From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 133 Dawn Breaks and Meaning Becomes Clear

Senior Brother Lin's expression also changed: "What did he say?"

The disciple stammered, "Elder Xuanfeng said... said that Senior Sister's plan was completely unworkable; it was just... just a desperate attempt to gain the senior's attention..."

My heart sank, and a chill ran from my feet to the top of my head. A desperate struggle? A plea for attention? Elder Xuanfeng had actually twisted my intentions like this!

"Outrageous!" Senior Brother Lin exclaimed angrily, "How could he slander my junior sister like this!"

I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm: "Senior, now is not the time to be angry. We need to find a way to clarify things."

Before I could come up with a solution, another disciple rushed in, panicking: "Senior Sister Xiao Yao, Senior Brother Lin, something terrible has happened! Junior Sister Chu... Junior Sister Chu is in the training ground..."

"What's wrong with her now?" Senior Brother Lin asked, his tone tinged with impatience.

"She...she brought many disciples and said...that Senior Sister's plan was to satisfy her own selfish desires and that she didn't care about the safety of the cultivation sect at all..."

My fists clenched so tightly that my nails almost dug into my flesh. Junior Sister Chu! I've never wronged her, so why is she slandering me like this?

"Let's go take a look!" Senior Brother Lin pulled me along and headed towards the training ground.

On the training ground, Junior Sister Chu was standing on a high platform, speaking passionately, surrounded by a large group of disciples who occasionally echoed her words.

"Xiao Yao is simply making a fool of herself! What qualifications does she have to represent the immortal sect to negotiate with the demon race?"

"Exactly! She's definitely trying to use this opportunity to climb the social ladder; she didn't care about our lives at all!"

"We can't let her run rampant! We must stop her!"

Seeing this scene, my heart ached as if it were being cut by a knife. I never intended to hurt anyone; I only wanted to do everything I could to protect the Immortal Sect and everyone else. But now, I have become the target of everyone's attacks, misunderstood and cursed by them.

Senior Brother Lin could no longer contain himself. He rushed to the high platform and roared at Junior Sister Chu, "Junior Sister Chu, that's enough! What gives you the right to slander Junior Sister Xiao Yao? What evidence do you have?"

Junior Sister Chu sneered, "Evidence? What evidence do we need? How could a good-for-nothing with no spiritual roots gain the senior's favor? Didn't she use some underhanded methods?"

"You..." Senior Brother Lin was so angry that he trembled all over, but he didn't know how to refute it.

I grabbed Senior Brother Lin's arm, suppressing my grief, and we walked step by step onto the platform. Looking at the faces below, filled with suspicion and hostility, I took a deep breath and slowly began, "I know many of you don't believe me, that my plan is a pipe dream, or even that I have ulterior motives..."

My voice trembled slightly, but I tried my best to remain calm.

"However, I can swear on my life that everything I did was for the Immortal Sect, for everyone! I never thought of..."

Before I could finish speaking, I heard a familiar voice coming from afar: "Junior Nephew Xiao Yao."

I turned my head and saw Elder Mingyue walking slowly towards me, her face showing a hint of helplessness and worry.

"Elder Mingyue..." I had just opened my mouth when Elder Mingyue gently shook her head, signaling me not to speak.

She walked up to the platform, her gaze sweeping over the crowd below, and slowly said, "Regarding Junior Sister Xiao Yao's plan..." She paused, then sighed deeply.

Elder Mingyue sighed deeply, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Elder Xuanfeng and me before finally settling on me. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions—sympathy, regret, and a hint of… helplessness. “Regarding Junior Nephew Xiao Yao’s plan…” she paused, her tone heavy, “This matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration.”

A chill ran through me. "Let's discuss this further?" This was clearly an excuse. Although Elder Mingyue was always gentle and kind, she dared not easily express her opinion under Elder Xuanfeng's firm stance.

Elder Xuanfeng snorted coldly, stepped forward, and said loudly, "What else is there to discuss? Xiao Yao is a useless piece of trash without any spiritual roots. What does she know? The plan she proposed is nothing but child's play!"

His words were like a sharp knife, piercing my heart. I bit my lip tightly, trying hard not to let the tears fall. A child's play? How much effort and dedication I had poured into this plan—how dare he dismiss it so dismissively?

