Yan Minghai sensed several hostile auras, clearly showing a strong interest in Tianyuan. He quickly prepared to defend and took a few steps closer to Chen Qingyuan.
If anyone dared to make a move on Chen Qingyuan, Yan Minghai would protect him at the first opportunity.
"If Sect Master Du is so curious, why not go inside and take a look yourself?" Chen Qingyuan smiled faintly, unshaken by Du Ruosheng's pressure, casually brushing it off with a perfunctory reply.
"If I have the chance, I'll definitely pay a visit," Du Ruosheng responded.
In front of everyone, Du Ruosheng couldn't resort to threats or coercion against Chen Qingyuan. More importantly, not far away, within the warship, sat the Guardian Elder of the Xuanqing Sect, a powerhouse in the Tribulation Transcendence stage. Du Ruosheng had no intention of offending someone at that level; it simply wasn't necessary.
"Senior Brother Yan, let's go!"
Chen Qingyuan ignored the people from Dongyi Palace and didn't even glance at Bai Xixue. As he had said, his ties with Bai Xixue were severed.
Perhaps Bai Xixue had once cared for him, but that care had a condition—Chen Qingyuan needed to be a renowned genius, someone who could shake the world. Ever since his return, everyone knew he had become a cripple, and Bai Xixue's feelings towards him had cooled. If there was any lingering emotion, it was only a bit of guilt.
The path of cultivation is difficult, and finding someone who truly treats you with sincerity is extremely rare!
Though Chen Qingyuan could understand Bai Xixue's actions, he could never forgive her. From now on, they were strangers, with no debts between them.
"This kid definitely has secrets," Du Ruosheng murmured, watching Chen Qingyuan's retreating figure.
Had Chen Qingyuan come out alive a hundred years ago, no cultivator would have shown much interest. They would have just considered Tianyuan to be a forbidden place, too terrifying to approach.
But now that Chen Qingyuan had returned after a hundred years, how could it not pique the curiosity of cultivators all over the world?
"Sect Master, is there really no room for negotiation between Dongyi Palace and Tianyu Sect?"
Yao Susu gathered her courage and asked.
"What? Elder Yao wants to act as a mediator?" Du Ruosheng turned to glance at Yao Susu, his tone indifferent.
"That's not my intention. Please, Sect Master, don't be angry." Yao Susu quickly bowed, admitting her mistake.
"Hmph!" Du Ruosheng snorted coldly, then led the people of Dongyi Palace away.
If the two sects formed an alliance through marriage, Yao Susu's position, as Bai Xixue's master, would naturally rise. Therefore, under the request of an elder from Tianyu Sect, she had tried to persuade Du Ruosheng.
The issue with the Demon Cave was extremely serious, and Du Ruosheng had no intention of foolishly shouldering the responsibility for Tianyu Sect.
Alliance? What alliance?!
Though many people wanted to learn about Tianyuan from Chen Qingyuan, no one dared to force him.
Not far off, Dong Wenjun, with his graying hair, stood on the Xuanqing Sect's warship. His hands were behind his back, and his eyes were fixed on Chen Qingyuan's direction. Anyone who dared to harm Chen Qingyuan would have to consider whether they could defeat Dong Wenjun.
"A cripple, yet he's still being protected so much?" Many people couldn't understand and were filled with doubt.
In most sects, becoming a cripple meant death, and no one would bother with you.
The cultivators of the world couldn't understand just how important Chen Qingyuan was to the higher-ups of Xuanqing Sect. This was family, not just a relationship based on simple interests.
With Dong Wenjun's deterrence, Chen Qingyuan safely returned to the warship. His group left Tianyu Sect in a grand procession, without encountering any trouble along the way.
Not long after, the cancellation of the marriage alliance spread throughout the land, including the news about the Demon Cave.
"Dammit, Tianyu Sect took all the benefits, and now they've caused a huge mess and want us to take the blame. What kind of nonsense is this?"
"No wonder Tianyu Sect wanted to quickly form an alliance with Dongyi Palace—they're trying to find someone to drag down with them before they die!"
"I always wondered how Tianyu Sect managed to rise so rapidly over the past few hundred years. Turns out they got a big opportunity from the Demon Cave. Now the Demon Cave has reached an uncontrollable stage, and Tianyu Sect wants us to bear the consequences. It's really outrageous!"
The high-ranking members of various sects cursed loudly when they heard the news, and they were furious, wanting to flatten Tianyu Sect. However, Tianyu Sect had grown powerful over the years, with many strong cultivators. It was not easy to deal with, so all the sects could do was grumble behind their backs.
