Galaxy Sect was situated by Galaxy Lake, within which numbered hundreds of isles. Based on their proximity to the center of the lake, they were categorized into three areas: Main Island, Inner Island, and Outer Island. Therein, the Outer Island served as the cultivation grounds for Outer Sect disciples while the Inner Island was for Inner Sect Disciples, and the Main Island was reserved for Core Disciples, as well as the Sect Master, Elders, and other such figures.
Zhao Letian's island was one of the Outer Islands and among them, it was the one closest to the inner region. The Primordial Energy on this island was the richest of all the Outer Islands. He had secured this exclusive island for his cultivation through his strength as the number one prodigy of the Outer Sect.
As for other Outer Sect disciples, those with sufficient strength could also claim an Outer Island for themselves, but those who lacked the power had no choice but to share an island with others for cultivation. After all, despite the abundance of islands in the lake, they were hardly enough for the tens of thousands of disciples in Galaxy Sect to divide among themselves. If one desired a better cultivation island, they must fight for it with formidable strength.
At this moment, what worried Zhao Letian was that although he previously had the strength to occupy the best Outer Island without anyone daring to challenge him, his power had now greatly diminished, and he feared it would be difficult to retain this treasured cultivation site. Perhaps the person aboard the flat boat approaching him was here to seize the island.
"Eh? Why is it her?" Soon, the boat drew near, and upon closer scrutiny, Zhao Letian was taken aback to find a familiar young girl aboard. She looked to be around the same age as him, fifteen or sixteen, clad in a pink dress. Though her features were not strikingly beautiful, she could be considered pretty. A touch of baby fat on her face added to her cuteness.
"Big Brother Letian, are you alright now? That's wonderful!" Upon seeing Zhao Letian, clad in a white robe, standing with his hands clasped by the lakeside and brimming with life, the girl on the boat immediately beamed with joy. She then leapt with grace, demonstrating her light martial skills as she dashed across the lake surface and quickly reached the island.
"Liu Wei, what brings you here?" Zhao Letian frowned slightly as he watched the girl cheerfully running up to his side, his expression somewhat complex.
This delicate-looking girl, Liu Wei, like Liu Fei who betrayed him, was from the Liu Family of Qingzhou City. However, Liu Fei was the direct descendant and a precious daughter of the Liu Family, while Liu Wei was from a collateral and external branch, unable to compare in status with Liu Fei.
Back when Zhao Letian spent time with Liu Fei, Liu Wei always tagged along like a little follower during their outings. But at that time, Zhao Letian only had eyes for the goddess-like Liu Fei and hardly ever noticed Liu Wei, who was constantly by their side. Thus, although they were acquainted, their relationship was not particularly close, especially after the betrayal by Liu Fei; Zhao Letian found it difficult to get along with Liu Fei's little follower.
"Big Brother Letian, I came to bring you medicine. After I brought you back yesterday, I went to find medicine for you all night. But now, seeing that you are unharmed, the medicine I found probably won't be needed," Liu Wei said somewhat shyly, lowering her head with a slight blush spreading across her baby-fat cheeks.
"Bringing medicine for me?" Zhao Letian was startled and looked at Liu Wei in surprise. "You were the one who rescued me yesterday?"
"Um, Big Brother Letian, they said you assaulted Sister Feifei, and that's why you were badly beaten, but I didn't believe it. I know who you really are, Big Brother Letian, how could you possibly assault Sister Feifei? Later, they even wanted to throw you into the lake to feed the fish, but I secretly saved you," Liu Wei said, nodding affirmatively with a tone full of trust in Zhao Letian.
"I assaulted her?" Zhao Letian was taken aback, never expecting to be slandered with such an accusation. He then shook his head and chuckled, "Who is saying such things?"
"It was Shentu Yu. He was also the one who threw you into the lake," Liu Wei said through gritted teeth, harboring deep resentment toward Shentu Yu.
"Shentu Yu, very well, we will settle this account all at once, in due time!" A glint of sharpness flashed in Zhao Letian's eyes. He then looked at Liu Wei with a complicated gaze; unexpectedly, it was Liu Wei who had rescued him yesterday. Moreover, observing the bashful expression Liu Wei wore before him, he suddenly realized that this young girl seemed to have feelings for him. However, when it came to Liu Wei, he had never had much of an interest. Even now, all he felt was gratitude. If he was to directly say something insincere to Liu Wei, he knew he was incapable of doing so.
"Liu Wei, thank you for saving my life. I have no way to repay such a favor. If you ever need anything, just come find me," Zhao Letian, after a moment's thought, said with a smile, sincerely expressing his gratitude.
"Big Brother Letian, I don't need your repayment, as long as you are alright," Liu Wei quickly shook her head and spoke, her face wearing a brilliant smile. In the morning sunlight, she seemed to possess a saintly aura, prompting Zhao Letian to suddenly realize that this ordinary girl Liu Wei was countless times stronger than the stunning beauty Liu Fei who had betrayed him. He had been blind before.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!..."
At that moment, they suddenly heard a series of sounds tearing through the air. Zhao Letian and Liu Wei turned to look and saw dozens of small boats skimming across the lake surface towards the island swiftly, with figures leaping out and running on the water.
"What has to come will inevitably arrive. However, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can snatch this island away from me, Zhao Letian," said Zhao Letian, his eyes flashing as he glanced over the crowd.
"Eh? Wasn't he thrown into the lake by Young Master Shentu to feed the fishes? How is he not dead yet?"
"Hmph, what can he do even if he's alive? Everyone saw yesterday that he was beaten half to death by Young Master Shentu, his cultivation completely gone. He's just a cripple now; there's no need to be afraid of him!"
"That's right! He's no longer the number one talent of the Outer Sect. He's the number one trash of the Outer Sect. Anyone can deal with him!"
The crowd quickly landed on the island, standing opposite Zhao Letian and Liu Wei, discussing among themselves. To ridicule Zhao Letian to his face was something many took pride in showing off, especially since they wouldn't have dared to do such a thing in the past.
"What do you think you're doing? This island is Big Brother Letian's private territory, leave immediately!" Seeing the ill intentions of the crowd, Liu Wei, although somewhat scared, stood in front of Zhao Letian with courage, determined to protect him. In her eyes, even if Zhao Letian had recovered from his injuries, with his cultivation gone, facing these people would inevitably put him at a disadvantage.
"Private territory? What a joke!" A tall and thin young man from the crowd sneered disdainfully at Zhao Letian, "If he still were the esteemed number one talent of the Outer Sect, claiming the best island of the Outer Sect for himself would be unquestioned. Unfortunately, he is now but a cripple who has lost his cultivation. What right does he have to stay here? If he's wise, he'll scram on his own to save us the trouble of taking action, lest he loses face when the time comes."
"That's right. The cultivation islands within the sect have always been contested based on strength. Now that he's just a cripple, he shouldn't continue to linger here!"
"Yes! Only the able deserve a place to cultivate. Useless trash should just get lost!"
The crowd immediately began to shout and clamor, their goal for today being to take the island for their own cultivation. Although Zhao Letian was not dead, which was unexpected to them, his status as a cripple still couldn't stop them.
"Well said! Only the able deserve a place to cultivate, but the question is, who among you is capable? Who qualifies to occupy this island? You? Step forward and speak!" Zhao Letian suddenly spoke up, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd and finally landing on the tall, sinister-looking young man, as he challenged the other party with his stare.