164: Chapter 164 Rogue Cultivator Li Qing

Meanwhile, the Luoshui Sect was already in an uproar because of what happened at the Spirit Testing Platform. The news spread like wings to every corner of the Sect. Whether they were Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, or Sect deacons, everyone was discussing this matter. The name Li Qing had become the hottest topic in the Luoshui Sect overnight.

In the Outer Sect plaza, a group of Disciples gathered together, chattering away, their Faces full of surprise and curiosity.

"Have you heard? Something huge happened at the Spirit Testing Platform. Because of a Loose Cultivator named Li Qing, Fairy Luo Bing personally took down Deputy Hall Master Du Qian of the Law Enforcement Hall. That's so awesome!"

"That's not even the half of it! I was standing right next to the Spirit Testing Platform at the time. That Li Qing only looks like he's at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet he dared to go head-to-head with the Late Foundation Establishment Stage Deputy Hall Master Du Qian. That's just too badass!"

"The most impressive thing is that Fairy Luo Bing personally stepped in to protect this Li Qing. She even cleared out her own private guest courtyard for them to stay in, and she even got that girl named Zhou Yao admitted into the Inner Sect without an examination. This kind of treatment is unheard of in the entire Luoshui Sect!"

"A Loose Cultivator, to be valued so highly by Fairy Luo Bing... what is his background, exactly? Could he be a Disciple of some Hidden Family out for training?"

"Who knows? But his strength is truly formidable. He's definitely going to be someone significant in the Luoshui Sect from now on."

In the Inner Sect's training grounds, the Disciples were discussing it even more heatedly. Many Inner Sect Disciples looked toward the direction of the courtyard where Li Qing was staying, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe.

Fairy Luo Bing was already extremely famous in the Luoshui Sect. Not only was she well-born and powerful, but she was also breathtakingly beautiful—the goddess in the hearts of countless Inner Sect Disciples.

It was just that her personality was too cold; usually, it was difficult for anyone to even exchange a few words with Fairy Luo Bing.

Now that Fairy Luo Bing was actually taking such care of an outsider and Loose Cultivator—arranging a courtyard, and even granting special approval for Inner Sect entry—how could people not be curious?

There was also a group of Luo Bing's fanatic pursuers who, upon hearing this news, felt their jealousy and resentment overflowing. They gnashed their teeth in anger, gathering together to complain indignantly.

"What kind of thing is that Li Qing? A Loose Cultivator with no background, does he deserve such treatment from Fairy Luo Bing? It's pure wishful thinking!"

"Exactly! Fairy Luo Bing belongs to all of us. Why should he, an outsider, receive such special care from the Fairy? I think he's just trying to get close to the Fairy on purpose. He has ulterior motives!"

"The Du Family is not to be trifled with. This Li Qing has offended the Du Family; he's bound to suffer sooner or later. Let's just wait and watch the show. Don't think that just because he has Fairy Luo Bing protecting him, he can walk sideways in the Luoshui Sect!"

"I heard Deputy Hall Master Du Qian was dragged into the Law Enforcement Hall. The Du Family surely won't let this go. He'll get what's coming to him. Let's just wait and see. A mere Loose Cultivator wants to cling to Fairy Luo Bing? Dream on!"

These were all secret admirers of Luo Bing. Previously, when they were fellow Inner Sect Disciples with Luo Bing, they hadn't dared to confess. Now that Luo Bing had achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment and become a Personal Disciple of the Grand Elder, these people were even less likely to confess and could only secretly curse Li Qing, who had gained Luo Bing's favor.

However, some Disciples in the Luoshui Sect did know Li Qing's name—those who had entered the Xuanbing Secret Realm with Luo Bing.

But these people were surprisingly silent!

They were just silently sighing in their hearts: Li Qing's strength was already formidable back when he was at Qi Refining Perfection. Who would have thought that after his Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, he would still be so powerful!

...

At this moment, the Du Family was considered a long-established Family in the Luoshui Sect. Many of the Sect's deacons were members of the Du Family, so their influence was significant.

