The search was fruitless.
Lan Jin had to return to the outer hall and tell them all about what happened and the guesses.
“I have already heard from the patrolling disciples.” Elder Jing Xin sighed, “You really didn’t find any other clues?”
“Yes.” Lan Jin said, “That man left quietly. I’ve searched one li out, and still found nothing.”
Elder Ling grunted: “To be able to run so fast with an injured person, our sect is really being targeted by a disastrous guy.”
Talking about it more also wouldn’t yield results. Elder Jing Xin said: “It’s been hard work, you go back to rest first today.”
Lan Jin cupped his hand slightly and was about to leave, but he was stopped by Elder Ling.
“I ordered you to set up a barrier before, you should have done it, right?”
Lan Jin: “I didn’t do it.”
“What!?” Elder Ling was enraged, “Then aren’t you letting the tiger return to the mountain? Go back now, what if the person is missing!”
“Let’s not talk about this suspicion that is covered up by your disciple. There is no evidence yet.” Lan Jin unhurriedly, “Even if he really colluded with demon cultivators. With the help of demon cultivators, he can escape if he wants to.”
Elder Ling: “What are you talking about now! That’s why Ke’er talked about the request to lock the person up in the dungeon, you personally opened your mouth to take him to go, yet you weren’t responsible…”
“I’ve said it.” Lan Jin said, “I believe him.”
Elder Ling was speechless.
“All right, since the matter has passed, don’t argue anymore.” Elder Jing Xin had a headache because of the quarrel, “Lan Jin, you should hurry back.”
Lan Jin bowed and left.
Back at the side peak, in the dim light of the night. He saw the light inside the house and rushed a few steps forward. He was about to push the door, but it opened from the inside.
Shen Xingcong: “Teacher, you are back.”
Lan Jin apologized: “I’m sorry, I got held up too long.”
“No trouble.” Shen Xingcong laughed, “I don’t have to do any work here and I have food. I’m more than happy.”
Lan Jin looked over and saw that a stack of cakes was nearly empty. He couldn’t help but be surprised: “Did you finish eating them all?”
Shen Xingcong was embarrassed: “I’m a little hungry.”
“That’s all right, I have more here if you’re not full.”
Lan Jin has already bigu, he didn’t need to eat food. He also had no interest in food. Therefore, the spiritual foods sent by the outer sect disciples didn’t move much.
He walked into the house: “Xingcong, let’s continue the conversation. No one should look for me next.”
Shen Xingcong closed the door: “Actually, it’s not anything important. Teacher hasn’t rested all day today, so it is better to have a rest first.”
“At my cultivation level, I’ll be fine if I don’t sleep for a few days.” Lan Jin jokingly said, “If you are tired, we can also talk again tomorrow.”
Only when Shen Xingcong closed the door did he notice that the blood on his fingers hadn’t been cleaned.
He wiped away the remnants of blood as if nothing had happened and replied: “I just wanted to remind Teacher. You Ren was seriously injured there, perhaps he won’t be able to escape far. If we hurry, we may be able to catch up.”
“It’s actually this matter.”
Only then was Lan Jin convinced that the black shadow fleeing around was really the demon cultivator You Ren.
He sighed, “It’s a pity that it’s impossible to catch up now.”
The one who saved the person was Shen Xingcong, and he was naturally clear about it. At this time, he played dumb and asked: “Why?”
Lan Jin: “An extremely powerful almighty appeared. In the future, there will be more precautions within the sect, and you need to be careful as well.”
The “almighty” Shen Xingcong nodded: “Okay, I’ll pay attention.”
Nothing has happened since then.
Half a month passed by in a flash. The Xiaoyao Sect had just been invaded by the demon cultivators, and it was about to be in decline. Lan Jin has too many things to do and basically has no time to stay in the room.
And when Shen Xingcong talked to Lan Jin again, it was already the time to be released.
Shen Ke’er checked all the places where Shen Xingcong went and searched all over the house. Even more so, she looked through all of his telecommunications since he entered the sect and didn’t find a single suspicious thing.
What Shen Xingcong was doing and where he went every day could be found out from the meager record note.
It is as if it was said that Shen Xingcong and demon cultivators had dealings but couldn’t find the opportunity to meet privately.
Or use a spiritual tablet to communicate? This thing could be used to talk remotely when infused with spiritual energy.
However, the cultivation of a Qi training stage disciple absolutely couldn’t bear such a large spiritual energy consumption. One would have to gasp for breath for half a day just to pronounce a syllable, let alone a conversation.
