Chapter 461: The Four Poles Sect

But An Chaoyang was a man of deep scheming and long-held high positions. He had long since mastered the art of masking his emotions. No matter how furious he was inside, not a flicker of it showed on his face.

“Father, I’m fine. I’m sorry I embarrassed you.”

An Baichen struggled to sit up from the bed but was pressed down gently by An Chaoyang’s hand.

“If your skills aren’t up to par, then a loss is a loss. I have nothing to say about that. But that person didn’t just injure you, he injured so many of your junior brothers. It’s clear he doesn’t put our Blazing Sun Martial Hall or the Four Poles Sect in his eyes. I can’t swallow this insult. Focus on recovering. I’ll find a way to deal with the one who hurt you.”

An Chaoyang gave his son a light pat on the shoulder, then turned to the other students in the room.

“Tell me everything that happened. I want a full account of the incident and the fight. No detail left out.”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

The students exchanged glances. One with the best speaking ability stepped forward and began recounting everything.

After hearing it all, An Chaoyang narrowed his eyes slightly and turned his gaze toward the sweat-drenched Qin Sheng.

“So, you’re saying this all started because of you?”

With a thud, Qin Sheng dropped to his knees, his voice choked with sobs.

“Headmaster, I’m sorry! I was wrong! I never expected that guy to be so powerful!”

“Qin Sheng, I’ve seen how you usually go around flaunting your identity as a Blazing Sun student, throwing your weight around. I’ve let it slide out of consideration for how difficult martial arts training is,” An Chaoyang said coldly, not even looking at the kneeling Qin Sheng. “But today, because of your foolishness, so many of your senior and junior brothers were injured. I can’t ignore it any longer. Pack up and leave. You’re no longer a student of Blazing Sun Martial Hall.”

“Headmaster, please, I won’t dare again! Please don’t expel me… give me a chance to make up for my mistake!”

Qin Sheng panicked, crawling forward to cling to An Chaoyang’s leg, begging tearfully.

It was no surprise that Qin Sheng reacted so strongly. Without Blazing Sun Martial Hall as his backing, he was nothing. All those he had offended would surely come back for revenge. Just imagining that scene sent chills down his spine.

“Make up for it? With your strength, you couldn’t even harm a hair on his head. How are you going to make up for it?”

An Chaoyang kicked Qin Sheng aside with visible disgust on his face.

“Do you even know what time it is now? During the Southern Martial Exchange Conference, all kinds of powerful figures gathered in Dongzhou, and you, an idiot, went around provoking people. Getting beaten was exactly what you deserved. Because of your stupidity, our Blazing Sun Hall was humiliated in front of so many people. The fact that I’m only expelling you is already merciful. Drag him out, I don’t want to see him again.”

Two students rushed in, lifted the limp Qin Sheng from the floor, and dragged him out despite his cries and pleas.

The remaining seven or eight students in the room looked at each other, all drenched in sweat and filled with unease.

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson. From now on, keep your eyes open and don’t provoke people you shouldn’t. Don’t bring trouble to the hall.”

An Chaoyang rubbed his temples, then changed tone.

“But this matter can’t end here. Investigate that person thoroughly. I want a complete report on my desk tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

The students quickly left the room as if receiving a royal pardon.

“Baichen, you’ve fought him. Tell me, what level is his martial ability?” An Chaoyang sat by the bed.

“Father, that man’s martial skill… is very strong. Exceptionally strong.”

Thinking back to the fight, An Baichen still had lingering fear.

“He easily blocked my full-force Tiger-Crane Fist. The rebound force alone injured me. I believe he’s at least in Dark Force late stage, perhaps even peak Dark Force. Otherwise, it would’ve been impossible.”

“Peak Dark Force? Impossible! According to your description, that man is only in his early twenties. Even the three major forces in the martial world—the military, Penglai, and the Ling family—don’t have someone that young at the peak Dark Force,” An Chaoyang said, but soon shook his head. “Still, even if not peak, late-stage Dark Force at his age is already terrifying. Another monstrous genius… first Lei Wen, then Jiang Long, and now this one.”

He had been mentally prepared, so he wasn’t shocked—only his expression grew darker.

“Rest well, son. Leave the rest to me.”

“Yes, Father.”

An Chaoyang left the room and paced in the courtyard for a long while before finally pulling out his phone and dialing a number.

A few seconds later, a calm and powerful male voice answered on the other end.

“Chaoyang, what is it?”

“Senior Brother, I have something to report to you.” An Chaoyang’s tone instinctively grew respectful.

There was only one man within the Four Poles Sect whom An Chaoyang would call Senior Brother. That was the Sect Leader, Lu Chengfeng—one of the two peak Dark Force cultivators in the Four Poles Sect.

Lu Chengfeng was not only at peak Dark Force but also among the most powerful within that level.

Though the peak Dark Force was a single stage, the gap between individuals could be vast. Some barely surpassed the late stage, others—aging and declining—might only be slightly better than an average Dark Force.

But the true elites were on another level. Ordinary Dark Force fighters couldn’t touch them. For example, Lei Qianting, whom Lin Xiao had previously encountered, was also at peak Dark Force but already had one foot into Flowing Force—normal peak couldn’t compare.

Lu Chengfeng was such a powerhouse, standing at the pinnacle of the Southern martial world.

After hearing An Chaoyang’s account, Lu Chengfeng asked calmly, “So, what do you plan to do?”

“Senior Brother, that young man clearly has no regard for the Four Poles Sect. I’d like to ask you to teach him a lesson, to show him there are always people stronger.”

“You sly fox. You’re not confident, so you want me to step in.”

An Chaoyang scratched his head sheepishly.

“Senior Brother’s insight is unmatched, I knew I couldn’t hide it from you.”

He was indeed only at the late stage of Dark Force and had no confidence in defeating Lin Xiao. If he stepped in and lost, the humiliation would be far worse.

“I’ve already heard of this matter, actually. I know that young man’s name is Lin Xiao. He’s the same one who beat the master of Golden Claw Sect, and from what I hear, even defeated Lei Qianting from the capital,” Lu Chengfeng said slowly. “I’m curious about this young man. Since he’s clashed with you, let’s invite him to the Four Poles Sect to settle this.”

It was the first time An Chaoyang had heard all that about Lin Xiao. He froze for a moment, then exclaimed in shock, “Senior Brother, you mean to say that young man really has peak Dark Force strength?”

“The Golden Claw master is old now, at most a little stronger than average late-stage. Not worth mentioning. But Lei Qianting is different. He’s well-known in the capital, in his prime, and only one step from Flowing Force. For someone that young to defeat both… He’s either the disciple of some reclusive monster or heir to a hidden sect. He definitely has a significant background, not someone you can treat as an ordinary person. Understand?”

“I understand, Senior Brother.” An Chaoyang forced down his shock and said solemnly, “I’ll formally deliver an invitation, in the name of the Four Poles Sect, inviting him to our mountain gate as a guest.”

“As long as you understand. If that’s all, I’m hanging up now.”

Lu Chengfeng’s voice remained steady and powerful. Even through the phone, it felt like a mountain pressing down.

An Chaoyang ended the call and looked up at the dark night sky, standing in silence for a long time.