Chapter 188 This kind of protection for him, I don't know...

Upon hearing Si Yao's words, Daoist Chongming was so agitated that he coughed up blood. He stretched out his hand to Si Yao and said, "Give it to me."

Si Yao looked at him with a confused expression, hesitated for a moment, picked up a piece of broken stone in front of her, and put it into Chongming Daojun's palm. "Master, here you go."

Looking at the broken stones in his palm, Chongming threw them away and yelled at Si Yao, "Not this! Give me your spiritual root, now!"

"Master, what do you need my spiritual root for? If I lose my spiritual root, how will I cultivate in the future?" Si Yao looked at Daoist Chongming, still pretending to be bewildered.

Just pretend you don't know anything. Tell the senior that she has a recording stone and can help her record these things so that these people won't go back on their word later.

Si Yao stared at Daoist Chongming for a moment, as if she had just noticed the blood all over him. She wanted to reach out to him, but then, as if remembering something, she withdrew her hand.

"Master, are you alright?"

Daoist Chongming's gaze fell on Si Yao, and he suddenly laughed. He struggled to his feet, but because he had just exhausted too much of his cultivation, he was now weak from the backlash and fell back down as soon as he stood up.

"Master." Si Yao did her best to play the role of a good disciple who cared about her master. When she saw him fall, she quickly went over to help him up.

As a result, he accidentally stepped on a pebble and fell directly onto Chongming. Chongming struggled to get up, but fell to the ground again, this time landing face down.

"Master, are you still alive?" Si Yao asked, looking at the motionless Daoist Chongming.

"Get out of the way."

When Si Yao got up, she either pressed her hand on Chongming's injured spot or stepped on his fingers. After a flurry of activity, she was finally able to stand up.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Daoist Chongming suddenly attacked her, aiming directly at digging out her spiritual root.

Si Yao screamed in fright and shoved Chongming Daojun away. Chongming Daojun, who did not expect Si Yao to resist, was pushed and lost his balance. He took two steps back and fell directly off the Cliff of Contemplation.

"Master, Master!" Si Yao lay on the edge of the cliff, reaching out to call out to Chongming, only feeling relieved after watching him fall off the Cliff of Repentance.

"Master, are you still alive?" Si Yao shouted at the bottom of the cliff with her hands cupped like megaphones.

The people who rushed over just happened to see Chongming make a move, and then Si Yao pushed him and he fell down.

"Sect Master, Master..."

The sect leader raised his hand to stop Si Yao from speaking. He hadn't expected Chongming to be so badly injured. Si Yao had only given him a light push, yet he was already unable to stand.

Thinking that Chongming was harmed by the barrier of the Cliff of Contemplation in order to save Wenyin, the sect leader hated Chongming Daojun even more for being so spineless, torturing himself like this because of love.

Chongming and Wenyin's relationship is truly a tragic one. If I had known they would end up like this, I would never have agreed to let Chongming take Wenyin as his disciple.

"Uncle-Master, could there be some misunderstanding?"

“What misunderstanding could there be? He even dug up Li Huang’s spiritual root for Wen Yin’s sake. What else wouldn’t he dare to do? That bastard.”

Si Yao seemed to have just realized something, "So that means, Master was trying to dig out my spiritual root for Junior Sister Wen Yin?"

Before the sect leader and the elders could speak, Si Yao began her performance, "No, it's impossible. I don't believe that Master is that kind of person, and Junior Sister Wen Yin is definitely not what she wanted. It's all fake."

"Si Yao, don't worry, we won't let your spiritual root be taken away," the sect leader comforted her.

Mutant water spiritual roots are rare, and Si Yao is a rare cultivation prodigy. How can we just stand by and watch her spiritual root be destroyed?

They found Chongming Daojun unconscious at the bottom of the Cliff of Contemplation. Everyone looked at the sect leader, hoping he could make a decision.

"Take the person back first," the sect leader ordered.

We absolutely cannot allow Chongming to continue acting so recklessly.

Whatever his feelings for Si Yao or Wen Yin, he must cut them off. Whether they're real or not, he absolutely cannot be allowed to continue down this wrong path.

The sect leader looked at the unconscious Daoist Chongming, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes. Si Yao keenly sensed it and took a few steps back to distance herself from the sect leader, lest he suddenly attack her.

Seeing that Chongming was about to wake up, the sect leader hurriedly ordered his men to carry him away. His junior brother was a rare genius in the cultivation world, destined to ascend to the upper realm. How could he be so obsessed with women?

