Under the bright moon, the gathering hall of Sword Star Sect — One of the famous powerhouses of Wasteland Domain — was surrounded by a gloomy and depressing atmosphere.
Elders, Grand Elder, and Sectmaster were gathered inside, seated in the exclusive seat, frowning and shaking their heads.
Just an hour ago, they received news from the Seventh Elder and Wang Peng - the official disciple of Grand Elder - that Xin An was disabled and brought serious trouble to the sect.
The Sectmaster Lu Tian who has the highest authority and the foster father of the sinner frowned while sipping tea.
Lu Tian praised it and put the cup down the table. He stroke his beard then frowned and closed his eyes to ponder.
"A Senior Brother supposed to be the ideal figure to his junior brothers, not a troublemaker whose purpose is to gather problems to the sect! Heh. An aptitude of every ten thousand years? So what. He had muscle, but no wit."
" I never expected the kid whom I praised the most would instead bring troubles. Such a shame. Looks like aging lowers my ability to find talented people. Sigh."
"Fourth Elder. You're right. Xin An did have an exceptional aptitude, but unfortunately, he lacked wit. And Third Elder, your eyesight is alright. I never had the opportunity to thank you for finding me a disciple back then. But that's not the thing I'm concerned about. The problem right now is, will Sectmaster punish Xin An? After all, he is Sectmaster's adopted son."
"As for that matters, Second Elder, you don't have to worry. As the Grand Elder, I have some understanding of that position. If the Sectmaster choices his son over the sect's problems, then it's better for Sword Star Sect to be disbanded. I, myself, wouldn't stay in such a prejudiced sect. I'm sure everyone has the same thoughts with me."
"An exaggeration, but I kinda agree with Grand Elder. I haven't participated in any internal or external conflict. However, this time Xin An had brought two powerhouses to suppress the Sect. There are two things to resolve this issue: One, banish Xin An and stripped his identity as a Disciple of Sword Star Sect. Second...Kill him!"
"Fifth Elder, I agree. There are no other choices. But banishing him is way too light. However, he's Sectmaster's son, we have to listen to his final decision."
Lu Tian re-opened his eyes and shoot them a glance. Then he said while adding his soul force. "Alright. That's enough."
The commotion stopped. Though, the Grand Elder sneered before shutting his mouth.
Lu Tian throw him a glance and took another sip. He said, "Hu Lian, your courage has become thicker now. I admire you."
Grand Elder's name was Hu Lian. When Lu Tian called his name, he didn't retort and simply closed his eyes.
Lu Tian shook his head and swept his gaze around. Besides the elders, three apprentices were kneeling on the ground. Lu Tian looked at them and said. "Wang Peng, am I right?"
One of the three kneeling apprentices nodded his head.
The Sectmaster said, "Spit everything you know. Lies can't be forgiven."
Wang Peng, on his black clothes, stood up and cupped his fists. "I would never lie to the Sectmaster."
He then waved his hand to his junior brothers and the Seventh Elder, "They were beside me during those unfortunate days. They should be the witnesses if I happen to lie."
The Sectmaster simply waved his hand. "I know. Stop spouting nonsense and spit everything you know."
Wang Peng said. "As you say, Sovereign."
Then with a bow to his master, he narrated the event: "Lead by Seventh Elder, we swiftly arrived at the abode of Cloud Mist Sect. The first day was peaceful; we greeted the Cloud Mist Sect' Sectmaster and the Elders, and of course, exchanging pointers with the Cloud Mist Sect's disciples naturally followed later that afternoon. Aside from that, nothing relevant happened.
"We all had fun on the first day," said Wang Peng with a shake of his head. "However, the next day was chaos. Senior Brother Xin An had held the hand of Yu Ruyan - The Cloud Mist Sect's one and only daughter."
"It would not be shocking if it was another woman, but Yu Ruyan is Lu Qingyong's fiancée after all. For that reason, Lu Qingyong challenged Xin An into a showdown, which Senior Brother Xin was ultimately defeated and crippled as the result."
