Chapter 33
Chapter 33
A majestic roar of anger echoed through the air.
“Everyone, stop at once!”
Xiao Chengxu and Hua Wuhuang were shaken by the sheer force of the voice and retreated simultaneously.
Although the victor had not yet been decided, Xiao Chengxu was clearly at a disadvantage. If the fight continued, his defeat was inevitable.
On Ye Piaoling’s side, the fighting also ceased. The ten guards had been thoroughly dealt with; they were all sprawled on the ground, clutching their arms and legs while groaning in pain.
Turning to look, the newcomer was an old man with a white beard, dressed in simple cloth robes and shoes. He descended from above the main gate, riding the wind with a face full of indignation.
The Tianwen Sect cultivators nearby immediately bowed. “Greetings, Sect Leader!”
This white-bearded old man was none other than the Sect Leader of Tianwen Sect, Gu Liuxian!
“Fighting and brawling outside the sect gates on the very day of the Apprenticeship Ceremony! What kind of behavior is this? This is simply outrageous!”
Gu Liuxian landed, his gaze sweeping over the new students with resentment and disdain.
His expression clearly said: *You are the worst batch of students I have ever led.*
Everyone wisely lowered their heads and fell silent.
Gu Liuxian was considered the second strongest person in Dali, with a cultivation level second only to the Regent King. As the Sect Leader of Tianwen Sect, he was highly respected. Generations of royalty and nobility who graduated from Tianwen Sect had to address him as Grandmaster; no one dared to act out in his presence.
Gu Liuxian scanned the crowd, his gaze finally resting on Ye Piaoling.
Ye Piaoling was surrounded by the most fallen bodies, making her the clear MVP of the field.
“You, step forward!”
Gu Liuxian pointed at Ye Piaoling and scolded her harshly.
Ye Piaoling hung her head and walked forward.
Gu Liuxian stroked his beard and glared, shouting, “Since you are entering Tianwen Sect, you should know the sect rules! Disciples may spar and compete, but they must not engage in brawls like common street thugs… By instigating a mass fight today, you have violated the sect rules and must be punished!”
Ye Piaoling looked up and argued, “But we haven’t entered the gates of Tianwen Sect yet, nor have we officially joined. Technically, we aren’t Tianwen Sect disciples yet.”
Gu Liuxian paused and carefully considered her words.
Then he said, “True, that makes some sense.”
Xiao Mei watched this, feeling that Ye Piaoling’s words sounded incredibly familiar…
Right, they were the exact words she had just used herself.
Hearing her own logic used as an excuse by someone else-and seeing it accepted-was particularly depressing.
Gu Liuxian kept a stern face. “Then I shall not pursue the matter this time. However, if you dare to violate the sect rules after you have officially joined, you will not be shown any mercy! Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Ye Piaoling said sincerely. “Besides, I was forced into it just now.”
She pointed at the Xiao siblings. “They were the ones bullying others with their status. They attacked me first, and I only fought back to protect myself.”
Xiao Chengxu cupped his hands toward Gu Liuxian and explained, “Sect Leader, today’s matter was indeed not a dispute within the Tianwen Sect. It began because Miss Ye was disrespectful to my younger sister.”
Having said that, he looked at Ye Piaoling with a dark gaze. “Miss Ye, we shall settle your crimes once we return to the capital! As a mere commoner, you refused to kowtow to a Princess, offending the dignity of the Imperial Family. I shall have to ask Prime Minister Ye what the punishment for such an act should be!”
Ye Piaoling sighed.
She didn’t want this nonsense to drag on forever.
Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly said, “I didn’t kowtow because the Regent King forbade it!”
“What?” Xiao Chengxu was shocked.
Upon hearing the title “Regent King,” everyone’s eyes widened in awe.
Ye Piaoling continued, “Not long ago, I was summoned to Chonghua Palace to study for two days. While I was there, His Excellency the Regent King told me that my legs are not in good condition and that I must avoid kneeling during my future cultivation. He said that even when meeting general royalty, I do not need to kowtow.”
Xiao Chengxu: “…”
It sounded fake, but there was no way to verify it.
It was common knowledge that Ye Piaoling had indeed gone to Chonghua Palace recently and stayed there for two days and two nights. It was rumored that the Regent King, upon learning her immortal veins were recovering, had specifically called her there to guide her cultivation.
Such an opportunity was the envy of everyone.
Thinking of this, Xiao Chengxu felt a bit sour himself.
Ye Piaoling raised an eyebrow and smiled.
*You’re using the Imperial Family to pressure me? Then I’ll bring out Di Xiulan. Let’s see if you dare to argue!*
Xiao Chengxu yielded.
After a long silence, he could only say, “If that is truly the case, then let us drop the matter.”
Seeing this, Xiao Mei grew anxious and called out unwillingly, “Brother…”
Xiao Chengxu shook his head at her, signaling her not to make a scene.
If it truly was the Regent King’s intention, who would dare to question it?
Gu Liuxian said majestically, “Since the misunderstanding is resolved, you will all be disciples of the same sect from now on, connected like branches of the same tree. You must not stir up trouble again!”
He then instructed the nearby cultivators, “Prepare for the Apprenticeship Ceremony. Do not miss the auspicious hour.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve in annoyance and flew away.
Clearly, he was very dissatisfied with the quality of this year’s students…
Under the arrangement of the cultivators, the young lords and ladies entered the main gate one by one with their Name Cards, walking toward the central square of Tianwen Sect where the Apprenticeship Ceremony would be held.
Ye Piaoling looked around; the square was truly magnificent. At the front was a high platform with twelve seats.
The Sect Leader of Tianwen Sect and the Regent King sat in the primary seats. Arranged on either side were the Ten Elders of the sect.
Ye Piaoling spotted Di Xiulan at a glance.
Today, the man was dressed in robes as white as snow. Sitting high upon the platform, he looked like a deity, exuding a purity as cold and lofty as rime on a snowy mountain.
Amidst the vast crowd, Ye Piaoling didn’t know if he had seen her or not.