Female Protagonist Assistance System

Chapter 54 : . Long-Harbored Affection

"Medusa!"

Faced with this infamously venomous beauty, the crowd was struck with fear.

Yun Yun was greatly alarmed, instinctively gripping Medusa's wrist: "Why did you come out?"

Medusa sneered: "If I didn't, were you going to let these old fossils bully you?"

Yun Yun gently bit her lower lip, at a loss for words.

"Yun Yun!"

A thunderous roar suddenly erupted, deafening like a clap of thunder. She looked up, and sure enough, it was Elder Jia hovering in the air.

Elder Jia's brows were now tightly knitted, his eyes like brewing storms, fixated on Medusa. He spoke in a deep voice: "So everything that young Gu He said was true? You've defected to the Snake People?"

Yun Yun's expression changed drastically. Before she could say anything, Medusa's light chuckle came from beside her: "Defected? Heh, you old fossil, you're quite good at labeling. Yun Yun is this Queen's personal property, it has nothing to do with our Snake People."

As she spoke, she licked her lips. This already seductive gesture, enhanced by her racial characteristics, caused almost all the men present to stare: "Of course, if Yun Yun wishes to join our Snake People, this Queen would naturally welcome it."

"In your dreams!" Elder Jia shouted without hesitation. As soon as his words fell, his aura suddenly surged, and he attacked Medusa fiercely, "Demoness, prepare to die!"

Both at the Dou Zong level, Medusa, as an ancient beast, was not afraid of him. She immediately let out a cold snort and met his attack head-on.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over a dozen moves. The powerful energy caused the ground of the plaza to be torn up. Everyone retreated in fear; the battle between two Dou Zongs was not something they could casually observe.

Yun Yun was also forced to retreat several steps uncontrollably. Being closest to the two, she suffered the greatest impact. If not for her own considerable strength, she might have been torn to shreds by this terrifying residual force.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, an angry shout resounded in the air. Another powerful force unexpectedly intervened between the two, forcibly separating them.

"Boom—"

Instantly, Yun Yun felt the entire mountain shake.

Forced to retreat, Medusa merely spat and didn't continue her attack. She let out a cold snort and returned to Yun Yun's side.

Hearing this familiar voice, Yun Yun's heart suddenly leapt, the color draining from her face.

An overwhelming aura, like an awakening dragon, instantly enveloped the entire Cloud Mist Mountain. A powerful pressure spread from the depths of Cloud Mist Mountain, finally permeating the plaza. Immediately, all Cloud Mist Sect disciples in the plaza couldn't help but kneel towards the source of this aura, while the Cloud Mist Sect elders respectfully bowed.

A clear whistle suddenly soared skyward. Under countless gazes, a white figure suddenly appeared from the depths of Cloud Mist Mountain, then treading on air, slowly approached the Cloud Mist Sect plaza.

In just a moment, the figure flashed to the top of the stone tablet in the center of the plaza. His calm gaze swept over the messy scene, his brows slightly furrowed, and the pressure enveloping the plaza intensified considerably at this moment.

The white figure wore an extremely simple white robe. As a gentle breeze blew, the robe fluttered, exuding an otherworldly aura. He didn't look very old, about thirty or so, but his head of white hair revealed his true age.

This person was none other than the former Sect Master of Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Yun's teacher, Yun Shan.

Seeing the man, Yun Yun's lips trembled slightly before she deeply bowed to him, her voice containing an imperceptible tremor.

"Teacher."

Withdrawing his gaze, Yun Shan looked at his only disciple, then raised his head to look at Elder Jia: "Elder Jia, you've brought so many people to my Cloud Mist Sect. Do you intend to demolish our sect?"

Accusing first to gain the upper hand!

Elder Jia gritted his teeth viciously, feeling that Yun Shan's face had gotten thicker after not seeing him for a few years.

"Yun Shan, as the former Sect Master of Cloud Mist Sect, shouldn't you give us an explanation?"

"Explanation? What explanation?" Yun Shan, who had already heard everything, spoke with a calm expression, but his tone suggested complete ignorance.

