Chapter 198: Die with a Roar, Not Live in Silence
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“Qing Yan,” Sect Master Ji Yuan hesitated before carefully choosing his words. “Have you ever considered that Yu Zhao might not want to return?”
Master Qing Yan let out a cold laugh, his expression full of disdain.
Not want to return?
It was he who brought Yu Zhao back to the Five Elements Dao Sect from among the refugees. It was he who taught her cultivation techniques, granting her the privilege of becoming a disciple of Lone Moon Peak.
What he gave Yu Zhao wasn’t just a title; it was a life of supreme status and the path of seeking immortality.
Without him, Yu Zhao might still be struggling in the mortal world, mired in hardship and despair.
If she had even a shred of gratitude, she wouldn’t dare refuse.
“Qing Yan…” Sect Master Ji Yuan scratched his head in frustration, unsure of how to continue.
Anyone with eyes could see that Yu Zhao no longer felt any sense of belonging to Lone Moon Peak. It was impossible for her to return. Qing Yan’s presumption was absurd.
“Yu Zhao is smart. She knows how to make the choice that benefits her most,” Qing Yan declared with unshakable confidence.
“But…”
“If you trust Yu Zhao, then leave the decision to her. Wait until the award ceremony and see what choice she makes.”
“…Fine.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan shook his head and left, his posture heavy with worry.
Instead of returning to his residence, he headed to the Green Wood Sect’s station. A premonition told him that Qing Yan’s headaches would act up again in a few days. As a responsible sect master, he decided to prepare the medicine in advance, just in case.
After Ji Yuan left, Master Qing Yan summoned Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and Su Ming.
The three disciples stood in stunned silence as they absorbed Qing Yan’s orders.
“Two days from now, I want to see Yu Zhao kneel and admit her wrongs,” Qing Yan commanded.
Fang Cheng Lang’s eyes filled with confusion and sorrow.
Just a few days ago, their master had injured Yu Zhao. Now, he was suddenly ready to forgive her?
Wasn’t that laughable?
Lan Zi Yu, on the other hand, was overjoyed.
“Master, rest assured. I’ll ensure the message is delivered, so Yu Zhao remembers your immense kindness,” Lan Zi Yu pledged eagerly.
Su Ming stood there dumbfounded, unable to process the situation.
Hadn’t Fifth Senior Brother said that the Yu Zhao they saw was an imposter? Why couldn’t their master see through it? And why was he suddenly willing to forgive her?
Could it be that Fifth Senior Brother was just spouting nonsense?
That damned Fifth Senior Brother—once he recovered, Su Ming was determined to give him a piece of his mind!
With Lan Zi Yu eagerly taking charge, Qing Yan dismissed the trio without waiting for Fang Cheng Lang or Su Ming to respond.
In truth, he had no intention of truly forgiving Yu Zhao.
But Yu Zhao seemed to share an enigmatic connection with him. Until the puzzle was unraveled, he couldn’t let her leave his sight. It was better to keep her under his watchful eye for now.
Still, once Yu Zhao returned to Lone Moon Peak, it would be time for her to relearn discipline.
Lowering his gaze, Qing Yan concealed the cold malice flickering in his eyes.
…
“Did Master Qing Yan really say that?” Zhou Jin Yue asked in disbelief.
Sect Master Ji Yuan nodded.
“Ha? Ha!” Zhou Jin Yue laughed in anger.
Now she understood the source of Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu’s inexplicable arrogance. It seemed to run in the family.
She abruptly stood up. “I’ll inform Sister Yu right away. She should prepare so tomorrow’s match isn’t affected.” As her words fell, she had already vanished from the room.
Upon receiving the news, Zhou Jin Yue headed straight to Yu Zhao’s quarters. However, since Sect Master Ji Yuan had been delayed at the Green Wood Sect, Lan Zi Yu had reached there before her. He was already outside Yu Zhao’s door, knocking persistently.
Zhou Jin Yue paused her steps and stayed back to observe silently.
Lan Zi Yu didn’t notice her arrival. He continued to shout, unrelenting, “Yu Zhao! Come out! I have something important to say to you!”
“Yu Zhao! Do you hear me? Open the door!”
“This is your only chance! If you don’t open the door now, don’t cry and beg me later!”
After watching for a while, Zhou Jin Yue turned decisively to leave. Yu Zhao had made up her mind. There was no need for her to intervene.
Lan Zi Yu remained at the door, shouting until he was nearly hoarse. Still, there was no response from inside. Losing the last shred of his patience, he angrily kicked the door. “Yu Zhao! Do you think we’re going to beg you to come back? Let me tell you—you’re wrong! If you don’t open this door today, don’t ever think about returning to Lone Moon Peak! You’re finished!”
He stormed off, his silhouette radiating frustration.
Inside the room, Yu Zhao sat with her eyes closed, a faint smile gracing her lips.
She didn’t need to go out; she already knew Lan Zi Yu’s intentions.
Master Qing Yan was getting anxious.
As long as she won tomorrow’s match, everyone would see that Master Qing Yan’s judgment was flawed. It would be a slap in his face.
Naturally, he wanted her to bow her head and admit fault to save his reputation. He would even consider it a favor bestowed upon her.
How naïve.
Naïve to the point of being laughable.
Yu Zhao’s smile deepened.
It didn’t matter. Soon, he would realize just how wrong his assumptions were.
The so-called “Number One in Cultivation”?
If Master Qing Yan could hold that title, why couldn’t she?
Better to shine briefly and die with dignity than to live a life of quiet despair.
When the first light of dawn pierced the darkness, Yu Zhao opened her eyes, gleaming with determination.
She stepped outside and froze in surprise.
A massive crowd had gathered at her door.
“Yu Zhao, go for it!” Mu Ye cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.
“Sister Yu, you’ve got this!”
“First place! First place!” The others joined in, their cheers echoing in the air.
Disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect, drawn by the noise, came out to see the commotion. Their jaws nearly dropped.
The courtyard, neither too large nor too small, was packed with disciples from various sects. They were all here to cheer for Yu Zhao.
Their expressions turned complicated.
In the Five Elements Dao Sect, Yu Zhao had always been a minor figure. When she did attract attention, it was mostly for negative reasons.
But ever since she left Lone Moon Peak, it was as if she had been reborn. Not only had her cultivation advanced rapidly, but her popularity had also soared to incredible heights.
Who was the real Yu Zhao?
In the distance, Su Ming’s eyes widened in disbelief. “When did Little Zhao make so many friends? I’m supposed to be her best friend!”
Lan Zi Yu clenched his fists tightly.
So, this was why Yu Zhao refused to return?
Abandoning old ties for new ones, discarding the familiar for the novel!
Fang Cheng Lang stood silently, bitterness spreading in his heart like a knife twisting in his chest.
The most shocked and furious, however, was Ye Cong Xin.
For days, she had racked her brain to form connections with promising young cultivators, only to achieve lackluster results.
The one person of slight value, Li Jing Rang, had hidden himself in shame after being publicly rejected by Liu Zheng. She couldn’t even get a meeting with him.
If that were the extent of it, she could still accept it. But why did those who ignored her flock to Yu Zhao instead?
Yu Zhao had already left Lone Moon Peak, yet she continued to oppose her at every turn! Clearly, this was intentional!
She realized now that Yu Zhao must be taking revenge—revenge for her past schemes to sabotage Yu Zhao’s relationship with Fang Cheng Lang!
Ha! Yu Zhao always acted so righteous, but she was just as scheming!
If everyone wanted Yu Zhao to win, then she would make sure that didn’t happen.
“Yao Ji, let me give you a hand. You must win this match!”