“Disciple, have you and that girl Ruyan been secretly indulging in forbidden fruits, in the pleasures of love, recently?”
Inside the Jade Maiden Hall of the Haoran Sword Sect.
A beautiful, voluptuous woman sitting on a high platform asked, her pretty face slightly cold!
She was the Peak Master of Jade Maiden Peak, Ji Yaoyue.
Chen Xuan, who was standing below, immediately shook his head, utterly confused and bewildered!
Ji Yaoyue then said angrily, “Today, Liu Ruyan’s cinnabar mark on her right arm disappeared! This matter is spreading like wildfire throughout the Haoran Sword Sect… Alas! She ultimately despises you for losing all your cultivation and having a bleak future, so she wants to break off the engagement!”
“What?!”
Chen Xuan, upon hearing this, felt as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.
Chen Xuan, an orphan since childhood, was discovered to possess extraordinary talent by Ji Yaoyue when she was out on a training expedition at the age of nine. She brought him back to the sect and took him as a disciple under her Jade Maiden Peak.
At that time, four senior sisters also lived on Jade Maiden Peak, each as beautiful as a flower.
To impress his Master and senior sisters, Chen Xuan diligently practiced, not daring to be idle for even a single day for over thirty years!
He took Ji Yaoyue’s place in the most dangerous demon-hunting team of the sect, enduring multiple life-and-death trials, and eventually, upon breaking through to the Golden Core Realm, he formed an unprecedented Nine-Rank Golden Core, which shocked the entire Desolate Heaven Domain!
At that time, Chen Xuan was exceptionally glorious, having almost wiped out the younger generation of experts in the Demonic Dao, and he even cleverly seized the Ancient Yan Sword Palace, offering it to the sect.
Because of his immense contributions, he was bestowed the title of Saint Son by the Sect Master, who also promised that the sect would only ever have one Saint Son!
His Master and senior sisters also treated Chen Xuan extremely well back then!
Liu Ruyan, the Haoran Sword Sect’s most beautiful woman, whose beauty was renowned throughout the Desolate Heaven Domain, held Chen Xuan in even higher regard. The two quickly fell in love and became engaged.
But!
Three months ago, when Demonic Dao powerhouses launched a joint surprise attack on the Haoran Sword Sect, Chen Xuan fought to the death to defend Jade Maiden Peak, ultimately having his Nine-Rank Golden Core shattered by a mysterious person and his dantian completely destroyed, rendering him a cripple… Everything changed!
Liu Ruyan’s gaze towards him transformed from tenderness to disgust!
It was as if she wasn’t looking at a hero who fought desperately against numerous demon lords, but rather at a good-for-nothing who had tarnished her reputation as the most beautiful woman!
Tomorrow… was the wedding day.
The cinnabar mark on Liu Ruyan’s arm, symbolizing her chastity, had disappeared, which meant she had given her pure body to someone else!
Such an act was undoubtedly a naked humiliation and a slap in the face to Chen Xuan!
Ji Yaoyue sighed softly and gently comforted him, “Disciple, since you can no longer cultivate, you must accept this fact and the change in your status.”
Chen Xuan merely clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms, but he felt nothing.
To be cuckolded before the wedding day was something no man could endure!
At this moment, Ji Yaoyue continued, “Let go of the idea of marrying Liu Ruyan! To avoid… becoming a laughingstock tomorrow.”
Chen Xuan’s eyes were dark and unreadable, and he said self-deprecatingly, “Become a laughingstock? Master, my engagement with Liu Ruyan was personally arranged by the Sect Master, and it received the blessings and gifts of all the elders in the sect. How could I become a laughingstock?”
Ji Yaoyue heard this and said indifferently, “Back then, Liu Ruyan actively flirted with you, simply because she saw your boundless potential as a Saint Son! In the Desolate Heaven Domain, the rule is that the strong are kings, don’t you understand?”
Chen Xuan heard this, and his eyes were filled with coldness!
He had truly been blind back then, to have fallen for that bitch Liu Ruyan!
