Chapter 27: Promotion to Outer Sect and Heavenly Oath

Yu Liang soon learned the full scope of what had happened while he was unconscious.

Senior Brother Luo Chen, an inner sect disciple, had confronted and defeated the witch of the Passion Sect, turning the tide of the battlefield. With the enemy’s formation broken, Luo Chen rescued the remaining outer sect disciples.

None of the opposing forces survived. When the surviving disciples came to inspect the battlefield, they were met with a chilling sight.

Every single enemy lay dead. A large group, entirely wiped out by a single person, and that person wasn’t even an outer disciple, but a handyman disciple.

By the time they came to see Yu Liang, he was already in very bad shape, body battered and bloodied from the fight. An escorting elder who had accompanied Luo Chen helped to stabilize his injuries, ensuring he could survive the aftermath.

The only reason the elder hadn’t been able to provide timely help during the battle was because a mysterious person had interfered. This unknown individual forced the elder to engage in combat far away from the spiritual ship, leaving them no choice but to fight or die. As a result, the elder could not protect or aid others during the initial chaos, and the helpless disciples were left to fend for themselves.

It wasn’t until Luo Feng defeated the witch of the Passion Sect that the mysterious person finally ceased their interference. Only then did the situation stabilize, allowing the elder to reach the others and provide the critical care needed to stabilize Yu Liang’s injuries.

That was how the whole story unfolded — Yu Liang, a handyman disciple, had turned the course of events through sheer determination and resilience.

Interestingly, the mysterious person then took action to rescue the witch, ensuring their own motives remained hidden and leaving the battlefield for the sect to clean up.

As Yu Liang’s injuries were severe. He remained in the infirmary for a full week, receiving care and slowly recovering his strength. Only after his condition stabilized did he finally leave and return to his place.

After resting for a full day, Yu Liang managed to regain some of his strength. The dull ache in his body hadn’t faded entirely, but he was used to pain as it came with perk of being a handyman disciple. So, despite the bandages and stiffness, he decided to resume his usual duties the next morning.

However, just as he was preparing to leave, someone knocked at his door.

When he opened it, he froze for a moment.

Standing there was Ling Tao, the same supervising outer sect disciple who had overseen the disastrous trip. His robes were neat as ever, his expression calm.

"I see you’re recovering well," Ling Tao said in a polite tone.

Yu Liang blinked, momentarily surprised. The same Ling Tao who used to treat handyman disciples like invisible air was now... speaking properly? Still, he didn’t let his surprise show up. He just nodded faintly.

"Yes. Thanks to the medicine and care provided."

Ling Tao studied him for a second, then smiled slightly.

"I guess you are wondering why I am here."

Yu Liang said nothing and waited for him response.

"The elders have reviewed the reports of the incident," Ling Tao continued but voice now formal without arrogance. "Your role in the situation was... quite extraordinary. Even the sect elders found it difficult to believe that a handyman disciple could display such strength and composure under those circumstances."

He paused, letting the words hang for a moment before adding,

"So, I was sent to inform you personally that from starting today, you are no longer a handyman disciple. You’ve been promoted to the Outer Sect."

Yu Liang’s eyes narrowed a little bit, though his tone remained calm.

"Promoted? Just like that?"

Ling Tao chuckled lightly.

"Yes. Just like that. Sometimes merit speaks louder than status. From now on, you and I will be fellow disciples."

Silence fell for a while in the tiny room. Yu Liang looked towards the robe hanging from his chair, the same old, tired handyman’s uniform that he had patched up too many times to count.

Ling Tao straightened his sleeves and said, "Your contribution was not something small, Yu Liang. It was acknowledged by Senior Brother Luo Chen himself. Rest a little more for now. Someone will come tomorrow to take you to the Outer Sect residence."

Yu Liang gave a small nod.

"Understood."

As Ling Tao turned to leave, he paused briefly at the doorway, looking back with a faint smile.

"You’ve earned it. Don’t waste the chance."

When he left, the room grew quiet again. Yu Liang stood there for a while, looking down at his calloused hands. The words "Outer Sect disciple" echoed in his mind.

Just as he turned to go inside and pack his things, the door swung open once again.

Xiao Fei and Wei Feng slipped in with bright faces but their movements were little stiff, as if they were trying to pretend everything was normal.

"Brother Yu, we heard the news," Xiao Fei said, grinning ear to ear.

Wei Feng nodded. "Congratulations. You’ve earned this, truly."

Yu Liang relaxed a little. "Thanks. I was just about to—"

But both of them exchanged a strange look.

The kind of look that made Yu Liang’s instincts tighten.

Before he could ask, they suddenly stepped forward and knelt heavily on the floor.

Yu Liang’s eyes widened.

"Oi—what are you doing?"

Xiao Fei placed his hand over his heart. Wei Feng mirrored him.

Then they recited together, their voices clear with conviction, "We pledge ourselves loyal to Yu Liang. The heavens shall be our witness. Should we ever betray him, let the thunder strike us, may our cultivation fall to pieces, and our journey cease forevermore."

A faint spiritual ripple swept through the room, marked by the unmistakable presence of a Heavenly Oath.

After binding it’s irreversible.

Yu Liang’s jaw dropped. "Are you two crazyyy??!! Who told you—what—Stop taking oaths without telling me!"

But the oath was already sealed.

Xiao Fei looked up with shining eyes. "We thought you might refuse, so... we acted first."

Wei Feng bowed his head. "You saved our lives. If you hadn’t been there, we wouldn’t be alive. Following you is not a burden. It’s what we want."

Yu Liang stared at the ceiling for a moment... then sighed deeply.

"...You two didn’t even give me a chance to breathe."

But seeing their determined faces and unwavering sincerity, he finally relented.

"Fine... fine." He rubbed his forehead. "I accept it. But next time, warn me before you swear something that can kill you!"

Both of them stood up with relieved smiles.

Xiao Fei puffed his chest. "From now on, we’re your right and left hands!"

Wei Feng nodded calmly. "Just don’t abandon us later."

Yu Liang couldn’t help it, despite that a small smile tugged at his lips.

"...Let me get packed."