Volume One: Youth Entering the World Chapter 110: The Four Great Sects

As Yin Tu led his men away, the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed. Fang Tian glanced at Yin Tu, then shifted his gaze to the person beside him.

At first glance, there was nothing remarkable, but when Fang Tian carefully observed with his spiritual power, he was astonished to find that the person beside Yin Tu possessed strength at the ninth level of cultivation—far superior to Yin Tu's—and appeared even younger than himself.

Sensing something, the person whom Fang Tian was scrutinizing glanced back at him with a puzzled look, then averted his eyes.

Fang Tian's gaze sharpened. He hadn’t expected this person to notice he was being watched. Clearly, this was no ordinary individual.

Retracting his gaze, Fang Tian turned to Lin Shuang and asked, “Shuang’er, have you seen them before?”

Lin Shuang pondered for a moment, then as if recalling something, said to Fang Tian, “Brother Yu, those people’s attire looks like they are from Zhaoguang Island.”

“Zhaoguang Island?” Fang Tian had never heard of it.

“Mm,” Lin Shuang nodded.

“Do you know anything about them?” Fang Tian inquired.

“Not much. I’ve only heard bits and pieces from my father,” she replied apologetically.

“Alright, looks like I’ll have to ask around.” Fang Tian felt that today’s commotion had caused trouble, and he needed to understand it better.

Lin Shuang looked puzzled and asked, “Brother Yu, why do you want to know about them? Isn’t everything settled now?”

“Shuang’er, they fought us without reason. They must have some motive. Earlier, they mentioned the word ‘gift.’ Even if it doesn’t concern us directly, there must be a reason compelling them to act this way,” Fang Tian explained.

At that moment, Xie Qing chimed in, “Brother, why bother? If they dare come, let’s see what happens. I’ll beat them until they’re begging for mercy!”

“You have a point. Maybe I’m just overthinking,” Fang Tian rubbed his brow, feeling that all the unexpected events lately had unsettled his mind.

“Brother Yu, why don’t we go inside and talk? It’s been a while since we last met; I have much to say,” Lin Shuang suggested, noticing the awkwardness of standing outside.

Fang Tian didn’t refuse and followed her indoors.

Inside, Lin Shuang’s attendants poured tea for the three of them.

Watching Fang Tian sip his tea, Lin Shuang began, “Brother Yu, there’s something I must apologize for…”

Fang Tian anticipated her words and interrupted, “No need. I understand some things.”

Surprised, Lin Shuang asked, “Brother Yu, you don’t blame the Lin family?”

Fang Tian smiled softly, “No, what’s done is done.”

“But we still feel that the Lin family owes you,” Lin Shuang admitted, burdened by guilt for having leaked Fang Tian’s whereabouts.

“You had no choice. Besides, I regret my own stubbornness that didn’t allow me to help your family. I feel somewhat guilty too,” Fang Tian said quietly.

“Brother Yu’s forgiveness means a lot to me,” Lin Shuang smiled warmly.

“Enough of that. Has Zhao Xue’er arrived? It’s been so long; I miss her,” Fang Tian asked.

Lin Shuang chuckled lightly, “Brother Yu, Xue’er and some members of the royal family are on their way. They should arrive soon.”

“Not here yet? That’s a shame,” Fang Tian said.

“Why not wait a bit longer? Ever since Brother Yu saved the second and third princes, His Majesty’s view of you has changed. He wants to meet you for a proper talk,” Lin Shuang suggested.

“A talk with me?”

“Yes. His Majesty hopes to turn hostility into friendship.”

A reconciliation? At this moment, Fang Tian could entertain such a thought.

Indeed, in this world, strength was the ultimate truth—the root of respect and fear.

“There’s nothing to discuss. Tell him there’s no need,” Fang Tian replied firmly. Though he hadn’t chosen to kill the princes on the island, he bore no goodwill toward the Zhao royal family. Because of them, he had been forced into hiding, constantly on the run. Had he not broken through his cultivation on the snowy mountain, and that incident at Starsea Harbor, he would have been captured or killed by the Great Elder and the third prince.

“Very well, if Brother Yu insists, I’ll inform His Majesty,” Lin Shuang said.

“Alright, I have nothing else. We should leave,” Fang Tian stood to depart.

“Not waiting for Xue’er?”

“I don’t know when they’ll arrive. Waiting here is boring. I’ll go visit some friends elsewhere. If she wants to find me, tell her to come to the Zhe Yun Inn.”

Lin Shuang nodded, “I’ll see you off.”

