"Senior Brother, even though you have left the Tranquil Peak, I still regard you as my senior and treat you with respect. I know my own limitations and that I cannot compete with you, but there is no need for you to humiliate me in front of everyone like this.
There are so many ways to defeat me, yet you chose this one. Is this not a deliberate act of revenge?"
He stood up, his brows slightly furrowed, fists clenched, embodying a demeanor of suppressed anger.
"Senior Brother, after all this time, can you still not forgive me? The incident that led to your punishment was not reported by me..."
Suddenly, he turned his head, biting his lip tightly, falling silent as if swallowing down a great deal of grievance along with his words.
This unexpected silence sparked endless speculation among the onlookers.
In an instant, everyone understood the implication of his words.
Tsk, Qi Xiao is jealous of Junior Brother Ye and deliberately took action against him; yet somehow it has become Junior Brother Ye's fault? How can that be justified?
I think the punishment back then was too lenient; Qi Xiao shows no signs of remorse after being punished and is still intent on seeking revenge.
Sigh, if you ask me, Junior Brother Ye is simply too kind-hearted; even after being harmed by Qi Xiao, he manages to endure it. Who knows how much torment he has suffered at the hands of Qi Xiao in the past at Tranquil Peak?
At that moment, a sharp female voice suddenly rang out, silencing the murmurs of the crowd.
"This is outrageous! Right and wrong are clear to anyone; there is no room for debate. Junior Brother Ye, why must you plead for this villain?"
She then turned her cold gaze towards Qi Xiao.
"The matter was judged personally by the Sect Leader and the Elders. Qi Xiao, do you dare to defy that?"
The woman speaking had black hair and snow-white skin, her phoenix eyes glinting with coldness. She was tall and slender, holding a sword in her arms that made her appear even more aloof and unapproachable, like a blade unsheathed from its scabbard.
Qi Xiao's face darkened as he met her gaze coldly; she showed no signs of backing down. For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense as if sparks were about to ignite.
Qi Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and finally recalled the identity of this woman.
"You are Wang Ruoyu from the Law Enforcement Hall?"
The woman lifted her chin slightly in acknowledgment. "That’s right."
She was indeed the legendary disciple who had emerged from Clear Xuan Peak and was taken under the wing of the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall—Sister Wang, the pride of the entire Law Enforcement Hall.
Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall practiced just like them but also had responsibilities for maintaining sect security and patrolling duties. This time around for the trial, disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall were also required to participate in the grand competition.
Sister Wang was known for her integrity and strict adherence to sect rules; correspondingly, she could not tolerate any wrongdoing in her presence. Any disciple caught by her would have to face consequences at the Law Enforcement Hall regardless of their guilt or innocence. Thus, all disciples within the Xiaoyao Sect regarded her with fear akin to encountering Yama himself.
Although Clear Xuan Peak took pride in her achievements and often spoke highly of her, when faced with her presence—except for Ji Linglong—most disciples from Clear Xuan Peak wilted under pressure like quails, desperately hoping to avoid attracting Sister Wang's attention.
Clearly, Wang Ruoyu had been coaxed by Ye Xiuyuan to step in for him at this moment. Qi Xiao suddenly smiled and turned to the elder referee.
"Elder, did I win this round?"
"Naturally."
"Then is there any violation on my part in this match?"
"There is none."
Qi Xiao suppressed the smile in his eyes, his face betraying no emotion. "Since my victory is reasonable and legitimate, I wonder if Sister Wang has any further comments?"
Wang Ruoyu was momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained her composure, her gaze sharp. "You may have won, but the way you won reveals your character."
"The way? Did I do anything underhanded or clever?"
Wang Ruoyu furrowed her brow, left speechless. Qi Xiao had indeed won fairly and squarely, leaving no room for rebuttal.
"Yet you should not deliberately humiliate..."
"Humiliate? Sister Wang, you must not have seen what true humiliation looks like. Did I step on his face, spit on him, or make him bark like a dog? If he lacks the strength and feels embarrassed about losing, he should stop making excuses."
"In a competition, I only care about winning; I have no time to worry about how my opponent loses."
"If Ye Shidi feels ashamed and dissatisfied, then he should practice more. It’s far more effective than stirring up trouble here. No amount of sympathy from others can restore your dignity."
Ye Xiuyuan was left speechless by Qi Xiao's words, nearly losing control of his expression. His face twisted with emotions, almost cracking under the pressure, revealing a hint of ferocity that instilled fear in those who watched.
On the other side, Wang Ruoyu felt uncomfortable hearing these words. What Qi Xiao said was true, but it sounded too harsh to her ears. She wanted to point out a flaw but found herself unable to do so.
The words stuck in her throat, making it hard for her to speak. Observing her expression, Qi Xiao let out a cold snort.
They say that Sister Wang has a cold and unfeeling heart, but from what I see, she is more understanding than many of the alchemists. It truly makes me feel ashamed.
Wang Ruoyu's face flushed as she listened to Zuo's words, and she suddenly felt a twinge of embarrassment, even though she firmly believed she had done nothing wrong. Yet, hearing those words made her waver, and she began to doubt whether she had indeed made a mistake.
At that moment, a figure in a pale yellow robe rushed over; it was Yu Miaoyin. She had been delayed by some matters and hurried over, only catching the gist of the situation.
Furrowing her brows, she couldn't help but express her dissatisfaction. "Little one, it's only been a short while since we last met, and you've become so difficult! I know you have grievances against Brother Ye, but this isn't his fault. When you were punished, he was also a victim. You can't take your anger out on him just because you feel misunderstood."
As Yu Miaoyin's voice grew softer, she felt an inexplicable sense of guilt creeping in. However, she quickly found justification for her feelings. After all, Brother Ye had adamantly denied any wrongdoing after the incident and had pleaded for Qi Xiao.
Though the situation arose because of Brother Ye, he couldn't be blamed for it. The real fault lay with those blind sect leaders and elders. Besides, it was also Qi Xiao's fault; if he hadn't been so careless and elevated his own reputation so high, how could he have been so easily suspected?
Yu Miaoyin silently nodded to herself, convinced that she was in the right. She lifted her chin and looked at Qi Xiao with a serious expression. "Little one, I know you've suffered injustice. I will find a way to plead with Master for your return to Qingjing Peak."
Though she thought the chances were slim, it didn't stop her from painting a hopeful picture for Qi Xiao. As for Brother Ye...
She glanced back at Ye Xiuyuan and met his gaze filled with suppressed grievance. Her heart immediately softened, and she forgot everything else. "He is innocent. If you continue to make things difficult for him, don't blame me for getting angry."
Hmph! Little one is always so obedient; whenever he sees us angry, he becomes terrified. This trick has always worked like a charm in the past.
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