“Master, don’t worry, this disciple was blind and foolish, and simply loved the wrong person. One day, I will make that bitch regret it immensely!” Chen Xuan said hatefully.
Ji Yaoyue heard this and nodded with satisfaction, “Disciple, actually, there is a great opportunity right now that can earn you the praise of the entire sect! That is… to wholeheartedly assist your junior brother Wushuang!”
When she mentioned the name “Wushuang,” her eyes were filled with tenderness.
Twenty years ago, Ji Yaoyue went out for three years of training. When she returned to Jade Maiden Peak, she brought back a three or four-year-old boy, named him Ji Wushuang, and took him as her closed-door disciple, doting on him immensely!
Ji Wushuang’s exceptional talent made him especially favored on Jade Maiden Peak, and his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.
Chen Xuan had more than once vaguely felt that his junior brother was not as perfect as his Master and senior sisters believed him to be.
“Master, how do you want me to help him?” Chen Xuan asked listlessly.
Liu Ruyan’s matter had dealt too great a blow to his self-esteem!
Ji Yaoyue said excitedly, “Your Master hopes that you can publicly yield the position of Saint Son to Wushuang! Your dantian is already shattered, and your cultivation is completely lost, so don’t shamelessly cling to the position of Saint Son anymore!”
Upon hearing these words, Chen Xuan felt a sickening sensation, like he had eaten a dead rat.
Immediately, he said with some reluctance, “The Sect Master and the elders will definitely not agree!”
“You are wrong!”
Ji Yaoyue, however, shook her head and said, “The Sect Master intends for your junior brother to become the new Saint Son. It’s just that Wushuang is kind-hearted and strongly objects, fearing it might displease you, so this matter has not yet been finalized!”
“The elders also unanimously believe that he is the most suitable to replace you as the new Saint Son!”
They all agreed?
How ironic!
Chen Xuan suddenly felt a strange sadness, as if his efforts of over thirty years had all been for naught?
Immediately, Chen Xuan said sorrowfully and indignantly, “When I offered the Ancient Yan Sword Palace, the Sect Master promised that there would only be one Saint Son in the sect, and that would be me!”
“Now that I have lost my cultivation for less than three months, are they already so impatient?”
Ji Yaoyue sighed lightly and said helplessly, “Chen Xuan, since you understand that you are crippled, why do you still cling to the position of Saint Son and make the Haoran Sword Sect a laughingstock?”
“More than three months ago, Muyun Sanxian, the strongest person in the Desolate Heaven Domain, released news that he would choose a disciple to pass on all his life’s unique skills. And only the Saint Sons and Saint Daughters of the Nine Sects Thirteen Factions are qualified to be candidates!”
“So, you can imagine how important the position of Saint Son is right now!”
“Master, this disciple does not want to yield the position!” Chen Xuan said coldly.
Just last night, when he tried to cultivate again, he unexpectedly activated the “True Dragon Heart” that had been dormant in his body for more than ten years. The noble golden light it emitted had restored his damaged dantian somewhat.
Therefore, Chen Xuan saw hope for resuming cultivation!
Chen Xuan was not at all covetous of the Saint Son position; he did not want to yield it because he wanted to do more for the sect!
“Presumptuous! In another month, it will be the day of the disciple selection ceremony set by Muyun Sanxian. Are you going to attend as the Saint Son of the Haoran Sword Sect, waste a good opportunity, and make a fool of yourself?”
Ji Yaoyue questioned him, her tone also becoming cold!
Make a fool of yourself!
Her four-word evaluation made Chen Xuan somewhat dazed.
For the past thirty years, he had fought battles, faced death countless times, and earned so much glory for the Haoran Sword Sect!
His Master actually used these four words to describe him?
“Chen Xuan, the position of Saint Son that you care about, Wushuang disdains! He even strongly refused… Your Master didn’t expect that not only are you crippled, but your ideological awareness has also fallen into ruin!” Ji Yaoyue scolded angrily!
Inside the Jade Maiden Hall, a deep silence fell.
After a long while.
