# Chapter 644: Venerable Lord
Although Purple Cloud Half-Saint was only a stone statue, it still appeared vivid and lifelike, a smile appearing on its face as it said, "Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain being able to add another Saint-Transmitted Disciple is a joyous occasion worthy of celebration. There is no need for everyone to be so tense."
"Of course, before conferring the title of Saint-Transmitted Disciple, I have one matter that must be clarified. Lin Yue, was it really you who killed Youlan Half-Saint of the Black Market First Class Hall?"
Zhang Ruochen was extremely calm, saying, "That's correct. It was indeed this disciple who struck and killed Youlan Star Envoy."
Youlan Star Envoy had originally been killed by Zhang Ruochen and Red Desire Star Envoy working together, so Zhang Ruochen spoke quite naturally, without any awkwardness.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint continued, "Although your cultivation has broken through to the Fish-Dragon Realm, you should not yet possess the ability to kill Youlan Star Envoy. Do you know the consequences of deceiving the Venerable Lord?"
Faintly, Zhang Ruochen once again sensed an even more powerful Sacred Might than before descending upon him.
Zhang Ruochen's expression remained unchanged as he said, "This disciple would not dare deceive the Venerable Lord. In truth, there are indeed some hidden circumstances behind killing Youlan Star Envoy."
"Oh? What hidden circumstances?" Purple Cloud Half-Saint asked.
In order to remain in the Liangyi Sect, Zhang Ruochen had no choice but to fabricate a lie.
Of course, this lie was not actually fabricated by him. It had already been made up by Lin Yue while he was still alive. Zhang Ruochen could at most be considered as borrowing and retelling it.
Zhang Ruochen straightened his chest, striving to adjust his mindset, silently telling himself that if he wanted to stay in the Liangyi Sect, he had to be as shameless as Lin Yue.
He said, "Actually, that day, Youlan Star Envoy was fighting with a senior of the Liangyi Sect. Both sides had already suffered mutual destruction. Therefore, this disciple took advantage of the opportunity and conveniently killed the severely wounded Youlan Star Envoy."
If "Lin Yue" had still been at the Heavenly Extreme Realm Great Perfection cultivation, even if he said this, no one would have believed it.
But now it was different. "Lin Yue" had already broken through to the Fish-Dragon Realm, his strength countless times greater than that of a Heavenly Extreme Realm Great Perfection martial artist. It was indeed possible that he could have killed the severely wounded Youlan Star Envoy.
Zhang Ruochen continued, "It was precisely because this disciple saved that senior of the Liangyi Sect that I obtained a great opportunity, allowing my cultivation to break through to the Fish-Dragon Realm."
Purple Cloud Half-Saint laughed, "Not only did you kill Youlan Star Envoy, but you also saved a senior of the Liangyi Sect?"
"That's correct. The situation was critical at the time. This disciple also took a great risk to rescue the severely wounded sect senior. I carried that senior and fled for six hundred miles, with Youlan Star Envoy pursuing relentlessly from behind. Forced into a corner, I had no choice but to fight to the death and killed the severely wounded Youlan Star Envoy." Zhang Ruochen spoke unhurriedly.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint said, "Where is that senior now? Did he tell you his name?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, saying, "The senior left once his injuries healed and did not reveal his name. However, to repay the favor, he gave this disciple a Fish-Dragon Pill."
Hearing "Lin Yue's" words, all the inner disciples present were filled with envy.
No wonder "Lin Yue" had been able to break through to the Fish-Dragon Realm. It turned out he had swallowed a Fish-Dragon Pill. His luck was simply too good, to obtain such a precious pill.
"So it was by taking a Fish-Dragon Pill that he broke through to the Fish-Dragon Realm. Nothing so remarkable." Zhao Yibing said coldly.
Lin Yue's master stepped forward, saying, "Junior Brother Zhao, you can't say that. Even if one swallows a Fish-Dragon Pill, it only increases the chance of breaking through. If Lin Yue didn't have genuine ability, even taking a Fish-Dragon Pill wouldn't have allowed him to break through to the Fish-Dragon Realm."
Lin Yue's master was that white-robed old Daoist, named Wang Xian.
Originally, Wang Xian had been quite furious after hearing Zhao Yibing's one-sided account, wanting very much to teach Lin Yue, this rebellious disciple, a lesson.
But now, Wang Xian realized that Lin Yue didn't seem as worthless as Zhao Yibing had claimed. Moreover, he had broken through to the Fish-Dragon Realm and was about to become a Saint-Transmitted Disciple.
To teach a Saint-Transmitted Disciple — what glory was that?
How could Wang Xian continue to punish "Lin Yue"? Of course, he had to speak up for "Lin Yue."
In fact, what Wang Xian said was true. A Fish-Dragon Pill could only increase the probability of breaking through to the Fish-Dragon Realm. Without genuine ability, even taking a Fish-Dragon Pill would be useless.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint's gaze fixed on Zhao Yibing, saying, "Lin Yue has already explained his matter clearly. Zhao Yibing, shouldn't you also explain how the Treasure-Seeking Compass of Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain was taken by a heretical cultivator?"
