Chapter 182 The crowd looked at each other, none of them…
Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the sect, Si Yao went alone to the Cliff of Repentance to reflect on her mistakes.
When she went in, she was struck by lightning twice. This was the punishment that the Cliff of Repentance imposed on disciples who had made mistakes, but she didn't feel anything.
It seemed that the senior had put some kind of protection on her, so apart from knowing that she had been struck by lightning, she did not feel any pain.
Si Yao had brought her errant disciples here before, but this was her first time entering this place herself, and she found it quite novel. She found a good spot to sit down, looked around to make sure it was secluded enough, and then began to meditate cross-legged.
With no one disturbing her, Si Yao finally spoke, "Senior, is there something wrong with Wen Yin?"
The senior must have realized something when he suddenly asked her to get close to Wen Yin.
Have you seen the bracelet on her wrist before?
Si Yao thought carefully for a moment, "That bracelet? Wen Yin was wearing it on her wrist when she came to the sect."
She remembered it clearly; the bracelet was entirely emerald green. She glanced at it once, then pulled her sleeve to cover it up.
Is there a problem?
That bracelet is a magical artifact. To be precise, it's an evil artifact that can replicate the cultivation level of those around it. Wen Yin's inexplicable targeting of you is because you are the vessel for this artifact. As long as those close to you harbor enough resentment towards you, she can replicate the cultivation level of the person she desires.
"That's impossible. If that were the case, my master should have found out by now."
After saying this, Si Yao herself felt embarrassed.
Not only did the master fail to notice the presence of the senior, he also failed to notice the unusual appearance of the bracelet on Wen Yin's hand.
Moreover, the only cultivation level that Wen Yin would be interested in is her master. So, does Wen Yin want to replicate her master's cultivation level?
Si Yao sighed, her impression that her master was not as powerful as she had imagined was even more profound.
Si Yao was still very curious about the bracelet. "What kind of thing is it? If it's really an evil object, it's best to destroy it as soon as possible."
[This must have been made by a powerful being; there are traces of a seal on it, probably because they were aware of the bracelet's problem.]
Xiang Bei told Si Yao the information the system had found, hoping she would be more vigilant and not expose her strength to Wen Yin, otherwise it would be disgusting if the five spiritual roots she had cultivated were directly copied.
Thinking this, Xiang Bei spent tens of thousands of points to add a protective shield to Si Yao, ensuring that her efforts would not be stolen by others.
Chongming Daojun watched from his residence as Si Yao walked into the barrier of the Cliff of Repentance without any hesitation, and then sat there to reflect on her mistakes.
He frowned, feeling uncomfortable as he thought of Si Yao's mocking manner. Just as he was about to speak, Wen Yin tugged at his sleeve.
"Master, it's all my fault. If it weren't for me, Senior Sister wouldn't have talked back to you. Master, please don't punish Senior Sister. Punish me instead."
Hearing Wen Yin plead for Si Yao, Dao Jun Chongming felt inexplicably irritated.
"Alright, that's enough. Wenying, hurry up and pack your things to go down the mountain with them for training."
Watching Daoist Chongming turn away, Wen Yin touched the bracelet on her wrist and couldn't help but frown. "Not enough, still not enough."
It was almost done, but because of Si Yao's strange behavior recently, the replication of the cloud bracelet was stopped. It was so close to success, how could Wen Yin be willing to give up like this?
He turned his head to look at the Cliff of Contemplation. Could it be that Master felt sorry for Senior Sister because she used a self-inflicted injury scheme this time?
Wen Yin looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. The light on it flashed by. She was so close. She had come this far. She was definitely not going to give up so easily.
But the self-inflicted injury strategy isn't something only the eldest sister knows how to use.
She was determined to obtain her master's cultivation level. He was the most powerful person in the cultivation world. If she obtained his cultivation level, she would become the number one person in the cultivation world and could even become the unifier of the cultivation world.
Wen Yin's upturned lips drooped, and she turned to her senior brothers with a forced smile, "Senior brothers, let's hurry down the mountain."
