C50 Returning to the Flying Cloud Sect

Every person familiar with Yu Kun showed a shift in their demeanor upon hearing Hu Zhengye's description—it was unmistakably Yu Kun!

"No wonder Senior Brother Yu hasn't returned! To think he was taken by a demonic beast! This is terrible!" Lin Jiang's voice broke as he began to weep softly.

Hsu Shaan couldn't contain his frustration, "Stop your crying! Didn't you listen? Yes, Junior Brother Yu was captured, but he still managed to save Hu Zhengye in the process! I believe Junior Brother Yu isn't going to go down without a fight!"

Reassured, Lin Jiang stifled his tears, though worry still clouded his face.

Zhou Xingtian's brow furrowed deeply. "So it was him! That explains his absence from the trials. With so much time gone by, his chances don't look good."

Meanwhile, Yan Changge was inwardly exultant.

"He's been taken by a demonic beast! Even though Chen Rui didn't finish him off, being in the clutches of a demonic beast means certain death!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Yan Changge declared, "Hu Zhengye, we all understand where you're coming from. But we cannot let this incident delay the Flying Cloud Sect's Inner Sect trial. Too many days have passed; his fate is sealed. Our duty now is to slay that demonic beast and avenge him!"

Before Yan Changge could continue, Yaen Hongling stepped forward, countering, "I disagree! Elders, Master, regardless of the circumstances, as a disciple of the Flying Cloud Sect, we cannot simply stand by and let him perish. Even if all we do is scout the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, it's our obligation to act!"

The Inner Sect Elders fell into a contemplative silence.

From a distance, Xu Yeran watched Yaen Hongling, his expression a complex tapestry of emotions. After a pause, he spoke with conviction, "I stand with Senior Sister Yaen."

With that, Xu Yeran returned to silence.

Little Prince, meanwhile, had procured a bowl of Yang Chun noodles and was joyfully slurping them down. Overhearing the flurry of discourse among the Inner Sect disciples, he casually tossed back his head and gulped down the last of his noodles.

Wiping his mouth, Little Prince chimed in, "Elders, the trial can wait. Opportunities to vanquish a demonic beast are rare... Let's not waste this one."

Upon hearing the Little Prince speak, the Elders seemed to finally reach a decision.

"If it were just the other Inner Sect disciples trying to convince us, that would be one thing, but since the Little Prince himself has spoken..."

"The Little Prince is the legitimate son of the Pingjiang County King, and his only son at that! His words carry the weight of the Pingjiang County. We must heed his command!"

"With that settled, let's go rescue him!"

Ultimately, Zhou Xingtian made the call, "Little Prince's input aside, if there's even a sliver of hope for Yu Kun's survival, we owe it to him to try! But let's not hold up the trial. Here's what we'll do: another Elder and I will head to the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, and the rest of you will stay here to oversee the trial."

The others agreed, finding the plan sound.

Watching Zhou Xingtian and another Elder rise to leave, Yaen Changge narrowed his eyes but held his tongue.

As an Inner Sect disciple, he wasn't in a position to challenge the Elders' decision. Yet, to Yaen Changge, it seemed the Elders were merely fulfilling an obligation. He was convinced Yu Kun was a goner.

But just then, a nonchalant voice drifted in from the entrance of the Test Square.

"Man, am I beat! That trek back from the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range really did me in. Hope I'm not too late. Has the trial started yet?"

With that, Yu Kun strolled into the Test Square.

Yu Kun was taken aback as he entered, finding all eyes on him. He cautiously inquired, "What's going on? Why's everyone staring at me? Did I suddenly become more dashing?"

After an awkward pause, Zhou Xingtian gave Hu Zhengye a peculiar look.

Hu Zhengye chuckled awkwardly and confessed, "I swear, I saw our friend here in the clutches of a demonic beast, in dire straits. I never imagined he'd manage to escape. It's truly cause for celebration!"

Hsu Shaan and the others didn't hesitate to crowd around Yu Kun, offering their hearty congratulations.

It was then that Yu Kun realized why he was the center of attention.

He laughed and said, "I apologize for causing you all such concern! That demonic beast, though vicious, wasn't the brightest. That's how I made my escape."

Yaen Hongling's face remained expressionless, yet her breathing steadied slightly, suggesting she had found some peace of mind.

Yan Changge's countenance was dark. He hadn't anticipated Yu Kun's return from the brink of death, signaling Chen Rui's failure.

Xu Yeran cast a sidelong glance at Yu Kun, remaining silent.

The Little Prince, however, beamed and said, "I just knew he wouldn't go down so easily. Someone bring over my black chicken soup; I need a sip to settle my nerves."

Regardless, Yu Kun was alive, and the trial would proceed without delay.

Zhou Xingtian and the other Elders resettled into their seats.

Yet, in that moment, Yan Changge spoke up abruptly, "Elder, I have my suspicions about this whole affair! How could an Elite Disciple possibly escape from a demonic beast's clutches? Even if the beast lacks intelligence, wouldn't it at least know how to kill? I suspect these two are in cahoots, trying to pull the wool over our eyes!"

Zhou Xingtian's brow furrowed as he responded, "Yan Changge, you're overthinking it."

Another Elder, however, gently shook his head and countered, "I'm not so sure. We're all aware that a demonic beast's strength rivals that of an Elder. It's hard enough for a Direct Disciple to escape, let alone an Elite Disciple. I do believe there's more to this situation than meets the eye!"

Zhou Xingtian chuckled, "You are Yan Changge's Master, naturally inclined to take his side! But what hidden agenda could there possibly be? True, the demonic beast is formidable in battle, but it's hardly a strategist!"

The Elder remained firm, "This matter warrants further deliberation. Perhaps we should revoke their eligibility for the trial for now and, pending investigation, allow them to participate next year."

Yaen Changge chimed in, "Master, you've hit the nail on the head! There's definitely more to this story! Perhaps he managed to escape because the demonic beast took him under its wing, turning him into a thrall."

His words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd, and all eyes turned to Yu Kun with suspicion.

Having narrowly escaped death, Yu Kun was now gripped by an odd sense of foreboding.

"It all makes sense now; the oddities I sensed, the sense that someone was behind Chen Feng and the others' actions. It was Yaen Changge all along! But why target me? Is it because the former owner of this body pursued Yaen Hongling, or is there another reason?"

Yu Kun mulled over the situation, but soon shook his head in dismissal.

"The pressing issue isn't to ponder why Yaen Changge has it out for me, but to escape this tight spot! Missing the trial is a minor concern. The real disaster would be if they start believing I'm a human thrall to a demonic beast—that would spell the end for me!"