68: Politely declined

Elder Sun's roar, filled with endless fanaticism and excitement, exploded like a thunderclap in the silent Ask-the-Dao Plaza!

Below the stage, the hundreds of Inner Sect Disciples were all dumbfounded.

A revered Elder in the Sect actually... actually openly 'snatched' a Disciple in front of everyone?!

Moreover, the one he wanted to take as a Disciple was Lin Ye, who had joined the Sect less than two months ago and whose Cultivation was only at the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage?!

This... has this world gone mad?

However, Lin Ye showed no 'surprise' at all.

To be accepted as a Personal Disciple by an Elder was a Heaven-Defying Opportunity for any Inner Sect Disciple! It meant that from then on, he would have inexhaustible resources, a superior status, and a broad road leading to the path of a powerful expert!

But for Lin Ye, this was a shackle!

His biggest secret was his Heaven-Defying System! This secret was the foundation of his existence, the confidence that allowed him to pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger!

Once he became a Disciple, it meant he would live under the watchful eye of a Treasure Body Realm expert at all times!

At that time, how would he explain his incredible Cultivation speed and his endless trump cards? How would his plan of developing stealthily and growing stronger in secret proceed?!

No!

Absolutely not!

"Elder, your kindness is too great, Disciple... Disciple is unworthy!"

Under the gazes of everyone, filled with envy, jealousy, and even fanaticism, Lin Ye slowly pulled his right hand free from Elder Sun's iron-like grip.

He took a step back and bowed deeply to the Elder, who was in a state of frenzy.

His step back and bow stunned everyone present.

Even Elder Sun's old face, flushed with excitement, showed a clear hint of bewilderment.

"Boy, you... what do you mean by this?" He frowned, a hint of displeasure entering his voice. "I personally offered to take you as my Disciple and teach you supreme Dao arts. This is a great blessing for you! You... do you intend to refuse?!"

Refuse?!

Hearing these two words, the crowd below erupted into an uproar again!

"Did I hear that right? He... he wants to refuse Elder Sun?!"

"Is he crazy?! This is Elder Sun! Within the Sect, apart from the one in the Pill Hall, no one can surpass his attainments in fire-elemental Cultivation Techniques! He actually wants to refuse?!"

Amidst cries of disbelief, Lin Ye slowly straightened his back.

On his clear and handsome face, there was no trace of ecstasy, nor any arrogance; there was only a calm persistence that was utterly unsuited to his age.

"Elder," he bowed again, his voice not loud, but every word clear, "Disciple is deeply grateful for your kindness. To be valued by an Elder is a blessing Disciple has cultivated over three lifetimes."

"It's just that..." His tone shifted, and in his dark eyes, there flickered an inexplicable, almost 'foolish' determination, "Disciple... Disciple's Aptitude is dull, and I know the path to immortality is vast and uncertain, so I dare not ask for too much."

"In Disciple's heart, I have long established my own 'Dao'. In this life, I seek nothing else, only hoping to glimpse a trace of the path in Alchemy and swordsmanship, and I will be content."

"Therefore... Disciple's energy is truly limited, and I dare not divert my attention elsewhere, thus betraying the Elder's good intentions. I hope the Elder... will grant my wish!"

Everyone stared intently at the slender figure in the center of the Sword Plaza, with eyes that looked at a madman, at a fool!

He, a 'waste' with inferior Spiritual Roots, who only managed to stand out by Body Refining, actually... actually spoke such arrogant words?!

After a brief silence, below the stage, an uncontrollable murmur of mockery and sarcasm finally erupted.

"His own 'Dao'? Who does he think he is? An ancient Saint?"

"I think he's been blinded by victory! He truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth! By refusing Elder Sun, what does he think he can still gain?"

"Alas, he's from a small place after all, with too shallow a vision. To give up such a Heaven-Defying Opportunity for a vague 'Dao' is foolish! Utterly foolish!"

On the high platform, Elder Sun's old face, which had already shown slight displeasure from being refused, slowly lost its anger after hearing Lin Ye's words.

He stared intently at Lin Ye's clear yet persistent eyes for a long, long time, before letting out a long sigh filled with complex emotions.

"Foolish child... foolish child!"

