Gu Yunzheng was naturally not so kind-hearted as to intentionally warn Wang Erdong.

In fact, ever since that night, he had been holding back a wave of resentment, utterly unable to comprehend where he fell short compared to Li Yun.

He was clearly the one with First-Grade Aptitude, while Li Yun only possessed Fifth-Grade Aptitude.

Why had Li Yun achieved Initial Success in 【Basic Stance Training】 earlier than him?

Unable to figure out the reason, this frustration remained pent up in his chest, making him feel uncomfortable no matter what, to the point that it had even disrupted his cultivation over the past two days.

Therefore, he deliberately wanted to voice it aloud.

He wanted everyone in Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch to know that they were all Entry Outer Sect Disciples who started cultivating 【Basic Stance Training】 from scratch; none of them had reached Initial Success yet, while Li Yun was the only one who had achieved Initial Success.

He wanted everyone to feel jealous, displeased, and even ostracize Li Yun.

And so, from Gu Yunzheng's mouth...

Li Yun became someone who quietly achieved Initial Success in Stance Training without showing off, appearing modest on the surface but secretly looking down on everyone in Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch.

It successfully aroused the displeasure of quite a few disciples in Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch.

However, Gu Yunzheng failed to notice that while he was secretly slandering Li Yun, an irate figure had also entered Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch.

It was none other than Zhang Chu, who had sobered up and run back from the Azure Dragon Courtyard.

He had originally intended to settle scores with Li Yun.

That guy had actually left him all alone in the Azure Dragon Courtyard—he was simply far too disloyal!

Yet unexpectedly, as soon as he returned to Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch, he heard Gu Yunzheng slandering Li Yun and could no longer hold back.

"Shut your damn mouth..."

"Gossiping behind someone's back and ruining their reputation—Gu Yunzheng, how do you even have the nerve to act as the head disciple?"

"Thick-skinned and with such petty narrow-mindedness, you're nothing but a despicable villain."

Gu Yunzheng turned around in anger and said furiously, "Zhang Chu... you bastard, what right do you have to curse at me like that?"

Zhang Chu said disdainfully, "Curse at you? You're lucky I haven't beaten you to a pulp, but you're not even worthy!"

"You... Zhang Chu, don't go too far!"

"When did I ever slander Li Yun? Everything I said is a fact! Li Yun only has Fifth-Grade Aptitude, so why should he reach Initial Success in Stance Training faster than everyone else?"

"Anyone with half a brain could tell he must have used some crooked, Evil Path method. Besides, he's always acting elusive and never trains in martial arts in the courtyard, clearly looking down on the people of Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch... Which word of mine was wrong?"

"Initial Success?"

Zhang Chu sneered coldly, "Who told you Li Yun only achieved Initial Success in Stance Training?"

"He reached the Mastery Realm long ago, alright? Under his guidance, even I have achieved Initial Success... Only a so-called head disciple like you is kept in the dark, swaggering around every day with a bunch of lackeys acting conceited, being jealous of others, and slandering people. It's utterly laughable."

"If I were Li Yun, I wouldn't bother paying any attention to you either!"

Saying that, Zhang Chu looked toward another disciple. "Chen Shan, have you seen Li Yun?"

"Ah, Li Yun... He just went out, not sure where he went?"

"Damn it, that bastard took advantage of me being drunk to leave me alone at Azure Dragon Courtyard while he sneaked back to cultivation. I'm going to settle scores with him!"

Zhang Chu cursed through gritted teeth, then turned around and dashed out.

He knew where to find Li Yun.

If he guessed correctly, it should still be that place where he ran into his sister yesterday. That place was quite secluded, perfect for this fellow Li Yun to practice.

Once he left, the courtyard erupted into an uproar.

"Did you all hear that? What did Zhang Chu just say?"

"Li Yun's Stance Training isn't at Initial Success, but the Mastery Realm?"

"You've got to be kidding me. Reaching the Mastery Realm in Basic Stance Training in a single month—doesn't this shatter the record for the fastest Initial Success among all previous Outer Sect Disciples?"

"Damn, are you stupid? This is way more than just breaking the fastest Initial Success record; it leaves the record completely in the dust..."

"This Li Yun is an absolute Genius!"

"Could it be that our Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch is going to produce a True Dragon?"

"Being in the same Outer Sect as such a super Genius, aren't we all basking in his glory?"

Standing to the side, Gu Yunzheng listened to the surrounding disciples' exclamations. His face had long turned flushed crimson, before shifting to pitch-black, dark as the bottom of a wok.

"No..."

"I'm not talking about him being Proficient in Stance Training. I'm talking about Li Yun and Zhang Chu... Didn't you notice? They actually went to the Inner Sect last night and even drank wine there!"

Chen Shan said with an odd expression.

The moment these words were spoken, the entire courtyard fell dead silent.

Only then did everyone react.

Their faces were filled with utter shock.

Good grief, holy crap, Li Yun and Zhang Chu could actually go to the Inner Sect and even drink wine in the Inner Sect... What kind of formidable background must they have?

In an instant...

The way everyone looked at Gu Yunzheng became somewhat different.

It was as if they were looking at a complete fool.

What head disciple?

Just an idiot!

Instead of currying favor with a fellow disciple who was both a Genius and had deep backing, he chose to be envious and slander him behind his back. It was best to stay as far away from such a person as possible, lest they be dragged down by him in the future.

"Let's go, time to practice martial arts."

"Later when Senior Brother Li comes back, we should also find an opportunity to ask for his guidance. Maybe we'll be able to make rapid progress too..."

"Right, right, right... Having Senior Brother Li in our Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch is truly our courtyard's blessing..."

Soon, the people in the courtyard dispersed.

Not a single person spoke to Gu Yunzheng anymore.

This included those who had previously gathered around him, respectfully calling him Senior Brother Gu with every breath.

As the saying goes, when a wall totters, everyone shoves; when a drum is broken, everyone beats it.

At this moment, Gu Yunzheng truly experienced what real isolation felt like. But the problem was, what he originally wanted was to isolate Li Yun, not himself!

Faced with such an outcome, Gu Yunzheng's eyes turned bloodshot.

"You... all of you are just a bunch of opportunists who trim their sails to the wind and flatter the powerful!"

"Just you all wait! I refuse to believe that someone with mere Fifth-Grade Aptitude is truly some kind of Genius. We'll wait and see—I, Gu Yunzheng, will never lose to Li Yun!"

Gu Yunzheng stormed off in indignation, exiting Courtyard 95 of the Ren Branch as well.

However, his words barely earned any serious glances, only disdain.

Meanwhile...

In that secluded little grove, Li Yun practiced Basic Stance Training stance by stance, from the first stance to the twelfth stance, and then returning to the first stance.

It was far beyond merely smooth and flowing, utterly natural!

What was even more wondrous was that when he finally returned to the first stance and stood motionless, an aura resembling a green pine braving wind and snow emanated from his body, striking awe and dread into anyone who witnessed it.

Zhang Chu, who had originally come to settle scores with Li Yun, hurried to the edge of the grove. Seeing Li Yun standing as motionless as a green pine, his mouth fell wide open, large enough to shove a goose egg inside.

At this very instant...

Zhang Chu felt a chill surge straight up from the soles of his feet along his spine into his brain, leaving him utterly cold.

"Is this bastard a freak?"

"How did he even manage to comprehend True Intent?"