Chapter 64: Ye Chen’s Alienation, the Sect Master’s Support

In the main hall.

Grand Elder Li Hu's expression was solemn, and the atmosphere was oppressive.

By now, Ye Chen's body had already begun to recover, though his face was still somewhat pale. Clearly, Li Hu had used a healing pill on Ye Chen.

Ye Chen bit his teeth and knelt on one knee, humiliation and resentment flashing in his eyes.

"Master! Your Disciple is truly wronged! It was Zhou Chen who ambushed me on the sixth floor, snatched my treasures, stole my points, and forcibly expelled me! Every word your Disciple says is true! You must seek justice for me!"

Ye Chen's voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of a sob.

Li Hu turned slowly, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"How can I seek justice? Just now, you lost your composure like a madman and accused the top-ranked winner of the competition. Where is the evidence? Where is the prestige of the Sect Leader and the Elders? Besides you, who else can prove what happened then? How can we convict someone based on wild speculation?!"

He took a step forward, his voice cold.

"Even if we take ten thousand steps back and say it really was Zhou Chen's doing, so what?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen felt as if he had been struck by lightning, filled with disbelief.

"Zhou Chen is the Sect Master's Disciple and a Core Disciple of the Sect!"

Li Hu's tone was weary and cold. "Even if we knew it was his doing, he wouldn't receive any punishment. It's simply a matter of the winner takes all and the loser is in the wrong. Do you understand now?!"

He looked down at Ye Chen, speaking with earnestness yet cruelty.

"The Sect needs true Prodigies, not disaster stars who cause trouble! In the trial, Zhou Chen killed the Blood Demon Secret Guards, obtained a million points, and took the top spot in one fell swoop! His potential, Heart-Nature, and combat power are all superior to yours! The Sect choosing him is the common aspiration and only natural! Before his crimes are proven, making an enemy of him is making an enemy of the entire Sect's will!"

Every word felt like a heavy hammer smashing against Ye Chen's heart.

"Dust, the world of cultivation isn't just about fighting and killing, nor is it playing house. Rules, strength, status, and balance are the fundamentals! Today you have already drawn the dissatisfaction of the entire Sect. If you continue to act willfully, even if your talent is not weak, do not blame your Master… for being unable to protect you!"

"Unable to protect… me?"

The hope in Ye Chen's eyes was completely extinguished, turning into dead ashes.

The Genius of the past had now become a loathsome nuisance?

It truly proved the saying: a fallen Genius is worse than a dog.

Zhou Chen's powerful rise had left him with nowhere to even seek justice? Grievance and indignation submerged Ye Chen like an icy tide.

All his faith in the Wenxian Sect collapsed, leaving only complete chill in his heart. To think he had been hesitant for the Sect's sake when the Yanhuo Holy Land was recruiting.

As it turned out, the Sect treated him worse than a dog.

Ye Chen lowered his head and spoke no more. His clenched fists trembled slightly, his nails piercing his palms.

After a long time, he murmured softly to Li Hu, "Master… is right to lecture me. Your Disciple… is a bit tired."

Seeing his deathly still appearance, a flash of pity crossed Li Hu's eyes, but thinking of his talent, he finally said in a deep voice, "Recover well from your injuries and don't cause any more trouble."

Then he flicked his sleeves and left.

The moment the door closed, Ye Chen raised his head in the darkness, his eyes filled only with cold determination.

He looked at the ring on his finger and remembered that Yanhuo Holy Land Selection Token!

Fortunately, he had asked his Ring Spirit Master to keep it safe back then, Ye Chen thought to himself with relief.

"Only my Ring Spirit Master is my true Master! They are all in league together! Since the Wenxian Sect has no room for me, Ye Chen, then I, Ye Chen, shall take my leave!"

Ye Chen stroked the ring in his hand, his mind made up.

Rather than living ignobly in the Wenxian Sect and being suppressed by Zhou Chen, it would be better to go far away to the Central Continent!

Relying on the Holy Land token and his Grade Five Dao Base talent, Ye Chen didn't believe he couldn't carve out a place for himself!

On the day he, Ye Chen, returned, he would surely make Zhou Chen pay in blood!

