C3 Investigate!

Upon the arrival of the newcomer, everyone in the arena promptly bowed, greeting him with a chorus of "Greetings, Elder Hee!"

Ye Dao dropped to his knees, pleading, "Elder Hee! You must intervene on behalf of our Ye Family! Lin Tian is a savage! He's slaughtered so many of our Ye Family disciples without any regard for the sect's laws..."

"Silence!"

Hoo Xiu's voice cut through the air, icy and sharp, "Do you think I'm blind?"

Stunned, Ye Dao hastily kowtowed, "Your discernment is clear, Elder Hee. I would never presume such a thing! It's just that I was..."

Hoo Xiu's gaze grew even frostier. "Just what? Reporting the facts? Ye Dao, do you really believe that the Inner Sect is oblivious to the Ye Family's actions in the Outer Sect over the years?"

Ye Dao tensed, an instinctive rebuttal on his lips, but one look at Hoo Xiu's chilling stare silenced him.

He knew full well the kind of man Hoo Xiu was—an embodiment of strict impartiality. Even elders of the Inner Sect couldn't escape his grasp, left to neither live in peace nor die in solace. Arguing with Hoo Xiu was out of the question.

The surrounding disciples exchanged knowing glances; Hoo Xiu's demeanor signaled an impending shift in the tide.

Seeing Ye Dao rendered speechless, Hoo Xiu turned his attention to Lin Tian and stated firmly, "Lin Tian, do you trust me? If so, release Ye Hu. I assure you that both you and your sister will be unharmed."

Lin Tian's eyes briefly sparkled before he nodded with a smile, "Certainly, Elder Hee. Your reputation for fairness is well-known within the sect. I will follow your guidance."

With a swift gesture, Lin Tian released his grip, sending Ye Hu soaring through the air to be caught by the quick-reacting Ye Dao.

Safe at last, Ye Hu bellowed, "Elder Hee, you must seek justice for me! My eyes..."

"You've brought this upon yourself!"

Hoo Xiu's retort was cold and dismissive, "Now, leave!"

Ye Hu shuddered, and Ye Dao hurriedly complied, "Yes! We're leaving this instant!"

Ye Dao quickly scooped up Ye Hu and hurried away. But as they were leaving, Ye Hu unleashed a furious roar, "Lin Tian! You wait! This isn't over..."

The venomous roar sent a shiver through the Outer Sect disciples nearby. Hoo Xiu scanned the crowd with a piercing gaze and barked, "Scram, all of you! A bunch of useless trash, standing by while your peers tear each other apart!"

The disciples shuddered, hastily bowed to Hoo Xiu, and dispersed.

Before long, only Lin Tian, Lin Ling, and Hoo Xiu remained outside the ramshackle hut.

"Lin Tian, you've surprised me today. Since when have you become so daring?" Hoo Xiu remarked, eyeing the severed limbs scattered on the ground.

"Even a cornered rabbit will bite," Lin Ling interjected, standing close to Lin Tian. "They tried to bully me and kill my brother. Elder Hee, as the Inner Sect's Law Enforcement Elder, you must know the full story. Our parents always said, 'In times of trouble, seek out Elder Hee. He will ensure justice is served.'"

Hoo Xiu paused, giving Lin Ling an unexpected look, seemingly impressed by her eloquence.

He sighed, "The situation with the Ye family isn't so straightforward."

"We're aware," Lin Tian said, nodding. "That's why we have no complaints about your decision, Elder Hee."

"No complaints at all?" Hoo Xiu arched an eyebrow.

"What's the use of complaints? What can they change? Ultimately, it comes down to us not being strong enough," Lin Tian said with a wry smile.

"Spoken like a true cultivator," Hoo Xiu nodded in approval. "Strength earns you the right to speak. Without it, you're just a target for bullying, and fairness is a luxury you can't afford. Lin Tian, I'm glad you understand this. There's no need for further discussion. In less than a month, the Celestial Dragon Sect's Outer Sect Assessment will take place. I expect you to pass. Once you do, the Ye family will have to reconsider before crossing you again."

After finishing his words, Hoo Xiu spun around and vanished into thin air.

Lin Tian watched Hoo Xiu's retreating figure, a glint of cold resolve flickering in his eyes.

Lin Ling, her expression grave, clutched Lin Tian's hand tightly.

"Hmm? Ling, what's the matter?"

Lin Tian smiled reassuringly and squeezed Lin Ling's hand. "Don't worry, it's all been taken care of."

"Mhm."

Lin Ling nodded, then turned to head back to the room with Lin Tian.

Once the door was shut, Lin Ling turned to Lin Tian with concern. "Brother, you need to be cautious."

Lin Tian quirked an eyebrow, his smile warm as he stroked Lin Ling's head. "Cautious about what? You have my full attention."

Lin Ling's large eyes were earnest as she spoke, "Brother, Elder Hee had some connections with our parents, but they were merely acquaintances, not close friends. And with our parents gone for so many years, people's loyalties cool. His willingness to help us now surely has an ulterior motive."

Surprise flickered through Lin Tian's eyes at her words. He hadn't expected Ling, still so young, to see the situation with such clarity.

