Chapter 107

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Chapter 107: The Turncoat Sect Master

Everyone watching was speechless, and the big man was so angry he nearly coughed up blood.

But they had no way to deal with Yi Qianmo. They could only knock on the door once a day; this was the rule. Although Tao School valued strength above all, it prohibited personal fights. Besides knocking on the door, one could only issue a challenge.

This challenge could be either a regular fight or a life-and-death battle, but both required the other party’s acceptance.

Normally, if a cultivator received a challenge, they would accept it unless there was a great power difference. Not accepting the challenge meant admitting defeat, which would be shameful, and others at Tao School would look down on them.

Only then did they realize that Yi Qianmo was unlike them. He truly had no concern for saving face, especially after already proving his strength.

When the burly man saw him heading back to the cave, he felt indignant and quickly stepped forward to block his way.

“Yi Qianmo, if you’re too afraid to accept my challenge, how can you be worthy of becoming the prince consort of the Yan Kingdom?” he taunted.

Yi Qianmo came to a stop and glanced at him.

“First of all,” he replied, “whether I qualify to be the prince consort of Yan Kingdom is not for you to decide. And second…” He paused for a moment before continuing, “It’s not that I refuse your challenge—I just see no reason to fight you without any benefit. Engaging in a pointless battle would only waste my spiritual power. So tell me, why should I bother?”

The burly man hadn’t expected much from his provocation, yet to his surprise, Yi Qianmo had actually turned around to face him. However, upon hearing his reasoning, he only grew more furious.

Yi Qianmo had outright dismissed his challenge—not out of fear, but because he deemed it worthless.

A wave of murmurs spread through the onlookers.

“So, the Tao School is full of people who only care about profit?” someone scoffed.

Minister Professor Yu, who had been watching in silence, finally found an opening to speak.

He had come hoping to witness Yi Qianmo being put in his place, yet as events unfolded, his frustration only mounted.

All eyes turned toward Xu Shiping, the master of the Tao School, anticipating his reaction. Yi Qianmo had openly insulted their sacred ground with his words. Even if the master didn’t punish him, surely he would at least reprimand him harshly and demand he acknowledge his mistake.

Under the weight of so many expectant gazes, Xu Shiping felt uneasy. In the past, he wouldn’t have hesitated to rebuke Yi Qianmo.

But now?

Now, he didn’t dare.

Just recalling Minister Professor Zhou’s words sent a cold chill down his spine.

Clearing his throat, Xu Shiping stepped forward and said, “Yi Qianmo, you are new here and do not know the rules of the Tao School. This time, I will consider your ignorance and let it go. But if there is a next time…”

Hearing these words, everyone could hardly believe it. The master’s words were harsh, but it was clear he was trying to soften the situation.

Especially the strong individuals who went to the mountaintop yesterday—they all widened their eyes in shock. They couldn’t understand why the master suddenly changed his attitude.

“Master, your words are unfair. It’s true that Yi Qianmo is new here, but he should understand the rules. The guiding deacon should have explained everything to him clearly.”

The one who was speaking was a strong man. He turned his head to look at Yi Qianmo and said, “He is relying on the Grand Princess for support, ignoring the rules of my Tao School, and he doesn’t take you, the sect master, seriously at all!”

Upon hearing this, Xu Shiping immediately furrowed his brow. He indeed wanted to smooth things over, but he didn’t expect this person to be so persistent.

Before Xu Shiping could speak, Yi Qianmo said, “I am speaking the truth. There is nothing shameful about it. If you want to challenge me, why should I have to accept? What kind of reason is that? If this is a rule, please show me the school’s documents. If it’s not, I’m sorry, but I won’t participate. If you truly want to challenge me, you need to offer something worthwhile; otherwise, why should I waste my spiritual power to fight you?”

“Sect master, listen! You need to hear this; this guy doesn’t regard our Tao School at all!”

The strong man widened his eyes in anger and said, “Just tell me what to do, and I will teach him a lesson right now so he understands the rules of my Tao School!”

