"Wen'an, do not be disrespectful."

Pei Zhao hurriedly turned back and reprimanded.

He wasn't truly angry, it was just that Qiyun Valley had many rules, and he might inadvertently be accused of "disrespecting his elders."

"Good! Very good!"

Yao Lin's face turned an ashen blue with anger, and she snorted coldly, "Why don't you tell me, what happened to the disciples of my Cliff Mountain Courtyard?"

Shen Wen'an seemed unwilling to respond, turned around with his sword, and said nothing.

Seeing this, Yao Lin narrowed her eyes slightly, a trace of coldness flickering in her eyes.

"Junior Brother Pei, if I remember correctly, the Sect Leader Senior Brother ordered that your disciple should reflect on his actions at the back mountain for three years."

"Now that he has returned, surely he won't avoid the punishment any longer, right?"

"Additionally, according to the rules of our Qiyun Valley, any disciple who disrespects sect elders without reason should have their cultivation sealed and take a walk through the Thunderfire Array of the Law Enforcement Hall."

"This..." Pei Zhao's face looked unpleasant.

Since Shen Wen'an's return, he had been concerned about his injuries and cultivation matters, and had somehow forgotten the punishment meted out by Sect Leader Yun Zhongzi that day.

Unexpectedly, Yao Lin had not forgotten.

Shen Wen'an had already stated that he was only here to check on him and ask for an Array Plate, and would leave in a few days.

"What, is Junior Brother Pei intending to ignore the sect rules, disregard the Sect Leader's order, and protect him?"

Pei Zhao looked troubled and deeply frustrated.

The punishment from Sect Leader Yun Zhongzi indeed existed, but it had been postponed because Shen Wen'an was injured and had not returned, so the punishment was not executed.

The rules of Qiyun Valley indeed state that without reason, disrespecting sect elders requires a walk through the Thunderfire Array with cultivation sealed.

Thinking of this, he was secretly angered, if he hadn't asked Pei Yuwan to send a message asking him to come back and visit, all of this wouldn't have happened.

Seeing the worried look on his master's face, Shen Wen'an narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint green light flashing in them.

But then he recalled his father's instructions before he set out.

"After returning, remember not to cause trouble for your master..."

Thinking of this, the green light in his eyes slowly faded, and he turned to face Pei Zhao, cupping his hands, "Master, since it's the Sect Leader's punishment, I am willing to accept it."

"But as for the matter of disrespecting sect elders, I do not admit it."

Upon hearing this, Yao Lin's elongated eyes widened, and she snorted coldly, "You think you can just deny it?"

"Then tell me, what exactly did my disciples from Cliff Mountain Courtyard do?"

"If you cannot provide a satisfactory explanation, I, as a member of the Law Enforcement Hall, will certainly charge you with disrespecting sect elders!"

Hearing this, Shen Wen'an frowned, "Is Master Yao truly insisting that I speak?"

Yao Lin, confident that other than the matter of disciples being killed while provoking outside the mountain gate, there was no other evidence against her, remained fearless.

"Speak."

Seeing her like this, Shen Wen'an became somewhat suspicious.

Did the matter of Zhang Yuan from Cliff Mountain Courtyard and several Junior Brothers sneaking into the Shen Family at night not count as a violation of sect rules?

How could this old witch be so obstinate?

"In that case, Master Yao should explain why Zhang Yuan from Cliff Mountain Courtyard and four other disciples attacked my Shen Family at night and were counter-killed by me."

"Do Qiyun Valley's rules not handle disciples attacking and killing the families of their fellow sect members?"

His words had barely landed when the two in front of him were stunned.

Yao Lin frowned deeply, her face fluctuating, and then she spoke furiously, "Don't slander!"

"My disciple Zhang Yuan and several others already perished during the relic exploration in Yangnao Land; where did this attack on your family and your counter-killing come from!?"

"Pei Zhao, your disciple is speaking nonsense and sowing discord, utterly outrageous!"

Pei Zhao also frowned deeply at this moment.

Regarding the deaths of Zhang Yuan, the chief disciple of Cliff Mountain Courtyard, and the other four disciples, Li Heshan had personally reported it.

So how did it turn into a different story through Shen Wen'an's mouth?

He trusted Li Heshan and also trusted his own disciple.

But now that things had come to this point, one of them must be lying.

