Chapter 30 Fanning the Flames

Even those across from him stared at Zhou Yichen in astonishment.

The other disciples of the Azure Wind Sect glared at Zhou Yichen in anger. One of them stepped forward and sneered, “If you’re so capable, why don’t you go up yourself? Why should Lin Hao always be the one?”

After these words, Zhou Yichen was momentarily speechless, his gaze toward the speaker turning hostile.

When they had first boarded the airship, everyone still held some fear of Zhou Yichen, thanks to his father’s influence. But now, in their eyes, he was nothing short of a traitor. If word of this reached the Azure Wind Sect, even Elder Zhou would not escape punishment.

When trouble befell the Azure Wind Sect, he didn’t step forward; now, he stirred up discord, acting as nothing but a mischief-maker.

Because of this, the others began to rebel against him, their looks toward him growing increasingly impatient and disgusted.

Seeing this, the person beside him tugged at Zhou Yichen’s sleeve, signaling for him to stop speaking such words, casting him meaningful glances.

Yet Zhou Yichen refused to back down. Clearly, just moments ago, everyone had nearly lost hope—if disgrace was to be suffered, it should be shared.

But suddenly, Lin Hao emerged, stealing all the limelight, and Zhou Yichen could not accept it.

If Lin Hao seized this glory, his reputation would surely soar upon their return. That was why Zhou Yichen spoke as he did.

He secretly hoped Lin Hao would fight the opposition again—ideally, that Lin Hao would be killed, which would suit him perfectly.

These thoughts were written all over his face, and the others looked at him with disgust.

Everyone saw through him; the elder paid him no heed, but the Azure Wind Sect disciples could not sit still.

A few of them surrounded Zhou Yichen.

The person beside him, sensing trouble, hurriedly distanced himself. Zhou Hairu and the others noticed, panic flashing in their eyes.

She forced herself to remain calm, staring at those encircling him. “What—what are you doing?”

“What are we doing? Brothers, such a disgrace appears in our Azure Wind Sect—shouldn’t we purge him for the sake of the sect?” With those words, the speaker landed a punch squarely on Zhou Yichen’s face.

A large bruise formed around Zhou Yichen’s eye as he cried out in pain.

The others didn’t speak, but their actions agreed—they rushed forward and gave Zhou Yichen a thorough beating.

He had no chance to fight back. Those who had previously sided with him—one had already retreated, and the other remained unconscious.

The elder did not intervene, merely saying, “Don’t go too far.”

Then, he turned to the beautiful woman opposite him and said, “Since you’ve agreed, I won’t ask for more. As long as you can produce five hundred mid-grade spirit stones today, that will suffice.”

“What? Five hundred! Old fool, are you mad?” The male elder across from him immediately widened his eyes, staring at the Azure Wind Sect elder.

The Azure Wind Sect elder frowned but said nothing, his gaze fixed on the beautiful woman in charge.

She glanced at the elder, considered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well.”

With that, she tossed over a storage pouch.

The Azure Wind Sect elder received the pouch, and the beautiful woman said, “Inside are five hundred mid-grade spirit stones. Let this serve as compensation. Let’s put this matter to rest—no one is to mention it again.”

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“Of course.” The Azure Wind Sect elder took the pouch, checked it, and nodded in satisfaction.

The matter was settled, and it went well enough—his sect’s reputation was preserved, and the other side even paid compensation with so many spirit stones.

Truthfully, when he demanded five hundred, he expected negotiations. Yet the beautiful woman didn’t hesitate and handed them over immediately.

The elder was secretly delighted.

Afterward, seeing the matter resolved, Lin Hao landed back on the airship and said nothing more.

But the beautiful woman turned her gaze to Lin Hao and said, “My offer stands. If you ever find the Azure Wind Sect intolerable, my sect will always welcome you.”

She didn’t wait for Lin Hao’s reply, but swept her sleeves and sailed her airship ahead, putting distance between herself and the Azure Wind Sect.

Lin Hao had no intention of responding.

The other Azure Wind Sect members, however, glared at the departing airship. “Bah, with your lousy sect, nobody would go even if it were free.”

Their elder, after checking the spirit stones, placed three hundred in his own storage ring.

