The other disciples nodded eagerly, their earlier terror replaced by anticipation. With Elder Chen here, what could a mere youth do, being slightly stronger than them?
Fang Zheng stepped forward, his chest puffed out with pride.
"You! Do you see who stands behind me now?" His voice carried a smugness that made Shi Jing's eyes narrow slightly.
"This is Elder Chen of the Sword Cloud Manor! A Foundation Establishment expert!"
Foundation Establishment realm? Is this the realm above Qi-Refinement?
Is the realm after Foundation establishment Golden Core? Shi Jing speculates in his heart.
"Elder Chen has come personally to seek justice for us disciples," Another student chimed in.
"You should kowtow immediately and beg for mercy! Perhaps the Elder will show compassion and only cripple one of your limbs!"
Chen Lian smile wryly, inwardly, he was embarrassed," I haven't even said anything yet, so why are all of you instigating this freak?!"
Since when did, an Outer Elder of the Sword Cloud Manor, need to personally cripple a young child?
He wasn't so shameless!
Not to mention, Sword Cloud Manor is a righteous force!
Fang Zheng's smile grew cruel.
"That's right! Earlier you caught us off guard with some dirty tricks, but now? Now you'll learn what happens when you offend the Sword Cloud Manor!"
But as Fang Zheng continued his taunting, Chen Lian's attention was entirely focused on Shi Jing himself.
The elder's spiritual sense probed carefully, and what he discovered made his heart skip a beat.
His spiritual probe seemed to slide off Shi Jing like water off stone, unable to penetrate deeper.
"This child... there's more to him than meets the eye. At his age, Peak Body Tempering would be extraordinary...."
"Perhaps not even that Ming Ye can compare to this!"
Outwardly, Chen Lian maintained his stern expression.
"Young man," He spoke with the authority of his position, "You have grievously injured disciples of the Sword Cloud Manor. This offense cannot go unpunished."
Shi Jing looked up at the elder with calm eyes, showing no fear despite the overwhelming cultivation gap.
"Elder Chen, is it? I merely defended myself when your disciples trespassed and threatened me. This is a justified act of self defense!"
"Lies!" Fang Zheng spat. "Elder, don't listen to his excuses! He attacked us without provocation!"
Chen Lian raised his hand for silence, his eyes never leaving Shi Jing. "Such composure before a Foundation Establishment expert... this is an extraordinary demeanor!"
This made him appreciate Shi Jing further.
"Regardless of the circumstances," Chen Lian continued, maintaining his authoritative tone.
"The Sword Cloud Manor is not easily provoked and attacked."
To Fang Zheng and the youths behind him, it meant Shi Jing has disrespect and sully the face of the righteous force that is the Sword Cloud Manor.
This is an act deserving of punishment!
But internally, the elder was calculating the risks.
"If this youth truly is the one Ming Feng recommended... and he possesses such talent at this age... I must handle this matter with utmost caution."
Chen Lian was no fool. To become an outer elder of the Sword Cloud Manor, he has dealt his fair share of scheme and plot.
How can he be sway so easily by the few words of these children? Chen Lian stroked his sword sheath thoughtfully.
But the reputation of the Sword Cloud Manor in Cangwu City was paramount, he couldn't simply let this slide. If it happened once, it can happen again.
Once this matter find its way back to him, he would be held responsible.
"The Sword Cloud Manor's dignity must be upheld," Chen Lian declared, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
"However, I am not unreasonable. I propose an alternative to severe punishment."
Fang Zheng's eyes lit up with anticipation. Whatever the elder had planned, it would surely teach this arrogant youth a lesson!
"If you can endure three strikes from me," Chen Lian continued, "I will consider the matter settled. To ensure fairness, I will suppress my cultivation to the Qi-Refinement realm."
"Do you dare to take my three strike?"
The disciples gasped in excitement. Even suppressed, Elder Chen's experience and technique were formidable!
"Three strikes?" One disciple whispered. "He'll be lucky to survive the first!"
"Senior Brother Fang, we're about to witness a good show!" another chuckled.
Shi Jing studied the elder for a moment, then nodded.
"I dare!"
He could see through this elderly man thought.
"This person will most likely not harm me, at the same time, this is a test!" As Shi Jing thought of this point, the matter regarding the letter of recommendation came to his mind.
"Elder Chen… He is probably responsible for the recruitment in Cangwu city, I must show a considerable amount of skill, only then can I obtain a favorable position in the Sword Cloud Manor!"
Chen Lian stepped forward, his aura shifting as he suppressed his Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Even so, the pressure he emanated made the air seem heavier.
"Let me test this youth's true capabilities," Chen Lian thought as he shot his palm toward Shi Jing.
Chen Lian's palm moved with deceptive simplicity, but Fang Zheng and the others could sense the contained power within.
This was the "Flowing Cloud Palm," an earth-grade palm art of the Sword Cloud Manor.
Shi Jing raised both arms to block, his stance solid.
The palm struck with the force of rushing water, and Shi Jing slid back three steps, his arms trembling slightly.
"Hmph! One strike and he's already struggling!" Fang Zheng sneered.
"Two more and he'll be flat on his back!"
But Chen Lian's eyes narrowed.
"He absorbed most of the impact… This response show he has some experience in combat. What if I increase the pressure?"
This time, Chen Lian's performed another technique.
"Mountain Crushing Palm!" The air itself seemed to compress as his hand descended like a falling boulder.
Shi Jing's expression grew serious. He shifted his stance, channeling his Iron Body Transformation Art to reinforce his defense.
The impact sent him skidding back five steps and a thin line of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Yes! He's bleeding!" One disciple cheered.
"The next strike will finish him!"
Fang Zheng's smile grew vicious.
"Look at him struggle! Where's all that arrogance now?