"Wen'an, are you sure that it was Zhang Yuan who attacked the Shen Family at night, and you didn't mistake him?"

Shen Wen'an spoke calmly, "I am willing to go through the Heart Inquiry Array."

He was now certain that the matter regarding Zhang Yuan and the others had been hidden by Li Heshan for some reason.

Even Pei Yuwan might have been involved.

"I suspect that not only did Zhang Yuan from Cliff Mountain Courtyard attack the Shen Family at night, but they were also responsible for the massacre of Junior Brother Xu Jing's family, the Outer Disciple."

Now that everything was out in the open, Shen Wen'an decided to hold nothing back and spilled all the details!

"You little beast! Do not think that just because my disciples are dead, you can slander them without consequence!"

"I shall see how much truth there is in your words!"

As Yao Lin erupted in anger, she extended her hand directly towards Shen Wen'an's shoulder, intent on capturing him!

The deaths of Zhang Yuan and his group had already severely weakened Cliff Mountain Courtyard.

But they had served the sect task, which salvaged some honor for Cliff Mountain Courtyard.

Now Shen Wen'an claimed that they didn't die in the relic but attacked the Shen Family and were counter-killed.

And they even massacred a whole family of an Outer Disciple.

Such slander was intolerable to her!

Clang!

Facing Yao Lin's descending hand, a flash of Sword Aura streaked across Shen Wen'an's fingertips, directly impacting the center of her palm!

Bang!

The clash between the two instantly separated, with Shen Wen'an's figure trembling slightly, while Yao Lin's hand rebounded instantly, faint blood oozing out!

"Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation!?"

Yao Lin was shocked, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.

Previously, she had not paid particular attention to Shen Wen'an's cultivation and hadn't expected that in less than ten years of joining Hidden Cloud Courtyard, his cultivation had already reached the Realm of Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation!

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but recall her disciple Zhang Yuan.

Previously, as the chief disciple of Cliff Mountain Courtyard, Zhang Yuan, like Pei Yuwan of Hidden Cloud Courtyard, was at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

Moreover, Zhang Yuan's realm was actually slightly higher than Pei Yuwan's. It wouldn't have taken him more than two years to break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation, surpassing Hidden Cloud Courtyard.

But now, Zhang Yuan was dead.

While Hidden Cloud Courtyard suddenly produced a disciple of the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation, Cliff Mountain Courtyard only felt more at a loss!

Yao Lin's expression shifted, the aura unique to the Late Stage of the Fetal Breathing Realm continued to rise.

"Senior Sister Yao!"

Pei Zhao saw this and immediately shifted to shield Shen Wen'an, exuding the aura of the Fetal Breathing Realm!

"Stand aside!"

Yao Lin's eyes narrowed as she glared at Pei Zhao and shouted coldly.

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhao was unmoved.

No matter whether Shen Wen'an's words were true or false, as a master present, he could not watch his disciple being bullied!

Their auras continuously intensified, causing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to become turbulent.

"Stop!"

Just as the battle was about to erupt, a streak of light suddenly flew in from afar!

As it landed, a voice followed.

The newcomer was none other than Yun Zhongzi, the Sect Leader of Qiyun Valley.

Once Yun Zhongzi appeared, he waved his hand, releasing a surge of Spiritual Qi that instantly dispersed the auras around Pei Zhao and Yao Lin.

"You two, as heads of courtyards, such impulsive behavior is unbecoming, isn't it?"

Yun Zhongzi glanced at them, his voice cold.

Suppressing her anger, Yao Lin cupped her hands and spoke, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, this child defies the elders of the sect and slanders disciples of Cliff Mountain Courtyard. I intended to apprehend him and take him to the Law Enforcement Hall, but Pei Zhao openly shields him. Please, Sect Leader Senior Brother, give your judgment!"

Seeing this, Pei Zhao hurriedly cupped his hands and defended.

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, regarding the deaths of Zhang Yuan and others from Cliff Mountain Courtyard, my inept disciple Wen'an has a different account."

"Junior Brother believes it best to immediately have Heshan return to clarify things."

Yun Zhongzi said nothing, casting a deep look at Shen Wen'an.

"Qi Cultivation Perfection..."

"You've been part of Qiyun Valley for less than ten years, haven't you?"

Shen Wen'an slightly cupped his hands, "Reporting to Sect Leader, it has been nine years."

