Hua Lianxin's condition worsened by the second, each step draining him of strength as Elder Fang Zhiming supported his trembling frame. When they landed in the "Gathering Area" of the Verdant Wood Sect, Hua Lianxin collapsed, unable to endure any longer. His fragile body quivered violently, blood staining his robes as it spilled onto the stone ground beneath him. A low murmur rippled through the crowd of disciples gathered in the circular plaza, the tension palpable.
"The heavens themselves seem to punish him," one disciple whispered, his voice trembling.
"Look at him!" another added. "It's said traitors are cursed by the heavens. Could it be true?"
Fang Zhiming steadied Hua Lianxin by the shoulder, his voice low yet resolute. "Stay with me, Lianxin. This is not your end."
He began walking toward the "private healing section". Each step was calculated, purposeful. But as he moved forward, soldiers blocked his path, their swords gleaming in the sunlight. Their expressions were guarded, their formation tight.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Fang Zhiming's voice rang out sharply, his words cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.
From above, descending with an air of arrogance, "Elder Feng Zhaoyang" appeared. His robes billowed like dark clouds against the pristine beauty of the "Main Hall" above the Gathering Area. He landed gracefully, a smirk plastered on his face as he addressed Fang Zhiming. His words were laced with venom and mockery.
"Elder Fang Zhiming, where do you think you're going with a traitor?" Feng Zhaoyang's smirk widened, his tone loud enough for all gathered disciples to hear.
Fang Zhiming shot him a steely glare. "I don't have time for your nonsense, Feng Zhaoyang. Move aside! This boy needs urgent treatment."
"Nonsense, you say?" Feng Zhaoyang chuckled darkly, his voice brimming with confidence. "You don't have time because you're defending a traitor."
Fang Zhiming clenched his fists. Though his heart burned with anger, he knew he couldn't act rashly—not when Hua Lianxin's life hung by a thread. "Who is the traitor here?" he asked, his voice calm yet loaded with meaning.
Disciples murmured around them, their voices growing louder with speculation.
"Is Hua Lianxin really a traitor?"
"If so, why is Elder Fang Zhiming protecting him so fiercely?"
"Silence!" Fang Zhiming thundered, his voice carrying authority as he silenced the crowd. He stared at Feng Zhaoyang, his aura intensifying. "Hua Lianxin fought to protect our sect. He risked his life against the cult's monstrous forces. Do you think I would defend him otherwise?"
Some disciples hesitated, their expressions flickering with doubt. "Did Elder Feng Zhaoyang make a mistake?" one whispered.
Seeing his control over the situation waver, Feng Zhaoyang's smile faltered but quickly returned. "Mistake? Hua Lianxin and Lin Changsheng were colluding with the cult, trading disciples and mortals for forbidden techniques!" He turned to the other elders. "Check his cultivation! That demonic energy radiating from him is all the proof we need."
The elders hesitated but ultimately relented. Their qi flowed toward Hua Lianxin's broken body—but the "Demon Fruit" absorbed their energy instantly, leaving them stunned and unnerved.
"The heavens be damned! My qi—he absorbed it all!" one elder exclaimed, backing away.
"It's true," said another elder. "That energy... it's sinister. There's no mistake—this boy has used forbidden techniques."
Fang Zhiming stepped forward, his voice ringing loud and clear. "You're fools! Hua Lianxin fought valiantly for our sect, and now you dare call him a traitor while standing beside the real one?"
Gasps rippled across the crowd. The disciples and elders exchanged shocked glances, their whispers audible.
"Fang Zhiming has lost his mind!"
"Or... could there be truth to his words?"
Feng Zhaoyang's eyes darkened as he barked, "Enough of this! Soldiers, arrest him. We'll uncover the truth in the Judgment Hall."
As the soldiers moved closer, Fang Zhiming's aura flared like a storm unleashed. The ground trembled as he declared, "If anyone dares lay a hand on Hua Lianxin, I will not be merciful!"
The plaza stilled, Fang Zhiming's words reverberating through the sect. Even the elders hesitated, their gazes locked onto the unyielding elder.
One elder finally broke the silence. "Fang Zhiming, you risk everything—your position, your reputation, your loyalty—for this boy."
Fang Zhiming's voice softened, but his resolve remained firm. "As a master, it is my duty. A sect without loyalty is no sect at all."
Before the conflict could escalate further, an overwhelming suppression blanketed the Gathering Area. Smoke filled the air, and chaos seemed imminent. Feng Zhaoyang shouted arrogantly, "Who dares interfere in sect matters?!"
The smoke cleared, revealing the towering figure of the "Verdant Wood Sect Leader". His presence alone silenced the entire plaza. Feng Zhaoyang trembled visibly as he knelt before him, his tone stuttering. "My lord, I—I apologize for my arrogance."
