As they chatted idly, the drinking session gradually came to an end.
Before leaving, Yumu and the others were called away by Shen Huan.
Wang Sheng followed Luo Zhengwen back to the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy. On one hand, he was reporting his safety to his master as a show of respect; on the other, Luo Zhengwen wanted Wang Sheng to get to know more of his fellow disciples.
But Wang Sheng's true intention was to see whether he could obtain the follow-up techniques to the Great Tablet Shattering Hand from his master—perhaps even just the Dark Energy-stage methods.
If he obtained them, Wang Sheng would instantly possess twice the power of Dark Energy!
Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy.
A new batch of disciples was training hard, their grunts of "ha" and "huh" ringing without end.
Next door came the sharp cries of the female disciples from Qingshui Martial Academy.
Listening to them, Wang Sheng felt that this batch of disciples had faced even greater difficulty entering the academy than the previous ones!
He had previously learned from Luo Zhengwen that Qingshui Martial Academy had apparently been attacked by a powerful expert. Head of Academy He had been seriously wounded because of it, and the academy had no choice but to merge with the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy as a precaution against unforeseen dangers.
Wang Sheng strode into the academy. After sweeping his gaze around, he immediately spotted several people surrounding Ge Xiaogu in a corner.
Ge Xiaogu had officially become an entry-level disciple of the academy and had passed his two-month newcomer period.
Because he usually spent more time with Wang Sheng, and because Wu An had advanced to Bright Energy and had the Dan Family backing him, some entry-level disciples had become Wu An's followers. Following his orders, they used sparring as an excuse to bully Ge Xiaogu.
Of those close to Ge Xiaogu, only Wang Sheng had managed to advance to Bright Energy. Since Wang Sheng had been absent before, naturally no one had been there to stand up for Ge Xiaogu.
"What are you doing?"
Wang Sheng walked over expressionlessly and gave a low shout.
"Who dares interfere?"
"Ah! So it's Senior Brother Wang Sheng. You've come out of seclusion!"
"We—we were teaching Junior Brother Ge how to train. His cultivation isn't up to standard, so we need to personally let him experience it."
"Right, right, that's exactly it."
The three formal disciples' expressions changed when they saw Wang Sheng suddenly appear, and they hurriedly explained themselves.
"Teaching him how to train?"
Wang Sheng narrowed his eyes.
"Please uphold justice, Senior Brother! They all follow Wu An!"
The moment Ge Xiaogu saw Wang Sheng, tears of excitement filled his eyes as he spoke.
"Fine. Then I'll teach the three of you as well."
Hearing that, Wang Sheng raised his hand and directly slapped each of them once.
Since they followed Wu An, he would not be polite with them.
"Y-you actually dare hit me!"
"I call you Senior Brother, and you really think you're somebody? You're just Bright Energy. My family has money to spare! We have several Bright Energy-level head guards alone. What the hell are you? A country bumpkin like you dares slap me?"
The leader of the three looked dark and ugly, his eyes brimming with hatred as he spoke coldly.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
After letting him finish, Wang Sheng unhesitatingly gave him another three slaps.
The leader was instantly slapped into a pig's head, his mind spinning wildly.
"Enough, Junior Brother Wang. What a temper you have. You just came out of seclusion, yet you're already beating entry-level disciples like this! And you hit my people!"
Wu An emerged from the inner courtyard. The moment he saw the chaotic scene in the corner, he flew into a rage and shouted sternly.
"Your people?"
"Anyone who bullies junior disciples and violates academy rules should naturally be taught a proper lesson by me, as a Bright Energy senior brother."
"And Junior Brother Wu, has your brain gone muddled? Didn't I advance to Bright Energy before you? Shouldn't you be calling me Senior Brother?"
Wang Sheng spoke calmly, his expression indifferent.
Wu An glanced at his lackeys. Seeing that their faces were merely swollen and red, without serious injuries, he knew Wang Sheng had not used his force. He could not help but secretly lament his bad luck.
If Wang Sheng had dared use force to injure junior disciples, Wu An could have immediately reported him to their master, who would naturally punish him severely.
But under the current circumstances, Wang Sheng had reason for hurting them, and the injuries were not serious. Even if Wu An reported it to their master, it would be of little use. They would probably both be punished!
"Junior Brother Wang, you are mistaken. I entered the academy before you. You should naturally call me Senior Brother."
Wu An said coldly.
He relied on the Dan Family's support, and his innate bone structure was far superior to Wang Sheng's. His future prospects vastly exceeded Wang Sheng's.
Moreover, in his view, Wang Sheng had only advanced to Bright Energy a few days before him. There was not much difference between them.
Thus, Wu An believed that he would surpass Wang Sheng sooner or later.
He even felt that after taking medicine for so many days, his force should be a notch stronger than Wang Sheng's.
"It seems Junior Brother Wu wishes to spar with me."
"Perfect. I happened to acquire a treasure some time ago. After remaining in seclusion for many days, my force has surged greatly, and I'm almost at the middle stage of Bright Energy! Then today, I'll have a little practice with Junior Brother Wu!"
