Others looked at Qiao Ci nervously. Would this senior disciple, who had always been united with her fellow disciples and cultivated diligently, betray the sect and the cultivation world?
Qiao Ci smiled noncommittally. "I returned today precisely to present this evidence before you, to let you see the truth. As for whether I have joined the demon realm, time will tell. Oh, and with a master who cannot distinguish right from wrong, I am no longer willing to stay. I hereby request to leave this sect and will no longer be a disciple of Hengjian Sect."
Wang Yuting, who had a good relationship with the original owner, disregarded the obstruction of the senior disciples and advised, "Senior Sister, don't act out! We all know your grievances, but where can you go after leaving Hengjian Sect? This is where you grew up."
"The world is vast; there will be a place for me. After announcing Feng Fuling's crimes and the inappropriate master-disciple relationship between Chang Yan, I am no longer fit to remain. Until we meet again, if fate allows." Qiao Ci had never intended to stay at Hengjian Sect anyway.
Why stay? To be targeted and ostracized?
Chang Yan appeared magnanimous, but in reality, none who had defied him met a good end. It was better to leave than to be gradually isolated by the sect.
Feng Fuling hated Qiao Ci to the core. At this moment, she stepped forward, pointing at Qiao Ci, and said, "I admit I made mistakes, and Master Chang Yan took the punishment in my stead. What about you? Do you not have any fault? If you wish to leave the sect, you must leave behind all the benefits Hengjian Sect has given you over the years, including your magical artifacts and cultivation!"
To think Feng Fuling could be so shameless! It was her wrongdoing that had led to the death of fellow disciples, yet the master took the punishment for her, and she showed no remorse. Now she wanted Qiao Ci to die too?
If nothing else, the senior disciple had indeed joined the sect from a young age, and her contributions to the sect were evident to all. Even if she left Hengjian Sect, her cultivation shouldn't be crippled, right?
After all, without cultivation, one would die in the cultivation world. For such a beautiful female cultivator, the outcome would be even more tragic.
The gazes of the crowd shifted and changed as they looked at Feng Fuling. Earlier, they had thought her timid and afraid of death, but now they could clearly sense her selfishness and malice.
At this moment, the elder of the Enforcement Hall stepped forward and released Chang Yan. Qiao Ci was his disciple, and the decision to leave the sect should be his to make.
As Chang Yan was about to break free, Qiao Ci struck Feng Fuling with swift and precise, fierce attacks, directly severing her outstretched fingers at the root.
By the time Chang Yan reacted, it was too late. His eyes widened in fury as he glared at Qiao Ci and instinctively launched a fatal attack against her, which Qiao Ci, having anticipated it, dodged.
"Ahhh, my fingers! Qiao Ci, you slut!" Feng Fuling stared in disbelief at her fingers, severed at the root and lying on the ground. Gritting her teeth, she was about to charge at Qiao Ci to fight, but was restrained by a senior disciple beside her.
Qiao Ci looked at her disdainfully. "Don't you know it's rude to point? If you dare to point at me again, your fingers won't be the only thing you lose."
Chang Yan looked at Qiao Ci with an unreadable expression. Although he had just received the lightning punishment, his cultivation had decreased, and his movements were slow, but his ultimate killing move was not something a disciple like Qiao Ci could easily evade.
He tried his best not to glance at Feng Fuling, his face darkening as he looked at Qiao Ci. "You may leave the sect, but you must cripple your own cultivation and return everything Hengjian Sect has bestowed upon you over the years."
After Chang Yan finished speaking, everyone looked at him in disbelief. He, too, was forcing Qiao Ci to her death?
However, Chang Yan had long established his authority and was the most powerful in the sect. No one dared to say much.
"I can," Qiao Ci said with a smile. She was herself, and the original owner was the original owner. She could fulfill the original owner's wishes but would not endure living in such a sect.
The invisible person behind her, Chong Han, could no longer remain seated. Hearing her words, he was furious and grabbed her shoulder, saying coldly, "Are you foolish? What will you do without your cultivation in the future?"
Qiao Ci replied matter-of-factly, "Don't I still have you?"
Chong Han's earlobes turned slightly red upon hearing this, and then Qiao Ci added, "I saved your life once. It's time for you to repay the favor."
Despite this, Chong Han's face still flushed slightly. Was Qiao Ci entrusting her life and death to him out of trust?
At this moment, Chang Yan finally looked directly at the man behind Qiao Ci, asking warily, "Who are you?"
Qiao Ci did not seem like someone seeking death. She was entrusting her safety to an outsider; did this person possess extraordinary abilities?
Chong Han casually glanced at him. "I am Miss Qiao's personal chef. It has nothing to do with you. You should worry more about yourself. After all, everyone has seen you naked, and you're not ashamed. Instead, you're plotting against a female disciple who is about to leave the sect. You have a truly grand mind."
Chang Yan's eyes turned cold at his words, but he made no move. Instead, he looked at Qiao Ci. "Criple your cultivation. From now on, Hengjian Sect will no longer be your sect."
Qiao Ci did not delay. She directly crippled her cultivation and vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, her face instantly turning pale.
Seeing that she truly had no cultivation left and had vomited so much blood, Chong Han quickly stepped forward to support her shoulder.
As she leaned her weight onto him, Chong Han's face grew even hotter, and then he frowned. Did she hate Hengjian Sect that much, to cripple her cultivation just to leave?
"Foolish," he muttered, then helped Qiao Ci and prepared to take her away.
"Wait a moment," Chang Yan called out from behind.
Chong Han frowned impatiently, not even slowing his steps, continuing to walk forward. Fearing Qiao Ci would get tired, he even picked her up by the waist.
Seeing himself being ignored, Chang Yan's anger reached its peak. "I suspect Qiao Ci is colluding with the demonic path. Execute her on the spot!"
As he spoke, he flew forward, his palm strike aimed directly at the back of Chong Han's head. It was clear he intended to kill Chong Han as well.
Chong Han did not expect him to break his word. Fortunately, he dodged in time, preventing himself from being touched.
Chong Han's heart erupted with violence, and he wanted to take advantage of Chang Yan's recent lightning strike and internal injuries to kill him. However, he did not want to expose his demon identity and negatively affect Qiao Ci.
He merely cast a cold glance at him, feigned an attack, and quickly left with Qiao Ci.
Chang Yan's move stunned the disciples of Hengjian Sect. Qiao Ci had already crippled her cultivation, so why was he taking advantage of her weakened state? Although with or without cultivation, Qiao Ci was no match for Chang Yan.
The elder of the Enforcement Hall was silent for a moment, then said to Chang Yan, "The farce is over. Chang Yan, you shall rest for three days before continuing with the lightning punishment."
Chang Yan nodded to the elder of the Enforcement Hall, then faced the crowd.
He knew his actions had caused confusion among them, so he explained, "I suspect the man beside Qiao Ci is a demon in disguise, possibly even the Demon Lord himself."