Le Cailing's tears fell even harder as she reluctantly answered with a "Yes."
Qin Yangling walked over to Le Cailing's side. Seeing her face streaked with tears yet still maintaining her dignified demeanor, he couldn't help but feel pity for her. He gently patted her shoulder and said, "Junior Sister Le, don't waste your anger on such a petty person. It's not worth harming your health over. I will seek justice for you."
Le Cailing found his demeanor imposing, his actions steady and gentle—completely different from the male disciples who usually pestered her. Coupled with the fact that he had spoken up for her, she felt deeply grateful and silently nodded in response.
Qin Yangling then asked, "Which one of you is Junior Brother Lei?"
Lei Xiuyuan, who had remained silent until now, clasped his hands in greeting. "What guidance does Senior Brother Qin have for me?"
Qin Yangling studied him closely. The young man carried an air of aloof elegance, his expression calm and his demeanor markedly different from the other disciples. Frowning slightly, Qin Yangling said, "Junior Brother Lei, this matter must be settled. After all, Junior Sister Le's three years of effort in the Mute Immortal Technique were undone by you. How can you remain silent?"
Lei Xiuyuan replied coolly, "What kind of resolution does Senior Brother Qin expect from me?"
Qin Yangling glanced at Hong Shun Ying, who offered no opinion, then turned back to Le Cailing and said gently, "Junior Sister Le, what would you like to do?"
Le Cailing whispered, "An apology."
Qin Yangling smiled. "Junior Sister Le is truly magnanimous. Junior Brother Lei, first apologize to Junior Sister Le, then seek forgiveness from Elder Qing Yue. Only then can this matter be properly resolved. What do you say?"
Lei Xiuyuan's voice remained indifferent. "And if I refuse?"
Qin Yangling hadn't expected such defiance from a junior disciple. "Junior Brother Lei, you are under Elder Guangwei's tutelage. How can you act this way, disregarding the reputations of both Elder Guangwei and Elder Qing Yue?"
Lei Xiuyuan chuckled. "I doubt my Master would blame me for her sake."
"You—!" Le Cailing flared up in anger again. Qin Yangling soothingly patted her shoulder once more before turning back. "Junior Brother Lei, I’ve often heard you are a prodigy—no wonder you carry yourself with such arrogance. But let’s not forget, you’ve only been a disciple for five years. The path of cultivation is long. Aren’t you afraid such a high-handed attitude might lead to a fall someday?"
Lei Xiuyuan didn’t even look at him. Suddenly, he said, "Senior Brother Qin, spare me your lectures. I’m tired. If an apology is mandatory, then I must decline."
Qin Yangling’s composure finally cracked. What a sharp-tongued brat!
At the back, Ying Yuankai and the others, who had been sitting quietly, grew emboldened by the escalating tension. They stood up and declared, "Let’s just call the elders to settle this! We’ve been exhausted from the trials, and now we’ve been stuck here for two days! We’re dead tired!"
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Hong Shun Ying quickly interjected, "We apologize for detaining you all for two days. Please, junior brothers, go rest now. Another day, I—"
Before she could finish, Elder Qing Yue’s voice suddenly rang out at the hall entrance. "Shun Ying, Cailing, what are you doing here?"
Both women paled instantly. Their Master was here! How had she arrived so suddenly? They hurriedly turned and knelt, only to see not just Qingle Zhenren but also Dongyang Zhenren and Baifu Zhenren standing at the door. Hong Shun Ying’s heart sank—she regretted ever listening to Le Cailing and getting involved in this mess.Her clothes were suddenly tugged twice. The shifty-eyed young male disciple from earlier was grinning at her. A wave of disgust rose in her heart, and she quickly averted her gaze.
Deng Xiguang whispered with a sly smile, "Senior Sister Hong, Junior Sister Le, how was my Wood Element Immortal Technique?"
As he spoke, two small wooden birds suddenly appeared in his palm. The birds quickly cast a layer of Mist Illusion over him, concealing his figure. The two girls immediately understood—it had been him secretly sending messages all along!
Deng Xiguang winked mischievously. "Junior Brother Lei asked me to do it! I was afraid you'd catch me! By the way, Senior Sister Hong, Junior Sister Le is too arrogant and domineering—even I can't stand her! She really needs to work on that temper!"
Le Cailing trembled with rage, but with her Master present, she dared not move. The thought of abandoning her trial, having her three years of Mute Immortal Technique broken, and the punishment awaiting her filled her with terror.
The three Elders, having received the wooden birds' message, rushed to Wengu Hall at once. After hearing Ying Yuankai's account, Qing Yue Elder's usually kind face darkened for the first time—disappointed and heartbroken. She said quietly, "Cailing, provoking Zhu Yan despite your cultivation level was your first mistake. Recklessly using Melodic Immortal Technique without regard for your fellow disciples was your second. Abandoning your trial was your third. Slandering others with baseless accusations was your fourth! You've disappointed me deeply!"
Le Cailing choked back a sob. "Disciple... spent three years mastering the third layer of Mute Immortal Technique. To have it broken so suddenly... I couldn't accept it..."
Qing Yue Elder replied coolly, "You need not continue practicing this technique. Your temperament is unsuited to my methods. Elder Baifu, the trial's punishment is yours to decide. Show no leniency."
Baifu Zhenren sighed heavily before speaking sternly, "Le Cailing of Qing Yue Elder's lineage, for failing to complete the Chestnut Blaze Valley trial: starting today, your meal stipend will be halved for three months. Tomorrow at mao hour, accompany me to the Cloud Ascending Platform, then descend to the Contemplation Tower for three days of wall-facing reflection."
