Divine Sword Manor.

Situated atop Sword Mountain, with some distance from Dragon Gate Town at the foothill, Li Feng deliberately walked side by side with Huang Shuyao.

It's not that Li Feng was being gentlemanly, but rather he didn't know the way, and Huang Shuyao was helping to lead.

Exiting Dragon Gate Town, there's a stone path that splits into two; one goes along the valley river, the other winds up the mountain, seemingly leading to the mountain villa's entrance.

"Phew, senior brother, we have to start climbing the stairs again. They say there are nine hundred and ninety-nine steps from here to the main gate of the villa, is that true?"

Huang Shuyao looked at the steps ahead with a bit of apprehension, because there were no elevators or cable cars here, ascending and descending the villa was solely reliant on one's legs.

Moreover, these steps were quite steep, making the climb very tiring. Even for people trained in martial arts, it's considered quite challenging.

Especially wearing this long Hanfu dress.

Li Feng glanced at the steps and said, "This too is a form of training, it also serves to remind us cultivators that cultivation is like this mountain path, only after transcending step after step can we see the end."

After saying this, Li Feng stepped onto the stairs and began ascending. Huang Shuyao nodded quietly and followed suit closely.

Nearly a thousand steps later, Li Feng was neither out of breath nor sweating, though his muscles did feel a bit sore. Upon reaching the last step, he saw a stone gate.

Passing through the gate, there was a platform, at least a few hundred square meters in size, and in the middle, a scaled-down Stone Sword was slanted into the ground.

Carved into the sword were the large characters for Divine Sword Manor.

Skirting around the Stone Sword led to the location of the Outer Sect of Divine Sword Manor.

This Outer Sect occupied a broad platform at the lower waist of the mountain, at approximately two to three hundred meters in height. Signs of chiseling on the mountain wall were visible, and there seemed to be inhabitants.

Entering the Outer Sect.

Huang Shuyao looked at Li Feng, a bit reluctant.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Bai, for escorting me back. I live in the courtyard next door, your residence is already up there, so I won't disturb you, senior brother."

"Alright."

Li Feng nodded slightly and walked away. Huang Shuyao watched Li Feng leave, biting her lip.

Li Feng looked indifferent on the surface, but inside he was quite anxious, as he genuinely didn't know where he lived.

"Isn't that Bai Yutang."

"That's him; who would've thought he'd secretly open the Divine Acupoint and mastered the Sword Control Technique, huh, he hides well."

"Isn't that true, there are thousands of disciples in the Outer Sect, Bai Yutang usually goes unnoticed and has little presence. If it weren't for the two Inner Sect senior sisters fighting over him, who would know who Bai Yutang is."

"But who could have imagined this pretty boy secretly opened the Divine Acupoint? Do you think the two Inner Sect senior sisters gave him special treatment?"

"Hmm, even without special treatment, they definitely gave him plenty of benefits. Otherwise, how could he open the Divine Acupoint?"

There's a saying that sour grapes taste bad if you can't have them; if someone from the top ten of the Outer Sect rankings had opened the Divine Acupoint, they wouldn't be gossiping like this. But Bai Yutang? What does he even count for?

Previously, he was inferior to them, yet ended up secretly opening the Divine Acupoint.

Opening the Divine Acupoint and mastering the Sword Control Technique, that amounts to one foot in the Inner Sect, just shy of a master ceremony to officially join, and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple means unlimited potential and a promising future.

Who wouldn't be envious?

Li Feng, with keen ears, couldn't help but hear this quiet gossip. It seems the news about him and Huang Shuyao wandering Dragon Gate Town this afternoon had already reached the Outer Sect.

"Hmm, even with the Divine Acupoint opened, this guy offended the wrong people. I heard at Yan Gui Building in Dragon Gate Town, he beat Lin Ao half to death, and Lin Ao is Lin Xiong's brother."

"Lin Xiong is strong, but Bai Yutang is half a foot into the Inner Sect now. Would Lin Xiong dare make a move against Bai Yutang?"

"Hmm, half a foot in doesn't mean fully in. Lin Xiong reportedly has been in seclusion for half a year, and even if he hasn't broken through, his strength is top tier."

"Moreover, mastering Sword Control Technique doesn't necessarily mean strength, especially just after breaking through—there's not so much difference yet."

"After all, Sword Control Technique isn't learned overnight, and its true transmission is to be learned only upon entering the Inner Sect; we are learning merely an introductory portion, it's not the same thing."

"Besides, the Lin brothers bear the Lin surname, reportedly among the family of the Young Master's faction."

There are people in the world, and where there is a world, there's bound to be factions. Divine Sword Manor seems Lin Family's domain, but in reality, though the manor is predominantly Lin's family, it's not an absolute rule.

The Family Head of Lin Family wields great influence, but beneath him are five elder Lin surnamed houses and several Guest Elders with different surnames.

Though Guest Elders aren't that powerful, the six branches of Lin Family retain a lineage, with the main holder being the first branch, and the heads of the remaining five branches are Manor Elders with real power.

Among Guest Elders, those strong in power, like the Lu Family, combined form a force not to be underestimated.

Nowadays, Divine Sword Manor is arguably three-legged, with the main lineage at one end, the five branches another, and the Guest Elders at the final leg.

Between these, alliances are formed; for instance, the third branch closely follows the main lineage, and among Guest Elders, some support the main lineage. Despite these, the manor remains relatively stable.

Though three-legged, the main lineage is undoubtedly the more dominant, with Lin family brothers under the Young Master's lineage, whereas Bai Yutang is merely a descendant of a Guest Elder and not even from a powerful family like the Lu Family.

Thus, whether this matter will settle peacefully is yet to be seen.

"Bai Yutang."

Just when Li Feng was clueless about going back home, a sudden sweet voice called out.

"You have made me search for you; where have you been so late?"

Li Feng looked at the young girl with two buns, probably around eleven or twelve years old. She wore a green dress, her moist large eyes sparkling, her face full of petulance yet lovely.

"I was outside awhile, what's the matter?"

Li Feng replied vaguely.

"Hmm, I don't have any business with you, but my lady wants to see you. Hmm, you better think about how to explain to my lady."

Li Feng was slightly stunned; the lady mentioned by this young girl, she wouldn't be one of the Inner Sect senior sisters who allegedly "kept" Bai Yutang, right?

If true, it could be awkward.

They wouldn't recognize him, would they?

What a dilemma.

"Lead the way."

If it's a blessing, it's not a curse; if it's a curse, there's no escape. It seems meeting the matter head-on, dealing with each incident as it comes is inevitable, though one thing must absolutely not cross the line.

After all, should there have been any intimate encounters, any movement from Li Feng might expose him. Appearing like this can hide appearance, yet proximity distinctly distinguishes any differences.