The Endless Promise

30. Cycle Of Misunderstandings!

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At Sunrise, most of the disciples on the Hunt mission had already gathered, and they milled around, waiting for the rest, their light blue robes gleaming in the brilliant morning light.

As they waited, they generally discussed cultivation matters, a few maybe randomly discussed the weather, but it wasn't long before someone mentioned Zhang Cheng's recent 'defeat' at the arena!

"Heh! That Zhang Luoyin really surprised us! Sent Disciple Zhang flying for the outhouse!" One of the clan disciples, Xu Lin said, and light laughter erupted around him.

Xu Lin was well-known for his cheerful and mischievous nature. He was the same disciple who had spoken out after the duel, and now a few older disciples shook their heads at him.

"Do you think he will show his face?" Another disciple asked "I saw his name on the mission board!"

"Heh, can he?" Xu Lin smirked. "We can't stop for too many bathroom breaks!"

A few female disciples had been making flower crowns and playfully placing it on each other's heads, but one suddenly threw down her crown.

"5th Disciple Xu, why not say these things directly to Disciple Zhang's face?!"

"Yes!" She was instantly backed by another lady. "Why be a coward and make jokes here?!"

"And who does Zhang Luoyin think he is?" Another lady interjected. "Can he take responsibility if anything happens to Disciple Zhang?!"

"Exactly! He's already useless as a cultivator... Is he trying to drag his brother down with him?!"

"Ladies, calm down!" One disciple rushed to placate them. "We're sorry for laughing at your 'Disciple Zhang'!"

"Tch! Waste of time!" Xu Lin scoffed, folding his arms. "It's not like any of you can lay claim to Zhang Cheng! Even if *Sister Weiyan is out of the picture, he belongs to Sister Linhua!"

(*Everyone in the Xu Clan is related, so he's technically Weiyan and Linhua's cousin)

"You-!" Several of the ladies shot him deadly glares, but Xu Lin had already shifted his focus.

"Yo, isn't that the root of the matter?" Xu Lin nodded towards an approaching figure.

It was Luoyin with his face covered as usual.

But his appearance was even better than the duel, and he now wore a set of prime quality light blue robes to match theirs, a pair of white boots, and a dark blue belt.

They might have been impressed if they didn't already know who he was!

Still, curious stares followed as he quietly sat a short distance from them, not bothering to acknowledge anyone.

"Yo, Zhang Luoyin, I couldn't believe it when I saw your name!" Xu Lin began, addressing him directly. "Are you accompanying us as an example of 'who not to be'?"

A few disciples snickered.

"Xu Lin, you're too much! He's your senior! And weren't you just praising him?!"

Xu Lin shook his head. "I don't take sides, and respect is earned! Zhang Luoyin might have gotten the better of Disciple Zhang in that duel, but there's no denying that Zhang Luoyin himself is supreme Trash! He doesn't deserve Sister Weiy- ! Ow!"

A small pebble suddenly hit Xu Lin's head, and he looked left and right.

"Who dared hit me!" He demanded, then side-stepped, narrowly dodging another pebble.

"Oh? You can dodge it?" A voice said to his left, and he turned to see another disciple leaning against a tree.

"Xu Wen! How dare you?!" Xu Wen was his cousin, a year younger.