Let's go down the mountain...

Shen Changlin was stunned. He stared blankly at Ruan Qing'an, his unease and panic spreading like a tide, almost engulfing his entire body, and even breathing was painful.

He forced a smile, his voice carrying a pleading tone he himself didn't realize: "Master, why are you sending Changlin down the mountain..."

“I will have the elders remove you from Yanlai Peak.”

Ruan Qing'an simply turned to the side and spoke in a deep voice. His resolute appearance stunned 037, who couldn't help but try to persuade him in her mind.

【Hey, darling, are you trying to seduce him?】

[What kind of nonsense is it to kick them out now? The male lead's popularity will plummet! Calm down, ancestor! Calm down!]

No matter how anxiously it tried to persuade him, Ruan Qing'an just lowered his eyes, seemingly unmoved. Strangely, Zhan Hongyuan seemed even more anxious than Shen Changlin, and his expression froze.

His smile twisted for a moment, and he even spoke before Shen Changlin could: "Elder Ruan, you... sigh, why don't you calm down first? Shen Changlin did make a mistake, but after all, you were master and disciple. You almost died at the hands of the Yang family because of him."

"Sect Master, you don't need to say anything more."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Hongyuan almost spat out a mouthful of blood—he only wanted to imprison Shen Changlin. If he were to escape, it would be extremely troublesome for him to catch someone in this vast cultivation world!

Before Zhan Hongyuan could speak again, Ruan Qing'an's leaden-gray eyes had already lightly swept over him, a hint of mockery flashing by in an instant, making Zhan Hongyuan think he had seen wrong.

But at this moment, Ruan Qing'an had already turned her back, leaving only her cold profile for Shen Changlin. She said in a deep voice, "Let's go down the mountain."

"Master, I..."

Shen Changlin knelt on the ground, instinctively stepping forward. His blood-stained robes even left drag marks on the ground, but—

Before the boy could get close, the fierce sword intent landed on the ground.

His body suddenly stiffened. In front of Shen Changlin, on the ground of the main hall of the Wandao Sect, there was a deep slash mark!

In sight is the sharp edge of a long sword.

This was also the first time Shen Changlin had faced her knife directly. The pain in his heart had long since numbed him. He subconsciously raised his head, only to see Ruan Qing'an's pale, bloodless face.

She had already failed to break through yesterday, and in just one day, how could she possibly recover? Now, even using her spiritual power was a struggle.

Ruan Qing'an simply planted his long sword in the ground, the tip sinking deep into the earth, and coldly stared at him: "I'll say it one last time, Shen Changlin, while I still cherish our past master-disciple relationship—"

"Now, descend the mountain immediately and leave the Myriad Paths Sect!"

"Otherwise... don't blame me for being ruthless."

Seeing Ruan Qing'an's furrowed brows from exhaustion, Shen Changlin finally smiled bitterly, ceasing his insistence and even withdrawing his outstretched hand. His slightly hoarse voice was filled with bitterness: "Fine..."

"I'm leaving now, Master. Please don't hurt yourself..."

The only answers Shen Changlin could receive were the black iron chains severed by the long sword and the fluttering hem of her white dress. The woman's slender and tall figure stood with her back to him, as if she were standing on a cloud.

Shen Changlin struggled to his feet, covered in blood and wounds. He instinctively wanted to say something, but when faced with his back, he could only fall silent again.

In the main hall of the Wandao Sect, the elders remained silent, with a few leaning against Zhan Hongyuan, barely taking a step.

"I said, let him leave the Myriad Paths Sect."

Just then, Ruan Qingan's cold voice came.

The intense killing intent momentarily stunned everyone. If they made a move, Ruan Qing'an would likely actually attack them.

As dusk fell, the sky, ablaze with crimson, resembled vast swathes of blood. The vibrant red sunlight streamed into the magnificent main hall, bathing the figures in its glow and casting long, elongated shadows. But…

She turned her back, holding a knife in one hand, and stood still; he walked towards the outside of the hall, his steps slow and hesitant—their shadows stretched long, yet they never met, gradually fading into the distance.