Before he even finished, Le Cailing had already broken into heart-wrenching sobs.
Qing Yue Elder hardened her heart and turned away, walking to the hall's entrance. "Reflect deeply below. Blame me for spoiling you so thoroughly that you lost your true self!"
The three Elders soon departed. Hong Shun Ying had no desire to remain—though her Master hadn't punished her publicly, she'd surely face harsh reprimands later. In no mood to comfort the weeping Le Cailing, she rode her cloud straight home.
Seeing matters had reached this point, none present felt inclined to kick someone who was down, and so ignored Le Cailing entirely.
Ying Yuankai's group had suffered most—trapped in Wengu Hall for two days, they were utterly exhausted and quickly dispersed to sleep after brief words. Li Fei's quartet, having grown close during the Chestnut Blaze Valley trial, found themselves reluctant to part.
Deng Xiguang punched Lei Xiuyuan's shoulder playfully. "Junior Brother Lei, I didn't care for your attitude at first! But now I quite like you! Visit my Elixirwood Peak when you're free—we've got several lovely junior and senior sisters there! Even if Junior Sister Jiang is peerlessly beautiful, variety is the spice of life, right? Let this senior brother show you other options..."What kind of irresponsible nonsense is this? Li Fei was both amused and exasperated. Su Wan, standing nearby, also laughed and said, "Senior Brother Deng, I agree with the first part of what you said. But Junior Brother Lei, I still don’t like your temperament. A man should be bold and domineering! Don’t go around thinking everyone is a fool. There might come a day when you’ll need a fool’s help, won’t you?"
Lei Xiuyuan smiled as well—a rare, unreserved smile that made him look genuinely innocent and kind. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother and Senior Sister. I will certainly take it to heart."
Su Wan took Li Fei’s hand, reluctant to part. "You’re always coming to Shining Light Peak anyway, so don’t just focus on Junior Brother Lei. When I have time, I’ll visit Jade Fall Peak too. I’ve never been there before—I’d love to see what a snowy mountain looks like."
Li Fei really liked this straightforward and spirited girl and immediately said, "Su Wan, why don’t you join us next year for the gathering in Lu Gongzhen? I’ll introduce you to Ge Lin and the others. I’m sure you’ll get along well."
Su Wan grinned. "Sure! Are there any domineering men there?"
"What does ‘domineering’ even look like?" Li Fei couldn’t quite picture it. Was it someone like Ji Tongzhou? But Ji Tongzhou might be better described as arrogant and overbearing.
Su Wan thought for a moment, then laughed. "I can’t really explain it either. It’s more of a feeling—you’ll know when you meet one. Don’t be fooled by how many male disciples there are in the cultivation world. Truly bold and domineering ones are rare. Most are either immature brats or pretentiously profound—so annoying!"
Deng Xiguang immediately protested, "Junior Sister Su, what do you mean by ‘immature brats’? How am I immature? And ‘pretentiously profound’ is even more off the mark. Where else would you find a man as cheerful and generous as me?"
His words sent everyone into another fit of laughter.
Qin Yangling, who had been silently standing to the side, suddenly spoke up in a clear voice, "Junior Brother Lei, may I ask you something? Are you aware of the Martial Competition Tournament held once every ten years?"
The four of them fell silent. Why was Senior Brother Qin suddenly bringing up the Martial Competition Tournament? While it was true that all elite direct disciples were expected to participate without exception, it was an unwritten rule that new disciples who hadn’t even been in the sect for ten years were generally exempt.
Lei Xiuyuan gave him a deep look. "I know of it. What is Senior Brother Qin trying to say?"
Qin Yangling replied gently, "The tournament is in six months. Does Junior Brother Lei intend to participate?"
Su Wan couldn’t hold back. "Since when do new disciples participate in the Martial Competition Tournament?"
Qin Yangling smiled. "Junior Brother Lei is a prodigy. Wouldn’t it be a shame if he didn’t participate?"
Lei Xiuyuan curled his lips. "Since Senior Brother Qin has invited me, how could I refuse?"
"At that time, I would like to spar with Junior Brother Lei using only thirty percent of my cultivation." Qin Yangling cupped his hands in salute.
Thirty percent? Li Fei and the other two were shocked. Was he using his status as a direct disciple to pressure them?
Lei Xiuyuan remained unfazed. "There are still six months left, Senior Brother Qin. No need to rush."
Seeing that Qin Yangling showed no intention of leaving, none of them wanted to stay with this unpleasant senior brother any longer. The four quickly exited the hall together, leaving the Ancient Script Hall in silence once more, save for the faint sound of Le Cailing’s quiet sobs.
Her technique had been broken, she had been scolded by her master for the first time, and now she was even being sent below the Cloud Sea to reflect on her mistakes. Her dignity had long since crumbled. Right now, all she could do was cry.A sudden warmth spread over her shoulder as Qin Yangling's large hand gently patted it once more. The kind and amiable senior brother smiled at her and said softly, "Junior Sister Le, don't cry. I believe you, and I'll definitely help you seek justice from Lei Xiuyuan."
Le Cailing shook her head, her face ashen. "I... what justice can I even seek now... I must go to the Contemplation Tower beneath the Cloud Sea... this humiliation can never be erased... I'll be laughed at by everyone from now on..."
Qin Yangling stroked her hair and whispered, "Don't be afraid. I'll accompany you to the Cloud Sea. You won't be alone."
She trembled all over, looking at him with utmost gratitude. Seeing his clear, bright gaze like a gentle spring breeze, she couldn't help but lower her head as her face slowly flushed red.
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