He wasn't practicing the method of replenishing yang through yin-yang cultivation; he should be on the right path and absolutely cannot be ruined by lust.

Just as the sect had selected a few disciples and was preparing to carry the person away, Daoist Chongming opened his eyes and stood up again with great strength.

Even though his bones felt like they were shattered and he was sweating profusely from the pain, he still limped towards Si Yao.

"Si Yao".

"Master, revered master."

"Yinyin is injured. Her spiritual root is destroyed, and she can no longer cultivate."

Si Yao covered her mouth in surprise, as if she had just learned the news, her face showing just the right amount of disbelief. "How could this happen? Why is Junior Sister injured?"

Actually, Si Yao wanted to know more about how Wen Yin got injured.

Daoist Chongming looked at Si Yao with a dark and unfathomable gaze. "Yin Yin has a water spiritual root, and so do you. The only way for her to survive in the cultivation world is to give your spiritual root to Yin Yin. A Yao, I am ordering you in the name of your master to give your spiritual root to Yin Yin. This is what you owe her, and you must repay it."

"But I didn't destroy Junior Sister's spiritual root. I don't feel like I owe her anything. I don't know what aspect Master is referring to when he says he owes her?"

“If you hadn’t refused to go on the training with Yin Yin and the others, how could Yin Yin have lost her spiritual root? Si Yao, isn’t this what you owe her? As the senior sister, you ran away to the Cliff of Repentance to shirk your responsibilities. I should have taught you that you have to repay what you owe others. Now is the time for you to repay her.”

Xiang Bei was dumbfounded by Chongming's sophistry.

[This guy is so shameless! What on earth is he thinking?]

Si Yao also agreed with her senior's words and was curious about how her master's brain worked. He could make such twisted and heretical arguments sound so convincing that cultivators in the cultivation world might think this was the style of their Heavenly Sword Sect.

It's so embarrassing; I have to distance myself from these people.

"But Master, without my spiritual root, I'll be a cripple from now on. How can I possibly cultivate again?"

"I will marry you."

"Huh?" Si Yao forgot to pretend to be innocent and stared wide-eyed at Daoist Chongming, her eyes full of disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Not only was Si Yao stunned, but Xiang Bei was also taken aback.

Was his brain damaged when he fell?

Not to mention the others around them, who were so shocked they couldn't even speak.

"Junior Brother Chongming, what nonsense are you spouting?" the sect leader roared as he came to his senses.

What kind of talk is it for a master to marry his disciple?

Seeing his unwavering devotion to Wen Yin, even going so far as to dig up the spiritual root of his eldest disciple Si Yao for her sake, why did he suddenly propose to marry Si Yao?

Even the sect leader was filled with self-doubt. He felt that his junior brother was mentally ill and might have gone mad while cultivating.

Chongming Daojun wouldn't listen to anything anyone said. He took two steps forward and approached Si Yao, looking as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. "A Yao, I've always known what you're thinking."

This time, Si Yao didn't need to pretend; she was genuinely shocked.

He knew he had feelings for him, yet he accepted everything he did. Worried that others would find out he loved his master, he carefully concealed his feelings. The master knew all this, but chose to remain indifferent, letting him suffer in private.

However, even though he knew that Wen Yin liked him, he treated Wen Yin differently than he treated himself.

Si Yao suddenly found it ridiculous that she had ever liked such a person.

Perhaps it was because his image of descending from the sky when the village was in trouble that was deeply imprinted in her mind, so her feelings for Chongming Daojun were not entirely innocent.

There's nothing wrong with admitting your own thoughts.

But the person standing in front of her now, with that self-righteous attitude, made Si Yao feel a sense of disgust from the bottom of her heart.

What was his mindset when he said those words?

Who does he think he is? What gives him the right to take away her spiritual root with just a few words?

He even said he wanted to marry her; it's utterly ridiculous.

Once she agrees, will rumors spread that she and Chongming have an illicit affair, and will she be portrayed as a wicked villain who uses a debt of gratitude to break up Chongming and Wenyin, the two lovers?

I would only agree to such an absurd thing if I were possessed by a demon.

Seeing that Si Yao remained silent, Daoist Chongming frowned, his tone becoming even sterner, "Si Yao, don't forget who saved your life. I saved you, so your life is mine. Now I only want your spiritual root, and you must give it to me. Besides, I've already agreed to marry you, what more do you want?"

