"No!"
"Impossible!"
"What is going on?"
The grand banquet hall fell into utter chaos. It wasn't just the abbotesses of the council that started shouting at each other. The remaining abbotesses and prioresses observing from the sides joined in as well. Hundreds of immortals and acolytes also made their displeasures known loudly, creating a maelstrom of spiritual energy that sent Sacred Daughters scurrying under the protection of their acolytes.
Everyone present knew what Yang Gehu represented. He was a prominent young master of the Seven Potentates of Jiannan. He represented the entire faction and their combined might. There was no way he should have lost a Gift Duel to a nobody. It was impossible. It was inconceivable.
While the mayhem continued, Chen Wentian wasn't quite able to pay attention to it. Long Yifei had managed to slide into his arms in a very intimate hug. Her softness pressed against him; her head nestled against the crook of his neck. She had never hugged him like this in public before but it just felt right at that moment.
"Thank you." She whispered in his ear.
She nuzzled him, landing a few feathery kisses on his skin. She was overwhelmed with relief as the stress of the Gift Duel drifted away like a bad dream. She was aware of her actions and what they could do to him but she also wanted to show the whole Order that he was her acolyte. They could all watch and they could all complain in their hearts but there was nothing anyone could do. After all, the relationship between a Sacred Daughter and their acolyte was a blessed one, one where intimacy was to be expected.
Chen Wentian drew her even closer, feeling every curve of her body, savoring the victory. "Were you nervous? It got a little sketchy at the end."
"Yeah. I didn't expect Abbotess Wei's last counter. I can't believe I actually respected her… for her lectures I mean." She let out a sigh, "But it worked out. I'm glad."
"Mmm." Chen Wentian replied and glanced at the council.
They were still locked in a colorful shouting match. This whole affair revealed the underlying power struggles and drama within the Millennium Mountains Campus. Those that felt that the Seven Potentates had been gaining too much power and influence were using this opportunity to vent their frustrations.
But the most infuriating matter had to be the final vote by Abbotess Mao of the Frostfire Nation. She had destroyed Yang Gehu's future and in doing so, effectively betrayed the other Seven Potentates. What many couldn't figure out was whether this decision was hers alone or premeditated by a higher power, namely the leadership of the Frostfire Nation. Some couldn't help but wonder if the Seven Potentates, which had remained remarkably united for many thousands of years, were finally going to break up.
"Enough is enough!" Li Shishi shouted after much of the anger had dissipated, "You girls can settle your scores another day. This is still the Gift Giving Ceremony!"
There were a few more grumblings but some semblance of order returned after her scolding.
"The Gift Duel is over. Acolyte Chen Wentian has won so naturally, he will not suffer any punishment. He can remain an acolyte as long as he chooses."
She glanced at Chen Wentian with the slightest of smiles which made him shudder. She was still the most dangerous vixen, an unreadable witch. He didn't know if whatever she had learned from the Golden Emperor had changed her mind. She could still want him gone; she could just be waiting for another opportunity. His status as Long Yifei's acolyte was safe for the moment but not forever.
Li Shishi continued, "Since the challenger has lost, he has to suffer some justly earned punishment. I will submit a statement to my superiors tomorrow but regardless, Immortal Bamboo Wave Yang, you are now banished from the Virtuous Order of Chunzhen! For a hundred years!"
"Wait!" Yang Gehu shouted.
Li Shishi looked down at him with an arched eyebrow, "What? Still unsatisfied?"
"That's right! I am unsatisfied!" Yang Gehu replied, speaking quickly, "Chen Wentian may have prevailed in the Gift Duel but he did so by getting special assistance from the Golden Basin Auction House. Of course, I am unsatisfied. His win didn't prove his ability at all. He is just an inferior cultivator from the subcontinents. He has no chance of reaching the Spirit King Realm. He cannot meet this important covenant so he is still wholly unsuitable to be Long Yife's acolyte!"
"Oh? Your words are quite harsh. So you want to make another challenge?" Li Shishi asked.
"That's right!" Yang Gehu said defiantly.
She scoffed, "Too late. Banished people cannot make challenges. You're not even supposed to be here anymore."
"I will challenge him!" Someone in the crowd shouted, "I will challenge Chen Wentian in place of Brother Yang!"
The voice belonged to Immortal Cascading Serpent Zhu Zhi, a friend of Yang Gehu. His huge figure loomed over the nearby tables and occupants almost comically. His Sacred Daughter was trying to pull him down but he was too strong.
"You are an acolyte. You cannot challenge another acolyte." Li Shishi replied.
"Oh…" Zhu Zhi's face flushed and he quickly sat down.
"Anyways… Yang Gehu, why are you still here? Do I need to kick you out?" Li Shishi asked.
"No! Wait a second!" Abbotess Yang left her seat and stood between Li Shishi and Yang Gehu.
"What are you doing?" Li Shishi snapped.
"It's not over. The night isn't over yet." Abbotess Yang said, "As far as this council is concerned, Yang Gehu has not been banished yet so he can make another challenge!"
"You…" Li Shishi began to say but Abbotess Yang's deafening screech drowned her out.
"Members of the Millennium Mountains School, prioresses, and abbotesses; Abbotess Li is not the sole decision-maker of this school! Important matters have to go through the executive council, that is the rule, that is tradition! Abbotess Li cannot impose her will on us all arbitrarily!"
"I remind everyone once more that Long Yifei is a special Sacred Daughter. She will be a towering pillar for our school in the future. Her talent must not be wasted with a useless acolyte. Regardless of what has already happened, you all surely still have plenty of doubts about Chen Wentian's true ability. Thus, we must treat this accusation seriously!"
"Don't be ridiculous." Li Shishi said. "I am the head abbotess!"
Yang Mengshi ignored her, "Let's vote, right now. Should the council allow this challenge to go forward? Yes or no?"
Three votes for yes shot up from Yang Mengshi, Wei Jiarong, and another abbotess of their faction. Li Shishi and the two abbotesses on her side didn't even bother to vote. The only one that seemed conflicted was Mao Ling who had cast the swing vote just before.
The entire hall fell silent in an instant, waiting for her decision.
"Mao Ling… I swear to the heavens," Abbotess Yang hissed, "If you don't vote with us right now… I will make the Frostfire Nation pay for your actions!"
Abbotess Wei spoke up as well, with a much calmer tone, "Ignore Sister Yang, she's too emotional right now. But Sister Mao, think about what you are doing. Are you ready to abandon our alliance which has stood the test of time, which has stood the test of countless challenges? Is this what the Frostfire Nation wants you to do? I understand that you may have had no choice in the previous vote. You had to uphold the honor of the Frostfire Battle Dance. This one is different. Vote with us on this challenge and we can still kick Chen Wentian out of the order and free Long Yifei from his control. Then the previous incident will be completely forgotten and our alliance will remain intact."
There was a long pause as Abbotess Wei glanced at everyone around her. She then slowly nodded and sent out a burst of crystal blue spiritual energy, signaling her accord.