"Elder Xuanfeng, please watch your words!" Senior Brother Lin couldn't help but step forward to defend me. "Junior Sister Xiao Yao's plan is bold, but it's not without its feasibility. We should give her a chance..."

"An opportunity?" Elder Xuanfeng sneered disdainfully. "Giving her an opportunity would be playing with the safety of the entire Immortal Sect! I will absolutely not agree to it!"

Looking at Senior Brother Lin's angry yet powerless expression, a deep sense of helplessness welled up inside me. I knew that Senior Brother Lin was genuinely trying to help me, but he was outnumbered and outmatched, and simply couldn't contend with Elder Xuanfeng.

I turned my gaze to Deacon Wu, hoping he would step forward and speak the truth. However, Deacon Wu kept his head down, as if he hadn't heard or seen anything. His silence sent a chill down my spine. He had once been extremely respectful to me, but now, to protect himself, he was keeping his distance.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. I can't give up, I can't let them defeat me! I still have one last hope, and that is my senior.

I looked up at the towering mountain peak in the distance, silently praying. Elder, where are you? Can you hear my voice?

The disciples around me began to whisper, their eyes filled with suspicion, mockery, and even contempt. I felt like a criminal stripped naked, standing in full view of everyone, subject to judgment and humiliation.

"Xiao Yao, you should just give up!" Junior Sister Chu's voice was shrill and piercing. "Who do you think you are? What do you think you can change? You're nothing but a piece of trash, a joke!"

Every word she said felt like a needle piercing my heart. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails almost dug into my flesh. I hated myself for my powerlessness, I hated their indifference, and I hated even more Junior Sister Chu for kicking me when I was down.

Just when I was about to despair, a figure stepped out from the crowd. It was... Elder Mingyue!

She walked to my side, gently patted my shoulder, and whispered, "Xiao Yao, don't give up, I believe in you."

Her voice, though soft, gave me immense strength. I looked up into her encouraging eyes, and a glimmer of hope rekindled within me.

Just then, a clear, cold voice came from afar: "Let her speak."

My heart skipped a beat. That voice... it's my senior!

I turned my head and saw a figure in white slowly descending from the mountain peak. His figure was so graceful and otherworldly, as if a celestial being had descended to earth.

His gaze fell on me, and he said calmly, "Xiao Yao, I'll give you a chance to explain your plan."

I took a deep breath and slowly opened my mouth...

The senior's voice was like heavenly music, dispelling the surrounding mockery and doubts, and instantly clearing my confused thoughts. I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my excitement, and respectfully bowed to him: "Thank you, senior!"

Then, I turned to face the crowd, my gaze sweeping over the faces that held curiosity, doubt, or disdain, and an unprecedented confidence welled up within me. I slowly began to speak, clearly explaining my meticulously crafted plan, word by word.

I began by discussing the current predicament facing the Immortal Sect, analyzing the balance of power between our forces and those of our enemies, as well as various possible countermeasures. I did not shy away from our current disadvantages, but rather frankly acknowledged our shortcomings and proposed corresponding solutions.

I emphasized the core of my plan—using a special formation to redirect the enemy's attacks into a separate space, thereby protecting the immortal sect from harm. While this plan was bold, it wasn't entirely far-fetched. I combined records from ancient texts with my years of research into formations, repeatedly deducing and refining the plan before finally arriving at this conclusion.

As I explained, I used my spiritual power to draw a model of the formation in the air, and explained in detail the principles and operation of the formation. My voice was calm yet powerful, every word filled with confidence and determination.

I noticed that as I explained, the expressions on the faces of the disciples around me gradually changed. Doubt turned into curiosity, mockery into surprise, and disdain into admiration. Even Junior Sister Chu, who had always been sarcastic towards me, showed a thoughtful expression.

The senior colleague listened quietly, his expression shifting between seriousness and contemplation, making his thoughts difficult to decipher. I glanced at him furtively, a sense of nervousness creeping into my heart. How would he evaluate my plan? Would he support me?

Time ticked by, and my explanation finally came to an end. A hush fell over the surroundings, and all eyes were fixed on the senior colleague, awaiting his judgment.

I clenched my fists nervously, my palms slightly sweaty. My heart was pounding, as if it were about to burst out of my chest.

