118. Scolded!

Dao Territory, Dao Sect.

In a grand hall, Ying Xuanzi set up a spirit-locking formation around the seeds of the ancient Celestial Essence Tree they brought back, ensuring the tree would grow successfully. With that confirmed, he finally relaxed and looked over at Chen Xuan.

“Thank you for saving Huanhuan this time, Chen Xuan,” he said sincerely.

“Master Ying, there’s no need to thank me.”

After a brief silence, Ying Xuanzi spoke again. “Chen Xuan, about the black banner Ren Yuanzi mentioned… what exactly is it?”

Chen Xuan thought for a moment, deciding it was safe to tell Ying Xuanzi, whom he trusted. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a black banner into his grasp.

“This is called the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. It’s a sacred artifact.”

The aura emanating from it was powerful, and even Ying Xuanzi could feel its sinister energy.

“Is there really a demon within it?” he asked, astonished.

Chen Xuan nodded, speaking directly. “Yes. A few months ago, I encountered a general-level demon that tried to kill me. I managed to use this Ten Thousand Souls Banner to eliminate it.”

This statement also hinted that he did indeed possess the strength to defeat a Samsara realm expert!

“What? You… you actually defeated a general-level demon?” Ying Xuanzi’s eyes widened with disbelief. As far as he knew, general-level demons were equivalent to Samsara realm powerhouses on the Tianxuan Continent. The fact that Chen Xuan could defeat one of them…

Could it be… the rumors that he had killed the Palace Master of the Palace of Darkness were true?

At that moment, Ying Xuanzi’s heart pounded, unsure if Dao Sect had invited a wolf into the fold or gained a powerful ally.

Then, Chen Xuan summoned eight spirit forms from the banner—demons who had been stripped of their consciousness. Ying Xuanzi was stunned.

“Sect Master Ying, to be honest, I sensed demonic energy from Yuan Gate's sect master as well,” Chen Xuan revealed.

“Are you sure?” Ying Xuanzi asked, shaken.

“Yes.”

“I’ve felt there was something off about Yuan Gate, but I couldn’t put my finger on it,” Ying Xuanzi said with a wry smile.

“I think it would be wise for us to ally with other sects against Yuan Gate,” Chen Xuan advised, sensing that Yuan Gate, under demonic influence, might soon start causing trouble.

Ying Xuanzi thought it over. “I’m not sure if that’s necessary yet…”

“If we don’t prepare now, it’ll be too late when disaster strikes.”

“But Yuan Gate is the largest sect in the Eastern Xuan Region. If I say something without evidence, no one will believe it.”

“Let them believe what they want. If they’re wiped out, they can’t say we didn’t warn them,” Chen Xuan replied.

Seeing the logic, Ying Xuanzi agreed to try out Chen Xuan’s suggestion.


---

Chen Xuan returned to the Sky Hall and informed Su Kui of Su Rou’s murder at the hands of the Yuan Gate elder. But before he could finish, Su Kui, on the verge of an emotional breakdown, interrupted him.

“You’re telling me… my… my sister was… killed by those old dogs of Yuan Gate?!”

He could hardly believe his ears until he saw Chen Xuan’s solemn nod. In that instant, an intense rage consumed him.

Rolling up his sleeves, he stormed toward the exit. “Those bastards! I’ll kill them all!!”

Su Rou had been his only family here, and he had promised his parents he’d take care of her.

“Su Kui! Calm down,” Liu Ya urged, grabbing his arm.

“Calm down? My sister’s been murdered! How can I be calm?” Su Kui shouted, his voice shaking with anger.

“With your strength, you couldn’t even defeat Yuan Gate's gatekeepers. Are you just throwing your life away?” Liu Yan pointed out bluntly.

She was right.

Although Su Kui had also reached the Four Yuan Nirvana realm, his strength was still insignificant within Yuan Gate.

Su Kui angrily retorted, "Even so, it's better than just sitting around waiting to die!"

Liu Ya challenged him again, "So if you die, who will avenge Xiao Rou?"

"I…" Su Kui was suddenly at a loss. She was right—if he died, who would be left to avenge his sister?

At this point, Chen Xuan interjected, “Brother Su Kui, don’t worry. I’ve already killed the person who murdered Xiao Rou.”

Hearing this, Su Kui could no longer hold back. He clung to a nearby tree and broke down in tears. No one could console him.

Chen Xuan stepped forward, patting Su Kui on the shoulder. “Don’t be too sad, Brother Su Kui. I believe it may be possible to bring Xiao Rou back to life someday.”

Su Kui’s eyes lit up with hope. “You have a way?”

“Not yet,” Chen Xuan admitted. “But I don’t rule out the possibility in the future.”

He didn’t promise too much, but it was enough to give Su Kui a glimmer of hope.

"Since the day I met you, I knew you weren’t just anyone. I believe in you, Chen Xuan—you’ll find a way to bring Xiao Rou back,” Su Kui said, his eyes still wet.

Liu Ya was surprised. “It’s said that only someone at the level of the legendary Symbol Ancestor could accomplish such a thing.”

The Symbol Ancestor?! In thousands of years on the Tianxuan Continent, only one person had ever reached that level!

But Su Kui was convinced that Chen Xuan could become, or even surpass, the Symbol Ancestor and bring his sister back.

After they left, Chen Xuan turned to Yun Yun, looking somewhat angry. “Do you remember what I told you before?”

It seemed like every few days, she’d completely forget his warnings.

Yun Yun lowered her head, her delicate fingers twisting together. “I…”

“Didn’t I tell you not to go outside? And yet, you didn’t listen,” he continued.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? Is that enough now?” Chen Xuan’s tone was sharp.

“What do you want me to do?” Yun Yun’s own frustration was beginning to show. Yes, she admitted her mistake, but wasn’t he also at fault in some way?

Of course, she only thought this to herself, not daring to voice it aloud.

After all… she was still relying on Chen Xuan to help her return to Douqi Continent.

Chen Xuan hesitated, realizing he bore some responsibility as well. Some things, perhaps, were just inevitable.

Just then, Ying Huanhuan stepped forward, looking remorseful. “Chen Xuan, please don’t blame Yun Yun. This was all my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on her joining us, none of this would’ve happened.”

[Ding! Ying Huanhuan feels guilty. Emotion Value +500]

She bit her lip, as if willing to take any scolding herself. “If you need to yell, go ahead and yell at me.”

Chen Xuan glanced at her but chose not to continue. Ying Huanhuan’s status was unique.

“Fine,” he relented. “From now on, stay in the Sky Hall and focus on your cultivation. You’re not to go anywhere else!” he ordered Yun Yun firmly before leaving.

As Yun Yun watched his retreating figure disappear into the distance, she stomped her foot in annoyance. “Honestly! He may be young, but he has no mercy when he’s scolding people!”

This was the first time Chen Xuan had ever been so stern with her.

“Huanhuan… thank you,” Yun Yun said, grateful for her intervention.

It was also the first time Ying Huanhuan had sincerely called her “sister"

“It’s no problem,” Yun Yun replied casually. She was used to getting scolded anyway.

However, after this adventure, Yun Yun and Ying Huanhuan had grown closer.

Soon, the Dao Sect’s annual Hall Trials began. While everyone else was eagerly participating, Chen Xuan was alone, cultivating on a mountain peak. He was the only disciple permitted to skip the Hall Trials and still qualify for the Sect Tournament.