The Prodigy's Return and Accusations
Xiao Feng stood confidently amidst the gathering, his tattered clothes and bruised form contrasting sharply with the majestic presence of his master, Fairy Yulan. She stepped forward, her violet eyes filled with concern as she handed him a gleaming pill radiating powerful healing energy.
"Take this," she said gently.
Xiao Feng swallowed the pill without hesitation. A warm surge of energy coursed through his body, and within moments, all his injuries vanished as if they were never there. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"That... that's a high-grade Heaven Restoration Pill!" a disciple whispered.
"Master gave him such a treasure without a second thought!"
The First Elder, an old man with a solemn expression, stepped forward. "Fairy Yulan, there was no need to waste such a rare pill on him. His injuries, though severe, were not beyond natural healing."
Fairy Yulan turned sharply toward him, her aura flaring with suppressed fury. "You will not tell me how to care for my disciple. This is Xiao Feng we're speaking about, the brightest prodigy of this sect. I want to know who or what caused his injuries!"
Her piercing gaze swept across the elders, landing on the Second and Third Elders, who had been unusually quiet. Her tone grew icy. "Especially from those of you who claimed he was dead."
The Second Elder, a man with shifty eyes, stammered, "We... we saw him die while fighting a beast, Fairy Yulan. He was gravely injured. We—"
"You saw him die?" she interrupted, her tone cold and unyielding.
Before the elders could concoct another excuse, Xiao Feng chuckled softly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Master," he began, his tone laced with amusement, "you're being too hard on them. They're excellent elders, always treating me with the utmost... respect."
The sarcasm in his voice was unmistakable. His gaze lingered on the Second and Third Elders, who grew visibly uncomfortable.
"Truth is," Xiao Feng continued, "no one is responsible for my injuries but me. I fought a Leviathan Wyrm to test my abilities and nearly died in the process. If not for a kind cultivator from the Flame Sect, I wouldn't be standing here today."
A wave of shock swept through the crowd.
"The Flame Sect?" Fairy Yulan repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "They've been wiped out by the Black Tortoise Sect."
At this, Xiao Feng smirked. "Yes, and it's rather interesting, isn't it, how the Black Tortoise Sect managed such a feat so swiftly? Perhaps they had... allies?"
He glanced meaningfully at the Second and Third Elders, whose faces paled.
"You dare accuse your elders of—" the Third Elder began, but Xiao Feng cut him off, his voice calm and unbothered.
"I'm not accusing anyone. I'm simply stating what I observed. In this world, it's simple: if you're weak, you'll be devoured by the strong. Isn't that right?"
The tension was palpable, and Fairy Yulan's gaze hardened as she looked at the accused elders.
Xiao Feng, however, seemed utterly relaxed. "Now, Master, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to take a bath. I'll meet with you and the elders later."
Before anyone could respond, he turned and walked away, his carefree demeanor hiding the storm brewing within. His return had set the sect on edge, and Xiao Feng knew this was just the beginning.