Chapter 86: Humiliation

This group of visitors from the Immortal Sect were all dressed in flowing robes, embroidered with shifting cloud patterns, and the armor of their accompanying guards gleamed with a chilling, cold light. There was an air of transcendence in their every glance and gesture.

Yet Qin Yue’s gaze was firmly fixed on a handful of the elders among them. Outwardly, they appeared unremarkable—neither ostentatious nor exuding any overt pressure—but in Qin Yue’s eyes, they were like blazing suns suspended high above the heavens, the “field” radiating from their bodies so fierce it scorched his consciousness, causing waves of pain, like the searing marks left after staring at the midday sun—only a thousand times stronger.

He was inwardly alarmed: Could these be Heaven Immortals of the Third Realm? Tang Qingxuan had clearly said that most visitors from the Immortal Sect were young cultivators at the Luminous Realm, and that true powers of the Third Realm rarely descended to the mortal world. The laws of this world would forcibly suppress them to the Second Realm, restricting their actions, perhaps even endangering them.

Ling Jinsong led the members of the Zhaoyang Sect forward to pay their respects, inviting the honored guests to the largest reception hall with utmost deference.

Tang Qingxuan had already arranged for the attendants to be settled properly, not daring to be in the least negligent.

As someone who had been specifically named, Qin Yue naturally followed closely behind.

Passing through the corridor, he sensed a gaze fall upon him. In the instant he looked up, he caught sight in the corner of his eye of an elderly man with a tiger-like stride and dragon-like bearing.

This man was garbed in the elder’s robes of the Zhaoyang Sect and was scrutinizing him with a measuring gaze.

Qin Yue lowered his eyes, choosing not to meet the man’s gaze.

Upon entering the reception hall, Qin Yue discovered that his seat was placed right next to the honored guests from the Immortal Sect.

Seeing this arrangement, Elders Xue Feng, Pang Jia, and others nearly popped their eyes out in shock, their faces going pale and then flushed. Were it not for the presence of the Immortal Sect, they would have already jumped up to question this affront: what right did a mere young guest official have to sit in such an important place?

After everyone was seated, Ling Jinsong smilingly introduced the honored guests to those present.

When it came time to introduce Qin Yue, several cultivators from the Immortal Sect looked over at him, surprise flickering in their eyes at his youth.

Ling Jinsong was about to give Qin Yue a grand introduction, but before he could speak, the old man who had previously scrutinized Qin Yue interjected first, his tone calm but brooking no dissent: “You are Qin Yue?”

By custom, he should have addressed him at least as “Elder Qin,” especially on such occasions where everyone was expected to show some courtesy. But this man was clearly forceful and showed little regard for protocol.

Qin Yue rose unhurriedly and cupped his hands, “Indeed, I am the junior.”

The old man nodded impassively, his voice deep, “I hear you have sheltered quite a number of criminals from the Ice Abyss?”

“Ancestral Master, there must be some misunderstanding…” Ling Jinsong hurriedly stood to explain on Qin Yue’s behalf.

But before he could finish, a streak of white light shot from the old man’s brow.

With a swish, it sliced off Ling Jinsong’s sect master coronet, scattered his hair knot, and a lock of black hair drifted to the floor.

“When I am speaking, do you have the right to interrupt?” the old man’s voice was icy. “You are the sect master, yet you defy the ancestral teachings. If I were to judge strictly, stripping you of your position would not be unwarranted. Letting fall your coronet and cutting your hair is to remind you: when your elders are speaking, do not interrupt!”

The hall fell into dead silence. No one had expected such domineering behavior from one wearing the robes of the Zhaoyang Sect.

Qin Yue frowned—had Ling Jinsong just called him “Ancestral Master”? Was he a predecessor who had returned from the Immortal Sect? He could clearly see Ling Jinsong’s humiliation; for a sect master to suffer such disgrace in public was a bitter humiliation.

Even though Qin Yue knew in his heart that they would one day become enemies, seeing Ling Jinsong shamed while attempting to speak up for him left him feeling uneasy.

