“Senior Brother Tianyi, Senior Sister Jiang.”

Xi Ri, who was in the worst state of his life by far, smiled at the two visitors.

“Who did this?” Tianyi’s voice was like ice, but beneath the ice was a raging fire ready to erupt at any time. He didn't have much of a relationship with Xi Ri, but they were still cousins. Seeing family in such a state naturally infuriated him.

“Your highness..” Even Daoyi found herself a bit speechless, unable to connect the image of an imperial prince and the current person in the sorry state.

“It’s nothing.” Xi Ri said, his voice peaceful and his temperament still like a spring breeze as if all was right in the world. “This is simply something I must get used to. Here I am not an imperial prince, just a disciple who has yet to turn potential into strength. And Senior Sister Jiang, no need to address me as your highness anymore. I am currently just a normal outer disciple.”

According to cultivation, Xi Ri didn't have to call Daoyi, who was in a lower stage than him, as Senior Sister. But although that was the case, he an outer disciple, while Daoyi was a core disciple.

Tianyi and Daoyi didn’t know what to say. Tianyi was indignant for his cousin but seeing the refreshing smile on Xi Ri’s face, all his questions were swallowed back, and instead, he asked. “How have you been?”

“Pretty good.” Xi Ri said. “I’ve experienced so many things that I haven't been able to back when I was at the imperial palace. Back then, no one dares to correct me even when I purposely did anything wrong. It was quite boring. This is the first time I’ve even had to do chores. I even messed up and had to be punished, haha!”

Tianyi didn’t know what to say to those words, so he stayed silent.

“Senior Brother, Senior Sister. I need to go and feed the livestock. How about joining me?” Tianyi and Daoyi shared a glance before nodding.

Xi Ri smiled as he led the two to where the livestock was. The road the Xi Dynasty prince used was a seldom-used one, and the disciples were practically nonexistent on these roads. Soon Xi Ri and the two reached the coops where the livestock was kept and began to feed them.

Tianyi saw Xi Ri’s actions that seemed to have been practiced many times and couldn’t help but sigh. If he were the one who was the most valued prince and had fallen to the point where he was in charge of menial chores like this, he would likely rage and lash out. For Xi Ri to enjoy such a chore was out of Tianyi's expectations.

“Older Cousin, you seem to really enjoy this?” Tianyi asked.

“It’s not about enjoying it, but experiencing different aspects of life.” Xi Ri said without turning back. “Although this is the most powerful sect, even commoners back in the empire would have to do such tasks. Although there are some differences, I feel like I can relate to the common people in a way I have not before. I hope my next task is different.” There was a hint of excitement in his voice.

Tianyi could only nod his head, not understanding Xi Ri’s thought process.

Still, as Tianyi watched Xi Ri’s action, he could sense pleasantness that was unknown to him. Like a beautiful scenery that caused one to forget all their worries and focus on the present.

“Senior Brother, I heard that with enough spiritual qi, even a rabbit would develop spirituality and be able to cultivate. Has there been any livestock that opened their spirituality?” Daoyi asked as she watched Xi Ri feed the livestock.

Tianyi paused before stopping to think for a moment. “I am unsure. I have never usually come into contact with these matters before. Although I am sure that some animals must have developed some spirituality, after all, this is the Buzhou Mountain Range where spiritual qi is abundant. Perhaps a chicken might have even cultivated and even formed a demonic core, becoming the mount of some senior.”

Daoyi couldn’t help but giggle as she imagined a wizened senior with a dignified aura sitting atop a giant chicken. Soon Tianyi also chuckled as the image also imprinted into his mind.

“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, now that I’ve finished my chore, how about we have some tea back at my place. Although there isn’t much left there, I still at least have some decent tea leaves.” Xi Ri said, and Tianyi and Daoyi agreed.

Tianyi could only sigh as he walked into the little houses, he waved his sleeve, and all the dirt and dust were wiped clean. The inside barely had anything except for the essentials.

