Chapter 220: “The Disciple is Dull-Witted, Only Hearing Praise”
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The time for the closure of the Floating Island finally arrived. An overwhelming force of repulsion surged from all directions.
As the pressure became unbearable and Yu Zhao was about to be forcibly expelled from the space, an ancient, weathered voice resonated once more in her ears.
“The Heavenly Ladder is broken, the Immortal Path severed. The heavens seek to destroy our cultivation world!”
“The heavens seek to destroy our cultivation world!!”
“The heavens seek to destroy me!!!”
Yu Zhao’s expression sharpened. This was a warning, a reminder left by the Chang Sheng Ancestor. Deep within her heart, she silently vowed:
“Chang Sheng Ancestor, rebuilding the Heavenly Ladder will be my lifelong pursuit. I will not fail you.”
Suddenly, a sense of weightlessness struck her.
Yu Zhao stumbled, finding herself suspended above the Endless Sea. Around her were the remaining cultivators who had participated in the Floating Island trial. A quick count revealed only eighty-four survivors. Those who did not appear were already lost forever.
Yu Zhao sighed inwardly.
A year ago, these cultivators were heralded as the rare geniuses of their generation, celebrated across the cultivation world. Yet in the blink of an eye, most had been reduced to nothing but bones.
The path of cultivation was fraught with danger. To add the despair of hopelessness made it unbearably cruel for those devoted to the Dao.
Though Yu Zhao did not presume that her rebirth alone could defy fate, she resolved to try. Even with only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of success, she would give her all. If failure meant death, she would meet it without regret.
Pulling herself from her thoughts, Yu Zhao noticed the oppressive atmosphere around her. A chilling, terrifying aura loomed over everyone, plunging the scene into utter silence.
Having just emerged from the Floating Island, most cultivators were bewildered, standing nervously in place, their expressions marked by confusion.
“Sect disciples of the Green Wood Sect, where are you?” The commanding voice of Sect Master Wu Sang cut through the silence.
Led by You Fei, the disciples of the Green Wood Sect immediately stepped forward.
“Board the ship,” Wu Sang ordered, summoning a flying vessel.
Though perplexed, the disciples obeyed eagerly, their actions swift and orderly—they were eager to escape.
One by one, other sects followed suit: the Heavenly Sword Sect, Aspiration Pavilion, Hundred Flowers Valley… All began organizing their disciples to board their ships.
Soon, a series of flying vessels set off, swiftly leaving the Endless Sea.
Before departing, Sect Master Bai Lian of the Aspiration Pavilion showed rare goodwill, offering refuge to unaffiliated cultivators. While some, such as Si Tu Xuan and Yao Wu Ji, declined the offer and chose to stay, Sect Master Bai Lian departed quickly, casting a sympathetic glance their way.
“Staying longer might expose my ship to Master Qing Yan’s wrath,” he muttered to himself. “Some troubles aren’t worth sticking around for.”
As other sects hastily withdrew, only the disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect remained.
Zhou Jin Yue and her fellow disciples weren’t fools. The tense situation made it clear that something had happened—and that it was tied to them. Gone was the relief of leaving the Floating Island, replaced by fear and unease as they stood, awaiting judgment.
“Disgraceful wretches!”
When Master Qing Yan’s voice finally rang out, its force was almost a relief. However, many faces immediately turned pale.
Master Qing Yan’s use of the term “disgraceful wretches” clearly targeted one person: Yu Zhao.
Concerned, Fang Cheng Lang, Su Ming, and Lu Li turned their worried gazes to her.
Meanwhile, Zhou Jin Yue’s brow furrowed deeply as she suppressed her rising anger.
“What exactly has Yu Zhao done to deserve such relentless scorn? Why does Master Qing Yan, despite his lofty status, repeatedly demean and humiliate her?”
“He failed to fulfill his duties as her teacher in the past. What right does he have to demand her obedience as a disciple now?”
