From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 131 Perilous Situation, Hope Still Exists

My heart sank, and a chill ran from my feet to the top of my head. Elder Xuanfeng, his face grim, approached step by step, his disciples spreading out behind him, subtly forming an encirclement. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Since things had come to this point, there was no point in running away.

"Xiao Yao," Elder Xuanfeng's voice was as cold and biting as a winter wind, "do you have anything else to say?"

I looked him straight in the eye, my tone calm but firm: "Elder, I still stand by my plan. It is beneficial to the Immortal Sect and to everyone."

"Profitable?" Elder Xuanfeng sneered. "You colluded with the demons and betrayed the interests of the immortal sects, and now you still have the nerve to say it's profitable? Do you think your little tricks can fool anyone?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding disciples began to whisper and point. I felt an invisible pressure pressing down on me, almost suffocating me. Colluding with the demons? This charge was far too great; I had no way to defend myself.

"I didn't!" I raised my voice, trying to drown out the surrounding chatter. "I have never done anything to betray the Immortal Sect! My plan was to resolve the current crisis, why won't the elders believe me?"

"Believe you?" Elder Xuanfeng seemed to have heard a joke. "What right do you, a piece of trash without spiritual roots, have to make me believe you? What do you think you are?"

The contempt and disdain in his words pierced my heart like a sharp knife. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails almost dug into my flesh. I told myself that I couldn't back down, that I couldn't let him defeat me.

Just then, Elder Mingyue stepped out from the crowd, her brows furrowed and her expression worried. "Elder Xuanfeng," she said gently yet firmly, "Although Xiao Yao is young, she is utterly sincere and has never done anything to harm the immortal sect. Her plan is indeed questionable..."

"Mingyue!" Elder Xuanfeng interrupted her sharply, "Who are you to speak here? You'd better not interfere in this matter, otherwise..."

The threat in his tone was unmistakable. Elder Mingyue's expression darkened, her lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing more. The surrounding disciples were even more terrified, not daring to utter a sound.

A wave of sorrow washed over me, but it also strengthened my resolve. Even if everyone opposes me, I will persevere!

“Elder,” I spoke again, my voice trembling slightly but more resolute, “my plan is not unfounded; I have evidence to prove it…”

Before I could finish speaking, Elder Xuanfeng waved his hand impatiently, and the disciples behind him immediately stepped forward and surrounded me.

"Evidence? Hmph, I think you won't admit it until you see the coffin!" Elder Xuanfeng sneered, turning and walking towards the council hall. "Take her to the council hall! I want to expose her true colors in front of all the elders!"

Two disciples grabbed my arms, one on each side, and dragged me to the council chamber without a word. My heart sank to the bottom. The council chamber… that would be the place of my judgment.

I was shoved into the council hall, where it was already filled with elders and disciples. Their eyes were all on me, some with curiosity, some with suspicion, and some with disdain. I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.

"Xiao Yao," Elder Xuanfeng sat high in the main seat, looking down at me, his voice icy, "now, do you have anything else to say?"

I looked around and saw Senior Brother Lin standing in the crowd, his eyes filled with worry and encouragement. Junior Sister Chu, on the other hand, stood behind Elder Xuanfeng, a cold smile playing on her lips.

I opened my mouth, about to speak, when I heard a slightly panicked voice from outside the door: "Elder, something bad has happened..."

The panicked voice was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. All eyes turned to the doorway, where Deacon Wu rushed in, covered in sweat, pale and flustered.

A glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. Deacon Wu possessed crucial information that could prove my innocence. If he could just reveal it, I could clear my name.

"Deacon Wu, what happened?" Elder Xuanfeng asked in a deep voice.

Deacon Wu glanced at me, then at Elder Xuanfeng, his eyes darting around uncertainly. He stammered, "Reporting to... Elder, it's... nothing..."

His previous righteous indignation had vanished, replaced by fear and retreat. My heart sank, and a chill ran through me. He… he actually backed down!

