Chapter 165: Begging the Master for Forgiveness on Her Behalf
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Fang Cheng Lang stepped forward from the crowd and knelt heavily on the ground, his face filled with desperation.
Seeing their eldest senior brother kneel, Su Ming quickly followed suit without a second thought. Lan Zi Yu hesitated, glanced in Yu Zhao’s direction, then lifted his robe and knelt as well.
Ye Cong Xin felt the mounting pressure from the scene. Gritting her teeth, she was about to join in the plea when Quan Ye grabbed her arm. “Junior Sister, they’ve been fooled by that fake! Don’t let yourself be deceived.”
“But Eldest Senior Brother and the others…” Ye Cong Xin was secretly delighted but forced a worried expression on her face.
“Forget about them. If they want to kneel, let them. Master will punish them anyway,” Quan Ye said with glee.
“Cheng Lang, are you defying me as your master?” Master Qing Yan’s calm voice carried a subtle edge of anger.
Fang Cheng Lang bowed deeply. “Disciple would never dare. However, I cannot agree with your evaluation of Yu Zhao. I beg you to spare her.”
“Please, Master, spare her!” Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming echoed in unison.
Their collective plea left many bystanders puzzled. Fang Cheng Lang was known for his integrity and uprightness. If he was speaking on Yu Zhao’s behalf, could it mean that she wasn’t as Master Qing Yan had described? Moreover, Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming, who were usually at odds with Yu Zhao, were now standing up for her. Even Zhou Jin Yue and Zhang Jun had shown their support for Yu Zhao earlier. Perhaps her reputation wasn’t as terrible as imagined.
Sect Master Ji Yuan seized the moment to intervene. “Master Qing Yan, even your disciples suggest this is a misunderstanding. Let’s end this matter here, hahaha.” His laughter was dry and forced, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. Unfortunately, Master Qing Yan remained unmoved.
“This selection is for personal disciples only. Yu Zhao does not qualify,” Master Qing Yan stated firmly.
Sect Master Ji Yuan’s face darkened. It was clear Master Qing Yan was intent on excluding Yu Zhao from representing the Five Elements Dao Sect in the cultivation tournament.
The reason was simple: if Yu Zhao’s team achieved a resounding victory, her background would inevitably become a topic of gossip, and Master Qing Yan would be drawn into the conversation. To avoid becoming a subject of idle chatter, Master Qing Yan sought to nip this possibility in the bud.
Sect Master Ji Yuan was deeply displeased. To him, the sect’s honor outweighed everything else. A few rumors wouldn’t harm Master Qing Yan, so why was he so sensitive about it? Yet, Master Qing Yan’s status within the Five Elements Dao Sect rivaled his own as Sect Master. Anything Master Qing Yan said carried significant weight, forcing Sect Master Ji Yuan to reconsider.
“What do the other peak masters and elders think?” Sect Master Ji Yuan turned to the audience.
Elder Gu had been holding back a flood of words, desperate for a chance to speak. The question prompted him to respond loudly, “The sect’s selection should be based on ability, not status. Yu Zhao has already reached the late stage of the Golden Core. How is she unqualified to compete?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan immediately shot Elder Gu an appreciative glance. Elder Gu, I always thought of you as a bookworm, but it seems your insight surpasses others. You’re truly remarkable!
His happiness was short-lived. Few peak masters or elders were willing to risk offending Master Qing Yan. Most chose silence, while others subtly expressed agreement with Master Qing Yan’s stance.
Master Qing Yan sat quietly, exuding an ethereal air like an immortal descending from the heavens, untouchable and serene.
A bitter smile played on Sect Master Ji Yuan’s lips. From the moment Master Qing Yan voiced his disapproval, it was clear that no one would dare oppose his will.
Looking down at Yu Zhao, Sect Master Ji Yuan’s gaze was filled with guilt and helplessness. As Sect Master, I’ve failed you. I can’t protect you.
