Chapter 153: Can You Stop Being So Emotional?
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“Silence!” Elder Luo’s face was stern, but the joy in his eyes betrayed him. “The evaluations have concluded. Please welcome the Sect Master.”
“Please welcome the Sect Master,” the disciples of the Green Wood Sect chorused, bowing in unison.
Sect Master Wu Sang rose to address the audience.
Yu Zhao arched her brow as she saw the Sect Master. In her previous life, she had met Sect Master Wu Sang during a major cultivation competition. At that time, he always appeared burdened, with a frown etched deeply on his forehead. Now, however, his demeanor was completely transformed—spirited and radiant, as if he had aged in reverse.
Was this change brought about by Mu Ye’s victory?
“Mu Ye, a disciple of the Pill Hall, has innate talent and extraordinary aptitude, carrying the spirit of our ancestors. Today, after deliberation with the elders, I declare Mu Ye the Young Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect. May she forge ahead with determination and bring glory to our sect!”
“Forge ahead with determination and bring glory to the sect!”
“Forge ahead with determination and bring glory to the sect!”
“Forge ahead with determination and bring glory to the sect!”
The cheers of the disciples echoed like a tidal wave across the sect’s square, their fervor filling the air.
Yu Zhao couldn’t help but be moved by the infectious atmosphere, feeling a surge of excitement rise within her.
Mu Ye, meanwhile, stood frozen, her eyes brimming with tears. Her mind was blank, overwhelmed by the moment.
Nearby, Zhao Liang and Tian Han looked ashen, knowing they had offended the newly appointed Young Sect Master. Their future seemed bleak.
Wang Qian, unable to accept the reality, clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms before fainting outright from sheer frustration.
“Young Sect Master, everyone’s waiting for you,” Elder Luo said gently, noticing Mu Ye standing in stunned silence.
Snapping out of her daze, Mu Ye quickly bowed towards the Sect Master and the elders seated on the high platform, performing the formal disciple salute. Then, turning to her fellow disciples, she offered a respectful bow. Straightening her posture, she declared loudly, “Disciple Mu Ye will not fail to meet your expectations!”
“Young Sect Master!”
“Young Sect Master!”
“Young Sect Master!”
The crowd roared again in unison.
Sect Master Wu Sang exchanged a pleased glance with Elder Lotus, both smiling broadly. Elder Wang, on the other hand, forced a smile that looked painfully stiff. The outcome was settled, and there was nothing he could do.
Mu Ye now represented the honor of the entire sect, no longer a mere junior disciple he could manipulate. Returning to the Pill Peak, he resolved to reassign Zhao Liang to the back mountain to cultivate medicinal fields. He would prepare a generous gift to ensure Mu Ye harbored no resentment toward him.
With the Young Sect Master officially appointed, the disciples’ evaluations concluded. As Sect Master Wu Sang and Elder Lotus left the square, they summoned Mu Ye to join them.
Yu Zhao, with nowhere specific to go, decided to stay in the square to wait for Mu Ye’s return.
Before long, she regretted her decision. She had forgotten that the Green Wood Sect housed someone she would rather not see.
“Yu… Junior Sister Yu,” a raspy yet soft voice called out, trembling as though it carried the vibration of plucked strings.
Yu Zhao turned, her expression calm, and met his gaze. “Senior Brother Fang.”
Fang Cheng Lang had tried to approach her several times before, only to be ignored. By now, he had little hope of a response. Yet when Yu Zhao finally acknowledged him, he found himself feeling no joy—only deeper sorrow.
Her indifference stung more than anger or hatred. At least anger meant there were still lingering emotions. Now, there was only an unnerving calm.
“Ah Jue… Ah Jue has been poisoned…” Fang Cheng Lang blurted, fear coloring his voice.
He instinctively mentioned Cui Jue’s condition, hoping Yu Zhao would care. After all, Cui Jue and Little Six had once been close friends. Surely, she would be concerned for him, wouldn’t she?
Yu Zhao gazed at him calmly. “And so?”
“Could… could you go see him? Even as he fainted, he kept murmuring your name.”
“He brought this upon himself. What can I possibly do? Can’t he stop being so dramatic?”
The familiar words slipped out of Yu Zhao’s mouth, and Fang Cheng Lang’s pupils shrank in disbelief as he stared at her.
Little Six… Why would she say such a thing? Could it be… she had the same dream?
Fang Cheng Lang’s intense reaction put Yu Zhao on alert. The words she just said were not her own but had once been spoken by Cui Jue to her.
That time, her Fifth Senior Brother, Quan Ye, had been manipulated by Ye Cong Xin. Using a sparring match as an excuse, he deliberately broke her right hand and clavicle. He then mocked her for having schemes but lacking real skill. Filled with grief and pain, she had sought Cui Jue to confide in, only for him to shut her out and have Fang Cheng Lang deliver this very line.
From that day forward, Yu Zhao never again complained about her hardships. She realized no one on Lone Moon Peak would feel sorry for her.
Now, she had merely repeated Cui Jue’s words verbatim. So why was Fang Cheng Lang reacting so strongly? Suspicion stirred within Yu Zhao’s heart. She hesitated, debating whether to ask him about it, when an enthusiastic male voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Fang Dao You, I am You Fei, a disciple of the Green Wood Sect’s Martial Hall. I’ve heard you’re known as the Sword Gentleman. May I have the honor of sparring with you?”
A defiant young man led several Martial Hall disciples and blocked the path behind Fang Cheng Lang. Nearby disciples of the Green Wood Sect, who had not yet dispersed, paused to watch curiously.
Fang Cheng Lang collected himself, masking his unease, and returned the greeting courteously. “It would be an honor to spar with Dao You You, but I’m still recovering from my injuries and unable to use my spiritual energy. I hope Dao You You understands.”
Being away from home and reliant on the elders of the Green Wood Sect to treat Cui Jue’s injuries, Fang Cheng Lang adopted a humble demeanor. However, his humility was perceived by You Fei and his companions as arrogance.
You Fei sneered. “Your Five Elements Dao Sect prides itself as the number one in the cultivation world, yet you lack the courage to face a challenge? Could it be your reputation is just hot air?”
Yu Zhao, initially ready to remain a bystander, furrowed her brows. It was one thing for You Fei to challenge Fang Cheng Lang, but dragging the entire Five Elements Dao Sect into this was unacceptable.
Fang Cheng Lang’s expression hardened. “Dao You You, this is a personal matter and unrelated to my sect. Please choose your words carefully.”
You Fei was unaware that besides Fang Cheng Lang, another disciple of the Five Elements Dao Sect was present. All he saw was an opportunity to defeat a sect member in front of witnesses, which would greatly enhance his own reputation. Whether Fang Cheng Lang was injured or his words too sharp, these were concerns far from his mind.
“Careful words? Don’t you think that’s laughable? Either face me honorably and defeat me, or admit that your sect’s reputation is undeserved! Don’t think using your sect’s name will scare me—I, You Fei, am not so easily intimidated.”
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
The disciples behind You Fei began to chant loudly. Others nearby, unaware of the details, joined in the uproar.
Fang Cheng Lang was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. His face grew somber, and turmoil churned in his heart.
He wasn’t making excuses—his detoxification treatment had drained his vitality. His spiritual energy had yet to recover, and his meridians were as fragile as cicada wings. At best, he could perform at one-tenth of his usual ability. Forcing a fight would only guarantee defeat.
But the entire Five Elements Dao Sect’s reputation was on the line. Refusing the challenge would disgrace the sect.
No matter what choice he made, the outcome seemed disastrous. He found himself trapped in a dilemma.