Underneath a certain starry sky, Liu Li looked at the man who had remained stationary for a long time and spoke, "Master, the young master has begun to unseal his past life's memories. If this continues, won't his relationship with the master also be known?"
The man remained silent for a moment before sighing, "All of this is my debt to him, and he is my elder brother. Since he wishes to know, then let him."
At this moment, Li Xuan's face was streaked with tears.
The memories of his past life, which flooded in like a swarm, had already made Li Xuan understand.
That Lin Xuan was his past life.
As for Wang Zhai and his family, Li Xuan had also learned from Lin Chu's visions. Although Wang Zhai's family had left early, they were eventually found by those three individuals. Wang Zhai and his wife were subjected to soul-searching and died on the spot, while Wang Menglan was saved by a mysterious powerful expert and disappeared without a trace.
"My past life chose to protect Brother Chu and sacrificed myself, only to pity Uncle Wang Zhai and his family. I never expected that Brother Chu, by chance, would receive help from a benefactor. However, what happened to Brother Chu in the end remains unknown."
Li Xuan pulled back his thoughts and, through the constantly emerging memories, also saw Lin Chu's experiences in the Young Sect.
Although Li Xuan's current strength was enough to handle anything, his heart still tightened when he saw Lin Chu being bullied. Without thinking, Li Xuan was eager to know Lin Chu's subsequent experiences.
As Li Xuan's mind stirred, a faint light flickered, and the memory images reappeared.
*Thump!*
As Qiu Shaoming's words fell, Lin Chu immediately felt a powerful force surge towards him, and his body was once again sent flying to the ground. Seeing this, a flash of disgust instantly crossed Lin Yong'an's eyes. He moved and appeared in front of Lin Chu, blocking Qiu Shaoming.
"What, you want to stand up for this brat?" Seeing Lin Yong'an appear, a hint of disdain curled at the corner of Qiu Shaoming's mouth as he spoke indifferently.
Lin Yong'an helped Lin Chu up and bowed slightly to Qiu Shaoming, saying, "Senior Brother Shaoming, he is just a disciple who recently joined our Young Sect. It's understandable that he doesn't know your status. And from the beginning, it wasn't his fault. Why must Senior Brother Shaoming be so aggressive?"
Qiu Shaoming smiled faintly upon hearing this, "Did I block your path, and it's still my fault? Lin Yong'an, are you sure you want to cross me for a newcomer?"
As Qiu Shaoming's words fell, the six people behind him stepped forward one after another. Each of them looked at Lin Yong'an with a mocking glint in their eyes.
"Enough."
At this moment, a hoarse voice suddenly came from the Disciple Hall. Qiu Shaoming and the others' expressions changed slightly, and their gazes towards Lin Yong'an instantly turned venomous.
"Brat, you just wait. And you!" Qiu Shaomin glared fiercely at Lin Chu and Lin Yong'an, then turned around and walked towards the Disciple Hall.
"Wait a moment." Just then, Lin Chu, who had been silent, suddenly called out.
Qiu Shaoming stopped and turned around, his face clearly showing a hint of surprise. Even Lin Yong'an looked at Lin Chu with some confusion at this moment.
Lin Chu, however, paid no attention to the gazes of Qiu Shaoming and the others. He slowly stepped forward two paces and said, "You need to apologize to me!"
As Lin Chu's words fell, Lin Yong'an's face broke into a wry smile.
This newly joined disciple seemed to have not yet grasped the situation.
Qiu Shaoming and the six people beside him, upon hearing this, burst into laughter as if they had heard the greatest joke.
"Did you hear that? This brat actually wants me to apologize to him?" Qiu Shaoming laughed brazenly, his gaze towards Lin Chu becoming even more contemptuous.
Lin Chu remained unfazed by their mockery and continued, "You said earlier that I blocked your path, which is why you bumped into me. I can overlook this, but you then attacked me. You must apologize for this!"
Qiu Shaoming sneered, "Among the disciples recruited this time, how can there be such a fool? Brat, don't you even consider your own status? You, a new disciple, dare to demand an apology from me, an elite disciple?"