When the Du Family learned that Deputy Hall Master Du Qian and Du Hu had been dragged into the Law Enforcement Hall by Luo Bing, and that Luo Bing had ordered them to be severely punished, they instantly descended into chaos. Everyone was terrified, their Faces deathly pale.

In the Du Family's main hall, several core members sat together, looking dejected and pacing anxiously.

"It's over, it's over. Qian'er and Hu'er have been captured. Fairy Luo Bing issued the order personally, and no one is allowed to plead for mercy. What are we going to do?"

"Fairy Luo Bing has a noble status and the Grand Elder backing her. We simply cannot afford to provoke her. But Qian'er is a Genius of our Du Family and the Deputy Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall! If he is truly severely punished, our status in the Luoshui Sect will plummet!"

"It's all Hu'er's fault! Why did he have to go and provoke that Loose Cultivator Li Qing for no reason? Now look, he's run right into Fairy Luo Bing's hands and is completely finished!"

"Who exactly is that Li Qing? How could he make Fairy Luo Bing risk so much to protect him? Our Du Family has really kicked an iron plate this time."

Everyone was discussing it, but no one dared to step up and plead for mercy at the Law Enforcement Hall. They all knew Luo Bing's temper—once she gave an order, no one could change it.

Someone suggested sending people to pull strings and find connections within the Sect, but the news that came back was that all the deacons and Elders who were friendly with the Du Family had shut their doors, fearing they would be implicated. No one dared to intervene.

Finally, everyone's gaze fell upon the Du Family's Core Formation Old Ancestor. This Old Ancestor was the pillar of the Du Family, possessing profound cultivation. Usually, he was in seclusion and rarely concerned himself with the trivial matters of the Sect. Now that the Du Family was facing a great disaster, they could only rely on him to act.

The Du Family Old Ancestor sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed and his expression grim. He knew clearly that Luo Bing capturing Deputy Hall Master Du Qian seemed to be because of Du Qian's wrongdoing, but in reality, it was Luo Bing protecting Li Qing. Behind Luo Bing stood the high-level figures of the Luoshui Sect, not to mention her own influence. If he personally intervened to forcibly save Deputy Hall Master Du Qian, it would be openly opposing Luo Bing, and even worse, opposing the rules of the Luoshui Sect. By then, not only would he fail to save him, but he would drag the entire Du Family into the abyss—at best, being punished by the Sect, and at worst, being expelled from the Luoshui Sect.

But if he didn't save him, Deputy Hall Master Du Qian was the future of the Du Family. Once his cultivation was crippled or he was expelled from the Sect, the Du Family's reputation would be completely ruined.

The Du Family Old Ancestor sat there, silent for a long time, struggling in his heart, unable to decide. On one side was the safety of the Family, and on the other was a close Junior. He couldn't make up his mind and could only order everyone to stabilize the Du Family first, forbidding anyone from going out to cause trouble, and strictly forbidding anyone from seeking trouble with Li Qing. They would just wait and see what Luo Bing would do next before making further plans.

And Li Qing, in the courtyard, was completely unaware of all this. He sat by the stone table, closing his eyes to feel the rich Spiritual Qi of the Luoshui Sect. While channeling his Cultivation Technique to absorb the Spiritual Qi and improve his own cultivation, he also kept a constant watch on Zhou Yao's condition to ensure she was resting peacefully.

After all, even though they had entered the Luoshui Sect, it was not entirely safe.

Take the Du Family, for example. Although Deputy Hall Master Du Qian and Du Hu had been captured by Luo Bing, Luo Bing was a Personal Disciple of the Sect's Grand Elder and was in the right. Even if the Du Family had grievances, they wouldn't dare to hold a grudge against Luo Bing, nor would they dare to cause trouble for her. All the resentment would be directed at him.

Luo Bing was protecting him openly. The Du Family, out of respect for Luo Bing's Face, would certainly not dare to openly come and trouble him. But in the shadows, no one could say for sure.

The Du Family had been operating in the Luoshui Sect for many years and had deep-rooted influence. It was inevitable that they had underhanded methods. Since he had just arrived at the Luoshui Sect and was unfamiliar with the place, he had to be vigilant at all times and guard against the Du Family's secret retaliation.