Chen An was escorted into the main hall, where Elder Gu, now restored to his usual youthful and graceful appearance, sat high above, gazing down at him with cold authority.
"Chen An, is today your shift?" Elder Gu's eyes flickered slightly as he asked, his tone carrying a subtle implication.
"Reporting to the Elder, yes, today is my shift," Chen An answered directly, meeting the elder's test head-on.
Elder Gu, clearly not expecting such a straightforward admission, momentarily faltered. But he quickly regained his composure and gave a slight nod, saying, "Since you've admitted it, I'll ask no further. Take him away and execute him."
With one sentence, Elder Gu had sentenced Chen An to death—such was the power a sect elder held over a mere servant.
However, Chen An was no ordinary servant!
"Wait, Elder!" Just before being dragged out of the hall, Chen An called out and spoke quickly, "It is true that today was my shift, but I didn't steal the elder's treasures. At most, I was just neglecting my duties."
"Neglecting your duties?" Elder Gu's brow furrowed. "Then tell me, why did you leave your post?"
At this moment, the elder's killing intent became almost impossible to conceal, his hands inside his sleeves already prepared. Should Chen An mention anything about what he had seen in the meditation chamber, everyone in the hall would perish without exception.
"Reporting to the Elder, I left my post because I heard the sect was holding the disciple competition soon, and I went to sign up. I am willing to accept the punishment for neglecting my duties."
Hearing these words, Elder Gu fell silent, clearly understanding the hidden message. Chen An had already registered for the competition. If he failed to show up on the day of the event, the sect would inevitably investigate. If they came to the outer sect and accidentally uncovered something they weren't supposed to, it would be disastrous.
"You aspire to participate in the disciple competition? Quite an ambitious young man. It would be a shame to kill someone with such potential…" Elder Gu pretended to show reluctance, though, in truth, he was simply weighing the risks of killing Chen An now and dealing with the potential fallout.
His performance was convincing—any outsider watching might have thought he truly hesitated out of compassion.
"Very well, I'll give you one chance." In the end, Elder Gu gritted his teeth and waved his hand, ordering the other servants to leave, leaving him alone with Chen An in the hall.
Once everyone had left, the elder dropped all pretense, his gaze becoming cold and cruel as he stared at Chen An.
Suddenly, Elder Gu smiled—a sinister grin, one that sent a shiver down Chen An's spine. His lips curled into a bloodthirsty smirk as he stepped down from his platform, approaching Chen An with a predatory air.
"You're a clever one, I'll give you that. You managed to turn a death sentence into a slim chance of survival. I'm impressed." Standing before Chen An, Elder Gu sniffed the air around him, his gaze as though inspecting a fine vintage of wine. His red tongue flicked across his lips.
"You must be the one who killed Wei Ming. From the moment I saw you, I sensed something unusual. A mere inferior spiritual root, yet you managed to step onto the path of cultivation. It seems you carry quite a few secrets."
Facing Elder Gu's probing, Chen An kept his expression calm, even feigning confusion. "What do you mean, Elder? How could a servant like me possibly kill someone of Wei Ming's stature?"
"Hmph, I was curious about that too, which is why I brought you here to the Elder Hall, hoping to study you further. But you've crossed the line by trespassing into forbidden territory, Chen An. I've half a mind to drain your blood right now and see what's so different about you compared to the others!"
At this point, both Chen An and Elder Gu had laid their cards on the table. They each knew the other's secret, and both held leverage over the other.
In such a standoff, Elder Gu saw no need for further pretense. He made his intentions clear.
Chen An, however, wasn't ready to be that direct. Instead, he played dumb, pretending not to understand Elder Gu's veiled threats.
"You're playing with fire, boy!" Elder Gu's hand caressed Chen An's face before gripping his throat, tightening his hold with increasing force.
At that moment, Chen An felt his vision darken, his mind clouding from lack of oxygen. He tried to speak, but no words came out, only muffled gasps.
This was likely the closest he had ever been to death. It seemed like all his efforts and struggles were about to come to nothing in the next instant.
Yet, even in this life-threatening situation, Chen An's gaze remained unwavering. His eyes locked onto Elder Gu's, with no trace of fear—only a defiant challenge.
It was as if he were silently declaring: *You won't kill me!*
And Chen An was right. Elder Gu didn't dare to kill him at this moment. Despite his frustration, he released his grip on Chen An's throat.
Chen An gasped for air, his body trembling from the long deprivation of oxygen. But he still stared back at Elder Gu, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Sorry, we both know… I'm not dying yet."
"You've impressed me even more now," Elder Gu chuckled, his initial killing intent replaced by a strange admiration. "If only you were of my bloodline, we wouldn't have to be at odds like this."
"I may not be of your bloodline, but that doesn't mean we have to be enemies." Chen An, having caught his breath, held the elder's gaze. "What I saw in the forbidden chamber is entirely up to you. It's not about me."
"Apologies, Elder, but I must prepare for the disciple competition. I'll be taking my leave." With that, Chen An turned and walked out, without waiting for Elder Gu's response.
Though he appeared calm and composed, Chen An's body was tense, alert to any sudden movement.
He could feel Elder Gu's killing intent lingering over him, even as he left the hall. But the elder didn't act. He let Chen An walk away.
Chen An had won a small victory.
Back in his quarters, Chen An collapsed against the door, sweat pouring from his brow and soaking his back.
Facing off against Elder Gu had been like walking a tightrope over a cliff, where any misstep would mean certain death.
But he had held his ground. By confronting Elder Gu, they had come to a mutual understanding, at least for now.
This temporary truce would buy Chen An some safety, but not for long. If their positions were reversed, Chen An knew he wouldn't leave such a threat unchecked.
There was only one path to survival for him now.
He had to win the disciple competition!