"What can someone younger than us possibly teach?" a disciple shouted. "If we lose a year of practice because of him and fail the trial, we won't become inner disciples — we'll have to wait five more years!"
Complaints spread like fire.
"Exactly! We're down on our luck — a boy younger than us getting stuffed in as our instructor? It's insulting!"
"Hmph! A mortal body and mortal wheels — how could such trash be our Chief Senior Brother? A shame to our entire sect!" snorted another talented youth.
"Shh — Luo Senior Brother, be careful, he might hear you."
But they weren't truly concerned. Hall‑Master Zhou had already hinted that causing trouble for Li Qiye would have no consequence.
"So what if he hears?" Luo retorted loudly. "He's nothing but a worthless fool riding the coattails of the Nine Saint Demon Gate! We've spent years cultivating so we can pass the exam and become inner disciples — and now we're being saddled with a deadweight that might waste everything!"
"Right! We should throw him out and demand a real teacher!" cried another, and soon dozens joined in, voices rising in rebellion.
Nan Huairen frowned, ready to intervene, but Li Qiye stopped him with a gesture.
"Get rid of this fraud! He's not fit to teach us!"
"A newcomer teaching veterans like us — ridiculous!"
"If you want to teach us, beat us first!" Luo declared boldly.
A girl with large eyes hesitated. > "That seems wrong … challenging a teacher is a serious offense."
"Offense?" Luo laughed. "He has to earn the title of teacher first!"
The crowd roared in agreement. Clearly, Luo held influence among them.
Only then did Li Qiye rise, unhurried, calm as ever. He walked forward, sweeping his gaze across the disciples and said with a smile,
"It seems many of you are quite dissatisfied with me as your Senior Brother."
His tone was pleasant, yet the air fell silent. No matter their anger, he was still the sect's appointed chief disciple — the elders' chosen.
"That's fine. I'm a reasonable man," he continued smiling.
That smile sent a shiver down Nan Huairen's spine — he could almost see a primordial beast licking its fangs, not a smiling boy.
All eyes turned to Luo — their mouthpiece. Confident as ever, Luo stepped forward and snorted.
"Yes, we're not convinced! You've barely entered the sect — how could trash like you teach us? If anyone can be thrown up here as a teacher, our efforts will have been for nothing!"
"What's your name, junior brother?" Li Qiye asked mildly.
"Names don't need changing," Luo replied proudly. "I am Luo Fenghua. If you seek revenge, come to me directly!"
Li Qiye laughed softly. He'd read the roster — Luo Fenghua, four years in the sect, now in the Palace‑Opening Realm. For an outer disciple with mediocre resources, that was indeed a tiny talent.
"And how many others share your opinion?" Li Qiye smiled.
Luo turned to the group. > "Plenty! Let's not be cowards — stand together, for our own future! If we let a fool teach us, we'll ruin everything we've worked for. If punishment comes, I'll bear it!"
Almost a hundred disciples rose to their feet, shouting in support.
"Someone younger than us can't teach us — get out of the valley!"
Their chants grew louder and louder until even the hesitant joined in.
Through it all, Li Qiye merely smiled and said evenly,
"So you're truly dissatisfied with me. But this was the elders' decision. Since I'm reasonable, tell me — what sort of person would you consider qualified to teach you?"
His unruffled tone caught them off guard. Many boys hesitated and looked to Luo.
Luo smirked. > "That's simple. Whoever's stronger than us deserves to teach us. If you can't even beat us, what right do you have to instruct us?"
"So you want to fight me?" Li Qiye asked mildly.
"That's right!" Luo declared. "If you can defeat me, you can teach us! But if you lose, don't blame me for breaking your bones — I never show mercy to an enemy!"
The same girl from before spoke again, nervous. > "Let's just spar lightly … no need to hurt anyone."
"No, no," Li Qiye said with that same smile. "This Luo junior is right — to 'go lightly' is no real fight. Don't you all agree?"
"Fine! Victory or defeat by true strength!" Luo shouted. "I'll fight you myself!"
Li Qiye stepped forward, unfazed. > "Since you insist, I'll humor you." He drew the Snake‑Beating Staff from his waist. "As your senior, I shouldn't strike first. Go ahead."
"Ha! Arrogant fool. Brother Luo is already in the Palace‑Opening Realm — you think a stick will help you?" someone scoffed.
Nan Huairen only shook his head — he knew someone was about to suffer. Even a genius like Xu Hui had once been beaten senseless by that same staff.
"Worthless bug!" Luo roared. To him, facing a staff was an insult. He spat a flash of light — a low‑grade spirit sword that flared into a storm of lights, launching his technique Star‑Sword Across the Heavens!
A single crack rang out — bang! The spirit sword flew from his hands.
Another blow followed — bang! The staff smashed squarely into his face, blood splattering across his cheek as his world lit with stars.
More blows rained down — bang, bang, bang! The Snake‑Beating Staff howled through the air, landing dozens of times before Luo Fenghua crashed to the ground, bones creaking, his cries turning to whimpers. Blood covered his head and face.
By the time Li Qiye stopped, the boy could barely groan. Under the Heavenly Origin Realm, no one could take even a single strike from the Snake‑Beating Staff.
Nan Huairen sighed, almost pitying him. Even Xu Hui had been sent rolling on the ground once — and Li Qiye had gone easy this time.
The disciples stared, stunned — the strongest among them lay bloody and defeated within moments.
Li Qiye rested the staff on his shoulder, expression calm.
"You there — all of you who followed him earlier. Step forward. Together."
"W‑we … " they mumbled, backs trembling after seeing Luo's fate, none daring to move.