Translator: Anubis Translations
These words, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a wave of discussions.
"What? Gu Feng claims he's innocent?"
"How can he be innocent after killing an Outer Sect disciple?"
"Is he just making excuses?"
"..."
"You bastard, you—" Qiu Ze's face was full of mockery, and he was about to shout when Qiu Tian stopped him. "Let him speak. What's with all the yelling?"
Elder Liu was momentarily stunned, then quickly gestured for Gu Feng to continue.
"Elder Liu, if I remember correctly, the first rule of the Outer Sect Code states: No disciple may kill anyone within the Outer Sect area for any reason!"
"Word for word!" Elder Liu nodded slightly.
"On the second-to-last page of the Outer Sect Code, there's a special explanation that defines the Outer Sect area. To the south, it's bounded by the Ancient Cloud Peak; to the west, by the Dragon Qi Forest; to the north, by the Little Qing River; and to the east, by the main gate of the Sunset Glow Sect."
"What are you implying?" Elder Liu's eyes lit up as he probed further.
"When I killed Ji Nan, I used two moves. The first move twisted his arm, and at that time, we were inside the Sunset Glow Sect's main gate. Injuring or maiming someone doesn't violate the Outer Sect Code.
For the second move, I punched and shattered his skull. But before I struck, I moved him outside the Sunset Glow Sect's main gate. Therefore..."
Shock and awe!
Everyone, including Elder Liu and the other elders, stood there like wooden stakes.
Their expressions were a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
According to Gu Feng's explanation and the sect's rules, he had indeed not violated any of them.
Although it seemed like he was exploiting a loophole, he had technically not broken any rules.
Just when everyone thought Gu Feng was doomed, he delivered a devastating counterattack.
Even Qiu Tian, the eighth-ranked prodigy of the Inner Sect and someone who had seen many things, couldn't help but tremble inwardly. For the first time, he seriously regarded this Outer Sect disciple who had a feud with his brother, wondering what he was thinking.
As for Qiu Ze, he was completely dumbfounded. He looked like a duck with its neck wrung, his Adam's apple bobbing as he tried to speak, but only raspy sounds came out, as if a thousand-year-old phlegm was stuck in his throat.
"Is there anyone who can verify this?" Elder Liu suddenly perked up, eager to know.
"The disciples guarding the Outer Sect gate can testify!" Gu Feng said firmly.
"Summon the gatekeepers immediately!" Without waiting for Elder Liu's order, Elder Wu shouted excitedly. His voice, amplified by his formidable Spiritual Power, reverberated throughout the entire Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect.
Soon, several disciples who had been on gate duty that day arrived.
"Elder Liu, when the Outer Sect disciple was killed, his body was indeed outside the gate," the gatekeepers said, not daring to lie under the sharp gazes of the elders.
Their unanimous testimony fully proved that Gu Feng had not been within the Outer Sect area when he killed Ji Nan.
"Hahaha, incredible! We thought it was Former Brother who acted impulsively, but it turns out we were the impulsive ones!"
"I'm impressed. The Outer Sect Code has existed for so many years, and Former Brother is the first to use it so skillfully."
"I have to admit, excellent people are excellent in every way. We can't compare, we just can't."
"..."
The atmosphere was electric. Yan Xixi looked at Gu Feng with admiration, her eyes filled with stars.
Wu Qi and Guo Renkai shook their heads with smiles. Former Brother was always like this; everyone else might suffer losses, but he never would.
The female cultivators from the Jade Maiden Sect flirted shamelessly with Gu Feng, trying to seduce him with their charms.
On Qiu Ze's side, the mood was gloomy, and his expression was ugly, as if he had eaten something vile.
To think he could still counterattack like this in such a situation—how absurd!
"Elder Liu, Gu Feng is exploiting a loophole, playing with the Outer Sect Code," Qiu Tian said gravely.
"Are you teaching me how to do my job?" At this point, the moral scales had tipped, and Elder Liu straightened his back, rebuking the Inner Sect prodigy loudly.
"I wouldn't dare!"
"Everyone, the matter is clear.