Fang Tian and Xie Qing left. Lin Shuang lingered at the door for a moment before returning inside. She sensed the distance growing between her and Fang Tian, but given all that had happened, pretending nothing had occurred was impossible. That Fang Tian could still speak calmly with her was the utmost kindness.

Meanwhile, on the way back, Xie Qing spoke up, “Brother, I’ve heard some things about your situation, but what’s your connection to that girl’s family from Ice Spirit Island?”

“They were the ones who leaked my whereabouts. If I hadn’t been prepared, I might have been finished there.”

“Really? Then why did you act like nothing happened?”

“It’s not her fault. I have no reason to blame her.”

“You’re really broad-minded,” Xie Qing praised, giving a thumbs-up.

“I’m not that noble. I just think rather than getting angry over these things, it’s better to become stronger quickly. Then no trickery can scare me.”

Xie Qing agreed, “Makes sense. Once we leave here, we need to train hard. I’ve heard that the world across the sea is even more chaotic. Without the skills to protect ourselves, it’ll be hard to survive.”

“Yes, the world of cultivators is perilous beyond imagination. Each step must be taken with utmost caution,” Fang Tian sighed.

Having said that, they stopped wandering and returned to the Zhe Yun Inn.

Fang Tian went back to his room, closed the door, and lay on his bed. Just as his eyes were about to close, he remembered something he hadn’t asked yet. Though not a big matter, he wanted to clarify it to ease his mind.

He rose, opened his door, and headed to the room of the leader of Qingxi Sect. When they had gone upstairs earlier, the sect leader had informed the ten of them of his room's location.

But he wasn’t sure if the leader was inside.

At the door, Fang Tian knocked and said, “Sect Leader, are you in?”

After a moment, a voice came from within, “Fang Tian? What do you need?”

“Disciple has some questions,” Fang Tian replied.

“Come in then.”

Fang Tian opened the door and entered.

The Qingxi Sect leader beckoned him to sit and asked, “Fang Tian, what do you want to ask?”

Fang Tian sat and looked at the leader directly. “Sect Leader, I went out with Xie Qing earlier and had a conflict with some people. It caused some trouble.”

“Hm? Didn’t I tell you to avoid trouble?” the leader asked in confusion.

Fang Tian admitted fault and recounted the incident.

After listening, the leader’s expression darkened in thought. After a moment, he said, “You’re saying those people are from Zhaoguang Island?”

“Yes, Sect Leader,” Fang Tian nodded.

“It’s not a big problem. But Zhaoguang Island is similar to our Qingmu Island and they are fiercely protective. With you two involved in a conflict, it might cause trouble at the Hundred Islands Conference.”

“Sect Leader, do you mean Zhaoguang Island is one of the four great sects affiliated here?”

“Yes. I should have told you earlier. Besides them, there’s also Linyue Island.”

“There’s one thing I don’t understand: why do they act so arrogantly here, as if they fear nothing?”

“That’s because the island owner here is from Zhaoguang Island.”

“I see. But with them running wild like this, won’t the higher sects reprimand them?”

“No. As long as no one is killed on this island, they turn a blind eye. Also, the island’s ownership rotates every ten years. After this Hundred Islands Conference, it will pass to someone from Linyue Island. After that, even if they want to behave like this, they probably won’t dare.”

Fang Tian felt curious why the leader only mentioned three islands when there should be four. Puzzled, he asked, “Sect Leader, you only mentioned three islands just now. Who’s the fourth?”

The leader explained, “Across the sea, there are indeed four great sects: Yunwu Sect, Chiyang Gate, Anyue Valley, and Jiuxing Mysterious Sect. Jiuxing Mysterious Sect isn’t very interested in this place, so they haven’t sent people to stake a claim.”

“Oh, that explains it,” Fang Tian nodded, gaining some understanding of the powers across the sea.

“If you have nothing else, you may go. But remember, don’t get into any more conflicts in the next few days.”

“Disciple understands,” Fang Tian stood and cupped his hands.

After saying goodbye, Fang Tian left the Qingxi Sect leader’s room.

Elsewhere, the group from Zhaoguang Island who had conflicted with Fang Tian gathered in a tavern, eating and drinking heartily. Those reprimanded by Yin Tu seemed to have forgotten the earlier trouble entirely.

After a while, Yin Tu said sternly, “Listen up! The island owner will change soon. If I catch any of you causing trouble again, I’ll throw you into the sea for the fish!”

The ones eating quickly looked up and said in unison, “Understood, understood. We won’t dare next time.”