From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 140 People's hearts gradually unite and their will becomes stronger

The disciple's flustered report was like a pebble thrown into the already turbulent council hall, stirring up a thousand ripples. My heart sank. The martial arts arena… Elder Xuanfeng's trusted disciple… and Senior Brother Lin's people… were fighting! These keywords exploded in my mind, and almost instantly I understood the whole story. Elder Xuanfeng was trying to intimidate me!

"Outrageous!" I slammed my hand on the table and stood up abruptly. "This is utterly disrespectful and shows no regard for the rules! I'm going to see this right now!"

Elder Mingyue gently advised, "Xiao Yao, please calm down and find out the situation before making a decision." Although her words were gentle, they carried a hint of ambiguity, which sent a chill down my spine.

I suppressed my anger and turned to the disciple. "What happened? Tell me in detail!"

The disciple, trembling, recounted the events. It turned out that several of Elder Xuanfeng's trusted disciples had publicly declared in the martial arts arena that I was currying favor with the people, forming cliques, and attempting to control the immortal sect. Senior Brother Lin and the others naturally couldn't stand it and went to argue with me, and before long, a fight broke out.

"What a fine example of forming cliques for personal gain!" I sneered. Elder Xuanfeng was crying wolf! He clearly wanted to use this opportunity to suppress me and destroy the unity I had worked so hard to build.

I strode out of the council hall and headed straight for the training ground. Along the way, I could feel the curious and gossiping gazes of the disciples around me, and I could even hear some whispers.

"Look, Senior Sister Xiao has gone..."

"I heard a fight broke out at the training ground..."

"Sigh, I wonder how this will end..."

These comments stung my heart like needles. I knew that my every move was being closely watched, and the slightest carelessness would give others ammunition to criticize me.

Upon arriving at the training ground, the scene before me made my heart tighten. The disciples from both sides were locked in a tense standoff, swords drawn, and several wounded disciples lay on the ground, groaning in pain. Senior Brother Lin was fighting several opponents alone, and although he had a slight advantage, he seemed to be struggling.

"Stop!" I shouted, my voice echoing throughout the room.

Both sides' disciples stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes to me. Elder Xuanfeng's trusted disciples wore provocative smiles, while Senior Brother Lin and the others looked worried.

I stepped between the two sides, my gaze sweeping coldly over Elder Xuanfeng's trusted disciples. "Why are you causing trouble here?"

One of the disciples said sarcastically, "Senior Sister Xiao, we were just sparring, how can you say we're causing trouble?"

"A friendly spar?" I sneered. "Does a friendly spar require getting really serious? Does a friendly spar require seriously injuring a fellow disciple?"

The disciple tried to argue, but I interrupted him directly, "No need for further explanation. Bring all the disciples involved in the fight to the Discipline Hall to await their punishment!"

I turned to look at Senior Brother Lin, "Senior Brother, you're the same."

Although Senior Brother Lin was somewhat unconvinced, he still nodded, knowing that I was doing this to maintain the overall situation.

After dealing with the matters at the martial arts arena, I returned to the council hall, utterly exhausted. I found the atmosphere even more tense. Junior Sister Chu was vividly recounting something to Elder Mingyue and the others, her words filled with slander and dissatisfaction towards me. Elder Mingyue, however, listened quietly, her face expressionless, making her thoughts impossible to decipher.

I took a deep breath and walked up to Elder Mingyue. "Elder Mingyue, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately."

Elder Mingyue glanced at me and slowly said, "Alright." Her tone was calm, yet I felt a strange pressure. I followed her into the inner room, a vague feeling creeping into my heart that an even more difficult negotiation was about to begin… She gestured for me to sit down and then said, "Xiao Yao, about your plan…"

Elder Mingyue's inner room was decorated in a simple and elegant style, with a faint sandalwood scent permeating the air, but it did nothing to alleviate my tension. I tried my best to remain calm and mentally reviewed the speech I had prepared earlier.

"I do not oppose your plan." Elder Mingyue's voice, like her personality, was gentle and calm, yet carried an undeniable power. "However, this matter has far-reaching implications, and we must proceed with caution."

I understood her concerns and knew she was observing and weighing her options. I suppressed my anxiety and tried to explain in a calm tone, "Elder, the Immortal Sect is currently facing internal and external troubles. Only by uniting can we overcome these difficulties. Although my plan may seem radical, it is the best solution to unite people's hearts and strengthen the Immortal Sect."

