Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Better to Shout and Die Than Live in Silence
Sect Master Ji Yuan held back and decided to speak more gently: “Qing Yan, have you ever considered that Yu Zhao might not want to come back?”

Master Qing Yan let out a cold laugh, his expression full of contempt.

[Not want to come back?]

Back then, he was the one who had picked Yu Zhao out from a crowd of refugees and brought her back to the Five Elements Dao Sect. He was the one who had taught her a cultivation technique and given her the chance to become a disciple of Lone Moon Peak.

What he had given Yu Zhao was not just a title, but a noble status and a life on the path of seeking immortality.

Without him, Yu Zhao might still be struggling in the mortal world to this very day.

As long as she knew how to be grateful, there was no way she would refuse.

“Qing Yan…”

Sect Master Ji Yuan scratched his head in anxiety, wanting to say more but stopping himself.

Anyone with eyes could see that Yu Zhao no longer felt any attachment to Lone Moon Peak. It was even less likely she would ever return. Master Qing Yan was being far too sure of himself.

“Yu Zhao is a smart person. She knows how to choose what is best for her.” Master Qing Yan looked completely certain.

“But…”

“Since you trust Yu Zhao, then leave the choice to her. On the day of the award ceremony, just watch what she decides.”

“…All right.”

Sect Master Ji Yuan left, shaking his head as he walked.

He did not return to his own residence, but went instead to the Greenwood Sect’s quarters.

He had a feeling that Master Qing Yan’s old head illness would flare up again in a few days. As a diligent Sect Master, he needed to prepare the medicine early so he would not be caught off guard.

After Sect Master Ji Yuan left, Master Qing Yan summoned Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and Su Ming.

The three of them were stunned after hearing Master Qing Yan’s words. They stood there for a long time, unable to react.

“The day after tomorrow, I want to see Yu Zhao kneeling and admitting her mistakes.”

Fang Cheng Lang’s eyes filled with confusion and sorrow.

Master had injured Yu Zhao only a few days ago, and now he was suddenly saying he would forgive her?

[Isn’t that ironic?]

Lan Zi Yu was overjoyed.

“Master, please be at ease, this disciple will definitely deliver your words properly. I will make sure Yu Zhao remembers Master’s kindness.”

Su Ming stood there in a daze, not knowing what to say.

Hadn’t Fifth Brother said that Yu Zhao was a fake? Why couldn’t Master see it and had even changed his mind to forgive her?

So was it Fifth Brother who had been talking nonsense?

[That damned Fifth Brother. Once he recovers, just wait and see how I teach him a lesson.]

With Lan Zi Yu taking everything on himself, Master Qing Yan did not ask Fang Cheng Lang or Su Ming to say anything more. He waved his hand and dismissed the three of them.

In his heart, he had never truly intended to forgive Yu Zhao.

But Yu Zhao seemed to be tied to him by countless threads. Before he solved this riddle, she could not be allowed to leave his sight. Keeping her close and under his eyes was still the best choice.

However, once Yu Zhao returned to Lone Moon Peak, it would be time for her to relearn the rules.

Master Qing Yan lowered his eyes, hiding the cold light in them.

…

“Master Qing Yan really said that?” Zhou Jin Yue asked in disbelief.

Sect Master Ji Yuan nodded.

“Ha? Ha!” Zhou Jin Yue laughed from sheer anger.

Now she finally understood where Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and the others got that strange arrogance. It clearly came from the same source.

She suddenly stood up: “I’ll go tell Junior Sister Yu so she can prepare early and not let this affect tomorrow’s match.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she had already disappeared from the room.

After receiving the news, Zhou Jin Yue went straight to Yu Zhao’s room. But because Sect Master Ji Yuan had been delayed at the Greenwood Sect, Lan Zi Yu reached the room before her. He was already outside Yu Zhao’s door, pounding on it and shouting.

Zhou Jin Yue paused and did not go closer. She stood there quietly, watching.

