Chapter Eighteen: Taking Action

A young man dressed entirely in black, without a single ornament, appeared nearby—he looked to be about the same age as her. His clean hair fell loosely down his back, and a blade of grass dangled from his lips. To Qin Yixin, his bearing was one of wild defiance, yet he possessed a certain masculine ease that was hard to ignore.

When Chen Po saw the newcomer, he frowned, but before he could speak, an eager sycophant beside him had already begun to stir up trouble.

“Who the hell are you? Do you even know what you’re saying?” the bystander demanded, bristling with aggression.

Xiao Nuotian was meandering about, mostly exploring the more scenic spots. Even as a core disciple, there were plenty of places he couldn’t venture freely. This sect truly lived up to its reputation as home to the finest landscapes beneath the heavens—Nuotian found his horizons broadened at every turn. Though the Tianjiao Peak of the Sword Sovereign Sect where he’d spent his childhood had been beautiful, it simply couldn’t compare to the natural splendor here.

No one bothered Nuotian along the way; perhaps it was because he appeared young yet strong, or perhaps because he made it clear he was there to admire the scenery, not to seek trouble. His spirits soared with every step, until he stumbled into this scene—a display of bullying and threats. If he hadn’t stepped in today, the girl before him would likely have ended up as someone’s plaything. The law of the jungle applied everywhere, even within the heart of a sect; there was no escaping the strong preying on the weak.

Hearing the threats directed at him, Nuotian replied carelessly, “I just can’t stand people like you. Why should she have to follow you if she doesn’t want to?”

Qin Yixin was stunned by his words. Was this disciple an inner-sect member as well? Otherwise, how could he dare speak so boldly? If only he could help her out of this predicament…

“How do you know she’s not willing to follow me?” Chen Po, who had been silent so far, finally interjected. He was well aware the newcomer was likely an inner disciple, but he wasn’t about to back down—after all, he was one of Baiyun Peak’s top ten disciples, and with elite disciples from the Dragon Vault Hall behind him, he feared very few here. This newcomer was certainly not someone he needed to worry about.

“Junior Sister, are you following this man of your own free will?” Nuotian asked directly, not bothering with any formalities.

Sensing her chance to escape, Qin Yixin hurriedly replied, “Senior Brother, I don’t even know these people—they appeared out of nowhere. How could I possibly be willing to go with him?”

“You hear that? She doesn’t want to go with you,” Nuotian said, looking straight at Chen Po.

Chen Po’s face darkened. “May I ask which peak you hail from, Junior Brother? I am Chen Po of Baiyun Peak. Are you sure you want to oppose me?”

“Oh? Are you threatening me now? It doesn’t matter which peak I’m from, but if you try to force someone without their consent, I won’t stand idly by,” Nuotian replied with a note of disdain.

“Think carefully, Junior Brother—Baiyun Peak has several elite disciples in the Dragon Vault Hall,” Chen Po warned.

“I don’t care if it’s Dragon Vault Hall or Heavenly Dragon Hall—I’m not letting this go.”

“Well then, I have no choice but to see what you’re capable of,” Chen Po said, stepping forward.

Nuotian spat out the blade of grass. “Fine. I’ve been wanting to spar with someone anyway.”

The two of them moved aside, standing about ten meters apart. Qin Yixin’s heart raced with anxiety. This new Senior Brother, who seemed about her age, how could he possibly be a match for an inner disciple of Baiyun Peak?

Chen Po glared at his opponent and wasted no time. “Today I’ll show you Baiyun Peak’s secret art—Cloud Kill!” With a forceful aura, he lunged at Nuotian with a palm strike.

Nuotian watched the incoming blow, immediately recognizing its power, and dodged nimbly. The Human Hero Realm marked the true beginning of cultivation, allowing practitioners to channel the world’s energy into techniques—far beyond the capabilities of ordinary mortals.

Chen Po was surprised when his swift attack missed, but he didn’t let it bother him. He had much more up his sleeve—today, he’d make sure these outer disciples learned the difference between them and the true inner circle. Otherwise, what was the point of the title?

He had mastered Cloud Kill, a formidable technique from Baiyun Peak that not only aided cultivation but made his martial skills as elusive and ever-changing as clouds in the sky. With this art, he’d become one of the top ten disciples of Baiyun Peak—a position of no small significance.

To the onlookers, the duel was clear: one attacked relentlessly, while the other kept dodging.

Seeing their champion force his opponent on the defensive, Chen Po’s followers grew more and more excited, cheering him on with shouts of “Go, Senior Brother!”

