Chapter 177
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Chapter 177: Arguing with Reason
“What did you say?” Murong Wuhen whirled around, a flicker of murderous intent passing through his eyes.
Ye Yun remained unfazed, replying calmly, “Since Senior Brother Wuhen belongs to Absolute Sword Peak, how can you dictate orders to disciples of Shadowless Peak?”
“Do you realize whom you’re addressing?” Murong Wuhen’s voice turned icy, the killing intent in his eyes sharpening.
“I’m here for Tian Zhu Peak’s inner disciple assessment. Even if I pass, I’ll remain a disciple of Shadowless Peak. Isn’t your overbearing tone excessive, Senior Brother?” Ye Yun stood with his hands behind his back, confident his current cultivation level ensured he wouldn’t lose to Murong Wuhen even if victory wasn’t guaranteed.
Besides, he doubted Murong Wuhen would dare attack within the testing hall.
Though grateful for Murong Wuhen’s restraint during their past duel, Ye Yun resented his haughty demeanor. Ye Yun never saw himself above others and refused to tolerate such condescension.
“Seems you’ve forgotten both my identity and my previous warnings.” Murong Wuhen smirked abruptly. “In that case, you’re unworthy of becoming an inner disciple. Elder Mu, disqualify him.”
Elder Mu stiffened, brows knitting.
“What? You dare disregard my command?” Murong Wuhen’s tone froze.
Elder Mu wavered, conflict flashing in his eyes, before grinding out, “If Wuhen insists… proceed as he says.”
Elder Lan and the others gaped in disbelief. An Absolute Sword Peak disciple commanding an elder and deciding assessment eligibility? Such a scandal would shake the sect.
“Leave now, Ye Yun. You’ll have another chance in three years.” Elder Mu avoided the youth’s gaze, aware of his favor with Shadowless Peak’s Leader Su Hao. Yet Murong Wuhen’s connections—especially his brother Murong Wuqing, the sect’s prodigious heir apparent—outweighed any considerations. Sacrificing one outer disciple mattered little.
Ye Yun stood motionless, face serene.
“Elder Mu, as chief examiner of this assessment, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Did I meet the first round’s advancement criteria?”
“…You did.”
“Then I’ve earned the right to the second round. How can you declare failure before it begins?” Ye Yun’s clear gaze lifted.
“Impudence!” Elder Mu barked. “My word as examiner is final!”
“Without proper grounds, your decision breeds discontent. Would the sect tolerate such arbitrariness?” Ye Yun smiled fearlessly.
Though the appointed examiner, Elder Mu’s cultivation—like Elder Lan’s—remained at the Qi refining stage’s peak, far below Foundation Establishment. Against a Qi refining opponent, Ye Yun felt no threat.
“Discarding one candidate means nothing. You flatter yourself thinking this matters.” Elder Mu scoffed.
“Elder Mu, the boy speaks truth. This violates protocol.” Elder Lan cut in, voice hardening. The outer sect elders had mistaken Mu for an inner sect powerhouse, not a peer. Resentment stirred.
“Since when do outer sect caretakers lecture inner elders on rules?” Elder Mu’s glare turned venomous.
“Qualified candidates hold rights. Only failure or rule-breaking justifies disqualification.” Elder Lan stood firm.
“Outer sect vermin daring to challenge me? How enlightening.” Elder Mu’s laughter dripped scorn, his inner sect pride flaring despite equal cultivation.
“Vermin inhabit both outer and inner sects,” Grand Elder Chunyu Yan snapped coldly.
Elder Mu’s face darkened like storm clouds.
“Elder Chunyu Yan, Elder Lan, did you not understand my words?” Murong Wuhen stepped forward, glaring at the crowd.
“Murong Wuhen, you’re merely an ordinary inner disciple. This matter isn’t your place to speak,” Elder Lan retorted coldly, his piercing gaze sweeping over Murong Wuhen’s face.
Instead of anger, Murong Wuhen smiled faintly. “It seems the Murong family’s long absence has made some forget our standing.”
“Even Murong Wuqing, for all his power, remains a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect and must obey its laws,” Elder Lan snorted, standing firm.
“How bold—to utter my brother’s name so casually! Elder Lan, you’ve grown tired of living,” Murong Wuhen’s expression turned icy.
Ye Yun watched in surprise. He hadn’t expected Elder Lan and Grand Elder Chunyu Yan to defend him. In his eyes, Elder Lan was strict yet principled, while Grand Elder Chunyu Yan seemed like a figurehead who rarely involved himself in sect affairs.
Yet here they stood, opposing both Elder Mu of the inner sect and Murong Wuhen, whose backing came from Murong Wuqing—the Heavenly Sword Sect’s prodigious genius of the millennium.
“Brother Wuhen,” Ye Yun interjected calmly, “who truly leads this assessment—you or Elder Mu?”
“Elder Mu handles such trivial matters. They’re beneath my attention,” Murong Wuhen replied, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
“Then you should stay silent.” Ye Yun’s smile vanished as he snapped sharply.
“Impudent!” Elder Mu roared, materializing before Ye Yun with tangible killing intent.
“How curious. Brother Wuhen hasn’t moved, yet his lapdog leaps to bark first?” Ye Yun mocked. “An inner elder groveling before a disciple—how pathetic.”
“I’ll see who dares promote you to the inner sect today!” Elder Mu spat, finger quivering as he pointed at Ye Yun.
“A Murong family lackey masquerading as an elder? Pathetic indeed.” Ye Yun’s cold smile widened. “Your rage only proves my point.”
Elder Mu’s face purpled. Never had an outer disciple dared call him a dog publicly. His authority crumbled with each trembling breath.
“Enough! Insulting an assessment elder warrants disqualification!” Surprisingly, Elder Mu restrained himself from attacking.
“Disqualify me then. Do you think the assessment is the only path to the inner sect?” Ye Yun shrugged dismissively.
“You’ll die for this insult, outer trash! None can save you now!” Elder Mu advanced slowly, cold triumph twisting his features.
“If I’m disqualified, I’ll simply return to Shadowless Peak as Peak Master Su Hao’s final inner disciple.” Ye Yun’s calm words froze Elder Mu mid-step.
“The Peak Master’s… final disciple?” Elder Mu turned to Murong Wuhen, panic dawning.
Murong Wuhen frowned. He’d heard Ye Yun rejected the Peak Master’s offer—not that it was for the coveted tenth spot among the top ten disciples. Those elites held status far beyond ordinary inner disciples. Harming one would bring the sect’s wrath crashing down.
“Elder Mu, why hesitate? Strike first if you dare—though you’ll regret it when I counter,” Ye Yun taunted.
Elder Mu’s face cycled through shades of fury and fear. No one would falsely claim being the Shadowless Peak Master’s chosen.
“Complete the assessment properly, Elder Mu,” Murong Wuhen commanded coldly before locking eyes with Ye Yun. “We’ll meet again, Ye Yun.”
Ye Yun smiled. “I doubt you have much time left.”