“Junior Sister Yu…”
Zhou Jin Yue gripped Yu Zhao’s hand tightly, her frustration evident.
Though she couldn’t hear the conversation on the high platform, she could clearly see the changes in their master’s expression—resignation and compromise. It was a bitter pill to swallow. Junior Sister Yu was not only barred from participating in the grand competition of the cultivation world but was also stripped of her qualifications for the selection trials.
Master Qing Yan’s failure to fulfill his responsibilities as a master in the past was bad enough, but now he was leveraging his authority as a peak master to oppress a former disciple. It was outrageous!
The more Zhou Jin Yue thought about it, the angrier she became. She released Yu Zhao’s hand, ready to charge forward and demand an explanation.
But Yu Zhao was quick, pulling her back.
“Senior Sister Zhou,” Yu Zhao said calmly, her expression serene. “Let me handle this.”
Under Zhou Jin Yue’s worried gaze, Yu Zhao stepped forward, placing herself in full view of everyone present.
“Master Qing Yan,” she declared, her voice steady and firm, “I can accept being excluded from the sect’s selection, but I will not acknowledge a single word of your judgment on me. My character is mine to determine, not yours. Not anyone’s.”
Her words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Fang Cheng Lang and the others were so stunned they nearly lost their composure. Yu Zhao’s boldness was unprecedented.
Master Qing Yan’s eyes darkened. “Sect Master Ji Yuan, is this the ‘misunderstanding’ you mentioned?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan felt an overwhelming headache coming on. Yu Zhao’s words weren’t wrong, but airing such grievances in front of so many people… she could have left Master Qing Yan some dignity. It was youth and impetuousness at its peak.
“Master Qing Yan, she’s young and hot-headed. Please try to understand,” Sect Master Ji Yuan interjected, trying to mediate. He kept casting looks at Master Guan Yun, signaling for assistance.
Master Guan Yun felt equally uneasy. Considering his disciple’s partnership with Zhou Jin Yue, he reluctantly stepped in to offer some persuasion.
Meanwhile, in the audience below, Su Ming and Lan Zi Yu were also whispering urgent pleas for Yu Zhao to apologize.
“Yu Zhao!” Lan Zi Yu hissed. “Do you think our master is as lenient as the rest of us? Kneel and apologize now—don’t be stubborn!”
“Yu Zhao, are you insane? Hurry and ask for forgiveness!” Su Ming added. “You still have a chance to salvage this!”
“Yu Zhao! Stop pretending you can’t hear us! Apologize now, while there’s still time!”
Fang Cheng Lang opened his mouth to persuade her as well, but memories of their last conversation silenced him. All his words of advice remained stuck in his throat.
Yu Zhao didn’t even glance at them. Her back was straight, and her resolve unshakable. She had already considered the consequences before stepping forward.
The worst outcome would be the same as her past life—expulsion from the Five Elements Dao Sect.
But this time, she was ready. Unlike before, she would not endure the humiliation of her previous life as a rogue cultivator.
The sun shone brilliantly above, yet the radiance in Yu Zhao’s eyes outshone it—dazzling and impossible to ignore.
Master Qing Yan’s gaze faltered, and a searing pain suddenly erupted in his Sea of Consciousness. He clenched the armrest of his chair, his knuckles whitening, his expression flickering with turmoil.
Why? He had controlled this affliction well over the years. Why was it resurfacing now?
Was it because of Yu Zhao?
No. Impossible.
Yu Zhao was nothing but a discarded disciple. How could she possibly affect him?
It had to be something else.
“Master Qing Yan?”
Though he tried to conceal his discomfort, the sharp eyes of those present quickly noticed. Sect Master Ji Yuan, despite his frustrations with Master Qing Yan’s domineering ways, couldn’t help but show concern. He knew how crucial Master Qing Yan was to the sect. Any incident involving him could compromise the Five Elements Dao Sect’s standing.
“I’m fine,” Master Qing Yan replied curtly.