Chapter 4: The Number One Outer Disciple of Baiyang Sect, Du Feng!

The Blackwind Forest.

Three figures wandered through the area, their robes clearly marking them as disciples of the Baiyang Sect.

“What rotten luck. We haven’t even come across a single ferocious beast,” one of them grumbled.

“Senior Brother Du, what should we do?” another turned toward the young man leading the group.

This man was none other than Du Feng—the number one outer disciple of Baiyang Sect.

Despite their complaints, Du Feng remained composed, his expression calm and unhurried.

“Why panic? Even if we don’t find any Qi-Gathering Grass, we can just wait at the exit for prey to come to us, can’t we?”

His face was full of pride.

He had been to the Blackwind Forest countless times. Often, he came up empty-handed.

The forest was vast, and although it contained many resources, they were spread out across such a wide area that finding them always required some luck.

And if luck ran out—well, robbery would have to do.

He’d done it more than once.

And every time, he’d succeeded.

After all, the name of Baiyang Sect still carried weight.

“Senior Brother is absolutely right!”

“As expected of our Baiyang Sect’s top outer disciple! With this Qi-Gathering Grass, you’ll definitely break through to the Qi-Gathering Realm soon and join the inner sect!”

The two Baiyang disciples immediately began to flatter him.

They weren’t weak themselves—both were at the eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm.

But compared to Du Feng, they were worlds apart.

Even though Du Feng was only two layers above them, his combat strength far surpassed theirs.

After all…

Du Feng had once slain a Qi-Gathering Realm cultivator while still at the peak of Body Tempering Ninth Layer!

Now, he had reached the Tenth Layer of Body Tempering, practically unrivaled among his peers!

Du Feng clearly enjoyed the praise.

He held his head high with smug satisfaction.

But just then, a loud, angry roar suddenly echoed from nearby.

The two disciples’ eyes lit up.

“Senior Brother Du, was that a ferocious beast!?”

“Finally! A ferocious beast!”

Du Feng’s eyes brightened as well. Without hesitation, the three of them rushed toward the sound.

Soon, they reached a dense patch of shrubs.

And right before their eyes…

A massive, patterned leopard lay sprawled in a pool of its own blood, clearly on the brink of death.

Nearby…

A greenish-yellow herb stood in stark contrast to the undergrowth.

“It’s Qi-Gathering Grass!”

“Senior Brother Du, this is amazing! With this, you’ll definitely break through to the Qi-Gathering Realm!”

Both disciples were ecstatic.

Du Feng’s face also lit up with delight.

What luck! Just hearing the beast’s cry led them right to a Qi-Gathering Grass!

But just as they were rejoicing…

They saw a young man reaching out to pick the Qi-Gathering Grass.

The two Baiyang disciples instantly lost their composure.

“Stop right there!”

“Take your filthy hand off that! That Qi-Gathering Grass belongs to Baiyang Sect!”

They barked out their demands.

The young man—Gu Yang—glanced over at them, then calmly plucked the Qi-Gathering Grass without saying a word.

Seeing his action, the two disciples were furious.

“You bastard! You dare take something that belongs to Baiyang Sect!? You’ve got a death wish!”

“Hand over the Qi-Gathering Grass and break both your arms yourself, and maybe we’ll spare your life!”

Their tone was openly hostile.

Even after realizing that Gu Yang was an outer disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect, their attitude didn’t change in the slightest.

Outer disciples varied greatly in strength.

Sure, Flowing Cloud Sect had its share of geniuses—but they knew who those were.

And this Gu Yang…

Was definitely not one of them.

They didn’t recognize him at all.

In a case like this, they wouldn’t bother being polite.

Even if it meant killing him.

Flowing Cloud Sect wouldn’t care.

Gu Yang shot them a bored glance and said coolly,

“You’re saying this Qi-Gathering Grass belongs to you?”

“That’s right! Be smart and hand it over, or don’t blame us for what happens next!” one of them shouted threateningly.

Hearing this, Gu Yang let out a soft chuckle.

“Heh. If you’re here to rob me, just say so. Why dress it up with such self-righteous nonsense? Pathetic. Or maybe… this is just how Baiyang Sect disciples are?”

His taunt made the two Baiyang disciples jump with rage.

This punk… did he just mock us!?

Du Feng’s brows furrowed slightly. Then, he said coldly,

“Kill him.”

“Yes, Senior Brother Du!”

Without hesitation, one of the Baiyang disciples drew the blade at his waist.

“Kid, don’t blame me. Blame yourself for being clueless and blind!”

With a murderous gleam in his eye, he raised his blade, surging with power, and slashed straight at Gu Yang.

His speed was fast, his movements smooth and practiced—leaving no room for Gu Yang to react.

But to Gu Yang…

The slash looked painfully slow—full of openings.

He calmly stepped to the left, avoiding the strike with ease.

What!?

The disciple’s face filled with shock as his attack missed entirely.

But before he could respond—

Gu Yang’s fist slammed into his chest.

A terrifying force erupted on impact.

BOOM!

“AAARGH!”

A shrill scream tore through the sky.

The disciple flew backward like a kite with a broken string—

Slammed hard against a thick tree trunk—

And crashed to the ground, lifeless.

One punch.

Instant kill.

The sight left the other Baiyang disciple stunned with terror.

This guy… his strength is insane!

He killed a Body Tempering Eighth Layer with one punch!?

Panic gripped his heart.

But then he looked at Du Feng beside him and instantly regained his composure.

“You bastard! You dare kill a Baiyang Sect disciple? You’re dead! Senior Brother Du will never forgive you!”

“Senior Brother Du killed a Qi-Gathering Realm cultivator when he was only at Body Tempering Ninth Layer! Now he’s at the Tenth—killing you will be as easy as squashing a chicken!”

He shouted from behind Du Feng’s back.

“If you know what’s good for you, hand over the Qi-Gathering Grass. Maybe Senior Brother Du will spare your life!”

Du Feng, however, looked grim.

This punk really dared to kill one of my men in front of me?

Maybe Gu Yang did have some strength.

But Du Feng still looked down on him.

An eighth-layer Body Tempering disciple? I can crush one of those with a single punch too. Big deal.

He gazed down at Gu Yang with cold, murderous eyes.

Then, with arrogance dripping from every word, he said,

“Kill yourself. Otherwise… I’ll show you what a fate worse than death really feels like.”

The remaining disciple looked thrilled.

“You’re done for! You pissed off Senior Brother Du! Killing yourself might be your best option!” he yelled.

Gu Yang sneered at their words.

“Looks like I gave you too much credit. You’re not self-righteous. Just stupid.”