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Yet the next moment, the Medicine Sect Master's words shattered his last hope.

"He is my real son. You're just like your father."

He knew?

Yao Hui scrambled over and clutched the Medicine Sect Master's leg. "Dad, where did you hear those rumors? I'm your own son! I grew up in the sect. You watched me grow up! How could I not be your son?"

The Medicine Sect Master kicked him away without mercy.

"You and that bastard Sun Xing conspired to deceive me. I know all about the vile things you did in the sect, and you still think you can fool me?"

The Medicine Sect Master's gaze turned icy. Thinking of what his investigation had uncovered, he wanted nothing more than to kill Yao Hui on the spot.

No wonder all the female disciples had gone out, claiming they were gathering herbs. In truth, they were avoiding Yao Hui's advances.

And the sect's disciples all believed he had been protecting Yao Hui. His reputation had suffered badly for it.

Some female disciples had even privately warned girls who came for the Sect Disciple Selection not to join. The sect was practically a pool of candidates for Yao Hui's harem.

No wonder!

No wonder the sect had recruited fewer and fewer female disciples over the years.

He had always focused on cultivation and devoted himself to alchemy. He had never imagined such rot could fester in the sect.

Yao Hui screamed. Several ribs had broken, and he spat out mouthful after mouthful of blood.

"To think the Medicine King Sect harbored a blight like you!"

The Medicine Sect Master hauled Yao Hui up with one hand.

"I'm sorry you all had to witness this spectacle. I'll take this wretched son back and deal with him."

Li Zi watched with delight, blinking her eyes.

[Thunder Sect Master crippled his adopted daughter on the spot. Our righteous Medicine Sect Master had better not let this scumbag off. Ideally, he'll break his third leg.]

The system said, [Exactly. If only he were as blunt and ruthless as the Hall of Samsara's Sect Master.]

The Hall of Samsara's Sect Master: "..." Why had they brought him up again?

The Medicine Sect Master tightened his grip on Yao Hui.

"Aah!"

Yao Hui screamed again. His arm snapped.

Of course he would not be let off lightly.

That wretched son had nearly brought their sect to ruin.

Perhaps some of the girls who had withdrawn from the Sect Disciple Selection had possessed extraordinary talent. To have missed out on them was a real shame.

Once he returned, he would have to put the Medicine King Sect in order.

Before leaving, the Medicine Sect Master tossed a porcelain bottle to the Spirit Sword Sect Master.

"A token of thanks."

Li Zi seized the chance to sidle up to Meng Ning and greeted her with a smile. "Are you all right? I'm Li Zi, the Fifth Elder's direct disciple at the Spirit Sword Sect."

She pointed to Little Fox crouched on her shoulder. "She's Lin Ning'er, my master's daughter."

Little Fox had been curled around Li Zi's neck, asleep. Hearing her name, she swished her bushy tail and opened her bewildered eyes.

Meng Ning's voice softened, though she remained a woman of few words. "Meng Ning."

Li Zi nodded and lowered her voice. "Sister Meng, if this happens again, say that bastard stole something from you, or that he tried to kill you for your treasure. Then tell your master. He'll help you get revenge."

At that, Meng Ning lowered her eyes, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

She only said, "I'll grow stronger."

Her master would help her?

She didn't believe that.

Since becoming his disciple, her talent had been merely average among her fellow disciples. Her master would not concern himself with her.

She could only rely on herself.

The Five Elements Sect Master hurried forward to make his position clear.

"Ning'er, while I don't oversee every aspect of my disciples' cultivation, I can't simply stand by and watch you be bullied. If you face something you can't resolve in the future, you must come to me. Understood?"

The Five Elements Sect Master's cold gaze swept over his other disciples.

"That goes for all of you."

The disciples answered in solemn unison, "Yes."

A glimmer appeared in Meng Ning's eyes.

So this was what it felt like to have someone protect her?

It seemed rather nice.

The spectacle they had just witnessed had been a gloriously satisfying piece of gossip.

The crowd still wanted more.

Now, quite a few people fixed eager eyes on Li Zi.

What they most wanted to hear about was the Hall of Samsara's Sect Master.

The Spirit Sword Sect Master wanted to hear it too. Unfortunately, Li Zi failed to take the hint and only held Meng Ning's hand, murmuring about becoming friends.

The Spirit Sword Sect Master cleared his throat, glanced at Li Zi from the corner of his eye, and said, "So many people have come for this year's opening of the Secret Realm."

When Li Zi showed no reaction, the Spirit Sword Sect Master added, "You're all inner sect disciples. Come with me, and I'll introduce you to these powerful figures. You're bound to meet them again someday."

Li Zi had no choice but to say goodbye to Meng Ning and follow the Spirit Sword Sect Master around the various sects.

The two juicy scandals they had heard today had opened a whole new world to these cultivators.

Their daily lives offered precious little entertainment. They rarely paid attention to anyone else's affairs, spending each day either meditating or practicing Martial Arts Techniques. It was dull beyond belief.

But today's gossip had not only changed their opinions of the Thunder God Hall Sect Master and the Medicine King Sect Master; it had also given them something to talk about in their spare time.

The Spirit Sword Sect Master led the disciples on a detour past the Hall of Samsara's group.

As their party approached, the Hall of Samsara's disciples all stepped back in unison, looking thoroughly unwelcoming.

The Hall of Samsara's Sect Master wore black robes and a broad-brimmed hat. His entire face was concealed behind black gauze, its features only faintly visible. He was mysterious indeed.

Li Zi stood obediently at the back, but her spirits had already soared. Her appetite for gossip burned bright.

[System, what were you saying about the Hall of Samsara's Sect Master?]

According to the system, the Hall of Samsara's disciples were all terrified of social interaction.