"No." Si Yao shook her head.

"You dare not give it to me?" Daoist Chongming looked at Si Yao. If he hadn't been seriously injured, he wouldn't have bothered to negotiate with Si Yao like this. He would have already taken her spiritual root and replaced it with Wen Yin's.

Si Yao looked up at Chongming, "Indeed, Master saved my life, and I will repay that debt. I can give you my spiritual root, and I don't want Master to say such absurd things as marrying me. I only have one request."

After staring at Si Yao for a while, Chongming thought he had seen through her thoughts. A confident smile appeared on his lips as he said, as if bestowing a favor, "Speak!"

Si Yao looked at Chongming Daojun, ignoring his attitude, "Master saved my life, but without spiritual roots, I am no different from a cripple. I am willing to exchange my spiritual roots for the life Master once saved. From now on, we will be even."

"What did you say?" Chongming asked Siyao in disbelief.

“I said, I’ll exchange my spiritual root for yours, but we’ll have no further connection as master and disciple, and I will no longer be the senior sister of the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

After a long silence, Chongming received a message from a disciple saying that Wen Yin was dying. His gaze hardened instantly. "Si Yao, you do have talent in cultivation. It's a pity that you are too jealous. Since you say so, I will grant your wish."

Seeing that he agreed, Si Yao breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise, she would have had to think of other ways to provoke him and make him agree. "Please have all my senior uncles bear witness for me. From this moment on, you and I will sever our master-disciple relationship. From now on, I, Si Yao, will have no further connection with the Heavenly Sword Sect or Daoist Chongming."

Daoist Chongming's pupils contracted as he looked at Si Yao in disbelief. "How dare you, Si Yao, say such a thing? Fine, since you want to leave, then leave your spiritual root behind and get out of here. Don't come begging me later if you regret it."

Si Yao looked at Chongming and said, "I hope that my master will grant my wish, and that the Heavenly Sword Sect will remove me from their ranks and have nothing to do with me."

"Very well, senior brother, please summon the law enforcement elder and remove Si Yao from the list immediately."

"Junior Brother Chongming, calm down. Si Yao, your master isn't quite right in the head right now, don't mess around with him," the sect leader called out from the side.

Si Yao didn't want to listen. Her mind was made up. She absolutely could not stay in the Heavenly Sword Sect any longer. Who could stand a master who would kill someone at the drop of a hat?

Chongming didn't listen at all. He was convinced that Si Yao was just playing hard to get. He thought that Si Yao, who had lost her spiritual root, could not possibly leave the Heavenly Sword Sect. She would stay in the end.

With just one glance, Si Yao guessed what Chongming was up to. Unfortunately, she wouldn't let him have his way. His blind faith in Wen Yin's words and the harm he had caused her were real; how could she possibly still idolize him as her master as before?

Besides, she acted for so long precisely to sever her master-disciple relationship with him.

The person who once filled her heart with joy at first sight has long since become unrecognizable in her heart.

He used to act without hesitation for Wen Yin's sake, and now he's even ruthlessly trying to take her water spirit root. Who knows what he'll do next?

Sometimes Si Yao felt that Chongming's constant claims of being for Wen Yin were not truly for Wen Yin's sake; it was as if he was using Wen Yin as an excuse to cause trouble for her anytime, anywhere.

If she doesn't cut her losses in time, she'll be the one who suffers in the future.

Thinking about the spiritual root she was going to give away, Si Yao's heart calmed down.

Although he and Wen Yin might be furious when they find out the truth in the future, this is the result they insisted on, so she can't be blamed for resorting to such a desperate measure.

Si Yao decided to add fuel to the fire.

"Master, oh no, Daoist Chongming, please get this done as soon as possible. Once I'm completely removed from the list, I'll give you my spiritual root. Please hurry."

Daoist Chongming looked at Si Yao, his eyes gradually filled with anger. Si Yao's words and expression clearly told him that she was jealous of Wen Yin and was forcing him to make a choice.

This made Daoist Chongming even angrier. In the end, it was because he had been too lenient with Si Yao in the past that she was able to threaten him with such things.

Since she wants to leave her so badly, then let her go.

"Si Yao, one day you will regret losing your status as the senior sister of the Heavenly Sword Sect and my protection."

After losing your protection, I suddenly realized that the outside world wasn't so dangerous after all.

This is a classic case of "I will shield you from the wind and rain, but you don't need to worry about where the wind and rain came from."

