After that day, Chu Xinghui quickly packed his things and began trying to find a way to leave the city.

At first, he tried to submit a report to the sect for long-term external training, but the report was delayed for a long time.

So, Chu Xinghui decided not to wait for the approval and simply left the city on his own.

However, as soon as he reached the city gate, he heard that a demon beast had accidentally been let into the city, and the entire Shuixun CIty was placed under martial law. No one was allowed to leave.

Later, the situation worsened.

Whether he tried to leave forcefully, use a roundabout excuse, or even just walked around the city gate, he would be stopped and forcibly sent back inside the city for various reasons.

As these “accidents” happened more and more, Chu Xinghui, even though he was slow to catch on, realized something was wrong.

It was as if the world was carrying out some special will to specifically prevent him from leaving.

Chu Xinghui, who had grown tired of Qin Yuwen and his group of sycophants constantly bothering him, refused to let them in. He reached out and broke off a branch from a nearby tree.

Winter had arrived, and even in the relatively warm Shuixun City, some plants had started to wither as the season dictated. The branch had half of its leaves fallen, and the remaining leaves had turned slightly yellow. It looked like an ordinary branch, both in appearance and touch.

But Chu Xinghui still felt an eerie sense of incongruity in the surroundings.

Was this… the real world?

…

Since it was clear that he couldn’t leave the city, Chu Xinghui didn’t waste any more time and instead spent his days exploring various places in the city.

Qin Yuwen, after several days of not being able to find Chu Xinghui, finally couldn’t stand it anymore. He openly and secretly complained to the people around him several times.

He had always been well-liked in the sect. When news of the marriage contract spread, countless people envied and resented Chu Xinghui. Now, upon hearing that he was treating Qin Yuwen like this, they were even more furious and rushed to “teach a lesson” to their senior brother.

Chu Xinghui had no idea that his reputation in Lingxiang Sect had once again plummeted to rock bottom. All he knew was that recently, many of his fellow disciples had been inexplicably causing trouble for him.

He felt increasingly annoyed and more and more confused.

Was the purpose of trapping him in Shuixun CIty just to make him constantly bothered by all kinds of inexplicable people?

The rumors grew louder and louder, and finally, one day, the Sect Master of Lingxiang Sect, Mu Chengjin, personally summoned Chu Xinghui.

The Sect Master and his wife were undoubtedly very good to their children. Whether it was their biological son and daughter or the adopted Qin Yuwen, they were all adored and had the best resources in the sect.

But the term “children” did not include Chu Xinghui, the son who had been found midway.

Except for that one time when he was acknowledged, Chu Xinghui had rarely seen his “parents.”

He had exceptional talent, and when he first joined the sect, several elders had been willing to take him in as their disciple. However, once his background was revealed, his apprenticeship was abruptly halted. Now, his position in the sect was awkward. He had no master to guide him and no elders to care for him. In fact, he was treated worse than the outer disciples. Most things had to be figured out on his own.

So, when he received the summon, Chu Xinghui was very confused.

This all-powerful Sect Master actually wanted to see him.

…

Despite his confusion, Chu Xinghui still went to meet Mu Chengjin politely.

Mu Chengjin sat at the main seat, and when he saw Chu Xinghui enter, he greeted him: “Xinghui, you’re here. Sit.”

He seemed to want to present himself as a kind father, but the two were really not familiar with each other, and he didn’t even know what cultivation method Chu Xinghui was practicing, so naturally, he couldn’t find a topic to discuss.

The two awkwardly chatted for a while, and then Mu Chengjin grew angry.

“You’re really the kind of person raised in the mortal world, useless and incapable of even bringing up a conversation.”

Just as Chu Xinghui was also becoming impatient, he directly asked: “What is it that you wanted to see me about today?”

Mu Chengjin snorted coldly and finally got to the point: “I heard that you haven’t been taking care of Yuwen recently? He personally went to find you, but you avoided him? He grew up with me and your mother, and he has always had a good relationship with Lingxuan and Zeqing. He’s naturally been pampered. Your mother and I have never wanted to make him suffer. You’re our biological son, and since you two will be together from now on, you must prioritize him.”

Chu Xinghui was very confused: “If you’re willing to pamper him, then do it yourselves. What does that have to do with me?”

