Malicious Intent

Without Fairy Li's permission, Pei Ling dared not act under her banner.

After all, he had entered the Outer Sect because Pei Hong Nian claimed Zheng Jingshan had instructed him via sound transmission. However, Fairy Li had also told him to master the Blood Fiend Saber Technique within ten days before arriving at the Zhan Chen Platform. If she hadn't intended to keep him in the sect, why would she speak up now?

This showed that Pei Ling's entry into the sect was actually Fairy Li's idea, but she had Zheng Jingshan act on her behalf, likely because she didn't want to be openly associated with him.

Pei Ling didn't dare to incur Fairy Li's wrath at such a time. He immediately said, "Senior Brother Zhou, you've misunderstood. I come from humble beginnings; how could I possibly be acquainted with Fairy Li? I was merely fortunate enough to be favored by Senior Brother Zheng."

"Why should you belittle yourself, junior brother?" Li Siguan listened, his smile unchanged, and said, "As everyone knows, Senior Brother Zheng has always been respectful of Fairy Li. When he went out, how could he dare to bring you back without Fairy Li's consent?"

"Perhaps it's because Fairy Li stayed at my residence's guest courtyard for a few days, so Senior Brother Zheng didn't bother mentioning it when he brought me along?" Pei Ling denied. "But my entry into the sect was ordered by Senior Brother Zheng."

Upon hearing this, Li Siguan's expression turned somewhat subtle. He suddenly pointed at the Aversion to Life Saber and said, "Your saber looks familiar, junior brother?"

Pei Ling didn't hide anything. "This was bestowed upon me by Senior Brother Zheng."

"It really is the Aversion to Life Saber!" Miao Chengan, whose gaze had been drifting over, couldn't help but exclaim. "Back then, Zheng Jingshan was known as invincible in the Outer Sect. In reality, wasn't he relying on the advantage of his weapon? It's said this saber is incredibly sharp, and also..."

Zhou Yi was more direct. "Junior Brother Pei, name your price. I'll take this saber!"

Pei Ling frowned. "My apologies, Senior Brother Zhou, but this was a gift from Senior Brother Zheng, so it's not convenient to sell. Besides, I need it myself and have no intention of parting with it."

"Zheng Jingshan?" Confirming that Pei Ling had no powerful backer they couldn't afford to offend, the three completely dropped their pretense. Miao Chengan immediately sneered, "If not for Fairy Li's consideration of a distant relative, how could a good-for-nothing like him maintain his position as Pulse Master in the Inner Sect?! You trying to pressure us with him is a joke!"

"Senior Brother Zhou is kind enough to even offer a price."

He said this and directly reached out to grab it, shouting, "As for me, the fact that I desire your saber is already your good fortune."

Pei Ling quickly grabbed the Aversion to Life Saber and leaped back, coldly asking, "Are you daring to disregard the sect rules?!"

"Sect rules?" The three exchanged glances and burst into laughter. "The Sacred Sect indeed has strict rules, but this place is remote. Even the patrolling disciples only pass by briefly at noon and midnight. As long as you avoid these two times, if you willingly give us the saber, who will care?"

"No matter how strict the Sacred Sect's rules are, they still require catching a thief in the act or an adulterer red-handed. Without proof, if you regret giving away the saber, do you really expect to get it back by just talking? Haha, Junior Brother Pei, I didn't realize you were so naive."

Miao Chengan spat on the ground disdainfully. "Why bother talking to him? Seeing a newcomer, he thought he was like us, with connections within the sect, and could be a friend. But this lowly wretch is even worthy of living with us?! Although I don't know why he chose this place, since he's here, he has to pay a price."

He licked his lips, his gaze greedily sweeping over the pale blade. "This bastard isn't worth much, but this saber is quite nice."

Damn it!

Pei Ling finally understood the malicious intent of the disciple from the Hall of Affairs. He had thought the other disciple had found him a good place to live, but it turned out he was deliberately delivered into the hands of these three.

He clenched the Aversion to Life Saber and immediately threatened, "Even if Senior Brother Zheng's strength in the Inner Sect is lacking, he is still Fairy Li's distant relative. Fairy Li doesn't forget to bring him along even when she goes on missions. Aren't you afraid that if he reports your disrespect to Fairy Li, she won't let you off?!"

"What is Fairy Li's status?" Zhou Yi laughed heartily towards the sky. A flicker of complexity flashed in his eyes, but he said, "Don't you realize that we Outer Sect disciples address Inner Sect members like Zheng Jingshan, even Pulse Masters, as Senior Brother or Senior Sister? However, true disciples can only be called 'Fairy'?"

"This is because we Outer Sect disciples are not even qualified to call true disciples Senior Brother or Senior Sister in the eyes of the Sacred Sect."

"And in the eyes of true disciples, Inner Sect Pulse Masters are already insignificant, let alone us Outer Sect disciples?"

"Your surname is Pei, so you must be related to Pei Hong Nian, Zheng Jingshan's dog in the Outer Sect?"

"Go back and inquire. When has Fairy Li ever cared about Pei Hong Nian's life or death!"

With that, he formed hand seals. Rusty-colored patterns instantly appeared on his cheeks and the backs of his hands, quickly enveloping his entire body. His pupils also emitted a faint, faint green glow.

The next moment, he leaped up and launched a series of double punches, heavily striking towards Pei Ling's head.

This Zhou Yi actually intends to kill me?!

Pei Ling's heart sank. Recalling the sect rules he had just read, he suddenly understood: these three all had backgrounds and could afford fines. Judging by their attitude, the Aversion to Life Saber was clearly valuable, perhaps even priceless.

If that were the case, killing him and paying a fine would be worth it.

With this thought, Pei Ling, who had been about to strike the opponent's arm, immediately changed direction and aimed for the neck.

After all, at the brink of death, who the hell cared about sect rules?

"Scoundrels!" Zhou Yi and the other two were also startled. They had relied on their connections and cultivation to conspire and rob fellow disciples more than once, so they had accumulated experience.

Although they were wary of sect rules and didn't really want to kill anyone, the fines for harming fellow disciples were too damn high. Even if they could afford it, why hand over money to the sect when it could be used for something else?

However, past experience told them that putting on a show of killing and robbing from the start made it easier to break the opponent, allowing them to take whatever they wanted. Afterwards, the victim, for the sake of their life, would often not dare to retaliate or report them.

Who knew that Pei Ling, who looked honest and answered every question, was actually a ruthless character?

Zhou Yi hastily dodged. Although his Azure Ghost Battle Body had reached a state of being impervious to blades and spears, it still depended on the type of blade or spear. He didn't dare to directly block the Aversion to Life Saber, a weapon Zheng Jingshan had relied on to make his name in the Outer Sect back then.

"He doesn't know saber techniques!" At this moment, Li Siguan, the most observant among the three, suddenly reminded them, "In that case, knock away the Aversion to Life Saber!"

Pei Ling's heart sank upon hearing this. The Chongming Sect's rules were too long, and he had spent too much time reading them. By the time Li Siguan and the other two arrived, he hadn't had time to practice the Blood Fiend Saber Technique. Otherwise, he wouldn't be just hacking wildly right now.

As soon as Li Siguan finished speaking, Miao Chengan began chanting incantations. A black energy blade immediately condensed before him, flashing and slashing towards Pei Ling's saber-wielding arm.

Pei Ling didn't have time to dodge and could only sweep his saber upwards. The Aversion to Life Saber slashed diagonally. Although it easily destroyed the energy blade, the saber body vibrated violently under the impact of the energy blade.