Ling Jinsong stood there, his hair in disarray, face flushed crimson, throat working but unable to utter a word.

Yue Mingxi quickly rose, first bowing to the old man, then helping Ling Jinsong to a seat, but the tension in the room barely diminished.

The old man, as if nothing had happened, turned his gaze back to Qin Yue, the oppressive force in his eyes like a collapsing mountain or a raging sea. Even an Immortal would not dare meet his eyes directly, let alone a young cultivator.

But Qin Yue’s gaze remained clear, his voice calm: “Did Senior listen to someone’s slander? These are all false accusations—none of it is true.”

The fact that he had sheltered people from the Ice Abyss in the Zhaoyang Sect could not have reached the ears of the Immortal Sect without an informant. Judging by the old man’s demeanor, someone had been whispering maliciously behind his back.

He glanced at Xue Feng, Pang Jia, and the others, who were barely concealing their schadenfreude—it was most likely their doing.

“Elder Qin, mind your manners. This is the thirty-seventh generation Lord Wang of our sect,” Yue Mingxi quietly reminded him.

Wang? One of the seven great families? Qin Yue understood immediately. It must be that the death of Wang Yan had cost the family dearly, and this old man had returned with the Immortal Sect, likely intending to bring back the newly ascended Wang Yan, only to learn of his demise, leaving him in a foul mood.

“I did indeed gather some people from the Ice Abyss, but not to shelter them,” Qin Yue said frankly. “I discovered that their bloodline is naturally attuned to plants and vegetation—I wanted to nurture them to aid the sect.”

“We don’t lack a few medicinal herbs!” Wang Hong rebuked. “The criminals of the Ice Abyss deserve death. The fact that their clan still lives is already a mercy. In light of your youth and ignorance, you won’t be punished this time, but those people must be handed over. Those who should be made into medicinal men will become medicinal men, those who should be sparring partners will become sparring partners. Is that clear?”

In the corner, Xue Feng, Pang Jia, and the rest exchanged gleeful glances—first the sect master is humiliated, now the upstart is put in his place. If only they could have a few dishes and some wine to celebrate!

At that moment, Ling Jinsong suddenly spoke, his voice trembling with suppressed anger: “You are our elder, and if you wish to reprimand or punish, I will accept it. But since you have retired, there is no need for you to concern yourself with sect affairs. If I am unfit as sect master, the council of elders will decide!”

His words rang out with authority—gone was any sign of earlier humiliation. Everyone present was stunned by such fierce protection. Few fathers, let alone others, would go to such lengths for someone else.

Wang Hong’s face flushed with rage, about to erupt—when one of the Immortal Sect elders raised his hand to signal for silence. Wang Hong instantly fell quiet.

Qin Yue recognized this elder as one of those whose presence earlier had nearly burned his mind.

The old man regarded Qin Yue. “I hear you are a successor of Green Bamboo Garden from centuries ago, skilled in the ways of plants and herbs?”

Qin Yue cupped his hands respectfully. “I do not know if I am worthy of that legacy—my knowledge of the ways of plants is shallow at best.”

“Come with us to the forbidden zone,” the elder intoned. “Do well, and your matter with the Ice Abyss will be written off. You may even have a chance to enter the Immortal Realm.”

Qin Yue was taken aback. Such invitations were never for good things—otherwise, they would not have chosen him, even if he had queued for a hundred years.

The old man’s voice remained indifferent as he regarded Qin Yue. “Arbitrarily altering the purpose of those from the Ice Abyss is a grave crime—this is not something your sect master can shield you from.”

Wang Hong’s gaze was cold, his mouth curling with a sneer.

Ling Jinsong looked uncomfortable and angry. It was just as Qin Yue had said: why is it that in their hands it is considered punishment, but in ours it is called sheltering?

But what could he do? Who dared argue with the Immortal Sect elders? The difference in power was too vast.

No matter how justified a child’s reasoning, he cannot withstand a slap from an adult.