The sovereign shook his head listening. He stroke his beard and made up his mind. "You three, go and summon Xin An."
"Yes, Sectmaster!"
The trio headed to the Core Disciples Area. It was not too far and it only took them half an incense of time. Few disciples greeted them along the way, however, the trio was not in the mood to entertain them.
Soon after, they arrived in a large courtyard.
"Our genius, your father summoned you."
The courtyard's door opened up, it made a 'Screeching noise' as a pale-looking youth with straight eyebrows sauntered out.
He wore a half-red and half-white martial robe. It was designed with Phoenixes surrounded by blazes and flames, and above it, was a scorching sun. He was a sight to behold. A pity that he seemed to be missing an aura of intimidation.
Wang Peng laughed. "Yo! Xin An. Look at your pathetic appearance. Disabled and soon to be abandoned. There were many instances I told you to hand the title of Young Patriarch. But what was your response? Cold bucket? Now let's see who will help you and give you an umbrella. And don't forget to watch your back...I'm not merciful."
Wang Peng left after saying those words, followed by his two junior brothers.
Xin An was silent as he followed them, deadpanned. Disciples who saw them would whisper among themselves, but he turned a deaf ear to them. No matter what they talk, no matter what they say, he wouldn't flinch and moved forward.
It took them the time half tenth of the incense stick to passed towards the gate and another half the incense stick to arrived at the corridors towards the Meeting Hall. When the time 13 minutes have passed altogether, the group arrived in the hall, as various gazes landed on Xin An the moment he stepped inside.
'How nostalgic. It was not just weeks ago they all praise and give me attention, giving support that I needed. No wonder Yan'er always reminded me not to trust people unless I truly knew the real them.'
Xin An disregarded the gazes, composing himself, as he trod towards his Foster Father.
"Greetings to Sectmaster."
Xin An cupped his fists. He thought of calling the Sovereign, father, but he felt that he had disappointed him so much. Thus, he was unqualified to call him by that word.
The memories of the past played like a cinematic drama. A slice of life, an instant flashback. Lu Tian closed his eyes and sighed. "When I was adventuring somewhere on the northwest, I found you by coincidence. I felt you were special, so I adopted you. And you didn't disappoint me by showing great progress."
Xin An closed his eyes, listening. Lu Tian continued. "I have once thought of letting you inherit my position, but you had disappointed me. Messing with two powerhouses to pressure the sect. If the sect was in your hand, it would take no more than a decade for it to plummet."
"As the Sectmaster and once a Father, I'll open two roads for you to take. One, I'll kill you right now. Second, leave and the sect has nothing to do with your life and death."
Xin An closed his eyes hearing him. He could hear the commotion growing louder and louder, and Grand Elder's oinky noise: "Nonsense. Two choices? Lu Tian. Banishing him is way too light. He almost destroyed the sect. If you want the two powerhouses to compromise, you have to kill him to please them. I know you would be this unfair. If you had chosen my disciple over your son back in those days, this kind of mess wouldn't happen in the first place."
Xin An reopened his eyes. No emotions were reflected in his blue eyes. If there was, it would be the void of calmness.
He looked at the fat pig with hardly any neck and inwardly sneered. Hu Lian was a massive meatball looking as if he had just swallowed a hundred buns within a single minute and have a hard time moving his body.
As for the title of Young Patriarch, Xin An wasn't attracted to it. It was just the Grand Elder who was holding a grudge. Such a narrow-minded guy. Even a real pig would be more pleasing compared to Hu Lian!
"Sectmaster...I do agree to the Grand Elder..." An elder commented. Xin An looked at him. "Gifting his head to the Lu and Cloud Mist should be enough to mend the issue. One head over the life of Sword Star Sect. Not a bad exchange. Don't you think, fellow elders?"
The Elders were silent hearing him and their foreheads began sweating. As for the Grand Elder, he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Ninth Elder," The Sectmaster finally said after the long commotion, "could you repeat what you said?"