Lin Chu looked down and saw the character '精' (jīng, elite) embroidered on Qiu Shaoming's cuff. His eyes flickered, and he fell silent.
"What, are you scared?" Seeing Lin Chu fall silent, Qiu Shaoming became even more arrogant.
Lin Chu took a deep breath and said, "Grandpa said that if you make a mistake, you must admit it. You attacked me without cause, and you must apologize for this!"
"I originally wanted to spare you on Elder Yuwen's account, but I didn't expect you to be so unappreciative. Brat, if you can withstand one of my palms, it's not impossible for me to apologize to you!" Qiu Shaoming's eyes gradually turned cold.
Lin Yong'an immediately stepped forward and tugged at Lin Chu. If Lin Chu continued to insist, the situation would become even more difficult to control. Moreover, as Qiu Shaoming said, the importance of a new disciple was far less than that of an elite disciple.
If the matter escalated, losing his disciple status would be the least of it; he could even lose his life with the slightest misstep.
"One palm?" Lin Chu spoke slowly.
Qiu Shaoming's gaze towards Lin Chu gradually shifted, and then he said with a touch of seriousness, "If you can take one of my palms, I will apologize to you. If you can't, then you can only blame your bad luck."
Seeing Lin Chu continue to insist and seemingly agree to take Qiu Shaoming's palm, Lin Yong'an felt a bitter ache in his heart. He regretted his momentary softheartedness in stepping up for Lin Chu just because Lin Chu called him brother.
As things stood, even Elder Yuwen's intervention might not be able to resolve this matter.
In the Young Sect, disciple duels were highly encouraged.
Of course, there were two types of duels: those with a winner and loser, and those that were life-and-death. If both parties agreed, even the Sect Master could not interfere.
"I agree." Just as Lin Yong'an was feeling anxious for Lin Chu, Lin Chu slowly replied.
Lin Yong'an shook his head helplessly and cupped his hands slightly towards Qiu Shaoming, "Senior Brother Shaoming, he is just a mortal. Please be merciful, Senior Brother Shaoming. Just treat it as teaching him a lesson."
After speaking, Lin Yong'an glanced at Lin Chu's retreating back and slowly walked to the front of the Disciple Hall.
"Very well. I hope you can still be so composed in a moment." Qiu Shaoming's lips curled slightly, and he then looked at Lin Chu. Seeing that Lin Chu still had an expression of fearlessness, he spoke.
"You talk too much, let's begin." Lin Chu frowned slightly and appeared somewhat impatient.
"Arrogant!" A fierce glint instantly flashed across Qiu Shaoming's face. With a thought, the spiritual energy within him surged.
Seeing Qiu Shaoming's robes flutter in the wind, Lin Chu also felt a little nervous. However, remembering what the Fire Spirit Heart had said about his physical body entering the first level of the Immortal Spirit Body, the unease in his heart gradually subsided.
"Brat, consider this a lesson for today. Remember, in the Young Sect, if you want someone to apologize, only when your status and strength are higher can you achieve it!"
As Qiu Shaoming's voice fell, he instantly raised his left hand, and a surge of spiritual energy enveloped it as he struck out with a palm towards Lin Chu.
*Bang!*
Seeing Qiu Shaoming's palm strike, Lin Chu did not evade. He protected his chest with both hands and looked at Qiu Shaoming's incoming palm with determination. With a bang, Lin Chu's body was once again sent flying.
*Pfft!*
Lin Chu, still in mid-air, felt his internal blood and qi churn violently. Before he even landed, he felt a wave of dizziness and his eyes closed as he lost consciousness.
Outside the Disciple Hall, Qiu Shaoming and the others' expressions changed drastically upon seeing Bai Yuwei's arrival. Especially when they saw Lin Chu being held in Bai Yuwei's arms, they inwardly thought, "This is bad."
"Greetings, Saintess." Despite their fear, Qiu Shaoming and the others had no choice but to step forward, bow, and greet her due to her status.
