Chapter 164: Ungrateful and Self-Serving
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The last speaker’s tone was filled with disdain and scorn, immediately drawing the attention of nearby disciples.
Xiu Luo remained composed, unbothered by the gazes upon her. After all, she hadn’t said anything incorrect, so there was no reason for her to feel guilty. The disciples of Lone Moon Peak should never have let Ye Cong Xin participate in the competition; if they lost, it was their own fault.
Xiu Luo’s reputation as the Violent Rakshasa was well-known within the Five Elements Dao Sect, and those who initially wanted to argue against her swallowed their words.
Elder Sun commanded, “The eight selected teams, step forward.”
A total of forty disciples, including Yu Zhao, marched uniformly to the center of the martial arena.
Master Guan Yun hummed thoughtfully. “The female disciple beside Zhou Jin Yue looks unfamiliar.”
“When did the sect gain a new Golden Core late-stage disciple?”
“Wait, isn’t that Yu Zhao, the one Master Qing Yan expelled from her tutelage? Has she reached the Golden Core stage?”
The peak masters and elders turned their surprised gazes to Master Qing Yan. They had all heard various rumors about Yu Zhao, most notably that she had been expelled from Master Qing Yan’s mentorship and reduced to an inner-sect disciple without a master.
Everyone had assumed that Yu Zhao, having offended Master Qing Yan, must have been of poor character and unfit for cultivation. Seeing her now, they realized the rumors were misleading.
Her calm demeanor and refined aura surpassed most of the direct disciples present, and her water-element spiritual root was excellent. That Master Qing Yan would cast her out raised questions about what had truly transpired.
Elder Sun and Sect Master Ji Yuan were equally astonished. Among all the elders, they had interacted with Yu Zhao the most. The last they remembered, Yu Zhao had been at the Foundation Establishment late stage when she left Lone Moon Peak. To see her now with such advanced cultivation in just two years was shocking.
Sect Master Ji Yuan couldn’t help but lament inwardly. If he had known this would happen, he would have accepted Yu Zhao into the Main Peak when she was expelled. He had missed a golden opportunity to recruit a rare talent.
From her seat high above, Master Qing Yan looked down at Yu Zhao. Though her face remained as calm as a still lake, subtle ripples of emotion emerged in her eyes.
“So, relying on a rebuilt Dao foundation and strengthened soul, she believes herself invincible. How bold to rebel openly against her master. Such a heartless, ungrateful person… how fitting for the techniques she cultivates,” Master Qing Yan thought coldly.
Sect Master Ji Yuan, feeling a chill in the air, glanced oddly at Master Qing Yan. “Why is she angry again? Does she want to freeze the rest of us along with herself?”
Elder Sun turned his gaze back to the disciples in the arena and sternly announced the rules. “When the formation activates, the selection begins. Anyone whose body touches outside the formation’s boundary will be eliminated. The last one standing will secure victory for their team. Do you all understand?”
“Yes,” the forty disciples replied in unison.
“Good. The selection commences n—”
“Stop.”
A voice, cold as snow, interrupted Elder Sun. Everyone turned in confusion toward Master Qing Yan, who had abruptly spoken up.
Yu Zhao felt a chill grip her heart, a sense of foreboding settling over her. In the next moment, she could feel the piercing sharpness of Master Qing Yan’s gaze upon her.
“Yu Zhao is ungrateful, self-serving, and unworthy of representing the Five Elements Dao Sect in the competition,” Master Qing Yan declared. “As the peak master, I hereby strip her of her qualification to participate.”
For a moment, all sound seemed to vanish for Yu Zhao. She raised her head and looked at Master Qing Yan, whose lofty presence seemed as pure and distant as a pine tree beneath the moon. The scene brought forth memories of her past life when she had died by this woman’s sword.
At that time, even as Master Qing Yan’s sword pierced her heart, Yu Zhao stubbornly refused to believe her master had truly intended to kill her.
She was Master Qing Yan’s personally chosen last disciple, brought from the mortal world with promises of unparalleled care. Engraving respect for her master into her very bones, she remained loyal despite Master Qing Yan’s indifference. Even as he ignored her, she never entertained a single rebellious thought.
But when she exposed Ye Cong Xin’s true nature, the master she revered decided she deserved death.
She hadn’t fallen to the hands of her enemies but to the one who had once saved her from despair.
How absurd.
How tragic.
“Master Qing Yan, mind your words!” Sect Master Ji Yuan’s thunderous shout yanked Yu Zhao’s mind back to the present.
A sudden warmth flowed from her palm, spreading through her limbs. Yu Zhao glanced down to find Zhou Jin Yue gripping her hand firmly.
On the platform, Sect Master Ji Yuan continued advocating for her.
“I was present when Yu Zhao severed ties with her sect. It is nothing like what Master Qing Yan claims. There’s no need for such harshness toward a disciple.”
His voice trembled with suppressed rage, his tiger-like eyes glaring fiercely.
“She was my disciple. I am better qualified to judge her,” Master Qing Yan responded, his tone steady, yet carrying an oppressive aura. The elders seated on the high platform felt an unbearable pressure as though submerged deep underwater.
Around them, the disciples whispered freely, unhindered by the elders’ reservations. With Master Qing Yan’s personal condemnation, the rumors about Yu Zhao seemed validated.
“No wonder Master Qing Yan expelled her. She’s even worse than the gossip suggested.”
“Talent means nothing if her character is flawed. She’s unworthy to walk among us.”
“I think the sect should have driven her out altogether instead of keeping someone so disgraceful.”
“Poor Junior Sister Ye, bedridden for so long. She must have suffered terribly under Yu Zhao.”
The overwhelming criticism drowned out any attempt to defend her.
Standing protectively around Yu Zhao, Zhou Jin Yue, Zhang Jun, and Lu Li blocked the hateful stares aimed at her. Meanwhile, Pu Xing He quickly distanced himself, fearing any association with her would harm his reputation.
Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and Su Ming turned pale, terror gnawing at them. While they knew Yu Zhao wasn’t as vile as described, Master Qing Yan’s influence in the cultivation world was undeniable. His judgment was akin to a death sentence for her, and no one would risk associating with someone he despised.
Yet, the three also knew Yu Zhao’s faults were minor: a stubborn personality and occasional disputes with her juniors. Those alone didn’t merit such cruel punishment.
“Mas—” Su Ming began to plead but was stopped by Ye Cong Xin tugging his sleeve.
“Third Senior Brother, Master is angry. Speaking up now will only make it worse for her.”
“Then what should we do?” Su Ming asked, his voice frantic, sweat gathering on his brow.
Lan Zi Yu’s expression mirrored his unease as he glanced nervously toward Yu Zhao.
“Why panic? That Yu Zhao is an imposter. Master must have seen through her disguise,” sneered Quan Ye, his face smug with satisfaction. “I told you before she wasn’t the real Yu Zhao, but you wouldn’t believe me. Now, do you see?”
The real Yu Zhao would never dare defy her master, abandon the sect, or oppose them. This woman was nothing but a fake, and the true Yu Zhao had likely been hidden away by her.
“Master, Yu Zhao’s heart is sincere and untainted. There must be a misunderstanding. I beg you to reconsider your words!”