After an episode of panic and confusion, Ning'er decided to relax a bit because the thought of being dead was too silly.
She then began to circulate her Qi essence through her meridians to sober up from the mild coma-like state.
After washing her body and mind with some refreshing spiritual essence, she immediately felt lighter and energized.
It didn't take long before Ning'er began to hear some gossip from the corridor outside the room. Taken by curiosity, Ning'er decided to go out and check what was going on.
The scene had her dumbfounded, there was a pending line of core disciples in the corridor, following their line of sight, Ning'er saw Noire, Yue, and Tianshi seated together outside, having a light discussion.
Still, Tianshi looked very approachable, she even smiled and teased Yue occasionally, even Ning'er had to rub her eyes and pinch her cheek to discern whether this was reality or a dream.
What type of existence is Luhei Tianshi? An absolute sadist, the number of people she brutally killed can't be counted with a single brain.
Ruthless, delinquent, and short-tempered.
Yet she was there behaving like a sister wholeheartedly.
Just what happened to her in the past four months with Noire?
Ning'er suddenly had a bad premonition, something must have happened between these two!
Certainly, Ning'er wasn't the only one to connect the dots. Most male disciples are dense, but females who are submerged into romantic love stories have made one or two speculations.
Some even would bet about how far Noire went with Tianshi in their 'secluded' retreat.
Alas, no one dares inquire about such details, as the price for asking is probably a life if not ten.
Tianshi might slaughter everyone who is involved out of embarrassment, and no one was willing to take the risk.
From this distance, Ning'er can't tell what topic is being discussed, and Noire is wearing his signature mask so she doesn't even know if he's involved in the chat, or simply idling by as the girls had their talk.
Tianshi seemed to pick up on Ning'er amidst the crowd and so she waved over to invite her.
...
"Hey... What's going on? How did I get here?"
Ning'er had a lot of doubts and unattended questions, the last thing she recalled was a severe pain that gradually subsided along with her consciousness fading.
Once Ning'er sat down next to Yue, and was within the range of the campfire, she then relaxed enough to appreciate the environment.
It was about an hour before sunset, they sat in a semi-circle around a fairly large, natural campfire.
The flicker of flames was mesmerizing, to say the least, and due to the peculiar terrain and lack of lights in the immediate quarters, one can see the luster of stars if gazed above.
Before answering, Yue clung to Ning'er by hugging her tightly, she then repeatedly apologized and thanked Ning'er for standing up against Yang Jin, even if she couldn't accomplish anything spectacular...
Tianshi and Noire simply waited by the side, although Tianshi took advantage of these two being occupied and sneakily wrapped her left arm around Noire's right, thus leaned softly against his shoulder.
"Ah!"
The core disciples in the background gasped underneath their breath, some female disciples would occasionally blush at the display of affection. In contrast to the fragile half of humanity, the male disciples eyed Noire with dagger-like glares.
"A mere Ether realm dare covet Lady Luehi! Truly a frog lusting after a swan!"
Of course, these male haters would occasionally receive death glares from the enchanted females.
...
It took a while, but Yue recounted everything that took place after Ning'er had passed out.
Ning'er looked at Noire with a pitiful smile before laughing dryly.
"This is the second time I've been a burden..."
Although she did steel her resolve, a tear still managed to stem from her hollowed eyes before she used her left wrist to shrug it off.
Noire merely shook his head before speaking.
"You persisted longer than I'd have anticipated you could. You're not weak, just lacking in technique."
"After observing you today, I decided that this place isn't a good environment for growth, and it'll only limit your potential if we stick around."
"I was supposed to head over the certification hall and get myself registered, but I changed my mind. We will be departing from the sect tomorrow morning."
"Both Yue and Tianshi have already submitted their papers of resignation, only you remain..."
However, Noire didn't finish his sentence before everyone, including the students in the background, turned their heads as they noticed several disciples and elders flocking by towards the courtyard.
"Luhei Tianshi! Zhan Yue! Siyu Noire! Come out this instance!"
Elder Xin shouted loud enough for everyone present to hear.
Ning'er and Yue became anxious, except for Ning'er who was yet to submit a resignation request, everyone else was called out, what does this entail?
Noire merely shrugged his shoulders and got up from his lotus position, not that he cared much.
As he headed towards the courtyard's peripheral boundary, the three ladies followed in tow.
Oddly enough, the entire core disciples that occupied the same courtyard followed along, out of sheer curiosity.
There were about two thousand disciples all of which are in the Ether realm, their cultivation bases uneven from fourth to the ninth stage.
At the forefront of the crowd stood eleven Elders including grand Elder Xin.
Except for grand Elder Xin who was at the pinnacle of Twilight Realm, the remaining Elders are at the fourth stage, one of them happens to be the overseer of today's match.
...
It took about an incense stick before the gossip and intermixed background noise to subside, then Grand Elder Xin held out a golden sheet of paper and began reading out loud.
"By the name of the Sect Master, I, Grand Elder Xin, pass the following decree..."
"Siyu Noire, as an outsider to the sect, you must vacate from Four Seasons property immediately."
"Furthermore, disciples Zhan Yue and Yu Ning are officially exiled from the sect, you are requested to comply with the Elders as they cripple your cultivation."
"Lastly, disciple Luhei Tianshi, due to your father's influence, the Sect Master decided to be magnanimous and overlook your violation of the Sect's law by attacking fellow disciples including an Elder. Your request of resignation has been revoked and you will enter a six months confinement!"
After reading the decree, Elder Xin placed the sheet of paper away before he, alongside everyone who followed, began to circulate their Qi essence in case Noire and his group decided to retaliate.
However, much to his surprise, except for Ning'er who was visibly anxious, the rest were calm.
Yue still remembered when Noire said that he's capable of eradicating the Vampire Household single-handedly, and she had deep-rooted confidence in him.
For Tianshi, she's only one minor realm below Elder Xin, coupled with her newly acquired boost in strength due to her bloodline purification, even he can't make waves in front of her.
Of course, she didn't notify the sect about her progress yet, and she's pleasantly glad she hadn't.
By now, Noire let out a burst of loud mocking laughter that echoed past his mask, he really couldn't hold it in.
The commotion was too grand, a lot of irrelevant people came to check the situation, and the tension built up crazily.
A crisp phoenix cry resounded, Feng's baby phoenix dashed with elegance out of nowhere and landed on top of Noire's left shoulder.
Everyone was shocked! Including Lady Feng herself!
However, Noire didn't care much but spoke in a domineering tone.
"I and my companions will leave unharmed, whether you like it or not, that makes no difference at all."
"Of course, if you still insist on fooling yourself to think you can have me act against my will, you can pile up your entire Sect's heritage of Elders and disciples for me to slaughter you all."
By now, Noire's jade mask began to dissolve slowly as his killing intent began to ooze out like a substance, and the outline of a six feet long spear with the thickness of a baby's arm began to manifest parallel to Noire as he spoke.
"Make a path, or I'll make one myself. Don't worry, I'll fabricate a tapestry of your blood in the process."