A plan to leave quietly took shape in Ye Chen's heart.

…

Inside Zhou Chen's Core Disciple Immortal Cave.

The last wisp of searing fire essence was completely devoured by the black and white runes of the Tai Chu Chaos Sutra.

The ruby-like Fire Python Inner Core in his palm had turned into powder and drifted away.

The Spiritual Qi lake within his Dantian was as thick as a solid substance, emitting a faint glow.

If Zhou Chen hadn't suppressed it forcefully, he would likely have surpassed the tenth level of Foundation Establishment long ago.

Looking inward at the black and white Tai Chu runes and the Golden Emperor Glazed Fire, a majestic power surged silently.

A slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Unrivaled within Foundation Establishment, and I wouldn't even fear the fifth level of Core Formation."

At this time, there were still six months until the Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition.

The Immortal Cave's Restriction trembled slightly, and Liu Qingtian's voice transmitted directly into his ears, "Zhou Chen, come to the main hall."

A streak of white light sped through, and a moment later, Zhou Chen arrived at the hall where Liu Qingtian was.

Liu Qingtian stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his expression somewhat solemn.

"Disciple Zhou Chen pays respects to Master."

Liu Qingtian turned around, his gaze scanning Zhou Chen like a torch, scrutiny mixed with approval.

"Seventh level of Foundation Establishment, blood and Qi like a Dragon. Excellent! In this trial, you killed the demon Sect members, bravely took the top spot, and enhanced our Sect's prestige! This Master is very gratified."

"Your Disciple is unworthy; fortunately, I did not fail the mission," Zhou Chen replied modestly.

Liu Qingtian gestured for Zhou Chen to take a seat.

"However, Zhou Chen, you were unable to leave your name in the Asking Immortal Tower. You need not be discouraged; after all, the conditions for leaving one's name on the stone stele are too harsh."

The reason Liu Qingtian and the Elders hadn't asked Zhou Chen if he had successfully left his name on the stone stele was mainly because the Sect Master Token could check the results, and they found Zhou Chen's name was not there.

Yet the appearance of the Chaos Stone Stele left no trace at all, so the misunderstanding was created. Zhou Chen had no intention of explaining; low-key development was the way of a king.

"Regarding Ye Chen's matter, Grand Elder Li Hu has already explained it clearly." Liu Qingtian's tone was indifferent, his gaze deep.

"This boy's Heart-Nature is extreme, but his talent and Luck are both quite good. Like you, he also has a Grade Five Dao Base. The Sect intends to nurture both of you together."

He changed the subject, his eyes burning bright as an invisible aura radiated out.

"But you, Zhou Chen, are my, Liu Qingtian's, Disciple. If you encounter any thorny issues, just feel free to act. This Seat will bear any responsibility for you! Remember, behind you is your Master! As long as it doesn't harm the Sect's interests, all means may be employed!"

Zhou Chen was suddenly moved.

This cheap Master of his, Liu Qingtian, had likely already guessed something. The conflict between him and Ye Chen was already very sharp; even if he killed Ye Chen, Liu Qingtian would still stand clearly on his side.

He took a deep breath and said to Liu Qingtian in a steady and firm voice, "Your Disciple will respectfully follow Master's teachings! I will certainly not fail your high expectations!"

"Very good! The upcoming Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition and the Yanhuo Holy Land are your true battlefields. Prepare well; if needed, the Sect's foundation is at your disposal."

Liu Qingtian's eyes were full of gratification. With a flick of his sleeve, a small dark-gold cauldron covered in profound runes suspended before Zhou Chen.

"This is the Myriad Phenomena Treasure Cauldron, Earth Rank peak grade. It can absorb all fires and temper Spiritual Qi. It can also be used for Alchemy or facing enemies. Consider it a congratulatory gift for taking the top spot this time."

"Thank you for the generous gift, Master!" Zhou Chen took it solemnly.

Watching Zhou Chen's departing figure, Liu Qingtian looked out at the vast sea of clouds outside the hall, lost in thought.

At the same time, in the mountain forests on the edge of the Wenxian Sect.

A figure dressed in night-traveling clothes used a Core Disciple token to open the Restriction and quickly vanished into the night. It was Ye Chen.