Chapter 329: Chapter 328: Fang Shizhong
As the voice faded, a few disciples from the Celestial Spirit Sect approached. The one in the lead was a young man with a sinisterly effeminate face. A golden character for "Fang" was embroidered on his chest. This young man was also an Inner Sect Disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect!
"Fang Shizhong, what is the meaning of this?" Ling Feng demanded coldly, his brow furrowing as he saw the sinister man.
"That’s Fang Shizhong. He’s also an Inner Sect Disciple, but he’s always been overshadowed by Senior Brother Ling in the Inner Sect," Duan Ruyan quietly explained to Shen Haoran and the others, her eyes filled with disgust as she looked at Fang Shizhong. "His grandfather is an Outer Elder, though, which gives him a certain amount of power. So he’s always looking for an excuse to cause trouble for Senior Brother Ling. Who knows how he’ll try to make things difficult today!"
Hearing Ling Feng, Fang Shizhong stepped forward with a soft chuckle and said flatly, "The meaning of this? What meaning could I have? You, Ling Feng, are a celebrity in the Inner Sect. What could I possibly do to you? However, my grandfather has tasked me with helping him maintain order today, so I must take my responsibilities seriously. Therefore, don’t even think about getting past me, especially not with these strangers!"
"Strangers? These are my friends," Ling Feng retorted. "The Celestial Spirit Sect has no rule about turning friends away at the gate!"
"Besides," Ling Feng’s tone shifted as he looked at Fang Shizhong and added nonchalantly, "these people are all guests of the Third Elder. Do you dare to stop them?"
Hearing this, Fang Shizhong’s expression changed slightly. The Third Elder... he was an Elder that everyone in the Celestial Spirit Sect feared. His origins were shrouded in mystery, and even the Sect Leader had to show him respect. How could a mere disciple like him dare to block the Third Elder’s guests!
But he had finally found a chance to humiliate Ling Feng; how could he let it go so easily? Fang Shizhong’s gaze swept over Shen Haoran and his group. When he saw the crowd of children behind Shen Haoran and Han Xu, he snorted. "Guests of the Third Elder? Ling Feng, are you sure you’re not joking? Even the Sect Leader rarely gets to see him. And you’ve brought a bunch of brats here claiming they’re his guests? Do you take me, Fang Shizhong, for a fool?"
"Believe it or not," Ling Feng said with a sudden casualness, shrugging nonchalantly. "If you end up interfering with the Third Elder’s important business, we’ll see how you explain yourself then!"
Seeing Ling Feng’s relaxed demeanor, a flicker of doubt rose in Fang Shizhong’s mind. ’Could these people really have been summoned by the Third Elder?’
Fang Shizhong once again turned his gaze to Shen Haoran’s group, and when he saw Murong Wanqing, his eyes suddenly lit up. Shen Haoran had been blocking his view before, but from this new angle, Murong Wanqing was in plain sight. He had never seen such a beautiful girl. Her looks and her aura were far beyond what any of the junior or senior sisters in the Sect could compare to. She was like a fairy descended to the mortal world!
Seeing Fang Shizhong staring intently at Murong Wanqing, Shen Haoran frowned. He took a small step to the side, shielding her from view behind him.
His line of sight blocked by Shen Haoran, Fang Shizhong snapped back to his senses. He shot Shen Haoran a cold glare and then said flatly, "Since Ling Feng says they’re the Third Elder’s guests, then I’ll be the one to escort them in!"
"No. I brought Brother Shen and the others here, so we won’t trouble you," Ling Feng snorted. He ignored Fang Shizhong and started to walk past him.
"Stop!" At the sight, Fang Shizhong waved a hand, and the surrounding disciples immediately closed in, blocking Ling Feng’s path once more.
"Fang Shizhong, don’t force my hand!" Ling Feng’s voice grew icy as he scanned the surrounding disciples, the Spiritual Power within his body beginning to surge.
"Go on, Ling Feng, I dare you. I’m performing my official duties here!" Fang Shizhong showed no fear, and the two were locked in a stalemate.
Just then, Shen Haoran stepped forward. He gave Fang Shizhong a meaningful glance, then said to Ling Feng, "Brother Ling, there’s no need to get angry over such a trivial matter. Let’s just have Senior Brother Fang here take us in."
Hearing this, Ling Feng was taken aback. "But..." he began, confused, before Shen Haoran cut him off.
"Don’t worry, Brother Ling," Shen Haoran said, turning to Fang Shizhong with a light laugh. "We’re inside the Celestial Spirit Sect, and Senior Brother Fang is a member of the Sect. Surely he wouldn’t stoop so low as to attack insignificant people like us, would he?"
Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, Fang Shizhong lifted his chin and said disdainfully, "Of course!"
Seeing this, Ling Feng had no choice but to agree. He shot Fang Shizhong a cold look and warned, "If anything happens to my brother in your care, I will absolutely not forgive you!"
However, Fang Shizhong merely snorted at Ling Feng’s threat, clearly not taking it to heart. After giving Fang Shizhong one last cold glare, Ling Feng bid farewell to Shen Haoran and left with Duan Ruyan.
"Let’s go," Fang Shizhong said after Ling Feng had left. He gave Shen Haoran’s group an indifferent glance, his eyes finally landing on Murong Wanqing. A wicked smile spread across his lips.
Fang Shizhong’s stare did not escape the notice of Han Xu and Murong Wanqing. Both of them frowned, a feeling of revulsion rising within them.
"Brother Shen, you can tell just by looking that this Fang Shizhong is no good," Han Xu whispered, leaning close to Shen Haoran’s ear.
Hearing this, Shen Haoran chuckled softly. "That’s why," he said lightly, "we’ll have to teach him how to be a good person." As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curled into a deeply meaningful smile.
Seeing that smile, both Han Xu and Murong Wanqing couldn’t help but shiver. Shen Haoran might look completely harmless, but those who knew him well understood that he was definitely scheming up some way to deal with their new problem.
Afterward, Shen Haoran and the others followed Fang Shizhong into the Celestial Spirit Sect.
As they entered the Celestial Spirit Sect, Han Xu couldn’t help but marvel. ’As expected of a Major Sect in the Northern Domain. The concentration of Spiritual Power here is several times denser than it is outside. People always say the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power in the Northern Domain is scarce, but that doesn’t seem to be entirely true. At least within the Two Sects and Two Valleys, the concentration is definitely on par with the Major Sects of other regions.’
The group followed Fang Shizhong, winding their way through the Celestial Spirit Sect. After a while, they walked into a grove of trees and stopped.
"We’re here? Is this where the Third Elder lives? But there’s nothing here!" Han Xu said, looking around with a slight frown. There wasn’t so much as a bird in this forest, let alone any people.
Hearing Han Xu’s question, Fang Shizhong burst out laughing. "HA! Who said I was taking you to see the Third Elder? People like you aren’t worthy of meeting him!"
"If you weren’t taking us to see the Third Elder, then why did you bring us in here?" Han Xu demanded sharply.
"Why did I bring you here? An excellent question," Fang Shizhong said, pointing at Murong Wanqing with a cruel smile on his face. "Now, I’ll give you one chance to live. Leave the beauty behind, and the rest of you can get the hell out of the Celestial Spirit Sect. Otherwise, I’ll just have to... dispose of you all!"
