Chapter 70: Sect Inquiry, Argument

The Xuanyun Sect's massive flying boat returned to the sect amidst a depressing and gloomy atmosphere. Unlike the high-spirited departure, on the return journey, nearly all the disciples' gazes were fixed on Ye Li, who sat alone in a corner, regulating her breathing. Envy, jealousy, awe, worry... a complex mix of emotions mingled.

A star core! That's the legendary condensed essence of the stars! And yet, a disciple at the Condensation Veins Realm had obtained it! This news spread like wildfire on the flying boat, even reaching the sect via a communication talisman in advance, causing a huge uproar.

Ye Li ignored the outside gazes, concentrating on healing her wounds while carefully looking inward. The star core, shrunken countless times, now resembled a blue diamond and hovered quietly beside the fragment of the Samsara Mirror. It emitted a gentle and pure source of energy, slowly nourishing her damaged soul and meridians. The fragment of the Samsara Mirror had returned to its calm state, though its radiance seemed a little brighter than before.

She knew this was just the calm before the storm. As soon as the flying boat landed at Xuantian Peak Square, a deacon from the Law Enforcement Hall approached with an expressionless face.

"Ye Li, the Sect Master and the elders are already waiting in Lingxiao Palace. Please follow me."

What was supposed to come finally came. Ye Li took a deep breath, stood up calmly, and followed the deacon to the magnificent palace that symbolized the center of Xuanyun Sect's supreme power. Lay Buddhist Mu Yun had already been waiting outside the palace. Seeing her, he gave her a soothing look and a slight nod, indicating that she need not panic.

The master and the disciple entered the Lingxiao Palace together.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and dignified. Xuanyun Sect's head, Xuan Chengzi, sat at the main seat, his face gaunt and his gaze deep, his emotions unrecognizable. On either side sat Elder Yan of the Law Enforcement Hall, Situ Kuang, the leader of War Peak, Ling Yunzi, the leader of Sword Peak, and Miao Yin Zhenren, the leader of Danxia Peak. Gao Sheng also stood behind Situ Kuang, glaring at Ye Li with resentment.

Besides these familiar faces, there were two elders in the hall, both imbued with a profound aura and dressed in crimson Taoist robes. They were none other than the returning Red Flame Sect elder Yan Sha, and another Red Flame Sect elder. Their expressions were gloomy, clearly indicating ill intentions.

"Disciple Ye Li (Mu Yun) pays homage to the master and all the elders." Ye Li and Mu Yun bowed.

Xuan Chengzi raised his hand slightly, his voice calm yet commanding, "No need to be polite. Ye Li, we are all aware of the matter regarding the meteorite ruins. Elder Yansha of the Red Flame Sect has accused you of using improper means to seize the star core, leaving his disciples with nothing. Furthermore, fellow disciple Gao Sheng has also accused you of harming his fellow disciples. What do you have to say?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on Ye Li.

Ye Li raised his head, his eyes clear and fearless, and said in a loud voice: "Reporting to the master, all elders, everything I said is true. I would like to ask Senior Brother Shi Yue of Houtu Sect and others to bear witness."

She recounted the events within the core area of ​​the ruins in their entirety, without embellishment. From the five-party standoff, to the appearance of the Star Python, to Gao Sheng's surprise attack with the Soul-Devouring Blood Talisman, her being forced to deflect the blame, leading to the deaths of his fellow disciples, to the arrival of reinforcements from the Red Flame Sect, her using special means to collect the star core, and Qin Yixuan's assistance, her threatening to self-destruct the star core to force everyone back.

Her narration was clear and focused, especially the details of Goldman Sachs' sneak attack and the Red Flame Sect's use of force, which made many neutral elders present frown slightly.

Lay Buddhist Muyun spoke at the right time, his voice gentle but powerful: "Master, fellow disciples. According to Ye Li, she collected the star core during a chaotic battle between all parties, each relying on their own abilities. How can it be said that she stole it? As for Junior Brother Gao Sheng's accusation of killing fellow disciples, it is even more nonsense! If Gao Sheng had not had malicious intentions and launched a sneak attack first, how could the subsequent incidents have occurred? This matter can be testified by all the disciples of Houtu Sect. On the contrary, Gao Sheng was the one who killed his fellow disciples and violated the sect rules. He should be punished!"