The remaining two hundred, pouch and all, he tossed to Lin Hao. “Lin Hao, you deserve the highest credit today. Consider these your reward.”

Lin Hao accepted without hesitation—it was his rightful prize.

The others watched Lin Hao in envy. Two hundred mid-grade spirit stones, handed over in one go by the elder.

Though envy simmered, there was no dissent. Without Lin Hao, they would have been utterly disgraced.

So no one protested.

Only Zhou Yichen, battered and disheveled, glared at Lin Hao with venomous eyes, furious that Lin Hao was unscathed and richly rewarded.

He plotted his next move—he would kill Lin Hao, and eyed the storage pouch greedily. When his plan succeeded, all of this would be his.

The elder, observing Lin Hao accept the reward, nodded in satisfaction and addressed the Azure Wind Sect:

“Those who are injured, rest where you are. Those unharmed, patrol the perimeter—don’t let us encounter another sect like this.

We must be careful in the journey ahead. You’ve now seen the dangers of the outside world. Everyone must unite, always keep the Azure Wind Sect in your heart, and don’t betray your own.

If we are not united, we’re nothing but scattered sand, ready to be trampled.

Out here, I don’t care what grudges you have in private—all must be set aside. You represent the Azure Wind Sect. Don’t disgrace it.

Otherwise, when we return, I will deal with you myself.”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered meaningfully on Zhou Yichen and the two who had sided with him earlier.

The unconscious one had now awakened, but leaned against the airship, badly wounded and unable to stand.

The elder also glanced at Lin Hao, his eyes quietly complex.

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Lin Hao raised an eyebrow at this, neither agreeing nor objecting, but turned to look at Wu Wen.

Wu Wen had also regained consciousness, but his injuries were severe. Even after taking medicinal pills, his face remained pale, and he would need time to heal through cultivation.

Lin Hao stood beside Wu Wen and asked, “Brother Wu Wen, how are you feeling?”

As he spoke, Lin Hao sent Wu Wen a stream of spiritual energy, helping his complexion improve.

Wu Wen’s eyes flashed with gratitude and admiration for Lin Hao. He didn’t care about his own wounds, but laughed heartily, clapping Lin Hao’s shoulder.

But his injuries caught up with him; as he started to speak, he coughed, “Cough, cough, cough, I’m fine—just minor wounds. Lin Hao, you’ve performed a great deed today. You have my friendship; from now on, whatever you need, just ask your big brother—I’ll never refuse.”

Lin Hao was amused by Wu Wen’s carefree disregard for his condition, but felt genuine affection for him.

From then on, the two sects encountered no more trouble, nor anything similar. Their journey proceeded smoothly to the entrance of Heavenly Feather Mountain.

Upon arrival, they saw that the other three sects were already there, but the atmosphere among them was far from harmonious.

When the Azure Wind Sect arrived, all eyes from the three sects turned toward them.

The Azure Wind Sect elder, feeling the weight of their scrutiny, kept his face stern and stepped forward. “What is this? Why are you all standing at the entrance and not going in?”

One of the other sect elders replied, “Heavenly Feather Mountain is not so easily entered. And once inside, who knows what might happen? We’re discussing strategy.”

Hearing this, the Azure Wind Sect elder realized that none of the sects trusted each other. Each wanted the advantage and sought mutual restraint—no one wished to be the first to enter, risking themselves as guinea pigs.

The Azure Wind Sect elder smiled, inwardly alert. “I see. In that case, why not include my Azure Wind Sect? Let us strategize together.”

“Oh, the Azure Wind Sect is so impressive—do you even need to strategize with us? Just go right in.” The elder who had previously quarreled with the Azure Wind Sect now spoke with a mocking, sarcastic tone.

Though the beautiful woman had declared that the matter was settled and never to be mentioned again, the opposing sects clearly remained resentful, and enmity toward the Azure Wind Sect had been sown.

Especially this elder, who had initiated the provocation—he had to pay the price of five hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

He had suffered a great loss; the matter had not been resolved to his satisfaction, and the beautiful woman had scolded him harshly.

He looked at the Azure Wind Sect as if they were enemies, his eyes malicious, suggesting that they should enter first as test subjects.

Upon hearing this, the others exchanged uncertain glances, but ultimately all turned their gaze toward the Azure Wind Sect elder.

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