C14 They Could Not Take This Grievance

"Halt, I've already spotted you."

Dongfang Menghuan stamped her foot fiercely on a stone pedestal, her body soaring like a swift swallow as she thrust her long sword forward.

Bai Yu subtly shifted his stance, sidestepping Dongfang Menghuan's thrust.

"I never asked you to become my disciple. You did that on your own; it has nothing to do with me."

Dongfang Menghuan, red-faced with anger, had been persistently trailing Bai Yu.

"How dare you bring this up? Take my sword!"

Her long sword swept towards Bai Yu as if it were alive, slashing horizontally.

While most of the Star Cloud Sect disciples favored broad, sweeping strokes with their swords, she wielded hers with a unique finesse.

Bai Yu positioned two fingers in front of him and expertly deflected Dongfang Menghuan's sword.

Having mastered the Secret Scripture gifted by the Grand Upper Elder, Bai Yu was confident in his ability to best Dongfang Menghuan.

If she only possessed the skill she had just displayed, there was no chance she could prevail.

Finding no escape, Bai Yu shut the courtyard gate, hoping to keep her out.

Dongfang Menghuan watched as Bai Yu closed the door, her sword's edge striking the wood with force.

Fortunately for the door, she lacked the luck to break through.

The sound of the door being forced open caused her expression to harden.

"I should remind you, this is my courtyard. If you trespass, I reserve the right to take your life."

The air grew thick with a deadly aura, prompting Dongfang Menghuan to inhale deeply.

She had a master of her own and doubted that Bai Yu would truly dare to harm her.

"Leave."

His eyes fixed on Dongfang Menghuan, Bai Yu signaled for her to exit the courtyard.

Confused and frustrated, Dongfang Menghuan couldn't fathom why Bai Yu was so insistent on her departure.

She had arrived full of bluster, yet now she was being asked to leave without having accomplished anything, which struck her as odd.

"I challenge you to a duel. Surely you won't refuse me?"

In the Star Cloud Sect, sparring was a common practice, with many disciples using it as a means to enhance their abilities.

Dongfang Menghuan had only just arrived, yet she immediately resorted to such tactics to challenge Bai Yu, which was quite peculiar.

Bai Yu glanced at Dongfang Menghuan and let out a light chuckle. "Are you trying to provoke me?"

Without the need to draw his weapon, he gestured for Dongfang Menghuan to step into the courtyard. There was no necessity to head to any special arena; they could spar right there.

In the Star Cloud Sect, there was a legend that a disciple with a golden Root was destined to become the future Sect Master. Bai Yu was one such golden Root, but Dongfang Menghuan was skeptical of the legend and aimed to prove her strength by defeating him.

Standing ready, Dongfang Menghuan charged at Bai Yu. She employed a subtle body technique, barely lifting her feet off the ground. Her sword radiated an intimidating pressure, and she even conjured a wind blade beneath her feet. Had Bai Yu not noticed the wind blade, he could have been sliced by it.

"Such a cruel technique. I wonder where you learned it," Bai Yu remarked.

Bai Yu wasn't someone who could be easily swayed once provoked. He advanced a couple of steps and vanished from Dongfang Menghuan's view.

His most formidable skill was his agility, which, when combined with the Grand Upper Elder's internal energy, was simply unbeatable.

Realizing Bai Yu was now beside her, Dongfang Menghuan found herself unable to counter. A heavy palm strike landed on her face, knocking her to the ground. Had this been a formal duel, that blow could have shattered her skull.

Dongfang Menghuan looked up at Bai Yu, utterly surprised by her defeat. He extended his hand to her and said, "Let me help you up. You should rest."

Having a master meant having a method to practice and improve. Dongfang Menghuan had the techniques, but she lacked practical combat experience.

Bai Yu thought the incident was behind them, but to his surprise, Dongfang Menghuan clung to his hand. "Help! I'm being molested!"

Dongfang Menghuan's voice emerged from her lips, startling Bai Yu.

They were in Bai Yu's courtyard, his hand resting atop Dongfang Menghuan's.

To any onlooker, it might appear that Bai Yu was assaulting Dongfang Menghuan.

"Don't do anything foolish."

With a cold laugh, Dongfang Menghuan taunted, "You're not even close to being a match for me."

Her voice grew louder, catching the attention of the Second Prince in the neighboring courtyard.

He leaped over the wall, landing like a shadow.

The Second Prince saw Bai Yu and Dongfang Menghuan together and shut his eyes.

"Bai Yu, to engage in such disgraceful behavior within the Star Cloud Sect is to truly underestimate the vastness of the heavens and the depth of the earth."

A crowd of disciples, drawn by Dongfang Menghuan's voice, gathered around. Most were newcomers, their curiosity piqued by the scandal.

Bai Yu, seeing them enter his courtyard, let out a light chuckle.

"Since you're all here, you can vouch for me—I didn't lay a finger on her."

Dongfang Menghuan had already withdrawn her hand, turning to the only witness, the Second Prince.

The Second Prince stepped in front of Dongfang Menghuan, pointing an accusing finger at Bai Yu.

"I witnessed it with my own eyes. And yet you dare to deny it?"

The members of the Star Cloud Sect were well aware of the animosity between Bai Yu and the Second Prince and were skeptical of the accusation.

"What do you propose?"

The Second Prince, casting a glance at Dongfang Menghuan, quickly devised a plan.

Pointing to the ground, he demanded, "Kneel before her, and we might just forgive you."

Dongfang Menghuan and the Second Prince seemed to be of one mind, both convinced that Bai Yu owed an apology.

The disciples exchanged glances, none having witnessed the actual event, and thus felt it inappropriate to intervene.

Without support from the disciples, Bai Yu approached the Second Prince.

"Are you certain of what you saw?"

Before the Second Prince could respond, his cheek bore the imprint of a fiery slap.

Staring in disbelief at the mark on his palm, the Second Prince's anger flared anew.

"I'm going all out against you."

He wasn't as powerful as Bai Yu, so to stand a chance at victory, he'd need to exert his full strength.

Grabbing Dongfang Menghuan's sword, he lunged at Bai Yu with a thrust.

Bai Yu stood his ground, positioning his fingers in front of him and forcefully pinching the Second Prince's sword blade.

Repeating his signature move, he applied pressure with his fingers and the blade snapped instantly.

To date, no one had managed to push Bai Yu to unsheathe his sword.

Dongfang Menghuan's face registered utter astonishment as she witnessed Bai Yu breaking a sword with mere fingers—a feat few in the disciples' courtyard could achieve.

Bai Yu was an anomaly among them, unmatched by any of his peers.

Given time to grow and cultivate, it was conceivable that even the Star Cloud Sect's elders might not rival him.

Yet Bai Yu remained indifferent to Dongfang Menghuan, instead delivering a backhanded palm strike that sent the Second Prince hurtling through the air.