He shook his head and no longer insisted.

As an Elder, he had his dignity. Since the other party's mind was made up, he disdained to use his status to force him.

"So be it! So be it!" He waved his hand, saying disheartenedly, "Everyone has their ambitions, and the Dao is long and arduous. Since you have chosen your own path, I will not force you."

"My door will only open for you this one time. In the future, if you regret it, do not come looking for me again."

After speaking, he did not linger for a moment longer. His figure flickered, directly transforming into a streak of fire and soaring into the sky, instantly disappearing into the horizon.

He didn't even bother to continue this sword technique lesson.

And at the back of the crowd, Su Qingyue looked at the slender figure who remained upright and unmoved despite being condemned by many, and a sense of 'expectation' arose in her heart... A sword technique lesson that should have been about imparting knowledge and skills, ultimately concluded abruptly in an unpredictable and dramatic manner.

Han Meng was clumsily carried away by his terrified followers. As they left, the looks they gave Lin Ye were like staring at a primordial Vicious Beast ready to devour humans, filled with extreme fear.

And Lin Ye, amidst countless complex gazes filled with 'sympathy', 'pity', and 'schadenfreude', calmly picked up the broken wooden sword on the ground, turned, and silently departed.

He knew that today, he had once again been pushed to the forefront of public attention.

However, what Lin Ye didn't know was that a truly deadly crisis had quietly... descended because of his earth-shattering palm strike today!

...Inner Sect, Pill Hall.

This was the most Spirit Qi-rich and heavily guarded place in the entire Qingyun Sect, apart from the Immortal Caves of the Sect Master and a few Grand Elders.

The air was constantly permeated with a rich, calming medicinal fragrance.

At this moment, deep within the Pill Hall, inside an Alchemy secret chamber perpetually enveloped by earth fire.

An old man, dressed in a crimson robe, short and plump, with a square face and wide mouth, was staring intently at the giant Pill Furnace, taller than a man, with extreme concentration.

He was Zhao Wuji, one of the three Elders of the Pill Hall, in charge of punishment and Disciple instruction! His powerful Cultivation at the Peak of the Spirit Body Realm, coupled with his superb Alchemy skills, gave him a pivotal position in the entire Qingyun Sect!

Most importantly, this person was narrow-minded, vindictive, and particularly... protective of his own!

"Buzz—"

Just then, the Pill Furnace emitted a faint hum, and a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted out from the cracks in the furnace lid.

"It's done!"

A look of ecstasy appeared on Zhao Wuji's old face!

However, just as he was about to open the furnace and retrieve the pills—

"Master... Master! It's bad! Master!"

A sudden, urgent cry, filled with panic and a sobbing tone, rang out from outside the secret chamber, rudely interrupting his actions!

The joy on Zhao Wuji's face instantly froze! His eyes, which had been filled with delight, suddenly turned cold, and a terrifying pressure belonging to a Peak Spirit Body Realm expert erupted!

"You scoundrel! Didn't you see I was doing Alchemy?! Has the sky fallen?!"

"Ma... Master! It's... it's Senior Brother Han Meng! He... he's been seriously injured by someone!!!"

Boom!!!

"What did you say?!"

The stone door of the secret chamber was violently blasted open from the inside by a huge force!

Zhao Wuji's figure, like an enraged lion, instantly appeared before the reporting Disciple. He grabbed the other's collar, his eyes, which had been otherworldly, were now filled with terrifying bloodshot veins!

"Meng'er... what happened to Meng'er?! Who is it?! Who dares to harm my Disciple!!!"

Under the trembling guidance of that Disciple, when Zhao Wuji rushed into the Pill Hall's healing room and saw Han Meng lying on the bed, his arm burned to charcoal, barely breathing, and already unconscious—

A monstrous killing intent suddenly erupted from his short and plump body!

"Good... what potent fire poison!"

He instantly recognized the source of Han Meng's injuries!

"Who is it?!" He slowly turned his head, his voice hoarse, as if coming from the depths of the Nine Netherworlds. Every word seemed to carry a cold, bloody scent!

"Re... reporting to Master..." The Disciple was already scared stiff and slumped to the ground. "It's... it's that new Outer Sect Disciple... Lin Ye!!!"