"I sai—"
A surge of wind essence erupted within the area. The elders were alarmed and were scared shitless. This power came from the Sovereign! A terrifying power! The ninth Elder wasn't even able to finish his words when the wind essence knocked him on the wall!
The wall cracked and it crumbled down as if it was useless paper. As for the Ninth Elder, he collapsed in the ground like a broken mannequin, coughing blood.
"Ninth Elder," Lu Tian opened his mouth. "could you repeat your words?"
Hearing him, the Ninth Elder was awakened. It was like the call of the devil, forcing him to stomach his grievance and stood up. Despite the pain on his gut and his broken backbone, he bowed his head. "I was muddle-headed. Sovereign, please forgive this old one."
"Hmph!" Lu Tian stared at him. "Article XI of Sword Star Sect. Speak!"
"Yes, Sectmaster." The Ninth Elder responded but inwardly cursing. What the fuck was Article XI? What a son of bitch am I that I didn't have the spare time reading the laws and regulations?!?!?!
The Ninth Elder bowed his head even further below, disregarding the pain on his back as he thought about the Article XI! He was about to lose his mind when an elder transmitted him a voice transmission.
Then he coughed and looked at the Sectmaster. He softly said. "Article XI, 'none shall bend to the other sects, especially in times of crisis, violating twice are executed!"
Aware of this, the Ninth Elder shivered. Holy shit! There was such a law?! Fuck me! I almost lost my little life.
Lu Tian nodded indifferently and said. "Since the founding of our sect, there were none had violated the order and laws. This had prevailed the sect and remain its position as one of the top forces of the Wasteland Domain."
"As the Sectmaster, I will enforce and had the final verdict for the rightful punishment. You can express your thoughts, I'm not against it.
"But... Have you forgotten how Xin An had contributed to the sect?" Lu Tian looked at the elders and all of them lowered their heads. He looked at Hu Lian, the Grand Elder, and said coldly. "Grand Elder, it seemed that you have been eager to kill him just now? Did you forget what he had contributed for the past 10 years?"
Hu Lian's expression becomes ugly when he was called. However, he was quite thick-skinned. "Lu Tian. Contributions or not, we're talking about the sect. Rules are dead. People are alive. What's the point of sticking to the rules if the sect is in danger?"
Lu Tian looked at him coldly and transmitted a voice transmission. They seemed to be in a different dimension. After ten seconds of staring, Hu Lian shut his mouth and no longer have an interest in what would be Xin An's outcome.
"I will keep Sectmaster's words to heart." The Ninth Elder breathed in relief. Aware that he had just escaped from the hands of death! However, he couldn't help throwing a glance at the young man who was the cause of his resentment.
Xin An glared back. He didn't despise any person on the Sword Star Sect. However, the Ninth Elder, Wang Peng, Grand Elder, and some Elders had gone overboard! These people only strengthen his will to leave the sect!
With these people around, Xin An wouldn't have a single peach blossom day. Xin An looked at the Sovereign and said. "I'll leave now."
Lu Tian looked at him silently before sighing. "Very well, since you have made your decision, I have nothing to say. Starting from now on, you're not a disciple of Sword Star Sect. And, I have no connection with you anymore. On this day onwards, you are free."
The elders were unwilling and unsatisfied with the decision, but remembering the ninth elder who almost died, they didn't dare act rashly. After all, Sword Star Sect have regulations and laws... Furthermore, they were slightly unwilling to kill Xin An. They had watched him grow up after all.
"And... remember the Article V..." Lu Tian stood up and reminded them. "Anyone that dare to disobey me, shall not be spared!"
Xin An stared deeply at his Foster Father before looking at the spatial ring that he borrowed from him. He unequips it and puts it on a small table. Everything that they bestowed to him was stored there. Leaving it there was the only right choice.
He turned around and departed.
The Elders didn't stop him nor think about it further. However, little did they know, after this youth departed on the meeting hall, various legends and tales of him would begin to spread!