Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Confrontation in the Council Hall, Master's Protection

The white jade floor tiles of Qingyun Sect's main peak council hall gleamed with a cold light. The sandalwood incense curling in the air couldn't dispel the tense atmosphere. The sect leader sat in the main jade chair, his robes embroidered with intricate Qingyun cloud patterns, his expression solemn, an imposing aura surrounding him. Seven elders were arranged on either side, each seated behind their desks, gazes heavy as they fell on the hall. The Third Elder stood on one side of the hall, his expression dark. Beside him, Zhao Peng's arm was wrapped in thick white bandages, faint bloodstains visible at the edges—clearly injuries from yesterday's competition. The young man hung his head, but his eyes held unwillingness and malice. Shen Qingci, wearing a moon-white daoist robe with a black jade belt, walked slowly into the hall with Ling Xuan, his posture upright. Their robes swept over the floor tiles, making a soft friction sound. Following sect etiquette, the two bowed to the sect leader and the elders: "Disciple Shen Qingci, bringing disciple Ling Xuan, greets the sect leader and all elders." His voice was steady, neither humble nor arrogant, fully displaying the dignity of Yuling Peak's master. "Peak Master Shen is quite prompt." The Third Elder was the first to break the silence, his hostility undisguised, his aged voice echoing through the spacious council hall with deliberate sharpness. When his gaze swept over Ling Xuan, it was full of contempt and disgust, as if even looking at him was defilement. "Yesterday at the sect competition, Peak Master Shen punished my worthless distant relative without hearing both sides. Today, I would like to ask Peak Master Shen in front of the sect leader and all elders—exactly what did Zhao Peng do wrong to deserve such punishment?" With these words, the Third Elder raised his hand and patted Zhao Peng's shoulder, signaling him to step forward. Zhao Peng immediately straightened his back. Although his arm injury hadn't healed, he still forced himself to appear strong, bowing to the sect leader: "Sect Leader, please judge. During yesterday's match, this disciple only lost control momentarily. It was not intentional to harm Junior Brother Ling Xuan. Yet Peak Master Shen punished me without hearing both sides—three days of wall-facing, copying sect rules one hundred times, and deducting six months of cultivation resources. This disciple truly cannot accept this!" He deliberately emphasized "without hearing both sides," casting a venomous glance at Ling Xuan, trying to paint himself as the wronged party. Shen Qingci looked up, his expression calm and unruffled, as if he had long expected their argument. He spoke slowly, his voice cold but carrying unquestionable authority: "Third Elder, you jest. The Qingyun Sect competition rules are written in black and white, clearly stipulating that matches must stop at the appropriate point, with no intentional harm or lethal strikes. Yesterday's match was witnessed by hundreds of disciples and several elders. Junior Brother Zhao Peng wielded a longsword, every strike aimed at Ling Xuan's vital points, sword wind wrapped in fierce spiritual energy—clearly intended to kill Ling Xuan. Had I not intervened in time, Ling Xuan would already have shattered meridians, been seriously injured, or even died on the spot." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled elders, then continued: "Such disregard for sect rules, intentional harm to a fellow disciple—my punishment of three days of wall-facing and copying sect rules was already lenient. According to sect law, intentionally plotting against a fellow disciple should result in abolished cultivation and expulsion from the sect. I only showed mercy because it was his first offense and out of respect for your relationship with the Third Elder. Does the Third Elder feel this punishment is still too severe?" "You're lying!" Zhao Peng, unable to refute Shen Qingci's words, looked up sharply in desperation, shouting excitedly: "I never intentionally harmed anyone! I only lost control momentarily! Clearly, you're favoring this bastard and deliberately targeting me!" As the words "bastard" escaped his lips, the hall instantly fell silent, the air seeming to freeze. The aura around Ling Xuan instantly turned icy. His hands hanging at his sides clenched tightly, knuckles white. Pale cyan spiritual energy uncontrollably swirled around his fingertips, a flash of intense killing intent in his eyes. Over the years, "bastard" had been the deepest thorn in his heart. During those years struggling to survive in the mass grave, being bullied at will, these two words were what he heard most. Now, being publicly insulted in such a solemn place as the council hall, the violence in his body was instantly ignited. If not for the sliver of reason telling him not to act impulsively now, he would have long since charged at Zhao Peng. "Outrageous!" Shen Qingci's voice rang out, carrying powerful spiritual energy pressure that instantly suppressed the restless violence around Ling Xuan and made Zhao Peng involuntarily step back, his face pale. His gaze sharp as he stared at Zhao Peng, his tone cold as ice: "The council hall is a sacred place of the sect. How dare you make such a commotion? Ling Xuan is my only personal disciple. He is not someone you can insult. Furthermore, yesterday's entire match was witnessed. Whether you intended to harm him, everyone present knows the truth. Does the Third Elder intend to use your position alone to twist black and white, ignoring sect law and everyone's eyes?" The Third Elder's face alternated between green and white. He had intended to use Zhao Peng's injury to attack, forcing Shen Qingci to revoke the punishment while also suppressing Ling Xuan, making the boy unable to hold his head up in the sect. He never expected Shen Qingci to be so resolute, not only publicly exposing the lie but also invoking sect law and the witnesses present, leaving him unable to refute. After a moment's thought, the Third Elder changed tactics and turned to the sect leader, his tone deliberately aggrieved and worried: "Sect Leader, this elder did not intend to favor my unworthy disciple, but Peak Master Shen's partiality toward Ling Xuan is too unfair. I fear it will be hard to convince everyone in the future! This Ling Xuan has an unclear background, grew up in a mass grave since childhood, with no one knowing his origins. What's more strange is that this elder can detect an extremely violent power hidden in his body—definitely not ordinary spiritual