White-Robed Chief

“Let’s go,” The two lasses in purple nodded and led the way.

Chu Li left the martial arts field under everyone’s watchful gaze and heaving sighs.

Even if they were hostile to Chu Li and were dying to get rid of him, at the sight of him paddling behind the torture chamber’s disciples like a helpless prey, they could not help but sympathize and revere at the church’s rules

The winds were bitterly cold, as they scraped through his face like blades. The fragrance on their bodies wafted and grew faint. However, since Chu Li’s sense of smell was exceptionally sharp, he strolled along following their faint fragrance.

Thoughts were running through his head as he trotted along.

On this trip to the torture chamber, regardless of how heavy the punishment, it would not be to the extent of banishing him from the faction or crippling his martial arts.

This was only a competition, after all. There was a difference between an inadvertent action and killing and crippling one’s martial arts with intention.

He could not sense any animosity from Qin Huaichuan, this fox had a smile on his face, yet he pulled a fast one on him while keeping a straight face. This character has incredible martial arts, with a cultivation level higher than his and a mind which he could not read. He was a fierce competition.

It was a pity they were in Great Light Peak, so he could not kill him with the Light Blade. He would definitely return the favor, and there would eventually be a time for that!

His thoughts ended here when he was brought to a huge basilica by the two women.

Both women turned to look at him. They nodded with please at his show of obedience, “This is the torture chamber, you can let the vice clan leader know face-to-face if you feel wronged. The vice clan leader is fair and just and will not do you wrong!”

“Alright, thank you Senior Sisters,” Chu Li gestured a fist salute.

The two women proceeded to lead him into the basilica. It became as warm as spring and the howling winds have disappeared.

He discovered a wonder to these basilicas. It was capable of shielding from the winds, yet there was no sign of a formation. This must have something to do with the materials of the structure.

The basilica was rather bare. There was a thick, soft rug featuring a fierce tiger that brought a sense of gruesomeness into the room. There were also a few vicious beasts hanging on the wall. This hellish environment would send a chill down anyone’s spine.

There was a long, wide desk at the end of the north wall. A slender lithe woman in purple was reading a book behind the desk. She placed the book down at the sound of footsteps. Her clear eyes were as deep as the autumn’s lake, kind, yet alluring.

This was a woman who was younger than thirty, about the age of Li Ruolan. She was a woman in her prime. A single look at her could take anyone’s breath away.

“Clan Leader Xia, Zhao Dahe is here.”

“Zhao Dahe?” Clan Leader Xia sized him up before adding, “The Zhao Dahe proposed by Li Ruolan?”

Chu Li was stunned.

Clan Leader Xia continued, “I am Xia Xue. Li Ruolan must have mentioned me before?”

Chu Li was surprised, “Senior… Senior Sister Xia?”

Xia Xue nodded. “That’s me.”

“I didn’t think to meet Senior Sister Xia here,” said Chu Li.

He had once queried Sun Lihua who told him that Xia Xue was in the torture chambers. However, he did not know Xia Xue was the vice clan leader. Perhaps she was the newly-elected vice clan leader, or perhaps the torture chamber was a mysterious existence to the disciples.

Xia Xue commented, “You didn’t think you’d see me here, but Li Ruolan did. She has asked me to watch over you and indeed, you’ve stirred things the moment you entered.”

Chu Li let out a bitter smile.

It was not in his plan to reveal he was framed but since Xia Xue was the vice clan leader, there was no harm in him talking about it.

“You picked a fight with Qin Huaichuan and crippled his martial arts?” Xia Xue picked up a file and went through it. “You know this Qin Huaichuan?”

“It’s my first encounter with him,” answered Chu Li.

“Qin Huaichuan’s one of the uprising stars among the young generation. I believe your cultivation level isn’t higher than his?” Xia Xue asked.

Chu Li nodded, “I only cultivated Giant Spirit Palm and Fluttering Flower Palm.”

