C9 Fallen from the Sky

"The arena is this way. Where do you think you're going?"

A voice echoed from the void as an invisible hand seized the Second Prince.

Emerging from the pond, Bai Yu noticed that the Second Prince had been forcibly dragged into the arena.

Apparently, the Second Prince had intended to stir up trouble and then make a run for it.

The hand vanished, leaving the Second Prince looking bewildered as he surveyed the surrounding crowd.

Nearly all the elders of the Star Cloud Sect were there, including his master, the Dust Taoist.

The Star Cloud Sect took formal challenges very seriously; there was no way they would let him leave.

Bai Yu made his way over from the pond and confirmed that indeed, the person in question was on the stage.

A number of disciples followed him, but they were held back by the elders at the perimeter.

"Bai Yu, it's your turn to step up."

Though the Grand Upper Elder wasn't present, Bai Yu could feel the watchful eyes of others upon him.

The Second Prince stood no chance against Bai Yu, and now he was deeply regretting his earlier bravado.

"Are you ready? The entire sect is watching your challenge."

It had been some time since the last contender stepped into the arena, and they were all too keen to witness a one-on-one showdown.

As soon as the Second Prince expressed his desire to take the stage, an elder took him at his word.

Bai Yu positioned himself off to the side, his body enveloped in a soft golden glow.

In contrast, the Second Prince was left with only a faint wisp of purple light, which seemed to fade more with each passing moment, as if it might extinguish at any second.

"Do you want me to knock you out in one fell swoop, or would you prefer I show you some mercy?"

The sect's elders would certainly notice if Bai Yu held back, though the disciples might not.

If the Second Prince wanted to save face, Bai Yu wouldn't need to exert his full strength.

Looking around, the Second Prince saw that many in the crowd were heckling.

"Take him down, take him down!"

"He's too arrogant. We've had enough!"

The Second Prince had managed to dry off the water with his energy, but he was still reeling from the shock.

An elder stepped into the middle of the arena and commanded, "You two, heed my words."

Bai Yu stood tall and firm, like a pine tree.

The Second Prince, on the other hand, was visibly less assured, his eyes darting about as if searching for an escape route.

No one had dared to challenge Bai Yu, unsure of the extent of his formidable abilities.

He had attempted a surprise attack by the pond, but his punch missed its mark.

Bai Yu's ability to materialize in front of him so quickly was a clear testament to his terrifying speed.

"I declare that your competition begins now," announced the Grand Upper Elder.

With a single step, the elder materialized in his designated seat, eager not to delay the duel.

Unexpectedly, no sooner had the elder departed than the Second Prince made his exit.

Bai Yu watched in bewilderment as the Second Prince vanished from his sight.

The competition was of great significance, yet the Second Prince chose such a moment to flee, which was quite peculiar.

Many disciples watched the Second Prince's retreat in stunned silence, none daring to voice their thoughts.

To fail in the arena was one thing, but to desert the fight was quite another.

Lacking even the courage to engage in battle, one had to wonder why he had issued a formal challenge in the first place.

The Dust Taoist was taken aback by the Second Prince's behavior, having never mentored such a disciple.

It wasn't Bai Yu who sought to challenge the Second Prince; rather, it was the Second Prince who had sought to challenge Bai Yu.

Yet, once they ascended the arena, the situation reversed abruptly.

The elder hadn't even settled into his seat before he found himself back on the arena floor.

"Bai Yu wins this match," he declared.

The disciples dispersed, each one puzzled by the Second Prince's actions.

The Second Prince retreated to his courtyard, his ears filled with the scornful laughter of many outside.

He covered his ears, unwilling to listen to their taunts.

One's reputation is earned, and the Second Prince's flight from battle was the ultimate disgrace.

The Dust Taoist entered with a face ashen with fury.

The Last Disciple's farce was a direct affront to his own honor.

Upon the Dust Taoist's return, the Second Prince approached him.

"Do not address me as your master. You no longer belong to the Star Cloud Sect."

The Dust Taoist refused to even glance at the Second Prince, treating him as if he were invisible.

Kneeling in the courtyard, the Second Prince pleaded for the Dust Taoist's forgiveness.

Yet the disgrace of his recent actions lingered, and the Dust Taoist was in no hurry to absolve him.

In the blink of an eye, the sun was on the verge of setting.

The dining hall had begun serving meals, and the Second Prince stood at the entrance, waiting.

Many disciples caught sight of the Second Prince and started jeering at him.

"Look who's here, the scaredy-cat. Still got the nerve to eat, huh?"

"Exactly, I was sure he wouldn't have the guts to show his face."

A few of them went inside and grabbed their share of the food.

The Second Prince followed the rest of the disciples in and, as usual, took a plate for himself.

Regardless of how much food he prepared, there were always those nearby who snatched it from him.

"Isn't this a bit much?"

Holding back his rage, the Second Prince really didn't want to stir up new trouble.

The issue with Bai Yu had been a misunderstanding from the start, and the Second Prince was at a loss for how to clear things up.

"We've been more than courteous to you. If we weren't, your plate would be on the floor by now."

One disciple purposely squeezed him out, preventing him from staying in the dining hall to eat.

"It's not up to you to decide whether I can become a disciple of the Dust Taoist."

Fuming, he approached the disciple and reclaimed his meal.

The Second Prince couldn't best Bai Yu due to the oppressive nature of his Root, but he found it easy to handle the other disciples.

Most of the disciples had only mediocre talent; they were no match for him.

"You don't deserve to be the Dust Taoist's disciple because he never backs down."

Unable to contain his fury any longer, the Second Prince set his plate down on the table and delivered a palm strike to one of their chests.

His anger fueled the attack, unleashing nearly all his strength.

The disciple's plate clattered to the floor as he was hurled against the wall, coughing up blood.

Lying on the ground, clutching his chest, he gasped, "You... you actually dare to harbor the intent to kill."

The blow had been strong enough to shake his very foundation; the disciple was well aware that the Second Prince had been aiming to kill.

Others began to ready themselves, fearing the Second Prince might press his advantage.

Just as a major confrontation seemed imminent, the Grand Upper Elder entered from the doorway.

"Enough! This is a dining hall, not a training ground."

Everyone quickly dissipated their Qi, eager to avoid the Grand Upper Elder's suspicion that they were the troublemaker.

The disciple on the ground was unable to rise, surrounded by a pool of glaring blood.

Upon noticing the bloodied figure, the Grand Upper Elder crouched before him and asked, "Who is responsible for this?"

All eyes turned to the Second Prince, silently urging the elder to discipline him.

"Come with me. We've already spared you once; why do you persist in your folly?"

The Second Prince trailed behind the Grand Upper Elder to his courtyard.

Upon learning of the Second Prince's continued defiance, they promptly administered a punishment.