LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 3:
Chapter 3: He Has Colluded with the Demonic Path!:
It was as if the only way they could find answers was by staring intently at Lu Chen.
Under his wide sleeves, Qi Ze’s clenched fists trembled slightly.
Lu Chen, you’d better know when to stop.
Agree to leave quickly, and I’ll let you live for a few more days.
Otherwise…
Lu Chen’s voice was hoarse, his words difficult to form, but his expression held unwavering determination.
“I will not regret my decision. My mind is set on leaving—Sect Master, please grant my request.”
Chi Lingxiao let out a long sigh of relief.
Qi Ze slowly loosened his clenched fists as well.
Lu Chen, at least you know your place!
On the Sect Master’s throne, Yu Yanxue slowly closed her eyes.
Her voice carried boundless disappointment.
“Lu Chen, I was wrong about you in the end.”
“The righteous and selfless Lu Chen of the past is gone. When did you become so cold-hearted and jealous?”
“When one makes a mistake, they must accept their punishment, yet you use leaving the Holy Sect as a threat against me!”
“You… have truly disappointed your master!”
Lu Chen sneered inwardly.
Even at this point, they were still twisting the truth?
All these people had been eager to force him out of the sect. Now that he had granted their wish, they were acting as if they were the ones being wronged!
The Sect Master’s goal had been achieved, and Qi Ze no longer had to live under the shadow of his past glory—wasn’t this exactly what they wanted?
Yet they still acted as though they were the victims!
Hypocrites!
Although anger surged within him, Lu Chen knew now was not the time to argue.
Achieving his goal was what mattered.
After a long silence, Yu Yanxue finally spoke, revealing the decision she had carefully considered.
“Since you are so determined to leave, I will grant your request.”
“Thank you, Sect Master. I am grateful.” Lu Chen bowed. “However, I have one more request.”
Everyone froze, their hearts tensing instantly.
What did he mean?
Was he changing his mind?
Chi Lingxiao was so nervous she almost let out a gasp.
Yu Yanxue’s voice carried a hint of doubt.
“What is it?”
“Since returning to the sect, Xuan Mo has always been by my side. Now that I am leaving, I hope the Sect Master will allow me to take him with me.”
Chi Lingxiao’s legs went weak, nearly collapsing to the ground.
She had thought Lu Chen regretted leaving the sect, but it turned out… he was just asking to take a cat!
That scruffy black cat? Who would even care?
Only a fool like Lu Chen would treat it like a treasure!
It was just a stray picked up from the Demonic Cave—no one would even take it for free!
“Fine. I will grant you this request.”
Now that she was sure Lu Chen was truly leaving, Yu Yanxue readily agreed.
“Thank you, Sect Master. I take my leave.”
Lu Chen stepped back, ready to turn away, but then stopped once more.
“Sect Master, about the Demonic Cave—”
“Lu Chen, since you have left the sect, do not concern yourself with its matters any longer.”
Yu Yanxue’s voice was filled with icy indifference.
Lu Chen chuckled bitterly, shaking his head as he left.
Some people just loved being clever.
Since they insisted on handling things their way, then whatever happened next had nothing to do with him!
I wanted to warn you, but you won’t even let me speak.
…
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lu Chen stepped onto the Bridge of No Return.
The bridge was made of smooth, flat bluestone, and it took only a short moment to cross.
But for those walking it, each step was heavy, each step difficult.
Many who crossed it had tears streaming down their faces, and some disciples had even leaped off it in despair.
Lu Chen, however, remained calm, his face devoid of emotion.
If his body had allowed it, he would have sprinted across without hesitation.
Reaching the center of the bridge, he suddenly felt a force pressing against him.
His body trembled slightly, as if something had been severed from him.
Knowing that his sect contract had been dissolved, Lu Chen did not look back.
From this moment on, he was completely free of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect!
A dragon trapped in shallow waters will be toyed with by shrimp.
A fallen tiger will be mocked by dogs.
That miserable life was finally over!
At the bridge’s end, Lu Chen bowed one last time.
“I, Lu Chen, have lost my cultivation and possess no spiritual roots. The Bridge of No Return has been crossed.”
“From this day forward, I have no ties to the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect!”
With those words, Lu Chen strode away.
A lightness he had never felt before filled his body.
Inside his sleeve, Xuan Mo stretched lazily, as if sensing something.
In that instant, a tremor ran through Lu Chen’s body—his suppressed spiritual energy was surging, ready to break free!
His cultivation was about to recover!
His meridians felt as though they were shattering and reassembling, his body burning as if molten lava flowed through his veins.
Overwhelming pain engulfed him…
Sweat beaded on Lu Chen’s forehead, but he forced himself to maintain his composure.
He absolutely could not let anyone see what was happening. He had to leave as quickly as possible!
Only when Lu Chen’s figure disappeared did the crowd snap back to reality.
A once-legendary prodigy, a hero of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect…
Had just left, just like that?
It was almost unbelievable.
No cultivation, no spiritual roots—he had left with nothing but a black cat he had brought back from the Demonic Cave?
How could he be willing to do this? It was incomprehensible!
Chi Lingxiao stood in a daze.
Lu Chen was gone, and she wasn’t sure how to feel.
For years, she had mocked and belittled him. Now that he was gone, who would she vent her frustrations on?
But on second thought, it was for the best. At least this removed a potential threat to their master.
The Mystic Spirit Holy Sect did not raise useless people!
And they would never allow a cripple to become Sect Master!
Did he really think he could still take over the sect without any cultivation?
How ridiculous!
Whether by accident or design, their goal had been achieved!
The inner sect elders couldn’t hide their satisfaction, their eyes gleaming with undisguised delight.
Qi Ze’s expression flickered between emotions before settling into a calm demeanor.
But deep down, a hint of unease remained.
Still, he hid it well. On the surface, his grief seemed genuine.
“Master, Senior Brother was foolish. Please forgive him.”
“This matter remains unknown to outsiders. Why not call Senior Brother back…”
Yu Yanxue cut him off sharply.
“Do not speak of this again!”
“Lu Chen brought this upon himself!”
“The Mystic Spirit Holy Sect has already shown him the utmost mercy.”
“Pass down my decree—Lu Chen is no longer a disciple of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect. From this day forth, he has no ties to our sect!”
“…”
Yu Yanxue narrowed her eyes, her expression resolute. A chilling aura emanated from her.
Lu Chen, don’t blame me for being ruthless.
I will not allow you to disrupt the sect’s plans.
The disciples lowered their heads and responded in unison.
“Yes, Sect Master!”
Lu Chen’s silhouette disappeared into the mountains.
Suddenly, the elder steward, Chu Tian, stepped forward, his face tense as he bowed.
“Sect Master, there is something I do not understand.”
“Lu Chen left today, but the only thing he took with him was the black cat from the Demonic Cave. Isn’t that strange?”
“The Demonic Cave has been sealed, yet traces of spiritual energy continue to leak from it.”
Before Chu Tian could finish, the Second Elder abruptly knelt down.
“Sect Master, Lu Chen… he is heading toward Yuling Mountain’s Demonic Cave!”
The entire hall was stunned.
They did not dare voice their suspicions directly, but the hatred in their eyes was clear.
There had long been rumors in the sect—
Lu Chen’s three hundred years in the Demonic Cave had been a lie!
He hadn’t let anyone near it because he wanted to hoard its spiritual energy for himself!
Now, he had taken the black cat and was heading toward the cave!
Could it be… that Lu Chen had truly colluded with the Demonic Path?!