Those people rushed over to comfort Wen Yin, but their comfort did not make Wen Yin happy. Their cultivation level was not worth mentioning at all.
Wen Yin packed her things and followed a group of people down the mountain.
After Si Yao stayed on the Cliff of Contemplation for a while, and the prying eyes around her dispersed, she left a substitute on the Cliff of Contemplation with Xiang Bei's help and ran down the mountain.
The area at the foot of the mountain is inhabited by ordinary people, so there is little spiritual energy there. The local people are protected by the sect and are rarely bothered by demons, so their lives are generally quite comfortable.
Sometimes, when the sect needs to purchase something, they come here.
Si Yao just wanted to try a different place to see if she could draw out her earth spirit root. She felt there must be something wrong with it, which was why she couldn't draw out the spirit root for so long.
Since she made a three-year vow at the Cliff of Repentance, Si Yao can take her time to find him within those three years, unless the Law Enforcement Elder forcibly breaks the barrier.
Thinking of the substitute she left behind, Si Yao was still quite at ease. Even she herself couldn't distinguish the real from the fake barrier, and they could even have simple conversations. She figured even her master wouldn't be able to detect anything.
He even left his scent on the double to prevent being exposed.
After doing all this, the senior gave her a pill. After taking it, her face, figure, and voice would change so much that even her close friends wouldn't recognize her.
It also helped her conceal her mutated water spirit root, so even if someone with a higher cultivation level than her encountered her, they wouldn't be able to see her true strength.
Si Yao was genuinely curious about what kind of extraordinary person the senior was, since he seemed to do these difficult things with such ease.
Xiang Bei rested her chin on her hand, looking at Si Yao with a puzzled expression, and said helplessly, "It's not that powerful, you can just use points to buy items."
As a mysterious and powerful figure in the female lead's heart, Xiang Bei naturally wouldn't tell her these things.
Xiang Bei still wants to maintain an air of mystery about herself.
Si Yao walked down the mountain, and when she arrived in the town, it became lively. When she entered the restaurant, she saw Wen Yin and a group of her junior brothers sitting there.
Si Yao paused, almost turning back.
This is so unlucky! They came down the mountain earlier than me, and yet we still managed to run into each other.
Instinctively wanting to avoid it, I turned around and then turned back.
If anyone should be avoiding her, it shouldn't be her, especially since she's no longer the Si Yao she once was.
Si Yao entered the restaurant, found an empty seat and sat down. Apart from Wen Yin glancing at her a few times, no one else even looked at her.
Si Yao sat down at the table next to them and ordered the most expensive dishes.
"Alright, please wait a moment, sir, your food will be here shortly."
The waiter smiled and responded, then came over to pour tea.
He didn't forget to pour tea for the people next door, but since they were busy fawning over Wen Yin, the waiter stood there, looked around, and then moved aside.
Li Huang placed the dishes in front of Wen Yin and said very solicitously, "Junior Sister Wen Yin, you are too thin. You should eat more."
Wen Yin shook her head, clutching her chest, and said, "I really can't eat. Just thinking about how my senior sister is suffering on the Cliff of Repentance makes me so sad."
Si Yao originally didn't intend to pay any attention to them, but these people took the initiative to bring her up.
She held her teacup, seemingly drinking water, but her gaze was actually fixed on that direction.
Wen Yin's sleeve slipped down to her elbow, revealing the bracelet on her wrist. Si Yao looked at it from left to right, but couldn't see anything wrong with the jade bracelet.
Xiang Bei noticed that the more attentive the people at the dinner table were to Wen Yin, the more white energy flowed from their bodies into Wen Yin's bracelet.
Those people were completely unaware.
When one of the junior disciples saw Wen Yin crying, he immediately slammed his fist on the table and started cursing Si Yao, "Junior Sister Wen Yin is just too kind. It's Senior Sister who doesn't know what's good for her. That kind of person isn't worth your sadness at all. Even if she stayed on the Cliff of Repentance for three years, three hundred years would be too good for her."
Si Yao almost choked on her tea. Even though she didn't have any expectations of these people, hearing them say these words still sent a chill down her spine.