Just as Zhan Hongyuan couldn't help but raise his hand, Ruan Qing'an had already noticed it keenly. Upon seeing this, she suddenly flicked her sleeve.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of swords clashing resounded throughout the heavens!

Her sword swiftly attacked Shen Changlin. The boy was too badly injured to leave the Myriad Paths Sect. As the sword whistled and hurtled towards Shen Changlin, he instinctively raised his hand and gripped the hilt.

The next moment, a flash of light appeared, and in the blink of an eye, the long sword had already carried Shen Changlin away from everyone's sight.

It moves at an astonishing speed, making it impossible to catch.

"Ruan Qingan!"

Zhan Hongyuan's voice suddenly turned cold. Just as he instinctively wanted to chase after her, Ruan Qing'an blocked his way.

She slightly raised her leaden-gray eyes: "Sect Master."

“As I said, I have expelled Shen Changlin from the sect and also expelled him from the Wandao Sect. After all, I am the one directly involved in this matter, and now I have punished Shen Changlin.”

"Sect Master, shouldn't we stop now?"

"..."

Zhan Hongyuan's eyes were cold as he stared intently at her.

But Ruan Qing'an neither dodged nor avoided, and looked straight back—when Zhan Hongyuan gave her the "Nine Hates and Ten Evils Concentrating Spirit and Seizing Creation Method," but she did not use it, and instead used her own power to break through, it was already destined that she would not make a move.

Even if Ruan Qing'an doesn't intervene, Zhan Hongyuan won't let Shen Changlin off the hook. He will only refine it himself. But now his condition is getting worse and worse, and Shen Changlin's cultivation is becoming more and more profound.

Compared to the previous, decades-long, subtle and cautious approach, this plan appears riddled with flaws.

Such a hasty and rushed arrangement can only mean one thing—

Zhan Hongyuan couldn't wait any longer.

Once Shen Changlin enters Xingfeng this time, there is really no chance of him coming out alive. Or rather... as long as he remains in Wandaomen, Zhan Hongyuan will be like a venomous snake, biting him relentlessly.

Within the Myriad Paths Sect, Zhan Hongyuan's influence, built up over so many years, is not to be underestimated. Unless one possesses absolute power to thwart all conspiracies, even Ruan Qing'an cannot protect him.

037: [...Therefore, the male protagonist had no choice but to leave.]

Ruan Qing'an closed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Yes, only in this way can we protect Shen Changlin, and only this one good opportunity can allow him to leave Wandao Sect openly and legitimately."

The master punished his disciple and expelled him from the sect in a fit of anger.

As long as Zhan Hongyuan has any sense of shame, he will not question or stop Shen Changlin from leaving, because she is Shen Changlin's master.

The entire hall was completely silent.

Finally, Zhan Hongyuan laughed out loud. He was still hiding himself, but the murderous intent in his eyes was no longer concealed. Clearly, Ruan Qing'an already knew everything and was just protecting Shen Changlin.

He chuckled and said, "Alright, alright. After all, he is Elder Ruan's disciple. How you deal with Shen Changlin is your business."

"Of course I won't interfere, but—"

"You are an elder of my Wandao Sect. You were already seriously injured before, and now your foundation has been damaged. Since that's the case, you should rest and recuperate at Yanlai Peak. You must recover your health."

Zhan Hongyuan spoke with feigned concern.

The next moment, the elders around stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Yes, Elder Ruan should rest well on Yanlai Peak and not hurt his body."

"It's best not to leave unless it's urgent."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an's expression suddenly darkened, and a strong sense of unease rose in his heart. Just then—

A divine thought entered his mind.

"Be careful on Yanlai Peak, my medicinal herbs are at risk."

Her pupils suddenly contracted, and when she looked up, she met Zhan Hongyuan's gentle and concerned smile: "What's wrong, Elder Ruan?"