Everyone sneered. If the sect master had shown mercy before, now that Yi Qianmo had spoken this way, there was no more room for mercy.

Otherwise, how could Xu Shiping continue as the sect master of Tao School? With so many disciples in the whole temple, who would still respect him?

“He is truly seeking his own doom, thinking this is still in Green Cloud City.”

Minister Professor Yu did not expect this turn of events and let out a cold laugh.

But they all didn’t know that Xu Shiping wished he could stay on the mountain and not come down; he had already given Yi Qianmo a way out with those words he just said.

He never expected to run into such an ungrateful person.

After a moment of silence, Xu Shiping took a step forward and released his presence, making everyone present feel a weight on their chests, gasping for air.

As the master of Tao School, Xu Shiping’s strength was well-known; he was one of the top among the Qi Refining Stage students in Tianyuan Academy.

Moreover, if he wanted to advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could do so at any time.

Even Minister Professor Yu felt a little uneasy, thinking, “This guy must have already mastered the Yandang Formula to the ninth level!”

“He is right; there is no rule in Tao School that requires us to accept challenges!”

Xu Shiping said, “Besides, he just fought a match; as long as he doesn’t break the academy’s rules, I have no reason to punish him!”

After saying this, Xu Shiping vanished in a flash, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

“Did I hear that wrong? What did the sect master just say?”

“The sect master said he doesn’t need to accept our challenge; everything will be done according to the rules!”

“Rules? Didn’t he break the rules? Relying on the Grand Princess for support, he didn’t go to see the sect master and openly disrespected the temple; doesn’t that count as breaking the rules?”

“There really isn’t such a rule in the academy!”

Everyone fell silent; they didn’t expect the sect master to put on such a show for them, but in fact, the rules they followed were unwritten customs, not the academy’s rules.

This means that Yi Qianmo really didn’t break any rules.

Minister Professor Yu was stunned, but he didn’t create trouble for Yi Qianmo; he was the Minister Professor of Shu School and had no authority over Tao School, yet he went to the mountain’s peak.

Yi Qianmo, standing at the door, was also confused; he had originally wanted to see just how strong this Tao School sect master really was!

Although he didn’t have absolute confidence in defeating this Tao School sect master, it wouldn’t be easy for the other side to defeat him either.

Yi Qianmo glanced at them and saw they were unhappy with him but could do nothing about it. Yi Qianmo smiled and said, “Are you all okay now? If not, I won’t stay!”

After saying this, Yi Qianmo walked into the cave, leaving everyone gritting their teeth.

Just then, inside the tower at the mountain’s peak, Minister Professor Yu was fuming. He said,

“Xu Shiping, as the master of the Tao School, how can you defend Yi Qianmo like this? How do you expect to earn the people’s trust? What will your followers think of you?”

Xu Shiping was already frustrated and had no outlet for his anger. Hearing Minister Professor Yu’s accusation, his temper flared even more.

“You, Yu, who exactly are you scolding? I am the master of the Tao School, and it is not your place, as someone from the Shu School, to interfere in my sect’s affairs!”

Minister Professor Yu was momentarily stunned, then quickly remembered his position. Although he was a Minister Professor, he belonged to the Shu School, a branch of the Mansion Master system.

“I just want to know,” he pressed. “What benefits has the Grand Princess given you that make you so determined to shield Yi Qianmo? Have you forgotten your own dignity?” His tone softened slightly.

“I am loyal to King Yan!” Xu Shiping answered firmly.

“Good, good, good—so that’s how it is!”

Minister Professor Yu gave a knowing smile.

“I originally thought you were merely seeking the Grand Princess’s favor. But today, you defended him because of the emperor’s order. What about in the future? I wonder how you will justify this to your subordinates!”

As Minister Professor Yu turned and swept out of the hall, Xu Shiping sneered.

“Why should I explain myself to them? Helping that man has only brought me advantages!”

His eyes narrowed slightly as he added,

“As for you, I doubt you even know who truly stands behind Yi Qianmo. I look forward to the day you finally realize it!”