“People come to the Buzhou Immortal Sect seeking to perfect their Immortal path. Perhaps they might have been the pampered young master, the most talented descendant, or even just a commoner. But in the sect, unless they show amazing potential or happen to catch the eye of an inner elder, they all start out as the lowest outer sect disciples.” Tianyi sighed for the umpteenth time today, feeling that he was especially blessed.

"Right, Older Cousin Ri, had anyone else pass the trials? I remember there were six more that came from the Xi Dynasty." Tianyi asked after conversing for some time.

"Unfortunately, I was the only one to pass. Everyone else failed." Xi Ri seemed incredibly disappointed, and then he glanced at Daoyi. "They were all sent back to the Xi Dynasty except Miss Chunye."

"Who is Chunye?" Tianyi asked.

Xi Ri looked at Tianyi with a weird gaze. "Miss Chunye is Senior Sister Jiang's second sister."

There was an awkward silence as Tianyi coughed into his hand. "So why did she not go back to the Xi Dynasty?"

"That," Xi Ri paused for a moment before speaking again. "She seemed to have her own ideas, and when she left, her gaze was especially hostile towards the sect."

"That is not uncommon. Many arrogant people too full of themselves had their expectations betrayed. It isn't the first time that someone exhibited hostility because of such small matters." Tianyi hadn't actually seen it himself, but weren't such plots common in novels?

"Still, miss Chunye's sight was especially strange. Senior Sister, do you happen to have insight?" Xi Ri asked, after all, Daoyi was the one who knew Chunye the longest.

Daoyi shook her head. "Before, Second Sister was always cowardly and was easily controlled by the duchess. But a month or two ago after she nearly drowned, her whole personality changed, and she fought back against the duchess and eldest sister."

A strange silence descended before the topic changed once more and giving breath once more to the house. Tianyi offered several times to aid Xi Ri, but it was all rejected by Xi Ri. After about two hours, Tianyi and Daoyi bid farewell to Xi Ri.

“Junior Sister, could you accompany me a bit longer?” Tianyi asked.

Daoyi nodded her head. It was not like she had a choice. She had followed Tianyi on his flying sword, and returning to Jade Peak by foot was nearly impossible for her. Although she knew it wasn't Tianyi's scheme, she couldn't help but think that Tianyi's words left her no choice. She hadn't even memorized all the locations of Jade Peak, much less the rest of the sect.

So she followed Tianyi as he walked through the outer disciples before his eyes landed onto an outer disciple who looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. The man was clearly still in the Qi Gathering Realm, and his movement showed that he was extremely familiar with Caimen Peak.

There was only one reason he was still an outer disciple despite being so old and at the Qi Gathering Realm. He was a disciple who had failed to prove his potential and could only stay as an outer disciple for many years.

Stolen novel; please report.

Tianyi called him over, much to the man’s surprise. He grew nervous when Tianyi led him to a hidden clearing where no one could see them.

“Is there anything I could do for you, senior?” The man asked, his eyes shifting around, not daring to meet Tianyi’s line of sight. Despite being over twice Tianyi’s age, the man showed no embarrassment at his posturing. In this world, strength was the law, and despite Tianyi’s young appearance, he emitted the aura of a Foundation Establishment Disciple. In contrast, the man was only at the twelfth stage of the Qi Gathering Realm.

“Tell me do you know Xi Ri? He is a new disciple that has just entered.” Tianyi asked.

The man immediately nodded. “Yes, how could I not? When he showed up the first day in his princely garb, it would be hard not to, especially with how... weak he was.”

“Tell me who has been beating him,” Tianyi ordered.

The man seemed to have thought of something, but he kept it to himself. “It’s Chun Dan.” Seeing Tianyi’s blank expression, the man continued. “He’s an outer disciple who’s been here for a few years and one of the ones closest to breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, becoming eligible to be an inner disciple.”

“Tell me about this Chun Dan,” Tianyi said.

