A small, round object suddenly materialized between Yu Fen and Chen Wei. Yu Fen's fist connected with it, and he stumbled backward, pain shooting through his hand.

"What in the-" he began, but was cut off by a high-pitched voice.

"Chen Wei didn't come alone, you big bully! He's under my protection!"

The round object unfurled, revealing itself to be a small tortoise. It glared up at Yu Fen with surprising ferocity for such a tiny creature.

Yu Fen's eyes narrowed as he studied the newcomer. "A spirit beast? Here?"

The tortoise puffed out its chest, trying to look intimidating despite its small size. "That's right! I am Zhi-Zhi, and you'd better back off if you know what's good for you!"

Despite his bravado, Zhi-Zhi felt a tremor of fear run through him as he met Yu Fen's intense gaze. Stay calm, he told himself. Remember your training. Master Cang Long wouldn't be scared of this bully!

Yu Fen's lips curled into a sneer. "How amusing. The little Outer Disciple brought his pet along for protection. I'm quaking in my boots."

“I’m the disciple of the Great Cang Long!”

Yu Fen's eyebrows rose at the mention of Cang Long. Even he, years removed from the sect, knew that name. Cang Long was a legend, the Guardian Beast of the Azure Sky Sect. If this little spirit beast was truly his disciple...

But no. Yu Fen shook his head, dispelling the momentary doubt. This had to be another bluff, another desperate attempt by these Outer Disciples to save themselves.

"Cang Long's disciple?" Yu Fen scoffed. "Do you take me for a fool? Cang Long wouldn't waste his time on a pipsqueak like you."

Zhi-Zhi's face fell for a moment, hurt flashing in his eyes. But then his expression hardened, determination replacing the fear. "Think what you will," he said, his voice steadier now. "But know this: I won’t let you harm Chen Wei!”

Yu Fen's followers exchanged uneasy glances. This was not how they had expected things to go. A spirit beast, even a young one, was not to be trifted with lightly.

But Yu Fen was not so easily deterred. With lightning speed, he lashed out at Zhi-Zhi. But the spirit tortoise was faster than he looked. Zhi-Zhi retreated into his shell just as Yu Fen's fist connected, the blow glancing off the impenetrable surface.

"Ow!" Yu Fen yelped, shaking his hand. "What is that shell made of?"

Zhi-Zhi poked his head out, a smug expression on his face. "Back off before I start attacking!"

Yu Fen's face contorted with rage. "Liang! Mu! Deal with the Outer Disciple. I'll handle this impudent creature."

As his followers moved towards Chen Wei, Yu Fen focused his attention on Zhi-Zhi.

"Wind Blade Strike!" Yu Fen shouted, slashing his hand through the air. A crescent of compressed air shot towards Zhi-Zhi.

The spirit tortoise's eyes widened. Oh no, that looks dangerous! He quickly retreated into his shell once more. The Wind Blade struck the shell, creating a loud ringing sound but leaving no visible damage.

Meanwhile, Chen Wei found himself facing off against Liang and Mu. Despite being outnumbered, the young disciple held his ground.

"Flowing Wind Palm!" Chen Wei called out, his hand glowing with a soft blue light. He struck out at Liang, who barely managed to dodge the attack.

Wei attempted to flank Chen Wei, but the Outer Disciple was ready. "Whirlwind Kick!" Chen Wei spun, his leg lashing out in a Qi-enhanced roundhouse that caught Wei in the chest, sending him stumbling backward.

I can do this, Chen Wei thought, his confidence growing. They’re not at the level of the disciples I’ve fought.

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Back with Yu Fen and Zhi-Zhi, the battle had turned into a strange game of cat and mouse. Yu Fen unleashed attack after attack, but Zhi-Zhi's shell proved impervious to them all.

"Stand still and fight like a real cultivator!" Yu Fen roared in frustration.

Zhi-Zhi poked his head out just long enough to retort, "I am fighting like a real cultivator! A smart one who uses his strengths!"

As the battles raged on, Yu Fen found himself growing increasingly annoyed. This is taking too long. That spirit beast's defense is too strong, and the Outer Disciple is holding his own against Liang and Mu. Time to end this.

With a burst of speed, Yu Fen disengaged from Zhi-Zhi and turned his attention to Chen Wei. The young disciple was preoccupied with fending off Liang and Wei, leaving him vulnerable.

The tortoise is too slow to protect him now. One clean hit, and this farce will be over.

Just as Yu Fen prepared to sneak attack, a voice cut through the chaos of the room.

