Chapter 197: Have You No Master-Disciple Bond Left for Yu Zhao?
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Si Tu Xuan took a few steps forward, catching sight of another figure blocking his path ahead. His brows furrowed with irritation.
“Why is this endless?” he muttered.
Looking up, a familiar face greeted him.
“Fellow Daoist Yu!”
Si Tu Xuan’s surprise quickly turned to joy. Could Yu Zhao have appeared here just to console him? His lips curled into a pleased smile, but before he could say more, Yu Zhao asked, “What did that person say to you earlier?”
Si Tu Xuan froze for a moment, his eyes betraying a brief flicker of panic. “N-nothing,” he stammered.
Oh no! Could that person have been Yu Zhao’s friend? What if he had just uttered something disastrous!
Yu Zhao’s expression remained skeptical, though her mood softened upon seeing Si Tu Xuan standing before her unharmed.
In her past life, Si Tu Xuan had disappeared without a trace after losing a major competition. Everyone assumed he couldn’t bear the shame and had left prematurely, but no one suspected deeper motives behind his sudden departure.
Having interacted with Si Tu Xuan, Yu Zhao discovered he was far from the fragile person others described. To confirm her suspicions, she had discreetly followed him after his loss, until Ye Cong Xin appeared. Only then did she confirm that Si Tu Xuan’s disappearance had everything to do with Ye Cong Xin.
Previously, Yu Zhao believed Si Tu Xuan had been bewitched by Ye Cong Xin and ultimately drained of his fortune, leading to his demise. However, seeing him reject Ye Cong Xin so decisively proved otherwise. Ye Cong Xin could only influence those who had feelings for her, and Si Tu Xuan avoided her like the plague. There had to be someone assisting from the shadows.
Who could that person be?
Wu Shao Zhen!
Only the top-ranking Wu Shao Zhen had the means to eliminate Si Tu Xuan, who ranked third.
In this life, without Wu Shao Zhen’s intervention, Ye Cong Xin was powerless against Si Tu Xuan and posed no real threat. Realizing this, Yu Zhao felt gratified about her decision to eliminate Wu Shao Zhen at Dragon Roar Valley.
Without her accomplice, Ye Cong Xin’s danger level had drastically dropped. Yet, Yu Zhao reminded herself not to grow complacent. As long as the malevolent force around Ye Cong Xin remained unchecked, she would always be a menace.
The group was soon heading to Floating Island. Would Ye Cong Xin find herself isolated there?
“Fellow Daoist Yu, was that person your friend?” Si Tu Xuan’s unease grew as Yu Zhao remained silent. Mustering his courage, he asked.
Yu Zhao snapped back to the present and shook her head. “No.”
Si Tu Xuan exhaled in relief.
“While traveling, stay vigilant. You should return and rest soon.”
“Alright, I’ll head back right away,” Si Tu Xuan agreed readily. Taking a step, he hesitated, then turned with sincere eyes. “Fellow Daoist Yu, I wish you victory and triumph in tomorrow’s competition.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” Yu Zhao replied with a spirited smile, cupping her hands in gratitude.
“Sect Master Ji Yuan” had not yet entered “Master Qing Yan’s” courtyard when he heard Fang Cheng Lang’s slightly hoarse voice. His cheerful expression quickly turned sour.
What madness is Qing Yan up to this time?
Yes, losing to the “Heavenly Sword Sect” in the penultimate round was regrettable, but it was expected. After all, their team had only one disciple at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Reaching this point was already an achievement beyond expectation. What more could Qing Yan be dissatisfied with?
Sect Master Ji Yuan quickened his pace and marched into the courtyard boldly. “Master Qing Yan!” he called out.
Inside, the master and disciple pair seemed oblivious to his arrival, steeped in silence.
Ji Yuan snorted softly. Fang Cheng Lang certainly embodied his master’s stubborn nature perfectly.
With a wave of his sleeve, Ji Yuan used spiritual energy to lift Fang Cheng Lang off the ground. “You, step outside. I have matters to discuss with your master.”
Fang Cheng Lang glanced at Master Qing Yan.
Only after receiving a nod from Qing Yan did he bow and retreat, leaving the two men behind.
Ji Yuan frowned as he watched Fang Cheng Lang’s back.
Something was off about that boy. Was it the loss in the competition? Or perhaps the incident with Yu Zhao? Could it be that his prized disciple had gone too far and injured her?
A headache crept up on him at the thought. That would be tricky to handle.
“What do you want?” Qing Yan’s tone was flat, his expression unreadable.
Ji Yuan, long accustomed to this demeanor, plopped onto a nearby chair without hesitation. “I’ll be straightforward,” he said. “I’m here to ask if you truly have no regard left for Yu Zhao as your former disciple.”
“What are you planning?”
“I’m thinking of accepting Yu Zhao into the Main Peak. She’ll keep Zhou Jin Yue company.”
In truth, Ji Yuan had contemplated this idea for a while but refrained out of respect for Qing Yan’s pride. However, circumstances had forced his hand. If he delayed any longer, other sects might snatch her away.
Qing Yan’s eyes flashed with a sharp, icy light.
“Yu Zhao lacks proper conduct and is unworthy of being a disciple,” he said coldly.
“That’s just your opinion.” Ji Yuan shook his head.
“Surely you’ve heard how the other sect leaders have praised Yu Zhao recently. What used to be whispered behind closed doors is now openly discussed. Qing Yan, doesn’t that move you at all?”
If Yu Zhao were truly as worthless as Qing Yan claimed, no one would risk offending him by publicly singing her praises.
“Yu Zhao has talent,” Qing Yan admitted, “but her intentions are impure. She is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Ji Yuan had come for a definitive answer. Seeing Qing Yan remain obstinate, he stood abruptly, his voice firm. “If you dislike Yu Zhao so much, she’ll belong to the Main Peak from now on. No matter the trouble she causes, I will take responsibility for it.”
“Absolutely not!” Qing Yan blurted, then froze as if surprised by his own outburst.
“Why not?” Ji Yuan pressed.
“She is my discarded disciple.”
Ji Yuan shrugged, unconcerned. “That’s fine by me.”
“I don’t care about her past; her future excites me.”
“She is rebellious and unteachable.”
“That’s her personality. We should respect it.”
“She holds grudges and has harmed her peers.”
“Zhou Jin Yue and she share mutual understanding and are like-minded companions. Plus, Yu Zhao once saved Zhou Jin Yue’s life. That worry is baseless.”
One by one, Ji Yuan calmly dismantled Qing Yan’s objections.
Qing Yan’s expression darkened, and his voice grew frosty. “You are determined to take her as your disciple?”
“I am,” Ji Yuan confirmed.
After a long pause, during which Ji Yuan’s patience wore thin, Qing Yan finally spoke. “During the awards ceremony for the competition, Yu Zhao must publicly apologize and vow to mend her ways. If she does, I will let bygones be bygones.”
Although Yu Zhao had repeatedly defied him publicly, Qing Yan could tell that Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue still cared about her deeply. If she could turn over a new leaf and shed her bad habits, he was willing to grant her one last chance for redemption.
The final chance.
Ji Yuan blinked, bewildered.
Did he mishear? Or had Qing Yan lost his mind?
Did Qing Yan honestly think Yu Zhao wanted to return to Lone Moon Peak?