"Muyun! Stop protecting your disciple!" Situ Kuang slammed the armrest of his chair and stood up suddenly. The violent aura of the peak of the Spiritual Mansion Realm pressed towards Ye Li, "Even if Gao Sheng is wrong, he doesn't deserve death! Ye Li is a woman with a vicious heart and strange methods. She was able to make the Star Python surrender. She must have practiced magic! That star core is an ominous object and must be handed over to the sect for disposal! Otherwise, I, Zhan Kuangfeng, will never agree!"

Yan Sha also interjected sinisterly, "Master Xuan Chengzi, the facts are clear before us! If this woman didn't possess rare treasures or sorcery, how could she have collected the star core with her Vein Condensation Realm cultivation? The star core is of such importance, how could a young person control it? If the Xuanyun Sect insists on shielding her, don't blame me, the Chiyan Sect, for reporting this to the Alliance and asking the Alliance Elders Council for arbitration!"

The Alliance Elders' Council! That was a force that was above all the major sects. If they intervened, things would become even more complicated.

The pressure was once again placed on the Xuanyun Sect.

Sect Leader Xuan Chengzi's expression remained unchanged as he turned to Ye Li. "Ye Li, how do you explain the doubts raised by Peak Master Situ and Elder Yan Sha? What method did you use to collect the star core? And why did the giant star python show its submission to you?"

This was the most crucial question! Everyone pricked up their ears. Even Lay Buddhist Mu Yun looked at Ye Li with a hint of worry. If she answered this question poorly, it would confirm the suspicion of "demonic power" or "evil arts," and the sect would have a hard time protecting her.

Ye Li's mind raced. The Samsara Mirror was the ultimate secret that must never be revealed. She had already prepared an explanation, and now, facing the Sect Master's question, a hint of bewilderment and lingering fear appeared on her face. She said respectfully, "Master, I don't know the specific reason. The situation was critical. I was besieged by many senior brothers and sisters and the elders of the Red Flame Sect. My life was hanging by a thread, and I just wanted to fight to the death. Perhaps it was the extremely cold and yin nature of the cultivation method I practiced, the 'Youhuan Emperor Sutra,' which resonated with the star power of the giant star python in some unknown way? Or perhaps I had obtained a trace of star essence in the secret realm (referring to the Binglan Realm), and the aura was similar? At that time, I only felt something (vaguely) throb in my soul, and the giant python stopped attacking... As for collecting the star core, I just tried it subconsciously, and unexpectedly succeeded. The whole process is also confusing and difficult to explain."

She attributed everything to the unique nature of her practice and coincidence, acting like a lucky charm rather than a conspirator with a treasure. This narrative, a mixture of truth and falsehood, both explained the phenomenon and concealed the core secret.

Sure enough, after hearing her explanation, some elders looked thoughtful. The "Youhuan Emperor Scripture" was no secret within the sect; it was a top-level technique passed down from ancient times, so some of its peculiarities made sense. The concept of chance was even more common in the world of immortal cultivation.

Ling Yunzi, the head of Jianfeng Peak, suddenly spoke up, "Opportunities are predetermined by heaven; forcing them is useless. Ye Li's ability to obtain the star core and have it recognized as her master was a stroke of good fortune. We cultivators are going against heaven's will. If we forcibly deprive our disciples of their opportunities, how is that any different from the devil? As for Gao Sheng's ambush on his fellow disciples, the evidence is irrefutable. He should be dealt with according to the sect's rules to serve as a warning to others!"

Ling Yunzi has a straight-forward character and values ​​rules the most, so his words carry a lot of weight.

