Chapter 2577 Old and Unashamed Is Called a Thief!

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"Whether we know each other well or not doesn't matter, you must hand over that Azure Heart..."

Seeing that trying to build relationships wasn't working, Elder Qingyuan wasn't angry at all, but instead, his tone became a bit more severe, "Nephew Qin Fang, perhaps you've joined us for a brief time and may not understand our Kunlun Sect's rules..."

Upon hearing Elder Qingyuan say this, the surrounding Kunlun Sect elders displayed somewhat peculiar expressions on their faces, and their brows slightly furrowed. Some had already vaguely guessed Elder Qingyuan's intentions.

"Indeed, you won first place in the Five Sect Grand Competition and gained tremendous benefits, including this drop of Azure Heart... However, these opportunities are bestowed upon you by the Sect, so you must repay the Sect's nurturing. The Azure Heart must be reclaimed by the Sect and handed over to the Council of Elders for safekeeping!"

Qin Fang didn't speak, while Elder Qingyuan continued to explain with a smile on his face, that smile growing increasingly triumphant.

Looking at Qin Fang's young face, Elder Qingyuan seemed to already see his victory, seeing Qin Fang's anger, despondency, and helplessness...

"Sect Leader Pure Void, is what he said... true?"

Qin Fang's tone was relatively calm, and his expression normal, but anyone could hear that he was suppressing his inner anger... Previously, he respected Qing Xu Lao Dao greatly, although he referred to him as a master, but now he addressed him as "Sect Leader Pure Void," clearly indicating a barrier.

"Ugh..."

Sect Leader Qing Xu Lao Dao was slightly stunned, appearing a bit surprised.

"This, this..."

However, Elder Qingyuan's words were also difficult for him to deny.

The treasures obtained from the No.1 Training Chamber are generally reclaimed first by the elders of the Kunlun Sect's Council of Elders, and when a disciple reaches the Great Master Peak Level, ready to break through to the Supreme Realm, the Council of Elders will return the treasures to the disciple.

This is done firstly for security considerations, ensuring the treasures remain in the hands of the Kunlun Sect, regardless of whether the disciple falls... The second point is that sometimes treasures might be used in advance, and adequate compensation will be provided to the disciple later on!

Just like Elder Qingyuan said, disciples are nurtured by the Sect, consuming endless resources, so it's perfectly reasonable for disciples to give back to the Sect...

However...

This explanation poses no issues for the other disciples of the Kunlun Sect.

Before Qin Fang, disciples of the Kunlun Sect were cultivated from childhood, never accepting disciples who joined with existing skills; naturally, whatever the sect demanded, those disciples would comply...

However, this changed when Qin Fang joined the Sect with existing skills.

He is known as a disciple of the Kunlun Sect, but in fact, apart from gaining the qualification to participate in the Five Sect Grand Competition, he has not learned any martial arts or taken any treasures from the Kunlun Sect, and instead, he has gained much for the Kunlun Sect...

He returned the Qianyu Divine Sword, and secured more selection spots for the Kunlun Sect and won first place in the Five Sect Grand Competition...

In short, Qin Fang hasn't owed Kunlun Sect anything, and instead Kunlun Sect has owed him a lot... Yet now, Elder Qingyuan shamelessly uses some sect rules to forcibly confiscate the treasure Qin Fang obtained.

It's called temporary retrieval, yet everyone knows, once the Azure Heart leaves Qin Fang's possession, it would surely end up in Elder Qingyuan's pocket... Not only is he an elder of the Kunlun Sect, but he is also the Chief Elder of the Council of Elders, and he would personally safeguard the Azure Heart.

Even Sect Leader Qing Xu Lao Dao cannot prevent this...

The Kunlun Sect implements a system where the Sect Leader and the Council of Elders counterbalance each other, allowing Elder Qingyuan to exploit this significant loophole!

Now, with Qin Fang demanding answers, Sect Leader Qing Xu Lao Dao feels deeply aggrieved...

Sect Leader Qing Xu Lao Dao found it hard to answer; on one side was the countless years-long tradition of the Kunlun Sect, and on the other was Qin Fang... A near-superhuman genius, representing hope for the Kunlun Sect's future rise.

He could either strictly enforce the Kunlun Sect's rules, take the Azure Heart from Qin Fang, and have Elder Qingyuan keep it... This way, he maintained his authority and duty as Sect Leader but lost the allegiance of Qin Fang, the genius disciple.

Or he could directly disregard this rule, allowing Qin Fang to keep the Azure Heart... In doing so, Qin Fang remains Qin Fang, continues as a Kunlun Sect disciple, and could create further glory for the Kunlun Sect in the future!

Two choices!

Which one should he choose...

"Elder Qingyuan, there's no need to mention this again... Since the Azure Heart was obtained by Qin Fang, he should be the one to personally keep it!"

