The pain tormented Li Chengfeng for the entire night. He did not sleep at all, only falling into a deep slumber at around three in the morning. Su Yuehan and Xiaobao, who had been helping him the whole night, did not dare to sleep on their own, so they laid on one side and slept for a while.
At dawn, Li Chengfeng groaned and slowly woke up. Only then did they wake up in shock.
Xiaobao's eyes were bloodshot as he asked anxiously, "Young Master, are you alright?"
Li Chengfeng smiled bitterly. "It hurts …"
Su Yuehan got up too, shocked. "It still hurts?
That can't be!
If the Yin-Yang Marrow Cleansing Pool survives its growth period, it won't hurt anymore! "
Li Chengfeng smiled bitterly. "My throat hurts …"
Li Chengfeng had almost torn his throat last night. His voice was hoarse, deep and magnetic. He glanced at Yuehan, then at the wound on her palm. He said in a low voice, "I'm sorry about yesterday."
She quickly hid her hand behind her back, smiling as she shook her head. "As long as you're alright. It's just a small wound, it's fine."
She was very cautious and treasured every bit of her True Yuan. Unless it was absolutely necessary, she would not use any spells in case her identity was exposed.
Li Chengfeng looked at the vines wrapped around him like green armour and said helplessly, "Can I get off first?"
She quickly waved her hand and the vines wrapped tightly around him fell to the ground. He struggled to climb down from the vines and moved his body a little, trying to feel his control over his body again.
"How are you?"
She looked at him with concern, watching his every move, afraid that he would feel the slightest discomfort.
Li Chengfeng smiled. "It's alright, it doesn't hurt anymore."
Xiaobao hurriedly asked, "Young Master, have you become stronger?"
"Mm …"
Xiaobao's eyes sparkled as he said eagerly, "Young Master, can you let me go too?
I want to become stronger too! "
Li Chengfeng stared at Xiaobao and said solemnly, "You've been afraid of pain since you were young … can you handle it?"
Xiaobao clenched his fists and said emotionally, "Young Master, please let me go!
There's nothing I can do to help!
I, I, I … I don't want to watch from the sidelines anymore!! "
Li Chengfeng sighed and pressed on Xiaobao's shoulder. "You … might die!"
Xiaobao said excitedly, "Young Master!
Do I have any other way out? "
Li Chengfeng fell silent. He patted Xiaobao's shoulder hard. "Come with me for the morning lesson first. Just the two of us won't be enough. Let's see if any of your seniors are willing to take this risk."
"You still want to attend morning classes?" Yuehan couldn't help but say, "What's the point of having morning classes in Hidden Sword Court now?
You need to rest now! "
Li Chengfeng smiled. "It's pointless but if we don't even have morning classes, then … there's no point in Hidden Sword Court continuing to exist."
Yuehan fell silent. Of course she knew what he was trying to say.
To describe the current Hidden Sword Court as struggling at death's door would be an exaggeration. In the eyes of the other three heavenly courts, Hidden Sword Court only existed in name. How could a heavenly court with less than ten people have any future or future?
Firstly, they had no powerful cultivators. Secondly, they did not have a large number of people to support them. Moreover, they had to face tough challenges in the future. In such a desperate situation, the morning classes were the only thing they could do to maintain their faith and motivation.
It was only during the morning classes that they could confirm that Hidden Sword Court was indeed 'alive'!
With Yuehan and Xiaobao's help, Li Chengfeng changed his clothes, washed up and had a simple breakfast before heading to the Discipline Hall.
When he returned to the Discipline Hall, Li Chengfeng looked at the giant stone pillar in the middle of the hall. He looked at Ouyang Nan and the other seniors who were saluting him. He was filled with emotions, as if it was a lifetime ago.
Ouyang Nan grinned and patted Li Chengfeng's shoulder. "You've recovered well. You can walk now?"
Li Chengfeng shrugged and smiled bitterly. "Senior Brother Ouyang, please go easy on me."
Grand Senior Brother stood in front of the hall with a solemn expression. No one could tell what he was thinking or feeling. He said in a low voice, "Is everyone here?