“He’s a local tyrant, bullying those who are too weak to fight back. He doesn’t dare to fight those at the twelfth stage of the Qi Gathering Realm but will employ various methods to steal resources from other disciples. In summation, He’s a local tyrant that fears those who can fight back.” The man said.

Tianyi nodded as he sank deep into thought. “Are there any new disciples that have impressive backings?”

The man quickly nodded. “I may not have much strength, but I pride myself on being able to gather information. There’s Xie Chuyang, the grandson of Outer Elder Xie, and…” The man listed off several new disciples and their backings to Tianyi before Tianyi told him to stop.

“Just tell me where Chun Dan’s residence is and all the new disciples’ residence,” Tianyi said.

Although confused, the man did so, and then Tianyi handed him a talisman and a sack. When the man looked into the sack, his heartbeat quickened. Heavens, this is the amount of spirit stones I would need a year to accumulate! There are even some mid-quality spiritual stones! His eyes became incredibly hot as he looked at Tianyi.

“You can use that talisman to contact me. I want you to keep a close eye on Xi Ri. For small matters do not contact me. But if he’s in life and death danger or his cultivation path may be crippled, contact me immediately. Understood?” Tianyi said.

The man repeatedly nodded before sending them off. His eyes were full of excitement and hope. With these resources, he may be able to afford a Foundation Establishment Pill. Although using such a pill will diminish his potential, he didn’t have any hope of breaking through on his own anyway, so the advantages were greater than the disadvantages.

Daoyi followed as Tianyi snooped into the new disciples’ homes and began taking small stuff, like a little thief.

“Hmmm, this jade pendant doesn’t seem to have much spirituality. Chun Dan won’t steal this.”

“Oh? This pill isn’t too bad for a Qi Gathering realm, not too expensive or cheap.”

“Huh, this herb is good for cleansing the meridians able to help one breakthrough faster.”

“Hmmm, these materials are of low quality, perfect for Qi Gathering Pupils to practice”

“Oh? This is a Foundation Establishment defensive treasure, too expensive. Even an idiot like Chun Dan won’t be so stupid as to steal this.”

Daoyi felt her image of little prince Tianyi crumble into tiny little pieces as he stuffed various small items into a spatial pouch while clicking his tongue every once in a while. After looting a little here and a little there, Tianyi made his way to Chun Dan’s house without anyone noticing.

“Let’s see, this pill should be hidden in this teapot, this material should be buried under here, the herb should be locked in this chest under the bed…” Like this, Tianyi successfully made Chun Dan bear the blame for his actions.

Slapping his hands together to get rid of the dust, Tianyi congratulated himself on a job well done before flying back to Jade Peak with Daoyi.

“Senior Brother, was that really fine?” Daoyi asked.

“Hmpf, for a one who often walks by the riverside, one’s shoes will eventually get wet. This is him paying for his actions; I just sped up his karma bit.” Tianyi lightly said. “Besides, the ones I stole from are just people related to outer elders. Even if I got caught, nothing would happen, and they would only gnash their teeth in helplessness.”

“Besides, the things I took weren’t of any importance. Not just me, even if it were you, the outer elders wouldn’t dare make trouble for you for such a small matter. You know why?” Daoyi shook their heads. “Because their Outer Elders whose cultivation is at most at the Nascent Soul Realm, rarely are they Unity Realm Venerables, nothing special in the Buzhoul Immortal Sect while you are the disciple of the exalted Sword Empress.”

Tianyi gained a faraway look in his eyes in the distance. “That’s why it’s better to increase your own strength as much as possible. In this world, might is justice. Without strength, no matter how wronged you are, you will not be able to accomplish anything.”

Daoyi gained a pensive look as she recalled her memories of her life at Duke Qi’s residence.

Buzhou Immortal Sect, Caimen Peak.

An outer disciple wearing the customary white robes of the Buzhou Immortal Sect strolled through Caimen Peak, his looks were that of a man in his mid-twenties, and he had the air of a scholar on him with his hair tied up in a knot. Just from appearance alone, no one would be able to connect the image of this scholarly man with the tyrannical Chun Dan.