"What exactly is going on here?"

Everyone froze. Standing in the doorway was a young man dressed in the red robes of an Inner Disciple of the Azure Sky Sect. His aura was clearly beyond the Qi Refining realm, he was without a doubt a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Yu Fen's eyes widened. "B-Boss!" he stuttered, immediately bowing low. "I... we were just..."

The newcomer raised a hand, silencing Yu Fen's fumbling explanation. His gaze swept the room, taking in the scene before him.

"I see," he said, his voice cold. "And would someone care to explain why my subordinates are attacking an Outer Disciple of my sect?"

Yu Fen swallowed hard. "There... there must have been some misunderstanding, Boss. We were simply negotiating a business deal, and things got a bit... heated."

The Inner Disciple's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that so?"

He turned his attention to Chen Wei and Zhi-Zhi, his expression softening slightly. "You two. I recognize you. You're friends of the new Legacy Disciple, aren't you?"

Chen Wei nodded, still catching his breath. "Yes, sir. My name is Chen Wei, and this is Zhi-Zhi. We're here on behalf of Senior Brother Kai."

The Inner Disciple nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lin Yue, an Inner Disciple of the Azure Sky Sect. And it seems I owe you an apology for the behavior of my... associates."

He shot a dark look at Yu Fen, who seemed to shrink under his gaze.

"Now then," Lin Yue continued, "perhaps we can discuss this business deal in a more civilized manner? I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that satisfies everyone."

After an hour of discussion, Lin Yue and Chen Wei finally came to an agreement. Chen Wei had brought 300 spirit stones with him, as per Kai's instructions. Initially, this would have been enough for materials to make 20 Qi Gathering pills, as each set of materials cost 15 spirit stones.

However, due to Lin Yue's intervention and as compensation for the earlier "misunderstanding," Yu Fen agreed to a substantial discount. The final deal was struck at 300 spirit stones for materials sufficient to produce 25 Qi Gathering pills.

As Chen Wei and Zhi-Zhi prepared to leave with their hard-won goods, Lin Yue pulled them aside.

"Please convey my apologies to your master for this incident," he said. "And let him know that if he ever needs assistance with matters outside the sect, he's welcome to contact me directly."

Chen Wei bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Brother Lin. I'll be sure to pass along your message."

As they walked away, Zhi-Zhi perched on Chen Wei's shoulder, the young disciple couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and pride. We did it, he thought. We completed the mission, even if it didn't go exactly as planned. Wait until Senior Brother Kai hears about this!

Back in his office, Lin Yue stood by the window, watching Chen Wei and Zhi-Zhi disappear down the road. His eyes narrowed in thought.

Lin Yue turned back to face Yu Fen and his followers, who were standing nervously in the corner of the room.

"Now then," Lin Yue said. "Let's discuss your recent... indiscretions."

Yu Fen swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "Boss, I swear, we didn't know they were connected to a Legacy Disciple. We were just trying to-"

Lin Yue held up a hand, silencing him. "Save your excuses, Yu Fen. You were willing to kill a sect member over petty spirit stones, not only that but that disciple has a scarier backing than my own. Your actions today have jeopardized our operations and potentially created an enemy out of someone who could have been a powerful ally. Do you understand the gravity of your mistake?"

Yu Fen nodded quickly, his face pale. "Yes, Boss. It won't happen again, I promise."

Lin Yue's eyes narrowed. "See that it doesn't. For now, you'll continue your work here, but know that you're on thin ice. One more misstep, and you'll find yourself wishing you were merely expelled from the sect."

As Yu Fen and his followers scurried out of the office, Lin Yue sat down at the desk, his mind working furiously. This new Legacy Disciple, Kai... he's not what I expected. Sending his subordinates out on errands like this, and with a spirit beast for protection no less. He's either very confident or very foolish.

Lin Yue pulled out a small communication talisman, activating it with a pulse of Qi. "Mo Fe, I need you to gather all the information you can on the new Legacy Disciple, Kai. Be discreet, but thorough. I want to know everything - his background, his abilities, his connections within the sect. Take a look at both the Celestial Herb Pavilion and the Alchemy Pavilion in particular, our friend is interested in herbs. Oh, and report back to me as soon as possible."

As he ended the transmission, Lin Yue leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. Things are about to get very interesting in the Azure Sky Sect. I'd better make sure I'm prepared for whatever comes next. Allying myself with a Legacy Disciple wouldn’t hurt…