Zhang Cong, I Think You've Never Seen a Real Genius!

Gu Yunzheng's cousin was named He Tingfeng, and Xu Youwu had come with him.

The two were both Outer Sect Disciples from Rank 77 Courtyard.

Like the Outer Sect Disciples from the Jia, Yi, and Bing Courtyards, they had already spent three years in the Outer Sect.

By this point, they either had to achieve Acquired to Innate Reversal and enter the Inner Sect, or rank among the top thousand in the grand competition at the end of their three-year term to earn the qualification to remain in the sect for two more years as Deacons. Otherwise, once the three years were up, they would have to leave.

Yet neither of them had much hope of achieving Acquired to Innate Reversal or ranking among the top thousand in the grand competition. It could be said that their chances were nearly zero.

In other words, they were both pitiful worms left behind after the Outer Sect's wild gale had swept through.

But no matter how pitiful they were, they had still cultivated for two years longer and had long since reached the Body Tempering Ninth Level.

As for the Li Yun Gu Yunzheng had mentioned, neither of them took him seriously at all.

If, after cultivating for two years longer, they still could not handle a mere Outer Sect Disciple who had entered the sect only a month ago, would that not make people laugh their teeth out?

The only things the two worried about were the sect rules and Gu Yunzheng's claim that Li Yun seemed to have an Inner Sect background and might know some Inner Sect Disciple.

Having stayed in the Celestial Martial Sect for two years, they knew this only too well.

Every year, the Celestial Martial Sect recruited so many new Outer Sect Disciples. There were certainly quite a few hidden dragons and crouching tigers among them—either those with heaven-defying talent or those with all sorts of connections and backing.

The latter were undoubtedly the most frightening.

No matter how heaven-defying someone's talent was, they still needed time to grow. So long as they had not yet grown up, they posed no threat.

Those with connections and backing were different. If one carelessly provoked the wrong person, the trouble would be anything but small.

Still, after thinking it over, He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu felt that it was not much of a problem.

It was only a suspected Inner Sect background, after all. It amounted to nothing.

If it came to backgrounds, they had spent two years in the Celestial Martial Sect and, through various opportunities, had come to know several Inner Sect Disciples themselves. If something truly went wrong, they might not be unable to ask an Inner Sect Disciple to mediate for them.

But that was the worst possible option.

Asking someone to step forward cost money. No one would back you up merely because you flapped your lips.

Unless it was absolutely necessary.

He Tingfeng had no intention of asking an Inner Sect Disciple for help.

They intended to use another, more reliable method to deal with Li Yun: a dirty ambush!

Li Yun did not know them anyway. As long as they disguised themselves a little and found an opportunity, they could naturally teach Li Yun a painful lesson.

"Enough. We know about this now, and we've recognized the man. You should go back first. Once we've dealt with him, we'll naturally come find you."

"But you must not mention this matter to anyone else. Otherwise, all three of us will be finished. You only entered the sect recently, so you may not understand this deeply yet—the Celestial Martial Sect's rules are not for decoration."

"If the Punishment Hall gets hold of evidence, even a Core Disciple will have to make a trip to the Punishment Hall. Understand?"

Gu Yunzheng hurriedly nodded. "I understand, Cousin. Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."

With that, Gu Yunzheng turned and left first.

As he left, he cast a distant glance at Li Yun, a cold smile curling across his lips. "Li Yun, so what if you have an Inner Sect background? So what if you've mastered Zhuang Gong? You dared offend me, Gu Yunzheng. I have plenty of ways to make sure you can't gain a foothold in the Celestial Martial Sect."

After Gu Yunzheng left, He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu did not act immediately either.

Though the two were young, they were not fools.

In broad daylight, blocking an Outer Sect Disciple and beating him up—if they were even slightly careless and got spotted by a Punishment Hall patrol disciple, three layers of skin would be peeled off them.

They merely watched Li Yun and Zhang Chu from afar, pretending to chat as they followed behind them, searching for a more suitable chance to strike.