Si Yao pursed her lips, lowered her head and didn't speak, her shoulders trembling.

Everyone thought she was heartbroken, but only Si Yao knew she was about to go crazy. She wouldn't regret it, but the thought of staying away from these crazy people made her afraid she wouldn't be able to hold back her laughter.

She could finally leave this place; she was finally free.

Si Yao felt that what her senior said was very true. She studied and practiced diligently in order to improve her skills. In the past, she felt that the hardest thing was that she practiced while others were practicing, she practiced while others were resting, and she practiced while others were sleeping.

Looking back now, it wasn't bitter at all. I was physically tired, but what I gained in return was my growing cultivation, which made me realize that my efforts were worthwhile.

The greatest suffering she had ever endured was clearly caused by Chongming. Not only did he not repay her, but he also made her suffer even more, making her suffer from head to toe. How could he have the nerve to say that he would protect her?

Is protecting her tantamount to destroying her spiritual roots?

I wonder if he would want this kind of protection?

"Junior Brother Chongming, why don't you reconsider?" the Enforcement Elder advised.

Chongming felt good about himself, thinking he was broad-minded and willing to give Siyao another chance. "If you take back what you just said, what I said before still stands, and I will continue to protect you."

Si Yao couldn't even imagine what she would face if she agreed.

Did he really not think about it at all?

Or perhaps he knew the truth but did it on purpose, so that others would think he, as the master, liked Wen Yin, and therefore he deliberately married her to draw attention to himself, thus making others overlook the sordid affair between him and Wen Yin.

“If the protection that Daoist Chongming is talking about is marrying his own disciple, I think that’s too absurd and I can’t accept it.” Si Yao shook her head. “I don’t know how I gave Master the wrong impression that I like you, but Master, how can a disciple like Master? Let alone marry Master.”

"You still want to leave the Heavenly Sword Sect? You'll never regret it?"

Si Yao nodded, "Yes, if Master insists that I give my spiritual root to Wen Yin, then he must sever our master-disciple relationship and let me leave the Heavenly Sword Sect."

"Alright, I promise you." Daoist Chongming said, looking at Si Yao.

"Remove Si Yao from the list immediately; Wen Yin can't wait any longer."

Daoist Chongming looked at Si Yao, his attitude was already very clear. In his heart, there was no way Si Yao could leave him.

Even if she leaves, she'll come back sheepishly in a few days; she can't go very far.

The master and disciple had already made their decision, and no one could interfere. The enforcement elder sighed and crossed Si Yao's name off the Heavenly Sword Sect's disciple register.

“From now on, Si Yao is no longer my disciple, nor is she the senior sister of the Heavenly Sword Sect. She is not allowed to use the name of my Heavenly Sword Sect to do anything.”

With the contract concluded and witnessed by the entire sect, Daoist Chongming and Siyao officially severed their master-disciple relationship, and from then on, they had no further connection.

Daoist Chongming looked at Si Yao and pressed her with his eyes, "Go to the medical cultivators and get your spiritual root."

"No need."

"Are you trying to back out?"

"Daoist Chongming, don't be so agitated. I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you. There's no need to go to the medical cultivators; I'll get it for you myself."

What if going to the healer's place actually removes her spiritual root? Of course, it's more convenient to do it yourself.

[Ready? Let's get started.]

As the words floated past her eyes, Si Yao took out a dagger and swiftly dug out her own spiritual root. She handed the still blood-stained water spiritual root to Daoist Chongming.

In an instant, Si Yao's face turned pale, and the spiritual energy around her disappeared without a trace.

"Chongming Daojun, here is the water spirit root you requested."

After receiving the spiritual root, Chongming left immediately and had the healer exchange it for Wenyin.

"Si Yao, are you alright?"

"Thank you for your concern. I'll leave now and won't cause you any trouble."

"You can rest and recover before you leave," the sect leader said.

"No need. Since there's no longer any connection, I shouldn't linger here any longer. Goodbye."

Under everyone's gaze, Si Yao turned and left.

Blood gushed from the wounds where her spiritual root had been removed, leaving a trail of blood wherever Si Yao went, a horrifying sight. No one dared to stop her; they simply watched her leave.

Si Yao looked at the blood gushing from her body and muttered softly after walking away, "This is too much, this amount of bleeding is too much."

Oops, I accidentally bought too many blood packs. Just use them up as is.

Surrounded by observing disciples, Si Yao quickly feigned weakness and headed towards the gate of the Heavenly Sword Sect.