As a result, up to the end, Shen Ke’er found nothing except that Shen Xingcong’s contribution to the sect was deficient.
It’s not responsible to keep people locked up all the time. Seeing that there was no progress in the matter all along, Elder Jing Xin spoke to release the person.
Stepping out of the door, he only felt the sun’s glare.
Although Shen Xingcong couldn’t leave the side peak, he was very free to move around here, which was equivalent to a half-month of rest and recuperation. When he was about to leave, he was even a little reluctant.
After all, when life got back on track, it would be time to start the dull daily life of tending the spiritual fields again.
Lan Jin felt very guilty: “I’m sorry for keeping you locked up for so long.”
Shen Xingcong waved his hand: “It’s really all right. It’s very comfortable to live here, much more spacious than the outer sect residence.”
“You have a big heart.”
Lan Jin smiled and said, “Although the demon cultivators invasion this time suffered heavy casualties, it has finally recovered. After the outer sect matters are almost dealt with, I should also return.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Shen Xingcong remembered that Lan Jin was originally an inner sect disciple, and this time, he was only temporarily residing in the outer sect for the selection. In the end, he was later delayed for a long time due to a sudden accident.
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.
Shen Xingcong was a bit puzzled and followed Lan Jin all the way.
There were outer sect disciples turning their heads to look one after another on the way. Until they reached the outer hall.
Elder Jing Xin and Elder Ling were both present. And Shen Ke’er stood at the side with an extremely bad expression on her face.
“Two elders,” Lan Jin cupped his hands and bowed, “I have led the person over.”
Elder Jing Xin nodded: “You’ve worked hard.”
Elder Ling sat on a high chair and looked down: “The matter has been clarified, you are indeed innocent. The Xiaoyao Sect will make compensation, what do you want?”
Shen Xingcong realized that the other person was talking to himself.
He glanced at Lan Jin, and the other gently nodded to him.
Elder Ling: “According to my intention, how about promoting you to an inner sect disciple? Although you did not pass the assessment, you have actually rescued more than twenty disciples from our sect. According to the contribution merit, you are indeed qualified for promotion.”
Shen Ke’er rolled her eyes at the side: “A blind cat bumped into a dead mouse.”
“Elder Ling.” Lan Jin smiled and said, “That’s not how the conversation goes.”
“Xingcong saved his fellow sect disciples in a time of danger, this is merit; our sect wrongly accused him of colluding with demon cultivators in private, this is a debt. It cannot be generalized.”
Elder Ling was refuted, and his face didn’t look too good: “Then what do you mean?”
Lan Jin didn’t respond but instead said to Shen Xingcong: “If you have anything you want, just say it. Whether it is a precious spiritual elixir, a natal magic weapon, or a supreme technique. The Xiaoyao Sect has nothing else but a lot of resources.”
He looked up and down at Shen Xingcong.
“Your cultivation level is not high now, so taking a magic weapon won’t be of much use. How about you take some Spirit Gathering Pills first, and when you break through to the Golden Core stage, then you can choose a handy magic weapon from Elder Ling?”
“What, me here?” Elder Ling was dissatisfied, “There are so many that can be used in the Wuqi Pavilion, just pick one at random.”
Lan Jin smiled back: “After all, it was Elder Ling’s chief disciple who made the mistake, so it’s only right to give some compensation. Besides, how can the magic weapons of the Wuqi Pavilion be comparable to Elder Ling’s collection?”
Elder Ling hummed softly as a form of acquiescence.
Elder Jing Xin looked around: “In that case, this matter is settled.”
Although Shen Ke’er was displeased, she had to admit it. When everyone thought the matter was over, they were interrupted.
“Wait.”
Several people cast their eyes in unison and saw that the one who spoke was actually Shen Xingcong.
Shen Ke’er frowned: “After giving you the spiritual elixirs and the magic weapon, what other grievances do you have? Don’t take advantage of it!”
Shen Xingcong: “I don’t want spiritual elixirs or magic weapons.”
Hearing this, Lan Jin was taken aback.
Shen Xingcong cupped his hand towards Lan Jin: “Thank you for Teacher’s concern. But now, I have something I want more than these worldly possessions.”
Lan Jin asked: “What do you want?”
Shen Xingcong’s gaze turned to Shen Ke’er, his tone calm.
“I want her to apologize, to apologize to me in front of everyone in the sect.”
.
When the words fell, everyone present was stunned. Shen Ke’er particularly reacted the most.
“Wishful thinking!” She stood forward, “You were suspicious before, I was only checking on you for the sake of the Xiaoyao Sect, and I didn’t target you on purpose. Why should I apologize to you?!”
