Saint Princess (Part 2)

Once exposed, that would be the consequence of betraying one's master and sect! Only a madman or a fool would do such a thing. Protector Mo also felt he had gone mad, but his intuition told him that following this thirteen-year-old boy would lead to an immeasurable future! This was purely intuition.

Nan Huairen's heart trembled. This was an incredibly significant choice in his life, and he knew what his master's words implied.

"As long as senior brother gives the order, I will go through fire and water!" Nan Huairen took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.

If he had called Li Qiye "Senior Brother" before, it was due to sect rules. However, today, calling him "Senior Brother" carried an entirely different meaning!

A thirteen-year-old boy dared to challenge the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, dared to look down upon its elders who could be enfeoffed as kings and marquises, and even faced the Demon Emperor with indifference! For anyone else, this would be ignorance, arrogance, presumption, and overestimation of one's abilities. However, Li Qiye traversing the Heart-Disturbing Forest and defeating Protector Xu made Nan Huairen realize that Li Qiye was not ignorant or arrogant, nor was he overestimating himself!

A thirteen-year-old boy, from the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, killed a protector of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate and demoted a princess of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate to a servant. What immense courage! From the moment he stepped into the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, he was confident. He knew he could retreat unscathed.

Nan Huairen, being astute, thought of many things in that instant. In the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, even with a lifetime of effort, he could only reach the level of an elder at best. Perhaps Li Qiye's appearance would be a breakthrough!

Li Qiye gently nodded to Protector Mo and Nan Huairen's allegiance and said, "One day, you will understand that today's choice was the most correct decision of your lives!"

"How should we report back?" Protector Mo mused. This marriage alliance assessment involved too much. At this moment, even he felt outmatched.

Li Qiye looked at Protector Mo and smiled, "Since Elder Yun spoke with you, Protector Mo, I believe you are well-prepared."

Li Qiye's words made Protector Mo's heart tremble. Indeed, before he left, the Grand Elder of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate had spoken with him. In fact, the Nine Sacred Demon Gate did not wish for the matter of the guardian deity to be spread. However, Protector Mo had not directly agreed to Elder Yun's request.

In the past, as a protector of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, he wouldn't even get to meet an elder of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, let alone the Grand Elder. In fact, if an elder from the Washing Yan Ancient Sect personally visited, they would likely only be received by a protector of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate.

"I understand." Finally, Protector Mo had a complete explanation, one that was beneficial to both Li Qiye and himself.

Ultimately, the three of them left the Nine Sacred Demon Gate. Yu He personally saw them off. As the Chief Great Protector, Yu He was one of the strongest marquises of the present era. His personal escort for the three of them was an extremely rare occurrence for the Washing Yan Ancient Sect.

After opening the Dao Platform and erecting the Dao Gate, connecting the Nine Sacred Demon Gate and the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, Li Qiye and the other two finally embarked on their journey home. As they emerged from the Dao Gate and stepped onto the land of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, Protector Mo and Nan Huairen couldn't help but take deep breaths. Breathing in the Heaven and Earth Essence of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, they felt a sense of daze.

The events of the past few days felt like a dream, a fleeting illusion. It was simply unbelievable, yet it was not a dream; it was a reality that had truly happened!

Upon returning to the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, Protector Mo, as the person in charge of this marriage alliance, immediately had to report to the Six Elders. Meanwhile, Li Qiye returned to his solitary peak.

Standing atop the solitary peak, gazing out at the entire territory of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, he fell into a long silence. In truth, back when Immortal Emperor Mingren was still alive, the territory of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect spanned millions of miles! The Heaven and Earth Essence was as vast as an ocean.

Unfortunately, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect had declined. They lacked the resources to guard such a vast territory, so their domain had been continuously shrinking. Furthermore, the Heaven and Earth Essence of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect was as depleted as if it had dried up. Standing within this territory, anyone could feel that the Heaven and Earth Essence had become incredibly thin.

Today's Washing Yan Ancient Sect was like a candle in the wind, like a dying old man, on the verge of its end at any moment.

Li Qiye couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart. He hadn't chosen Zhen Tianhai City, nor the Temple of War God, nor even the Nine Sacred Demon Gate. Instead, he had chosen the declining Washing Yan Ancient Sect!

Li Qiye, who had transformed into the Shadow Crow, had always disapproved of the past sect masters and those in power of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect. Back then, he had hoped that another disciple of Immortal Emperor Mingren would lead the Washing Yan Ancient Sect. Although that disciple's talent was inferior to the eldest disciple, he favored the former's disposition. Unfortunately, after he awoke from his slumber, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect was led by Immortal Emperor Mingren's eldest disciple. From then on, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect adhered to the orthodox path, and its atmosphere became one of outward piety.