Elder Mingyue listened quietly, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, making rhythmic sounds that struck my heart, making me feel an inexplicable pressure.

"I understand what you're saying," she finally spoke, though her tone still held a hint of reservation. "But how can you guarantee your plan will be implemented smoothly? And how can you guarantee it won't cause even greater chaos?"

I explained the details of the plan one by one, from personnel arrangements to resource allocation, from risk assessment to countermeasures, striving to be thorough and meticulous. However, Elder Mingyue's face remained completely expressionless, making it impossible for me to discern her true thoughts.

The conversation lasted a long time, but no substantial progress was made. Elder Mingyue's attitude was ambiguous; he neither explicitly expressed support nor opposition, but repeatedly emphasized the need for caution and prudence.

A sense of powerlessness gradually rose in my heart. I knew that without Elder Mingyue's support, my plan would be difficult to implement smoothly.

Leaving Elder Mingyue's inner chamber, I felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. However, an even greater blow was yet to come.

Deacon Wu is in charge of resource allocation. I had previously discussed the details of the plan with him, and he expressed his full cooperation. However, when I went to check the resource preparation, I found that many key supplies were severely lacking, and some were not even available at all.

I immediately found Deacon Wu and questioned him about the reason. He stammered and gave evasive answers, and finally reluctantly admitted that due to some "force majeure" factors, some supplies could not arrive on time.

I knew in my heart that this so-called "force majeure" was nothing more than someone secretly obstructing me. And that person was very likely Elder Xuanfeng. He was indirectly weakening my power and sabotaging my plans.

The series of setbacks left me feeling incredibly frustrated and angry. I tried my best to change the situation, to unite the immortal sects, and to strengthen our power, but I encountered obstacles at every turn and struggled to make any progress.

I walked alone on the path of the immortal sect, the setting sun casting a long shadow of me. I looked at the ordinary disciples coming and going, most of them with confusion and unease on their faces.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks, a thought flashing through my mind... Perhaps I should go and talk to them...

"Junior sister, how has your cultivation been going lately?" I walked towards a female disciple who was practicing swordsmanship and asked softly.

The junior sister practicing swordsmanship was clearly startled by my sudden greeting. She awkwardly sheathed her sword and bowed respectfully, saying, "Senior Sister Xiao..." I smiled gently, encouraging her to continue practicing, and we chatted about our cultivation experiences. To my surprise, she was completely open with me, confiding in me about her predicament regarding cultivation resources and her anxieties about the future.

I listened patiently and secretly noted her name and the difficulties she had encountered. Over the next few days, I traveled to every corner of the immortal sect, talking with many ordinary disciples to learn about their lives and cultivation. I discovered that the problem of resource shortages was far more serious than I had imagined. Many disciples were experiencing slow progress or even stagnation in their cultivation due to a lack of necessary elixirs and spirit stones.

Deacon Wu's excuses about "force majeure" seemed utterly weak and powerless in the face of the real plight of these ordinary disciples. A fire ignited in my heart; I had to do something for them!

I used my accumulated spirit stones to purchase a batch of pills and cultivation materials, distributing them to the disciples most in need. I taught them more efficient cultivation methods and answered their questions about cultivation. I even personally refined some pills to help them break through their bottlenecks.

My efforts have earned the genuine support of my disciples. They no longer call me "Senior Sister Xiao," but affectionately address me as "Sister Xiao Yao." Seeing the smiles on their faces fills me with immense joy and satisfaction. This is a heartfelt happiness, far more precious than any power or status.

With the support of these ordinary disciples, I felt much more confident. I approached Deacon Wu again, and this time, I didn't mince words. Instead, I presented him with the evidence I had, proving that he had embezzled supplies and withheld cultivation resources from the disciples. Deacon Wu turned pale with fright, begging for mercy and promising to return all the supplies in full.

I knew that Deacon Wu was merely a pawn in Elder Xuanfeng's game. The true mastermind was Elder Xuanfeng himself. I led a large group of disciples to Elder Xuanfeng's cave dwelling.

"Elder Xuanfeng, why are you obstructing my plan? Why are you withholding my cultivation resources? Where do you place the safety of the Immortal Sect?" My voice echoed before the cave, resounding with conviction.

Elder Xuanfeng emerged, his face ashen. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes as he looked at the enraged disciples behind me, but he quickly concealed it. "Xiao Yao, this is insubordination! Are you plotting a rebellion?"

"I am not committing insubordination; I am merely upholding the interests of the Immortal Sect and protecting the rights of its disciples!" I met his gaze without fear. "You are the one who truly harms the Immortal Sect! You are willing to sacrifice the interests of the entire sect for your own selfish gain!"

