Chapter Sixteen: Exactly as I Hoped

Life in the inner sect was dull and monotonous.

During his first few days in the inner sect, Bai Feiyu spent all his time cultivating, slowly depleting the spirit stones given to him by the elders. Newly arrived, he had little understanding of the inner sect and thus kept to himself, avoiding any trouble.

Yes, Bai Feiyu wished to be a quiet and handsome gentleman.

One day, as Bai Feiyu was calmly cultivating in his courtyard, a sudden knocking echoed at his door.

"Is the new junior brother here?" came a gentle voice. Bai Feiyu was puzzled, but he went to open the door.

After all, he didn't know anyone in the inner sect, so why would someone come to visit him?

As he opened the door, a sturdy figure appeared. The man glanced at Bai Feiyu and smiled.

"Hello, little brother. You must be the newcomer, right?"

"Are you here to collect protection fees?" Bai Feiyu asked, speechless.

The senior brother was momentarily stunned, then quickly put on a new smile.

"Haha, junior brother, you do know how to joke. How could that be…"

Bai Feiyu was somewhat disappointed.

These days, he had been hoping someone would come to collect protection fees, so he could pick up some attributes. After all, in the sect—especially in the unfamiliar inner sect—it would be unwise to provoke others. If he did, he might soon find himself expelled from the academy.

But without any fights, there was no way to pick up attributes…

"So, senior brother, what brings you here?" Bai Feiyu asked, puzzled.

"It's like this, junior brother. Since you're new, you might not know how things work for inner sect disciples. In our Guixu Sect, once you become an inner sect disciple, you usually have to join an alliance.

Because among the inner sect disciples, aside from cultivating, there are all sorts of conflicts, big and small. Without an alliance, it's easy to be bullied. But with an alliance, everything changes.

Once you're part of an alliance, if someone troubles you, the alliance will step in and resolve it for you.

I am an elder of the Flame Alliance, and I'm here to ask if you'd like to join us…"

The senior brother enthusiastically explained, giving Bai Feiyu a better grasp of the inner sect of Guixu Sect.

However, understanding did not mean Bai Feiyu wanted to join.

After all, only small alliances would send elders to personally recruit newcomers. Large alliances would hardly bother with such things.

Bai Feiyu felt a headache coming on; he wasn't sure how to politely refuse this senior brother. After all, one doesn't strike a smiling face.

"Hey, Flame Alliance! You're being too much, trying to fool the junior brother here," a rotund man suddenly appeared, full of swagger, and draped his arm over Bai Feiyu's shoulder. "Everyone knows your Flame Alliance only has three members! This young man is outstanding—how could he waste his talent in your alliance? Junior brother, you should join our Black Tortoise Alliance instead!"

Bai Feiyu was speechless.

Clearly, the Flame Alliance wasn't a powerful group if everyone knew it only had three members.

Such an alliance… Bai Feiyu truly had no interest in joining.

Just then, Bai Feiyu saw more than a dozen inner sect disciples approaching.

All of them wore friendly smiles, their gazes at Bai Feiyu as if he were their own father…

"Junior brother, don't listen to Liu Gen's nonsense. His alliance is barely stronger than the Flame Alliance. You should join ours…"

"Get out of the way! Can't you see the junior brother doesn't want to join your alliance?"

"Junior brother, let me tell you about our alliance. We have many members…"

They crowded forward, vying to recruit Bai Feiyu into their alliances.

Bai Feiyu could only wave his hands and say, "Sorry, senior brothers, but I’m new to the inner sect and have no intention of joining any alliance for now. If I decide to join, I’ll contact you first!"

Bai Feiyu was certain that those who came to recruit him were not from any major alliance. Joining such groups would be pointless. It was better to remain unaffiliated for now, and only decide after he understood the inner sect better.

"Of course, junior brother. Take your time. When you’re ready, come find me," one said.

"We respect your decision, junior brother. No one will force you," another added.

"Junior brother, please consider our alliance…"

Though they spoke politely and made as if to leave, none actually moved, afraid someone else might snatch the new junior brother as soon as they departed.

Seeing this, Bai Feiyu steeled himself, pushed the crowd aside, and shut the door.

Let them quarrel outside.

Seeing Bai Feiyu completely unmoved, not at all flattered by the attention, the alliance members were somewhat displeased.

Everyone was giving him face. Normally, new disciples would rush forward like eager puppies, afraid to miss the opportunity.

How could this fellow lock the door on them?

"Hey, junior brother, what’s the meaning of this?"

"Open the door, junior brother! You’re being disrespectful to us."

"I’ll count to three. If you don’t open the door, don’t blame me for being rude!"

Outside, the senior brothers clamored, trying to force Bai Feiyu to join their alliance.

For these small alliances, membership was everything. To establish themselves in the inner sect, they desperately sought to recruit new disciples.

Bai Feiyu ignored their threats. He doubted they would actually dare break down his door.

But if they did…

Boom—

Just then, in the midst of the commotion, someone from an alliance kicked Bai Feiyu’s courtyard door open.

"Damn it, we gave you face, and you dare leave us outside!"

Instantly, the alliance members surged forward, aggressive and menacing.

Disciples passing by shook their heads at the scene.

Usually, new inner sect disciples were harassed by these small alliances; it was a rite of passage for every newcomer.

Life in the inner sect was far from simple—certainly not a place for an easy life.

But what they didn’t know was that their act of kicking in the door was exactly what Bai Feiyu had hoped for.