After a moment of silence, Pure Void Sect Leader made his decision and, facing Elder Qingyuan's smug expression, he decisively dispelled his sly thoughts with a slap...

"Sect Leader, are you sure you want to do this?"

Elder Qingyuan seemed unsurprised by the choice of Pure Void Sect Leader, the smile on his face remained unchanged, though his tone was somewhat sinister as he inquired.

When he proposed this, he had already guessed the possible decision of Pure Void Sect Leader and had prepared countermeasures...

"The rules of the Kunlun Sect have been passed down for thousands of years, and no one has been able to break them... By doing this, you are going against the ancestral teachings. As the Chief Elder of the Council of Elders, I have the right to invite its members and several Supreme Elders to convene and nullify your status as Sect Leader!"

Elder Qingyuan said with immense pride, his tone indescribably severe and venomous, "You'd better think carefully..."

The Council of Elders and the Sect Leader balance each other, with the Sect Leader having the most significant authority in sect affairs, but lacking the power to dissolve the Council of Elders. Conversely, when the Sect Leader acts against ancestral teachings, the Council of Elders has the authority to remove the Sect Leader and elect a new, capable leader...

It could be said that Elder Qingyuan's plan was a two-pronged strategy, ensuring that one path would successfully ensnare the target...

"Let's see what happens after you convene the elder council for assessment... For now, I am still the Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sect, so this decision will not change!"

Though Elder Qingyuan attempted a strategic move, Pure Void Sect Leader had already made up his mind, and it wasn't possible for it to be altered; his tone remained as firm, showing no retreat despite the risk of losing his position.

The Council of Elders is qualified to remove a Sect Leader, but first, it must be ascertained that the Sect Leader indeed acted rebelliously, and then it also requires more than half of the Council members' approval...

Regarding the matter of Qin Fang, many elders were perhaps envious of the Azure Heart in Qin Fang's possession, but asking them to remove Pure Void Sect Leader might not gain much support for Elder Qingyuan's decision.

The only worrying matter for Pure Void Sect Leader was another point, that the Supreme Elders held immense authority within the sect. If two of the three Supreme Elders agreed and about one-third of the elders supported, the directive to remove the Sect Leader might also pass.

Although Elder Qingyuan's strength was unlikely to see another breakthrough, his master was one of the Supreme Elders and maintained a good relationship with another, making Pure Void Sect Leader quite vulnerable.

"Hmph... We'll see how this plays out!"

Seeing Pure Void Sect Leader so resolutely support Qin Fang, Elder Qingyuan chose not to argue further. He had effectively achieved his purpose.

Even if he couldn't obtain the Azure Heart from Qin Fang, taking down Pure Void Sect Leader meant he was the most likely candidate for the Sect Leader's position, after which he could gradually deal with Qin Fang. The Azure Heart would eventually land in his hands.

Utilize the Azure Heart?

Qin Fang had only just stepped into the Great Grandmaster Level, still far from the Great Grandmaster Peak Level, so Elder Qingyuan had little concern...

As for letting others use it, at least Elder Qingyuan wasn't that selfless; valuing oneself, he believed Qin Fang wouldn't do so either!

This meeting thus ended unpleasantly...

Since Pure Void Sect Leader made his decision, Qin Fang had remained silent, quietly observing the developments without offering any opinion... even though Pure Void Sect Leader was in danger of losing his position for his sake, he still did not speak.

"Qin Fang, Elder Qingyuan is narrow-minded; I'm afraid this won't be the end of it. You'll need to be extra cautious in the future..."

Pure Void Sect Leader did not express any anger towards Qin Fang despite the danger for his sake; instead, he worriedly warned...

Previously, Qin Fang had indeed suppressed Elder Qingyuan, but that was with the higher purpose of Kunlun Sect, which Elder Qingyuan couldn't ignore. But now... Elder Qingyuan had already laid claim to that higher purpose, so who knows what he might be planning?

"Rest assured, Master, I understand..."

Qin Fang nodded and said.

While he didn't express thanks for Pure Void Sect Leader's decision, the change in address spoke volumes of Qin Fang's views on the matter...

The other elders couldn't help but glance at that drop of the Azure Heart, each yearning a bit in their hearts, but aware...

Such a treasure was beyond their reach, regardless of how matters proceeded, this Azure Heart would remain with either Qin Fang or Elder Qingyuan in the end. Even if they were tempted to get involved, it would likely come with significant risks!

"Elder Qingyuan, I already spared you once before, yet here you are... Still harboring malicious intentions!"

Watching Elder Qingyuan's departing figure, still able to sense his excitement and agitation, a trace of coldness and killing intent also flashed in Qin Fang's eyes... Prior to the grand competition of the five sects, he indeed couldn't contend against Elder Qingyuan, but now, that could be a different story! (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendations and monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)