Elder Jia nearly coughed up blood in anger. He furiously waved his sleeve and shouted: "You old thing, don't pretend you know nothing. Your Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Master is harboring the Snake People's Queen. Don't you owe us an explanation?!"

Completely taken aback by Jia Xing Tian's bluntness, not leaving him any face, Yun Shan fell silent for a moment before turning his gaze to his disciple, who was standing with her head lowered in silence.

"Yun Yun, have you truly fallen in love with Medusa?" Yun Shan slowly spoke.

Hearing her respected teacher's voice, Yun Yun tightly pressed her lips together. Orphaned, she had been picked up by Yun Shan, who had personally raised her and even entrusted Cloud Mist Sect to her. Yet, this was the answer she had given her benefactor...

Sensing Yun Yun's inner struggle, Medusa let out a light snort, seemingly having already seen Yun Yun's answer.

She still couldn't let go of Cloud Mist Sect after all.

Indeed. Medusa felt a twinge of sourness in her heart. This person had lived in Cloud Mist Sect for over twenty years. Whether family or disciples, all were Cloud Mist Sect people. How could she abandon Cloud Mist Sect for someone she had only known for a few months?

Tsk, sure enough, humans were no good, all of them ungrateful swine!

Just as Medusa was feeling all sorts of resentment, Yun Yun's voice, not loud but firm, came from beside her. Medusa turned her head in shock, unable to believe what she had heard.

"Yes, this disciple has long harbored affection for Queen Medusa."

Yun Yun's expression was resolute, her words resounding, causing a great commotion.

Nalan Yanran bit her lower lip hard, gazing at her respected teacher in the center of the plaza, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her.

If she were stronger, would she be able to protect her teacher, instead of standing powerlessly among the crowd, watching her respected teacher become the target of public criticism?

Xiao Yi Xian worriedly pressed Nalan Yanran's hand, not knowing what to say.

"Yun Shan, she has admitted it herself!" Elder Jia was so angry his beard quivered.

Actually, who Yun Yun liked was none of his business, but of all people, why did she have to like Medusa? Their Gamma Empire and the Snake People had always been at odds, with wars big and small never ceasing over the years. Now, the Sect Master of their empire's premier guardian sect had gotten involved with the Queen of the empire's mortal enemy. What kind of situation was this?!

Yun Shan let out a slight sigh. He had vaguely sensed Medusa's aura when Yun Yun first brought back the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, but thinking his disciple had always been a person of discretion, he hadn't interfered much. Who could have imagined that his most proud disciple would stumble in matters of the heart?

"You've decided?" Yun Shan ignored Elder Jia's words and asked Yun Yun again, "Are you certain it's her? That it won't change for the rest of your life?"

Yun Yun pressed her lips together: "Yes."

With that, she lifted the hem of her robe and knelt towards Yun Shan. This action startled Medusa greatly: "Why are you kneeling?"

Yun Yun smiled at Medusa. Though kneeling, her back was straight as a ramrod.

"Teacher, Yun Yun, as Sect Master of Cloud Mist Sect, has neglected her responsibilities. Not only has she failed to keep the sect safe and sound, but she has also brought shame and calamity upon it. Yun Yun voluntarily relinquishes the position of Cloud Mist Sect Master, and submits to whatever punishment the sect deems fit."

Having said this, she suddenly kowtowed heavily to Yun Shan.

Completely unprepared for Yun Yun to say such words, the Cloud Mist Sect disciples and elders present were stunned.

"Sect Master, you don't have to do this..."

"It's just liking Queen Medusa, what's wrong with that? Queen Medusa is so beautiful, anyone would like her. Sect Master, you don't need to do this."

The powerful individuals who had come to watch the commotion were also completely taken aback, all looking at each other in bewilderment.

Yun Shan sighed. He knew that Yun Yun was trying to take all the rumors and blame upon herself, wanting to keep Cloud Mist Sect completely out of it.

Suddenly, a whistling sound cut through the air, heading straight for the kneeling Yun Yun. Yun Shan swiftly released his Dou Qi, intercepting this attack.

