Chapter 487 497: The Grand Birthday Draws Near

Three days later, Elder Li brought Wen Qingye, Yann Chuxue, Lei Hao, and Mo Qing to the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain.

And just as Wen Qingye had said, Mo Qing was still alive but remained unconscious.

Elder Li looked at the three of them and slowly said, "Go to the Sacrificial Hall on the Main Peak and report the mission. I'm taking Qing'Er to Chaotian Peak, and then I must hurry back to the Celestial Star Ancient Country."

Mo Qing's master and Elder Li were exceptionally close, so it was only natural that Elder Li cared for her deeply and wanted to escort her to Chaotian Peak himself.

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Li," Lei Hao said with a nod, cupping his fist in gratitude.

Elder Li nodded, steered his Flying Ship, and sped toward Chaotian Peak.

After Elder Li vanished with Mo Qing, Lei Hao turned to Wen Qingye and Yann Chuxue. "Regardless," he said, "Junior Brother Wen brought back the True Essence Fruit. You should hold on to it for now. Let's go report the completion of our mission."

The three of them then went to the Sacrificial Hall on the Main Peak. The Main Peak Steward was still sitting there lazily, as if he didn't care about anything in the world.

When he saw Wen Qingye's group and the True Essence Fruit in his hand, he nodded in satisfaction. "Nicely done," he said with a smile. "But things are about to get difficult for you. Elder Ji of the Law Enforcement Team has already begun an investigation. Be careful, he'll be looking for you."

Clearly, the Steward of the Sacrificial Hall knew what had transpired. The three of them figured Elder Li must have used a Secret Technique to send a message back to the Sect.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Three thousand Sect Contribution Points were simultaneously added to Wen Qingye's, Yann Chuxue's, and Lei Hao's Jade Tokens.

After speaking, the Main Peak Steward went back to leaning lazily in his chair, not saying another word. Wen Qingye and the other two slowly walked out of the Sacrificial Hall.

"Junior Brother Wen, be careful. We'll meet again someday," Lei Hao said, cupping his fist.

Wen Qingye nodded but said nothing.

With that, Lei Hao walked out of the Sacrificial Hall. A wave of relief washed over him, as if all his worries were gone, and he could finally breathe easy.

"What happened?" Yann Chuxue asked, seeing that no one was around.

Wen Qingye smiled faintly. "Let's talk as we walk."

The two walked side by side down the Main Peak, and Wen Qingye told Yann Chuxue everything that had happened from beginning to end.

Yann Chuxue's brow furrowed. "Does this mean you're going to be severely punished?" she asked.

Wen Qingye nodded. "We'll deal with it when the people from the Three Realms Sect and Flowing Cloud Sect come to the Celestial Profound Sect to demand an explanation. If they want to investigate, let them investigate."

"Mm, I believe you," Yann Chuxue nodded and said softly. "My internal injuries haven't fully healed yet, so I'll head back first."

At that moment, she felt an urgent need to heal her injuries. Only then could she feel at ease.

Wen Qingye nodded. "Alright."

The two of them immediately went their separate ways.

Wen Qingye returned to his Cave Mansion on Life Peak to stabilize his cultivation. For him, it was business as usual; he was completely unconcerned about the whole affair.

After all, his one sword strike had saved several people from the Three Realms Sect and Flowing Cloud Sect, so he naturally wasn't afraid of them coming to demand an explanation.

However, for some unknown reason, this matter spread throughout the entire Celestial Profound Sect.

News spread like wildfire: while on a mission, Wen Qingye had killed talented disciples from the Three Realms Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect. The Elders from those sects were reportedly furious and would soon arrive at the Celestial Profound Sect to demand justice. As the rumors circulated, the story became more and more twisted.

"It's strange. Why would Wen Qingye kill people from the Three Realms Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect? Was it for the True Essence Fruit?"

"The human heart is unpredictable. The True Essence Fruit is a Mid-Level Emperor Grade Heavenly and Earthly Treasure. Who can say for sure?"