“Mm…” Xia Xue bobbed her head. “You’re indeed gifted, but the fact that his Dantian’s damaged isn’t false.”

Chu Li sighed. “How could I possibly stop him from hurting himself?”

“So, he has framed you?” Questioned Xia Xue.

Chu Li nodded.

Xia Xue pondered for a while, “It still doesn’t change the fact that you violated the church’s rule. It’ll be hard to make clear whether he framed you so we have to manage with the facts we have… I’ll have Elder Yang investigate.”

Chu Li motioned a fist salute/ “Thank you, Clan Leader Xia.”

“You’ve destroyed Qin Huaichuan’s cultivation level. As punishment, you’ll have to leave Sutra Library and be demoted to a medicine handler of Spirit Medicine Nursery for a year!” Xia Xue solemnly ordered. “Please don’t look for any more trouble when you’re there!”

Chu Li sighed. “I’m not looking for trouble, but trouble always seems to find me!”

“I will notify Altar Leader Mo,” replied Xia Xue, “He won’t dare to try my patience.”

“Okay,” Chu Li responded with a fist salute. “Thank you, Clan Leader Xia.”

He could hold Xia Xue to her words because Mo Cuicui was here. If Altar Leader Mo insisted on wreaking havoc, Mo Cuicui would have to bear the brunt of it all. He had no reservations seeking vengeance for his dead niece, but if it involved his daughter, he would have to think twice of his actions.

Xia Xue spoke, “It may be difficult at the Spirit Medicine Nursery, but you will learn things there. You’re able to cultivate quickly, so it’s unlikely your practice will be delayed.”

“There were supposed to be only three entering Spirit Medicine Nursery. Will either Cui Da or Cui Er be leaving, with me entering?”

“The outer mountain disciple will advance a rank and the former number two will enter Sutra Library. You are now ranked at number five.”

“I see…” Chu Li slowly nodded.

Now that he, Cui Da, and Cui Er were together, Chu Li could deal with the sibling duo!”

Cui Da and Cui Er were in the dark about this. They were egged on to provoke him. One thing led to another, he then made a move on Qin Huaichuan.

Qin Huaichuan was a brilliant mastermind.

“You better don’t cross the line with Cui Da and Cui Er.” Xia Xue seemed to have seen through Chu Li’s thoughts as she dully added, “They may be of mediocre talents, but their parents were no ordinary people. Even if it isn’t out of respect of the Cui siblings, you should do it out of respect for their parents.”

Chu Li retorted, “Don’t worry, clan leader, I have a sense of propriety.”

“This is the rule book, take it and read it carefully.” Xia Xue hurled a thick book with her dainty arm towards Chu Li.

Chu Li extended his arm to catch it.

Xia Xue said, “Alright now, you may leave.”

Chu Li gestured a fist salute.

The two young women in purple led the way and brought him down the hill.

The chill started to wear off as the strong wind subsided. Soon, they reached a huge ravine at the foot of the hill. It was warm, free of the howling winds. He felt as though he was in another world.

He has highly acute senses on spiritual energy, sensing its abundance just outside the ravine. It was a great place to cultivate. He saw a Glory’s Will Tree in his Omniscient Mirror.

A clear moonlight cast upon the ravine.

The ravine was lush and green, bringing a flavor of the fall. There was a densely lush forest in the center of the ravine. Within the forest was a towering tree piercing into the sky. This upright tree was the Glory’s Will Tree.

The Glory’s Will Tree experienced quite a slow growth. It must have taken at least a thousand years for it to reach such a height.

The ravine surrounding the Glory’s Will Tree was filled with ample spiritual energy under which it was the most suitable for Spirit Medicines to grow. There was definitely more to the Holy Church of Light, as even a Glory’s Will Tree was attainable for them!

“Elder Zhou!”

“Elder Zhou!”

The two women in purple walked into the ravine and shouted.

Four middle-aged men clothed in green appeared in a fluid movement to block the entryway to the ravine. They coldly stared at them.