The Heavenly Path Sect was made up of several small residences with specific functions, such as a communal kitchen for the disciples, living quarters, library, herbarium, study rooms...

As you climbed the mountain, the greater the importance of the building, and the Hall of Elders was at the highest part. The most prominent disciples like Li Jiong could have their own resting place wherever they preferred.

As Meng Fei could see as he climbed up, the Imperial Crane Residence was in the middle of the path. Even though Li Jiong was the first disciple of one of the Sect's most respected masters, he preferred to assume his position in a more modest way. The place where he chose to stay was accessible for both students and masters to seek him out. In this way, Li Jiong was also able to be closer to the juniors in order to better guide them.

That day, Meng Fei got up early as usual, although Dra. Deng warned him to avoid unnecessary efforts. His previous clothes were torn and Li Jiong gave him new clothes to wear, which consisted of a simple tunic, shirt and pants set in a light beige color and a black belt and boots. The fabric was comfortable and had an embossed foliage pattern. As much as he wanted to, he was finding it strange to wear these baggy clothes.

How do they manage to fight with these long sleeves? Humm, looks like you can store everything in here too.

Meng Fei studied the strange garment curiously.

"Are you up yet? Dr. Deng told you to get as much rest as you can." Li Jiong stood in the doorway, watching him for a while as Meng Fei struggled to put on his new clothes.

The cultivator came in and adjusted the belt of the other's robe in silence. Li Jiong searched for the best clothes that would fit Meng Fei in the Sect but felt bad that he had to be wearing all the required formal uniform to see the Elders. Li Jiong's tunic was a teal color with silver embroidery, which further enhanced his severe air. He only dressed like that when necessary and as soon as he could he would rush to change into his ordinary work clothes.

At this moment, Li Jiong felt very unhappy because it looked like he was on a higher level than the person he was now adjusting the tunic lapels, which he was sure he wasn't!

"I thought I'd go earlier, to avoid any problems. Hehe, it seems like when I was buying clothes for you, remember..." Meng Fei thanked him still laughing. Li Jiong smiled with a miserly air.

How could I forget? Li Jiong thought to himself. Since that day he felt strange, different from normal and he didn't stop for a minute to question himself what had changed. They had breakfast together and started to climb the stairs to the Hall. Meng Fei was careful not to trip on the hem of his robe, he didn't want to damage the borrowed clothes.

As expected, he was able to go to the hall without being mobbed by people, as the news that there was a second Meng Fei had spread like wildfire and many people wanted to check it out. In any case, there were already some disciples and leaders of other sects present in the place, ready to throw him unfriendly looks, although no one would dare to speak to him with Li Jiong around. This was another point that was generating controversy.

Li Jiong was sent to a supposed other world and brought this individual with him!? Besides, he was protecting him like a tiger would its cub. They couldn't understand it.

Upon entering the Meng Fei building, you cannot help but admire the construction. After all, he also had a background in architecture and engineering. He simply ignored the prying or threatening stares and studied the details carefully, from the column bases to the rafters of the curved roof.

"What you're seeing?" Li Jiong asked seeing him scanning the Hall with keen interest.

"The bases of the columns are well placed, it must have been difficult to excavate this rock, although I don't know what tools you use. Furthermore, the entrance faces south and there are nine spans and eight columns arranged according to feng shui. I really don't know if this is another world or ancient China, the characteristics of the structures are very similar, it's just that I haven't taken you to any temples in Beijing..." He walked away to admire the structure even more.

"You really are a builder then." Someone said from behind them. Li Jiong turned around and bowed to the person in front of him, greeting him.

"Sect Leader."

Meng Fei copied the gesture, finding it a little flattering. He wasn't even a disciple, should he do that too? The Sect leader gave him a gentle smile.

"You really aren't from around here.Ordinary people often kneel before cultivators... ah, you don't have to do that to me. I'm just instructing you when you go see the Elders. I'm Teng Tie, the sect leader."

Meng Fei didn't think it would be so difficult to deal with these people, so he decided to act like he was, but in a more respectful way.

"Eh, although everyone already knows, I'm Meng Fei two or the one who came from another world. And yes, I built buildings. I was just comparing the architecture..." They just need to think that I wanted to tear down the building or something like that.

"Li Jiong explained the whole case to us, even though it was hard to believe... Well, you don't have to worry, the reason why I'm here is just to clear up any remaining doubts and make sure there's no risk. Elders are very respectable." Teng Tie said in a placating tone and bid farewell with an elegant nod. Meng Fei nodded to himself, he looked like a good person.

One shi later they entered the hall when all the Elders were present. But the situation was not as Meng Fei expected.

And he said he had nothing to worry about, so how did the situation turn out like this? Meng Fei was kneeling in the center of the hall's low platform, extremely well behaved even though he was putting on his best poker face at the moment.

Three Elders out of the eight Elders wanted his head claiming that there was no chance of there being a good Meng Fei either in this or another world, and that soon he would show his claws. Two others were on top of the wall and the other three believed he was really harmless. Thus, a balanced discussion was established, as they shouted more to each other than asked questions. So he was kneeling there, watching the discussion and waiting for someone to speak to him.

Furthermore, as he suspected, a crowd of cultivators showed up just to see him up close.

I think I turned into a circus show.

He even managed to spot Deng Ruan, in her green doctor's robes, only in the most exquisite version, pale as a sheet of paper, sitting at her post a little further behind the Elders' chairs, along with Li Jiong. Apparently the most important members of the Sect were a row behind the main nine.

Teng Tie was under the highest chair in the circle of nine, presiding over the discussion, but now he just watched them with a dismayed expression.

"Are they crazy? This person, villain or not, is still convalescing! Are they going to leave him here until his knees atrophy?" Deng Ruan muttered to herself.

"Well, this is very easy to fix." One of the cultivators beside her stood up, and Li Jiong felt a chill run up his spine.

"What do I intend..." He asked but the other jumped onto the platform before he finished speaking. The Elders were shocked. The cultivator was dressed exactly like Li Jiong, he drew his sword, a long thin blade that emitted an aggressive glare.

He stopped beside Meng Fei, bringing the blade to his throat with such speed that even the hairs near his neck fluttered slightly with the air that came with the movement.

"There is only one way to check if this person is dangerous or not." He declared, looking coldly at the kneeling man. The entire hall was speechless. That Meng Fei didn't have any reaction with a sword like that leaned against his throat. Even Li Jiong was on his feet, transfixed. The cultivator continued:

"It was said that you fought the demonic cultivator without even having a spirit core. So you are able to fight me as well."

Meng Fei: "......"

Where did this illogical reasoning come from? This time I'm going to be killed anyway!

Author's Note:

Hello dears! I hope you are enjoying the novel so far. I'm making an effort to look for more details to enrich the story and bring it closer to reality. Chinese culture is one of the things I admire the most.

Poor Meng Fei, his situation is getting worse by the hour. And he's already growing calluses on his knees while people discuss his life as if he wasn't even there!

Yes, Elders are very respectable 😅. Let's see how he will come out of this now with this new cultivator.