27: Memories of the past, gratitude must be repaid.

"From today onwards, your name is Shen Lian. I am your Revered Master Shen Chuyun, do you remember?"

"I remember, Revered Master, please accept your Disciple's bow."

That day, when Shen Chuyun officially accepted him as a Disciple, Shen Lian was six years old.

Shen Lian had no parents since childhood. From the time he could remember, he was raised by Shen Chuyun until he was seven years old, becoming Shen Chuyun's first Disciple.

"Lian'er, this move, Six Severed Clear Wind, isn't used like that. Watch carefully, I'll demonstrate it for you again."

"This Disciple is foolish and has disappointed Revered Master."

"Lian'er, never speak of yourself like that. Revered Master has never looked down on you in the slightest. You are only seven years old and already possess Qi Gathering Realm cultivation.

Breaking through two realms in just one year, if you are considered foolish, then who in the entire Heavenly Feather Sect would dare call themselves intelligent?"

That year, when Shen Lian was seven, Shen Chuyun patiently guided him, imparting Cultivation Techniques and even teaching him hand-in-hand without any slack.

At that time, Shen Lian only had Shen Chuyun in his eyes, thinking that Revered Master was the most beautiful and kindest woman in the world, vowing to serve her for life.

"Lian'er, in two days, you'll be fifteen. I don't have much to give you, but this Brocade Robe with Ink Embroidery was made by me personally.

Wear it at the Sect's grand banquet in two days, and let everyone see how splendid the Disciples of Shenyu Peak are."

"Revered Master, rest assured, in two days, this Disciple will not disgrace Revered Master's reputation."

"Lian'er, you're not bringing honor to me, but to yourself, understand?"

"Disciple, I understand."

At Shen Chuyun's insistence, the Sect celebration was scheduled for the same day as Shen Lian's Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

At that time, Shen Lian was full of vigor, and Revered Master Shen Chuyun was also proud of him.

Shen Lian vaguely remembered that Shen Chuyun, in her leisure time, was like a virtuous wife and loving mother, both urging him to cultivate and taking care of his daily life.

During that period, the two lived in Yushen Peak, experiencing their most peaceful time.

It wasn't until sixty years later, when Shen Chuyun became the Sect Master of Heavenly Feather Sect, and Old Ancestor Tianyu sent seven ragged women for her to take in, that everything changed.

"Revered Master, please take these seven in. Consider it your Disciple begging you."

"Lian'er, I will not take in any of these seven, and you should put away that compassionate Heart-Nature of yours."

"Revered Master, these seven are truly pitiful. If you don't take them in, they will truly have no way to live."

"Lian'er, are you forcing me? Although those seven are young, their brows reveal calculation and ruthlessness.

If I take them in, it won't be a problem for me, but I'm afraid your kind Heart-Nature will surely be harmed by them."

"Revered Master, they are also unfortunate people who barely survived the war. It's only natural for them to be wary and defensive. Please agree to this Disciple's request just once, and take in a few of them, please."

"Lian'er! You have always been obedient, why have you become so unreasonable now? This is the first time you have defied your Revered Master!"

"Revered Master, please grant my wish. As long as you agree to take them into the Sect, this Disciple is willing to be punished!"

"You..."

That day, facing Shen Lian's bitter pleas, Shen Chuyun did not agree immediately. She uncharacteristically hardened her heart and made this highly-anticipated Disciple kneel outside the door for three full days.

But in the end, seeing Shen Lian's resolute expression, Shen Chuyun's heart softened, and she exceptionally agreed to his request.

Little did she know, that was the beginning of Shen Lian's centuries-long simp career.

The once gentle and jade-like Tianyu Confucian 俠, renowned throughout the world, completely became a plaything for seven white-eyed wolves.

However, at that time, Shen Lian was happy with it, purely treating the seven white-eyed wolves as his future wives.

And those seven white-eyed wolves did not abuse Shen Lian as they did later before Ye Fan appeared; at least they maintained the affection that fellow Disciples should have.

It wasn't until Ye Fan joined the Revered Master's Sect that the situation completely changed.

After Ye Fan appeared, things gradually developed in an unpredictable direction.

By this time, the seven white-eyed wolves had already gained power. With the desperate assistance of Shen Lian, this Fei Yangyang, each had established their own influence in a region and began to fully reveal their true nature.

Initially, the seven merely kept psychologically manipulating Shen Lian, saying that as the Senior Brother, he should yield to the Junior Brother.

Later, they began to instigate Shen Lian to search for Opportunities and treasures for Ye Fan, and if the treasures he found were slightly flawed, they would speak with Yin and Yang sarcasm.

In the end, the seven didn't even bother to pretend anymore, openly favoring Ye Fan, and even on several occasions, in front of all the Sect Disciples, they enumerated Shen Lian's faults.

As time went on, the attitude of the entire Sect towards Shen Lian began to change significantly.

All at once, curses, disdain, and sarcastic remarks filled his ears.

But because Shen Lian's Primordial Chaos Realm cultivation strength was there, everyone only dared to gossip behind his back.

It wasn't until Shen Lian was framed by the seven white-eyed wolves that he completely became the laughingstock of the entire Sect, and all the dirty water and blame were unhesitatingly dumped on Shen Lian.

If Ye Fan so much as sneezed, everyone would assume Shen Lian was behind it, plotting to harm him, and then they would all attack him.

Tragically, Old Ancestor Tianyu looked on with cold indifference, even, one could say, with full support.

"This child Shen Lian harbors ill intentions. If he is not removed, he will sooner or later enter the Demonic Path, plunging my Heavenly Feather Sect and even the entire continent into turmoil and chaos."

"Only Ye Fan, blessed with the Luck of Heaven's Mandate, is the hope of my Heavenly Feather Sect and the entire continent."

"As for everything he has done for my Heavenly Feather Sect, it is merely a means to gain trust, so don't take it to heart."

These words were tantamount to a golden decree, encouraging the Disciples of Heavenly Feather Sect to protect Ye Fan and seek to kill Shen Lian.

If not for Shen Chuyun's desperate protection, Shen Lian would not have lived until the moment his true body awakened.

However, Shen Chuyun, as the Sect Master, was busy with many affairs and could not always guard Shen Lian.

In fact, Shen Chuyun had suggested to him more than once to give up her position as Sect Master and take him away from this troublesome place.

Alas, the original Shen Lian never awakened, still unable to let go of his obsession with those seven white-eyed wolves, and rejected all of Shen Chuyun's suggestions.

"Sigh~"

With a sigh, Shen Lian gradually recovered from the original body's memories.

"Why bother?"

In the entire Heavenly Feather Sect, only Shen Chuyun was truly good to him.

Even when he was at his most desperate, she never abandoned him.

However, Shen Chuyun was perhaps a bit too good to him, completely exceeding the affection that should exist between Revered Master and Disciple.

Standing by the cave entrance for a long time, he cast aside these messy thoughts.

The next moment, Shen Lian's eyes became incredibly resolute.

"As Shen Lian, I repay kindness and avenge wrongs. You protected me for five hundred years, so I will protect you for life.

Even if the Heavenly Dao wants your demise, in front of me, it must make way!"

Boom—

As his bold words fell, a clap of thunder suddenly echoed in the pitch-black night sky.

"This time, Heaven, do you still want to go against me?"

Shen Lian looked up at the sky, a streak of blood-red light flickering in his pupils.

"It doesn't matter, it's just defeating you one more time. Only you are truly worthy of being my opponent! Hahahaha!"

Amidst his wild laughter, black clouds enveloped and formed a netherworld chariot, which directly rushed out of the mountain cave and sped towards the location of the Beast Lair Seal.