The view outside was quite a sight. The Rong Sect residence was quite spacious. On each side were the residences of the Rong Sect members themselves. In the center was a fountain shaped like a tiger statue with water flowing from its mouth, and flower decorations surrounded it.
Fang Yun poured tea again. Zorfi felt the serenity and peace in the Rong Sect residence. He then thought about learning more. He asked Fang Yun, "If I may ask, is this Rong Sect... solely focused on martial arts?" Zorfi asked, curious.
As Zorfi asked, Fang Yun was sipping his tea, then put it down. He then answered Zorfi's question.
"Didn't you know? All sects around the world don't rely on martial arts; it's simply our way of defending ourselves from enemy threats. The true purpose of sects is to cultivate spirituality towards immortality," Fang Yun replied.
(It seems... It's some kind of cultivation world, but I need to confirm first.)
"Hmm... Towards immortality... Does it have specific stages to achieve it?"
"Of course, those stages are very difficult if you're not focused or disciplined in carrying out the requirements. Then, the Qi within our bodies will not be able to display the aura of potential that leads to becoming immortal. As a result, the sect elders will label us as having no potential and will be expelled from the sect."
"I see... I really don't know anything. Where I live is just a small village without a single sect residence. Oh yeah, you mentioned the world of sects, right? If I may ask, what sects exist in this world."
"In this world, there are seven powerful sects with their own different styles of power, one of which is this Rong Sect—"
"FANG YUNNN!!!"
Just as Fang Yun was about to explain, someone suddenly called out from the opposite direction. The voice was rather loud and sounded like a woman's.
"Oh no... This voice..."
Zorfi and Fang Yun turned to the side, and sure enough, it was a woman, judging by her gait and facial expression. This would be bad news for Fang Yun, and there was also a whip attached to her waist.
"Fang Yun, you're here! Where have you been, huh?! The elders told me to look for you all night, but I never found you. Now explain, or you'll face the consequences!" The woman said firmly, her aura even more intimidating.
Her sinister expression, with her eyes glaring like a demon, rendered Fang Yun speechless and could only nod. Meanwhile, Zorfi remained silent.
"Umm... I-I... I was just taking a walk in the forest to get some fresh air, Qiao Lu... I just happened to come across her in danger. So, I saved her life and brought her to my place... Hehe, sorry for not telling you..." Fang Yun said, scratching his head and smiling.
Zorfi smiled too, but now the woman's gaze shifted to him, her face still angry. "You... Who are you?! How could you bring someone else here, huh?! Oh my... You're really just going to add to my burden with her. Get out of here! Otherwise..."
Qiao Lu then pulled out the whip from her waist and pointed it at Zorfi. Zorfi was terrified and could only lament his fate. "Hey! Qiao Lu, don't be like that. He—"
"SHUT UP!!!"
*SHUT UP!!!*
"AHHH!"
"ZORFI!!!"
The sound of the whip and Fang Yun's screams brought the other students out of their rooms. They came to find out what was happening and ended up seeing Zorfi being whipped by Qiao Lu.
Qiao Lu had truly gone too far. Zorfi, who had just recovered, fell back down, feeling excruciating pain from the mad woman's whip. Fang Yun couldn't help him because after Zorfi, Qiao Lu turned and glared at Fang Yun as if threatening him, saying, "YOU'RE NEXT..." in a sinister tone.
"AAAAA—"
*SLAM!!!*
Fang Yun also fell at the hands of the fierce Qiao Lu. Qiao Lu put her whip back and looked down on the two of them like trash. The other students were also terrified by Qiao Lu's ferocity. Qiao Lu, realizing that the other students had witnessed her cruelty, immediately turned to them with a deadly glare.
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, HUH? DO YOU WANT TO SUFFER THE SAME FATE AS THEM?!" she demanded firmly.
"Stop, Qiao Lu!"
The students, recognizing the source of the deep voice, immediately bowed and made way for the person to approach Qiao Lu. Qiao Lu looked at the person without the slightest hesitation.
"Qiao Lu, what did you do to those two? I told you to look for Fang Yun because he was missing, but now he's back. You didn't have to be so cruel..." He said in a hoarse, soft voice.
"But Dad! Fang Yun has always been difficult to manage, he's always traveling without my knowledge!" Qiao Lu retorted in an annoyed tone.
"Yes, I know... But you should be more mature in dealing with people. Not with this kind of treatment..." The man continued.
"Why are you supporting him? Hah! Whatever, I don't want to know!"
Qiao Lu headed for her residence and left the Rong Sect area. Fang Yun and Zorfi were still in pain, but they slowly got up and finally managed to stand.
"Ah... That hurts so much..." Zorfi whispered.
"This wasn't much when you were with me earlier..."
"Oh..."
(Fang Yun is truly physically strong, I'm so lucky to have been found by someone like him... Even if I have to face these consequences...)
Fang Yun, realizing that he was a powerful figure, began to bow his and Zorfi's faces with his right hand.
"AH—"
"We pay our respects, Elder Shao!"
"Raise your heads..."
Fang Yun and Zorfi raised their heads and looked at the person before them. It turned out to be the first elder named Yuan Shao. He was known for his friendly nature and his good manners when it came to educating his disciples.
"Thank goodness you've returned, Fang Yun. Who is this young man you brought with you?" he asked, pointing at Zorfi.
On the other hand, Qiao Lu didn't go to his place. Instead, she hid behind the disciples to find out Zorfi's origins.
"Oh, let me introduce myself. His name is Zorfi Argenta. He comes from an island far to the southeast. He's a wanderer who loves to explore the world. I found him while he was being chased by the Silver Lion Demon in the Tall Tree Forest. Fortunately, I managed to save his life before he fell unconscious and was seriously injured," Fang Yun replied.
"Nice to meet you," Zorfi continued, bowing his head.
The elder, the disciples, and Qiao Lu were surprised to hear the Silver Lion Demon. The disciples then chatted among themselves about the Silver Lion Demon and Zorfi's unfamiliar name. Qiao Lu, who was eavesdropping, felt her heart tremble with guilt for teaching Zorfi a lesson.
"What have I done..."
After that, she left for her residence with mixed feelings.