Seeing the usually aloof Saintess holding Lin Chu, Lin Yong'an was also somewhat surprised. He had originally thought Lin Chu was just an ordinary new disciple, but he didn't expect him to have such a status. If he had known earlier, perhaps Qiu Shaoming and the others wouldn't have treated Lin Chu this way.
Thinking of this, a hint of schadenfreude gradually appeared in Lin Yong'an's gaze towards Qiu Shaoming and the others.
In the Young Sect, all disciples knew that Saintess Bai Yuwei was extremely protective and her status was very special. Although her strength was slightly inferior to the Elders of the various halls, apart from the Sect Master, even the Grand Elder showed her respect.
Not only that, although Bai Yuwei's expression was hidden by her veil, Lin Yong'an could tell from her concerned eyes that the relationship between this new disciple Lin Chu and the Saintess was extraordinary. Now that Qiu Shaoming had injured Lin Chu, how could the Saintess easily let it go?
"Qiu Shaoming, finally someone can deal with you." Lin Yong'an thought to himself, with a hint of anticipation in his heart.
Bai Yuwei glanced at the unconscious Lin Chu, and with a thought, a surge of spiritual energy flowed from her back to heal Lin Chu.
"Qiu Shaoming, you injured my brother?" After a moment, seeing Lin Chu's breathing gradually stabilize, she slowly raised her head and looked at Qiu Shaoming.
Qiu Shaoming's eyes were instantly filled with horror. Who would have thought that such an ordinary new disciple was the Saintess's brother!
Furthermore, Qiu Shaoming had long heard of the Saintess's protectiveness. Who would have thought he would run into such trouble today?
"Saintess, this disciple did not know he was your brother. I beg the Saintess for forgiveness!" Looking at Bai Yuwei's frosty eyes beneath her veil, Qiu Shaoming couldn't help but shiver and hastily knelt down.
Bai Yuwei snorted coldly, her voice extremely icy, "Do you mean that if he wasn't my brother, you could bully him at will? Qiu Shaoming, I have already heard of your past transgressions. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."
"Saintess, why get angry with this disciple? I have examined your brother's injuries, and they are not serious. How about, according to this Elder's opinion, after your brother recovers, let Qiu Shaoming publicly apologize?" A hoarse voice sounded again as Yuwen Yue slowly emerged from the Disciple Hall and bowed slightly to Bai Yuwei.
Bai Yuwei sneered, "Elder Yuwen, something like this happened on your territory, and you are still playing peacemaker? You heard what he said just now. If it wasn't my brother this time, but someone else, wouldn't they have to suffer his humiliation for nothing? Such behavior, how can it be worthy of being a disciple of our Young Sect?"
"Elder Yuwen, since you were here all along, why didn't you step in to stop it? Or do you also approve of Qiu Shaoming's actions?"
Yuwen Yue inwardly sighed. In fact, such incidents were commonplace in the Young Sect.
Higher-ranking disciples bullying lower-ranking disciples based on their status was an everyday occurrence.
However, Yuwen Yue dared not argue with Bai Yuwei at this moment. The others might not fully understand Bai Yuwei's special status, but as an Elder of the Young Sect and in charge of one of the Ten Halls, how could Yuwen Yue not know?
Thinking of this, Yuwen Yue cupped his hands towards Bai Yuwei with a hint of helplessness, "Saintess, your reprimand is correct. According to the Saintess's wishes, how should he be dealt with?"
Bai Yuwei glanced at Qiu Shaoming, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said slowly, "Qiu Shaoming disregarded our Young Sect's rules, abused his strength to bully the weak, and was arrogant, severely damaging our Young Sect's image. This Saintess's opinion is to expel him from the Young Sect and never recruit him!"
As Bai Yuwei's words fell, Qiu Shaoming immediately slumped to the ground. Lin Yong'an, standing in front of the Disciple Hall, was also shocked by Bai Yuwei's verdict. Qiu Shaoming had only injured Lin Chu, yet he received such a severe punishment.
Not only Lin Yong'an was shocked, but even Yuwen Yue was quite surprised. However, upon considering Qiu Shaoming's background, his expression turned grim.
