Chapter 50: A Twist of Fate
Meng Yi Fei turned his steely gaze toward True Immortal Ling Xu.
A shadow of worry flickered across Ling Xu’s face, as if a storm were gathering in his heart.
Meng Yi Fei’s voice was slow and measured, carrying the weight of mountains. “Ling Xu, your disciple has made false accusations without merit. This matter is grave.”
True Immortal Ling Xu gritted his teeth.
[Grave or not, isn’t it ultimately your decision, Sect Master?]
The truth was plain as daylight—Meng Yi Fei had seen Li Shuang’s true worth and seized this moment to win her favor.
Then, turning to Pang Zhi Xue, he said, “Hall Master Pang, what do our sect’s rules say about making baseless claims?”
Pang Zhi Xue instantly grasped Meng Yi Fei’s intent. After a brief moment of thought, he replied with solemn dignity, “To accuse a fellow disciple falsely breaks two sacred tenets of our sect. First, we must stand together and not sow discord among our brothers and sisters. Second, when seeking judgment in the Enforcement Hall, one must not deceive. Since this offense violates both laws, the penalty must be severe.”
Meng Yi Fei’s expression was hidden, his face as unreadable as a sealed scroll. “And what punishment would be fitting?”
With a glimmer of determination in his eyes, Pang Zhi Xue declared, “Chang Le An shall be stripped of his sect resources for a full year.”
A year without resources—a heavy burden indeed.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s heart pounded. He could not let this matter slip away.
“Wait!” he cried out, turning quickly to Meng Yi Fei. “Sect Master, the mysteries of the Sword Domain lie beyond the reach of ordinary disciples. Chang Le An’s doubts were natural. Now that the truth shines clear, his questions are answered. There is no need for further strife.”
Yet he knew well that reason might not sway Meng Yi Fei. Without a pause, he added, “Moreover, Sect Leader, remember: Chang Le An is favored by fortune. In the last opening of the Langya Secret Realm, he alone gathered more spiritual herbs and minerals than any other disciple across the six sects!”
For all his modest cultivation and swordsmanship, Chang Le An’s luck shone like the rising sun over misty mountains. Whenever he entered a secret realm, fate smiled upon him.
The Langya Secret Realm was soon to open again, setting the stage for another grand contest among the disciples of the six sects. The more treasures one recovered, the more honor his sect would earn.
Luck was as elusive as the drifting clouds—a force that could not be measured or controlled. Should Chang Le An’s fortune hold true, he might yet bestow untold riches upon the sect once more.
After a brief moment of meditation, Meng Yi Fei spoke again. “Last time, Chang Le An indeed brought honor to our sect. Very well. The punishment of losing a year’s worth of resources shall stand. The rest of the matter will wait until he returns from the secret realm.”
A cold laugh echoed through the hall.
Lin Qing Ling smirked, “As always, our fair Sect Leader plays his cards wisely.”
Meng Yi Fei returned a gentle smile. “Peak Master Lin, let us keep our eyes on the grand scheme. When the disciples return from the secret realm, we shall revisit this matter.”
Lin Qing Ling’s face darkened, yet her tone remained steady. “Very well. We will discuss it after the trial in the secret realm.”
Nearby, True Immortal Ling Xu sat with a calm face, though a shadow of worry lurked in his eyes.
A year’s loss of resources was a heavy blow. Yet if Chang Le An returned from the secret realm laden with treasures, that loss might soon be forgotten.
Meng Yi Fei’s intentions were as clear as a mountain stream. If Chang Le An could prove himself by seizing the top rank again, the issue would vanish like morning mist. But if he faltered… then Meng Yi Fei would turn his favor entirely to Li Shuang.
Such was their Sect Leader—a man who followed the winds of fortune, ever changing his stance to favor those who held the greatest promise.
Many within the sect had long murmured criticism of this trait, yet Meng Yi Fei showed no sign of changing his ways.
True Immortal Ling Xu took a deep, steadying breath. For now, the situation remained under control.
Chang Le An had always been blessed by fate. The last time, he returned with a bountiful harvest. With Ye Zhao Zhao at his side this time, their rewards might be even greater.
If Chang Le An and Ye Zhao Zhao could capture the top spot in the competition among the Six Great Righteous Sects, then the whispers targeting Spirit Void Peak would finally be silenced. Even the Sect Leader would hold them in higher esteem.
Oblivious to the expressions of Lin Qing Ling and Ling Xu, Meng Yi Fei smiled and declared, “Very well. The matter is settled. The first round of the tournament is over. Now, prepare to draw lots for the next round.”
All around, the echoes of finished battles resonated in the various arenas. A glance revealed that the victors were mostly disciples of late-stage Foundation Establishment or higher. Only one mid-stage Foundation Establishment disciple had managed to win—simply because his opponent was of the same level.
This proved that in the path of cultivation, one’s level of attainment was often the deciding factor between victory and defeat.
The only exception…
Meng Yi Fei’s gaze lingered on Li Shuang.
Li Shuang: At the ninth level of the Energy Refining Stage during battle. Yet, as the fight ended, Meng Yi Fei noticed something extraordinary. He saw that Li Shuang had broken through—she now stood at the tenth level!
The tenth level of Energy Refining was the final step before the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Turning to Lin Qing Ling, Meng Yi Fei said, “Peak Master Lin, your disciple’s cultivation has soared after she restarted her journey. Is her spiritual energy steady? If she had relied on medicinal pills, her foundation might falter. It would be wise to wait at least a month before taking another dose.”
Lin Qing Ling remained calm. “Sect Leader, rest assured. Little Shuang has not used any pills to boost her cultivation. If her spiritual energy were unstable, would you have seen it in the arena? A wise Sect Leader should not misjudge so easily.”
Lin Qing Ling’s words were blunt, yet Meng Yi Fei only chuckled softly. “Indeed, her spiritual energy is pure and solid. The power of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art is even greater than we had hoped.”
Since Li Shuang’s progress was not due to elixirs, it must be the miraculous effect of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. In less than half a month after restarting her cultivation, Li Shuang was nearly ready to break into the Foundation Establishment Stage. Such speed was like a swift strike in battle.
Legends told of our sect’s Founding Ancestor, who had risen to unrivaled heights in the blink of an eye.
If Li Shuang could cross the threshold of the Nascent Soul Stage, she might become a force to be reckoned with in this era.
Meng Yi Fei lowered his eyes, keeping his thoughts hidden like a warrior guarding his secret techniques.
He would watch her progress closely.
But for now, he set aside his musings and ordered the hundred remaining disciples to draw lots for their next match.
In the arena, tension gripped the gathered disciples like a coiled spring.
Only fifty would earn the right to enter the Langya Secret Realm. Those who won three battles would secure their spot directly.
At this moment, everyone silently prayed to draw a foe who was less skilled.
“Little Junior Sister,” Chang Le An whispered bitterly, his voice heavy with resentment. “I don’t know what trick she used, but she won again! If I face her next, I will teach her a lesson.”
His eyes burned with indignation, yet a flicker of unease stirred deep within him.
With their cultivation still at the Foundation Establishment Stage, even he might struggle against Duan Zi Yu. And yet, Li Shuang had defeated him?
Surely, she hadn’t conspired with Duan Zi Yu too?
This Eldest Senior Sister of theirs was becoming more mysterious by the day.
Ye Zhao Zhao forced a smile. Normally, she would have tried to calm Chang Le An, but now she could barely muster the strength to do so.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation