Elder's Attention

The rematches had come to an end, and the setting sun slanted across the martial arts arena.

The clamor gradually faded, but everything that had happened in the arena today would be talked about throughout Azure Cloud Sect's outer sect for a long time.

Shen Yuan, a servant-born disciple with shattered innate foundations, had fought his way through blood and battle, defeated numerous formidable opponents across realms, and forced his way into the finals of the Outer Sect Assessment.

A total of ten people had entered the finals. The remaining matches would proceed through a round-robin arena format to determine the final rankings of this Outer Sect Assessment. As long as one entered the list of ten finalists, one had officially passed the Outer Sect Assessment and gained the status of an outer sect disciple.

In other words, so long as Shen Yuan did not voluntarily concede or get knocked off the arena during the finals, the wager had already taken effect. Liu Er would have to fulfill his oath to kneel and apologize in public.

When the news spread, the entire outer sect was shaken.

Outside the wooden waiting house, quite a few disciples watched Shen Yuan from afar. They did not dare approach, yet could not suppress their curiosity.

Inside the wooden house, Shen Yuan sat cross-legged. He took the qi-and-blood pill Wang Dong had brought him and circulated the optimized Azure Cloud Inner Breath Art, tending to his injuries and replenishing his utterly depleted qi and blood.

Within his sea of consciousness, the Heavenly Stele refreshed its data.

[Multiple rematch battles concluded. Double mission settlement complete. Martial Dao Points +14. Current Martial Dao Points: 17.]

The consecutive arena battles had yielded abundant rewards.

"Seventeen Martial Dao Points." Shen Yuan calculated inwardly.

It was enough to deduce quite a few things, but his foremost objective now was to deal with the coming finals. His greatest enemy in the finals was Zhao Kun, at the Body Tempering Ninth Stage—three whole minor realms above him.

Although he had made it into the finals and his status as an outer sect disciple was secure, Shen Yuan had no intention of stopping there. Zhao Kun was the key suspect in crippling the original owner's innate foundations. Shen Yuan wanted to defeat him openly and honorably on the arena, forcing out clues to the truth of that year.

"Shen Yuan."

Footsteps came from the entrance of the wooden house.

Wang Dong pushed open the door and entered, his expression unpleasant and tense.

"Something happened. I just saw Liu Er sneakily go looking for several of his trusted men from the Servant Compound, then secretly head toward the sect's back mountain. I vaguely overheard a few words. He seemed unwilling to accept the loss of the wager and planned to take a desperate gamble." Wang Dong lowered his voice. "The finals begin tomorrow. He might try to strike at you tonight!"

Shen Yuan slowly opened his eyes, and a cold glint flashed through them.

He had long expected Liu Er not to sit and wait for death. The wager had been made before the incense altar. Once Shen Yuan officially passed the assessment, Liu Er would kneel publicly, his face swept clean away, and he would no longer be able to keep his footing in the Servant Compound. Given Liu Er's character, he truly might take a desperate gamble.

"An open spear is easy to dodge; a hidden arrow is hard to guard against." Shen Yuan spoke slowly. "He would not dare act in a crowded place like the martial arts arena. Most likely, he will choose the road back to my wood shed, or sneak into it at night."

"Then what do we do? Why not stay away from the wood shed tonight and report Liu Er's malicious scheme to an elder?" Wang Dong asked anxiously.

"There is no evidence." Shen Yuan gently shook his head. "What you heard is only hearsay, not solid proof. Liu Er is a registered steward. If he turns the tables and accuses us of spreading rumors and causing trouble, we will fall straight into his trap."

The sect valued evidence. A verbal accusation alone would make it difficult to punish Liu Er.

"But we cannot just sit here and wait for him to hurt someone." Wang Dong's round face was filled with anxiety.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Yuan came up with a plan. "I will still return to the wood shed tonight, but I will not stay inside. I will arrange a false appearance in advance so people think I am resting in the room, while I hide outside the wood shed and wait by the stump for the rabbit. If Liu Er's men dare come and act, we can leave behind witnesses and physical evidence, then send them directly to the Law Enforcement Hall."

