Keep at Arm's Length

That evening, under the pretext of buying resources, Yang Chen contacted Wang Feng. When they met, he noticed that Wang Feng's complexion was somewhat unsightly.

Yang Chen understood. Wang Kui was Wang Feng's biological elder brother. Now that his advancement had failed, he could no longer remain in the Sun Moon Sword Sect. It would not be an exaggeration to say that his path of martial arts had been cut off.

He offered a few tactful words of comfort. Wang Feng sat in his room and let out a long sigh.

"Junior Brother Yang, I was also preparing to contact you. My elder brother failed his advancement, and he must leave the sect within three days. He plans to set a few tables in town tomorrow evening and invite the disciples he is close to. He specifically told me that I must invite you."

Yang Chen immediately nodded. "Rest assured, Senior Brother Wang. I will definitely arrive on time tomorrow."

"Good!" Wang Feng nodded, then asked, "I remember Junior Brother bought resources only a few days ago. You called me here today, so you must have something to ask, right?"

"I really can't hide anything from Senior Brother Wang." Yang Chen thought for a moment, then asked directly, "Senior Brother Wang Kui mentioned in passing that Zhou Han was a disciple from the same batch as him. I wonder whether Zhou Han has challenged the Outer Sect yet?"

Wang Feng decisively shook his head. He knew that Yang Chen and Zhou Han had an irreconcilable conflict, so he would not conceal anything regarding this matter. He told Yang Chen what he knew.

"As far as I know, Zhou Han has kept a low profile and rarely gone out during this time. It can be confirmed that he has not challenged the Outer Sect."

"However, Junior Brother Yang, you should prepare yourself mentally. Zhou Han has a very high chance of passing the advancement assessment!"

Yang Chen's brows drew together as he pressed, "Why do you say that?"

"Zhou Han's realm is more or less on par with my elder brother's, but his attainments in swordsmanship are extremely high. I heard that he has already cultivated a Low-grade Sword Technique to perfection."

Yang Chen said thoughtfully, "Senior Brother Wang, are you saying that swordsmanship attainments are related to the advancement assessment?"

"Exactly!" Wang Feng nodded hard. "The reason my elder brother failed the assessment was precisely because his swordsmanship was lacking by a few degrees of refinement."

"Everyone in the Sun Moon Sword Sect cultivates the sword path. Its reputation for slaughter towers above all under heaven, and swordsmanship cultivation is a required course for every disciple. This Outer Sect assessment is closely tied to one's swordsmanship attainments."

Wang Feng revealed several key pieces of information, giving Yang Chen a preliminary impression of the Outer Sect assessment. He also realized that he could not set aside his comprehension of swordsmanship, or he would undoubtedly suffer a great loss when facing the assessment in the future.

He solemnly clasped his fists. "Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother Wang!"

Wang Feng waved his hand without claiming credit. Such information was not difficult to inquire about. Once Yang Chen's cultivation reached the necessary level, he would naturally obtain the relevant intelligence.

Besides, even if Wang Feng said nothing, his elder brother would offer a few pointers at the wine table tomorrow.

Although Wang Kui was leaving, Wang Feng remained. The Wang family's connections with the other disciples would not be severed.

He had already received a hint from his elder brother. If nothing unexpected happened, he would take over the position of supervisor until the day he challenged the Outer Sect.

"I still need to visit the residences of other senior and junior brothers to deliver the news, so I won't disturb Junior Brother's cultivation any longer. Farewell!"

Wang Feng rose and left. After seeing him to the door, Yang Chen returned and sat on the bed, his face filled with thought.

The news Wang Feng had brought today was very important to him. Swordsmanship cultivation went without saying, but Zhou Han's movements were the most important matter.

He hoped Zhou Han would fail his advancement, but events might not unfold according to his wishes.

If Zhou Han passed the assessment, his situation would become even more passive. Given the conflict between them, Zhou Han would never let go of any chance to suppress him.

He rubbed his brow, pondering where the unknown suppression might come from.

After a long while, he suddenly woke with a start, inwardly rebuking himself for actually allowing Zhou Han to affect his mood.

"Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth dams!"

Excessively worrying about things that had yet to happen was not a wise choice.

"Cultivate!"

Ten thousand schemes and conspiracies could not match the strength in one's fists.

He steadied himself, took out a Nine Leaf Profound Spirit Fruit, and ate it.

Nothing happened through the night. The next afternoon, Yang Chen headed directly from the spirit fields to Nineteen Peaks Town and arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant.

At the entrance, the Wang brothers were waiting. When they saw Yang Chen, they immediately stepped forward to greet him.

"Junior Brother Yang, thank you for honoring us with your presence!"

"Senior Brother has taken great care of me. How could I possibly miss this farewell wine?" As Yang Chen spoke, he took three Nine Leaf Profound Spirit Fruits from his Storage Bag and added, "I'm not good with words of comfort. Consider these three Nine Leaf Profound Spirit Fruits my send-off gift for Senior Brother. I hope that when we meet again someday, Senior Brother will have already broken through to the True Martial Realm!"

"Junior Brother, you..."

Wang Kui was moved. Nine Leaf Profound Spirit Fruits worth fifteen spirit crystals were not particularly expensive. Rather, it was Yang Chen's words that made it difficult for his heart to calm.

He was at the height of his despondency now. Others being willing to come for the meal was already considered a favor to Wang Feng, let alone bringing gifts.

Yang Chen said earnestly, "Senior Brother, please don't refuse. After we drink, I may have a few matters I'll need to trouble Senior Brother with."

"We're brothers. What trouble is there to speak of? Come, come, let's go upstairs and sit."

Wang Kui accepted the Nine Leaf Profound Spirit Fruits and led Yang Chen to a private room on the second floor.

Before Yang Chen arrived, several disciples had already come ahead of time. When they saw him, they all nodded in greeting.

After Yang Chen took his seat, Wang Kui went downstairs again.

The private room was large, with four round tables inside, enough to accommodate more than thirty people.

Yet after waiting and waiting for half an hour, only a sparse few people had arrived.

Not long afterward, Wang Kui came in with someone, his expression unchanged. When the male disciples in the private room saw the newcomer, they were all stunned as if they had beheld a celestial being.

Yang Chen's eyes widened. He had not expected Xu Qingqing to come. It seemed she had also bought quite a few resources from Wang Feng.

"Senior Brother Yang is here too?"

Xu Qingqing walked over generously and sat at Yang Chen's table. During this period, her relationship with Yang Chen had been fairly good. The feeling Yang Chen gave her was somewhat complicated—sometimes sly, sometimes forthright—but she could sense that he was not a bad person at heart.

"I have some acquaintance with Senior Brother Wang Kui. I didn't expect Junior Sister to be the same."

Xu Qingqing blinked. "That just shows we're quite in sync."

Yang Chen gave an awkward laugh and immediately fell silent.

Women were like fierce tigers. Of this, he was deeply convinced.

Xu Qingqing was somewhat helpless. She had never understood why Yang Chen seemed to keep her at arm's length.

She looked Yang Chen up and down, her beautiful eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny.

The corner of Yang Chen's eye twitched. He knew she had probably misunderstood, but he had no intention of explaining. The martial path was so glorious, and there was not even enough time for cultivation—how could he have the mind to concern himself with romantic entanglements?

He was determined to climb to the summit of martial arts. He would never allow himself to be trapped by love.

At another table, Wang Feng quietly explained Yang Chen and Xu Qingqing's backgrounds to several people who were eager to make a move. Upon learning that they were disciples of the newest batch, those people immediately no longer dared to entertain any thoughts.

Yang Chen and Xu Qingqing were both in the Blood Martial Realm. Reaching such a height less than a year after entering the sect meant they would certainly become Outer Sect disciples in the future. No one wished to make trouble for themselves.

Not long afterward, Wang Kui raised his wine cup. This meant no one else would be coming.

For the first time, Yang Chen witnessed what it meant for the tea to grow cold when people left. He could not help thinking of Luo Wang; that man had likely been even more miserable back then.