Gu Feng killed Ji Nan outside the Outer Sect area, so he did not violate the first rule of the Outer Sect Code...
However, he did harm a fellow disciple. Considering the circumstances, he is fined 1,000 contribution points as a warning!"
"Great—" Yan Xixi and the others cheered loudly, and the crowd joined in.
"Silence!
Qiu Ze, you violated the 35th rule of the Outer Sect Code by inciting others to steal the memorial tablets of Gu Feng's parents.
Your actions are despicable and shameful... You are sentenced to one year of confinement, with no early release!"
When announcing Gu Feng's punishment, Elder Liu was smiling and spoke kindly. But when it came to Qiu Ze, his tone was sharp, using seven or eight derogatory terms in a row, his face darkening to the extreme.
Such a stark contrast made Qiu Ze, who was still recovering from his injuries, spit out a mouthful of old blood, losing two of the few teeth he had left.
"Gu Feng, do you have any objections?" Elder Liu asked with a smile, while Elder Wu and the others behind him stroked their beards, chuckling.
"I have no objections, but I'd like to request that Qiu Ze's confinement be postponed for a while," Gu Feng said respectfully.
"Oh? Why?" Elder Liu looked puzzled.
"Because I want to issue him a life-and-death battle!" Gu Feng's sudden roar startled even Elder Liu.
"Qiu Ze, we'll fight on the battle platform! You die, I live!"
Silence, dead silence.
Everyone was stunned. They thought the turmoil had ended, but it was only getting more intense.
After narrowly escaping disaster, Gu Feng wasted no time in challenging Qiu Ze to a life-and-death battle on the battle platform!
All eyes turned to Qiu Ze, who shuddered, nearly collapsing.
He was already terrified of Gu Feng's strength—how could he dare accept such a challenge?
Qiu Tian glared at Qiu Ze, then turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Gu Feng.
"Do you really have to go this far?"
"Ha," Gu Feng chuckled, revealing a row of white teeth. "Is there a problem?"
"I... I won't accept your challenge. Who are you? A kid from a small family in Cloud Dwelling City who was expelled. And who am I? The third son of the prestigious Qiu family of Cloud Prefecture.
Our statuses are different—you're not qualified to challenge me!" Qiu Ze shouted hoarsely.
His behavior made everyone shake their heads.
Qiu Ze, one of the three outstanding talents of the Qiu family, who usually acted all high and mighty, was nothing but a coward in a crisis.
But it's not entirely his fault—his strength was no match for Former Brother's. If he dared to accept the challenge, his defeat would be certain.
Elder Liu also shook his head with a wry smile. Gu Feng's desire to kill Qiu Ze would likely be in vain—Qiu Ze wasn't stupid. Even ten Qiu Zes wouldn't be a match for Gu Feng.
However, just when everyone thought the battle wouldn't happen, Gu Feng spoke again.
"To increase your chances, I'll allow you to call for reinforcements.
You can bring as many people as you want, as long as they fit on the battle platform.
But you must sign the life-and-death contract, and the battle platform's formation must be activated to prevent anyone from escaping before the duel ends!
Qiu Ze, one of the three outstanding talents of the Qiu family, surely you won't refuse, right?"
What!!!
These words caused an uproar throughout the Outer Sect.
Gu Feng, has he gone mad?
"Fine, I'll accept the challenge on behalf of Qiu Ze!" Qiu Tian's low voice rang out, and he, along with Gu Feng, turned to face Elder Liu.
If this had been earlier, Elder Liu would have vehemently opposed this duel.
But now, it didn't matter.
Gu Feng wasn't stupid—in fact, he was very shrewd.
He surely knew the Outer Sect's rules on life-and-death battles: The difference in cultivation levels between the two parties couldn't exceed three minor realms, and a higher-level cultivator couldn't challenge someone two minor realms below them.
Gu Feng's insistence on issuing the challenge showed both his determination to kill Qiu Ze and his confidence that he could handle multiple opponents, even up to several dozen, with cultivation levels no higher than the third level of Qi Refinement.
With that in mind, Elder Liu had no more reservations and declared loudly to the crowd, "This battle is approved!"
(End of the Chapter)
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