He smiled gently at the disciples and even called out to a few of them, but all the disciples he called out only fearfully returned his calls. Just from this alone, one could tell that the image that Chun Dan presented was fake.

It was fake to the point that everyone knew of his true nature, a hypocrite wearing a gentleman's skin.

Chun Dan wasn’t the most outstanding outer sect disciple by far. But by using the resources he stole, he was able to reach the twelfth stage of the Qi Gathering Realm with the hope of entering the Foundation Establishment Realm and becoming an inner disciple.

“Junior Brother Xie, what can I do for you?” Chun Dan asked as he smiled at the thirteen-year-old who was standing outside of his house. He was quite polite despite the youth only being at the third stage of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Chun Dan was the type of person who feared the strong and bullied the weak. The strong included those with backing, unlike him who entered the Buzhou Immortal Sect alone. Thus he spent effort in maintaining a good relationship with those with backings.

“Nothing, I was just passing by and saw Senior Brother Chun’s house and thought I haven’t visited in a while.” The grandson of Outer Elder Xie said, but there was a slight coldness in his eyes. “Are you not going to invite me in?”

“Of course, of course.” Chun Dan said, not detecting anything wrong with Junior Brother Xie, and opened the door to his house. But once he did so, he slightly frowned. The spiritual qi in his house was denser, and he could tell the door had been opened before by a stranger.

As a crook who had committed many wrongs, how could Chun Dan not have any preparations? He had many small tricks, such as deliberately tinkering with the door so that unless it were closed a certain way, he would be able to detect if anyone but him opened it, among other tricks.

His eyes grew cold, but he didn’t show anything as he poured a cup of water for Junior Brother Xie. “Please do not laugh at your poor senior brother. I can only serve water since I have no tea to serve you.”

Junior Brother Xie politely laughed as he drank the water, and then his face froze. He looked at Chun Dan to the point that Chun Dan’s scalp began to tingle. “Good! Very good!” Junior Brother Xie stood up slammed the door shut as he left.

Chun Dan sat there stunned for a few moments before muttering. “What’s his problem?” He dumped the cups of water before sitting on his bed, preparing to cultivate.

However, in the next few hours, numerous people began to knock on his door, and after a few moments, they would all flip their faces and leave with terrible expressions.

Chun Dan felt an ominous feeling in his heart, but he didn’t know what. Even without that feeling, he knew that something was up. All those people who visited him and left all had strong backings. If it was just once or twice, Chun Dan could still lie to himself that it was a coincidence, but with so many?

Impossible.

Sure enough, the next day, an Elder from the Justice Hall appeared in front of Chun Dan. He felt his knees buckled under the severe eyes of the Justice Hall elder.

“Disciple Chun Dan, you have been reported to have stolen resources from your disciple brothers. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Chun Dan gritted his. Did those weaklings all gather together to report me? Let’s see how I deal with you weaklings later!

“I’m innocent, Elder!” Chun Dan said. “If you don’t believe me, you can search my body and my house.”

Chun Dan was particularly smart in that the items he stole were things that it would be hard to prove were stolen as they were common items that were available to all disciples. It may have been weird if he had too many, but Chun Dan always set a limit for the amount he stole so that if someone did report him, it wouldn’t look too suspicious.

However, when the Elder searched his house and discovered several items that he had not seen before, Chun Dan's face paled. With each item unraveled, the terror in his face increased.

“I’ve been framed, Elder!”

Each of those items were things that he couldn’t afford to get unless he saved up for years, and now all of them suddenly appeared in his house? Chun Dan wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t for someone’s schemes.

But the Elder from the Justice Hall only looked coldly at Chun Dan. “The evidence already has been found. You can explain yourself once you come to the Punishment Peak.”

Chun Dan felt his legs go weak as he collapsed onto his knees. It’s all over.