Lan Zi Yu did not notice that Zhou Jin Yue had arrived. He kept calling out without giving up: “Yu Zhao! Come out! I have something very important to tell you!”

“Yu Zhao! Do you hear me? Open the door!”

“This is your only chance! If you don’t open the door now, even if you cry and beg me later, it will be useless!”

Zhou Jin Yue watched for a while, then decisively turned around and left.

Yu Zhao had already made up her mind. There was no need for her to say anything more.

Lan Zi Yu stood outside Yu Zhao’s room until his mouth was almost dry, but there was still no response from inside.

His last bit of patience was worn away. In a fit of rage, he kicked the door.

“Yu Zhao! Do you really think we’re going to beg you to come back? I’m telling you, you’re wrong! If you don’t open the door today, you can forget about ever returning to Lone Moon Peak! You’re dead!”

He strode off, his back full of resentment.

Inside the room.

Yu Zhao had her eyes closed, the corners of her lips curved in a faint smile.

She did not need to go out to guess why Lan Zi Yu had come.

Master Qing Yan was starting to panic.

As long as she won tomorrow’s match, everyone would see that Master Qing Yan had no eyes for true talent. That would be like a slap across his face.

So he wanted her to bow her head and admit her mistakes, to help him save face, and he even saw that as a favor he was granting her.

Such a naive idea.

Naive to the point of being laughable.

Yu Zhao’s smile deepened.

It was fine. Very soon he would realize just how wrong he was.

So what if he was the Foremost Divine Transformation Expert?

If Master Qing Yan could bear that title, why couldn’t she?

Better to shout and die than live in silence.

When the first ray of morning light tore through the darkness, Yu Zhao opened her eyes. A sharp light burst from within them.

She opened the door and suddenly froze.

Outside was a sea of people.

“Yu Zhao, you can do it!” Mu Ye shouted loudly, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Senior Sister Yu will definitely win!”

“First place! First place!”

The others all joined in. Their voices rose and fell, and the cheers echoed in the air.

The disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect heard the commotion and came out to look. When they saw all the people packed into Yu Zhao’s courtyard, their jaws almost dropped.

The not-too-big courtyard was crowded with disciples from various sects, and all of them were there to cheer for Yu Zhao.

Their expressions were complicated.

Yu Zhao had never had much of a presence in the Five Elements Dao Sect. Even when she drew attention, it was usually for bad reasons.

But ever since she left Lone Moon Peak, it was like she had shed her old skin. Not only had her cultivation level risen at an amazing pace, even her relationships with others had become unbelievably good.

[So which one is the real her?]

Farther away.

Su Ming stared with wide eyes and muttered, “When did Yu Xiao Zhao make so many friends? I’m her best friend.”

Lan Zi Yu clenched his fists.

So this was why Yu Zhao did not want to come back?

Throwing away the old for the new, chasing after something different!

Fang Cheng Lang watched in silence, his mouth bitter, his heart feeling as if it were being sliced by knives.

The most shocked and furious of all was Ye Cong Xin.

These past few days she had racked her brains, trying everywhere to befriend outstanding young talents, but the results were far from what she wanted.

The only person with any real value, Li Jing Rang, had been publicly rejected in marriage by Liu Zheng. Feeling he had lost all his pride, he now hid in his room and refused to come out, and she could not even see him.

If that had been the only result, she could have accepted it. But why did the people who ignored her choose instead to gather around Yu Zhao, get close to her, and try their best to please her?

Yu Zhao had clearly already left Lone Moon Peak, yet she still had to go against her. She was obviously targeting her on purpose!

Now Ye Cong Xin understood. Yu Zhao must be taking revenge on her, for how she had stirred up trouble between her and Fang Cheng Lang back then.

Ha! And she had thought Yu Zhao was so upright and innocent. In truth, she was full of nasty tricks too!

Since they all wanted Yu Zhao to win, she would do the opposite and refuse to let them get what they wanted.

Yao Ji, let me lend you a hand.

You must win this match.