“Absurd! Is this how you treat your future Dao partner?” Mu Chengjin glared at him in disgust: “If you continue being so unreasonable, I’ll cancel the engagement between you two right now!”

Mu Chengjin knew very well that his son, Chu Xinghui, had feelings for Qin Yuwen, and when it came to the engagement, he would likely soften.

Chu Xinghui almost forgot about it, his expression darkening: “I never agreed to any engagement.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Chengjin felt that his authority as a father and sect leader had been provoked.

He slammed the table: “It was your parents’ orders, and the matchmaker’s words. I agreed on your behalf. Do you intend to oppose that?”

Chu Xinghui furrowed his brows and suggested: “Since the Sect Master has agreed, why don’t you just become Dao partners with him yourself—if the Sect Master’s wife doesn’t object?”

He didn’t understand why someone who had never fulfilled any responsibility towards him would be so eager to make decisions for him.

Mu Chengjin didn’t care for the enlightened approach of mortal world parents, who no longer followed the “parental order” themselves.

Moreover, they were all focused on cultivation, and considering a Dao partner was something that would only come after their paths aligned. Why then would there be such a thing as a “replacement engagement”?

Mu Chengjin couldn’t hold his anger anymore: “I see you’ve been tainted by those lowly people from the mortal world. You have no manners. Is this how you speak to your father?”

Chu Xinghui also grew angry: “The mortal world has nothing wrong with it. But as for Lingxiang Sect, with a Sect Master like you, if others follow your example, the future is indeed worrying.”

“Fine! Fine!” Mu Chengjin’s eyes grew cold as he glared at Chu Xinghui. It was as if he were staring at an enemy from a deep, bloody feud rather than his son: “If you dislike Lingxiang Sect so much, then leave!”

Such a good opportunity?

And if he was expelled from Lingxiang Sect… perhaps he could finally leave Shuixun City.

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and calmly said: “This works for me. Since the Sect Master has spoken, would it be possible to remove my name from the sect’s roster as well?”

The sect roster was tied to many things, and if it wasn’t removed, he might face trouble in his daily life later on.

Mu Chengjin was so furious that he stood up from his chair.

He pointed at Chu Xinghui, about to say something, but was stopped by Qin Yuwen, who suddenly rushed in: “Master, please don’t act impulsively!”

He looked at Chu Xinghui with teary eyes, his face full of grievance: “Xinghui, you really like me in your heart, don’t you?”

Seeing his only disciple in such a state only fueled Mu Chengjin’s anger further.

Chu Xinghui frowned and once again firmly rejected him: “I don’t like you. I don’t know why everyone keeps telling me I like you, but I should still be able to distinguish my own feelings.”

The person he liked should have a higher cultivation than him, be good-looking, and have a good temperament…

A sudden thought flashed in his mind.

It felt vaguely as if there was indeed someone like that.

Chu Xinghui temporarily ignored the strange feeling and the sudden appearance of Qin Yuwen causing trouble. He placed the things he had received from the sect on the table and took out his identity token: “This token holds 1,216 contribution points. According to the rules, disciples of Lingxiang Sect only need to pay 100 contribution points per month. So, I believe I am now settled with your sect.”

He wasn’t interested in the small difference.

Qin Yuwen stomped his feet anxiously: “Master, stop him! If he leaves the sect, how will he ever break through in the future?”

He emphasized the word “breakthrough.”

Mu Chengjin suddenly felt a jolt in his heart as he recalled another matter.

If Chu Xinghui left the sect, and it was discovered that there was poison in his body during his breakthrough…

His and his wife’s reputation would be ruined.

Mu Chengjin’s face grew even more furious as his mind raced: “Settle? What about the spiritual power you’ve absorbed from the sect all this time? If you want to leave, I’ll cripple your cultivation and send you away!”

Chu Xinghui paused for a moment, turned around, and looked at the hysterical man in confusion.

This was absurd.

If this wasn’t the real world, he couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of person would come up with such a scenario.

Qin Yuwen was startled and pretended to advise: “Master, after all, Xinghui is your biological son…”

He only wanted to stir things up. Why was this old man so angry and vicious?

