Chapter 64: Tit for Tat

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Qiao Cheng died with his eyes wide open, unwilling to accept his fate.

If it hadn't been for that sudden, mountain-heavy little cauldron, no matter how powerful "Liu Tong" was, she wouldn't have been his match!

He had even confidently "informed" the Sect Master, planning to capture Liu Tong alive for interrogation.

Yet in a blink, he was cleanly and decisively beheaded!

When had Liu Tong cultivated the Falling Leaf Sword Scripture to such a realm? And what was that treasure?

His eyes brimmed with resentment as he collapsed to the ground.

Qin Yue found the storage ring, discovered the image stone, and upon playing it, saw clearly Qiao Cheng's expression and the little cauldron. He also used his spiritual sense to read the opponent's sound transmission stone.

—I'm coming immediately!

He had no idea who the other party was; it could be an ally from the demonic sect, or possibly the Sect Master himself.

He pocketed the storage ring and image stone, then tossed two pale purple flames onto Qiao Cheng's body, burning it to ashes along with the banner and sound transmission stone.

He didn't have time to raid the lair or the herb garden, so he used his escape technique to leave.

Just as his figure vanished, another silhouette arrived at Qiao Cheng's estate.

Trying to enter, he was blocked by layers of formations; when he attempted to use the sound transmission stone to contact inside, there was no response.

All he could do was grit his teeth and begin cracking the formations.

But before he could finish, several figures sped toward him from afar. One, impatient, shouted from a distance, "Who dares cause trouble in the Zhaoyang Sect?"

Ling Jinsong nearly exploded with rage, not knowing who had leaked information and drawn others here.

He turned and hissed, "It's me!"

Those who arrived were protectors from the sect's Enforcement Hall. Having been notified that a thief had broken in and threatened Elder Qiao, they hurried over, only to find the Sect Master skulking around, breaking a formation... Confusion flickered across their faces, and their gazes grew strange.

Ling Jinsong realized their misunderstanding and said quietly, "Elder Qiao may have met with misfortune!"

...

The following morning.

At the ceremony for the appointment of the new guest elder of Zhaoyang Sect, many important figures were present.

Vice Sect Master Yue Mingxi, inner sect elders Yang Yidong and Dongfang Qingyu, Young Master Ling Chen, Tang Qingxuan, Chu Wanqing, the junior uncle Xuan Xiao, and others—all gathered.

Yue Mingxi, Yang Yidong, and Dongfang Qingyu frequently communicated via sound transmission stones and exchanged thoughts with spiritual sense.

Qin Yue observed this, guessing that news of last night's events had spread. When he left, he had used his spiritual sense to wake the outer sect disciple...

At last, he met the Sect Master of Zhaoyang Sect, Ling Jinsong.

"Mr. Qin, I've been busy and couldn't meet you earlier. Mingxi tells me you possess astonishing abilities in the field of botany. Welcome to Zhaoyang Sect. From now on, we're family!"

Ling Jinsong, appearing in his early forties, wore a sincerely smiling face, his eyes full of warmth.

Qin Yue responded with polite respect, "In the presence of the Sect Master, I am but a young man. I hope to contribute to the sect, and to learn, grow, and improve here."

Ling Jinsong's smile broadened, and during the subsequent ceremony, he personally placed the unique elder's crown upon Qin Yue's head.

Qin Yue then solemnly lit three sticks of incense, offering them to the sect's founding ancestor.

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He bowed deeply, his mind free of any distractions.

Tang Qingxuan had told him that during the appointment ceremony, one must show reverence when offering incense to the ancestor.

Never harbor any disrespectful thoughts, as the ancestor can sense it from the immortal realm!

Otherwise, Qin Yue would surely have cursed inwardly: Old fool, one day I'll overturn the sect you founded!

After the ceremony, it was customary for the Sect Master to dine with the guest elder, to foster closeness and show importance.

But Ling Jinsong once again "broke his promise."

"Elder Qin, something has happened in the sect and I must handle it personally. I will host a banquet another day to make up for today's meal."

