"Your disciple pays his respects, Master!"
Seated in a gilded chair, Elder Firecloud slowly set down his book. "Do you resent me for punishing you by sending you to Moon Lake?"
Xu Yang cupped his hands. "I wouldn't dare, Master. I know you have my best interests at heart."
Elder Firecloud smiled and nodded. "Good, as long as you understand that. Guarding the sect's properties is every disciple's duty. Even without this incident, Heavenly Pivot Peak would have sent you to guard somewhere else within a month or two.
"The martial path isn't something you can pursue behind closed doors. Only by venturing out and experiencing bloodshed can you better temper your will."
Nearly a month had passed, and much of his anger had faded. More importantly, after keeping an eye on Xu Yang, he had discovered that the boy hadn't seemed to tinker recklessly after exchanging for the Dragon-Tiger Great Golden Pill recipe.
After obtaining a tiger-soul scarlet sun fruit from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, he had done nothing further. For the past month, he had devoted himself to rigorous cultivation every day.
Sending Xu Yang to Moon Lake hadn't been a decision made in a fit of rage, either. To grow into a true powerhouse, a martial artist needed not only talent and resources, but also tempering through blood and fire.
Even someone of Jiang Fan's standing frequently ventured deep into the Cloud Ridge Mountains to hone himself. If Xu Yang remained in the comfortable surroundings of the Violet Sun Gate, he would sooner or later fall behind his peers.
"I understand, Master!" Xu Yang cupped his hands again.
It wasn't easy to explain himself, so he simply accepted whatever Elder Firecloud said.
In any case, he would spend three to five months at Moon Lake at most