Wang Sheng stated frankly.
This was an explanation Wang Sheng had prepared long ago. If he wanted the follow-up methods of the Great Tablet Shattering Hand, he had to reveal part of his strength and let his master see his potential to advance to Dark Energy.
He wanted his master to see that, at such a young age, he had progressed so rapidly through a "fortuitous opportunity." It was not impossible that he might have a chance to enter Dark Energy in the future.
"What!"
"Middle-stage Bright Energy?!"
Wu An's expression changed drastically. His eyes widened as he could not help sizing Wang Sheng up from head to toe.
He had only just stabilized the force within his body, yet Wang Sheng had already luckily reached the verge of middle-stage Bright Energy. This bastard was far too lucky!
"What? Don't tell me Junior Brother Wu doesn't dare spar?"
Wang Sheng sneered, deliberately provoking Wu An and cutting off his retreat.
"I..."
Wu An's expression wavered with indecision.
After reaching Bright Energy, the difference in force between early-stage and middle-stage Bright Energy was nearly half again as much.
In other words, comparing early stage to middle stage was like a twelve-year-old boy fighting an eighteen-year-old. The odds of victory were far too low.
But now his lackeys were watching, as was a crowd of new disciples. Even some female disciples from the neighboring courtyard had heard the commotion and were peeking over the wall.
If he did not even dare to compete, he would truly lose all face.
Just as Wu An was about to agree, someone suddenly emerged from the inner courtyard. "What are you doing? Fighting among yourselves? What kind of conduct is this!"
"Don't you know that Master hates internal conflict most of all? Stop at once!"
The newcomer was a burly, powerfully built man with his hands clasped behind his back. A long scar ran across his face, making him look exceptionally fierce.
"Yes, Senior Brother Jin!"
Wu An seized the chance to step down and immediately agreed.
Wu An secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, the Dan Family had long been on good terms with Senior Brother Jin. Senior Brother Jin's return this time had come at exactly the right moment to help him suppress Wang Sheng.
Wang Sheng looked toward the burly man and sharply sensed that he was a Dark Energy expert.
He was helping Wu An out of an awkward situation!
"You must be Wang Sheng. You just came out of seclusion, and already you think you can run wild through the academy, bullying your senior and junior brothers? It seems having a little strength has made you ignorant of the height of heaven and the depth of earth."
"If you have the guts, come. Try me!"
With a faint smile on his face, the burly man provocatively extended one hand toward Wang Sheng and crooked his fingers. His tone carried a trace of disdain and chill.
"Hahaha!"
"Senior Brother Jin, you jest. Wang Sheng is only at Bright Energy. How could he possibly spar with a Dark Energy expert?"
Fearing that Wang Sheng might not know who this man was and rashly agree, Luo Zhengwen hurriedly stepped forward.
At the same time, Luo Zhengwen cursed inwardly. That bastard Jin Cang had just said they should not fight among themselves, yet in the blink of an eye he was bullying a junior disciple himself. Everything he said was nothing but fart.
"Junior Brother Luo, don't you think you're being a little too protective of Junior Brother Wang?"
"Still, I'll give Uncle Luo some face. Please convey my regards to him."
The burly man, Jin Cang, nodded at Luo Zhengwen. Then he looked toward Wang Sheng. When their eyes met, he suddenly smiled, revealing a row of stark white teeth. A cold gleam flashed through his eyes, and the unspoken threat could not have been clearer.
He was warning Wang Sheng that if he dared touch Wu An again, it would not be settled so easily next time.
After that, Jin Cang returned to the inner courtyard.
Luo Zhengwen let out a relieved breath.
The Uncle Luo Jin Cang mentioned was his father, the Luo Family patriarch, who possessed Late Dark Energy cultivation!
"That is Jin Cang, one of Master's early disciples. He is at middle-stage Dark Energy and has already established a family and career outside."
"Because of the Divine Incense Cult, as well as the many martial world experts pouring into Ershui City, he had no choice but to return and discuss countermeasures with Master. He hopes Master will step forward."
"It isn't just him. The other Dark Energy senior brothers have returned as well."
"In these chaotic times, even Dark Energy experts want to rely on a Transforming Energy Grandmaster and huddle together for warmth!"
Luo Zhengwen explained quietly to Wang Sheng.
"Mm."
"Senior Brother Luo, thank you."
Wang Sheng thanked him.
"It's nothing."
"But you must be careful as well. Dark Energy senior brothers are far stronger than us. This is no longer like before, when the academy only had Bright Energy practitioners. For every day they remain here, we must keep our heads lower than theirs."
Luo Zhengwen cautioned him.
"Mm, I understand."
Wang Sheng nodded.
"Good. It's enough that you understand, Junior Brother. And there's no need to fear Jin Cang too much. With Master here, he won't dare do anything!"
Luo Zhengwen smiled, comforting Wang Sheng and telling him not to worry overly much.
I'll kill Jin Cang tonight!
Before you continue