Early the next morning, Leon Nightfall pulled Nan Huairen along to explore the surroundings of the Nine Saints Demon Gate. He wanted to see what remnants of heritage the sect still possessed.
Nan Huairen was highly reluctant. Whether Leon was naive or simply thick-skinned, his intuition told him that Leon was a troublemaker, and accompanying him would likely lead to trouble.
However, Leon didn't care whether Nan Huairen was willing or not. He simply turned and walked away, leaving Nan Huairen no choice but to follow with a bitter expression. After all, they were there for the assessment, and if anything happened to Leon before that, he wouldn't be able to explain it.
But they hadn't gone far before they were blocked by someone—Du Yuanguang, an outer disciple known as a "little genius" in the Nine Saints Demon Gate.
And it wasn't just Du Yuanguang; he was accompanied by over a dozen disciples. Many disciples had long been displeased with Leon but hadn't found an opportunity to teach him a lesson. Now that Du Yuanguang was taking the lead, they were eager to join in.
"Ah, it's Brother Du! I've long admired you," Nan Huairen said, stepping forward with a changed expression, trying to show goodwill upon seeing their unfriendly approach.
Du Yuanguang didn't even spare Nan Huairen a glance. Coldly, he said, "Nan Huairen, this doesn't concern you. Step aside, or I'll deal with you too."
His words made Nan Huairen's face change, but being a tactful person, he held back and bowed. "Brother Du, may I ask what's going on?"
Still not looking at him, Du Yuanguang fixed his icy gaze on Leon, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Leon merely glanced at him, then leisurely stepped forward, saying calmly, "A good dog doesn't block the way. If you don't want to be a dog, get out of my way."
At these words, Nan Huairen knew things had taken a bad turn. Indeed, the looks from Du Yuanguang and his group could have killed.
"You insolent fool! Even a declining sect like the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect dares to act arrogantly in our Nine Saints Demon Gate? It seems you're tired of living! A bunch of ants daring to speak such big words!" one of the disciples shouted angrily.
Leon was about to reply, but Nan Huairen desperately pulled him back, whispering urgently, "Senior Brother, let it go. Don't stoop to their level. Du Yuanguang is a key outer disciple being groomed by the Nine Saints Demon Gate. He's designated as the closed-door disciple of Protector Xu. Once he passes this year's assessment, he'll become an inner disciple."
His words were a reminder that they couldn't afford to offend someone like Du Yuanguang, who had the backing of Protector Xu—a position even higher than the elders in their own sect.
Du Yuanguang's eyes flashed coldly, but he hadn't acted yet. He said icily, "Our Nine Saints Demon Gate rules over the Ancient Ox Country. Even though the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect is just a small sect, we wouldn't mistreat our guests. However, recently, our brothers have lost a valuable treasure."
His slow words made Nan Huairen's face change dramatically. "Brother Du, what do you mean by that?" he asked.
Du Yuanguang glanced at Nan Huairen dismissively. "Nothing much. It's just that we haven't had any outsiders recently, and in the past two days, only you guests from the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect have been here."
The implication was clear: he was accusing someone from their sect of theft. This wasn't just a personal insult; it tarnished the reputation of the entire Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect. Even someone as tactful as Nan Huairen couldn't help but look extremely displeased.
"Brother Du, please mind your words!" Nan Huairen wanted to smooth things over, but with the sect's reputation at stake, he couldn't just let it slide.
Du Yuanguang sneered at them. "Mind my words? The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect is already in decline, poor and destitute. Who can guarantee that you haven't let some petty thieves into your ranks? When a worthless mortal can become your chief disciple, it's not surprising if you accept some low-life thieves as well!"
Nan Huairen was so furious his face turned red. This was an insult to their entire sect, something no disciple with any backbone could tolerate.
Leon remained calm, looking at Du Yuanguang leisurely. "Whether this is your idea or your hall master's or protector's, it doesn't matter. Young man named Du, you simply fancy your sect's successor—that Li Shuangyan, right? I haven't even met your so-called goddess, but that's just because you're shortsighted. If your sect's successor wants to marry me, that's just wishful thinking on your part. With the standing of your Nine Saints Demon Gate, even if your goddess wanted to be my servant, I'd have to think about it..."
"As for someone like you," Leon glanced at Du Yuanguang, continuing calmly, "if your goddess has any talent, she wouldn't even look at a fool like you. Even if I, Leon Nightfall, don't care for her, you're not qualified to compete with me over a woman. Why don't you just step aside?"
"You little brat! You're courting death! I'll grant it to you!" Du Yuanguang was enraged by Leon's words. Instantly, divine light appeared behind his head, and a divine sword materialized in his hand.
"Du Yuanguang, if it's a fight you want, I'll accompany you!" Leon's bold words made Nan Huairen, who was already filled with anger, feel a rush of satisfaction. But he also knew that Leon had never practiced cultivation before. He quickly stepped in front of Leon.
"Fine! Nan Huairen, I'll deal with you first, then cut down this brat!" Du Yuanguang's eyes burned with anger. In his heart, Li Shuangyan was unparalleled, and Leon's insult to his dream goddess made him furious.
Leon gently pushed Nan Huairen aside, saying calmly, "Huairen, if someone wants to take my life, I'll personally kill him. Just watch."
"Good, good, good!" Du Yuanguang laughed in anger. "This is the funniest joke I've ever heard. A worthless fool who learned some petty martial arts dares to say he'll kill me, a cultivator at the Palace Expansion Realm. Fine, I'll give you a chance to duel."
"Hahaha..." The disciples around Du Yuanguang burst into laughter. They looked at Leon with pity. One mocked, "Using martial arts against Daoist arts? The people from the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect lack even basic common sense. Arrogant and ignorant—truly pathetic!"
Leon couldn't be bothered to look at them. He said calmly, "Very well, see you at the dueling arena." Without another word, he headed toward the arena.
"You can't!" Nan Huairen was terrified. He grabbed Leon, whispering urgently, "Senior Brother, you mustn't! Du Yuanguang is already at the Pillar tier of the Palace Expansion Realm; you're no match for him!"
"It's fine. Isn't he just at the Palace Expansion Realm? It's not like he's a marquis or king. Even if a marquis from the Nine Saints Demon Gate annoyed me here, I'd still turn him into minced meat," Leon said with a faint smile, pushing Nan Huairen aside.
Nan Huairen was stunned. His first thought was that Leon had gone mad. Leon had only joined the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect a few days ago and hadn't even practiced the most basic Daoist techniques. At most, he had learned some of the Mystical Gates Saber Art.
A person who had never cultivated before, even if he had practiced martial arts, couldn't possibly challenge a cultivator. The difference between martial arts and Daoist arts was like heaven and earth, not to mention that Du Yuanguang was a skilled practitioner at the Palace Expansion Realm.
While Nan Huairen was in a daze, Leon had already walked ahead. His voice drifted back, "Young man named Du, see you at the dueling arena."
"Hmph! Ignorant fool—truly pathetic!" Du Yuanguang said coldly. "Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish! I don't mind using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!"
"Brother Du, just finish him with one sword," one of the disciples laughed.
To both Du Yuanguang and the disciples of the Nine Saints Demon Gate, a martial artist challenging a cultivator was a death wish. Martial arts were insignificant compared to Daoist arts. Moreover, Du Yuanguang was a small genius at the Palace Expansion Realm; killing someone like Leon would be effortless.
Nan Huairen snapped out of it and shivered. He turned and ran to find his master, Protector Mo. No matter what, he had to save Leon. He knew that if Leon fought Du Yuanguang, he was certain to die