C12 The Shameless Person Detestable to the Extreme!

"Your Highness, how did it go? Did you break the formation?"

Jiang Zhong wasn't holding out much hope. The Celestial Sword Formation had stood unbroken for thousands of years, and he doubted Ling Dao could change that. Fortunately, he had a plan to induct Ling Dao into the Celestial Sect regardless of the formation's fate.

"Yes, it's broken!"

"Hmm, whether it's broken or not is beside the point. After all, I have a way to have Your Highness join the Celestial Sword Formation. Wait, what? Broken? Your Highness has shattered the Celestial Sword Formation?"

At first, Jiang Zhong didn't grasp what was said, assuming Ling Dao meant he had failed. But as the truth dawned on him, he was flabbergasted. How could Ling Dao have succeeded where countless others had failed over millennia?

Ling Dao's demeanor left no room for doubt, and Jiang Zhong, who had watched him grow, knew him intimately. If Ling Dao claimed it was broken, then there was no question about it. Still, it took a considerable while for the shock to wear off and for Jiang Zhong to regain his composure.

"Greetings, Elder Ye!"

It was only then that Jiang Zhong noticed Ye Hongxuan standing by Ling Dao's side. Jiang Zhong's confidence in Ling Dao's entry into the Celestial Sect stemmed from the presence of the esteemed Great Elder Ye Hongxuan. While Ling Dao might not be familiar with Ye Hongxuan, Jiang Zhong certainly was.

Jiang Zhong believed that since King Carefree had once saved Ye Hongxuan's life and offered him guidance, the Great Elder would surely lend Ling Dao a hand. Unfortunately, not everyone shared Jiang Zhong's perspective; Ye Hongxuan was a different breed altogether.

"Fantastic! It won't be long before His Highness becomes a disciple of the Celestial Sect, and that puts my mind at ease!"

Jiang Zhong was aware of his limited time left and Ling Dao was his primary concern. Now, with Ling Dao having dismantled the Celestial Sword Formation and with the support of Ye Hongxuan, the Great Elder of the Celestial Sect, there was no doubt he would be accepted as a disciple.

"Hold on, when exactly did I agree to let him join the Celestial Sect?"

Ye Hongxuan cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Zhong, speaking deliberately. His statement caused Jiang Zhong's smile to freeze, and Ling Dao's expression to darken considerably. It was clear now why the Great Elder had led Ling Dao out rather than into the Celestial Sect.

"The Celestial Sect's rules explicitly state that anyone who breaks the Celestial Sword Formation is entitled to become a disciple without any conditions. What are you implying, Great Elder?"

Ling Dao's shift from addressing Ye Hongxuan as 'Predecessor' to simply 'Great Elder' was a clear indication of his changing attitude.

"Rules may be set in stone, but people are not. As the Great Elder of the Celestial Sect, I reserve the right to expel you. I'm well aware of your circumstances, and allowing you to remain would only tarnish the Sect's reputation."

The Great Elder's words sparked a flicker of anger on Jiang Zhong's face, an emotion that wouldn't have surfaced had it been a mere personal insult.

"The Prince has been your savior and mentor. Yet, instead of aiding His Highness, you treat him with such disdain. How can you justify your actions to the Prince? Is this your idea of integrity?"

Jiang Zhong had always despised ingratitude, and he was not one to mince words. He had hoped Ye Hongxuan would stand by Ling Dao, but to his dismay, Ye Hongxuan was intent on casting him out of the Celestial Sect.

"Friendship endures as long as King Carefree lives. With his death, it too perishes! I owe nothing to this young upstart. Considering his current state, how could he even dream of infiltrating the Celestial Sect? Don't assume I'm unaware—King Carefree must have bequeathed him some treasured artifact to shatter the Celestial Sword Formation. While it's conceivable that King Carefree could have achieved such a feat, this boy is hardly his equal."

Ye Hongxuan looked at Ling Dao with scorn. King Carefree's talent made his breaking of the Celestial Sword Formation believable. Unfortunately, since King Carefree ventured into the Celestial Dragon Forbidden Area—a certain death sentence—Ye Hongxuan would no longer extend any favors to Ling Dao.

"You!"

Jiang Zhong's white eyebrows bristled with fury, leaving him speechless. Ye Hongxuan used to be so courteous during his visits to the Free and Unfettered King's estate, but now, his presence was utterly repulsive.

"Leave the Celestial Sect immediately! Otherwise, don't blame me for my lack of mercy. I will expel you from the Celestial Sect right before everyone's eyes!"

The Great Elder was well aware that with King Carefree's death, there were undoubtedly many who would seek Ling Dao's life. Allowing Ling Dao to remain in the Celestial Sect would surely bring trouble. The idea of Ling Dao becoming a peerless warrior was nothing short of impossible.

"No, this can't be happening. His Highness must be admitted into the Celestial Sect to master its teachings. Without the Sect's protection, wouldn't his life be at risk?"

Yet, Jiang Zhong was torn. He loathed Ye Hongxuan and had long wished to depart. But the safety of Ling Dao gave him pause; even at his prime, he couldn't assure Ling Dao's safety, much less now.

"Great Elder, what must be done for His Highness to be accepted into the Celestial Sect?"

For Ling Dao's sake, Jiang Zhong was willing to set aside his personal feelings and preferences. He would do anything to ensure Ling Dao's entry into the Celestial Sect.

"Haha, if you kneel and beg me, I might just consider it!"

Ye Hongxuan's words shocked Jiang Zhong and Ling Dao, with neither expecting such an outrageous demand. Jiang Zhong's face was a tumult of emotions, as it was clear Ye Hongxuan sought to crush his dignity.

"If you're unwilling, then take the boy and leave at once. I have no desire to lay eyes on you again!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhong's fists clenched involuntarily, his nails piercing his skin and drawing blood. He could bear his own humiliation, but seeing Ling Dao humiliated filled him with a rage so intense he wished he could dismember Ye Hongxuan. Yet, he lacked the power. With gritted teeth, he slowly knelt down.

"Grandpa Jiang, please stand up! Don't do this. If we can't join the Celestial Sect, then so be it. It's not the end of the world!"

Ling Dao's voice was filled with alarm as he saw Jiang Zhong kneeling on the ground. He hurried over, attempting to lift Jiang Zhong to his feet, but it was as if Jiang Zhong's legs were rooted to the earth, immovable.

"I implore you... please take His Highness... as a disciple of the Celestial Sect!"

The once formidable General Jiang Zhong, who had commanded the battlefield with such authority, had never faced such disgrace. A true soldier might face death but never dishonor. He would never kneel and plead for his life. Yet, for Ling Dao's sake, he was willing to cast aside all his pride!

"Grandpa Jiang, stand up. I no longer wish to be part of the Celestial Sect. Let's leave this place immediately. Even in death, we shall not beg."

Regrettably, Jiang Zhong remained on his knees, repeating his earlier plea. Ye Hongxuan watched the scene unfold and burst into a boisterous laugh. Once, King Carefree and his followers had been untouchable, but now they had fallen to such lows.

"To think you would make such a sacrifice; I must admit, it does command my respect."

A glimmer of hope sparked in Jiang Zhong's eyes at Ye Hongxuan's words. But the following statement from Ye Hongxuan ignited a fiery rage within him.

"After giving it some thought, the two of you should just leave the Celestial Sect. We have no place for cowards like you here!"