The towering doors of the Vermillion Flame Sect's Grand Hall slowly creaked open, revealing a majestic interior that radiated power and history. Ye Xiaotian followed Qin Lian inside, his eyes sweeping across the massive hall.
The hall's vaulted ceiling was painted with fiery murals depicting the sect's founding. The walls were adorned with ancient tapestries, each one telling a story of a significant moment in the sect's history. Golden chandeliers hung high above, their flames flickering gently, casting a warm glow across the polished stone floor.
At the far end of the hall stood a grand staircase, leading up to an elevated platform. At the top of the platform, the Sect Master's throne sat in imposing grandeur a large chair carved from crimson jade, etched with runes that shimmered faintly with spiritual energy.
Behind the throne, two smaller seats were positioned on either side.
On the right side, a young woman sat in an orange robe, her face partially obscured by a delicate veil. Her posture was straight and elegant, exuding an air of quiet authority. Her eyes, visible beneath the veil, were like shimmering amber gemstones, full of intelligence and mystery. Even with her face hidden, her beauty was undeniable.
On the left side, an elderly man sat in a yellow robe, his long white beard flowing down his chest. His gaze was sharp and discerning, exuding the wisdom of a seasoned cultivator.
At the foot of the staircase, rows of chairs were arranged in neat order. Each chair was occupied by an elder, all dressed in yellow robes, their expressions solemn and respectful.
As Qin Lian entered, the elders rose from their seats in unison, bowing deeply.
"Greetings, Sect Master!" their voices echoed in perfect harmony, filling the grand hall.
Qin Lian nodded in acknowledgment, her expression calm and composed. She walked toward the staircase, her crimson robes flowing behind her like flames.
Ye Xiaotian followed silently, his footsteps echoing softly on the stone floor.
As Ye Xiaotian climbed the staircase behind Qin Lian, the elders watched him with growing curiosity and confusion.
Whispers spread through the hall as they observed the young man, clearly at the Foundation Realm, walking beside the Sect Master with a sense of familiarity.
"Who is he?"
"A Foundation Realm boy?"
"Why is he with the Sect Master?"
Their murmurs grew louder as Ye Xiaotian reached the top of the staircase and stood at Qin Lian's left side, near the Sect Master's throne.
At the top of the platform, Qin Lian turned to face the elders. She glanced briefly at the veiled woman in the orange robe, who nodded subtly in acknowledgment. The two women exchanged a silent understanding before Qin Lian took her seat.
"Sit down, all of you," Qin Lian commanded, her voice firm and authoritative.
The elders obeyed immediately, returning to their seats in silence.
Ye Xiaotian remained standing at her left side, his expression calm but observant. His sharp eyes scanned the room, noting the different reactions from the elders. Some appeared respectful, while others seemed skeptical or even jealous.
Qin Lian took a moment to survey the hall before she began to speak.
"As you all know, I recently traveled to the Great Azure Forest to investigate a spiritual energy surge," she said and continued. "During my trip, I was ambushed by the Yuan brothers of the Black Serpent Sect."
The mention of the Black Serpent Sect sent a ripple of tension through the hall. The sect was notorious for its evil practices, including capturing women and children to use as cultivation cauldrons.
"I was injured in the ambush," Qin Lian continued. "But at the end moment someone saved my life."
She turned to Ye Xiaotian, causing all eyes to follow her gaze.
"This is Ye Xiaotian," she said. "He saved me when I was injured and… he even killed Yuan Zhao."
The hall fell into stunned silence.
The elders sat frozen in their seats, their minds struggling to process what they had just heard.
"Yuan Zhao… is dead?"
"A Foundation Realm cultivator… killed a Soul Awakening Realm expert?"
"Impossible!"
The veiled woman, Qin Mei, narrowed her eyes, studying Ye Xiaotian with a mixture of shock and curiosity. Even though her face was hidden, her surprise was evident.
The elders turned back to Qin Lian, their expressions demanding further explanation.
Qin Lian met their gazes without flinching. "I understand your doubts. But I am telling you the truth. Ye Xiaotian killed Yuan Zhao. You will have confirmation when the news spreads from the Black Serpent Sect."
Despite her assurance, the elders remained skeptical. The idea of a Foundation Realm cultivator killing a Soul Awakening Realm expert was unprecedented. It had been centuries since a Soul Awakening Realm expert had been killed.
Qin Lian then announced, "I have invited him to join our sect, offering him the position of an Elder. However, he prefers to remain a disciple, wishing to avoid the limelight."
The elders whispered among themselves again.
"So instead," Qin Lian said firmly, "I am announcing him as a core disciple of the sect."
The murmurs grew louder.
"He will reside in the fourth pavilion of the Sect Master's Courtyard," Qin Lian announced.
One of the elders, Elder Wang, finally can't take it and stood up, his expression grim.
"Sect Master, with all due respect… We accept him as a core disciple, but allowing him to reside in the Sect Master's Courtyard is… inappropriate. The other core disciples will not be happy. And how can we believe that a Foundation Realm boy killed Yuan Zhao? It's absurd!"
The elder's words echoed through the hall, and several others nodded in agreement.
Ye Xiaotian remained calm, he can feel jelous gazes but his sharp senses picked up a gaze with murderous intent from one of the elders.
He turned to find a handsome man in elder robes. The man had sharp features, dark hair, and an arrogant demeanor. His aura was strong, second only to the Grand Elder.