Resolving to speak out on Yu Zhao’s behalf, Zhou Jin Yue raised her head. But just as she was about to voice her protest, a message from her sect master echoed in her ears:
“Say nothing. Wait.”
She froze.
Wait?
Wait for what?
Zhou Jin Yue was still puzzled when Fang Cheng Lang, not far from her, suddenly dropped to his knees with a loud thud. Instinctively, she turned to look, only to see Fang Cheng Lang’s pale face filled with pain as he knelt on the ground in an almost devout posture.
Yu Zhao stood calmly where she was, her brows faintly furrowing, clearly just as confused. Ye Cong Xin, witnessing Fang Cheng Lang being punished, spoke up instinctively to plead, “Master, Senior Brother…”
“He wanted to kill you, yet you still want to plead for him?”
Those privy to the truth were startled. They had just emerged from the Floating Island—how could Master Qing Yan know what had occurred there? Had someone betrayed them in advance?
Ye Cong Xin’s heart was seized with panic. If Master Qing Yan knew everything, would he also believe the accusations of a demonic presence? What would she do if he, ignoring reason, forced her to reveal the secret about the alleged demon?
As Ye Cong Xin was consumed with turmoil, Fang Cheng Lang, who was enduring the punishment, saw an opportunity. In his past life, Yu Zhao had a tarnished reputation and was at odds with Ye Cong Xin. Nobody believed Yu Zhao’s words, attributing them to jealousy and deliberate slander.
This time, he was determined to expose Ye Cong Xin’s true nature himself, ridding the world of her menace and restoring justice for Yu Zhao!
“Master… this disciple has something to say…” Fang Cheng Lang struggled to speak, his usually refined and composed face now showing exhilaration and the thrill of impending vindication.
Master Qing Yan’s cold gaze landed on him. “The talk of a demonic presence is utterly baseless. Fang Cheng Lang, you have been deluded.”
At this, Fang Cheng Lang’s face twisted with agitation, the veins on his forehead bulging. “Master, every word this disciple says is true. If I lie, I am willing to endure a thousand cuts—”
“Enough!” Master Qing Yan interrupted impatiently.
“Fang Cheng Lang, I am deeply disappointed in you. You have harmed your fellow disciples and framed others. Your crimes are compounded. When you return, you are to reflect on your actions in the Black Prison.”
“Master!” Fang Cheng Lang could not believe that Master Qing Yan would not even grant him the chance to explain. He tried to speak further but was forcibly silenced by his master.
Seeing him lying there, filled with pain and despair, a cold glint flashed in Yu Zhao’s eyes.
Good deeds are rewarded, and evil is punished. Retribution may not come immediately, but it will arrive eventually. When Fang Cheng Lang sided with Ye Cong Xin to provide false testimony against her, did he ever think there would come a day when he would face a situation where he couldn’t defend himself?
And the punishment chosen by Master Qing Yan—to confine him to the Black Prison—was the same place where Yu Zhao, after her rebirth, had first encountered Fang Cheng Lang. Such a memorable location was indeed worth letting him savor for a while longer.
“Yu Zhao, I underestimated you.”
After punishing Fang Cheng Lang, Master Qing Yan seemed to suddenly recall Yu Zhao and turned his attention to her.
Sect Master Ji Yuan, who had been trying to stay out of the fray, was displeased. “This matter has nothing to do with Yu Zhao. You can’t take your anger out on her.”
Master Qing Yan cast him a cold glance and continued focusing on Yu Zhao, his expression unreadable.
Yu Zhao smiled faintly and stepped forward. “Thank you, Master Qing Yan, for your praise. This disciple is greatly honored.”
Since Master Qing Yan had phrased it this way, why shouldn’t she accept it? And not just accept, but do so boldly and decisively, leaving no room for criticism.
Master Qing Yan sneered, “Do you really think I was praising you?”
“This disciple is slow-witted and could only hear praise,” Yu Zhao responded with a composed smile.