Yi Zhiye was demoted to the small world. Even if she were injured or poisoned, she wouldn't end up penniless and unable to afford food in an ordinary person's country.
Not to mention, Shen Xiaoyan claimed that Yi Zhiye returned to the Holy Spirit Continent only to repay her for the food she ate.
Would they believe such a reason?
Long Xuan had long disliked Shen Xiaoyan. Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's words, she immediately retorted sarcastically, "A bumpkin from a small world dares to brag here. What good food can you possibly offer them? It's nothing more than ordinary food meant to fill their stomachs, yet you act as if you've accomplished something. Have you no shame?"
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Long Xuan, her gaze dark and unreadable.
If she didn't teach this woman a lesson, her foul mouth wouldn't be silenced.
Just as Shen Xiaoyan was about to act, she saw a figure swiftly fly towards Long Xuan.
Long Ting and Long Hao instinctively moved to intercept, but the shadow effortlessly pushed them aside.
The person reached Long Xuan's side, slapped her a few times, and then quickly departed.
Shen Xiaoyan watched as the figure returned to the high platform. Only then did she realize that the one who had publicly slapped Long Xuan was none other than Yan Rulie.
Why would he do that?
Long Xuan hadn't offended him.
Besides, Long Xuan was the daughter of Grand Elder Long Ting. Yan Rulie should have shown her some respect and been more tolerant.
Suddenly, Shen Xiaoyan had a bold guess.
Yan Rulie slapping Long Xuan couldn't possibly be because Long Xuan had just insulted her, could it?
At this moment, she heard Yan Rulie's apologetic voice:
"My dear lady, I am truly sorry. It seems our disciples of the Sun Heat Sect have such a garrulous member. I never noticed it before, but now that I have, I will certainly teach her a lesson and prevent her from speaking so disrespectfully again."
Yan Rulie's statement stunned everyone in the hall.
Naturally, this included Shen Xiaoyan.
She was even more perplexed. Why had this person's attitude changed so drastically?
Just moments ago, his words implied a desire to cause trouble for Great Chu because of Yi Zhiye.
Yet, after she merely spoke a few words, his attitude shifted.
Could it be that he genuinely believed her story?
Looking at Yan Rulie's noticeably altered expression, Shen Xiaoyan did not believe this guess at all.
On the side, Long Xuan was clutching her face and sobbing uncontrollably.
Yan Rulie was unmarried and childless, and her father was a Grand Elder. Within the Sun Heat Sect, everyone from top to bottom doted on her.
She had always considered herself the little princess of the Sun Heat Sect.
But today, being publicly slapped by Yan Rulie, how could she ever show her face again?
Long Ting, recovering from his shock, looked at Yan Rulie in disbelief.
His lips moved for a long time, but ultimately, he said nothing.
Yan Rulie had publicly disgraced him. If he were to retort rudely, it would truly be a spectacle today.
If this matter were to spread, the Sun Heat Sect would lose face.
Yan Rulie seemed very satisfied with Long Ting's reaction. He nodded secretly, then looked back at Shen Xiaoyan.
"Does the lady find my handling of the situation satisfactory?"
Shen Xiaoyan was even more puzzled. While her expression remained neutral, she said, "The Sect Master disciplining his own disciple has nothing to do with me. What standing do I have to comment? However, if the Sect Master has no further business, we shall take our leave."
A sharp glint flashed in Yan Rulie's eyes, and the corners of his lips curved upwards slightly, as if he were in a good mood.
"You have been standing for a long time, my lady, and you must be tired. In that case, you should go back and rest. When you have time, I will seek you out for a conversation."
Shen Xiaoyan: !
Was this truly the Sect Master of the Sun Heat Sect?
Had he been replaced by someone else?
Where were these nonsensical words coming from?
Even though they were currently at a disadvantage and Yin Susu was bedridden, she couldn't show her displeasure.
"Then we shall take our leave."
Saying this, Shen Xiaoyan walked to Zheng Wei, took his hand, and led him outside.
Yi Zixie, Nà Mùzhōng, and the others also sensed that the atmosphere was not right. They couldn't bother with anything else and quickly turned to follow Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei out.
Bai Ge'er, seeing this, exclaimed, "Sect Master, you haven't dealt with Yi Zhiye yet, how can you let him leave like this?"
Yan Rulie looked at Bai Ge'er and said sternly, "My actions are not for you to question."
Bai Ge'er was unwilling and wanted to say more, but recalling the ruthless slaps Yan Rulie had just delivered, his resentment was swallowed back.
He didn't want to be slapped in front of everyone.
If that happened, how could he establish himself in the future?
How could he contend with Yi Zhiye?
Fujiwara Shifei watched all of this coolly, her eyes inscrutable. "Since that is the case, I shall leave too."
Saying this, she stood up and, ignoring Yan Rulie's reaction, left the hall with Bai Ying.
Everyone watched as Fujiwara Shifei and her disciple walked further and further away until they disappeared. Only then did they collectively turn to look at Yan Rulie, who was seated at the head of the hall.
Yan Rulie's expression remained unchanged, a smile on his face, as if he were very happy.
Long Ting looked at Yan Rulie like this and felt a jolt of unease.
Why did he suddenly have a bad premonition?
Could the plans they had made beforehand be ruined?
Feeling anxious, Long Ting no longer wanted to sit there.
However, before he could speak, Yan Rulie spoke first:
"It is said that Elder Ruan has been bedridden for a month. I have been busy with affairs and have not paid him a visit, which is inexcusable in terms of both reason and sentiment."
Everyone was surprised. And then?
"Therefore, I intend to visit Elder Ruan now. Would you like to accompany me?"
The elders exchanged glances and then unanimously nodded. "We will naturally accompany the Sect Master."
Could they refuse Yan Rulie's invitation?
Did they dare to refuse?
Most importantly, if the Sect Master said something to Yi Maodun and Yin Susu without their knowledge, wouldn't they have nowhere to cry?
Yan Rulie was clearly very satisfied with the elders' response. He leaped down from the high platform and was already at the hall's entrance.
Just as he was about to walk out the door, he suddenly stopped.
Yan Rulie did not turn his head, but his cold voice was clearly heard by everyone present.
"Long Xuan need not come. You should go back and rest for a while."
Upon hearing this, Long Xuan's face turned pale. She looked at Long Ting helplessly, hoping he would intercede and persuade Yan Rulie to retract his decision.
Who didn't know that Yan Rulie's words actually meant to confine Long Xuan?
Long Ting pondered for a moment and replied, "Yes, Xuan'er is young and ignorant, and speaks without thinking. It is indeed good for her to go back and rest."
"Good, it is enough that you understand my intentions."
Yan Rulie said this, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode outside.
The other elders followed Yan Rulie out. In almost an instant, only Long Ting, Long Xuan, Long Hao, and Bai Ge'er remained in the hall.
Only after Yan Rulie and the others had disappeared from view did Long Xuan speak aggrievedly, "Father, why did you agree with the Sect Master? Is this any different from being confined and reflecting on my mistakes? 'Going back to rest' sounds nice, but it's a euphemism. Could the Sect Master have fallen for Shen Xiaoyan because she's beautiful?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Are you allowed to speak so freely about the Sect Master's affairs?" Long Ting reprimanded.
Long Xuan pouted, still unwilling to accept it. "If not for that, then why did his attitude change the moment Shen Xiaoyan spoke?"
This time, Long Ting did not speak, but his expression clearly showed that he harbored similar suspicions.