Even so, you shouldn’t get involved in their quarrel. Did you see how ruthless Senior Brother Xu is? That disciple’s face is bleeding. If Xu Shi takes a shot at you, you’ll be the one bleeding next."

Jiang Yan shook his head with a wry smile. Duo’er really was talkative. He was about to cut her off when suddenly a thunderous snort echoed by his ear.

Immediately, an overwhelming spiritual pressure descended from the sky. Jiang Yan’s legs nearly buckled under the weight.

Thanks to the generous support of "Solitary Fisherman on a Snowy River," and to all those who have shown their appreciation—my heartfelt gratitude. I bow to you all.