"This will definitely create a rift between our Celestial Profound Sect and the Three Realms Sect and Flowing Cloud Sect. In this complex situation, our Sect has now lost two allies."

"This Wen Qingye is truly a scourge to the foundation of our Celestial Profound Sect."

"He must be severely punished. The Celestial Profound Sect cannot allow such a villain to exist."

"That's right, expel Wen Qingye from the Celestial Profound Sect!"

"Yes, expel him from the Celestial Profound Sect!"

As rumors ran rampant throughout the Celestial Profound Sect, Wen Qingye became the target of widespread condemnation from his fellow disciples.

Yet, things grew strangely, almost unnaturally, quiet. It was the calm before the storm, a silent wait for the final eruption.

...

「Absolute Peak Hall.」

Elders lined both sides of the hall, with numerous disciples standing by, all silently watching the man at the head of the room.

Hua Lie sat in the head seat and sneered, "That brat, he really knows how to stir up trouble."

Hua Du shot to his feet. "Peak Master!" he declared loudly. "Sooner or later, that Wen Qingye will become a cancer in our Celestial Profound Sect! In my opinion, we'd be better off getting rid of..."

"Hua Du!" an old man beside him quickly interrupted. "You must not speak so recklessly on this matter. No matter what, Wen Qingye is now the disciple of the Life Peak Master, Zhang Zhilin."

Hearing the old man's words, Hua Du resentfully sat back down.

At this moment, a young man next to him said with a laugh, "Junior Brother Hua, don't worry. It's just Wen Qingye. What kind of waves can he possibly make? Besides, aren't his meridians already severed? In a few years, when your cultivation surpasses his, won't he be yours to crush as you please?"

Hua Lie nodded and said slowly, "Qii Hao is right. All of Wen Qingye's meridians are severed; sooner or later, he'll be a cripple. Not to mention, he killed people from the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Three Realms Sect. I doubt the Law Enforcement Team will let him off easily. When the time comes, I'll apply some pressure. Even if he survives, he'll lose a layer of skin."

The reason Hua Lie hated Wen Qingye so much was, firstly, because Wen Qingye had humiliated a member of his Absolute Peak, especially Hua Du, in public, which was a blatant slap in his face. Secondly, he also felt that this Wen Qingye was too arrogant and didn't know his place, daring to slaughter members of sects friendly with the Celestial Profound Sect, thereby damaging the Celestial Profound Sect's foundation.

"Then I can rest easy." A shadow passed over Hua Du's face, and he fell silent.

"Enough about Wen Qingye," Hua Lie announced. "The invitations for my birthday celebration have been sent. People from other Sects are already traveling thousands of miles to the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain. Many experts are coming this time from the Sword Sect, Thousand Nether Valley, Baoling Temple, the Daoist School of Non-action, the Ghost Sect, Thousand Mountains, One Sword Tower... You must all prepare and host them well. This isn't just a birthday party. It's a chance for the other six peaks to witness the splendor of our Absolute Peak, and an opportunity for you all to broaden your horizons. This event must be grand and magnificent!"

"Yes!"

Everyone around them stood up, cupped their fists, and responded loudly. The sound was sonorous and full of energy, soaring straight into the clouds.

「The day after Wen Qingye's return.」

The sky was clear, the sun was warm, and there wasn't a cloud for thousands of miles.

Zhang Zhilin's third disciple, Sunx Liqian, arrived at the entrance to Wen Qingye's Cave Mansion. But no matter how many times he knocked, there was no sound from within.

'Strange? Where could Junior Brother Wen have gone?'

Sunx Liqian had come this time because Zhang Zhilin had sent him to find Wen Qingye. After taking Wen Qingye as a disciple, Zhang Zhilin had gone into seclusion to recuperate from old hidden injuries that had plagued him for years. He had only hurriedly come out of seclusion after hearing that something had happened to Wen Qingye.