Ji Yaoyue’s eyes were filled with anticipation again, and she said softly, “Disciple, your Master hopes that you will prioritize the greater good! Fulfilling Wushuang’s potential is fulfilling the potential of the entire Haoran Sword Sect!”
“Oh, by the way! Bring your Haotian Sword and panlong treasure ring to Wushuang as well; it can increase his chances of being chosen! Wushuang is striving for great glory for the sect; it’s not too much for you, as his senior brother, to offer a little help, is it?”
Chen Xuan’s mouth twitched upon hearing this.
His heart ached as if it were tearing apart!
Both the Haotian Sword and the panlong treasure ring were treasures Chen Xuan had obtained through countless near-death experiences.
How could he easily hand them over to someone else?
But!
Chen Xuan looked at Ji Yaoyue’s incredibly expectant beautiful eyes and couldn’t bear to refuse!
Finally!
Chen Xuan still nodded and said, “Master, I can agree to all these requests! However… I would like to meet Junior Brother Wushuang and have a good chat! Is that possible?”
Ji Yaoyue, upon hearing this, was overjoyed!
She said happily, “Chen Xuan, you’ve finally come to your senses! A meeting is not necessary; Wushuang needs to make his final push for the disciple selection ceremony right now! Meeting you would inevitably waste his time…”
It must be said that this excuse was very perfunctory.
Chen Xuan’s eyes were clear and cold, and he gave a self-deprecating smile, “Then let’s not meet! Anyway, I, this crippled senior brother, no longer have any qualifications to guide him…”
Ji Yaoyue lightly clapped her jade hands, praising him repeatedly!
“Chen Xuan, don’t worry, even if you become a cripple, your Master will always shelter you on Jade Maiden Peak and ensure your safety for life!”
“Tomorrow! When you publicly yield the position of Saint Son and offer the Haotian Sword and panlong treasure ring to help your junior brother, it will surely be recounted as a beautiful story!”
“Wushuang also comes from my Jade Maiden Peak; the more brilliant and dazzling he is, the more honor you will have!”
“Liu Ruyan’s beauty is renowned throughout the Desolate Heaven Domain, but you are ultimately no longer a match for her; you can only let go…”
Chen Xuan lowered his gaze, his face showing no joy or sorrow.
After a long while, he finally looked up and smiled brightly, “Master, may I leave now?”
“Yes! Go!”
Ji Yaoyue waved her hand, her face full of anticipation and joy!
So, Chen Xuan turned around.
The smile on his face gradually disappeared, leaving only a hint of coldness…
After Chen Xuan left, a person slowly walked out from behind a screen on one side of the main hall.
He was as handsome as jade, with an extraordinary demeanor, and he was precisely Ji Wushuang.
Ji Wushuang gently fanned himself and asked, perplexed, “Mother, why bother to politely discuss with this good-for-nothing? Just order him directly!”
“Chen Xuan has a firm and unyielding character; he responds to kindness but not to coercion! If we push him too hard, something might go wrong…” Ji Yaoyue explained softly.
Ji Wushuang heard this and said disdainfully, “If you ask me, we should just kill this good-for-nothing!”
Ji Yaoyue, however, narrowed her beautiful eyes and said indifferently, “Our Haoran Sword Sect is a righteous sect; everything must be done with proper justification! If you use Demonic Dao methods, and Muyun Sanxian finds out, it will affect our plan for you to become his disciple! If not for that, your father and I wouldn’t have to go through such trouble…”
She paused in her speech, then gently comforted him, “Don’t worry, Shuang’er! Chen Xuan has killed so many prodigies of the Demonic Dao over the years; if he loses the sect’s protection… he will wish he were dead! So, he has no other choice!”
“By the way, is Liu Ruyan’s cinnabar mark related to you?”
Ji Wushuang heard this and said without any concealment, “Liu Ruyan has a Pure Yin Charming Body; I engaged in Dual Cultivation with her only to rapidly increase my cultivation! Her taste… was quite moist! Unfortunately, my heart already belongs to the woman I deeply love…”
As he looked at Ji Yaoyue, the frantic emotions surging in his heart were perfectly hidden.
It was a strong, covetous mother complex!