Qin Yue behaved understandingly, "Sect Master, you have matters to attend to—please, do what you must."

At that moment, Yue Mingxi, who had also received news of Qiao Cheng's incident, came beside Ling Jinsong and softly reminded him, "Sect Master, with every new guest elder, you always present a meeting gift..."

Ling Jinsong's lips twitched slightly, cursing inwardly. Did Yue Mingxi think speaking softly would keep others from hearing?

Years ago, they had vied for the position of Sect Master. Yue Mingxi lost, and since then, the once-close senior brotherhood had dwindled to mere surface cordiality. He would never miss an opportunity to undermine Ling Jinsong.

Qin Yue was recruited by Tang Qingxuan, but people like his own son Ling Chen were closer to Yue Mingxi.

Thus, Qin Yue was essentially part of Yue Mingxi's faction.

For this reason, Ling Jinsong's attitude remained reserved. If not for Qin Yue's unique talents, he might not have come at all.

Now, confronted directly, he couldn't let his feelings show. Smiling, he said to Qin Yue, "These past days have been so busy that I forgot to bring a meeting gift. Since we're already family, don't stand on ceremony. If you need anything, just ask—elixirs, magical tools, spirit stones... anything!"

But Qin Yue looked earnest, turning to Yue Mingxi, "I have average aptitude in cultivation; excellent resources would be wasted on me. Now that I'm a guest elder, I must consider the sect's needs. Recently, I requested several Bingyuan people from the outer sect, and found they have special talents in cultivation. I've heard many Bingyuan people were brought in this time—if possible, Sect Master, please entrust them to me. In my hands, they will be of great use!"

Ling Jinsong was momentarily stunned—he hadn't expected Qin Yue to make such a request.

Ordinarily, just a few Bingyuan people would not be worth offending such a valuable new guest elder.

Even if Qin Yue appeared to be part of Yue Mingxi's faction, he'd only been here a few days; there was still a chance to win him over.

The problem was, he didn't know where Qiao Cheng had placed the six Bingyuan girls, and he suspected what Qiao Cheng had done to them.

Bingyuan people were ignorant, but not stupid. Should they speak of their experiences beside Qin Yue, it could spell trouble.

He was just pondering how to refuse when Yue Mingxi smiled and spoke, "Elder Qin is upright and kind, always thinking of the sect. To have such a guest elder is a blessing!"

Dongfang Qingyu's smile was gentle, "Indeed. Over the years, if not for the ancestral prohibition, I would have asked the Sect Master to pardon the Bingyuan people long ago. It's been so long, and almost no one remembers what crime their ancestors committed. Zhaoyang Sect, as a renowned righteous sect, has often been criticized for this. Since Mr. Qin finds them useful, why not simply entrust them to him?"

Yang Yidong chimed in, "The saying goes, 'misfortune should not extend to wives and children.' Even if the Bingyuan people's ancestors committed heinous crimes, countless generations have passed—it should be enough. The ancestral rule remains, but if they can serve another purpose, let them add more value."

The inner sect elders of Yue Mingxi's faction, whether they sympathized with the Bingyuan people or not, would certainly support the Vice Sect Master.

Even as Sect Master, Ling Jinsong could not argue further. He was troubled, when a cold voice rang out—

"Elder Qin has only just joined and doesn't understand the situation. Bingyuan sinners cannot be pardoned—it is an ancestral rule left by the founding ancestor! Any punishment they receive is deserved. The fact that their race wasn't wiped out is already an act of immense mercy."

With these words, the outer sect executive elder Ling Han approached, accompanied by several inner sect elders.

They spoke in turn.

"The Bingyuan people's ancestors nearly destroyed the world! The blood in their descendants' veins is tainted with evil. Our founding ancestor and the ten great holy sects jointly decreed that they would never be pardoned. Elder Dongfang is young and may not know, but the older generation in the sect remembers!"

