"Senior Brother Qingchen, I did not seek guidance through cultivation level. I merely wished to sit and discuss the Dao."
That man's expression remained utterly unmoved. Even upon seeing a direct disciple intervene, he showed not the slightest intention of backing down.
Yet only he himself knew what he was thinking.
"Senior Brother, though you are an honored direct disciple, we hold you in the highest respect. But Master has also said that fellow disciples may spar and discuss the Dao with one another. You defend him at every turn—could it be that Senior Brother Qing Feng simply looks down on the rest of us?"
Another person stepped forward beside him and spoke softly.
His words were venomous, his gaze cold.
It was Zhang Yuliang, ranked fifth among the disciples who had entered the sect.
The violet-robed young man known by the Daoist title Qingchen saw this, and the smile on his face gradually faded. Turning back, he looked at Tan Tianci and said evenly, "Junior Brother Qing Feng, do you wish to discuss the Dao?"
He tossed the question to the person concerned.
He had defended him before. Now, it depended on how Tan Tianci chose to respond.
"Senior Brother, I am willing to give it a try."
Tan Tianci was still in the fiery years of youth. Hearing their words and seeing their looks, anger rose in his heart.
Why could I not be made a direct disciple?!
The emotion showed plainly on his face, for all to see.
"Then, many thanks for Senior Brother's guidance."
His words were humble, but the disciple who spoke wore a trace of indifference in his expression.
Seeing this, Wang Chunfeng could not help recalling Junior Brother Lu Qing's earlier voice transmission.
"Senior Brother, this is a fine place, but conflict and