Chapter 1675: Chapter 1675

Huo Zhenying entered the Sect Master Hall and felt a heavy atmosphere. Then he saw Zhuang Ling sitting at the high seat, and couldn’t help but show a look of surprise, not knowing what business the Steward of Danxia Manor had at this sect.

Out of politeness, Huo Zhenying nodded and smiled at Zhuang Ling, then sat in a chair to the side, looking thoughtfully at Sect Master Lan Peiyu.

Before returning to Yunhai Sect, Shi Xiaolian had finally mustered the courage to hold Fang Bai’s hand, unwilling to let go for even a moment. But now with commands from the Sect Master, she had no choice but to obey, pouting as she released Fang Bai’s hand and stepped forward lightly.

"Xiao Lian, He Linfeng, the son of the Manor Master of Danxia Manor, wishes to form a Martial Dao partnership with you. What do you think?"

With Zhuang Ling present, Lan Peiyu didn’t want to beat around the bush, so she came right to the point and asked.

As soon as she spoke, not only was Shi Xiaolian stunned, but Huo Zhenying was also taken aback.

Behind Shi Xiaolian, the faint smile that Fang Bai had on his lips vanished, replaced by a hint of coldness.

On the way to Yunhai Sect, Fang Bai had sensed Shi Xiaolian’s deep love for him. Although he could not immediately accept the transformation of this "little sister" into a close confidante, he would never allow Shi Xiaolian’s fate to be dictated by others.

Huo Zhenying looked at Fang Bai, then at Shi Xiaolian, feeling that she had to speak up; otherwise, who knows how much rebellious and oppositional sentiment the Sect Master’s words might provoke in Shi Xiaolian and Fang Bai.

"Sect Master, Xiao Lian and Fang Bai have known each other since before, they were childhood friends..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lan Peiyu interrupted her with a wave of her hand, saying in a deep voice, "What childhood friends, the past doesn’t count! Now that Shi Xiaolian is a disciple of my Yunhai Sect, she must listen to me in all matters!"

Pausing, her gaze bypassed Shi Xiaolian to look at Fang Bai behind her, and asked coldly, "I don’t care who you are, in any case, Shi Xiaolian is not someone you are worthy of. If you have any sense, leave her side!"

Perhaps realizing her words were heavy, Lan Peiyu softened her tone slightly and continued, "Here’s the deal: as long as you leave Shi Xiaolian, I’ll compensate you with some cultivation resources, enough for your next ten years of cultivation. How about it?"

Shi Xiaolian bit her lip, suddenly turning her head to glance at Fang Bai, and said defiantly, "Sect Master, you can’t make him leave!"

Lan Peiyu was a strong Sect Master, saying one thing and meaning it in the sect; no disciple ever dared to defy her.

In Lan Peiyu’s impression, Shi Xiaolian was usually obedient and mild, so she didn’t expect her to defy her in front of the high-ranking members and Zhuang Ling, who was an outsider. She couldn’t help but give a sharp look.

"Shi Xiaolian, do you not even listen to me now?"

Lan Peiyu called out softly, her voice filled with authority and faint pressure.

If it were other disciples, seeing the Sect Master angry, they would have already knelt on the ground, trembling.

But Shi Xiaolian was unyielding, stubbornly raising her head, and said clearly, "Sect Master, if your words are reasonable, I’ll listen. If they’re not, I won’t! Brother Fang is my friend. He hasn’t done anything wrong, nor offended anyone in our sect, so why do you make him leave?"

Lan Peiyu was furious, her eyes flaring, her right palm slowly rising.

For Shi Xiaolian to defy the Sect Master , it amounted to a grave crime against the sect rules, and it would be entirely justified for Lan Peiyu to kill Shi Xiaolian on the spot.

In her anger, Lan Peiyu indeed harbored some killing intent but reconsidered, realizing Shi Xiaolian was an unparalleled genius disciple of Yunhai Sect in centuries, and she couldn’t bear to harm her.

"Sect Master, don’t!"

Huo Zhenying, seeing the Sect Master’s anger, was aghast and rushed forward, shielding Shi Xiaolian behind her, pleading, "Xiao Lian is young and doesn’t understand..."

Shi Xiaolian said aggrievedly, "Master, I’m not a child anymore..."

Huo Zhenying looked back at Shi Xiaolian and softly said, "Xiao Lian, listen to your Master, don’t anger the Sect Master anymore!"

Within Yunhai Sect, Shi Xiaolian held the strongest affection for Huo Zhenying. Huo Zhenying always treated Shi Xiaolian like her own granddaughter and couldn’t bear to see her continue to defy the Sect Master and possibly make an irreparable mistake.

Zhuang Ling chuckled from the side, saying, "Sect Master Lan, don’t be angry. This matter seems easy to resolve to me..."

He glanced at Fang Bai, and his voice carried a chilling intent as he continued, "With a junior, why babble? Just force him to leave, and all problems will be solved, won’t they? If he’s unyielding, beat him until he submits! If he still doesn’t get it, slap him to death!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiaolian immediately became unwilling, her beautiful eyes wide open as she pointed angrily at Zhuang Ling, "Hey, how can you speak ? What has my Brother Fang done to you? You’re a guest here. If we forcibly drove you away, would you be pleased?"

Zhuang Ling’s expression darkened, and he snorted, "Rude girl! Sect Master Lan, are all your Yunhai Sect disciples this ill-bred?" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

His last remark essentially insulted all Yunhai Sect disciples, causing the present high-ranking members of Yunhai Sect to look displeased, silently wondering how Zhuang Ling could speak so poorly, as Shi Xiaolian was the only one to offend him, yet he implied the entire Yunhai Sect disciples lacked discipline.

Lan Peiyu took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and looked at Fang Bai, who had remained silent with indifference, saying, "Did you hear what I just said? If you don’t want Shi Xiaolian punished, leave her side!"

"And if I don’t leave?"

No one expected him to be able to smile at this moment.

Lan Peiyu was surprised by Fang Bai’s composure, and said coldly, "You also heard what Steward Zhuang said. If you don’t leave, I’ll act!"

Fang Bai nodded and waved to Shi Xiaolian, saying, "Xiao Lian, it seems your sect doesn’t welcome me! Let’s go!"

Shi Xiaolian responded with an "Oh", obediently walked to his side, and held Fang Bai’s hand again.

When Shi Xiaolian was defying the Sect Master earlier, she had been somewhat apprehensive, but Fang Bai’s composure gave her confidence and courage, making her feel that with Brother Fang by her side, there was nothing to fear.

Even if it meant death, Shi Xiaolian felt that being with Brother Fang was a kind of happiness.

Watching Fang Bai and Shi Xiaolian holding hands, Lan Peiyu almost lost control of her emotions and erupted on the spot.

Zhuang Ling remained silent, merely glancing at Lan Peiyu with a constant cold sneer.

The other high-ranking members of Yunhai Sect looked at Shi Xiaolian and Fang Bai, then at Lan Peiyu, shaking their heads and sighing, looking troubled.

"Ignoring master’s orders and defying the Sect Master, akin to a rebellious crime, what use is such a disciple?"

Lan Peiyu closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and made a harsh decision, "Elder Huo, according to the sect rules, you take care of this!"