Chapter Fifty: Trouble Comes Knocking

Although all the members of the Hall of Enforcement were elite disciples, there were still distinctions among them. Ye Cang, Bei Minglie, and others belonged to the highest tier of prodigies. Having served in the Hall for years, their remarkable achievements and the alliances they founded as centers of power had earned them luxurious residences, which became the headquarters for their influence within the sect.

But newcomers like Wang Ran, despite their reputation as top talents, still faced discontent among many Hall disciples over the allocation of such excellent mansions to him and Zhao Xiaobai. The Hall of Enforcement wielded immense authority within the sect, not only managing daily affairs but frequently venturing outside for life-and-death missions. As a result, every disciple in the Hall carried a certain fierce aura, and those not of the Hall were seen as sheltered flowers, met with disdain.

Take Wang Ran, for example: three months ago, no one had even heard of him. Now, he had suddenly risen and been granted such a residence, naturally stirring feelings of imbalance among the others. Many disciples were itching for action.

Yunzhou boasted seventy-two sects of various sizes, all fiercely competitive. As an upper-tier sect, Weiwuzong would never allow its disciples to grow complacent, thus instituting a contribution value system to foster competition. The Hall of Enforcement, gathering all the sect’s elites, was even more ruthless, with elders turning a blind eye to the disciples’ duels and rivalries.

This explained why, at the Dao Enlightenment Ceremony, Bei Minglie acted so brazenly, resorting to violence at the slightest provocation. Within the Hall, there were no rules; magical duels and mortal combat were as common as eating and drinking.

Thus, Wang Ran’s high-profile arrival was met with cold indifference from many, who watched from the sidelines. As expected, by midday, just after Wang Ran and his companions had finished handing over their duties, the first uninvited guest appeared.

A long-faced disciple with a braided ponytail strode in confidently, his inner sect robe tightly bound, giving him a crisp, energetic air as he entered with chest held high.

Many disciples secretly observing nearby showed keen interest.

“It’s Ma Rulong. I didn’t expect him to be the first to lose patience and challenge Wang Ran.”

“Ma Rulong’s strength matches mine. If he tests the waters, we’ll know where we stand.”

“Hah, don’t flatter yourself. Who is Ma Rulong, really? The key is who’s behind him!”

“You mean... Ba Xiang Xu Ke?”

“If so, Ma Rulong is probably acting on Xu Ke’s behalf.”

“Xu Ke’s faction may not rival the four major alliances, but his personal strength is second to none—he ranks among the top in Weiwuzong, a formidable character.”

“That’s right. I heard, like the brutes from Vajra Sect, he built his foundation through physical cultivation—his body is indestructible, a master of hard training.”

“Wang Ran is in trouble.”

“...”

While the disciples murmured, Ma Rulong had already reached the entrance of Wang Ran’s residence. Seeing the protective array inactive, he strode straight through the door.

“Which one of you is Wang Ran? Come out and face me!”

Ma Rulong swept his gaze across the three in the courtyard, his demeanor arrogant as he shouted.

In the center of the courtyard, Wang Ran held a teacup, not sparing him a glance, smiling faintly. “Where did this stray dog come from, causing a ruckus here?”

In truth, Wang Ran had sensed Ma Rulong’s presence before he entered, thanks to his cultivation of the Ten-Star Dao of Eternal Immortality, which heightened his senses beyond ordinary methods. Though Ma Rulong possessed fifth-layer Foundation Establishment strength, his ordinary Dao techniques left him lacking. No matter how he concealed his aura, the trio in the courtyard could see through him.

Zhao Xiaobai smiled quietly, while the little junior sister stared in a daze at Wang Ran’s profile.

Ma Rulong was somewhat famous in the Hall; when had he ever been so disregarded? He grew furious, sneering, “You’re Wang Ran? Think you can act recklessly just because you’re talented? Let me tell you: in the Hall of Enforcement, genius alone doesn’t grant you a foothold. Talent is not the same as strength!”

With that, Ma Rulong lunged forward, fist clenched, stirring up a storm as he unleashed his full fifth-layer Foundation Establishment power, aiming straight at Wang Ran’s face.

A thunderous crash followed.

The stone table at the center of the courtyard shattered to dust. Zhao Xiaobai moved lightly, retreating with a cover of his face. The little junior sister dodged nimbly as well.

As for Wang Ran, he leapt gracefully aside, not a speck of dust landing on his robe.

Ma Rulong frowned, surprised that they could evade his full-strength attack with only second-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation. Clearly, these weren’t the typical sheltered prodigies.