“I don’t have an ungrateful son like him!” Mu Chengjin cut him off sharply, using his loud voice to cover up his own guilt: “Didn’t you hear me? Someone, take action! Let everyone see the consequences of betraying the sect and being unfilial!”

Hearing the Sect Master’s voice, a group of disciples with varying ranks quickly surrounded Chu Xinghui. They hesitated as they looked at him.

Though it was obvious that the Sect Master and his wife did not treat him well, they were still father and son. If they acted and something went wrong, they might hold a grudge later.

Seeing no one move, Mu Chengjin ordered again: “Take action! Cripple his cultivation, and I will reward the one who does it with a high-quality spirit weapon.”

The disciples finally stopped hesitating and charged at Chu Xinghui.

Chu Xinghui took out a dusty spiritual sword from his storage bag and held it in his hand, scanning the attacking disciples.

It was strange. Even though he wasn’t a sword cultivator in his memories, when he held the sword, it felt as natural as breathing.

He knew he couldn’t defeat so many people.

But…

He also couldn’t tolerate such a ridiculous accusation against him without even lifting a sword.

As soon as Qin Yuwen saw the sword technique Chu Xinghui used, his pupils slightly contracted.

In the past, whenever Chu Xinghui had hit him, he had never used proper sword moves. It was only now that he finally understood where his sword technique came from.

But that person had clearly already…

Qin Yuwen didn’t dare to think further and could only continue watching the situation unfold.

There were too many cultivators attacking Chu Xinghui.

Even though Chu Xinghui knocked down more than ten people in a row, he was still outnumbered.

Eventually, he was forced into a corner, covered in wounds.

Mu Chengjin gripped his chin as if looking at an unyielding wolf cub, sighing dramatically: “Though you’ve brought this upon yourself, I am your biological father, and seeing this today pains me deeply. If you are willing to repent, even though Lingxiang Sect cannot keep you, your mother and I would still be willing to take care of you for the rest of your life.”

He was still talking, not noticing that the seeMingly lifeless Chu Xinghui suddenly opened his eyes, pulled out a short dagger, and thrust it directly toward his heart.

High-level cultivators have protective spiritual energy, so his strength wasn’t enough to truly pierce Mu Chengjin’s heart. It only left a bleeding wound on his chest.

Chu Xinghui wasn’t satisfied and planned to strike again, but before he could, someone rushed over and forcibly dislocated his hand.

The short dagger fell to the ground with a clink.

What a pity, he hadn’t been able to kill him.

Chu Xinghui calmly looked at the enraged man before him, emphasizing every word: “I am not wrong. You are.”

He never accepted this absurd blame.

If this strange place was truly targeting him for no reason, then let him see if he could bite a piece of flesh off these self-righteous people before he died.

Mu Chengjin’s eyes turned bloodshot as he gripped Chu Xinghui’s neck with both hands, slowly crushing his spiritual roots with his own hands.

Chu Xinghui couldn’t hold on much longer and finally lost consciousness completely.

Mu Chengjin finally realized what he had done. He stared at his hands in disbelief, then glanced at the other cultivators present.

All the cultivators who had participated in the attack lowered their heads, as if they had seen nothing, remaining utterly silent.

Mu Chengjin’s expression changed several times.

He had been too impulsive today, but the reputation of harMing his own son couldn’t be allowed to spread.

His spiritual power surged suddenly, and in the next moment, all the cultivators in the lower ranks silently lost their lives.

Mu Chengjin stood amidst the bodies, looking at Qin Yuwen, who had been standing quietly to the side the whole time.

Qin Yuwen obediently spoke: “Master, I didn’t see anything.”

Having witnessed similar things in the real world, he was already quite adept at handling such situations.

Mu Chengjin nodded, exhausted, and waved his hand: “You handle the rest.”

He had just lost a son, and he was in great pain. He needed time to calm down.

Seeing how the situation had spiraled out of control, Qin Yuwen’s brow twitched slightly. His gaze hesitated as he looked at the young man lying in a pool of blood. After a moment of indecision, he made a decision.

Although this situation didn’t align with the plan, it wasn’t impossible to continue.

A rebellious person like him, who refused the gentler path that had been arranged for him, had to be crushed into the mud to learn a lesson.

Once he was completely in the mud, he would become his only savior.

 

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