LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 7:
Chapter 7: The Great Sects Go to Great Lengths to Recruit Lu Chen?:
Bai Xuan’s face was as pale as paper, his breath weak and unsteady. If not for the slight rise and fall of his chest, he would be indistinguishable from a corpse. Beside him, the young attendant’s eyes were red, struggling to hold back his grief.
Yu Yanxue walked slowly to Bai Xuan’s bedside.
“Elder Bai, how are you feeling?”
She tried to appear calm.
Bai Xuan slowly opened his eyes, but they were completely clouded. Yu Yanxue turned away, unable to bear looking at them. Ever since he had revealed the heavenly secret regarding Lu Chen, his eyes had become like this. No matter how high his cultivation, he would never regain his sight.
And now, after another divination, the backlash had struck him even harder.
“Spilled water… cannot be recovered.”
Bai Xuan forced out these four words with great difficulty.
Yu Yanxue’s heart trembled, and she glanced at the young attendant.
The boy immediately knelt, his voice shaking.
“Sect Master, after Elder Bai woke up, he asked about the sect’s affairs. I…”
“I understand.”
Before he could finish, Yu Yanxue raised a hand to stop him.
Turning back to Bai Xuan, she softened her tone.
“Elder Bai, I know you have concerns about Lu Chen, but I must act in the best interest of the sect.”
“Lu Chen indeed contributed greatly to our sect, but entrusting the legacy of a century-old foundation to him… he would not be able to bear such a responsibility.”
“In regards to Lu Chen, the sect has a clear conscience.”
Bai Xuan let out a long sigh.
A clear conscience?
What would Lu Chen feel if he heard those words?
For the sake of the sect, he had given everything.
Yet in the vast Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, there was no place for him.
Bai Xuan’s lips moved, his voice growing weaker.
Yu Yanxue leaned closer.
“Elder Bai, do you have something to say?”
“Human kindness is as fragile as paper, and the world is a game of chess… Fate, destiny…”
As soon as he finished, Bai Xuan’s hand fell limply to the bedside, completely drained of strength.
The young attendant covered his mouth, his tears streaming uncontrollably.
Yu Yanxue slowly rose, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss.
Elder Bai, even in your final moments, you still blame me…
She stopped at the doorway, pressing her slender fingers to her brow.
Bai Xuan was gone.
Fortunately, there had been no further disturbances from the Demonic Cave. Otherwise, even she would have found herself in a moment of panic.
Inside the Council Hall, the key figures of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect had gathered, their expressions heavy.
Yu Yanxue swept her gaze across them before speaking.
“Yi Nian, any word from Elder Chu?”
A white-robed young disciple immediately stepped forward.
“Sect Master, Elder Chu took a group to the Demonic Cave but has yet to return. No news has been received.”
“And what of the other sects’ stance regarding Lu Chen?”
Yi Nian hesitated, as if unsure how to respond.
The elders also stiffened, some frowning deeply, hoping the question was not directed at them.
“Just report the facts.”
Yu Yanxue already knew that the other sects would have mixed opinions on the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect’s decision. She had prepared herself for this.
Yi Nian finally made up his mind and spoke.
“Sect Master, the news of Lu Chen’s departure has spread throughout the cultivation world.”
“The major sects are sparing no effort in inviting him to join them.”
“The Western Emperor has even issued an imperial decree, ordering a nationwide search for Lu Chen. He has promised that if Lu Chen is willing, he may choose any of the seven princesses to marry.”
Yu Yanxue’s expression grew darker and darker.
Yi Nian paused briefly before continuing.
“The Saintess Bai Ningruo of the Azure Sun Sect has also issued a statement, praising Lu Chen for his noble character and upright nature. She has expressed willingness to…”
“Enough!”
Yu Yanxue’s voice rang out like a clap of thunder, and the dragon head ornament on her throne shattered instantly!
These people were truly insufferable!
Did they not regard the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect at all?
For the sake of Lu Chen, they were openly provoking her sect. This was outrageous!
Lu Chen had been suspected of colluding with the demonic path. The Mystic Spirit Holy Sect had only allowed him to leave because of this. Yet, these sects were openly trying to recruit him, unafraid of defying her sect’s authority?
And Azure Sun Sect was the worst of all!
Lu Chen had left with a tarnished reputation, yet they dared to call him noble and righteous?
That was a blatant slap in the face to the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect!
Were they deliberately fueling the flames?
“Sect Master, the Azure Sun Sect harbors ill intentions. We must remain vigilant!”
“That’s right! The Mystic Spirit Holy Sect and the Azure Sun Sect have been bitter rivals for centuries. Now they dare spread such blatant provocation—it cannot be tolerated!”
“Shameless! Sending their Saintess to entice Lu Chen and making a public statement… have they no shame?”
The elders were furious, their fists clenched so tightly that their knuckles turned white.
Chi Lingxiao bit her lip, clearly unwilling to accept the situation.
Qi Ze’s face was ashen, his silence filled with barely contained fury.
After so much effort to drive Lu Chen out of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, he was now being treated as a treasure by other sects?
He was talented and gifted, yet he had always been overshadowed by Lu Chen.
Now, he could finally breathe freely, only to find himself once again living under Lu Chen’s shadow!
How could a man who had lost everything still have such an influence?
Were these sects truly acting on impulse, or did they truly believe that Lu Chen was more valuable than the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect itself?
The thought enraged Qi Ze to the point that he wished he could personally cut Lu Chen down with his Windcrest Sword!
Yu Yanxue suppressed her fury and spoke in a cold voice.
“Elder Xu, send men down the mountain immediately. We must know Lu Chen’s every move.”
Second Elder Xu Qingshan hesitated.
Was the Sect Master paying attention to Lu Chen again?
There was no time to question it. He bowed and accepted the order.
Qi Ze’s heart clenched, his breath becoming unsteady.
Lu Chen had already severed ties with the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect. Did the Sect Master intend to bring him back?
If Lu Chen returned, where would he stand?
Gritting his teeth, Qi Ze stepped forward and knelt before the grand hall.
“Master, I volunteer to bring Senior Brother back!”
Yu Yanxue’s gaze turned icy.
“Bring him back? He is unworthy!”
“Lu Chen colluded with the demonic path and is a disgrace to the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect. Even though he has left, his crimes remain unforgivable.”
“The one we discarded—no one else shall have!”
The chilling aura in her voice silenced the entire hall.
Many secretly exchanged glances.
The Sect Master was truly furious.
This time, Lu Chen might not survive.
Qi Ze finally felt a sense of relief.
Meanwhile, at Yuling Mountain, near the Demonic Cave, the white energy sphere gradually faded, and Lu Chen finally landed on the ground.
After hours of transformation, he felt reborn.
His shattered meridians had been restructured, his dantian had expanded to vast proportions, and his vision was clearer than ever.
“It’s finally complete.”
Stretching lazily, Lu Chen glanced at Xuan Mo beside him.
Hours had passed, yet the little creature was still sleeping soundly—far more than an ordinary nap.
Not wanting to disturb it, Lu Chen moved carefully, his steps slow and light.
His gaze finally fell upon the stone wall ahead. A trace of emotion flickered in his eyes.
His heart was filled with complicated thoughts.