Chapter 482

Chapter 482: Moved by Emotion

The more he thought about it, the less clear he became, so he spoke up:

“Sect Master, this child must have deliberately damaged the spiritual veins of Cuiping Peak and should compensate for our losses! He should face severe punishment!”

Upon hearing this, Li Daoyi showed a thoughtful expression but did not rush to respond. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Ji Yang.

The Cuiping Peak elder beside him wore a proud look; after all, it was a peak’s spiritual vein. Even if just a part of it was severed, the loss to Cuiping Peak would be tremendous.

Now, he was eager to see what Ji Yang could possibly argue against this.

Even if Ye Wuchen were here, they had no fear, as they stood on the moral high ground. Moreover, with Peak Master Ye not currently in the peak, they feared even less.

Under their judgmental gazes, Ji Yang’s expression showed a hint of disappointment. He sighed softly and slowly began to speak:

“Two years ago, I entered the sect and became a disciple under my Master. In these two years, I have relied on my talent and hard work to finally reach the Golden Core Stage!”

Once he finished speaking, Ji Yang’s face radiated with joy and pride.

However, Ji Yang’s words left the Cuiping Peak elder momentarily stunned.

He admitted that reaching this realm in just two years was indeed a rare talent, one in hundreds of years.

But now they were discussing how to punish him; why was he using this opportunity to introduce his background?

Even if you’re a genius, do you really think severing the spiritual veins of Cuiping Peak requires no compensation?

The elder was about to interrupt Ji Yang to steer the discussion back on track.

But as he turned to look, he noticed the Sect Master had a slight smile on his face, clearly pleased with Ji Yang’s talent.

This made him snort lightly, yet he said nothing more.

He let Ji Yang continue, curious to hear what excuses Ji Yang could offer.

“When I entered the sect, I silently vowed to establish a great ambition to ensure that the name of He Dao Sect would resonate throughout the Cultivation World! Whether it’s the True Spirits of heaven and earth or other sects, they would all regard He Dao Sect as the leader!”

“Just as I was filled with aspirations, eager to break through to a higher realm and contribute my strength to the sect, my Master suddenly told me that due to my talent limits, I would not be able to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.”

“If I had known this earlier, I would have preferred to stay in the Mortal World, farming and living as an ordinary person for my entire life.”

“But then I thought, even if I can’t fight for the sect, I can still do other things! When my Master left the sect, I had some experience in growing spiritual grains, so I planned to turn all the land around Jingtan Peak into spiritual fields to contribute my strength.”

“However, while opening up the spiritual fields, I accidentally severed the spiritual veins of Cuiping Peak. This matter was entirely my doing, and it has nothing to do with the spiritual beasts in the peak. I am willing to take full responsibility and compensate Cuiping Peak for the loss.”

“I only hope my Master will not blame me when he returns.”

As Ji Yang finished his heartfelt words, a silence enveloped the hall.

The Cuiping Peak elder, who had been pondering how to punish Ji Yang, fell into silence.

From Ji Yang’s words, he heard the greater good of the sect and sensed the deep frustration within Ji Yang.

How despairing must it be for a rising genius to suddenly learn that their path is blocked?

Yet this child has a firm mind and has started to give back to the sect in another way. Even if it is just planting spiritual grains, in a short time, he has managed to open up such a large spiritual field, demonstrating his desire to benefit the sect.

Moreover, he accepted full responsibility for the damage to the spiritual veins.

But how could a student at the Golden Core Stage possibly damage the spiritual veins?

There was a strong possibility that this was the behavior of a spiritual beast within the peak. He had heard that Jingtan Peak housed a True Dragon, and from time to time, cultivators could hear the roar of the True Dragon from within the peak.

Moreover, this child had concealed his actions from Ye Wuchen. If Peak Master Ye were present, he would undoubtedly disagree with Ji Yang’s approach.

Although he was an elder of Cuiping Peak, he was still a member of He Dao Sect. Faced with a disciple who thought only of the sect’s welfare, how could he speak of making Ji Yang pay compensation?

