usatvline Chapter 775: The Public Opinion Storm of Returning to the Sect
Chapter 775: The Public Opinion Storm of Returning to the Sect
The Xuanxiao Sect's mountain gate towered majestically in the morning light. The gilded plaque bearing the inscription "Xuanxiao" shone brilliantly, yet it couldn't mask the oppressive atmosphere that permeated the air. Yun Yao, dressed in a plain white dress, her long black hair casually tied up, clutched the jade box she had brought back from the Demonic Abyss. Within it lay the Pure World Lotus, the treasure that could save Chu Mochen's life. She had imagined her return would be a joyful reunion after all the hardships, but she hadn't anticipated a long-planned storm awaiting her.
The moment she stepped into the sect, the once bustling square fell silent. Disciples gathered in groups of two or three, whispering to each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions. Yun Yao frowned, keenly aware that something was amiss in the atmosphere. Just then, a sharp voice suddenly rang out: "Look, it's her! The traitor who colluded with the Demon Sect!"
These words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves. The square was immediately abuzz with discussion, accusations, and insults. "I heard she's practicing forbidden techniques outside and has even killed many of her fellow disciples!" "Yes, I saw her with the Demon Sect with my own eyes. She definitely has bad intentions!" "People like her should be expelled from the sect. She can't be allowed to stay in Xuanxiao Sect!"
Yun Yao's face paled instantly. She had never imagined that after all her hard work for the sect and her lover, she would be met with such slander. She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and said loudly, "Brothers and sisters, junior brothers and sisters, there must be a misunderstanding. I went out this time to find the magic medicine that could save Brother Chu Mochen. I have never done anything to betray the sect."
However, her explanation seemed powerless in the face of the crowd's anger. A burly middle-aged man stood up from the crowd. He was Zhao Yan, an elder from the Law Enforcement Hall. His face was filled with anger and disdain. "Yun Yao, you're still trying to argue! Someone witnessed you sneaking around with the Demon Sect members, and even produced the so-called 'Master-Killing Blood Letter'. The evidence is irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"
As he spoke, Zhao Yan pulled out a yellowed scroll and unfolded it before the crowd. Written on it were Yun Yao's name, along with some disrespectful remarks about the sect. A bright red handprint, seemingly inked with blood, signed the scroll. The crowd erupted in exclamations again, their accusations intensifying.
Yun Yao looked at the so-called "blood letter of master's murder" and sneered inwardly. She could tell at a glance that the handprint and handwriting were forged, but given the current situation, her one-sided statement alone was no way to convince the crowd. At this moment, Chu Mochen squeezed out of the crowd. His face was still a little pale, but his eyes were unwavering. He stood in front of Yun Yao and shouted, "Elder Zhao, this blood letter is fake! Yun Yao went deep into the Demonic Abyss to save me, escaping death. How could she betray the sect?"
Zhao Yan snorted coldly, "Chu Mochen, don't be fooled by her! She's colluding with the Demon Sect, maybe she wants to harm you and then take control of the entire Xuanxiao Sect!"
"Enough!" Yun Yao suddenly shouted, her voice carrying an air of authority that instantly silenced the bustling square. A cold glint flashed in her eyes. Since someone was trying to kill her, she didn't need to be polite anymore. She slowly walked onto the sect's martial arts stage, her gaze sweeping across the angry crowd below. "Since you all don't believe me, then I'll prove my innocence with facts."
With that, she formed hand seals, her spiritual energy surging within her body. The Heaven-Defying Fate Disk slowly emerged above her head, emitting a dazzling light. As her spiritual energy poured into it, a massive screen suddenly appeared on the martial arts stage, and it began to replay her experiences in the Demonic Abyss.
On the screen, Yun Yao struggles alone through the eerie Demonic Abyss, surrounded by terrifying monsters and bizarre sights. In search of the Pure World Lotus, she engages in a thrilling battle with the guardian beast, the Scarlet Flame Kuiniu. Using her wisdom and courage, she overcomes the Kuiniu's obsession and ultimately obtains the Pure World Lotus. In the scene, she is struck into a rift in space and time during the Nirvana Thunder Tribulation to protect Chu Mochen. Enduring immense pain, she never gives up.
The audience watched the scene on the screen and gradually quieted down. The anger on their faces was gradually replaced by shock and guilt. They had never imagined that Yun Yao had endured so much hardship outside, all to save Chu Mochen and for the sake of the sect. However, just when everyone thought the truth was revealed, the scene on the screen suddenly changed.
A mysterious figure in black appeared on screen, secretly following Yun Yao and recording her every move in the Demonic Abyss. The figure then handed the footage to a familiar figure—Liu Yan'er! This scene stirred the audience once again. It turned out that all of this was Liu Yan'er's conspiracy. To frame Yun Yao, she had colluded with the Demonic Sect, fabricated evidence, and spread rumors within the sect.
Yun Yao coldly looked at the crowd below and said, "Everyone, the truth is now out. Liu Yan'er is the traitor who colluded with the Demon Sect. For her own selfish gain, she did not hesitate to frame her fellow disciples and destroy the peace of the sect. As for me, I have never done anything to let the sect down from beginning to end."