Elder Xuanfeng trembled with rage. He pointed at me and roared, "You...you..." but dared not actually lay a hand on me. He knew that if he attacked me, he would completely enrage these disciples and lose all their support.

My disciples behind me also stood up to support me, condemning Elder Xuanfeng's selfishness and tyranny. Elder Xuanfeng's face grew increasingly grim. He looked around and realized that he was now completely isolated and helpless.

I looked at him and said, word by word, "Elder Xuanfeng, I hope you can see the error of your ways, stop your destructive behavior, and make the right choice for the future of the Immortal Sect and for the future of your disciples."

After saying that, I turned and left, and behind me came Elder Xuanfeng's voice, filled with gritted teeth: "Xiao Yao, you just wait!"

I ignored his threat. I knew this was just the beginning... I stopped and glanced back at Elder Xuanfeng's cave, a cold smile playing on my lips... "Let's go."

After leaving Elder Xuanfeng's cave, I clearly sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere around me. The disciples, who had been whispering amongst themselves, immediately fell silent upon seeing me approach, their eyes filled with awe and inquiry. Even the usually gentle Elder Mingyue looked at me with a more thoughtful expression. I knew that my series of actions had caused the various factions within the immortal sects to reassess the situation, and they were speculating about what bigger moves I might make next.

Back at my lodgings, Senior Brother Lin was already waiting for me. "Xiao Yao, you were amazing today! That old guy Xuan Feng is probably so angry he's about to vomit blood!" he said excitedly, his tone full of admiration.

I smiled and shook my head: "This is just the beginning. Elder Xuanfeng will not give up easily. We must be careful."

Senior Brother Lin also stopped smiling, his expression becoming serious: "Yes, this old guy is cunning and treacherous, I wonder what other tricks he will use."

I know Senior Brother Lin is right. Elder Xuanfeng has been operating within the immortal sects for many years and has a deep foundation; he is no ordinary person. I must come up with a way to resolve this hidden danger once and for all.

Over the next few days, I secluded myself, focusing on cultivation while secretly observing the movements of the Immortal Sect. I noticed that the atmosphere within the sect was becoming increasingly tense, and various rumors began to circulate. Some said I was ambitious and intended to control the entire sect; others said I was arrogant and disrespectful to my elders. I knew these rumors must have been spread by Elder Xuanfeng, who was attempting to sow discord between me and the other elders and disciples.

I ignored these rumors, firmly believing that the truth would prevail. I continued to cultivate my skills quietly, improving my strength, and waiting for the right opportunity.

One evening, I was meditating when I suddenly sensed a powerful surge of spiritual energy emanating from Elder Xuanfeng's cave. Startled, I immediately got up and rushed towards the cave.

Outside the cave, I witnessed a shocking scene. Elder Xuanfeng stood at the entrance, his body radiating black demonic energy, his eyes bloodshot, and his expression ferocious. Before him lay several unconscious disciples, each emanating a faint demonic aura.

"Elder Xuanfeng, what are you doing?!" I shouted sternly.

Elder Xuanfeng slowly turned his head, his scarlet eyes fixed on me, a sinister smile appearing on his lips: "Xiao Yao, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for so long."

His voice was hoarse and low, as if it came from the depths of hell. A sense of foreboding rose in my heart, and I gripped my sword tightly, watching him warily.

"You...you've cultivated demonic arts?!" I asked incredulously.

Elder Xuanfeng burst into wild laughter, his laughter filled with madness and despair: "That's right! I'm at my wit's end. Only by cultivating demonic arts can I gain enough power to defeat you!"

He suddenly raised his hand, and a powerful surge of demonic energy rushed towards me. I hurriedly swung my sword to defend, but was forced back by the demonic energy.

"Xiao Yao, today is your death day!" Elder Xuanfeng roared and lunged at me again.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the fear in my heart, and stepped forward. I knew this was a life-or-death battle; I could not back down. I had to fight with all my might for the future of the Immortal Sect, for the future of all the disciples!

I brandished my sword and engaged Elder Xuanfeng in a fierce battle. Demonic energy and sword energy intertwined, creating a deafening roar. The trees surrounding the cave were destroyed by the powerful force, reduced to dust.

Just as I was locked in a fierce battle with Elder Xuanfeng, a figure suddenly appeared behind me.

"Xiao Yao, watch out!"

I turned around suddenly and saw...