She believed she had done nothing wrong to these people, yet behind their backs, they spoke of her in such a way.
Don't get excited; calm your breathing.
When Xiang Bei saw that Si Yao was surrounded by the same white aura as those people, and tried to fly towards Wen Yin, the aura was blocked by the protective barrier around Si Yao.
"Senior, what happened?"
Xiang Bei then told Si Yao what she had seen.
No matter how Si Yao looked, she couldn't see the white mist that Xiang Bei had described.
"It seems that my cultivation level is still insufficient. If I had half the ability of my senior, I wouldn't be in such a passive position."
Don't be discouraged. With enough effort, you too will one day become a great talent.
Someone next door started talking, and others chimed in, all saying how bad Si Yao was.
They said she was too rigid and strict, only knowing how to urge them to cultivate. They also said she had a cold face to everyone, and seeing her face made them want to vomit.
The waiter brought the dishes over, and Si Yao nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and ate the food in front of her, but couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
As the senior disciple, she urged her fellow disciples to diligently cultivate, yet in their eyes, she was wrong.
Her good intentions were seen by them as meddling and oppressing her fellow disciples.
Hearing these disheartening words, it would be a lie to say she wasn't hurt, but it was impossible for Si Yao to stay heartbroken for such unworthy people.
Her current goal is to quickly unlock her other two spiritual roots, enhance her strength, find the demon that massacred the village, and avenge the villagers.
When that time comes, she will leave the sect. Whoever wants to be the senior sister can be one. She will not waste a single bit of her feelings on these people anymore.
These people are not worth my time and effort.
Perhaps the mocking expression on Si Yao's face was too obvious, because Wen Yin stared at her for a long time before speaking, "Miss, haven't you ordered too much food? Can you finish it all by yourself?"
Si Yao glanced at her, certain that Wen Yin hadn't recognized her, but she still meddled in other people's business, "It's just a few dishes, can't you afford to order?"
“That’s not what I meant. I just think it’s such a waste that you ordered so much food and can’t finish it. It’s such a shame to throw it away. I think you might as well give it to the beggars at the door.”
Si Yao looked at Wen Yin and found her words somewhat amusing. "I paid for the food, and I haven't even finished eating it myself. You, young lady, are going to decide to give my food to a beggar? You're so generous, why do you want my food? Why don't you share it with yourself?"
Si Yao glanced at Wen Yin from head to toe, her mockery growing more pronounced. "I see you're also a disciple of a sect, so kind-hearted. Why are you taking my things to show your kindness?"
People dining in the restaurant all looked over.
Wen Yin and her group were dressed in the robes of sect disciples, and the people nearby all knew they were disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect. They thought Wen Yin was indeed a bit odd; while others were eating their meals, she asked people to share the food with beggars. It turned out that there were also disciples with abnormal minds in the sect.
They dared not provoke the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, so they remained silent, though they had many unspoken thoughts in their hearts.
"That's not what I meant. I was worried that you ordered too much food and it would be a waste if we couldn't finish it," Wen Yin quickly added.
She only spoke up because she found the person at the next table annoying, forgetting that this wasn't a sect and there weren't many people protecting her.
"I paid for it, so I can eat whatever I want. What's it to you? If you pity people outside, then pay for it yourself. Why are you being so generous with my things? Your face is bigger than the table. If you don't have money, why are you being so kind?"
Wen Yin's tears streamed down her face. "That's not what I meant, I just..."
"You ugly freak, apologize to my junior sister."
Seeing Wen Yin cry, the disciples immediately stood up and walked over, surrounding Si Yao.
"Who made our junior sister cry? Apologize to her right now."
"Apologize now, or you're not leaving here today."
Si Yao watched their behavior and became increasingly confused about what they were thinking. "So, your Heavenly Sword Sect, as the head of all sects, got its reputation by bullying the weak with sheer numbers?"
"Are you talking nonsense?"
