YM778.TV Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Two Heroines
As the Sect Leader entered the grand hall, her presence was nothing short of mesmerizing. Clad in flowing robes of deep azure that accentuated her regal bearing, she commanded the attention of everyone present. Her beauty was otherworldly, a combination of delicate features, porcelain skin, and eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages.
The light from the lanterns seemed to dance upon her hair, giving it an ethereal glow.
Aric—known to everyone as Yu Haotian—couldn\'t help but feel a momentary pang of awe. "So this is the Sect Leader", he thought, his heart skipping a beat. "No wonder she\'s referred to as the Jewel of the Starry Sky Sect. "
But this admiration was swiftly followed by a chilling realization. This woman was no ordinary beauty; she was the daughter of destiny, the heroine destined to stand by Ye Chen\'s side.
Aric secretly checked her status.
[Name: Ru Shenshen]
[Age: 64]
[Cultivation Level: Divine Transformation (8th Stage)]
[Strength: 200 ]
[Agility: 180 ]
[Intelligence: 210 ]
[Charm: 190 ]
[Physique: Celestial Phoenix Physique]
[Bloodline: Bloodline of the Phoenix Empress]
[Cultivation Techniques: Celestial Phoenix Art, Radiant Sun Scripture]
[Skills: Phoenix Rebirth Flame, Empress\'s Dominion, Divine Flame Shield, Phoenix Ascension (Master Level)]
[Favourability: 0]
[Protagonist Halo (Luck): 65,000]
Aric was surprised by her strength. "That\'s what a leader should be", Aric thought.
In the original plot, Ye Chen would have impressed her with his talent, earned the title of true disciple, and eventually, she would have taken him as her personal disciple. Through countless trials and tribulations, her heart would have slowly but surely opened up to him. She would have become his, a powerful ally and a devoted lover, strengthening his rise to power.
"Alas! It was me who came", Aric mused, a dark smile playing on his lips. "I\'ve shattered the plot. I\'ve taken Ye Chen\'s place. Now that I won the competition, I\'ll become her disciple, and then what? This beauty, along with the sect, will belong to me."
As the murmurs of confusion and curiosity continued to ripple through the crowd.
Aric, stepped forward with a measured, calm demeanor. The atmosphere was tense, the sect leader\'s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she turned her attention to him.
"Sect Leader," Aric began, his voice clear and unwavering, "I have something of grave importance to share. It concerns the safety of our sect."
The sect leader raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue. "Speak, Yu Haotian. What is it that troubles you?"
Aric paused for effect, letting the weight of his words settle over the assembled elders and disciples. "It is with a heavy heart that I must accuse Ye Chen of having ties with demonic cultivators."
Gasps echoed through the hall, and the sect leader\'s eyes widened in shock. "These are serious accusations, Yu Haotian. Do you have any proof?"
Before Aric could respond, several disciples who had been following him closely stepped forward. One of them, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger, spoke up. "Sect Leader, we saw Ye Chen with our own eyes. He was killing our fellow disciples, laughing maniacally and proclaiming that this was his revenge for the deaths of his parents.
He swore to destroy the entire sect, saying that what we witnessed was just a preview, a mere glimpse of the destruction he planned to unleash."
Another disciple chimed in, his voice steady but laced with horror. "He said the whole picture would be revealed soon, Sect Leader. His words were filled with such hatred… I\'ve never seen anything like it."
The sect leader\'s expression darkened as she absorbed these testimonies. "Is this true?" she demanded, her gaze piercing through the crowd.
Aric nodded solemnly. "These disciples speak the truth, Sect Leader. And if that weren\'t enough, demonic cultivators have been heard calling Ye Chen their leader. It is clear he has deceived us all."
However, not everyone was convinced. Elder Liang, one of the senior members of the sect, stepped forward with a stern expression. "I find these claims hard to believe. We have tested Ye Chen in the past, and he showed no signs of demonic energy. His cultivation was pure."
Another elder, Elder Qin, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Ye Chen has always been loyal to the sect. How can we so easily believe these accusations without solid evidence?"
Aric\'s eyes flickered with subtle annoyance, but he quickly masked it with a calm demeanor. A young disciple named Jin, spoke up to counter the elders. "Perhaps Ye Chen has been using some sort of treasure to conceal his true nature. How else can we explain the demonic cultivators\' reverence for him? And why else would they risk so much to take him away if he were innocent?
They could have killed him on the spot if he were just another disciple."
Murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd, the doubts of the elders beginning to waver in the face of mounting suspicion.
The sect leader, still conflicted, raised a hand to silence the crowd. "But consider this—perhaps someone set a trap for Ye Chen. We cannot dismiss the possibility that he has been framed."