Xuanqing Sect, Inner Hall.
A group of people was discussing the issue of the Demon Cave. Although Chen Qingyuan had lost his cultivation, he was still allowed to offer his opinions and sat off to the side, drinking tea.
After a long discussion, some members of Xuanqing Sect suggested that they should join forces with the other sects to deal with the Demon Cave and hold Tianyu Sect accountable later. Others felt that since Tianyu Sect was the cause of the problem, they should not be involved for the time being.
"Junior Brother, what do you think?"
Lin Changsheng raised his hand to silence everyone and turned his attention to the relaxed and content Chen Qingyuan.
"It's none of our business, so there's no need for us to argue," Chen Qingyuan said, expressing his true feelings. "The one who should be worried is Tianyu Sect, not Xuanqing Sect. Even if the Demon Cave does erupt, we can first destroy Tianyu Sect, and then deal with the Demon Cave later by joining forces with other righteous cultivators."
"I agree with Junior Brother's view," many of the senior brothers and sisters chimed in. "If we must act, it should be after Tianyu Sect has been destroyed."
Several people nodded in agreement, clearly displeased with Tianyu Sect's actions.
"However, if we wait too long, we might miss the best opportunity to handle the Demon Cave. Once it's out of control, who knows how many innocent people will suffer?"
An elder furrowed his brows in deep concern.
"I believe we should observe the situation for now," Chen Qingyuan said, understanding the worries of others. His expression grew more serious as he spoke.
"Let's not discuss this further for now," Lin Changsheng interrupted the discussion, to avoid unnecessary conflict. "Let's wait and see what actions Tianyu Sect takes, and we will discuss it again later."
The meeting was concluded, and Lin Changsheng asked Dong Wenjun and Chen Qingyuan to stay behind while the others left.
"Junior Brother Dong, do you realize your mistake in leaving the sect without permission?"
Lin Changsheng, though looking younger than Dong Wenjun, was actually several years older and slightly stronger.
"I know my mistake," Dong Wenjun lowered his head in acknowledgment, not attempting to argue.
"I understand your concern for Junior Brother's safety, but as the Guardian Elder of the Sect, your responsibilities are great. You cannot leave the sect easily. If I had to leave for some reason and you weren't here, and if some miscreants decided to invade the sect, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Lin Changsheng and Dong Wenjun both came from the same lineage, calling Chen Qingyuan's master "Shibo" (Uncle Master) in honor of the kindness they had received.
"Junior Brother is willing to accept the punishment," Dong Wenjun said, already anticipating the consequences.
"Your punishment is to meditate in seclusion for three months and refrain from drinking for half a year," Lin Changsheng said sternly.
"Ah?" Dong Wenjun froze, then chuckled bitterly. "Senior Brother, I can do the seclusion part, but could you at least let me skip the alcohol ban?"
"Absolutely not," Lin Changsheng replied firmly.
"Alright then!" Dong Wenjun sighed and accepted his punishment.
Dong Wenjun had never been fond of women, only of drinking. For him, abstaining from alcohol for half a year was truly painful, but he had no choice but to accept the punishment.
"Junior Brother, since you've returned, you haven't paid respects to Shibo with incense yet. Why don't you go today?"
Having settled the matter, Lin Changsheng put away his previous stern expression and his face softened a little.
"Alright."
Chen Qingyuan's "cheap" master, whom he had never met, had passed away not long after accepting Chen Qingyuan as a disciple. His master had entered samadhi (a state of meditative absorption) and passed away, disappearing from the world.
The death of his master felt somewhat suspicious, but since it was Lin Changsheng himself who had personally buried him, and many elders had witnessed it, Chen Qingyuan could only accept it as the truth. At that time, Chen Qingyuan was still an infant, unaware of the events happening around him.
Due to the favor his master had shown, Chen Qingyuan had benefited greatly. More than half of the senior members of Xuanqing Sect had received favors and opportunities from his master, especially Lin Changsheng and Dong Wenjun, who had both been saved from the brink of death by their master on multiple occasions.
Because of this connection, Chen Qingyuan had never been wronged and knew many secrets about his senior brothers. When he checked to see if he had been possessed last time, he had no choice but to sacrifice his senior brothers to prove his innocence. It wasn't that he couldn't keep secrets, but sometimes the truth had to come at a price.
Chen Qingyuan and the others arrived at the back mountain cemetery. The autumn wind whistled through the trees, carrying with it a sense of sorrow.