At this moment, Zhao Yan suddenly shouted, "Even if this blood letter is fake, how do you explain why you used the Pseudo Heavenly Dao Domain at the black market auction, causing such a big commotion and offending the Blood Demon Sect? You're putting the sect in danger!"
Yun Yao's heart trembled. She hadn't expected Zhao Yan to use this as a pretext. She took a deep breath and said, "Elder Zhao, I used my Pseudo-Heavenly Dao Domain at the black market auction to investigate the Soul-Snatching Banner's origins and protect the sect's safety. The Blood Demon Sect has been eyeing our sect covetously. Even if I hadn't used my domain, they wouldn't have let us go. Furthermore, I've developed a countermeasure that won't put the sect in danger."
Zhao Yan persisted, "No evidence, no proof. Who knows if what you said is true or false? Maybe you are colluding with the Demon Sect and deliberately luring them here so that they can cooperate with you!"
Yun Yao could no longer suppress the rage in her heart. A hint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes, and she said coldly, "Elder Zhao, you have repeatedly targeted me and framed me. What is your intention? Are you also an accomplice of Liu Yan'er?"
These words exploded like a bomb in the crowd. Everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Yan, their eyes full of suspicion. Zhao Yan's face turned pale in an instant, and he said in panic, "You...don't slander me! I'm doing this for the sake of the sect. I can't let you, a traitor, stay in the sect any longer!"
Yun Yao sneered, "For the sake of the sect? Then why do you keep blaming me after I've produced evidence? Why do you turn a blind eye to Liu Yan'er's conspiracy? Elder Zhao, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise, I will never let this go!"
Just when the atmosphere was tense, an old and majestic voice suddenly rang out: "Stop! How disgraceful!" Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw the sect's supreme elder slowly walking towards them. His eyes were as deep as the abyss, making it difficult to read.
The Grand Elder looked at Yun Yao, then at Zhao Yan, and said, "Yun Yao, do you have any evidence that Liu Yan'er is colluding with the Demon Sect?" Yun Yao's heart throbbed with joy. She knew that as long as the Grand Elder was willing to listen to her explanation, there was still hope. She quickly said, "Grand Elder, I have evidence." As she spoke, she pulled out a jade bottle from her bosom. Inside was the "Chaos Demon Seed" that had been extracted from Liu Yan'er's body.
She handed the jade bottle to the Grand Elder and said, "This is the Chaos Demon Seed I extracted from Liu Yan'er during our battle. If you use your spiritual sense to examine it, you'll know her true identity." The Grand Elder took the jade bottle and probed into it. After a moment, his expression grew grave. "Sure enough, this Liu Yan'er is not human at all, but a puppet created by the Chaos Demon Sect to possess other beings! Within her body are sealed the spirits of dozens of missing disciples. Her crimes are heinous!"
The crowd in the audience was in an uproar upon hearing this news. They hadn't imagined that Liu Yan'er, who had always appeared gentle and kind within the sect, could actually be such a terrifying being. Zhao Yan's face paled even further. He sank to his knees, trembling as he spoke, "Grand Elder, I...I too was deceived by Liu Yan'er. Please spare my life!"
The Grand Elder glared at him coldly and said, "Zhao Yan, as an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, you blindly accuse your fellow disciples without knowing right from wrong. You deserve death! However, considering your many years of service to the sect, I will spare your life for now. Effective immediately, you will be stripped of your position as elder and confined to the Cliff of Repentance for ten years!"
Zhao Yan felt a sense of relief and kowtowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Grand Elder, for not killing me. I will change my ways!" After dealing with Zhao Yan, the Grand Elder looked at Yun Yao again, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Yun Yao, you've gone through so much hardship this time, not only rescuing Chu Mochen but also uncovering Liu Yan'er's scheme. You've rendered great service to the sect. I've decided to appoint you as the Master of Tiandao Peak, commanding this area. Are you willing?"
Yun Yao was shocked. She had never imagined she would receive such an honor. She quickly said, "Grand Elder, I'm too inexperienced to take on this position. Besides, I simply want to contribute to the sect alongside Senior Brother Chu Mochen. I don't want to take on such an important position."
The Grand Elder smiled and said, "Yun Yao, there's no need to be so modest. I see your strength and wisdom. Serving as the Master of Tiandao Peak is not only a recognition of you, but also a necessity for the sect. Just accept it with confidence. I believe you can do it well."
Seeing the Grand Elder's insistence, Yun Yao nodded and agreed, "Since the Grand Elder trusts me so much, then I will respectfully obey your command. I will definitely work hard to be a good Tiandao Peak Master and live up to the sect's expectations."
The storm of public opinion finally subsided. Yun Yao, with her wisdom and courage, proved her innocence and brought the punishment due to those with ulterior motives. Standing on the martial arts stage, she looked out at the crowd, a flood of emotion filling her heart. She knew this was just the beginning, and the road ahead was long. She and Chu Mochen would face many more challenges together, but she firmly believed that as long as they were together, no difficulty was insurmountable.