C14 The Miserable Fate of Ye Hongxuan

"I am the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect. Do you have any idea how many people yearn to call me Master, and yet you dare to refuse?"

Wu Kuangyun was accustomed to others seeking him out to become his disciples. This was the first time he had ever offered to take someone under his wing, and to his surprise, he was turned down. Thinking Ling Dao might be unaware of who he was, Wu Kuangyun felt compelled to introduce himself.

"Yes, I refuse!"

Had it not been for the incident involving Ye Hongxuan, Ling Dao would have readily accepted Wu Kuangyun's offer. Unfortunately, what was done could not be undone. Ling Dao's ties to Ye Hongxuan made it impossible for him to consider joining the Celestial Sect, let alone entertain the idea of becoming the Sect Leader's disciple.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Wu Kuangyun's expression grew stern. Being publicly rejected was a blow to his pride. He sensed Ling Dao's aversion to the Celestial Sect and knew there had to be a significant reason behind it. After all, Ling Dao's presence at the Celestial Sect surely indicated an intention to become a disciple.

"Your Highness, please reconsider. To be the Sect Leader's disciple is an unparalleled honor. Let go of your anger. The Great Elder is one thing, but the Sect Leader is quite another. Countless people can only dream of such an opportunity!"

Jiang Zhong's face brightened with hope at this unexpected twist of fate. He had almost given up on the prospect of entering the Celestial Sect, but then the Sect Leader himself stepped forward with the intention of taking Ling Dao as his disciple.

Becoming the disciple of the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect would offer unparalleled security, and Jiang Zhong could pass from this world with peace of mind. Such a position was akin to soaring to the heavens, far beyond the reach of any outer sect disciple.

Jiang Zhong's words visibly improved Wu Kuangyun's mood. However, the Great Elder shuddered at the thought. He had verified that there were no faults in the Celestial Sword Formation. The formation, unbroken for millennia, had been breached by Ling Dao, whom he had then banished from the Celestial Sect. Should the Sect Leader learn of this, Ye Hongxuan would undoubtedly face dire consequences.

Ling Dao's prowess in the Sword Dao was a clear testament to his exceptional nature, regardless of his innate ability to cultivate. This was evident enough that Wu Kuangyun, the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect, was compelled to offer him discipleship.

"I had every intention of joining the Celestial Sect, which is why I challenged the Celestial Sword Formation. But after the Great Elder demanded I leave and grievously wounded Grandpa Jiang, my disappointment in the sect was complete. There's simply no point in becoming a disciple of the Celestial Sect now."

Ling Dao's pride was unwavering, both in his past and present life. With such treatment from the Celestial Sect's Great Elder, joining the sect was out of the question. Surely, the wide world had a place for him somewhere else.

"Your Highness, please take my advice just this once and accept the offer from the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect. As his disciple, you'll be able to grow rapidly. Plus, under his protection, no one will dare to cross you," Jiang Zhong pleaded earnestly, his own injuries from Ye Hongxuan's kick reminding him of his mortality. Ling Dao's well-being was his primary concern, and he believed that under Wu Kuangyun's mentorship, Ling Dao would be safe.

Regrettably, Ling Dao shook his head. Jiang Zhong's incident had severed his desire to be affiliated with the Celestial Sect. While Jiang Zhong wished for Ling Dao to join the sect for his sake, Ling Dao refused to do so for the very same reason.

"Grandpa Jiang, it's time we left."

With a heavy sigh, Jiang Zhong had no choice but to depart with Ling Dao. He knew Ling Dao's stubbornness all too well, having watched him grow up. Once Ling Dao made up his mind, no argument could sway him. If Ling Dao was set against joining the Celestial Sect, then all of Jiang Zhong's persuasions were futile.

Without a backward glance at the Celestial Sect or the onlookers, Ling Dao helped Jiang Zhong make their way down the mountain. Wu Kuangyun could see clearly that Ling Dao had lost all interest in the sect.

"I never imagined that I, the Sect Leader, would be turned down when offering to take on a disciple. Ye Hongxuan, don't you think you owe the sect an explanation?"

Wu Kuangyun's icy stare sent a shiver down Ye Hongxuan's spine. The Sect Leader's authority towered over that of the Great Clan Elder, and in Wu Kuangyun's presence, Ye Hongxuan wouldn't dare step out of line. Kneeling, he recounted the events honestly, his fear of the Sect Leader's piercing gaze ensuring he didn't dare fabricate a single detail.

*Crackle and Boom!*

A storm of thunderclouds amassed above Wu Kuangyun, with lightning bolts furiously dancing within. Wu Kuangyun's fury was palpable, and it left Ye Hongxuan's face deathly pale, well aware of the grave trouble he was in.

"Ye Hongxuan, you've got some nerve! To cast out a Sword Genius like that—do you wish to see the Celestial Sect crumble before you'll be satisfied?"

Wu Kuangyun's foot came crashing down on Ye Hongxuan, who blacked out for a moment as he coughed up a mouthful of blood. The Celestial Sword Formation, unbroken for millennia, had been shattered by Ling Dao, whose worth was immeasurable compared to the other disciples.

"Master, please hear me out. I'm well aware of the boy's situation. He's utterly incapable of cultivating. At fifteen, he's not even reached the Physical Body Realm. No amount of training from you, Master, would make a difference!"

Ye Hongxuan, terrified, spoke nothing but the truth. What he didn't realize was the sheer brilliance of breaking the Celestial Sword Formation. Wu Kuangyun, as the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect, was privy to far more than Ye Hongxuan could comprehend.

Wu Kuangyun had initially intended to bring Ling Dao back, but now it seemed pointless. He would have spared no expense in nurturing Ling Dao if he had been willing to return. Alas, Ling Dao had no desire to take Wu Kuangyun as his master. And Wu Kuangyun, as the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect, couldn't afford to lose face by groveling after being rejected.

"Enough with the nonsense. As of today, you are relieved of your duties as the Great Elder. Furthermore, you are to report to the Law Enforcement Hall to endure the Three Thousand Swords. Once your wounds heal, your sole responsibility will be to clean the Celestial Sect!"

A glimmer of fear passed through the Great Elder's eyes, but he had no choice but to obey Wu Kuangyun's command. The dreaded Three Thousand Swords meant facing the longsword without any protection, enduring three thousand excruciating cuts—a punishment as terrifying as being sliced into a thousand pieces.

"This matter is closed. We shall speak no more of it."

Wu Kuangyun watched Ling Dao depart, exhaling softly before turning to leave. Had he known the heights Ling Dao would reach in the future, he might very well have considered flaying Ye Hongxuan alive.

"Curse it! That detestable whelp, if I ever lay eyes on you again, I swear I'll personally shred you to pieces to quell the fury in my heart!"

Ye Hongxuan, bearing the brunt of the punishment, dared not direct his anger at Wu Kuangyun. Instead, he projected all his resentment onto Ling Dao. His gaze followed Ling Dao's departing figure, eyes seething with venomous spite.