She has been at odds with this cousin of hers since she was a child and felt that the other person had bullied her pitiful younger brother all day long, which was very hateful.
Later, after his younger brother was accepted by the Tiandao Sect’s Sect Leader as a direct disciple, he became jealous and went so far as to poison her younger brother. He was simply a wolf-hearted and dog-hearted person!
However, as a price for his conduct, Shen Xingcong was kicked out of the house. But in her opinion, it was far from enough. If she were to say it, it should be a case of extracting the tendons and pulling out the bones so that this person would lose his ability to cultivate forever.
As a result, she didn’t know what methods this person used, not to mention becoming a disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, there is even hope of being promoted to the inner sect now.
It was hard for her to say a kind word in the face of such a beast, let alone an apology.
Shen Xingcong’s expression remained unchanged: “But you questioned me in public, and now all fellow disciples think that I am a disreputable disciple. Naturally, it has to be clarified in public. Wasn’t it Elder Ling himself who said it, asking me what I want. Does he want to go back on his word now?”
Shen Ke’er was furious: “Don’t insult my master!”
“Yes, Elder Ling has a golden mouth and pearly words. Once the word is spoken, it can’t be taken back even by a team of four horses.” Shen Xingcong said, “Then you, as a disciple, naturally won’t disgrace your master’s face, right?”
Shen Ke’er: “You——!”
She hadn’t realized at what time this cousin of hers had become so clever and eloquent.
“What a scandal!” Elder Ling cut short the two arguing. He looked toward Shen Xingcong, his brows knitted tightly.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything else?”
Shen Xingcong: “Yes, I just need an apology.”
Elder Ling: “…”
He said to Shen Ke’er, “Ke’er, go gather the disciples on that day.”
Shen Ke’er: “But Master…”
Elder Ling: “Go quickly!”
Shen Ke’er, no matter how pampered and reckless she was, didn’t dare to disobey her master’s order and had to bite her lip and respond.
When she left, Shen Xingcong thanked Elder Ling: “Many thanks to Elder Ling.”
Elder Ling snorted coldly and didn’t reply.
The one who apologized was his disciple, and naturally, he was also humiliated. Inwardly, he only felt that Shen Xingcong, this brat, couldn’t tell good from bad, and didn’t want the magic weapon and spiritual elixir, but insisted on an apology. Hurting the enemy by a thousand and damaging himself by eight hundred.
“Xingcong.” Lan Jin asked, “I naturally respect your choice. But the Spirit Gathering Pills and the Elder’s collection are rare items, do you really not need them?”
Shen Xingcong knew that Lan Jin was thinking about him. However, with his current cultivation level, those elixirs and magic weapons really weren’t useful.
Otherwise, he would definitely accept it.
“Teacher Lan Jin.” Shen Xingcong pretended to be righteous.
“Whether it’s a spiritual pill or a magic weapon, there will be a chance to obtain them in the future. But if it isn’t thoroughly clarified at this time, I am afraid that there will still be misunderstandings from my fellow disciples. I am a dignified person, and I don’t want to hear anyone say that I am a villain who colluded with demon cultivators to betray my comrades!”
His words were sonorous and powerful, and there was an uncorrupted self but looked for a clear conscience of a noble and unsullied cultivator.
“So…” Lan Jin chuckled lightly, “it is I who think shallow.”
Elder Jing Xin listened on the sidelines, similarly stroking his beard and smiling.
“I know Teacher is concerned about me.” Shen Xingcong said, “Teacher can rest assured, when I enter the inner sect, I will definitely cultivate well and never bring shame to Teacher.”
Lan Jin laughed even more openly: “You are not a disciple under me, so why talk about being disgraced?”
Shen Xingcong: “Ah?”
Unlike the outer sect, inner sect disciples meant that they formally worshipped a master and would naturally have a master of their own.
Shen Xingcong thought that based on his relationship with Lan Jin, the other person would accept him as a disciple. But if it wasn’t Lan Jin, then who would his master be?
Elder Ling frowned: “Lan Jin never accepts disciples.”
Lan Jin: “It is I who is under-qualified, and I don’t want to harm the younger generation.”
“How could it be.” Shen Xingcong said, “Teacher gave us a class that day, and your lecture was incisively vivid and interesting. Everyone, including me, likes to listen to Teacher’s teaching very much.”
Lan Jin couldn’t help laughing: “You were drooling in your sleep in my class that day, so how do you know that I was teaching?”
Flattering and patting on the horse’s butt.