Li Qiye never approved of these self-proclaimed orthodox guardians. Because of this, Li Qiye never returned to the Washing Yan Ancient Sect again, nor did he inquire about its fortunes or misfortunes!

In this life, he had reclaimed his body and returned to the Washing Yan Ancient Sect! Back then, he had personally nurtured Immortal Emperor Mingren and personally established the Washing Yan Ancient Sect. Today, he would rebuild it once more. One day, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect under his leadership would sweep across heaven and earth, reigning supreme over the Nine Realms!

Li Qiye stood on the solitary peak, lost in thought for a long time, pondering many things. He didn't even notice Nan Huairen's arrival.

"Senior Brother, the elders wish to see you." Nan Huairen said urgently after Li Qiye snapped back to attention.

Li Qiye nodded and followed Nan Huairen to the Ancestral Hall. Inside, the Six Elders were all present, all staring at Li Qiye.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the Ancestral Hall became strangely heavy and solemn. Protector Mo had already reported the marriage alliance matter to the Six Elders.

Protector Mo's report was ambiguous. He only mentioned that Li Qiye had passed the assessment, focusing on the details of Li Qiye traversing the Heart-Disturbing Forest. As for the duel with Xu Hui, he merely glossed over it, not even mentioning the Snake-Beating Cudgel or the Four Symbols Stone Men. Ultimately, he attributed Li Qiye's victory over Xu Hui to coincidence and luck!

"You have passed the assessment?" The Grand Elder stared at Li Qiye and said in a deep voice. In fact, the Six Elders had no hope for this marriage alliance! But, incredibly, Li Qiye had passed the assessment, and even more incredibly, he had traversed the Heart-Disturbing Forest.

"Reporting to the elders, yes. I believe I should receive my reward now!" Li Qiye replied calmly and steadily, unfazed by the strange and heavy atmosphere.

"There will be a reward, but some things require your explanation," the Grand Elder said in a deep voice. "From what I know, Xu Hui is an outstanding disciple among the younger generation of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate. His cultivation can even rival our Hall Masters. You have just joined our sect and haven't even entered the Dao Law. How could you possibly defeat him?"

"Reporting to the elders, Dao Laws are complex, but martial skills are concise. I cultivate the Mystic Gate Saber technique, following a path of subtlety. With just a sliver of an opening, I can deliver a fatal blow to the enemy. In a life-and-death struggle, the brave one wins," Li Qiye said faintly.

"Absurd!" Elder Xiong, one of the Six Elders, coldly snorted and said, "A mortal daring to claim he can kill a master of the True Fate Realm is arrogant and ignorant!"

Elder Xiong, who had been somewhat supportive of Li Qiye before, now coldly rebuked him, showing his displeasure. The contrast was stark.

Li Qiye glanced at Elder Xiong and said, "Elder, what I said is the truth. Just because others cannot do it doesn't mean I cannot." He then looked at the Six Elders present and said faintly, "Esteemed Elders, today I am a meritorious official of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect. If you suspect me of cheating, Protector Mo witnessed everything, and the people from the Nine Sacred Demon Gate also witnessed it!"

"Esteemed Elders know very well that this marriage alliance was fraught with danger. My going to the Nine Sacred Demon Gate was akin to seeking death, but for the reputation of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, I went despite knowing it was a death sentence! Today, I return as a meritorious official, yet you elders doubt me? Is this the way the Washing Yan Ancient Sect treats its meritorious officials? If so, it is truly disheartening. Who would be willing to serve the sect and die for it in the future?"

Li Qiye spoke slowly and deliberately, "Before this marriage alliance, the esteemed elders made an agreement with me. Are you all going back on your word today? If so, I can only say that joining the sect was a mistake. Our Washing Yan Ancient Sect is an eternal Imperial Lineage Immortal Sect. If the esteemed elders are untrustworthy, how can our sect speak of credibility?"

"The sect's credibility does not require your criticism!" an elder said with a cold snort.

Li Qiye remained composed in the face of the elder's anger. He looked at the Six Elders and said, "I risked my life to enter the Nine Sacred Demon Gate and have fulfilled my mission. If the esteemed elders honor their promise and do not doubt a meritorious official, and I receive the rewards I deserve, then I will not need to criticize! If not, then I have every right to criticize, as this is what I exchanged my life for." He then stared coldly at the Six Elders.

"Your words are too strong!" At this moment, an elder coughed and said, looking somewhat embarrassed.

The Grand Elder also spoke, "Qi Ye, we do not doubt you. It's just that this matter is somewhat strange. The matter with Xu Hui can be explained, but we would like to hear your thoughts on the Heart-Disturbing Forest." As he spoke, his gaze intensified, staring at Li Qiye as if trying to see through him.