Chapter Thirteen: Master Ye Chen Astonishes Everyone

Originally, after Xiao Chenxin finished delivering that judgment, Ling Hu was already filled with despair.

He knew how crucial reputation was to a noble and righteous sect.

Defending it with one’s life was common!

And Xiao Chenxin, the highest-ranking figure within the Yaoguang Sanctuary, was surely no exception.

He would never allow anyone to tarnish his name.

Today, Ye Chen caused a disturbance at the gate of Yaoguang Sanctuary and even dared to reprimand him; he must have held a grudge.

That phrase, “You should have died to atone,” was the true sentiment in his heart.

It was clear how displeased he was at that moment!

Yet, the final word, “but,” made the situation turn delicate once more.

Seeing that Xiao Chenxin hesitated to continue and suddenly fell silent, Ling Hu clenched her teeth, put aside her noble status, and bowed her head.

“I humbly ask the senior to show mercy.”

Seeing Ling Hu lower her head, a slight smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Chenxin’s mouth.

This was exactly what he wanted—to see her concede after recognizing the reality.

If you don’t submit, how can I accept you as my disciple, you sycophant?

He spoke gently, “Considering Ye Chen is a first-time offender, and that he is unaware of his status as a sycophant…”

Before Xiao Chenxin could finish, Ye Chen suddenly stood up, gripping the sharp sword in his hand, its blade pointing directly at Xiao Chenxin.

“Shut up!”

“I am not a sycophant! You are the pitiful sycophant who, unable to obtain what you desire, ended up killing out of spite!”

“Yan’er and I are truly kindred spirits, a gift from the heavens…”

Xiao Chenxin suddenly glanced at Su Yao beside him.

“Holy Lord, can you make him be quiet?”

Su Yao immediately raised her hand; a surge of spiritual energy pierced through Ye Chen’s heavy defenses and struck his throat.

The world instantly fell silent.

Only then did the protagonist clear his throat lightly and continue.

“Although Ye Chen is a sycophant, the friendship he traveled thousands of miles for is recognized by me.”

“Moreover, he was unaware that Liu Ruyan stole the Yaoguang Peak’s treasured artifact and died unjustly.”

“Today, I shall show leniency and forgive his crimes.”

Hearing Xiao Chenxin’s unwillingness to press charges, Ling Hu hurriedly expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you, senior, for your generosity!”

“I will take him away immediately and cause no more trouble for your esteemed sect.”

The protagonist chuckled suddenly.

“Wait, his crimes may be pardoned, but yours will not be forgiven.”

Ling Hu’s face filled with confusion.

“Mines?”

Xiao Chenxin nodded slowly, his expression grave.

“Taking Ye Chen as a disciple but failing to guide him onto the righteous path, becoming entangled because of a woman, turning into a sycophant without realizing it. Coming here and making a scene has truly disgraced those who cultivate the path.”

“What I hate most are sycophants!”

“I hereby punish you to enter my Yaoguang Peak, to learn the sect’s rules and the way of being a model teacher.”

Ling Hu suddenly raised her head; her ethereal eyes fixed on Xiao Chenxin.

Seeing his calm expression, she swallowed all the words she wanted to say.

A sycophant?

Wasn’t she one too?

Knowing full well that Ye Chen would never glance her way, she nonetheless charged forward without hesitation, using the repayment of a life debt as her self-delusion.

Even when she saw Ye Chen and Liu Ruyan’s intimacy, she could only convince herself it was a sibling bond.

Only then could her heart feel slightly at ease.

Reluctantly glancing back at Ye Chen, Ling Hu then turned to Xiao Chenxin, her gaze growing firmer.

“If I enter Yaoguang Sanctuary and accept your teaching, senior, would you then spare Ye Chen?”

Xiao Chenxin smiled faintly.

“I have already forgiven Ye Chen’s sins. There’s no need to trouble him further.”

“If I truly intended to kill him, that sword just now would have cut down both you and him.”