"Saintess, perhaps we should reconsider this matter?" Yuwen Yue's voice lowered slightly, and he gave Bai Yuwei a meaningful glance.
Bai Yuwei slowly replied, "What? Elder Yuwen, do you have an opinion?"
Yuwen Yue smiled wryly, "Saintess, if Qiu Shaoming is expelled from the Young Sect like this, I fear it will affect Qiu Shaolong's cultivation."
The anger in Bai Yuwei's eyes gradually subsided. She glanced at Qiu Shaoming, who was slumped on the ground, and her expression became somewhat complex.
At this moment, Lin Yong'an, standing in front of the Disciple Hall, also showed a hint of helplessness. In fact, when he heard the Saintess propose expelling Qiu Shaoming from the Young Sect, he himself was somewhat excited.
But he had forgotten that the reason Qiu Shaoming could be so brazen in the Young Sect was because he had the backing of his elder brother, Qiu Shaolong.
Mentioning Qiu Shaolong, even Lin Yong'an felt a sense of awe.
Among the top ten outstanding disciples of the Young Sect, Qiu Shaolong ranked eighth. Although he was only eighth, he was the youngest among the ten.
Furthermore, Qiu Shaolong was a direct disciple of the Grand Elder of the Young Sect, making him a core disciple. It was no wonder Yuwen Yue spoke up for him.
"Qiu Shaolong is a core disciple and a direct disciple of the Grand Elder. If he knows his younger brother has such a bad character and is not restrained, it would also violate the reputation of an outstanding disciple. Since Elder Yuwen has spoken for him, this Saintess is not unreasonable."
"For Qiu Shaolong's sake, starting immediately, Qiu Shaoming's elite disciple status is revoked, and he is demoted to a common disciple. Elder Yuwen, do you have any other objections?" After a moment, Bai Yuwei slowly said.
Although she was the Saintess and held a high position, she had to be cautious about the future development of the Young Sect. However, the thought of Lin Chu being injured before her eyes made Bai Yuwei's heart unable to calm down.
Since Qiu Shaoming could not be directly expelled from the Young Sect, Bai Yuwei had no choice but to find a compromise.
"Everything will be as the Saintess says. Qiu Shaoming, why don't you quickly thank the Saintess!"
Upon hearing Bai Yuwei's words, Yuwen Yue breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was demoted to a common disciple, as long as he cultivated diligently, he could still return to the ranks of elite disciples sooner or later. Moreover, by getting Bai Yuwei to take a step back, his goal had been achieved.
"This disciple kowtows to thank the Saintess and Elder Yuwen." Hearing that he would not be expelled from the Young Sect, Qiu Shaoming was also somewhat excited. Upon hearing Yuwen Yue's words, he immediately bowed to Bai Yuwei and Yuwen Yue.
"Cough, cough..." Just then, the unconscious Lin Chu suddenly coughed. Bai Yuwei hurriedly leaned over to look.
"Sister... why are you here?" Lin Chu slightly opened his eyes and asked weakly as he looked at the familiar eyes before him.
Seeing Lin Chu wake up, Bai Yuwei quickly helped him up and asked, "Brother Chu, how are you feeling?"
"Sister, I'm fine." Lin Chu glanced at the people present and noticed Qiu Shaoming slumped on the ground, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Bai Yuwei then said, "Brother Chu, Sister has already punished Qiu Shaoming. Let today's matter end here."
Lin Chu nodded slightly and then looked at Bai Yuwei, "Sister, you told me before that disciples can challenge each other in the Young Sect, right?"
Bai Yuwei had a bad premonition in her heart. However, seeing Lin Chu's determined gaze, especially with Yuwen Yue and other Young Sect disciples like Qiu Shaoming present, she could only nod.
Lin Chu also nodded slightly upon seeing this, then broke free from Bai Yuwei's support, staggered to Qiu Shaoming, took a deep breath, and stood firm.
"Today, I, Lin Chu, challenge you. One year later, a life-and-death battle between us! Do you dare to accept!"