The Leader's gaze swept across the crowd, his tone commanding. "Elder Fang Zhiming, speak."
Fang Zhiming recounted the events of the mission, exposing Feng Zhaoyang's betrayal and his dealings with the cult. He spoke carefully, omitting the truth about Hua Lianxin's cultivation and abilities. The Leader listened intently, his expression unreadable.
When Fang Zhiming finished, the Leader glanced at Hua Lianxin's trembling form. His voice was firm but calm. "This boy will be treated first. Once he recovers, we will hear the truth directly from his mouth."
The Leader's declaration silenced all arguments. Feng Zhaoyang attempted to protest but was swiftly subdued by the Leader's suppression aura, forcing him to kneel once again.
"I am taking command of the sect once more," the Leader announced. "No one will touch Hua Lianxin until I say otherwise."
As the disciples dispersed and the elders begrudgingly left the plaza, Fang Zhiming began carrying Hua Lianxin toward the healing section. Feng Zhaoyang stood back, seething silently. His thoughts churned with frustration and venomous determination. The boy was slipping through his grasp, but his resolve to end Hua Lianxin remained unwavering.
When Fang Zhiming crossed the first stone archway, Feng Zhaoyang acted. Cloaked in the shadows, his hand flicked forward, unleashing a sinister arc of blood-red qi. The attack was silent and precise, aimed at Hua Lianxin's vulnerable back.
The moment stretched endlessly as the venomous qi raced toward Hua Lianxin. Fang Zhiming remained focused on shielding his disciple, oblivious to the danger mere moments away.
The attack never reached its target.
A deafening 'clang' split the air, and the projectile dissipated mid-flight. Stepping forward from the shadows was a towering figure, his sword drawn and gleaming with defiance. "Zhao Wei", Hua Lianxin's closest friend and senior disciple, intercepted the attack without hesitation. His late-stage Soul King aura emanated strength and protection, a barrier against Feng Zhaoyang's malice.
"Elder Feng Zhaoyang," Zhao Wei began, his voice firm and cutting, "You're so determined to kill a wounded man that you've abandoned every shred of dignity and honor this sect stands for."
Feng Zhaoyang's expression twisted with rage. "You dare defy me, boy?"
Zhao Wei's stance was unyielding, his sword poised. "I defy anyone who tarnishes this sect's honor, especially someone like you, Elder Feng Zhaoyang."
Fang Zhiming turned back, his gaze sharp. "Enough, Feng Zhaoyang. You've shown your true colors today. You shame this sect with your cowardly actions."
Zhao Wei sheathed his sword, his tone steady yet commanding. "The truth will come out, Elder Feng Zhaoyang. You cannot silence it by spilling more blood."
---
Fang Zhiming brought Hua Lianxin to his house, where the "Immortal Pond Heavenly Herb", glowing pink, began healing Hua Lianxin's wounds. Zhao Wei stayed behind to guard him, his protective gaze fixed on his brother-like friend.
Hours later, Zhao Wei noticed strange golden and red energies emanating from Hua Lianxin. The herb's effect weakened as his cultivation fluctuated wildly. Spiritual waves radiated from him—waves more powerful than even a "Peak-Stage Saint Lord", shaking the house to its core.
And thus, the chapter ends.
Author's Note:
As Chapter 9 comes to a close, Hua Lianxin's journey teeters on the edge of chaos and revelation. His worsening condition, the hidden forces within him, and the growing turmoil in the Verdant Wood Sect create a storm that refuses to settle. But with danger comes intrigue, and many questions remain unanswered:
- "What are the golden and red energies emanating from Hua Lianxin, and how will they shape his fate? Are they a gateway to unmatched strength—or the cause of his ultimate downfall?"
- "Will Elder Feng Zhaoyang give up, or is he already plotting his next move to silence Hua Lianxin?"
- "Can Zhao Wei's fierce loyalty withstand the sect's mounting pressure and protect Hua Lianxin when danger strikes again?"
- "How will the Verdant Wood Sect Leader unravel the truth amidst deception and treachery? Will he side with Hua Lianxin or allow doubts to linger?"
- "What secrets are lurking within the depths of Hua Lianxin's power, and can he control the forces awakened by the Demon Fruit—or will they consume him?"
- "Will Lin Changsheng's recovery bring new hope to Hua Lianxin's battle, or will the price she paid for forbidden techniques hold her back from reuniting with him?"
- "How far does the cult's reach extend, and are there hidden traitors yet to be revealed within the sect?"
Each decision, each alliance, and each confrontation will determine the course of Hua Lianxin's destiny. Will he rise to face the storm or crumble beneath its weight?
The stage is set for Chapter 10, where secrets unfold and the battle for survival takes a darker turn. Stay tuned!