"Elder Mu, what is the meaning of this?" Jia Xing Tian glared angrily at the elder beside him, rebuking him.

The elder referred to as Elder Mu sneered and said: "Since Yun Yun has already admitted her guilt, we naturally must dispose of this traitor to the empire on the spot. Lord Yun Shan, Yun Yun has already relinquished her position as Cloud Mist Sect Master and left Cloud Mist Sect. Why are you still protecting her? Could it be that the entire Cloud Mist Sect has betrayed the country?"

Yun Shan sneered, his eyes gradually turning cold: "Elder Mu, I show you respect, but are you trying to take advantage of that? My Cloud Mist Sect has strict rules. Whether assuming or relinquishing the position of Sect Master, there are strict procedures. Currently, the Sect Master's token is still with Yun Yun. Before she completes the process, she is still the Sect Master of my Cloud Mist Sect. If a disciple of my Cloud Mist Sect has done wrong, naturally, we will judge them ourselves. Since when did it become your turn to take action? Quietly accusing the Gamma Empire's premier guardian sect of such a grave matter, I didn't realize Elder Mu's authority now rivaled that of the royal family?"

Elder Mu's face reddened: "You! Slanderous lies!"

Yun Shan cupped his hands towards everyone present and said in a deep voice: "The dereliction of duty by my Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Master is indeed our sect's fault. But I hope everyone will give my Cloud Mist Sect some face and allow us to handle this internally."

Hearing Yun Shan's seemingly polite but actually threatening words, everyone looked at each other. The first to speak up and set an example was the Nalan family, who had excellent relations with Cloud Mist Sect.

"This is indeed your sect's internal affair. If we were to insist on intervening, it would be us showing a lack of courtesy," Nalan Jie stroked his beard and stated.

Closely following was the Miteer family. Those who came this time were the Miteer family patriarch and Yafei, accompanied by Qing Lin and Hai Bo Dong. The Miteer family patriarch had long learned from Yafei that both the Sect Master and Young Sect Master of this Cloud Mist Sect had a Dou Zong expert and seventh-grade alchemist as their backing. So, the Miteer patriarch, well-versed in the ways of commerce, wouldn't engage in a losing deal.

Kicking someone when they're down at this point would just be making enemies, wouldn't it?

So the Miteer patriarch also chimed in, indicating that they would not intervene.

With the cunning and formidable Miteer having stated their position, others also followed suit.

Thus, this farce came to an end in an extremely ridiculous manner. The powerful individuals who had come to watch the commotion left one after another. Even Elder Jia, who had been intent on killing Medusa to severely wound the Snake People, hesitated for a moment before leaving with Elder Mu, whose face looked extremely displeased.

Before long, only Medusa, Yun Yun, Yun Shan, and the disciples and elders of Cloud Mist Sect remained in the vast plaza, along with Alchemy King Gu He, who stood dazed and confused in the center of the plaza.

Yun Shan glanced at him, his eyes revealing obvious disgust. He waved his sleeve and casually pointed to a few disciples: "Escort Master Gu He down the mountain. My Cloud Mist Sect is too small to accommodate such a great personage."

"Yes!"

The disciples called upon all looked at Gu He with hatred and disgust. The respect they once held for him had vanished with his antics.

"Everyone, disperse," Yun Shan said calmly, then looked at Yun Yun and Medusa: "You two, come with me."

Seeing Yun Yun follow Yun Shan without any intention of looking back, Gu He finally panicked. His lips trembled, wanting to call out to Yun Yun, but unable to say anything.

It shouldn't be like this, it shouldn't. That person didn't say it would be like this...

"Master Gu He, please," the Cloud Mist Sect disciples responsible for escorting Gu He away stood in front of him, blocking Yun Yun from view, and said coldly.

Seeing the coldness in the Cloud Mist Sect disciples' expressions, Gu He suddenly felt a wave of powerlessness.

The connections he had carefully cultivated in Cloud Mist Sect for so long... were just... gone.