Qin Yixin’s anxiety only deepened, her hands clenched tightly to her chest as she watched the kind-hearted Senior Brother being forced to dodge again and again, afraid he’d be struck at any moment.

Though it seemed Chen Po was gaining the upper hand, he knew better. Despite his continuous onslaught, he hadn’t even grazed the hem of his opponent’s robe—disheartening, to say the least. Who was this guy, and why had he never heard of him before?

Nuotian relied entirely on the footwork of the Heavenly Dragon Battle Art. Though he’d barely scratched the surface of its mysteries, it was enough to evade every attack with ease. When he noticed Chen Po’s breathing falter, Nuotian knew his chance had come. “Careful now, Senior Brother,” he warned.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Nuotian, who had been dodging, suddenly punched straight at Chen Po’s palm.

Chen Po, thinking his chance had come, poured his full strength into the blow. He didn’t know the extent of his opponent’s abilities, but he was certain of one thing: the man before him was only at the Human Hero Realm, while he himself stood at its very peak. Unless his opponent was some monstrous genius, he couldn’t possibly lose.

Qin Yixin’s heart leapt into her throat as she watched the mysterious Senior Brother stand his ground instead of dodging. In an instant, the outcome was clear: one figure remained standing in place, while the other was hurled back as if thrown by a giant hand.

It was the mysterious, kind-hearted Senior Brother who stood unscathed, while the once-arrogant Chen Po lay in the distance, coughing up blood.

Chen Po’s cronies rushed to his side, helping him up. “Senior Brother, are you alright? You’re finished, kid—hurt Senior Brother Chen, and just wait until the elite disciples from Dragon Vault Hall come for you!”

Nuotian paid them no mind, glancing at the fallen Chen Po. He hadn’t expected his own strength to be so great, considering he hadn’t even used his full power. It seemed he was a true expert after all. Satisfaction welled up inside him.

“Thank you for your help, Senior Brother!” Qin Yixin approached Nuotian gratefully.

Before him stood a beauty: jet-black hair, a delicate face, gentle and clear eyes. For a moment, Nuotian was lost in a daze, reminded of his sisters, Nuoxin and Nuoyu, back on Tianjiao Peak—each as lovely as she. He sighed softly.

Qin Yixin felt his gaze linger on her and, though grateful, she couldn’t help but flush with embarrassment.

“Remember this—you’re not to bother this young lady again. I don’t care if you have elite Dragon Vault disciples backing you. Even if you were core disciples, I’d make you regret it,” Nuotian said with unyielding resolve, turning to address Chen Po’s group.

“What arrogance! You dare show such disrespect for Dragon Vault Hall?” came a voice from afar.

Nuotian turned toward the source to see a group of a dozen figures approaching. The leader wore black brocade robes, a dragon embroidered on his left cuff—clearly a man of status.

“It’s Senior Brother Chen Tian! Look, Senior Brother Chen Tian’s here—he’s an elite disciple of Dragon Vault Hall!” Chen Po’s followers exclaimed excitedly.

“Oh? And who might you be?” Nuotian asked, clearly curious.

“Chen Tian, elite disciple of Dragon Vault Hall,” came the cold, emotionless reply.

“Chen Tian? And what’s your relation to that guy?” Nuotian gestured at the bloodied Chen Po.

“That useless fool is my clan brother,” Chen Tian replied indifferently, as if the word ‘useless’ came naturally.

Nuotian’s expression didn’t change, but Chen Po’s fists clenched tight. He and Chen Tian were not just distant relatives but true brothers by blood. Yet, from a young age, Chen Tian had always looked down on him for his lesser talent. When an old cultivator, impressed by Chen Po’s aptitude, took him as a disciple, he thought he’d finally outshine his brother forever. But when his new master saw Chen Tian, he’d promptly accepted him as a disciple as well. Thus, both brothers became disciples of the same master. Chen Tian’s talent was truly extraordinary; within only a few years, he’d advanced to the Spirit Core Realm and become an elite disciple, while Chen Po, though exceptional compared to most, was always a step behind. Every encounter ended with him being called ‘useless’—a humiliation he could never accept. One day, his pent-up anger had finally exploded, only for Chen Tian to beat him soundly. Ever since, every meeting required him to swallow his rage.

Nuotian smiled. “So, it looks like you’re here to cause me trouble?”

“You defeated that useless brother of mine—I have no issue with that. But you’ve insulted Dragon Vault Hall, and for that, I cannot forgive you,” Chen Tian said coldly, eyes fixed on Nuotian.