Chapter 13: Malice

Within the quiet cavern, Yin Tianfang sat cross-legged upon his bed, hands forming seals as strands of spiritual energy were drawn from the surrounding void, swirling about his form. With each breath, the energy entered his body. Now, Yin Tianfang was a true cultivator, able to sense the spiritual force drifting in the air and observe his own dantian.

In the clear, mirror-like waters within his dantian, a single azure lotus grew, bearing only one verdant leaf, wavering gently, blurring the line between reality and illusion. Refined spiritual energy entered the dantian and was absorbed by this lone lotus leaf.

Exhaling softly, Yin Tianfang emerged from his cultivation, opening his eyes. The scene within his dantian was perfectly clear to him, yet it differed from what was described in the Three Chapters of Condensation.

“Could this be the unique wonder of the Three Sacred Scriptures of the Primal Lotus?” he mused. He’d once considered asking Daoist Wuchen, but the elder was always in haste, coming and going in a rush. Upon learning Yin Tianfang had broken through to the first layer of Condensation, Daoist Wuchen had hurriedly departed.

Three days had passed since then. In this time, Yin Tianfang had devoted himself to cultivation, hoping to reach the second layer of Condensation before the elder’s return and surprise him.

“Master,” Zhang Ping and Lin Fan entered the cave, seeing Yin Tianfang had finished his practice. They approached, and Zhang Ping said, “Master, now that you’ve reached the Condensation stage, sect rules grant you the right to choose a treasure from the Sect’s Treasure Vault.”

“Oh, such a fortune?” At these words, a flash of excitement appeared in Yin Tianfang’s eyes. The Treasure Vault of the Azure Cloud Sect surely held remarkable items.

“Come, let’s see for ourselves,” Yin Tianfang said, swiftly leaving the cave, heading towards the main peak of Azure Cloud Sect.

Azure Cloud Peak, the main summit, was home to most of the sect’s disciples. The Northern Peak, however, was reserved for the Grand Elder, and aside from Yin Tianfang and a few others, few disciples ventured there. After all, the main peak was far livelier than the northern one.

As they walked across the main peak, Yin Tianfang encountered many fellow disciples, but despite several months in the sect, he was unfamiliar with most, and many faces were strangers to him.

Fortunately, Zhang Ping and Lin Fan had spent much longer in the sect, and were well acquainted with the main peak’s paths. Guided by them, the three quickly arrived before a grand hall.

Above its entrance, the words “Treasure Vault” gleamed in gold, igniting a fire in Yin Tianfang’s heart.

Inside the Scripture Pavilion, a young man sat idly, eyes closed in meditation. Yin Tianfang stepped forward, politely offering his identity token and introducing himself.

The youth opened his eyes, took the token, and cast a sideways glance at Yin Tianfang, speaking in a mocking tone, “So you’re the one who feigned illness and played upon the Grand Elder’s sympathy to gain entry into Azure Cloud Sect?”

The young man rose, sneering at Yin Tianfang, “I suppose reaching Condensation was only possible thanks to the Grand Elder’s aid, after you begged for his help?”

Before Yin Tianfang could respond, Zhang Ping and Lin Fan broke in, angered by the youth’s harsh words. “How dare you speak like that?”

The youth narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam flashing as he released a thread of aura. Even a mere wisp was enough to drain the color from the faces of Yin Tianfang and his companions.

“Let’s go,” Yin Tianfang said darkly, turning toward the hall’s exit.

“Wait. Take your token with you—don’t sully the Treasure Vault,” the youth sneered, tossing the token to the floor.

Yin Tianfang paused, his gaze falling upon the token, his fist tightening as fury surged within him. He had no quarrel with this youth, yet he was so openly humiliated. The anger in his heart was beyond words.

Zhang Ping picked up the token and handed it to Yin Tianfang, who struggled to restrain his rage and left in silence. He was no match for the youth, and could only endure.

“Hmph, just a brat who still reeks of milk,” the youth scoffed as Yin Tianfang left, settling back into his seat and closing his eyes once more.

Outside the Treasure Vault, a crowd of busybodies peered in curiously. Yin Tianfang strode out, anger burning, heading straight for the Northern Peak.

“I once thought this boy was exceptionally gifted, and that’s why the Grand Elder made an exception for him. Turns out, it was for such reasons.”

“Indeed. He seems refined and gentle, but apparently he’s quite cunning.”

“Even with the Grand Elder as his master, what good will it do? Someone like him will never find a footing in Azure Cloud Sect.”

The youth in the Treasure Vault had spoken loudly, clearly intending for those outside to overhear. With such deliberate provocation, the crowd accepted the “truth” and looked down upon Yin Tianfang.

They had all earned their place in Azure Cloud Sect through their own efforts, step by step. But this boy had resorted to such disgraceful means. Truly shameless.

Yin Tianfang heard their whispers, the scorn evident. Zhang Ping and Lin Fan looked at him with concern, unsure how to comfort him.

On the way back to the Northern Peak, every disciple they passed cast him a scornful glance, murmuring quietly to their companions. The “truth” that Yin Tianfang had feigned illness to win sympathy and secure his place had spread through the sect overnight.

In the crowd, Ye Tianxing stood with several youths, watching Yin Tianfang’s furious departure, a cold smile on his lips.

“Brother Ye, I hear you and Yin Tianfang are cousins and fellow disciples. Surely you know whether the story is true or false?” asked one by his side.

Ye Tianxing’s expression turned awkward, hemming and hawing before brushing it off. “Why bring it up? My cousin may be young, but he’d never do such a thing. I have matters to attend to—excuse me.”

His evasive words and unnatural expression as he hurried away only convinced the others further.

“Truly, appearances can be deceiving.”

Back at the Northern Peak, Yin Tianfang stood before his cave, recalling all that had happened on the main peak, the fire of anger blazing within him.

“Ah!” The rage he had suppressed erupted in a furious cry that echoed across the Northern Peak, lingering until it slowly faded.

“Master…” Zhang Ping and Lin Fan watched him with anxious faces.

“I’m fine now,” Yin Tianfang said, his composure restored, before heading into his cave.

Ye Tianxing, just returned from the Northern Peak, had heard the angry shout. He paused, glanced toward its source, and sneered coldly.