"How strong is the Icefire Sect?" Pef asked as the group arrived in front of an ice-encrusted gate, ornate with many mythical beasts.

"...In the top ten, among the Righteous Alliance of the North West Continent. Our continent is among the weakest though." the Icefire Adept answered after considering a minute how to phrase his response.

'Not so weak anymore, now that I'm here.' Pef mused inward, as he waited patiently for the gates to open. Pef had asked the Sky Master to not call ahead or use his access to allow them in. Unlike his former self, this Pef was much more calculated with most of his actions, and observably more patient.

After a couple of hours, the gates finally opened to show a fat yet flying middle-aged man, escorted by two snob-nosed teenagers, all wearing white robes with a blue sash inscribed with the familiar blue flames in a silver embroidery.

"Outer Court Elder." the Sky Master spoke politely, and nodded towards the fat guy.

"You have finally returned, cripple. What do you have here, this time?" the Outer Elder asked in a disgusted tone.

"No doubt, more trash like himself." one of the younger disciples commented in derision.

Pef sighed inward, since things appeared to be exactly what he expected. Cultivator sects were full of arrogant types and rife with corruption and inequality. Quite similar to his former sect in this regard.

"Well, I can't say I expected much better from the Icefire Sect, to be fair. I'll have to prune the scum and the corrupt before I can build something better." Pef observed in a level voice, eyes scanning past the nuisances in front to admire the prettier buildings inside.

"Who are you to dare criticize my Sect, idiot child!" the fat Elder boomed while covering himself in spikes of blue ice.

"He's still not kneeling. Oh well, I can repair this flaw in a moment." Pef added in a calm voice, as he played around with a blade of grass. That Elder was still only a Sky Realm cultivator, not really worth his time.

Without other prompt, the Sky Adept flashed forward and struck the two laughing disciples, making them fall unconscious and bite the dust. Then he drew his sword and pointed it at the Outer Elder. "Come pay your respects to our Holy Son, or today will be the last day you draw breath, Elder Yongji."

"It seems your days outside the Sect have made you forget your place, Sky Herald Songtie. I will report your actions to the Criminal Hall." the fat Elder answered with distaste, then turned to fly away in a hurry.

"... This. We better just leave, little Pef." Rena said while looking worried.

The Grand Elder just sighed and walked onwards, still dragging the dead carcass of the Divine Pangolin on his back. He knew better by now.

"Do they act the same in your Xia Clan?" Pef asked his hostage curious as he climbed once more onto the shoulder of the Sky Adept.

The Young Master glanced a bit confused at the white-dressed disciples laid down, and then at the flying shape of the departing Elder. "Our guards would never dare insult me or my companions. My Black Elder would...well, someone would punish them greatly, either with death or exile."

"Exile, huh?" Pef muttered aloud, then pointed at the gates. His mother just nodded and pushed the gates closed behind them, leaving the trash-talking disciples outside.

He had a feeling many more people will find themselves thrown out in the following days.

"I think we should first go to the Resource Hall and deposit the beast. Those scales and claws could be used for a lot of potent artifacts." the Sky Herald proposed after glancing at his new master.

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"Criminal Hall first, fly guy. I have a complaint to make." Pef demanded after a second.

"...As you say, Holy Son. That Outer Court Elder is a treacherous sort. " the man agreed with a frown.

The group made their way through the Outer Sect, often passing groups of white-dressed disciples, few of them even in the Core Realm. Whispers and pointed fingers followed their trail, though most eyes were gleaming at the sight of the beast carcass. It wasn't often that such a powerful beast was brought into the Icefire Sect, and even less often dragged on the ground, instead of being flown in by a higher ranked Elder.

Soon enough, they arrived at the Criminal Hall, a dour and grey building with metal bars on the windows. A small delegation expected them in front of the doors, several Elders wearing blue robes with a black sash and metal chains hanging at their waists.

"It's them! As I said, this Sky Herald even threatened me with death!" the fat Elder pointed at their group, while the Enforcement Elders frowned.

"I demand justice!" Pef shouted from his high point. "This scum fat pig has not only kept me waiting for hours at the gate, but he also insulted my honored person and those in my company. Today, he must die!" the blonde child argued back, then smiled cutely like an angel.

The Criminal Hall's Elders blinked in confusion as they glanced between the kid and the Outer Sect Elder.

"You demand trial by combat, little one?" the Chief Enforcement Elder asked to make sure.

"Well, if you're too incapable of doing this chore by yourself, then I will have to lower myself and do it. Just write your name on something so I can report your failure to the Sect Master." Pef explained politely as he jumped from his perch and turned toward the fat Elder.

"You see it now! What Holy Son? The child is insane..." the Elder began shouting, then faltered and fell to the ground, bisected from groin to head.

Pef just blew on his fingers as the grass fell from his hand. Again without prompt, the Sky Herald covered the boy with the Divine Pangolin arm, blocking the falling tribulation.

A second later, Pef emerged mostly unscathed from his shelter and walked towards the Chief Enforcer. "Make sure I don't have to repeat my skills again, grey face. Those two morons outside the gate also better remain exiled." the boy explained with a cold tone, while waving his finger in admonishment.

"The Holy Son has rather strong opinions on justice, Chief Enforcer. We'll be heading towards the Resource Hall now..." the Sky Herald explained in a commiserating tone as the child climbed once more onto his perch.

"...My name is not grey face..." the Chief Enforcer mumbled a bit confused and irritated. Then he scowled as he recalled he would need to write his own name for report.

Today just wasn't a good day. So he turned towards his second Elder. "You investigate the gate incident, and take back the sect plates from the exiled disciples. Hurry!"

"At once, Chief!" the black-sashed man acknowledged as he flew towards the Sect's gate.

Turning towards the lone youngster that remained in front, the Chief Enforcer frowned again. The boy was wearing bloody Xia Clan robes, and had a sorrowful face.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" he asked in an aggrieved tone.

"...Attempted robbery, sir. I am to await in jail until my Clan pays for my ransom." the Young Master answered in a sad voice.

"Someone robbed the Xia Clan?" the Elder mumbled, as it seemed today wasn't over yet.

"...Well. I saw that group dragging the Divine Beast, and only wanted to take it. Instead, my guards got killed and I got captured..." the teenager explained while bursting into tears.

The Chief Enforcer struggled not to scream in frustration. Today really wasn't a good day.