“You both have faults, but not punishable by death.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Hu bowed sincerely, then drifted beside Ye Chen and whispered.

“Wait for me a while. This senior probably won’t trouble me. Once I’m free, I’ll come find you.”

“Keep the ring safe; that way, I can find you when the time comes.”

After speaking, Ling Hu obediently knelt on one knee before the gate of Yaoguang Sanctuary.

“May I ask which master the senior wishes me to apprentice under?”

The protagonist grinned.

“Am I qualified enough?”

Ling Hu suddenly raised her head, then bowed it again.

“Disciple Ling Hu pays respects to Master.”

[Congratulations, host, on successfully taking a disciple!]

[Reward: Innate Precious Lotus.]

[This treasure can harbor one’s soul, allowing a lingering spirit to reconstruct the body.]

Xiao Chenxin glanced at his storeroom, where the Innate Precious Lotus lay quietly, awaiting use.

He cast a resentful look at Meng Yao.

As if asking, “Why do I get no reward for taking you as a disciple?”

In a fluster, she hastily knelt.

“Meng Yao will definitely get along harmoniously with the junior sister.”

Xiao Chenxin took a deep breath.

He had made his stance clear, but expressed it poorly!

What he wanted was a reward for her apprenticeship, not to hear about harmony with the junior sister.

No matter how harmonious they are, it’s impossible for their relationship to develop into something unspeakable!

Moreover, even if that were so, what does it have to do with him?

Unable to explain further, Xiao Chenxin waved his hand indifferently and turned to ascend the Immortal Ascension Staircase.

“Ling Hu, come with me into Yaoguang Peak.”

“Ye Chen, I hope you conduct yourself properly. Let go of your ill intentions toward Yaoguang Sanctuary.”

“If you truly came for Liu Ruyan, you wouldn’t ignore the cause of her death.”

“I have mentioned at least three times why she died, yet you never cared, nor did you verify with our sect’s disciples. You keep insisting I killed her, which is a sign your motives are impure.”

The protagonist’s seemingly casual voice reached the ears of every sect disciple, as well as the onlookers from other sects.

By exposing the truth, he delivered a fatal blow!

“Looks like Xiao Chenxin was right. If Ye Chen truly cared for Liu Ruyan, how could he ignore her death?”

“Hah! I told you all along, he’s here demanding compensation. You didn’t believe me before and even sympathized with him. Ridiculous! The world buzzes with people chasing interests!”

“The real Liu Ruyan is dead, yet Ye Chen still exploits her. I even defended him before—ugh! Scoundrel!”

…

Hearing the crowd’s scorn, Ye Chen clenched his fists tightly. He wanted to argue, to refute, to beat Xiao Chenxin to force the truth out.

But he couldn’t.

Su Yao’s power restrained him, and Xiao Chenxin’s strength was overwhelming.

Only after everyone at Yaoguang Sanctuary, including the Four Heroes of the Northern Border, departed, was the restriction on Ye Chen’s neck lifted.

He could speak again, but no one was willing to listen.

His eyes burned with fury.

Suddenly rising, he grabbed the sword and turned away.

“It’s not that there’s no way.”

“I still have a chance to turn things around.”

“Three years, just three years, and I will prove myself with extraordinary strength, prove that Liu Ruyan loved me for my talent! My talent is incomparable even to a supreme bone!”

“Endure and cultivate for three years, then reclaim my place!”

Ye Chen left, fueled by his rage.

…

All of this unfolded before Xiao Chenxin’s watchful eyes.

Standing above the clouds, his gaze was profound.

Ye Chen truly had the spirit of a protagonist.

Despite being humiliated, having his master taken away, he did nothing irrational—he chose patience.

He left with his sword, likely already marking himself as the next challenger.

“According to the novel’s development, he’ll obediently surrender and apologize once the three years are up.”

“Not only that, he’ll probably make more mistakes and meet a tragic end at someone else’s hands.”

“Tsk tsk, such a miserable fate indeed.”

“But it’s a pity…”