Chapter 46: A Choice Made

This was a precaution Huang Yuegong had prepared in advance.

Ye Shiyuan’s earlier reaction had already shocked him, but it did not matter, he had left himself a backup plan.

However, just when he believed victory was within his grasp, Ye Shiyuan suddenly vanished from before his eyes.

Even the experienced Huang Yuegong found it difficult to believe in that instant and a trace of panic flickered in his eyes.

Where had Ye Shiyuan gone?

A flash of sword light swept past his vision.

By the time he fully regained his senses, a sword was already pressed against his throat.

Ye Shiyuan’s voice was soft, yet it was exactly the same as it had been in the past, almost unchanged.

"You’ve lost."

He had won and the one he defeated was the second strongest disciple of Xueshan Sect.

Although for Ye Shiyuan, victory had once seemed like an ordinary occurrence, he knew very clearly that while he had initially been far ahead of his peers, later on even his wins had become extremely strenuous.

But now, that feeling had returned. It’s feels effortless and simple.

He turned his head and his gaze falling upon Bai He.

Bai He was smiling brightly; when his eyes curved in laughter, they resembled crescent moons.

Ye Shiyuan stepped down from the arena.

He did not walk toward Yao Xiangli, nor did he tell him that he was no longer the same Ye Shiyuan as before... That he had already broken through.

He was still the most outstanding among his generation, still capable of serving as a qualified chief disciple.

Yet all of that no longer seemed important.

Ye Shiyuan no longer wished to return to the past.

If one day he were to encounter the same situation again, his outcome would only be worse than it was now.

But Bai He was different.

Baize Peak was different.

There was no pressure there, no comparisons.

The few of them got along in a truly relaxed and easy manner.

"Little Elder Bai, I won."

Bai He nodded. "Mm, I saw it."

Bai He was not good with words, but inwardly he already admired him immensely.

As expected of the male protagonist he had once liked the most. He’s truly handsome and impressive.

Ahem... Bai He was well aware of his own identity.

He was an elder of Lingguang Sect, so he could not behave improperly.

Therefore, his expression showed almost no change.

After nearly two hours, the day’s matches finally came to an end.

A disciple from Yaoxing Peak approached him and conveyed that Yao Xiangli wished to see Ye Shiyuan.

Bai He had long anticipated this.

Ye Shiyuan’s performance today was bound to create such consequences.

Ye Shiyuan happened to be standing right beside him.

He was intelligent, whatever Bai He could foresee, he naturally understood as well.

"Little Elder Bai, I’ll go with you."

Bai He let out a soft sigh.

"Alright, let’s go."

As for whether Ye Shiyuan would stay or leave, Bai He honestly had no certainty in his heart.

Following him was indeed better than returning to Yao Xiangli.

Besides, he had treated him well too, hadn’t he?

Ye Shiyuan would not repay kindness with ingratitude... would he?

If anything was to blame, it was the task set by that system, one he had no choice but to complete.

The two of them arrived together at the main hall of Yaoxing Peak.

Inside the grand hall, only Yao Xiangli and Pan Yi were present.

Pan Yi was kneeling before Yao Xiangli.

One glance made it clear that Yao Xiangli had already given him a thorough scolding.

After all, as the Sect Master’s chief disciple, his performance today had not merely been inadequate, it had been outright disgraceful and bringing shame upon Lingguang Sect.

Fortunately, they had won several matches afterward.

Otherwise, Lingguang Sect truly would have had nowhere to hide its embarrassment.

"Senior Brother, you were looking for me?"

"Mm. Junior Brother, has Shiyuan’s cultivation already broken through to the Golden Core stage?"

Bai He’s heart skipped a beat. After bracing himself, he replied, "Yes, Senior Brother."

"In that case, starting tomorrow, Shiyuan will move back to Yaoxing Peak and resume his position as the Sect Master’s chief disciple!"

"Master, if he is the chief disciple, then what am I?" Pan Yi immediately objected.

Was he not the Sect Master’s chief disciple?

Why was it suddenly going to become Ye Shiyuan’s position again?

"You useless thing! As your master, I already gave you opportunities, but time and again you have disappointed me. From today onward, you are demoted to a second-generation disciple."

Within the sect, disciples under the Sect Master or elders were first-generation disciples.

They would never be second-generation disciples.

If Pan Yi were reduced to a second-generation disciple, the scene would certainly be quite interesting.

"No need to say more. This matter is settled. Shiyuan, go back and pack your things."

Ye Shiyuan then stepped forward, his attitude still relatively respectful. "Sect Master, this disciple finds it difficult to comply. This disciple now belongs to Baize Peak and will not return to Yaoxing Peak."

"Shiyuan, you know clearly how much Yaoxing Peak has given you. What prospects could you possibly have at Baize Peak?"

Bai He cried inwardly.

Did he have to be so direct about calling him poor?

Being poor was not his fault.

Besides, he lived self-sufficiently and entertained himself well enough; it was not as though he was truly destitute.

It was simply that Yaoxing Peak was far too wealthy.

Not just his Baize Peak, even the entire Lingguang Sect could not compare with this place.

"Sect Master, this disciple appreciates your kindness. But just yesterday, this disciple formally acknowledged the Fifth Elder as his master. Little Elder Bai is now already my master."

Bai He’s face filled with shock.

This... when had that happened? How did he not know?

Yet Ye Shiyuan continued speaking, "This disciple only just took a master yesterday. If I were to return now, once word spreads, it would not be a good thing for the Sect Master nor for Lingguang Sect as a whole. I ask Master to select another candidate for chief disciple."