Let's start the morning classes! "
Everyone lined up in order and began their daily morning lesson. This form had long been deeply imprinted in the minds of the Hidden Sword Court disciples. At this moment, even Li Chengfeng was gradually influenced by what he saw and heard. The murderous yet righteous oath of the Hidden Sword Twelve Slashes was slowly erected in his heart like a totem.
After the morning classes, Ouyang Nan and the rest wanted to surround Li Chengfeng and ask him questions. However, Grand Senior Brother said to Li Chengfeng, "Li Chengfeng, come with me."
Li Chengfeng gestured for Yuehan and Xiaobao to calm down, while he followed Grand Senior Brother into the Discipline Hall.
This was Li Chengfeng's first time in the Discipline Hall. In the middle of the hall were the tablets and statues of the Spiritual Mountain Sect's past Sect Masters. On the right were the tablets and statues of the Hidden Sword Court's past Court Masters. On the left were the tablets and statues of the other three Court Masters. These statues were solemn and lifelike. They stared solemnly at the entrance, giving off a strong sense of oppression.
Eldest Senior Brother stood in the Discipline Hall. He silently looked at the statue of Chao Tianque and remained silent.
This was Li Chengfeng's first time seeing Chao Tianque's statue. It was a man of medium build, his hair wild and messy, his brows sharp like swords. His lips were tightly pursed. He held the Heaven Splitter Sword with both hands, pointing it towards the sky. He was in a slashing posture, as if he was going to split everything in front of him. His unstoppable, invincible aura made Li Chengfeng shiver!
Grand Senior Brother was silent for a while, then said, "How great would it be if the Court Master was still alive?"
Li Chengfeng looked at the statue and said, "If the Court Master was still alive … at least I wouldn't have to suffer this beating."
Grand Senior Brother glanced at Li Chengfeng and suddenly changed the topic. "You're not suitable to be her partner, don't get too close to her."
Li Chengfeng was silent for a while, then sighed. "Do I have a choice?"
Grand Senior Brother said, "Of course you have a choice!
Everyone, at any time, has a choice! "
Li Chengfeng shook his head. "No, choices are just an illusion. Most of the time, we don't have a choice!
Because when the problem arises, you only have two choices. Die, or live! "
"But … there are many ways to live!" Grand Senior Brother stared at Li Chengfeng without backing down.
Li Chengfeng stared back at Grand Senior Brother and replied immediately, "But there's only one that suits me!"
Grand Senior Brother looked at Li Chengfeng sadly. "Li Chengfeng, you shouldn't have colluded with Grand Senior Sister!"
"Colluded with her?"
Li Chengfeng looked at Grand Senior Brother in confusion. "Grand Senior Sister helped me so many times during the trial, why is that colluding?"
Grand Senior Brother laughed coldly. "Don't you understand Grand Senior Sister's intentions?
It's obvious that she wants to incite a civil war among the four heavenly courts! "
Li Chengfeng was even more confused. "But … Grand Senior Brother, didn't you want to incite a civil war among the other three courts?"
Grand Senior Brother huffed. "You heard me clearly!
Grand Senior Sister wants to incite a civil war among the four heavenly courts, not the other three!
What I want is for Hidden Sword Court to stay out of it, so we can rest and recover!
But what Grand Senior Sister wants to do is force Hidden Sword Court into the teeth of the storm!
And you, Li Chengfeng, you're just a pawn! "
Li Chengfeng was silent for a while. "I told you, I have no choice!"
Grand Senior Brother said earnestly, "It's not too late to turn back now!
Grand Senior Sister, she'll kill you! "
Li Chengfeng shook his head. "There's no turning back for a pawn who has crossed the river!"
Grand Senior Brother raged, "Once you're in front of the old marshal, you'll be an abandoned pawn!"
Li Chengfeng stared at Grand Senior Brother, his tone solemn and determined. "I know!
But if I don't, I'll still die! "
Grand Senior Brother took a deep breath. "I will never allow Hidden Sword Court to be involved in this civil war!"
Li Chengfeng stared at him. "So?"
Grand Senior Brother glared at him sternly. "You must break all ties with Grand Senior Sister, you must not interact with her!"
Li Chengfeng's expression was cold. "Or else?"