The man's eyes burned with hatred as he stared at Ye Xiaotian.
Why does he look at me like that? Ye Xiaotian wondered. Is it because of the pavilion? Or is there something more?
Qin Lian stood, her soul pressure washing over the room.
She stole a glance at Ye Xiaotian and curse these elders in her mind.
These bastard's they don't even know that he's not an ordinary cultivator. Even if he's only at the Foundation Realm, his strength defies logic. He killed Yuan Zhao… a Soul Awakening expert. How could I let a monster like him walk away?, It was the fortune of our sect that he want's to join us and given his monstorous talent, he can join any sect even the sect from central core, and the most important is he's from Xuanlong Continent.
"This is my final decision," she declared in a powerful voice. "If any of you wish to oppose it, you may leave the sect. The Vermillion Flame Sect does not need elders who question my authority."
The opposing elder immediately fell silent, his face paling. Qin Lian's words carried an unmistakable weight of authority.
Qin Lian's gaze swept across the hall as the murmurs of disbelief slowly faded. The shock of Ye Xiaotian's announcement still lingered in the air, but it was time to move forward.
Qin Lian sat on her throne, her presence commanding attention. The light from the golden chandeliers above reflected off her crimson robes, making her appear like a flame burning in the heart of the hall.
"Now that this matter is settled," she began, her voice calm but firm, "Let's discuss abut the Black Serpent Sect's response. With Yuan Zhao dead, they will undoubtedly be furious. Their retaliation is inevitable."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Qin Lian's expression darkened as she addressed the entire room."Since Yuan brother dare to ambush me, let us teach the Black Serpent Sect some lesson so that, they don't dare to see us in contempt."
Her tone grew colder, her gaze hardening. "We must be vigilant. The Black Serpent Sect thrives on ambushes and deception. Do not underestimate them."
The elders, still recovering from the earlier shock, bowed their heads in acknowledgment. They knew the Black Serpent Sect's reputation and they knew that this was not the end of the conflict.
Qin Lian turned to the Grand Elder with the long white beard. His expression was solemn, but there was a flicker of worry in his eyes.
"Elder Li," she said, "recall all disciples currently on missions outside the sect immediately. We cannot risk leaving them vulnerable."
Elder Li bowed deeply. "Understood, Sect Master."
One by one, the elders began to rise from their seats and disperse, murmuring quietly to one another as they exited the hall. Their minds were still reeling from the shocking revelations.
Many cast curious glances at Ye Xiaotian as they passed, their expressions a mixture of jealousy, curiosity, and resentment.
Ye Xiaotian, observing their reactions, remained calm, but he could sense the undercurrent of emotion in the room.
They're uncomfortable with my presence, he thought. And the privileges I've been granted have ruffled some feathers.
But he knew better than to react. He had seen sect politics before. Jealousy and envy were natural in cultivation sects, especially when someone rose too quickly.
Qin Lian watched the elders leave, her expression calm, but her mind was racing.
Her gaze flickered to Ye Xiaotian, who stood silently beside her.
I can't let him leave. He's too valuable… too important.
And if I don't protect him, someone else will take him away.
As the last elder left the hall, Ye Xiaotian stood quietly, watching them go.
He turned and looked at Qin Lian and said with a helpless smile. "Did you really have to do this."
Even though he don't understand which pavilion they were talking about but seeing the reactions of the elders, how can he not know that it was something good.
Qin Lian chuckled softly looking at his helpless expression. "Yes, How can I allow you to live in the Core Disciple Courtyard."
She stepped closer to him, her fiery eyes locking onto his. "What if you decided to leave the sect? With your level of power, I wouldn't be able to stop you."
Ye Xiaotian remained silent for a moment, his gaze steady. He understood what she meant.
"I have no intention of leaving," he finally said.
Qin Lian smiled, satisfied.
At that moment, Qin Mei, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, finally spoke. Her voice was ethereal and sweet, like a breeze through a quiet forest.
"Sister," she said, stepping down from her seat, her gaze fixed on Ye Xiaotian. "You haven't introduced me."
Qin Lian turned to Ye Xiaotian with a playful grin. "Right. Meet my little sister, Qin Mei."
She gestured toward the veiled woman. "She is the Vice Sect Master of the Vermillion Flame Sect and a genius alchemist. Her mastery of spirit pills is unmatched."
Ye Xiaotian bowed respectfully. "Vice Sect Master Qin Mei."
Qin Mei examined him closely, her gaze lingering on his handsome features and imposing physique. Despite the veil hiding her face, her amber eyes revealed her thoughts curiosity, interest, and a hint of suspicion.
"You're… interesting," Qin Mei said softly. "A Foundation Realm cultivator who can kill a Soul Awakening expert… How?"
Ye Xiaotian's expression remained calm. "I fought with everything I had."
Qin Mei's eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued by his vague answer.
"Now," Qin Lian said, turning toward the staircase, "come. I'll take you to your new residence."
Ye Xiaotian and Qin Mei followed her down the steps.
As they walked through the halls of the palace, Ye Xiaotian took in the architecture the ancient stone walls, the protective runes, the faint hum of spiritual energy in the air.
As they walked, Qin Lian's mind wandered. She glanced at Ye Xiaotian out of the corner of her eye.
I need to make him trust me. I need to ensure he stays here… with
End of Chapter 12