C9 How to Prove It?

It was a shame, really. He had seemed like such a promising candidate for the Inner Sect. The elder shook his head in dismay, his face etched with regret. "If you admit your mistake and cripple your own foundation before leaving, the Inner Sect won't hold your cultivation of forbidden techniques against you."

Dealing with an arrogant menace from the Inner Sect was one thing, but he had also been practicing for over a decade. Even if he hadn't earned any accolades, his dedication was undeniable. Recognizing that Fu Chengyang was generally an honest man, one of the elders decided to offer him a way out.

Fu Chengyang looked up, taking in the expressions of those around him, and understood the situation. With a composed and dignified tone, he responded, "I have not practiced any forbidden techniques. What fault lies with me? Instead, you choose not to investigate thoroughly and are quick to condemn someone based solely on hearsay. Is this your idea of fairness?"

"You insolent youth, lacking respect for your teachers and the path. You dare to disrespect an elder, and you expect us to believe your empty words will clear the skies?" sneered another elder from his high seat, who had already taken a disliking to Fu Chengyang and was now seizing the opportunity to chastise him further.

The mere act of disrespecting an elder had already tarnished his reputation among the others.

"I..."

He could never have imagined being entangled in such an outrageous affair.

Fu Chengyang racked his brain but couldn't fathom why he was being accused of practicing forbidden arts.

Yet the elder was adamant, pressing him to make a swift decision.

He took a deep breath, weighing the situation carefully. The fact that he had been summoned so urgently to discuss the matter indicated that the informant must hold significant influence.

Having been a loner for so long, he had only a handful of acquaintances. Only a few people knew of his recent advancement in cultivation, and he could count on one hand those he had been in contact with.

Amidst his rapid contemplation, he instinctively zeroed in on a suspect.

The presiding elder, noticing Fu Chengyang's momentary distraction, frowned in displeasure. With a stern look, he exchanged glances with the other two elders and commanded icily, "Take him away. At noon tomorrow, we will cripple his bones and tendons at the gates of our sect and cast him out, to uphold the integrity of our order!"

Despite Yu Yaolu's reputation as a flashy disciple, he was backed by the Inner Sect of the Yu family. Even if he wasn't fully recognized by the Yu family, they still required an explanation for any actions taken against him.

The old adage "consider the master before beating the dog" rang true. When an Outer Sect disciple stepped up and struck Yu Yaolu, who was under the Inner Sect's protection, it was as if the slap landed on the elders' faces, blatantly highlighting the negligible divide between the sect's inner and outer circles.

"Surrender the forbidden technique you've learned, and you will be spared today." The three seated elders reached a unanimous decision after considering the situation.

Fu Chengyang chuckled to himself. What forbidden technique? Did they really think he had some sort of Goldfinger?

At that moment, he came to a stark realization about the perils of standing out. Just as the elders had concluded he had learned a forbidden technique, he had no evidence to prove his innocence.

How else could he explain his sudden and rapid advancement in cultivation?

Several Inner Sect disciples positioned themselves behind Fu Chengyang, ready to forcibly remove him. A glint of light passed through Fu Chengyang's eyes, revealing the true level of the disciples' cultivation.

Should a confrontation ensue, aside from the elders, these disciples were no match for him.

"Hold on—"

An elder raised his hand to interject, but a booming voice at the entrance stopped him.

All heads turned in unison. Fu Chengyang was taken aback to see that the one interrupting the elders was none other than Lu Duanping, the venerable elder from the Sword Pavilion!

Not just Fu Chengyang, but the seated elders also furrowed their brows in surprise.

Most were unaware that Lu Duanping, having spent considerable time in the Sword Pavilion, seldom ventured out. An encounter with him was considered a rare opportunity.

"Elder Lu, what brings you here today?" one of the elders inquired, his voice laced with a hint of deference.

"I've come to advocate for this young friend," Lu Duanping said with utmost courtesy. He stepped forward to greet the trio before turning his attention to Fu Chengyang.

The central elder hummed in acknowledgment and regarded Fu Chengyang with a newfound perspective.

An Outer Sect disciple who could prompt an Inner Sect Elder to speak on his behalf was clearly someone whose value merited consideration.

"Many of you may not be aware, but I have personally witnessed how this young friend has cultivated. His diligence and perseverance are known only to himself," Lu Duanping stated calmly. "Today, I stand as his witness. His cultivation is not the result of any underhanded methods; on the contrary, he has advanced step by step through his own efforts."

"How could that be?" challenged the elder who advocated for Fu Chengyang's expulsion from the sect, his brow furrowing. "What proof do you have that he hasn't practiced any forbidden techniques? He's been with our sect for over a decade without any progress in his cultivation. Yet, in just a few days, he's made rapid advancements. If he's not practicing dark arts, then what explains it?"

At that moment, Fu Chengyang's expression was one of utter dejection as he regarded the elder before him.

Name: Lyu Wenqing

Realm: Soul Formation

Spirited Body: Spear Spirit (Red)

Destiny: Weapon Master (Gold)

To Fu Chengyang's surprise, the elder's recent change of heart was a complete mystery. In other words, whether he defended himself or not, it made no difference to the elder. So why had he been so targeted earlier?

Looking up, he saw the elder, whose emotions were not betrayed by his expression, leaving everyone unable to discern his thoughts.

Indeed, for an elder to wear their emotions openly would be foolish unless it was a deliberate choice.

Lu Duanping's remarks left the surrounding crowd exchanging glances, uncertain. The disciples who had been tasked with restraining Fu Chengyang hesitated, ultimately stepping back.

Unfazed, Lu Duanping continued, "I have reached my own conclusion. Do you really think I would defend a practitioner of dark arts? If necessary, I am prepared to swear here and now that if there is any falsehood in my words, may I be struck by lightning and perish!"

His declaration left the entire assembly astounded.

Even Fu Chengyang was taken aback. He had only met this elder once; what could possibly have motivated him to vouch so strongly for him?

He was puzzled, and the three elders were equally baffled.

Yet with Lu Duanping's testimony, they found it difficult to press the matter further. After a brief consultation and some customary pleasantries, they allowed him to depart.

After stepping outside, Fu Chengyang stretched languidly, the sunlight outside piercing his eyes. He squinted slightly and continued walking without pause, turning into a small bamboo grove just outside the attic.

"Thank you for your assistance, Elder. If it hadn't been for you today, I fear I would have been expelled from the sect."

No one stood before Fu Chengyang, yet the voice of Lu Duanping materialized in his mind out of nowhere.

"Don't mention it. It was but a simple gesture. Now that you have this opportunity, you must dedicate yourself to your cultivation."

A powerful presence receded, and Fu Chengyang understood that Lu Duanping had departed.

With this guidance, he came to a realization: the sword he had taken from the Sword Pavilion might have gone unnoticed by the average person, but this elder had spent a considerable amount of time within the Sword Pavilion and could naturally detect something amiss.

So that was it. Was it because he had taken the pavilion's treasured sword that Lu Duanping's attitude toward him was different from that of others?

The more he pondered, the more convinced he became of his conclusion. Fu Chengyang hastened his steps and left the area.