The speaker was the inner sect elder Xue Feng, who had previously taken away two Bingyuan youths with cultivation talent.

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Another inner sect elder, Pang Jia, spoke as well, "Elder Qin is new and unfamiliar with things, that's understandable. But Vice Sect Master and the other elders—why are you all joining in this nonsense?"

Yue Mingxi frowned, casting a cold gaze at those speaking, then replied calmly, "Having them by Elder Qin's side is for the greater good of the sect. How is that pardoning them?"

"Vice Sect Master, then tell me, what contribution do they make?" Ling Han stepped forward, his tone aggressive.

"Ling Han, do not be rude!" Ling Jinsong reprimanded quietly, then turned to a somewhat awkward Qin Yue, "Since Elder Qin believes the Bingyuan people can be helpful and his request is for the public good, but currently all other Bingyuan people have already been assigned to other elders—even as Sect Master, it's not right to forcibly claim them..."

"There are six Bingyuan women with Qiao Cheng. I've just received word that Elder Qiao died unexpectedly last night, cause unknown. Since that's the case, why not give those Bingyuan women to Mr. Qin?" Yue Mingxi said indifferently.

Ling Jinsong felt both shocked and angry, barely maintaining his composure. He hadn't expected Yue Mingxi to value Qin Yue so highly.

Yue Mingxi's expression remained calm. He was also surprised by Qiao Cheng's death, unsure of the cause.

But Qiao Cheng was not his man; his death meant little.

Now, all his hopes rested on Qin Yue. Even regarding the Enlightenment Tree, he hadn't told Qin Yue the whole truth.

The eccentric who gifted him the tree years ago had said it was a true immortal tree, whose grade lowered upon entering the mortal realm.

But it might one day regrow "immortal roots!"

If successful, it would evolve into an immortal-grade Enlightenment Tree in the human world—three leaves would suffice for all the insights needed from earth-bound immortals to ascended immortals!

Over the years, he'd tried many ways, sought the inheritors of Bamboo Garden, but always came up empty.

Now Qin Yue was right here, the chance for immortality within reach—how could he not value him?

Even if it meant falling out with Ling Jinsong, he must show his attitude before Qin Yue!

Many now looked to Ling Jinsong; ultimately, the Sect Master's decision was needed.

Ling Jinsong was caught between a rock and a hard place. At the same time, from Yue Mingxi's treatment of Qin Yue, he sensed something was amiss.

This young guest elder, inheritor of Bamboo Garden, likely harbored secrets unknown to him!

Qiao Cheng was dead, and the six Bingyuan women had lost their original purpose; it was better to offer them as a gesture.

With this in mind, Ling Jinsong nodded and sighed, "Elder Qiao did indeed pass unexpectedly last night. If Elder Qin believes those six Bingyuan women can be of greater value, then later..."

"Sect Master, you must not agree!" Xue Feng shouted. "The ancestral rule cannot be violated—Bingyuan people cannot be pardoned! Vice Sect Master, you must not lose your senses!"

Ling Han agreed, "Please consider carefully, Sect Master!"

Pang Jia added, "The gates to the immortal realm are open. Soon, immortals will arrive. If anyone asks..."

Even those in Yue Mingxi's faction were puzzled—why did this young elder care so much about a group of Bingyuan sinners?

Aside from cultivating ice lotuses, what else could they do?

Qin Yue looked at Xue Feng, Pang Jia, Ling Han, and the others, and asked in bewilderment, "Are you opposing just for the sake of opposition, or do you not want what's best for the sect? With Elder Xue, it's punishment; with me, it's pardon? What logic is that?"

"Insolence!" Xue Feng roared in anger. "What right does a mere youth have to compare himself to me?"

"You’re the insolent one!" Qin Yue, even more furious, retorted, "You old fool, stop barking at me! You’re an elder, so am I—why am I not qualified to compare myself to you? I act solely for the good of the sect. The Bingyuan people possess abilities none of you understand! I don't blame you for your ignorance, but don’t point fingers at me—what are you supposed to be?"