"Isn't that so? Anyone with eyes can see that. Everyone says that the disciples of your Heavenly Sword Sect are upright and honest, but I think they're nothing special. You probably killed all the people who told the truth to gain this reputation?"
"Shut up! Don't you dare insult the reputation of my sect."
"Anyone from other sects? Come quick! This Heavenly Sword Sect is bullying us!" Si Yao shouted at the top of her lungs.
When she shouted that, disciples from other sects actually came over.
They were just passing by when they saw the excitement of the Heavenly Sword Sect and naturally gathered around.
"Fellow Daoists, please be the judge. I was enjoying my meal when this fairy from the Heavenly Sword Sect next door told me to stop eating and give the food to the beggars outside, saying they were too pitiful. When I disagreed, she accused me of bullying her and told her fellow disciples to kill me."
Among those who gathered around were members of major sects, who naturally recognized Wen Yin and her group.
"They're bullying us! The people from the Heavenly Sword Sect are ganging up on us!" Si Yao shouted at the top of her lungs, calling as many people as she could.
Judging from the way they dodged, you can tell that these people have a sense of shame; even with so many people, they still knew to cover their faces.
The disciples from those sects also pointed and whispered about Wen Yin and the others. Even if they covered their faces, their disciple robes couldn't hide it.
There were also people who wanted to speak up for those disciples. Seeing that the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect had surrounded Si Yao and were on the verge of drawing their swords, they couldn't say that this wasn't bullying.
"Everyone, please talk things out properly, don't let this cause a scene because of me."
"Junior sister, don't worry, we will never let anyone bully you."
"Yes, junior sister, we're here to protect you."
The leader of the disciples, Li Huang, defended himself, saying, "We didn't bully anyone; we were just trying to reason with them."
Si Yao clicked her tongue, crossed her arms, and looked at them. "You didn't bully me, so do you dare to swear that if you favor your junior sister, your cultivation will never be able to advance any further in this lifetime?"
Having known each other for so many years, Si Yao can pinpoint their sore spots with ease.
"I..." Li Huang ultimately didn't dare to swear an oath.
How can a monk make oaths carelessly? If he breaks his oath, it will come true.
Si Yao said, "I dare to swear, all of you disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect are capable of swearing that you did not deliberately favor your junior sister who started the trouble."
The crowd looked at each other, none of them daring to swear an oath.
“Young lady, I can see you are also a cultivator, so why be so aggressive?” Wen Yin looked up at Si Yao, appearing understanding.
"Don't give me that. You need to act like a cultivator and say you didn't deliberately provoke us. Otherwise, if your spiritual root is destroyed, can you swear it?"
"I...I..."
The surroundings fell silent instantly. Everyone looked around, saying nothing, but their impression of the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples had worsened considerably.
How could a disciple of the dignified Heavenly Sword Sect act so despicably?
Wen Yin's tears didn't work on all the onlookers. Soon, people started talking about how she did it on purpose, and that crying was just a way for her to shirk responsibility.
As the discussion grew louder, Si Yao sighed helplessly, "Fine, I won't make things difficult for you. How could I, a mere rogue cultivator, dare to offend disciples of such great sects? Since you're so eager to do good deeds, I'll grant your wish. You can pay for this meal; I won't eat it, okay? Let your junior sister use it for good deeds."
He added at the end, "If I can't afford to offend you, I can at least avoid you. Everyone, if you encounter any disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect in the future, you must stay far away from them, otherwise they will be begging you to do good deeds and make you bear the infamy."
Wen Yin's tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't know whether to cry or not, so she could only try to defend herself, "It's not like that, it's not like that."
He said this aloud, but inwardly he was incredibly annoyed. He hadn't expected this female cultivator to be so difficult to deal with. He also hadn't expected Li Huang and the others to be so useless, not daring to retaliate after being talked to by the female cultivator.
"Then swear on your own cultivation level. If you dare to swear, everyone will naturally believe you. It's such a simple thing, why make it so complicated?"
Wen Yin glanced at Si Yao, a flash of murderous intent crossing her eyes. She thought that she would kill this annoying female cultivator sooner or later.
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