Chapter 239

Chapter 239: Take Out the Dragon Scale and Bring Her Back

Shen Sang Ruo’s Luan Feather Fan was made from the Azure Luan Clan’s Heart-Guard Feather. Now she had Immortal Lord Chang Li’s Heart-Guard Feather as well. [Looks like I’ll be dealing with feathers for life.]

She was just about to cup her fists and thank Immortal Lord Chang Li when Master Ling Xiao suddenly stood up and moved. He called her name with a calm face, but there was a faint grit in his voice: “Shen Sang Ruo.”

Her gaze fell to his outstretched hand. A fiery red, fan-shaped scale floated above his palm. She blinked and knew at once he would not let this go.

Others had not yet recognized it, but Shen Dao Chen beside him suddenly changed color. The Dragon Scale was Master Ling Xiao’s companion treasure, grown over his heart when he was born. Rumor said he was the incarnation of a True Dragon, which was why he was named Ling Xiao.

A hidden senior skilled in divination had once prophesied that with this Dragon Scale, Master Ling Xiao would enjoy fortune all his life and one day achieve the Dao and ascend, a true favored child of heaven. Its importance did not lose to Immortal Lord Chang Li’s Heart-Guard Feather at all.

Shen Dao Chen understood that Master Ling Xiao was going all in to fight Immortal Lord Chang Li. He did not agree with such headstrong impulse. No one had ascended in many years; Master Ling Xiao was the most likely next. The Dragon Scale was crucial to his path.

What also bothered Shen Dao Chen was another fact: Master Ling Xiao had never given anything so good to Bai Mu Mu, his own daughter; a father should show some favor. Still, the top priority now was to bring Shen Sang Ruo back to the Flying Cloud Sect. Once she returned, they could always take the item back later.

Master Ling Xiao’s lips curved. [So he has a Heart-Guard Feather? Whatever that imposter has, I have too. I will not be outdone.]

[Besides, I have been her master for years. How long has Immortal Lord Chang Li been around? I do not believe she will not be moved.]

He said to Shen Sang Ruo, voice steady: “Shen Sang Ruo, I will give you one last chance. If you are willing to return to Thunder-Scale Peak, I will write off everything in the past and will not hold it against you.”

He raised the scale and continued: “Become my disciple, and this Dragon Scale is yours.”

As he poured Spiritual Power into it, the scale shone with brilliant colors, its small surface as striking as the Heart-Guard Feather.

The crowd of sect members wore faces like they had just stumbled upon huge gossip. Zhu Hua Qiao and Chen Zhou Xing especially were cracking melon seeds with extra enthusiasm.

Now Master Ling Xiao’s true aim was out in the open; he had taken the first step himself. The top two cultivators in today’s Cultivation World were competing to be her master, and the gifts they offered were both priceless. A scene like this might be seen only once in a thousand years. The air itself smelled like gunpowder.

Whispers spread as they guessed whether Shen Sang Ruo would stay with the Ninghua Sect or go back to the Flying Cloud Sect.

A proud man like Master Ling Xiao had bent farther than anyone had ever seen. Of course, that was his own view of it. He had never lowered his head to anyone. In his mind, if Shen Sang Ruo knew what was good for her, she should snatch up the Dragon Scale, leave the Ninghua Sect, and return to Thunder-Scale Peak at once.

But Shen Sang Ruo only felt like laughing, and her laugh was mocking. His same old lofty tone made it sound like letting her return was a great favor. Even now, she could not figure out where the Flying Cloud Sect got its confidence. Why did they think a few words would make her go back? Even if they knelt and begged, she would only show them a cold face.

On the dais, Immortal Lord Chang Li stayed as steady as a mountain. He even leaned back in his seat, not feeling the least bit threatened. He lifted a brow and said to Master Ling Xiao: “Do you not have your own disciples? You came here just to fight me over a disciple.”

Master Ling Xiao stared him down and said, voice like ice: “You are the one stealing my disciple. Let me give you some advice. Weigh your worth. How could someone like you teach her well? If you lack the skill, get out of the way and stop offending my eyes.”

He added, more sharply: “Shen Sang Ruo is my disciple, and everyone in the Cultivation World knows it. I am only asking her to return to where she belongs.”

Shen Sang Ruo answered with a cold question: “Is it not also known to the Cultivation World that I already severed my master-disciple bond with Master Ling Xiao?”

Her tone made Master Ling Xiao pause. Then he remembered: this had been her attitude for years. Even though he was offering his Dragon Scale, even though he had lowered his head, she had not changed at all.

In the past, if he had valued her this much, she would have been overjoyed, running to tug at his sleeve with a playful smile. Now it all seemed beyond repair. He clenched his hand, already sensing what she would say next.

She went on, eyes cool and faintly mocking: “And Master Ling Xiao seems to forget one thing. I was the one who asked to sever the bond.”

So what right did he have to say what he just said? He was the one who had been cast aside.

His fingernails pierced his palm and blood welled up, but he did not notice. Her words cut deeper than she knew.

Immortal Lord Chang Li’s light, teasing tone was like a needle pricking Master Ling Xiao’s chest as he said: “If you want our Sang Ruo to return to the Flying Cloud Sect, it should be Master Ling Xiao asking her forgiveness. How has the world turned upside down?”

Rage flared up Master Ling Xiao’s head. His blood and qi churned, and he glared at Immortal Lord Chang Li with reddening eyes full of hate.

Shen Sang Ruo’s voice rang clear through the hall as she said: “Today, with the seniors of every sect and True Lord Gu Ci present, I will say it again. I, Shen Sang Ruo, have no connection with the Flying Cloud Sect anymore. Please be my witnesses.”

She added, crisp and final: “The debt of being raised by Sect Master Shen I repaid with the blood of my heart. The debt of being taught by Master Ling Xiao I repaid with my cultivation. We owe each other nothing. I ask the members of the Flying Cloud Sect to stop entangling themselves with me from now on.”

Her words were cool and decisive, and everyone heard how clear her stance was.

As her last syllable fell, Shen Dao Chen shot to his feet. Entangling with her? She thought they were the ones entangling with her?

Shen Sang Ruo’s expression was serious, her resolve leaving no room for doubt. A thin thread of panic flickered through Shen Dao Chen before confusion took over. [Could she really abandon the Flying Cloud Sect, including me as her father, all because of those “small matters” we did to her?]