A harsh laugh erupted from one of Aric\'s followers, a disciple named Wei. "Sect Leader, with all due respect, Ye Chen is but a small ant in the grand scheme of things. Why would anyone go to such great lengths to frame him? What powerful background does he have that would warrant such an elaborate scheme?"
The sect leader hesitated, the arguments swirling around her, sowing doubt and uncertainty in her mind. The pressure from the disciples, the accusations, and the fear of harboring a traitor within the sect weighed heavily on her.
Aric seized the moment, stepping forward once more. "Sect Leader, I understand your reluctance, but we cannot afford to take risks. If Ye Chen is indeed in league with demonic cultivators, the entire sect is in danger. We must act decisively."
The crowd\'s murmurs grew louder, a mixture of fear and agreement. The sect leader\'s shoulders slumped as she realized the overwhelming tide of opinion against Ye Chen. With a heavy heart, she made her decision.
"Ye Chen is hereby banished from the Starry Sky Sect," she declared, her voice firm despite the turmoil within. "If he is found within our territory or if anyone has information on his whereabouts, they must report it immediately. Ye Chen will face death should he attempt to return."
Ru Shenshen\'s voice, usually so commanding and serene, wavered slightly as she addressed the assembly. "Disciples of the Starry Sky Sect," she began, her tone carrying the weight of the recent events, "it is with great sorrow that I must announce the cancellation of the second event.
The actions of one among us have cast a shadow over our sect, and we must take time to reflect and cleanse ourselves of this darkness."
The disciples exchanged uneasy glances, their whispers growing louder. The cancellation of the event was unprecedented, a decision that only added to the sense of unease that had gripped the sect. Some nodded in agreement, their faces set in determination, while others looked around, confusion and fear etched into their features.
The sect erupted into a flurry of whispers, shock and disbelief coursing through the disciples. Aric stood tall, his face a mask of solemnity, but inside, he was reveling in his success. Not only had he turned the entire sect against Ye Chen, but he had also solidified his own position within the sect.
As he allowed these thoughts to simmer, his gaze wandered across the hall, eventually landing on Su Ling. She was standing apart from the others, her face a mixture of sadness and confusion. Su Ling had secured second place in the competition, yet there was no joy in her eyes. Her delicate features were marred by a deep sorrow that tugged at Aric\'s curiosity.
Su Ling had always been known for her kind heart. She was a gentle soul who often went out of her way to help her fellow disciples, and many of those who had died in the recent attack were people she had personally aided. The revelation that Ye Chen had been the one to murder them weighed heavily on her.
She had once defended Ye Chen, even going so far as to protect him from accusations, but now she was faced with the reality that the person she had believed in might have been a monster all along.
Aric observed her for a moment, recognizing the turmoil in her heart. "Perfect", he thought. This is the moment to make my move. He approached her with a calm, gentle demeanor, ensuring that his voice carried a soothing tone.
"Junior Sister Su Ling," he began, his voice tinged with empathy, "I can see that you\'re deeply troubled by what has happened. I know how much you cared for those who were lost… and how difficult it must be to believe that Ye Chen was responsible for their deaths."
Su Ling looked up, her eyes meeting his. There was a flicker of surprise in her gaze—surprise that someone understood her pain, that someone had noticed her distress. "Senior Brother Haotian… I just… I can\'t make sense of it. Ye Chen… he was always so quiet, so… unassuming. How could he do something so terrible? How could I have been so wrong about him?"
Aric nodded sympathetically, taking a step closer, his voice softening further. "It\'s not your fault, Junior Sister. Ye Chen deceived us all. He hid his true nature from everyone, including you. You\'re not to blame for being kind and giving him the benefit of the doubt. It\'s a testament to your good heart, not a flaw."
Su Ling bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But… I defended him, Senior Brother. I stood up for him when others doubted him. And now… now I feel like I betrayed those who died because I couldn\'t see the truth."
Aric reached out, gently placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You did what you thought was right, Su Ling. You acted with compassion, and that\'s nothing to be ashamed of. The fact that you cared enough to defend him speaks to your character. And now, more than ever, the sect needs people like you—people who are willing to care, to protect, and to stand up for what\'s right."
Su Ling looked up at him, the turmoil in her heart easing slightly at his words. "Thank you, Senior Brother," she whispered. "Your words… they help."
Aric smiled, his eyes warm and kind. "I\'m glad to hear that, Junior Sister. You\'re not alone in this. We\'re all grieving, but together, we can find a way to move forward. The sect needs people like you, Su Ling. Don\'t lose sight of who you are because of this tragedy."
As she gazed at him, a small smile finally broke through her sorrow. The pain was still there, but it was no longer overwhelming. "Thank you, Senior Brother Haotian. I… I\'ll do my best."
Aric nodded, his heart secretly filled with satisfaction.