He had joined Qiyun Valley at the age of eight and had just turned seventeen, indeed only nine years.

Yun Zhongzi nodded, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

"In nine years, you haven't practiced the cultivation techniques of Qiyun Valley, nor respected our sect's rules. Today, as the Sect Leader of Qiyun Valley, I hereby expel you from the sect."

"From now on, you have no connection with Qiyun Valley."

"Senior Brother!" Hearing Yun Zhongzi's words, Pei Zhao's face was full of disbelief, and he hastily cupped his hands.

"Say no more, this matter ends here."

Yun Zhongzi coldly glanced at him and then turned to Yao Lin, "Cliff Mountain Courtyard has failed in its teachings, and its disciples lack character."

"Effective immediately, all disciples of Cliff Mountain Courtyard are to engage in seclusion until they can pass the Heart Refining Array."

"Sect Leader..." Yao Lin's face turned dramatically, but she stopped herself, realizing something, and simply cupped her hands in resignation.

Yun Zhongzi turned back to Shen Wen'an, "Though we've been master and disciple, I offer you one more hour to say farewell to your master. Later, Heshan will personally escort you away."

"Junior Brother Pei, have a good conversation with your disciple."

Saying this, Yun Zhongzi left with a wave of his sleeve.

Yao Lin also gave Shen Wen'an an angry look, then left Hidden Cloud Courtyard.

"Heshan has returned..."

Pei Zhao murmured, and combining it with Sect Leader Yun Zhongzi's judgment on Cliff Mountain Courtyard, he instantly understood that his disciple's account about Zhang Yuan's death was likely the truth.

Li Heshan must also know Shen Wen'an has returned, fearing this matter would erupt uncontrollably, so he came back to the sect to reveal the facts to Sect Leader Yun Zhongzi.

Disciples attacking their fellow brothers' families, annihilating them, was too heinous.

If word got out, Qiyun Valley's reputation in the entire cultivation realm of Danzhou would be ruined. Who would dare to join Qiyun Valley after that?

Pei Zhao understood that Sect Leader Yun Zhongzi's last words were hinting for him to have a good talk with Shen Wen'an and not reveal this matter outside.

Thinking of this, he could only shake his head helplessly.

"Wen'an, as your master..."

"Master, I understand," Shen Wen'an forced a smile and cupped his hands, "Even if I'm expelled from the sect, you will always be my master."

Hearing this, Pei Zhao was slightly stunned, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Your senior brothers and sisters say you're cold-hearted, but who truly understands you?"

"Wen'an, since you still acknowledge me as your master, then I have a request."

Pei Zhao hesitated for a moment and said, "The matter with Cliff Mountain Courtyard... let it end here; don't tell anyone else."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Shen Wen'an paused for a moment, then spoke, "I understand, Master."

"Rest assured, Master."

Pei Zhao nodded repeatedly, "Child, you've been wronged. It is Qiyun Valley that has failed you."

He sighed deeply and continued, "I remember you wanted an Illusion Array Plate, yes?"

"Wait a moment."

Saying this, he hurried back into the room.

Moments later, he returned to the pavilion.

"Take this."

"Inside are three array plates refined by me, along with my years of insights on Array Dao and Alchemy Dao, and some common knowledge of the cultivation realm."

"Rest assured, these are all from my own study, not involving any sect secrets."

"I know you're passionate about the Sword Dao and have no time to study these."

"But you can take them back for your family to see."

"When you return, if you need anything, you can still ask your senior sister to send a message to me..."

Feeling guilty, Pei Zhao seemed eager to give all he had to make amends with this disciple.

Even Shen Wen'an, usually indifferent, was deeply moved at this moment.

"Master..."

He took the heavy storage bag and respectfully knelt, bowing to Pei Zhao.

"I, as your disciple, have been unfilial, constantly causing you trouble all these years."

Pei Zhao hurriedly reached out to help him up, smiling as he spoke, "As cultivators, we should have our own sharpness, and that's a good thing."

"I'm getting old, and much of my sharpness has worn away."

"Wen'an, train hard; I hope to see you one day become a Sword Immortal like the Lingshan Sword Immortal, renowned throughout Danzhou..."

As Shen Wen'an nodded heavily, a figure appeared at the entrance of Hidden Cloud Courtyard.

"Junior Brother Wen'an, it's time to leave..."

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