novelraw Chapter 55 – Heh, this is getting more and more interesting!
Chapter 55 – Heh, this is getting more and more interesting!
The voice, ethereal yet authoritative, echoed clearly in everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable power that instantly quieted the once tense and bustling Martial Practice Arena.
"Mu Xiaochuan, get over here and see me!"
Mu Xiaochuan recognized that voice—it was Sect Master Xuanyangzi!
Everyone present, whether disciples or elders, even the Peak Masters and Vice Sect Master, had a change in their expressions!
Yun Wange, Ye Mengze, and Chu Qianyue, the three Peak Masters, immediately showed respect on their faces and quickly restrained their auras.
Even Liang Yichen, who was in mid-air, felt a chill in his heart, hurriedly descended, tidied his robes, and adopted a solemn demeanor.
As for Mu Xiaochuan, his heart skipped a beat!
Again?!
Yun Wange nodded slightly at him, signaling with her eyes for him to remain calm.
"What are you waiting for? Do I have to come and get you myself?" The old voice sounded again, this time with a clear hint of impatience.
Mu Xiaochuan's heart tightened, not daring to delay any longer. Regardless of the Sect Master's intentions, he had to go now.
"Senior sisters and brothers, I must go see the Sect Master first." He cupped his hands towards Yun Wange and the others, then turned to Ye Lingxuan and Su Yao on the arena, "You two follow the Peak Masters back."
With that, he took a deep breath, adjusted his robes, and walked step by step towards the direction of the voice—Tianshu Peak's Purple Cloud Hall.
...
Inside the Purple Cloud Hall, it was still as ancient and solemn as ever.
Xuanyangzi remained seated on the purple sandalwood throne, but today, his expression seemed much more serious than last time. His deep eyes, like ancient wells, revealed no emotion.
Mu Xiaochuan braced himself, stepped forward again, and respectfully performed a grand salute, "Disciple Mu Xiaochuan greets the Sect Master! I wonder what instructions the Sect Master has for summoning me?"
Xuanyangzi did not immediately let him rise, nor did he offer a seat, merely gazing at him quietly. That gaze seemed to penetrate one's soul, making Mu Xiaochuan's heart tremble.
Finally, Xuanyangzi spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure:
"Mu Xiaochuan, do you know your crime?"
Mu Xiaochuan's heart sank, but he dared not show any expression, maintaining a respectful posture and softly replied, "Disciple is ignorant and unaware of any crime, I ask the Sect Master to enlighten me."
"Hmph!" Xuanyangzi snorted coldly, "First, you severely injured Elder Zhang Yuelin of the Technique Transmission Hall during the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament! Today, you openly provoked and insulted fellow disciples at the Tianshu Peak Martial Practice Arena, and Ye Lingxuan just severely injured Ling Chengdao! Each of these actions violates the sect rules! Do you still dare to claim ignorance?"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't pursue the matter of accidentally injuring Zhang Yuelin last time? And today, Ye Lingxuan just couldn't hold back, it doesn't count as violating the sect rules, right?" Mu Xiaochuan stubbornly argued.
"Is that so?" Xuanyangzi teased, "Shall we call your niece Ye over and ask if she knew Ling Chengdao had already lost when she struck?"
Mu Xiaochuan's heart tightened. If Ye Lingxuan were called over to confront him, with her pure heart, she would surely sell him out quickly. He had no choice but to admit honestly, "Disciple... knows the crime! Disciple acted impulsively and recklessly, willing to accept the Sect Master's punishment!"
"However..." Xuanyangzi stroked his beard, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth, "An Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact, Earth-tier Armor, masterful staff technique, and Foundation Establishment Stage Four, how much more do I not know about..."
Mu Xiaochuan felt a chill run down his spine. He had been suppressing his aura to Foundation Establishment Stage One to avoid early exposure, yet the Sect Master saw through him completely.
He looked up in bewilderment at Xuanyangzi on the throne.
