Chapter 193
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Chapter 193: Beyond Expectations
Ye Yun’s fears were justified. Even setting aside whether the Heart of Immortals and Demons might be detected, the three strands of spiritual energy within him and the heavenly materials and earthly treasures stored in his Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring alone gave Elder Shi ample excuse to confiscate all his possessions and probe for methods to easily grasp exotic spiritual energy.
If that were all, Ye Yun might still cling to hope, knowing Su Hao and Elder Zi would likely support him. But if the Heart of Immortals and Demons were exposed, not even the Sect Leader’s protection could shield him from universal condemnation.
Only Ye Yun understood the true might and dread of the Heart of Immortals and Demons.
“Sect Leader,” Su Hao said, brows slightly raised, “every disciple harbors secrets. If we lack even this basic tolerance, how can we dare venture beyond the Jin Kingdom to contend in the Great Qin Empire?” His tone carried faint displeasure.
He suspected Elder Shi’s hand in this. Rumors linked the elder to the Murong clan—this was likely retaliation for Murong Wuhen’s defeat, coupled with curiosity about how Ye Yun, despite his modest cultivation level, had matched Murong Wuhen blow for blow.
Over centuries, countless Heavenly Sword Sect disciples had been blessed by providence—gaining treasures, cultivation techniques, and rapid breakthroughs through fortuitous encounters. These disciples had soared to prominence.
Yet if the sect began seizing assets from every fortunate disciple as proposed, its reputation would crumble. How then could it stand as the Jin Kingdom’s foremost sect, let alone challenge the Great Qin Empire?
True great sects prized inclusivity. The Heavenly Sword Sect never demanded converts abandon prior teachings, much less confiscate disciples’ hard-won rewards.
The Sect Leader frowned. While personally opposed, his decisions required balancing sect interests. Had it been solely Elder Shi’s demand, he’d have refused outright—but pressure came from the Murong clan and Elder Shi’s powerful backer, one of the sect’s venerable elders.
“Let Ye Yun clarify matters,” the Sect Leader finally said. “Having taken the Heart Refining Demon Trial Pill, his loyalty is assured. A proper explanation should suffice.”
“Exactly!” Elder Shi nodded.
“With respect, Sect Leader,” Su Hao countered, “knowing Ye Yun’s proven loyalty, why demand disclosures that chill disciples’ hearts? What harm could his secrets possibly bring?”
“Peak Master Su!” Elder Shi’s voice turned glacial. “You overstep, addressing the Sect Leader thus!”
“I merely state facts.” Su Hao stood straight-backed, hands clasped behind him.
“Brother Su,” Ouyang Wentian interjected, “this matter exceeds our authority.”
“Indeed,” sneered Elder Yun. “We warned you about your recent arrogance, yet you dare confront Elder Shi and the Sect Leader?”
Su Hao’s gaze swept over Ouyang Wentian. He’d anticipated this—Ouyang owed allegiance to Elder Shi’s faction. When ancestral masters spoke, old friendships meant nothing.
“Sect Leader,” Su Hao laughed abruptly, “has our Heavenly Sword Sect become the Du family’s puppet? Ruled by single decree?”
The assembly froze. The sect prided itself on fair deliberation—this accusation struck like a slap. Should Elder Shi’s demand prevail, the Heavenly Sword Sect would become a laughingstock, unworthy of its lofty status.
“Su Hao!” Elder Shi sprang up, quivering with rage. “You court disaster!”
“My words merely echo what all present know.” Su Hao’s cold snort held no fear.
“Your tenure as peak master nears its end!”
“Ah!” Su Hao’s laughter redoubled. “Does Elder Shi now appoint sect leaders? What authority!”
“Enough!” The Sect Leader’s face darkened—no ruler tolerates public mockery. While wary of Elder Shi’s backers, his dignity demanded response. “Elder Shi, restrain your tongue. Peak Master Su—temper your speech.”
“This humble servant obeys.” Su Hao bowed, clasped hands masking his smirk.
Elder Shi dared not speak further. Though his face burned with resentment, he could only retreat to the side.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect has never been ruled by single opinion. For major matters, we’ve always held council. I summoned you all to hear your thoughts—aside from Peak Master Su’s objection, what say the rest?" The Heavenly Sword Sect Leader calmed the two parties before turning to others.
"Elder Shi speaks true. Ye Yun’s cultivation progress is alarmingly swift, surpassing even Junior Brother Wuqing’s legendary pace from years past. This demands thorough investigation." Ouyang Wentian declared loudly, having already staked his position.
The Sect Leader nodded, shifting his gaze to Yu Guangyuan and Jing Ru Shui.
"All this fuss over routine protocol? Handle it as we’ve always done. Why demand declarations?" Yu Guangyuan frowned coldly.
"Both Elder Shi and Senior Brother Su make fair points. This humble disciple defers to the Sect Leader’s wisdom." Though appearing twenty-something, the forty-year-old Jing Ru Shui spoke with measured caution, refusing commitment.
Their noncommittal responses drew slight frown from the Sect Leader. His eyes lingered on the silent Ye Yun before addressing Elder Zi beside him.
"Elder Zi—you’ve been at Tian Shen Peak and know Ye Yun. Share your counsel."
Elder Zi smiled mildly. "What debate is needed? For centuries, only those caught practicing demonic arts required explanations. Ye Yun shows no irregularities—what explanation could he possibly owe?"
"So you side with Peak Master Su against investigation?" The Sect Leader’s eyebrow arched faintly.
"Precisely. Our sect’s laws shouldn’t bend to behind-the-scenes meddling." Elder Zi’s cold snort struck like winter wind.
Elder Shi’s eyes flashed with suppressed fury.
Observing this, the Sect Leader’s gaze swept past the assembly to rest on Murong Wuqing. "Wuqing. Your judgment?"
The pale-faced cultivator raised his head slowly, having maintained closed-eyed silence until summoned.
Su Hao and Ye Yun exchanged uneasy glances. As Murong Wuhen’s brother and Su Hao’s rival for Sect Leadership, Murong Wuqing held every reason to condemn Ye Yun. Should he demand investigation, allied Elders might tip the scales toward detention.
"Ten years past, I reached body refinement’s peak in two years, broke through to Qi refining in another two and half. One moon cycle saw Foundation Establishment achieved. These five years brought me to Sixth-layer Foundation Establishment celestial realm. Three more months shall see the summit." Murong Wuqing’s glacier eyes pinned Ye Yun. "How would you assess my cultivation speed?"
Ye Yun blinked, answering reflexively: "Unparalleled swiftness."
"They say you climbed from Third Level body refinement to First Level Qi refining in under a year—surpassing even my pace. With such dense true qi within you, Foundation Establishment should come within three years. A rare talent indeed." Murong Wuqing’s voice remained arctic. "But genius requires single-minded focus. Waste no energy on petty distractions."
Ye Yun inhaled deeply. "This junior thanks Brother Wuqing’s guidance."
Murong Wuqing’s gaze swept the chamber. "When I achieved such speeds, none demanded explanations. Clearly, you all knew better than to provoke me."
Shocked silence gripped the hall.
From Su Hao to Ouyang Wentian, even the Sect Leader and Elder Shi wore identical astonishment. Never had they heard Murong Wuqing speak so many words—let alone defend another.
Elder Shi and Ouyang Wentian’s eyes darkened with stifled frustration.
"The meaning is clear." The Sect Leader nodded. "Now for my—"
"Why not let Ye Yun himself decide?" Murong Wuqing’s icy interjection froze the proceedings.
A momentary frown flickered across the Sect Leader’s brow before vanishing. "Very well. Ye Yun—speak your mind."
