Infinite Professions

A few days later, Dongting Lake, Fish Dragon Island.

"Sister Yuxiu, indeed, it was Elder Baiyun who was in the wrong in this matter."

Inside the cave mansion, with only the two of them, Qio Qing’Er softly persuaded, "But Senior Sister Li is still waiting for your aid in the West Sea. For the sake of the camaraderie over the years, and the grand scheme of Celestial Destiny Demon Breaker, you should return."

In her words, there was a sense of helplessness, even some silent complaint.

Among the Three Heroes and Two Talents, all are bound by destiny, why is she the only one so troublesome, threatening to leave at the slightest provocation?

"Qing’Er, it’s not about me being willful!"

Facing Qio Qing’Er’s words, Zhong Yuxiu shook her head, "Put yourself in my shoes, if your mentor was insulted like this, can you remain indifferent and not make any statement?"

"This..."

Qio Qing’Er was at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond.

"That Elder Baiyun schemed outside the field, trampling my master’s reputation, turning this decision of swords and knives into a trap of conspiracy. Just because it hasn’t succeeded, if he had achieved his aim, how would the world regard my master? As a collaborator, a fraud who deceives the world."

"Not to mention, after the failure, he even went further, publicly accusing my master of shielding a Demon Cultivator. Does he really think he can dictate what’s right and wrong with only a word?"

Zhong Yuxiu spoke coldly, "If one cannot manage one’s own house, how can one manage the world? After my master was humiliated, if I remain indifferent as a disciple, what face would I have to talk about the world’s people?"

"..."

Qio Qing’Er fell silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly, "Indeed, it was wrong of Elder Baiyun, but he is, after all, a senior of the Orthodox Dao, highly respected. To ask him to apologize in person, it would be rather damaging to face, don’t you think..."

"If he needs face, does it mean my master doesn’t?"

Before she could finish her words, Zhong Yuxiu interrupted coldly, "Even if my master wouldn’t hold grudges against him for this matter, I will still demand justice from him in the future. An elder who doesn’t respect himself, falsely claiming to be a senior!"

Qio Qing’Er: "..."

At this moment, a voice came from outside the cave mansion, "Senior Sister, Master orders you to the Guest Hall."

"Guest Hall?"

Zhong Yuxiu was startled.

Qio Qing’Er, relieved, said, "It must be someone from the Orthodox Dao coming to visit, apologizing to the Cyan Nether Sword Master on Elder Bai’s behalf, and Senior Sister Lingying should also be there. That’s why the Cyan Nether Sword Master summoned you, intending to make peace."

Having said that, she stood up, took Zhong Yuxiu’s hand, and said, "Don’t let the Sword Master’s efforts go in vain!"

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and went to the Guest Hall with her.

Moments later, in the Guest Hall.

Zhong Yuxiu and Qio Qing’Er arrived to see Shen Hex sitting at the main seat, with several others seated on either side, including Mei Daoist, South Sea Earth Nun, Old Turtle Fisherman, and other eminent figures of the Orthodox Dao, as well as Yuu Lingying, Wen Renying, and Gux Shenxiu, the two heroes and one talent.

"Yuxiu greets Master!"

Zhong Yuxiu stepped forward to bow to Shen Hex, but did not salute Mei Daoist and the others.

The attitude was clear to see.

Mei Daoist, seeing this, could only pretend not to notice.

Shen Hex smiled lightly, "Won’t you greet the elders?"

Only then did Zhong Yuxiu nod and bow to the assembly of Nascent Soul practitioners, "Yuxiu greets all the elders."

"Good, good, good!"

"Please, rise!"

Despite the words being neither cold nor warm, Mei Daoist nodded repeatedly, with other Nascent Soul practitioners echoing.

As eminent figures of the Orthodox Dao, they shouldn’t have been so humble. Not to mention Zhong Yuxiu is merely a Golden Core, even if she were to achieve Nascent Soul or Primordial Spirit, they could assert their seniority without this kind of anxious humility.

But unfortunately, Elder Baiyun left them with a mess, and this visit was to bear thorns and plead for forgiveness, to make peace, not only caring for Zhong Yuxiu but also this Cyan Nether Sword Master, leaving them with no confidence to uphold high-handed attributes or seniority status.

Zhong Yuxiu ignored them after completing the salutation and stood behind Shen Hex obediently.

All eyes returned to the main figure as Mei Daoist, the oldest and most senior, spoke, "We came this time to bear thorns and plead for forgiveness. What happened on Xuanxiao Mountain was indeed the impropriety of Elder Baiyun. We ask for Sword Master Li’s forgiveness..."

"There is no need to speak further of this matter."

Shen Hex shook his head, suppressing the rest of their words, "There is a public opinion for the distinction between right and wrong!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the assembly could only remain silent.

Why did the conversation come to a dead end all of a sudden?

Does this person really intend to hold onto this matter indefinitely?

While everyone was still in shock and doubt...

"However, I have something to discuss with all of you."

Shen Hex’s words restarted the topic.

"Oh?"

Mei Daoist’s eyes narrowed, "May I ask what it is?"

"This time, with chaos and calamity across the land, living beings are suffering greatly!"

Shen Hex sighed wistfully, his words full of sorrow, "The inland regions are nearly deserted, a multitude of lives brutally killed, all becoming demon blood food. We cultivators derive benefits from the heavens but failed to support the world’s collapsing structures, to avert overwhelming tides, to eradicate demons and uphold justice, to save the common people, truly failing the heavens, failing our identities as cultivators!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The cultivators listened, falling silent, while Mei Daoist felt ominous forebodings in his heart.

Why ominous?

Because the words felt somewhat familiar, having an inexplicable sense of déjà vu!

Shouldn’t these be his words?

Mei Daoist realized this, feeling even more uneasy, yet he couldn’t speak out.

Shen Hex ignored him, "Although at the last moment, we managed to remove the Celestial Slaughter and all those demons, barely restoring peace in the inland demon chaos, the calamity has already been wrought, and the deaths and hardships cannot be reversed, causing deep sorrow and regret!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The assembly listened, remaining silent.

People grow wise with age!

As Nascent Soul cultivators who have lived for several centuries or even nearly a millennia, they were all exceptionally wise and keen, each shrewder than the other, already faintly understanding the implications behind Shen Hex’s words.

However, understanding and articulation are two different matters, as some things cannot be put plainly, especially when the initiative does not rest in their hands.