“Deacon Wu,” I called out urgently, “didn’t you say before…”

Before I could finish speaking, Elder Xuanfeng interrupted me. "Xiao Yao, you still want to argue! Deacon Wu has already said that everything is fine, what else do you have to say?"

I looked at Deacon Wu in despair, but he lowered his head, not daring to meet my gaze. I understood; he was intimidated by Elder Xuanfeng's imposing aura and dared not speak up for me anymore.

“Elder, I…” I tried to explain again, but Elder Xuanfeng didn’t give me a chance at all.

"Men, seize her!" he commanded, and several disciples immediately stepped forward and firmly restrained me.

Just then, Senior Brother Lin suddenly stepped forward and blocked my way. "You can't treat her like this! Xiao Yao is innocent!"

"Senior Brother Lin, are you trying to rebel?" Junior Sister Chu's sharp voice rang out. "Xiao Yao is colluding with the demons, the evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare to protect her?"

Senior Brother Lin ignored Junior Sister Chu and looked directly at Elder Xuanfeng, saying firmly, "Elder, I believe in Xiao Yao. She would never do such a thing!"

"You..." Elder Xuanfeng roared in fury, "How dare you disobey my orders?"

"I..." Senior Brother Lin wanted to say something, but several disciples behind Elder Xuanfeng rushed up and started punching and kicking him.

"Senior Brother Lin!" I cried out in alarm, struggling desperately, but I couldn't break free. I watched helplessly as Senior Brother Lin was knocked to the ground, spitting blood, my heart breaking.

"Stop!" I screamed desperately, my voice hoarse. "Stop it! Don't fight anymore!"

But my shouts had no effect; the disciples continued to punch and kick Senior Brother Lin without any mercy.

I closed my eyes in despair, tears streaming down my face. Senior Brother Lin was beaten because of me, yet I was powerless to do anything about it and could only watch him suffer.

After what seemed like an eternity, the fighting finally stopped. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Senior Brother Lin lying motionless on the ground, his fate unknown.

"Senior Brother Lin..." I choked up, wanting to rush over, but was held back tightly by two disciples.

"Take him away to heal his wounds," Elder Xuanfeng coldly ordered, then turned his gaze back to me, his eyes filled with disgust and contempt.

My heart sank to the bottom. I felt like a wild beast trapped in a cage, isolated, helpless, and desperate. I looked around and saw only indifferent faces. It felt like the entire immortal sect was against me.

Junior Sister Chu walked up to me with a smug smile on her face and slowly said, "Xiao Yao, did you see that? This is the consequence of disobeying the elders! Who do you think you are, daring to challenge the authority of the elders?" Her sharp voice pierced my eardrums like needles, every word filled with sarcasm and ridicule.

I stared at her coldly, saying nothing. At that moment, any explanation seemed futile; I could only silently endure it all.

"You colluded with the demons, a crime deserving of death!" Junior Sister Chu continued, "Now, even your senior brother has been seriously injured because of you, what else do you have to say?"

Her words were like a sharp blade, piercing my heart. Senior Brother Lin was injured because of me, and this guilt weighed on me like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.

Junior Sister Chu looked around, raised her voice, and said to the surrounding disciples, "Look everyone, this is Xiao Yao! Not only did she collude with the demons, but she also caused Senior Brother Lin to be seriously injured! How can we tolerate such a person staying in the Immortal Sect?"

Her instigation quickly took effect; the disciples around me began to whisper among themselves, their eyes filled with suspicion and hostility as they looked at me.

"Expel her from the Immortal Sect!"

"Yes, kick her out!"

"She is not worthy to remain in the immortal sect!"

The clamor of condemnation rose and fell, surging towards me like a tidal wave, overwhelming me. I felt like a wild beast trapped on a deserted island, isolated, helpless, and desperate.

Elder Xuanfeng watched this scene with satisfaction and said coldly, "Xiao Yao, do you have anything else to say?"

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and slowly said, "Elder, I...I'm innocent..."

"Enough!" Elder Xuanfeng rudely interrupted me. "What else do you have to say? The evidence is irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"

He pointed at me and said sternly, "From this moment on, your plan is null and void! Don't mention it again! No one is allowed to discuss this matter!"