Xuanyangzi seemed oblivious to Mu Xiaochuan's shocked and bewildered expression, continuing leisurely, "Last time I told you about the danger of possessing treasures, yet you haven't learned to restrain yourself! To be honest, even I am envious of your spiritual artifact armor and techniques, and you gave them to a little girl in the Qi Refining stage."
Mu Xiaochuan was completely stunned, thinking to himself, 'Could it be that the Sect Master has taken a liking to my spiritual artifact armor?'
"If the Sect Master wants that staff, I can give it to you." Mu Xiaochuan thought for a moment; since possessing treasures brings trouble, he might as well offer it voluntarily.
"Heh, you are sensible, but since you are in the Qingling Sect, whether I take it or you keep it, it's the same. I am not so low as to rob a junior."
"Then what does the Sect Master want me to do?" Mu Xiaochuan asked tentatively.
"What else? Just like Mu Qingyao, acknowledge you as a big brother!" Xuanyangzi looked at Mu Xiaochuan with the same playful gaze.
Mu Xiaochuan's heart tightened again. What else does the Sect Master know? He must quickly set up an array at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion to prevent this old man from peeping all the time. He helplessly replied, "Please don't joke with your disciple."
Xuanyangzi sighed helplessly, "Just don't be too flamboyant. I'll secure you a spot in the 'Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering.' Just be a good Outer Sect Elder at Yunqi Peak's Heaven Vault Pavilion and don't cause any more trouble."
Mu Xiaochuan understood that the Sect Master was protecting him, and he replied earnestly, "I will follow the Sect Master's instructions."
"Good." Xuanyangzi nodded with satisfaction, then his expression turned serious, "This Sect Grand Tournament is crucial for the once-in-a-decade 'Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering'! This gathering is the pinnacle event for cultivators across the dynasty! It is also the key battle for major sects to compete for the allocation of cultivation resources for the next ten years! Our Qingling Sect has no Nascent Soul expert to oversee, and we haven't had anyone enter the top ten in the tournament for ten consecutive sessions, leading to a gradual scarcity of sect resources. If this continues, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Xuanyangzi's eyes flashed with sharp light as he stared intently at Mu Xiaochuan, "Mu Xiaochuan! You possess an Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact and extraordinary talent, a rare anomaly in our Qingling Sect for thousands of years! Therefore, the sect must ensure your safety! You must also secure a top ten spot in the Foundation Establishment Stage at the 'Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering' on behalf of the sect..."
"Rest assured, Sect Master!" Mu Xiaochuan patted his chest in assurance, "I will not fail the mission! Not just the top ten, even the first place, I will strive for it!"
"Good! Ambitious!" Xuanyangzi finally showed a satisfied smile. He stood up, walked to Mu Xiaochuan, and patted his shoulder, "For the next few months, focus on cultivating within the sect! If you need any resources, go directly to Vice Sect Master Tianlong. Forget it, you probably don't care for the sect's resources!"
"I do, I do." Mu Xiaochuan quickly interrupted, "I'm in need of cultivation resources, please inform Vice Sect Master Ren."
Xuanyangzi gazed at Mu Xiaochuan, then slowly said, "Very well, since it's for a sect disciple, I will mention it to Vice Sect Master Ren. But I have only one request—at the 'Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering,' you must give it your all to bring glory to our Qingling Sect! Let those sects that once looked down on us see clearly!"
"Yes, Sect Master!" Mu Xiaochuan continued to assure, his heart filled with joy. Not having to spend his own thrill points felt great, haha.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining sect resources, feeling refreshed, and gaining 20 thrill points."
"Go now, and remember, no more showing off." Xuanyangzi waved his hand.
Mu Xiaochuan respectfully saluted, turned, and exited the Purple Cloud Hall.
Stepping out of the hall, Mu Xiaochuan found the sunlight glaring, as if he had been in another world.
He glanced back at the imposing Purple Cloud Hall, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"Sect Grand Tournament... Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering... heh, this is getting more and more interesting!"