[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +1000 Villain Halo and +10,000 Villain Points for increasing your favorability in Daughter of Destiny, Su Ling\'s heart]
[Su Ling\'s Favorability: 0 → 15]
Her favorability towards me has increased, he thought happily. I have successfully planted the seeds of trust and gratitude in Su Ling\'s heart.
Aric then checked her status screen.
[Name: Su Ling]
[Age: 23]
[Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul (3rd Stage)]
[Strength: 85 ]
[Agility: 90 ]
[Intelligence: 75 ]
[Charm: 95 ]
[Physique: Pure Heart Physique]
[Bloodline: Bloodline of the Moonlight Crane]
[Cultivation Techniques: Serene Moonlight Art, Crane\'s Grace Scripture]
[Skills: Moonlit Grace, Crane\'s Wing Slash, Lunar Reflection Barrier (Advanced)]
[Favourability: 15]
[Protagonist Halo (Luck): 59,000]
Aric smiled while looking at her status.
"Just wait, Ye Chen, I will soon pluck all the flowers left for you. Ha ha ha", Aric thought while having a cunning smile.
As the news spread like wildfire through the sect, the conversations among the disciples became more animated. "Did you hear? Ye Chen was a demonic cultivator all along!" one whispered.
"I always knew there was something off about him," the other replied, his voice trembling slightly. "He was too quiet, too reserved… Like a wolf in sheep\'s clothing. Who would have thought he\'d betray the sect?"
"Such monster should be hanged to death." He continued.
Their conversation was interrupted by another disciple who joined them, her expression grim.
"They say he was laughing as he killed the others, claiming it was revenge for his parents\' deaths. And that this was just a glimpse of the destruction he plans to bring," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.
The group fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud. There was a collective sense of dread, a realization that the darkness they feared had been lurking among them all along.
While Ye Chen\'s name was being tarnished, another name was being celebrated—Yu Haotian. The young prodigy had not only ranked first in the recent competition but had also exposed Ye Chen\'s supposed treachery. His victory had elevated him to the status of a hero, a beacon of righteousness in a time of turmoil.
The atmosphere within the Starry Sky Sect remained tense, the weight of recent events casting a gloomy pall over the sect. However, as the first event concluded earlier than expected, the scorecards were reviewed, and it was officially declared that Yu Haotian was the true disciple. The announcement was met with a mixture of subdued applause and murmured conversations.
In the grand ceremony that followed, the grand hall was once again filled with disciples and elders, but this time the atmosphere was more solemn. Banners of deep azure and silver, the colours of the Starry Sky Sect, hung from the walls, and the air was fragrant with the scent of incense.
The sect leader, Ru Shenshen, stood at the forefront, her regal presence commanding attention as she held the jade token that symbolized the position of a true disciple.
"Yu Haotian," Ru Shenshen called, her voice clear and steady. Aric stepped forward, every movement calculated, every expression carefully crafted to reflect humility and resolve. As he approached, the sect leader extended the jade token towards him. "You have shown unparalleled talent and dedication to the Starry Sky Sect.
Since you achieved the first rank, I bestow upon you the title of a true disciple. From this day forth, you shall be my personal disciple."
Aric accepted the token with a deep bow, his eyes meeting Ru Shenshen\'s for a brief moment. In that instant, he saw the pride in her gaze, the belief that she had found a worthy successor.
"I will do my best to bring glory to the sect" ,Aric said.
The hall erupted in applause, though it was tinged with the somber reality of Ye Chen\'s fate. The elders nodded in approval, some exchanging words of praise for Yu Haotian\'s achievements, while others discussed the rewards for the remaining nine candidates who had competed in the event.
These nine inner disciples, though they had not reached the heights of Yu Haotian, were still rewarded handsomely. Each was presented with a set of rare cultivation resources, including high-grade spirit stones, advanced techniques, and even personalized guidance from senior elders.
The rewards were a testament to the sect\'s commitment to nurturing its disciples, ensuring that even in dark times, their growth would not be hindered.
As the rewards were distributed, the elders conversed quietly among themselves.
"Yu Haotian\'s rise is truly meteoric," one elder remarked, stroking his long beard. "Not only did he expose Ye Chen\'s treachery, but he also secured his place as the sect leader\'s personal disciple. Such talent and determination are rare."
Another elder nodded in agreement. "The sect leader made a wise choice. Yu Haotian will lead the Starry Sky Sect into a new era of prosperity. As for Ye Chen, his fate is sealed. The sect must be purged of any who would bring it harm."
The ceremony concluded with Ru Shenshen addressing the entire sect, her voice carrying a renewed sense of purpose. "Disciples of the Starry Sky Sect, let today mark the beginning of a new chapter. We shall rise above the darkness that has sought to consume us, and with the guidance of our true disciples, we shall ascend to even greater heights."
The stage was set, and Aric was ready to play his part to perfection.