Shen Xingcong was embarrassed: “But, maybe I was too sleepy that day.”
This matter didn’t take long to talk about before Shen Ke’er brought everyone back.
They were all disciples who had gathered in the outer hall half a month ago. Suddenly being called, they were all somewhat lost.
“Troubling all of you to come here.” Elder Jing Xin said, “This time, I have summoned all of you for the invasion of demon cultivators half a month ago.”
Lan Jin continued to say: “The matter has been clarified. Shen Xingcong indeed has nothing to do with this matter.”
Everyone understood and couldn’t help but discuss spiritedly in secret.
“Wouldn’t that be locking up the wrong person?”
“Senior Sister Ke’er has been making such a big deal during this time, and the entire outer sect knows about it. It turned out to be a misunderstanding?”
A Xiaoyao Sect disciple was extremely excited: “Senior Brother Shen, I knew you were wrongly accused!”
As public opinion turned, Shen Ke’er, who was standing in front of the disciples, had her facial expression green and blue.
Elder Ling’s face was similarly bad. At this moment, he was angry at Shen Xingcong and his disciple for being too reckless. He shouted in a low voice: “Ke’er.”
Since she was urged, Shen Ke’er could only reluctantly step forward and muttered a sentence.
Shen Xingcong didn’t hear clearly: “What?”
Shen Ke’er was impatient: “I said I’m sorry, sorry for misunderstanding you!”
After speaking, she made up for herself, “But it’s not all my fault. If it weren’t for your suspicious appearance, how could I have suspected you. Why don’t I suspect your junior brother, or other fellow disciples?”
“Senior Sister Ke’er.”
An outer sect disciple who had been rescued by Shen Xingcong wasn’t so skeptical. Now that the senior brother has cleared the suspicion, he feels even more ashamed that he didn’t stand up at that time.
He boldly said: “Excuse my bluntness, you have already wronged Senior Brother Shen, so you can just apologize properly. Why are you putting the blame on senior brother again?”
“That’s it. She was obviously an inner sect disciple but still didn’t have the courage to take responsibility, unlike others.”
“Ah, I really wronged Junior Brother Shen. One person faced demon cultivators and saved several people, but was treated as a spy who colluded with the demon cultivators. Even if it were me, I’m afraid I would be bitterly disappointed.”
Shen Ke’er’s face became even more unsightly. Until she was scolded by her master again.
She didn’t want to have an ill feeling with her master because of this, so she had no other option but to correct herself again: “I understand. It’s all because I was too reckless and had a preconceived idea. Therefore, I was prejudiced before and wronged Junior Brother Shen, making Junior Brother suffer grievance.”
She faced Shen Xingcong and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
As one of the most valued disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect, Shen Ke’er had an extremely high reputation among the disciples. Now, she was bowing her head in front of everyone towards an outer sect in the Qi training stage.
Moreover, this person was still the man she loathed the most in her life.
Shen Ke’er almost endured all the humiliation, only to feel her teeth chattering.
She didn’t hear a response as someone approached in front of her. The next second, that person put his hand on her shoulder.
When she looked up, Shen Ke’er saw Shen Xingcong’s face.
Because of her natural rejection, she hadn’t paid attention to it before. Looking at it now, she actually felt that this person’s appearance had changed a little compared to when he was in the Shen family.
No, it’s more about the eyes than the looks.
In the past, Shen Xingcong was stingy, gloomy, jealous, and cautious. He was born with a good appearance, but his spleen and kidney were deficient, his face was sallow, and he was extremely unpleasant.
But this person in front of her was clearly the same, but she always felt that he was much better looking than before.
The bridge of the nose was tall and straight, with sword eyebrows and starry eyes. With a high crown and hair, he has the look of an elegant cultivator. It’s definite that she will look at it more when she goes out and meets him.
During her stunned period, she was patted twice on the shoulder.
“Senior Sister Ke’er doesn’t have to be like this.” That person said, “I know that senior sister is thinking about the sect and is straightforward. I will not take it to heart.”
Shen Ke’er: …what?
Before she could react, she heard the hustle and bustle around her.
“Wow, Senior Brother Shen doesn’t have the slightest resentment? He is indeed bighearted!”
“After all, if he sacrifices his life to save so many people, his heart is naturally not ordinary.”
The outer sect disciples were very emotional.
Shen Ke’er suddenly snapped back to her senses.
What? Bighearted!?
It was clear that she was forced to apologize in public, and now she has been affected again, so this is absolutely intentional!
He has earned a favorable impression. Instead, it made her end up with an image of having wrongly accused her fellow disciple and narrow-minded.
