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"By the way, what did you all mean just now?"
Ye Junlin quickly shifted the topic, worried that if things continued, his reputation might take a serious hit.
"Ye Shizizi, your first disciple intends to rebel! He tried to seize the sundial and even attacked us!"
The crowd spoke anxiously.
"My dear disciple, is that true?" Ye Junlin's gaze sharpened as he looked meaningfully at Hong Qianye.
Under the silver-haired youth's stare, a chill crept through Hong Qianye's heart—but he quickly regained his composure.
He wasn't the same person anymore. Why should he be afraid?
It was time to take the lead.
Hong Qianye raised his chin, his tone bordering on commanding. "And what if it is? What can you do about it? With the army outside, your death is inevitable. Don't you even realize your situation?"
"Ungrateful wretch! Ye Shizizi has treated you with nothing but kindness!" Xu Yonian and the others shook with fury.
Betraying one's master was the most unforgivable crime in any sect. It threatened the very foundation of its order.
"You people know nothing!"
Hong Qianye's face darkened.
Why should someone of his status bow to a junior? Forced to give shoulder rubs, foot massages—he even had to wash feet!
The mere memory made his stomach turn.
"Don't blame him, it's my fault… I neglected my disciple's feelings. This is all my mistake… I truly regret it!"
Ye Junlin's eyes turned red, clutching his chest in apparent anguish, stamping his feet in sorrow.
"Master!" Bai Xiaoxi sniffled, eyes moist.
"Ye Shizizi, you…" Xu Yonian and the others looked at the silver-haired youth in disbelief. None of them had ever seen this side of him before.
"Tch. Keep acting."
Hong Qianye sneered. If he hadn't witnessed Ye Junlin's true nature before, he might've fallen for this performance too.
"Little Hong—Qianye, my dear disciple, I truly realize my mistakes. Can you forgive me? We're still master and disciple. Let's start over, alright?"
Ye Junlin pleaded, his gaze full of hope.
"Ugh!"
Hong Qianye physically recoiled, goosebumps crawling up his skin.
Was it possible for anyone to be this shameless?
This was a whole new level!
"No way. You disgust me."
Hong Qianye's voice dripped with disdain.
But then, something unexpected happened—Ye Junlin's expression relaxed. A casual, smug smile appeared on his lips.
No one could hear it, but inside his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the temporary task. Reward: Indestructible Body Art!]
[Indestructible Body Art]: A supreme cultivation technique that combines physical strength and martial arts. At its peak, it forges an indestructible body that can defy time itself.
"Not a bad reward," Ye Junlin mused. "That performance was worth it."
He'd triggered a system event earlier:
Temporary Task:
First option: Publicly denounce Hong Qianye's betrayal for a top-tier immortal pill.
Second option: Confess mistakes, shed tears, and sincerely apologize for a superior reward—the Indestructible Body Art.
Obviously, the martial technique was far more valuable than any pill.
Only a fool would hesitate.
Ye Junlin, of course, chose the second route. His award now secured, the silver-haired youth instantly dropped the act and reclined lazily in his chair, sipping his milk tea with a loud, contented slurp.
"Huh?"
Hong Qianye frowned. What was this guy playing at now?
Xu Yonian and the others exchanged baffled glances.
"Uh… Is it just me, or does Ye Shizizi look like he's completely lost his mind from stress?" murmured the Cangjian Peak Master.
"Quiet!" Tianxiang Peak Master snapped.
"Xiaoxi."
"Master, I'm here!"
"Come give me a shoulder rub."
"Okay!"
Bai Xiaoxi rushed over obediently, kneading his shoulders.
Ye Junlin squinted with satisfaction, casually muttering, "Little Hong… So, you went into seclusion for two hundred years inside the sundial, and now you think you're top dog again?"
At those words—
"Cut the nonsense! Hand everything over and I might help you survive. Refuse, and I'll watch you die."
In the ruthless world of cultivators, killing and taking treasures was the norm. Hong Qianye believed he was being merciful just by giving this ultimatum.
As long as he got what he wanted, he'd help drive off the invaders, torture Ye Junlin later, and then leave him to rot.
"Sect Leader, seems like this one still has some conscience," one of the peak masters whispered.
With a war on the brink, they knew the value of Hong Qianye's strength. If he could be convinced to fight, perhaps the Xuantian Sect might survive this crisis.
"This matter still depends on Ye Shizizi's decision," Xu Yonian said hoarsely. Truthfully, he was tempted too.
After all, from what they'd seen—the mystical pills, ancient techniques, the sundial that manipulated time—Ye Junlin's fortune was immense. They'd merely restrained their curiosity before, out of respect.
Now that Hong Qianye openly demanded it, everyone's interest was piqued.
"Heh."
Ye Junlin immediately grasped what Hong Qianye was really after.
But it wasn't happening.
He was bound to his system, and besides, he hadn't taken this so-called "crisis" seriously from the start.
"Are you so sure you're stronger than me now?"
Ye Junlin smiled faintly.
"Absolutely."
Hong Qianye declared proudly, "You may have suppressed me in the past, but I cultivated inside the sundial for two hundred years. I've surpassed you already!"
Then, like a teacher scolding a disappointing student, he berated:
"You lack ambition, Ye Junlin! A true cultivator should pursue the Dao with unyielding resolve, not waste his days in laziness like you."
"Hand over your fortune. I'm far better suited to inherit it!"
"Uh…"
Ye Junlin stared at him like he was looking at a fool.
Why would I bother cultivating when I've got a system? Slacking off is so much more enjoyable…
"Enough talk. Do I need to beat it out of you?"
Hong Qianye's face darkened, eyes sharp and menacing.
Boom!
A terrifying pressure swept over the area.
"Brother Hong…" Bai Xiaoxi shrank back in fear, feeling as though the man before her was a stranger.
"Ye Shizizi, don't push yourself too hard!" Xu Yonian and the others were drenched in cold sweat, desperately anxious.
Suddenly—
A deafening explosion came from outside.
The Xuantian Sect's protective formation shattered, a surge of chaotic energy hurling countless disciples and elders into the air. Screams echoed through the sky.
"Lord Immortal Tree! Their assault's too fierce—we can't hold them back!"
A Unity Stage cultivator coughed blood, his body covered in ghastly wounds.
Even with a hundred thousand fighters from the Luotian Secret Realm, including over a thousand Transformation Stage cultivators and more than sixty Unity Stage experts, they were struggling against the Yuhua Sect's army.
The situation was disastrous.
"Master, what do we do?" Bai Xiaoxi cried, panic on her face.
"Ye Junlin! Are you still refusing to hand it over? Don't think for a second that I won't kill you and take it myself!" Hong Qianye's tone was ice cold.
Boom!
A massive energy cannon suddenly split the skies, barreling straight for Mysterious Peak.
"Bold!"
Hong Qianye let out a furious shout, his palm swiping the air.
Whoosh!
The energy beam was deflected in an instant, redirected into the oncoming horde.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions lit up the horizon. Screams followed.
"Who dares?! Come out and die!"
A dozen Unity Stage divine senses swept toward Mysterious Peak, murderous intent surging.
Hmph!
Hong Qianye shot into the air like a streaking comet, hands clasped behind his back, gazing down coldly.
"I did it. Now, what are you going to do about it?"
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