energy. Keeping someone of unknown origin with strange power in the sect could become a hidden danger. It would be better to expel him from Qingyun Sect to eliminate future troubles and protect the safety of all in Qingyun Sect." As soon as these words were spoken, the council hall erupted in discussion. The elders all looked at Ling Xuan, their eyes carrying scrutiny and wariness. Although they weren't as hostile as the Third Elder, they still harbored doubts about this young man of unknown origin, especially after sensing the sudden surge of violence around Ling Xuan just now, making them feel the Third Elder's words weren't entirely without merit. After all, Qingyun Sect, as a renowned righteous sect in the cultivation world, absolutely could not tolerate hidden dangers. Ling Xuan's hands clenched even tighter, his back ramrod straight. Even facing everyone's scrutiny and suspicion, he didn't retreat in the slightest, only subconsciously moving closer to Shen Qingci. That subtle movement carried a young person's instinctive longing for their only support in desperate times, and it also warmed Shen Qingci's heart. Shen Qingci stepped forward, subtly positioning himself in front of Ling Xuan, shielding him, and bowed to the sect leader: "Sect Leader, the Third Elder's words are mistaken. The power in Ling Xuan's body is not an evil thing, but merely the result of an extremely rare special constitution—not some hidden danger. This disciple is currently teaching him Qingyun Sect's ancient inheritance, the 'Clear Spirit Art.' This technique is specifically designed to neutralize violent spiritual energy and is sufficient to help him control the power in his body, transforming it into gentle spiritual energy he can use. It absolutely will not allow him to harm the sect." He looked up at the sect leader, his eyes resolute, his tone sincere: "As for his background, Ling Xuan lost both parents in childhood and struggled to survive in a mass grave for years. His origins are pitiable, but his nature is tenacious and his talent extraordinary—a once-in-a-century cultivation prodigy. If we expel him from the sect merely because his background is unclear, it would be too regrettable and would chill the hearts of cultivators from humble backgrounds across the land. This disciple is willing to guarantee with the position of Yuling Peak Master that I will strictly supervise Ling Xuan in the future, personally guide his cultivation. If he commits even the slightest act of harm against the sect, this disciple is willing to bear punishment with him—abolished cultivation, expelled from the sect, without complaint!" These words were resounding, clearly stating his firm resolve to protect Ling Xuan while giving the sect leader a way to step down, and also blocking the Third Elder's path to continue attacking. The sect leader pondered for a moment, fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his jade chair, his gaze moving between Shen Qingci and Ling Xuan. He deeply understood Shen Qingci's character—though cold in nature, he always kept his word. Since he dared to guarantee with the peak master position, he must have complete confidence. Furthermore, Ling Xuan's performance in yesterday's competition was witnessed by all. His talent was indeed extraordinary. To expel him from the sect would be too regrettable and might instead drive him to the demonic path, becoming a hidden danger in the cultivation world. After careful consideration, the sect leader slowly spoke, his tone authoritative: "Since Peak Master Shen has this resolve, let it be as you say. Ling Xuan will remain on Yuling Peak, under your personal supervision. Instruct him in the 'Clear Spirit Art' daily, ensuring he masters the power in his body. If any mistakes occur in the future, you will be held accountable." After speaking, the sect leader looked at Zhao Peng, his tone cold: "Zhao Peng violated the rules first, intentionally harming others. Peak Master Shen's punishment is reasonable and compliant. The original judgment stands. Third Elder, as a sect elder, you should know to act impartially, not favor private interests over public good. Let today's matter end here. Do not bring it up again." Seeing this, the Third Elder knew the matter was irreversible and could only grit his teeth and bow: "This elder has no objections." But his gaze toward Shen Qingci and Ling Xuan became even more sinister, as if infused with poison. Clearly, he had marked this grudge in his heart, secretly calculating how to take revenge later. Shen Qingci slightly bowed: "Thank you, Sect Leader." Then he turned and slowly led Ling Xuan out of the council hall. The moment they stepped over the hall's threshold, sunlight fell on them, and only then did Ling Xuan's tense nerves gradually relax. His back was already soaked in cold sweat. He turned to look at Shen Qingci beside him. His lips moved, and after a moment of silence, he said in an extremely quiet voice: "Master, thank you for today." Shen Qingci patted his shoulder, his tone gentle yet carrying some gravity: "You are my disciple. Of course, I must protect you. However, the Third Elder is narrow-minded and vengeful. He will definitely not let today's matter rest and will find opportunities to trouble you in the future. You must diligently cultivate, quickly stabilize your cultivation, and improve your strength. Only by becoming strong yourself can you avoid being bullied and truly establish yourself here." Ling Xuan nodded firmly, his pitch-black eyes full of determination: "This disciple remembers. I will not disappoint Master." Sunlight fell on the young man's thin profile, dispersing some of the shadows and adding a radiance to his eyes he had never had before. He secretly resolved to become strong as quickly as possible, not only to protect himself but to become someone capable of protecting his master, so the master would never have to confront others for his sake again. The two walked side by side on the mountain path back to Yuling Peak, the mountain breeze brushing their faces, carrying the faint fragrance of grass and trees. Shen Qingci looked at the young man's straight back beside him and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This confrontation in the council hall had finally passed without major incident. He had protected Ling Xuan and temporarily thwarted the Third Elder's scheme. However, he also knew this was just the beginning. The Third Elder would definitely not give up. Troubles would likely continue to come in the future. He must speed up progress, quickly improve Ling Xuan's strength while maxing out his favorability, only then could he truly protect his own life.