Chương 1102: Chapter 102: Deliberate Obstruction

Senior Brother Huang swayed his head from side to side, clicking his tongue in a rhythmic display of naked envy. Around him, several registered disciples watched with eyes brimming with adoration. In their hearts, Reyn had already ascended to the status of a living legend within the Xuanxiao Sect. To become a Grade 3 High-tier Alchemist in a single year while possessing combat prowess comparable to a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was a feat that rivaled the myths of the ancient geniuses.

"Is today truly the day the selection begins? No wonder the Elders and Protectors have gathered in such force," one disciple whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Look at those True Inheritance Disciples—preening and posing like peacocks!" another added with a sneer.

"They are all desperate to catch Martial Uncle Reyn's eye, hoping he might choose them for his personal retinue."

"A pity we are merely registered disciples with such meager cultivation," a third sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"Otherwise, we might have had a chance to forge a connection with Martial Uncle Reyn today." A chorus of lamentations rose from the crowd, yet one man stood among them with eyes glittering in frantic, opportunistic joy. He seemed to have entirely scrubbed the memory of how he had once tried to sabotage Reyn during the Ascension Trial. Now, he wore Reyn's rising star as if it were his own badge of glory. This man was none other than Lei Tianqi of the Lei Clan.

On the elevated platform, the atmosphere was thick with thinly veiled hostility.

"Protector Peng, you broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage less than six months ago," one elder remarked, his voice dripping with condescension.

"I fear you lack the stability to handle such a responsibility. Perhaps you should withdraw for your own sake."

"Elder Sun, you wound me with such concern," Protector Peng replied, his smile not reaching his eyes.

"My cultivation may only be at the early stage, but my sense of duty to the sect is absolute. I shall not retreat."

"Elder Gong, you have so many disciples to oversee. Why not stay behind and focus on their education? This task is better suited for your junior brothers."

"Heh, it is no trouble at all," Elder Gong chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.

"Those little rascals are so obsessed with Elder Reyn that they practically forced me to come here. I am simply fulfilling the wishes of the younger generation."

"Senior Brother Ma, you are at the peak of the Early Foundation Establishment stage, mere steps away from the mid-stage. Why waste your time guarding Elder Reyn's ancestral home when you should be in secluded cultivation?"

"Junior Brother Liu, you misunderstand," Senior Brother Ma countered smoothly.

"Since the Sect Master has promised a thousand years of protection, I, as an Elder of the Xuanxiao Sect, am duty-bound to share the burden. Besides, I am well advanced in years; my chances of forming a Golden Core are slim. I should take this duty so that you, my junior, can focus on your path to immortality."

"This... haha, I also wish to serve the sect. Since Senior Brother feels so strongly, let us leave the choice to Elder Reyn himself." The Elders and Protectors of the Xuanxiao Sect engaged in a fierce war of words, their tongues as sharp as any spirit tool. Each sought to squeeze out their rivals, yet they were all old foxes, slippery and impossible to pin down. They traded barbs under the guise of polite concern, waiting for the guest of honor to arrive.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Suddenly, a chaotic shouting erupted from the distance, causing the high-ranking cultivators to frown and turn their gazes toward the source.

"A mere registered disciple with the 2nd level of Qi Condensation thinks he can stand among us? Scram!"

"Indeed! If Martial Uncle Reyn arrives and sees you flouting the rules like this, he will surely punish you for your insolence!"

"Whose disciple are you? If you do not leave immediately, do not blame us for being ruthless as we cast you out of the Lingxiantai!" The noise grew louder as several True Inheritance Disciples surrounded a lone figure.

"A trash-tier disciple at the 2nd level... he actually thinks he has a chance to be selected by Elder Reyn? Ridiculous," one elder scoffed.

"How absurd. I wonder who his master is? To allow a disciple to be so ignorant of the hierarchy is a disgrace to the teacher's reputation."

"Wait... that boy looks familiar," another elder noted, squinting.

"I believe I saw him at Elder Hu's residence. Is he one of Hu's registered disciples?" Elder Hu's face instantly turned a sickly shade of iron-green. The man speaking was his long-time rival, and he knew this incident would be used as a weapon against him for years to come. A surge of fury bubbled in his chest.

"Lei Tianqi! Get back to your quarters this instant!" Hu roared, his voice carrying across the terrace like a thunderclap.

"Without my express command, you are forbidden from stepping a single foot out of your courtyard!" Lei Tianqi, who had been stubbornly arguing with the True Inheritance Disciples, stiffened. His eyes flashed with a trace of resentment and unwillingess, but he dared not defy his master. He bowed deeply, preparing to slink away in shame.

"Lei Tianqi? Wait, is that the same Lei Tianqi from the Lei Clan of the Thunder Abyss Mountains? The same clan as Martial Uncle Reyn?"

"Tsk, so it is him! I heard his father is the current Clan Head—the very same man who treated Martial Uncle Reyn's branch like dirt. Now that Reyn has soared to the heavens, they've come crawling back like starving dogs to beg for scraps."

"I also heard he only gained entry into the sect by bribing Elder Hu with a piece of Profound Iron Essence. With his mediocre aptitude, he wouldn't have made it past the gates otherwise."

"According to Senior Brother Liu, who escorted Martial Uncle Reyn home for the first time, Reyn nearly executed this boy's father. If not for their shared bloodline, they'd be dead. And now he's here, wagging his tail like a sycophant."

"Get lost! Stop embarrassing the sect!" Lei Tianqi's blood boiled. He spun around, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at his detractors.

"Shut your mouths!" he bellowed.

"Whatever happened between my family and Martial Uncle Reyn is a private matter of the Lei Clan! You have no right to interfere! We share the same blood, the same lineage! If Martial Uncle Reyn learns how you have humiliated me today, he will never forgive you!"

"You!" The True Inheritance Disciples were incensed, yet a seed of doubt stayed their hands. If there was even a one-percent chance that Reyn still cared for his kin, offending this boy could be a death sentence.

"Hmph!" A cold snort cut through the air like a frozen blade. A streak of light descended, and an old man in coarse black robes materialized on the Lingxiantai.

"We greet the Master!" three of the True Inheritance Disciples cried out in joy, bowing low. The others also relaxed, their expressions turning mocking as they looked at Lei Tianqi. The newcomer was Mo Yu, a powerful figure in the sect. Mo Yu ignored his disciples, his cold, indifferent gaze falling upon Lei Tianqi.

"A mere registered disciple who knows no respect and speaks with such insolence... Today, I shall discipline you personally so that you might learn your place." Before Tianqi could respond, the crushing spiritual pressure of a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator erupted from Mo Yu's body. The weight hit Tianqi like a falling mountain. His face turned ghostly pale, and he stumbled back several steps, his eyes wide with terror as the invisible force threatened to crush his very bones.

"Senior Brother Mo Yu, please, stay your hand!" A streak of light landed in front of Tianqi as Elder Hu intervened. Though he despised the boy's stupidity, allowing his disciple to be publicly broken would destroy what little face he had left.

"The boy is foolish, but I will take him back and punish him myself."

"Step aside," Mo Yu said, his voice flat and unyielding.

"Today, I will be the one to teach him this lesson." Elder Hu's expression darkened, his face twitching with suppressed rage. He looked at Mo Yu's cold eyes and realized the man was looking for a fight. After a long, tense silence, Hu forced a stiff, bitter smile.

"Since Senior Brother is so insistent, I shall naturally comply." With a heavy heart and a lowered head, Elder Hu stepped to the side, leaving Lei Tianqi completely defenseless.