My heart sank, feeling that all my efforts had been in vain. I had painstakingly devised a plan, traveled around trying to mediate the conflict, only to end up like this.

I looked at Elder Xuanfeng with despair, my eyes filled with resentment and anger, but I knew there was nothing I could do at that moment. I could only watch helplessly as he tore my proposal to shreds, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it several times.

"Take her away and lock her in the dungeon!" Elder Xuanfeng ordered again.

Two disciples stepped forward and took me away. I struggled helplessly, but I couldn't break free from their control.

The dungeon was dark and damp, filled with the smell of mildew. I was locked in a small cell surrounded by cold stone walls, without a ray of light.

I huddled in the corner, feeling like an abandoned little animal, trembling with fear. My heart sank to the bottom, and I felt like the whole world had collapsed.

Suddenly, the cell door opened, and a figure walked in.

“Xiao Yao…” The voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of…worry? I looked up and, in the dim light, saw who it was—Deacon Wu. He was carrying a dim oil lamp, his brows furrowed, his face full of anxiety.

"Deacon Wu... why are you here?" My voice was dry and trembling slightly.

Deacon Wu sighed, placed the oil lamp on the ground, and said in a low voice, "Alas, why are you doing this? The elders are already angry, why do you have to confront them head-on?"

I gave a bitter smile: "If I don't insist, the Immortal Sect will be in danger! Elder Xuanfeng's obstinacy will only push us into a deeper abyss."

Deacon Wu was silent for a moment, then said, "I know what you're thinking, but... the authority of the elders cannot be challenged. Doing this will only harm yourself."

"I know..." My voice trailed off, filled with a sense of helplessness. I knew that if we gave up now, the Immortal Sect would descend into deeper internal strife, and the threat of the Demon Clan's invasion would only intensify. But I was imprisoned here, powerless to do anything but watch the situation worsen.

Deacon Wu walked over to me, squatted down, and said softly, "Xiao Yao, I know you are devoted to the Immortal Sect, but... sometimes, compromise is also a kind of wisdom."

I looked up at Deacon Wu; his eyes were filled with helplessness and worry. I knew he meant well, but he didn't understand that some things cannot be compromised.

"Deacon Wu, thank you for coming to see me," I said softly. "But I will not give up, I will definitely find a solution."

Deacon Wu sighed, stood up, and said, "Alas, you... you'd better watch yourself." With that, he picked up the oil lamp, turned, and left the dungeon.

The cell door closed again, and the dungeon returned to its deathly silence. I huddled in a corner, my heart filled with despair and helplessness. Was I really destined to watch the Immortal Sect march towards destruction?

No, I can't give up! I must find a way!

I forced myself to calm down and began to recall everything that had happened recently. Elder Xuanfeng's tough attitude, Elder Mingyue's helplessness, Junior Sister Chu's making things difficult, Senior Brother Lin's injury... Was all of this really just a coincidence?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind. Junior Sister Chu… her reaction… seemed a bit excessive. Her hostility towards me didn't seem to stem solely from the disagreement over the plan. Also… she always appeared at crucial moments, as if… she knew what was going to happen in advance…

Could it be... that she is the mastermind behind all of this?

This thought gave me a jolt. If that were true, then… everything would make sense.

I tried hard to recall every moment I spent with Junior Sister Chu, searching for any clues. Suddenly, something came to mind. A few days ago, I overheard Junior Sister Chu having a private conversation with a mysterious person. At the time, I didn't pay much attention, but now, thinking back, that mysterious person…

My breathing quickened, a strange mix of excitement and fear washing over me. If I could find that mysterious person, perhaps… I could unravel this mystery!

I clenched my fists tightly, a glimmer of hope flickering in my eyes. I knew I had to find that mysterious person as soon as possible.

Just then, I heard soft footsteps approaching. I held my breath and listened intently. The footsteps… were very light and steady; they didn't seem… like the jailer's footsteps…

"Who?" I asked softly.

An aged voice slowly rang out: "Child...don't be afraid...I'm here to help you..."