But then he remembered the years of scorn and mistreatment they had endured, and it all made sense.

There was no innate wisdom, only the hard lessons of life.

A wave of tenderness for Lin Ling washed over Lin Tian, though he kept his tone light. "Ling, rest assured, I get it. Elder Hoo Xiu's help isn't straightforward, but it's not overly complex either. He's simply taken aback that someone like me, who's been stuck at Martial Apprentice Level Three for ages, could have a breakthrough to Level Four. If I pass the assessment this time, he'll likely downplay the whole affair, keeping the Ye family at bay. But if I don't make it, he won't bother with whatever the Ye family might do to me afterward. In the end, it all comes down to strength."

Lin Ling paused, looking at Lin Tian with newfound surprise. "Brother, you've changed so much. You never used to think about these things."

Lin Tian's smile deepened as he patted Lin Ling's hand. "I was too naive before, but things are different now. Ling, don't worry. I'll handle all the challenges that come our way."

"Yes, I trust you, brother."

Lin Ling nodded vigorously, her smile deepening.

She was genuinely happy. Her brother had always been kind to her, but he used to be so absorbed in his cultivation that he rarely gave thought to anything else. Now, not only was he showing her more kindness, but he had also begun to reflect on things.

She didn't understand how he had changed so suddenly, but it was a change for the better, and it put her mind at ease.

"Brother, I'll also start cultivating as soon as I can, aiming to reach the Martial Artist Stage quickly. Then, even if we have to leave this place, we'll be able to survive on our own."

Lin Tian responded to her declaration with a smile and a nod, "Good, I have faith in you. But for now, you need to rest."

Lin Ling agreed, and soon after, she drifted off to sleep with Lin Tian gently patting her back.

Watching Lin Ling sleep peacefully, a glint of determination flashed in Lin Tian's eyes. "Ling, don't worry. Just look forward to the good days ahead. I won't let you suffer any hardships ever again."

Meanwhile, in the central mansion of the Outer Sect at the Celestial Dragon Sect, the Great Elder of the Outer Sect, Ye Dao, was staring with a grim expression at a youth in yellow, his eyes shrouded in layers of white gauze.

The youth, Ye Hu of the Ye family, lay unconscious, his body emanating an aura of profound weakness.

Ye Dao's fists clenched as he sensed Ye Hu's frailty. He knew things had taken a dire turn.

Ye Ku and Ye Hu were the Ye family's prized sons, core members whom the Patriarch held in high regard. With Ye Ku dead and his own eyesight ruined, Ye Dao was the only one unscathed. What punishment would he face now?

He was, after all, just a member of a branch family within the Ye clan. How could he ever measure up to the main family's esteemed sons?

As Ye Dao's anxiety mounted, a maid dressed in a flowing gown approached him with respect, "Elder Ye, the Patriarch has just returned and is on his way here."

"..."

Ye Dao tensed but managed a response. He then hurriedly straightened his attire.

Shortly after, a middle-aged man adorned in a yellow robe, his face framed by a triad of whiskers, entered the room.

It was none other than the head of the Ye family and an Elder of the Celestial Dragon Sect, Ye Hong!

With a thud, as soon as the middle-aged man entered, Ye Dao immediately dropped to his knees on the ground.

"Patriarch, the fault lies with my inadequate protection. I ask for your punishment," Ye Dao pleaded, his forehead striking the floor three times in quick succession.

"Hmph!" A deep, disdainful snort escaped from Ye Hong's nostrils, sending a shiver through Ye Dao, who kept his head pressed to the ground, not daring to look up.

Without acknowledging the kneeling Ye Dao, Ye Hong strode over to the bed where Ye Hu lay and gazed down at him. After a brief silence, his gaze turned icy as he commanded, "Explain! What exactly happened? I want the full story, without any embellishments!"

"Yes!" Ye Dao responded immediately, still on the ground. "Here's what occurred..." He began, and without wasting a moment, Ye Dao recounted the events in detail, sticking strictly to the facts without any exaggeration.

Ye Hong listened in silence, his eyes closed. After a moment, he spoke in a measured tone, "So, it was Ye Ku who instigated the trouble with Mr. Lin Tian and ended up being killed by him? And Hu'er attempted to intervene but Lin Tian gouged out his eyes?"

"...Yes," Ye Dao confirmed, not withholding any information.

"Very well, you may stand," Ye Hong said, his voice eerily calm, instilling an even deeper sense of dread in Ye Dao, who nevertheless rose promptly.

Ye Hong opened his eyes and continued in a detached tone, "If everything you've told me is the truth, then you're not at fault. Putting aside the fact that Ye Ku was the instigator, the boy's strength alone is peculiar. He's only fourteen and has already advanced to Martial Apprentice Level Four. This indicates that the boy has significant potential, and you were simply caught unprepared."

"Patriarch, I assure you, my account is entirely accurate! Furthermore, I can't comprehend how he achieved such rapid advancement. By all accounts, he's just a boy of average talent," Ye Dao insisted.

"That's why we must thoroughly investigate this matter," Ye Hong stated icily. "Your next task is straightforward: investigate. Look into the boy's activities over the past few years, determine if there's been anything unusual, or if he's come into possession of any extraordinary treasures."