The Inner Sect Meeting Hall of the Immortal Ice Sect was an awe-inspiring sight. Its icy walls shimmered under the soft light of floating crystal lanterns, casting a serene glow over the intricately carved scenes of legendary battles and heroic deeds. The air was cool and crisp, befitting the sect's elemental affinity, and a sense of solemnity hung in the atmosphere, broken only by the occasional soft murmur of the gathered elders.
Li Xue stood at the head of the hall, her presence commanding respect and attention. She raised a hand, and the room fell silent.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," she began, her voice calm and authoritative. "I know your time is precious, but this matter concerns the future of our sect."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "I must inform you that this meeting was called by the Supreme Elder."
A murmur of curiosity and concern swept through the room.
Elder Shen Mei, known for her sharp tongue and even sharper mind, leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Is this about Li Wei?" she asked, her tone laced with thinly veiled disdain.
Elder Fan Bing, another stern figure, nodded in agreement. "Yes, what trouble has he caused now?"
Bai Zhen stepped forward, her expression as stern as ever. "Indeed, this is about Li Wei," she confirmed, her voice blunt. "He has survived."
The reaction was immediate and uniform. The assembled elders exchanged looks of disappointment and frustration, none of them hiding their lack of enthusiasm at the news.
Bai Zhen continued, unperturbed. "Given the numerous attempts on his life and the many enemies he has made, we have decided that it is in the best interest of the sect to send him away. He will be accompanied by a protector to ensure his safety."
Elder Shen Mei raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "And where exactly do you plan to send him?"
"That…," Bai Zhen replied, her eyes hardening, "will remain known only to the Matriarch and myself."
A wave of relief seemed to wash over the room as the elders visibly relaxed at the prospect of Li Wei's departure.
Elder Fan Bing couldn't suppress a smile. "It seems we are all in agreement then. It's best for everyone if Li Wei leaves."
However, Elder Zhu Min, a more thoughtful and cautious elder, voiced a concern. "Will he still be considered the heir?"
Bai Zhen nodded. "Yes, he will still be the heir."
The atmosphere shifted back to disappointment. The relief that had briefly filled the room was replaced by a collective sigh of resignation. It seemed that even in absence, Li Wei's shadow would loom large over the sect.
Elder Shen Mei broke the silence, her voice cutting through the tension. "And who will be his protector?"
The other elders immediately tensed, each one dreading the possibility that they might be chosen for the task.
Bai Zhen let the tension build for a moment before speaking. "Leng Yue."
The reaction was explosive. Elder Fan Bing nearly coughed up blood, while Elder Shen Mei's jaw dropped in shock. Murmurs of disbelief filled the hall.
Elder Shen Mei managed to voice what everyone was thinking. "You mean to send our prime disciple, our most capable prodigy, to guard a waste like Li Wei?"
Bai Zhen's gaze was unwavering. "Yes. Leng Yue is the best candidate. She is disciplined, powerful, and above all, she will ensure Li Wei's safety."
The hall erupted in protests and exclamations of incredulity. It was clear that this decision was going to be as contentious as Li Wei himself.
Meanwhile…
Li Wei lounged on his luxurious bed, blissfully unaware of the high-stakes meeting happening just a few corridors away. Instead, he decided to explore his new room, hoping to find some useful cultivation techniques. After all, if he was going to survive and thrive in this world, he needed all the help he could get.
As he rummaged through drawers and cabinets, he came across beautifully made scrolls. Excited, he unrolled one, expecting to find profound wisdom on ice-based cultivation. Instead, he was greeted by...erotic art.
"Oh, for the love of..." Li Wei groaned, quickly rolling the scroll back up. He opened another, only to find an equally explicit poem—this one dedicated to none other than the Matriarch herself.
Li Wei felt a surge of secondhand embarrassment. "Old Li Wei, you were a real piece of work," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. 'Seriously, who does this?'
Just then, the door creaked open, and in walked his servant girl. She was small, with a cute face framed by pigtails, wearing a plain light blue servant's robe. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw him with the scrolls.
"Young Master Li Wei!" she exclaimed, quickly bowing her head. "Xiao Lan is sorry for interrupting your... studies."
Li Wei's eyebrows shot up. 'Studies? You mean to tell me he looked at this stuff in front of you and called it studying?'
Li Wei sighed, feeling even more shame for his predecessor. "Well, Xiao Lan, I'm actually getting rid of these," he said, quickly gathering all the scrolls and thrusting them into her hands. "Burn them. Burn them all."
Xiao Lan looked confused but obediently took the scrolls. As she turned to leave, Li Wei noticed one particularly intriguing scroll.
"Except this one," he added, tucking it into his robe. "That one...uh, historical value."
Xiao Lan blinked but nodded. "Yes, Young Master. Xiao Lan will take care of it."
As she scampered away to get rid of the evidence, Li Wei leaned back against his pillows, shaking his head. 'Well, at least one of us will be doing some actual studying from now on,' he thought, smirking to himself.
Elsewhere…
Leng Yue's residence within the Immortal Ice Sect was a testament to elegance and the harsh beauty of ice. The walls were crystalline, reflecting the light in mesmerizing colors. Delicate ice sculptures adorned the corners, and the air was cool and crisp, giving the entire place an ethereal feel.
A beautiful young woman emerged from the main building, her every step exuding grace and poise. She had striking white hair cascading down her back, blue eyes as cold as glaciers, and frosty eyelashes that seemed to sparkle in the light. Her porcelain skin was flawless, and her ice cultivation robes shimmered with intricate blue embroidery. A solid ice badge hung from her belt, bearing the symbol of the "Prime Disciple."
As Leng Yue walked, her badge glowed softly. She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Master is summoning me," she muttered, her tone deliberate and emotionless. "I wonder what it could be for."
Leng Yue didn't take long to answer her master's summons, soon approaching the hall with her usual grace. As she reached the entrance, Elder Shen Mei intercepted her.
"Leng Yue," Elder Shen Mei greeted, her tone softer than usual but still carrying an edge of sternness. "I'm glad I caught you before you went in."
Leng Yue gave a respectful bow, her expression stoic. "Elder Shen Mei. It is good to see you."
Elder Shen Mei wasted no time. "They want to send you away to protect that... trash, Li Wei," she said, disdain dripping from her words. "If you truly do not wish to go, the Matriarch will not force you."
Leng Yue's eyes flickered with curiosity. "I see," she replied calmly. "Thank you for informing me, Elder."
Elder Shen Mei sighed. "Once Li Wei is gone, you will undoubtedly become the heir. We can finally restore the reputation he has tarnished."
Leng Yue nodded. "I understand, Elder. Thank you for your advice."
As the elder continued her thinly veiled campaigning, Leng Yue excused herself and entered the hall.
Meanwhile, Li Wei sneezed, nearly knocking himself off his bed.
"I'm sure someone is definitely talking shit about old Li Wei," he muttered, shaking his head. 'Well, can't say he didn't deserve it.'
Little did he know, decisions were being made that would drastically alter his path.
Let me know if you want any tweaks or have additional requests for continuity in future chapters.