Chapter 355 - 198: Hidden Mountain’s Influence

Chapter 355: Chapter 198: Hidden Mountain’s Influence

"And you know what happened next. My master sacrificed his life to help me escape."

Chu Lingxiao’s plight left Xu Ran and Li Daoyi speechless. Although they couldn’t truly feel what he was going through, they could imagine the grief and rage.

After a moment, Xu Ran asked, a hint of confusion in his voice, "If that’s the case, shouldn’t the best course of action be to report this to the Upper Sect? That way, they could easily pass judgment on the Illusion Spirit Sect, couldn’t they?"

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Chu Lingxiao fell silent for a moment before he spoke slowly.

"Elder Hidden Mountain, Fellow Daoist Li, I grew up in the Illusion Spirit Sect... Before I learned the truth, I always considered it my home. I have precious memories there."

"I want them to simply disappear, not to disappear after being branded as traitors to the Human Race..."

"The ones who betrayed the Human Race were only a few members of the leadership. Most of the disciples inside, like me, always believed they were fighting for the Human Race."

"Even for their sakes, I don’t want the sect to vanish into the annals of history with the reputation of traitors."

For Chu Lingxiao, who had always been concise and emotionless, to give such a long and heartfelt speech spoke volumes about his current state of mind.

As the two remained silent, Chu Lingxiao continued, "I know this will put your sect in a difficult position. In return, from this day forward, I will be at the Profound Pure Sect’s beck and call."

He had nothing now; the only thing he had to offer was himself.

As a renowned prodigy, he was confident enough in his abilities to know he would one day become a powerful expert.

"Elder Hidden Mountain, Fellow Daoist Li, I know this is a matter of great consequence. You don’t need to give me an answer right away. Reply when you’ve had a chance to discuss it with your sect."

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If it were simply a matter of destroying the Illusion Spirit Sect, it wouldn’t have been a difficult choice for Li Daoyi. All that would be required was for Chu Lingxiao to cooperate in publicly announcing that the Illusion Spirit Sect had colluded with the Evil Race and betrayed the Human Race.

By doing so, the Profound Pure Sect could move against the Illusion Spirit Sect openly and with just cause.

But the problem was that Chu Lingxiao wanted to destroy the Illusion Spirit Sect directly, without revealing their betrayal of the Human Race.

Without a proper reason, the Profound Pure Sect’s actions would make them a target of public condemnation in the Cultivation Realm, which would have repercussions for the sect.

After a long while, Xu Ran looked at the pensive Li Daoyi and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Li Daoyi didn’t answer immediately. He pondered for a long time before nodding firmly. "I’m prepared to take this on."

’Since the Illusion Spirit Sect has betrayed the Human Race, they deserve to be destroyed. This is the duty of every Human Race Cultivator.’

’Besides, the Illusion Spirit Sect had originally planned to target the Profound Pure Sect and me, but Chu Lingxiao refused. The sect and I owe him for that.’

However, since he had to conceal the Illusion Spirit Sect’s betrayal of the Human Race, he naturally couldn’t use that as his reason when trying to persuade the sect.

Therefore, facing the questions from the Supreme Elder and the other Elders at the sect meeting, Li Daoyi could only raise his hands in a formal salute, his expression solemn as he spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Chu is my dearest friend. What happened to him doesn’t sit right with me, and I wish to take this opportunity to seek justice for him."

"I am also aware that it is wrong to involve the sect in my personal affairs, but I still wish to do this... Please, consider it a moment of willfulness on my part."

"I hope that you elders will grant my request."

As he finished speaking, the Elders were stunned. It was truly difficult to imagine such an answer coming from Li Daoyi.

Especially since he was the sect’s Chief Disciple, an answer like this would make many people re-evaluate whether he was qualified for the role and capable of shouldering great responsibility.

Some of those who were well-disposed toward Li Daoyi were already preparing to talk him out of it.

But just then, Xu Ran, who had been hiding in a corner of the main hall, stood up and spoke.

"He’s a young man. Valuing relationships isn’t a flaw; it’s a rare quality. It’s understandable that his friend’s plight has left him unsettled. If this matter isn’t resolved, it will create a flaw in his Dao Heart and affect his development."

"We were going to make a move eventually anyway. Since that’s the case, we might as well indulge him. He is our own Chief Disciple, after all. He deserves to be spoiled a little now and then."

"Let him be willful this once. Times are different now. After the Dao Concealment, the landscape of the Cultivation Realm is bound to change. Many powers will likely seal off their mountains, so it won’t affect our sect for the time being. By the time the Dao Concealment is over, I doubt many people will even remember this."

This was the first time Xu Ran had ever spoken at a sect assembly. Normally, he wasn’t even required to attend the meetings, let alone speak. Only when there were matters of great importance would he hide in a corner to listen in.

He had been present when Chu Lingxiao told his story. Since Li Daoyi had already made his choice, he, as his martial uncle, felt he ought to support him.

’He’s my martial nephew. If anyone’s going to spoil him, it’ll be me.’

Not everyone in the sect knew Xu Ran. In fact, aside from some people from Qing Xuan Peak and those personally familiar with him, most of the Elders present didn’t recognize him.

Thus, after he began to speak, many of the Elders were utterly bewildered, racking their brains. ’Who is this man? Do we even have someone like him in our sect?’

At that moment, some were preparing to inquire about Xu Ran’s identity.