Miaoyin Zhenren of Danxia Peak also spoke softly, "Master, Ye Li is exceptionally gifted and a future pillar of the sect. The Star Core is in her hands. If we can make good use of it, it will surely become a great force in the future and a blessing to the sect. If we surrender it easily due to external pressure, wouldn't it chill the hearts of all disciples? As for the Chiyan Sect... our Xuanyun Sect is no pushover either."

The two heavyweight peak masters expressed their support for Ye Li, and the situation suddenly became delicate.

Situ Kuang and Yan Sha's expressions became even uglier.

Sect Master Xuan Chengzi pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the room before he finally spoke slowly, "While the process by which Ye Li obtained the Star Core is controversial, there's no conclusive evidence proving he used sorcery. It's hard to fault a matter of chance. However, the Star Core is of great importance, and possessing it is a sin. If you were to control it completely, you would likely bring disaster upon yourself and trouble upon the sect."

He paused and continued, "The sect has decided as follows: First, the star core will remain in Ye Li's safekeeping, and the sect will not deprive him of it. However, Ye Li must swear a heart demon oath that he will never use this object to harm the sect, and will provide assistance to the best of his ability when the sect needs it. Second, as the price of obtaining the sect's protection, Ye Li must hand over 50% of the other gains from this relic to the sect, and confiscate three years of sect offerings to appease some of the dissent. Third, Gao Sheng violated the sect's rules by ambushing a fellow sect member and will be punished with three years of solitary confinement, ten years of offerings will be deducted, and he must apologize and compensate Ye Li. Fourth, as for the Chiyan Sect..."

He looked at Yansha, his tone becoming tougher: "Elder Yansha, the seizure of treasures from ruins depends on one's own ability. This is the consensus of the spirit world. Your disciples are not as skilled as others, so how can you blame others? If your sect insists on pestering us, my Xuanyun Sect will fight to the end!"

This resolution can be said to be a weighing of the pros and cons. It not only saved Ye Li and the star core and maintained the dignity of the sect, but also made certain concessions (handing over part of the harvest and punishing Gao Sheng) to quell internal conflicts, while taking a tough attitude towards the outside world.

Ye Li knew this was the best outcome she could achieve. While handing over some of her gains was painful, it was nothing compared to the star cores. She immediately bowed and said, "Disciple, I obey the sect's resolution and pledge my inner demon!"

Mu Yun Jushi also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a bow, "Master, you are wise."

Although Situ Kuang was unwilling, the sect leader and several peak masters had already expressed their stance. If he continued to object, he would be making an enemy of the entire sect's top leaders. He could only snort coldly and say no more. However, the look in Ye Li's eyes showed an even stronger murderous intent.

Yan Sha was so angry that he was shaking all over, pointing at Xuan Chengzi: "Good! What a great Xuanyun Sect! This matter is not over yet! Let's go!" After that, he took another elder and left angrily!

The turmoil was temporarily suppressed within the sect. But Ye Li knew that Situ Kuang's resentment and the Chiyan Sect's hostility were like swords hanging over her head. And within the sect, there were probably many people who were dissatisfied with her monopoly on the core of the star.

After leaving Lingxiao Palace, Monk Muyun patted Ye Li on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Li'er, although you have passed this test, you must be more cautious in your words and actions in the future and work hard to improve your strength. Only when you are strong can you truly be fearless of wind and rain."

"Disciple understands. Thank you Master for your protection." Ye Li said solemnly.

After returning to Yundan Peak, Ye Li immediately carried out the decision and selected about 50% of the star gold, broken ancient treasures and other items obtained from the ruins to hand over to the sect, and made a vow to his inner demon.

After dealing with these trivial matters, she sat alone in the courtyard, gazing at the night sky. The star core slowly spun within her sea of ​​consciousness, bringing with it powerful power but also endless trouble.

"Pressure... is motivation." She murmured to herself, her eyes becoming more determined.

The road ahead was destined to be bumpy. But she was fearless. Whether it was the open and covert attacks from within the sect or the covetous gazes from outside, she would overcome them all!

She needed to become stronger faster, to establish a more stable power, and to be fully prepared for the potential full-scale conflict. The development of Youge must be accelerated.