Chapter 188: Rumours, Doubts and Curiosity About Yu Liang and The Arrogant Disciples ( Bonus GT - VIII )

Chapter 188: Rumours, Doubts and Curiosity About Yu Liang and The Arrogant Disciples ( Bonus GT Chapter VIII )

The journey back to the Cloudwater Sect’s main mountain was fastest in their life.

Lin Feng and his group of inner disciples flew at maximum speed, their hearts still pounding from the terrifying encounter at Heaven’s Table. The moment they landed in the sect’s outer plaza, they didn’t even bother to report to their duty hall. Instead, they immediately split up, rushing toward their respective friend groups and cultivation circles.

"Senior Brother Wang! You won’t believe what just happened!" Lin Feng gasped, grabbing a fellow inner disciple by the shoulders in the main courtyard. "The Zhao Family... the entire Zhao Family was crushed! A single person! He defeated fifty guards without even standing up!"

"What?!" Wang’s eyes widened. "The Zhao Family? The ones with Elder Zhao Wuji as their ancestor? Who is this person?"

"He’s an Honorary Core Disciple!" Lin Feng said, his voice carried a mixture of awe and lingering fear. "His name is Yu Liang. He runs a restaurant in the outer city called Heaven’s Table. Elder Qian was there, and he was calling him ’Young Master’! The respect... it was terrifying!"

Within hours, the story spread like a wildfire.

By the time the sun began to set, every single disciple in the Cloudwater Sect from the lowest Handyman disciples sweeping the stairs to the secluded Inner Sect disciples in closed door cultivation heard the tale.

The news traveled through the sect’s communication networks, the tea houses, the training grounds, and the dormitories.

This was the power of a Core Disciple’s order. When Lin Feng declared that "the Azure Merchant Street is under Young Master Yu’s protection," it wasn’t just a threat to the Zhao Family, it was a sect wide announcement. Every disciple now knew that there was an Honorary Core Disciple operating in the Jade City, and that this person was not to be trifled with.

But not everyone was impressed.

In the inner sect’s luxurious pavilion, a group of elite disciples sat around a jade table, sipping wine and discussing the news with expressions of clear disdain.

"Honorary Core Disciple?" A handsome young man named Chen Hao sneered, swirling his cup of wine contemptuously. "That’s just a fancy title for rich kids who buy their way into the sect. Anyone with enough spiritual stones can get that position. It’s not a real Core Disciple anyway, it’s just a glorified honour."

"Exactly," A beautiful female disciple named Liu Mei agreed. "Real Core Disciples earn their position through talent and contribution. These ’Honorary’ types are just people who lack confidence in their own abilities. They know they can’t pass the real trials, so they just throw money at the sect to get a title. It’s pathetic."

Chen Hao took a sip of his wine with an arrogant expression. "And this story about him defeating fifty guards without standing up? Please. That’s obviously exaggerated. Lin Feng and his group are just a bunch of cowardly Inner Sect washouts who got scared by some parlor tricks. A real expert would have just killed them all instantly. This ’Yu Liang’ is probably just some brat who got lucky with a few talismans or hidden protector."

"Or maybe he’s just a rich brat who bribed Elder Qian," another disciple added with a smirk. "Elder Qian is known for being greedy. If someone pays him enough, he’ll act like a loyal dog. That doesn’t mean the person is actually powerful."

The group laughed as their arrogance filled the pavilion. To them, the idea that someone could achieve such feats without being a "true" Core Disciple was impossible. Their pride in their own status as elite Inner Sect disciples blinded them to the possibility that there might be monsters hiding in plain sight.

Meanwhile, in a quieter, more secluded part of the inner sect, a different conversation was taking place.

Senior Sister Yun, known as calm and wise Disciple in the Inner Sect who had been cultivating in seclusion for months, sat in her garden, listening to her junior sister recount the story.

"Senior Sister, the disciples who were there said his movement technique was beyond comprehension," the junior sister explained excitedly. "They said he didn’t even move, and the guards just collapsed. And Elder Qian was treating him like a master!"

Disciple Yun’s eyes narrowed slightly, with thoughtful expression. "Elder Qian is many things, greedy, cunning, opportunistic but he is not stupid. He would not act that way unless until there was a very good reason. If he was just being bribed, he would have taken the money and left. But he stayed, he protected this person, and he even called him ’Young Master.’ That implies a deeper connection."

"But Senior Sister, Chen Hao and the others say it’s all exaggerated," the junior sister said while frowning.

Disciple Yun smiled faintly. "Chen Hao has always been arrogant. He believes that because he is an Inner Sect Disciple who soon will become a Core Disciple, no one else can be his equal. But the cultivation world is vast, and there are always monsters who hide their strength. If this Yu Liang is truly as powerful as the story suggests, then Chen Hao and his friends will learn a very painful lesson if they ever cross paths with him."

She paused as her gaze turned distant. "An Honorary Core Disciple who can command the respect of an cunning Elder like Qian... who can defeat fifty guards without moving..." Yun shook her head slowly. "There is something much deeper here. I will keep my eyes on this person. If he is truly as exceptional as the story suggests, then he might be worth knowing."

Back in the outer sect, the gossip was even more wild and exaggerated.

"Did you hear? The Honorary Disciple is actually a hidden old monster who looks young!"

"No, no! I heard he’s the secret son of the Sect Master!"

"I heard his wife is actually a princess from a hidden immortal clan!"

"That’s old news, the reven news is that he can kill people with a single glance!"

The stories grew more fantastical with each retelling, turning Yu Liang into a mythical figure. Some disciples were terrified, some were envious, and some were completely dismissive.

But one thing was certain, the name "Yu Liang" and the restaurant "Heaven’s Table" were now etched into the consciousness of every single disciple in the Cloudwater Sect.

Whether they respected him or disdained him is another matter but they all knew that something had changed in the Jade City. A new power had risen, and the rise of that power spreading through the sect like an unstoppable tide.