The senior slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and far-reaching, as if he could see through everything. He didn't speak immediately, but quietly looked at me for a while before slowly saying, "Your plan is very interesting..."

He paused for a moment, and my heart jumped.

"Go back first, and come find me again tomorrow." After saying this, the senior turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the clouds.

I stood there, stunned, my heart filled with mixed emotions. What did the senior mean? Did he agree to my plan, or did he reject it? I didn't know.

Elder Mingyue walked to my side, gently patted my shoulder, and said with a smile, "Xiao Yao, you did very well."

Senior Brother Lin also came over and gave me an encouraging look.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I knew this wasn't the time to relax. My senior hadn't given me the final answer, and my plan hadn't truly been approved yet.

I turned and left, my steps firm and resolute. I knew that no matter the outcome, I would not give up.

When I returned to my place, I found someone standing at the door.

"Senior Brother Lin?" I was somewhat surprised.

His expression was grave. He quickly walked up to me and said in a low voice, "Elder Xuanfeng has gone to the senior's residence..."

Senior Brother Lin's words struck me like a thunderbolt, making my heart tighten. "What is he going to do?"

“I’m worried he’ll sabotage your plans.” Senior Brother Lin’s brows were full of concern. “Elder Xuanfeng has always advocated a direct attack. Your plans go against his principles, so he definitely won’t let this go easily.”

I bit my lip, a sense of unease rising within me. I knew Elder Xuanfeng's personality; he was stubborn and, once he made up his mind, he would never easily change it. If he really went to persuade the senior, my plan might very well fall apart.

"Let's go too!" I decided immediately.

When we arrived at our senior's residence, we could hear a fierce argument coming from inside.

“Senior, Xiao Yao is just a novice. Her proposed plan is too far-fetched and impossible to implement! Please reconsider!” Elder Xuanfeng’s voice was loud and sharp, with an undeniable forcefulness.

"Xuanfeng, are you questioning my judgment?" A deep and authoritative voice rang out, tinged with displeasure. Although I had never seen the senior's true face, I could feel his powerful aura just from that voice.

"This disciple dares not!" Elder Xuanfeng's tone faltered, but he quickly retorted, "However, this matter concerns the life and death of the Immortal Sect, and this disciple must be cautious! Xiao Yao's plan is too risky; if it fails, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"Risk and opportunity coexist." Elder Mingyue's voice rang out, gentle yet firm. "Xiao Yao's plan, though audacious, is not without basis. Rather than waiting for destruction, we should take a gamble!"

I walked quickly to the door and saw that Elder Mingyue and Elder Xuanfeng were confronting the senior in the courtyard, while Deacon Wu stood aside, nervously wringing his hands, seemingly unsure of what to do.

Upon seeing me appear, Elder Mingyue gave me an encouraging look. Elder Xuanfeng, on the other hand, glared at me fiercely, his eyes filled with hostility.

I took a deep breath, mustered my courage, walked up to the senior, and bowed respectfully: "Senior, your disciple Xiao Yao has something to report."

The senior slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and sharp, as if he could see right through me. He didn't speak, but simply waited quietly for me to speak.

I reiterated in detail my initial intentions for the plan, the thought process behind it, and all possible risks and countermeasures. My voice trembled slightly, but it was full of determination and confidence.

Throughout the entire process, the senior remained silent, simply listening attentively. His expression was calm and composed, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts.

After I finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the senior, awaiting his judgment.

Time ticked by, and my heart pounded with increasing tension. I felt my breathing quicken, and my palms began to sweat slightly.

Finally, the senior slowly spoke: "You should all go back first, and come find me again tomorrow."

His tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

My heart sank. Could it be...?

I suppressed my unease, bowed to my senior again, and then turned and left.

As I walked out of my senior's residence, I saw my senior brother Lin anxiously waiting for me.

"How is it?" he asked quickly.

I shook my head, feeling completely lost. "The senior didn't give a clear answer, only telling us to go again tomorrow."

Senior Brother Lin's expression also turned serious. "It seems tonight is destined to be a sleepless night..."

Before he could finish speaking, we heard a commotion of footsteps in the distance, interspersed with a few gasps. A chill ran down my spine; I had a premonition that something was about to happen…