Moreover, he had heard that this disciple made significant contributions to the sect’s spiritual grains; this was clearly not false.

He had previously been pondering how to punish Ji Yang and reclaim the losses for Cuiping Peak, but in light of this comparison, a hint of shame appeared on the elder’s face.

He had been an elder of the sect for many years, yet in serving the sect, he found himself outdone by a disciple who had only joined two years ago.

“Elder Chen, what do you think…”

At this moment, the Sect Master, who had been silent, finally spoke.

Before the Sect Master could finish his words, Elder Chen of Cuiping Peak had already chimed in:

“Sect Master, overall, this is still Cuiping Peak’s fault. The location of the spiritual veins is too conspicuous, and the peak has never managed it properly.”

“Now, with the help of this disciple, we have exposed an unknown crisis in advance. This disciple Ji Yang should not be punished; in fact, we of Cuiping Peak should thank him!”

Seeing Elder Chen’s sudden change in attitude, Li Daoyi paused:

“Well…”

“There’s no need for more words, Sect Master. I will return to the peak now to address the issue with the spiritual veins. In the future, disciple Ji Yang should remember to visit Cuiping Peak. We still have some spiritual fields, and at that time, disciple Ji Yang can share his experience in planting spiritual grains with our disciples.”

After speaking, Elder Chen of Cuiping Peak left without looking back.

Outside the hall of He Dao Sect, Elder Liu, who had just stepped away, planned to come back and check on the situation.

However, before he could approach, he saw Elder Chen leaving with a guilty expression, which filled his face with confusion.

If he remembered correctly, Elder Chen had come in quite aggressively, so why was he leaving so soon?

Had Ji Yang’s punishment already been decided?

Inside the hall, Ji Yang shook his head and sighed.

He didn’t want to play the emotional card, but given his excellent innate conditions and the need to farm, he felt he could only bend the truth this once.

“Sect Master, if you have no other matters, I will take my leave now.”

“Wait.”

Li Daoyi’s words halted Ji Yang’s steps as he prepared to leave.

Ji Yang looked up to meet the sect master’s gaze, but he did not see the same expression as Elder Chen. Instead, there was a slight cold smile on his face.

This made Ji Yang’s heart race.

Something felt off; did he not buy into the situation?

“The matter of Cuiping Peak is resolved, so now we should address your unauthorized opening of spiritual fields. The Twelve Peaks of He Dao Sect have long been clearly divided, and if you of Jingtan Peak act uniquely, how will the other peaks perceive that?”

“Ahem, Sect Master, I only acted for the benefit of the sect. This sincere heart—can you bear to punish your disciple?”

“Well, since you acted for the sect’s sake, I can give you some leniency and allow you to keep the spiritual fields you’ve opened. However, in the future, the spiritual grains harvested by Jingtan Peak will be split three to seven with the sect.”

Ji Yang’s heart stirred:

“Keeping seventy percent for myself and giving thirty percent to the sect is not a big deal.”

But it seemed Li Daoyi had heard Ji Yang’s thoughts as he spoke again:

“The sect takes seventy percent, you take thirty percent.”

Ji Yang’s expression darkened. Although spiritual grains were not much to him, it was outrageous to have to hand over seventy percent of the grains he had worked hard to cultivate!

“If you are unwilling, then…”

Seeing Li Daoyi shake his head and sigh, Ji Yang immediately said:

“Sect Master, I am willing! It is my duty as a disciple to contribute to the sect.”

“Good, good! Since you have this intention, then I will not hold your unauthorized opening of spiritual fields against you.”

Watching the smiling Li Daoyi, Ji Yang’s face darkened.

Yet, to be able to plant spiritual grains properly, he had to accept this unfair condition. Upon careful consideration, he realized he wasn’t really at a loss, as he wouldn’t be consuming the spiritual grains himself—only needing them for the Light points.

However, Ji Yang silently added ten more years to Li Daoyi’s mining time in his heart.

By this calculation, it seemed there would be thirty years.