Until they saw Li Yun and Zhang Chu enter Azure Cloud Residence.

Then the two knew that there would likely be no opportunity today.

Blocking someone near Azure Cloud Residence would be no different from finding life too long.

The two had no choice but to leave first.

At Azure Cloud Residence, Li Yun saw Zhang Cong again after four days.

Zhang Cong was very surprised.

But what surprised him was that Li Yun had come together with Zhang Chu.

His face darkened somewhat.

"Zhang Chu, why are you here too? What are you doing at my place?"

Zhang Chu snorted and went straight to sit at the side. "Oh my, worthy of an Outer Sect Elder indeed. What imposing airs. You see me and do not even call me Granduncle!"

"You..."

Zhang Cong's facial muscles twitched wildly, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

That was right. According to the Zhang Family's generational hierarchy, he truly did have to call Zhang Chu Granduncle. But how old was Zhang Chu? He was only sixteen this year, while Zhang Cong himself was already past sixty.

And this was still in the Celestial Martial Sect, in front of another Outer Sect Disciple.

How could he possibly bring himself to say "Granduncle"?

"Zhang Chu, stop fooling around. This is not home; this is the Celestial Martial Sect. Bound by the sect rules, since you have also come to the Celestial Martial Sect, you should address me as Elder."

"Tch... Li Yun, look at this. This old fellow is actually using the sect rules to pressure me."

Zhang Chu looked thoroughly unconcerned. He even tugged at Li Yun, wanting Li Yun to speak up for him, but how could Li Yun dare open his mouth? Did he not want to keep living?

"Zhang Chu, stop making trouble."

"I came here on business."

At those words, Zhang Chu slapped his forehead. "Ah, right, right, right... business. I almost forgot."

"Hehe, Zhang Cong... no, Elder Zhang."

"I heard that you promised that if Li Yun reached the Proficient Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation within half a month, you would privately teach him a Martial Skill and give him Qi and Blood Pills, right?"

"Now that Li Yun is here, don't you dare go back on your word. Let me tell you, my sister knows about this too... If you dare renege, I'll go tell my sister and see whether you still have the face for it!"

The moment Zhang Cong heard that, his expression changed at once.

Zhang Chu was young and liked to make a mess of things, so Zhang Cong could ignore him. But Zhang Ruohan was different. Her talent was outstanding, and she had long since become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Vermilion Bird Courtyard. Her cultivation was not much weaker than his either.

And with the generational hierarchy hanging over him as well.

He truly did not dare refuse to give Zhang Ruohan face.

"Li Yun, you went to the Inner Sect?"

"Reporting to Elder, this disciple indeed went to the Inner Sect. Thanks to Senior Sister Zhang's guidance, my Basic Stance Cultivation has made great progress these past few days... That is why this disciple dared to come see you."

For Zhang Cong to have risen to become an elder in the Celestial Martial Sect's Outer Sect, he was naturally no simpleton. The moment he heard this, he understood that Li Yun might truly have gained Zhang Ruohan's favor.

As for why she favored him, that was not important.

What mattered was that he had to give her this face.

Besides, he had never intended to break his earlier promise.

So he smiled. "Not bad. Being able to receive an Inner Sect Senior Sister's favor and guidance means that your luck is quite good. Since that is the case, demonstrate your Basic Stance Cultivation once more for me. If you truly reached the Proficient Realm within just a few days, then I can fulfill my previous promise to you today!"

"One Martial Skill and two Qi and Blood Pills—none of it will be missing."

Li Yun nodded. "Yes!"

Then he prepared to assume his stance.

"Wait!"

Zhang Chu suddenly jumped out again. "I say, Zhang Cong, you are really looking down on people too much. What do you mean, reaching the Proficient Realm in a few days... I think you've never seen a real genius!"

"Let me tell you, Zhang Cong!"

"For an unparalleled genius like my boss, Li Yun, to be rewarded with only one Martial Skill and two Qi and Blood Pills is simply an insult!"