Shen Ke’er’s heart was unwilling. But in order to avoid making things even bigger, she didn’t dare to show it. She had to restrain and endure it.
This matter has come to an end for the time being. Elder Ling got up, brushed off his sleeves, and left.
Shen Ke’er hurriedly chased after him.
The remaining disciples had wanted to say something to Shen Xingcong. However, they heard Elder Jing Xin in the back still had important things to discuss, so they could only leave reluctantly.
“Senior Brother Shen, see you later.” A Xiaoyao Sect disciple said, “Please rest assured, we will definitely inform our fellow disciples about this matter, lest there be someone spreading rumors again.”
Shen Xingcong cupped his hand: “Many thanks.”
After everyone had dispersed, only three people were left in the outer hall, which was quite spacious all of a sudden.
“Sit down first.”
Elder Jing Xin pointed to a seat.
Shen Xingcong had just sat down when he heard the man say: “About the matter that we just talked about. After you are promoted to the inner sect, how about you worship under me?”
Shen Xingcong paused and looked up.
Elder Jing Xin’s expression was amiable: “Although my lectures are not as vivid as Lan Jin’s, it should still be beneficial to you.”
That’s considered very modest.
It was important to know that within the Xiaoyao Sect, the status of the Elder Jing Xin was second only to the Sect Leader. In recent years, due to the pressure of the sect’s affairs, he hasn’t accepted any disciples for many years. Now, he even took the initiative to open his mouth?
Shen Xingcong was somewhat unbelievable. Looking at Lan Jin, then at Elder Jing Xin.
Elder Jing Xin jokingly said: “It seems that you don’t look up at this rotten old man…”
“Of, of course not!” Shen Xingcong hurriedly said, “I’m just a little surprised.”
Lan Jin: “Elder Jing Xin has profound cultivation and plentiful experience. Since you have been accepted as his disciple, you should work hard.”
He paused, “I also reside in the inner sect. If you encounter any difficult bottlenecks in your cultivation, you can come and find me as much as possible.”
“…yes, thank you Teacher.”
Shen Xingcong’s heart was still floating now.
He remembered that in the original book, Xiao Lin was taken in by Elder Jing Xin after passing the assessment.
Elder Jing Xin rescued Xiao Lin from the hands of the demon cultivator and saw that he had passed the inner sect assessment. Aware it was predestined, he did his best to teach. Elixirs and natal magic weapons have never been reluctant.
But then he was also brutally murdered by Xiao Lin.
Now that he has agreed to deal with Xiao Lin, will he repeat the same mistake again?
Thinking up to this point, he couldn’t help but ask: “Then Xiao Lin, my junior brother, he…”
It would have been better if he had stayed in the outer sect.
“You really hate to part with him.” Lan Jin smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to him in advance. He already had the qualifications for selection, and he made a merit together with you. Therefore, he will also be promoted to the inner sect. Elder Jing Xin has also agreed to accept the two of you as disciples together.”
Hate to part with…
He was too willing to part with him.
But the previous set-up persona couldn’t collapse. Shen Xingcong could only brace himself and agree: “Teacher is still thoughtful.”
Since that day when he made the life and death contract, he had been locked up at the side peak and had never met with Xiao Lin again. Now, it was almost time to exchange blood.
But he always felt a little uncomfortable. Whenever he thought about that night, it was as if he was under a bewitchment.
Xiao Lin’s low voice next to his ear was like a curse.
Deep in his heart, he faintly regretted whether he had been too impulsive. The life and death contract could indeed restrain Xiao Lin, but it was also equivalent to adding a shackle to himself.
【 “This is a contract set by senior brother himself.” 】
The unsmiling words echoed in his ears.
Shen Xingcong couldn’t help but frown and rubbed his chest.
If they accused in public they need to apologize in public. That should be standard procedure for a righteous sect like this one. The fact that Shen Xingcong had to use up his compensation on it has me giving this “righteous” sect some seriously side-eye.
I think so, too. But, I think it quite reasonable when they want to preserve their own reputation in front of others, so there’s not much to say about how bad they are in manners
More throuble are coming for sure~ And SKE should appologise for her mistake, so it’s good that they made her do it!
Thank You for the new chapter (♡ ὅ ◡ ὅ )ʃ♡
I’m really curious how Xiao Lin is going to come back for Shen Xingcong, since it seems that he wasn’t able to leave the sect at this point!
Shen Xingcong being a demon cultivator plays a role now I think, so I’m curious to see what happens at that point in time!
Thank you for the hard work!
Thank you so much for the chapters <3