"That is too dangerous! What if there are too many of them, or they bring weapons? You will be in danger!" Wang Dong hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

"I have the True Subduing Tiger Fist, along with the experience of countless simulated ambushes and counter-kills in the Martial Arts Simulation Space. If they dare come, I will make them walk straight into the net." Shen Yuan's gaze was resolute. "Help me with one thing. After night falls, do not go near the wood shed. Hide in the woods some distance away. The moment you hear fighting, immediately rush to the outer sect elders' residence to report it. Do not charge over directly. Keep yourself safe."

Wang Dong gritted his teeth. "Fine! I will listen to you! You must, must be careful!"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the wooden house.

Two outer sect attendants dressed in blue robes walked in.

"Shen Yuan, Elder Zhang of the outer sect requests your presence."

Shen Yuan was slightly startled.

Elder Zhang was the white-haired elder on the viewing platform today.

"An elder wants to see me?"

"Yes. The elder has questions for you. Please come with us."

Shen Yuan pondered inwardly. Was this a good thing, or was there some other purpose behind it?

He rose, instructed Wang Dong to follow the plan, then followed the two attendants toward the side hall where the elder was temporarily resting.

Inside the side hall, the white-haired Elder Zhang sat in the seat of honor.

When he saw Shen Yuan enter, Elder Zhang lifted a hand to signal the attendants to withdraw, leaving only the two of them in the hall.

Elder Zhang's gaze settled on Shen Yuan as he examined him carefully from head to toe, his expression mild.

"Shen Yuan, I watched today's arena matches from beginning to end." Elder Zhang spoke slowly. "You evolved a set of Basic Tiger-Subduing Fist to such a level, defeated Lin Hao across realms, and displayed astonishing comprehension and talent. It is a pity that your innate foundations were shattered three years ago. That truly is regrettable."

Shen Yuan lowered his hands and bowed. "You overpraise me, Elder."

"There is something I wish to ask you." Elder Zhang changed the subject. "Three years ago, you were reported for stealing an inner sect cultivation technique, and afterward your innate foundations were crippled. What do you yourself think of that matter?"

At last, the old case had been brought up.

Shen Yuan's heart tightened. He knew this was a crucial opportunity.

"Reporting to Elder, I was framed." Shen Yuan's tone was neither servile nor overbearing. "Back then, my cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, drawing envy from others. I was saddled with the charge of stealing a cultivation technique. The person who crippled my innate foundations acted under someone else's orders, but I have no conclusive evidence in hand."

Elder Zhang lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, his gaze profound. "I also felt that the case was riddled with doubts. But at the time, the witnesses and evidence were all present, and you lay unconscious, unable to defend yourself. The case was hastily closed. Now that your strength has risen, this old case may have a chance to be reinvestigated."

Shen Yuan's heart stirred. The elder's words showed that not everyone among the upper ranks had been deceived.

"However." Elder Zhang changed the subject again, his expression growing solemn. "Your opponent in tomorrow's finals is Zhao Kun. Zhao Kun is a remarkably talented outer sect disciple at the Body Tempering Ninth Stage. You are now only at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer. The gap in your realms is enormous. On the arena, blades, swords, fists, and kicks have no eyes. You must know your own limits. Do not throw your life away for a momentary fit of pride."

When Zhao Kun was mentioned, a subtle note entered the elder's tone.

Shen Yuan keenly caught it. Elder Zhang seemed to have reservations. Zhao Kun likely had someone backing him as well.

"This junior understands." Shen Yuan nodded.

"Mm. Go back and rest properly. Perform well in tomorrow's finals." Elder Zhang waved his hand, indicating that Shen Yuan could withdraw.

After taking leave of the elder, Shen Yuan walked out of the side hall.

The sky had already grown completely dark, and night shrouded the entire Azure Cloud Sect.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill.

Shen Yuan looked toward the wood sheds of the Servant Compound.

Tonight, Liu Er's black hand would most likely descend.

On one side was the killing trap Liu Er had secretly arranged; on the other was Zhao Kun of the Body Tempering Ninth Stage, whom he would face in tomorrow's finals. Dangers lay everywhere, yet the truth behind the crippling of his innate foundations was also drawing ever closer.

Shen Yuan's steps were steady as he headed alone toward the Servant Compound.