Inside the Taoist temple.
Feng Baiyu sat atop a meditation cushion, expressionless.
Lin Fei, Yan Qingcheng, and Mu Qianfan arrived together.
Mu Qianfan stepped forward and bowed.
"Old Sect Master, Lin Fei openly defied your orders and opposed you. It is an utter display of disrespect."
"Just now, before the entire sect, I held my tongue for the sake of the greater good."
"But if Lin Fei is not punished, who else in the Mystic Heart Sect will he respect in the future?"
Yan Qingcheng hurriedly stepped forward as well, defending Lin Fei.
"Old Sect Master, although I do not know the full details, based on my understanding of Lin Fei, he absolutely has no intention of rebelling."
"If he has offended you in any way, I ask that you be magnanimous and forgive him this once."
Feng Baiyu looked at Lin Fei with gloomy eyes, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
For a moment, the room fell utterly silent.
Mu Qianfan and Yan Qingcheng both sensed that something was wrong.
This silence was certainly not a good sign.
Lin Fei stood tall, meeting Feng Baiyu's gaze without the slightest hint of retreat.
Feng Baiyu exhaled heavily through his nostrils, seemingly suppressing the anger in his heart.
"Lin Fei, do you have nothing to say?"
"Old Sect Master, what is it you wish to hear?"
"If you are willing to lower your head and admit your mistake, I can deal with you lightly and overlook what just happened."
Yan Qingcheng signaled to Lin Fei with her eyes, hoping he would yield for now.
But Lin Fei's nature would not allow him to do so.
Though he knew how to assess the situation and when to advance or retreat, he would never submit to another's tyranny.
He would rather