Still, he wasn’t intimidated. He continued with a cold sneer, “Wang Ran, if you submit to Ba Xiang and pay three thousand spirit jades monthly, I will leave you untouched and guarantee your safety!”

Looking at Ma Rulong’s lofty stance, Wang Ran mocked him inwardly. So, this was a shakedown—a demand for protection money? It seemed the Hall played by different rules: whoever had the stronger hand ruled.

But collecting protection money from Brother Ran? He’d miscalculated.

“With just you, daring to boast? Even if Ba Xiang Xu Ke came himself, he’d have to address me as Senior Brother Wang,” Wang Ran retorted with a cold snort, hands behind his back.

Zhao Xiaobai watched the scene with a cheerful smile, showing no sign of stepping in. Ma Rulong was hardly worthy of both their efforts.

Though Ma Rulong’s cultivation surpassed theirs and he fought life-and-death battles regularly, he underestimated these outer sect prodigies. Unbeknownst to him, the trio before him could hardly be compared to ordinary talents.

Seeing Wang Ran refuse to be coaxed, Ma Rulong’s anger grew. Just as he was about to strike again, Wang Ran, unwilling to waste words, plucked a green leaf from the willow tree beside him and flung it forcefully.

With a sharp whistle, the leaf, wrapped in pure spiritual power, sliced through the air like a blade, flying at Ma Rulong with blinding speed.

Ma Rulong was startled, unleashing his protective spiritual power. He thought it would withstand the attack, but to his shock, his power was sliced open by the thin leaf as easily as cutting tofu.

With a splatter, the willow leaf pierced Ma Rulong’s left shoulder, blood gushing instantly. He staggered, kneeling on one knee.

“Striking with a leaf?” Ma Rulong’s face paled, his voice quivering with disbelief. He could hardly fathom the depth of cultivation possessed by this seemingly young boy.

“Go back, and tell Xu Ke that one day, Wang will pay him a visit,” Wang Ran dismissed him with a wave of his sleeve, not even glancing at him.

Ma Rulong’s expression shifted as he heard this. Unwilling, he sighed and staggered away.

Wang Ran’s faint smile made it clear he didn’t regard Ba Xiang Xu Ke as a threat. Turning to pick up his teacup, he frowned at the pulverized stone table.

“Stop right there!”

Ma Rulong, just at the doorway, froze at Wang Ran’s icy voice, startled. Did Wang Ran intend to pursue the matter?

He nervously turned back, only to see Wang Ran standing behind him, coldly staring.

“What do you want…” Ma Rulong felt a bad premonition, his guard raised to the highest level.

Wang Ran replied calmly, “I want an explanation for my old brother Stone.”

“Brother Stone?” Ma Rulong asked, puzzled, about to inquire who this ‘brother’ was, when his gaze caught the shattered marble table in the courtyard. An idea dawned.

Sure enough, Wang Ran continued with righteous indignation, “All things possess spirit. This stone table is no exception. Though we’ve only just settled in the Hall, it has accompanied us through countless joyous moments, its bond with us thicker than blood—more than family, closer than brothers!”

“And now you’ve smashed it to pieces. Are you planning to leave just like that?”

Ma Rulong was dumbfounded.

What was all this about?

Calling a stone table ‘brother’? Was Wang Ran out of his mind?

Unable to grasp Wang Ran’s intentions, Ma Rulong weakly offered, “I… I’ll compensate you, then.”

“Very well. This stone table was forged from the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, costing two thousand spirit jades. Its bond with me is deep—worth at least another two thousand. Four thousand in total.”

“But since we’re fellow disciples, and I am generous and righteous, I won’t let anyone say I extorted you. So, I’ll give you a discount: just pay me three thousand spirit jades. How’s that? Fair enough?”

Upon hearing Ma Rulong agree to compensate, Wang Ran immediately changed his attitude, speaking eloquently and wearing an expression that said, “You’re getting a great deal.”

Ma Rulong, meanwhile, stood dumbstruck, completely bewildered.

A table? Four thousand spirit jades?

Damn it!

This was outright extortion!

Not only was Wang Ran extorting him, he did so with such dignity and composure—what thick skin!

Ma Rulong wanted to refuse, but seeing the cold glint behind Wang Ran’s smiling face, he shivered.

In the end, Ma Rulong gave in, suppressing his bitterness, and left Wang Ran’s residence, wiping away tears under the curious gazes of other disciples.

He’d come to collect protection money, but instead lost three thousand spirit jades. What kind of fate was this…