Qin Yue nodded silently in acquiescence.

No matter whether he intended to seek the Immortal Soil in the forbidden zone, refusal at this point would not just endanger the clansmen in the cave residences—it would mean catastrophe.

The other party had clearly set their sights on him; the matter of sheltering the Ice Abyss people was just a pretext.

“Fellow Wang, give me this small favor—let the matter rest,” the elder said to Wang Hong once Qin Yue agreed.

Though phrased as a request, his tone allowed no refusal.

Wang Hong nodded. “You speak too gravely, Elder Ding.”

The storm subsided.

Only then did Elder Ding reveal the purpose of their visit. His gaze swept the assembly: “Recently, omens have appeared across the mortal world—by our calculations, it is a sign of the Devil Child’s arrival. We have come to find and eradicate him—root and branch!”

He paused. “Anyone may participate in this matter. Whoever succeeds, regardless of status or cultivation, will be brought into the Immortal Realm!”

The hall erupted in gasps of excitement, many eyes lighting up.

“Until this is resolved, we will remain in the mortal world,” Elder Ding continued. “So, those of you close to breaking through to Immortal need not rush—finding the Devil Child will not be easy, there is still time. But remember—breaking through is not a guarantee of selection. Only those who find and slay the Devil Child will be taken to the Immortal Realm and given special training!”

“Also, we are about to set out for the Burial Sands of the Immortals. Not just this young man,” he glanced at Qin Yue, “anyone else who wishes may come along. Those who perform meritoriously will also have a chance to return with us to the Immortal Realm.”

At this, the old crowd’s eyes immediately darted evasively. Entering the Immortal Realm was the dream of a lifetime, but if it meant staking their lives, they had to reconsider.

The pie was tempting, but as long as it was only drawn on paper, they’d rather not.

After all, which of the seven forbidden zones was not a deathtrap? Even Heaven Immortals of the Third Realm might never return; those who managed to escape did so battered and shaken. Who would dare step in lightly?

…

“You shouldn’t have agreed!” As soon as the meeting ended, Yue Mingxi pulled Qin Yue aside and spoke anxiously, “We’re going to seek the Immortal Soil—our goals are not the same as theirs! What they’re after is likely tied to those decaying gods in the forbidden zone! You only agreed to Wang Hong in public—later, it’s still up to us, isn’t it? He can’t watch you every moment of the day!”

Such heartfelt words were not something his status allowed him to say lightly.

Qin Yue smiled gratefully. “Did you not see, Senior? They came for me specifically. If I refused, do you think they would let the matter rest?”

Yue Mingxi sighed, knowing he spoke the truth. His brows were furrowed with worry. He muttered, “If only we hadn’t spread the rumor that you were the successor of Green Bamboo Garden…”

Qin Yue, however, reassured him. “It’s nothing. With them involved, you and the sect master need not go.”

His eyes were resolute. “Their cultivation is beyond yours. I’ll go with them and act as the situation demands. They want something from me—if they meant to kill me, they’d have done so already. If I survive, I’ll bring back the Immortal Soil; if not… then it is my fate.”

Yue Mingxi was deeply moved. Everyone had their own “field,” but being with this young man made his own feel cleaner.

If at first he’d acted for profit or the hope of immortality, he now genuinely admired Qin Yue.

Ling Jinsong must feel the same—otherwise, why would he want to marry off a treasure like Chu Wanqing to this youth?

“I wonder… does the Yue family have any eligible daughters?” he mused, realizing he had never considered it before. He’d have to ask his relatives.

If Qin Yue became a son-in-law, then once his cultivation advanced, he might well contend for the next sect master’s seat.

“Little Qin, rest assured—while you’re away, I’ll personally oversee everything at the cave dwellings. Nothing will go wrong!”

“And if there’s any chance in the future, I’ll make sure you enter the Immortal Realm. If that proves impossible, I’ll see to it you have an honored place in the sect!”

Yue Mingxi made his promise with utmost seriousness.