Throughout Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain, there were only three Saint-Transmitted Disciples. Therefore, Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain ranked last among the four spirit mountains of the Longevity Courtyard.
Now that a fourth Saint-Transmitted Disciple, Lin Yue, was finally emerging, it was a time for Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain to hold its head high. How could Purple Cloud Half-Saint punish Lin Yue?
Even if Lin Yue really had some stains, Purple Cloud Half-Saint would rather believe it was something he had to do out of necessity.
Zhao Yibing was also a clever man. He could see that Purple Cloud Half-Saint intended to protect Lin Yue, so naturally, he didn't dare continue to argue. If he kept defending himself, he might not survive today.
"Thump!"
Zhao Yibing's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt down. With a smack, he slapped his own face, tears streaming down as he said, "It was all this disciple's fault. I was greedy for Sacred Stones, which led me to provoke that heretical cultivator, resulting in the loss of the Treasure-Seeking Compass."
Seeing Zhao Yibing voluntarily confess, Purple Cloud Half-Saint snorted coldly, saying, "Losing the Treasure-Seeking Compass was your fault, but it's not a major crime. However, why did you try to evade responsibility and place the blame on Lin Yue? Do you know that because of your selfish desires, you nearly caused Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain to lose a Saint-Transmitted Disciple?"
"This disciple has already realized his mistake. I beg the Venerable Lord to punish me," Zhao Yibing said.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint's gaze turned to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "Lin Yue, how do you think your Uncle Master Zhao should be dealt with?"
Zhang Ruochen naturally couldn't stand Zhao Yibing's actions and certainly hoped Purple Cloud Half-Saint would punish him severely, to prevent him from continuing to oppose Zhang Ruochen in the future.
But Purple Cloud Half-Saint was no ordinary figure. Would he need to seek Zhang Ruochen's opinion on punishing a Fish-Dragon Fifth Transformation cultivator?
Zhang Ruochen immediately understood. Purple Cloud Half-Saint was testing him.
Because Purple Cloud Half-Saint didn't know the truth of what had happened. He could only test "Lin Yue," wanting to observe what kind of person "Lin Yue" really was.
Zhang Ruochen knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed to Purple Cloud Half-Saint, saying, "This disciple begs the Venerable Lord to spare Uncle Master Zhao."
Everyone in the Daoist temple was shocked once again.
Earlier, when Purple Cloud Half-Saint had manifested, Zhang Ruochen hadn't knelt. But now, to plead for Zhao Yibing, he knelt on one knee.
Zhao Yibing's actions had been completely aimed at forcing him to death.
Why would he still plead for Zhao Yibing?
Zhao Han'er was even more shaken. So Senior Brother Lin Yue's character was actually so noble. Not only had he sacrificed his own reputation to save their lives, but he was also repaying evil with kindness toward Uncle Master Zhao.
But they not only failed to be grateful, they couldn't understand him, looked down on him, ostracized him, and mocked him. How heartbroken must Senior Brother Lin Yue be?
Zhao Han'er stared at Zhang Ruochen, her eyes brimming with tears, showing an apologetic and remorseful gaze as she kept wiping her tears.
Suddenly, she felt that Senior Brother Lin Yue's figure had become even taller, something she could only look up to.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint also showed a hint of surprise, asking, "Lin Yue, why do you plead for Zhao Yibing? Do you know that he nearly killed you just now?"
Zhang Ruochen sighed, saying, "Although Uncle Master Zhao was wrong, he is still my uncle master. In the past, at Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain, Uncle Master Zhao also took care of this disciple many times. This disciple only remembers Uncle Master Zhao's past kindness. As for past grievances, let them be carried away by the wind. This disciple once again begs the Venerable Lord to spare Uncle Master Zhao this time."
Purple Cloud Half-Saint's gaze became even brighter. He liked Lin Yue more and more, smiling with satisfaction, "If everyone could think like you, there wouldn't be so many conflicts within the sect. Very well! Zhao Yibing, since Lin Yue has pleaded for you, I will spare your life. However, although death is avoidable, punishment is unavoidable. Starting tomorrow, you will go to the Abyssal Ancient Mine and labor for ten years as your punishment."
"Thank you, Venerable Lord."
Zhao Yibing quickly kowtowed in thanks. As his face touched the ground, no one saw that his gaze had become extremely cold, filled with killing intent.
Others thought Lin Yue was truly repaying evil with kindness. Only Zhao Yibing knew that Lin Yue was not as noble as he claimed. He was completely retreating in order to advance, deliberately putting on a show in front of everyone.
If not for Lin Yue, he wouldn't have been exiled to mine in the Abyssal Ancient Mine.
Zhao Yibing made up his mind that before going to the Abyssal Ancient Mine, he would take revenge no matter what. The best would be to kill Lin Yue without anyone knowing.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint said, "Lin Yue, since you have broken through to the Fish-Dragon Realm, you will naturally become a Saint-Transmitted Disciple. Three days from now, I will personally emerge from seclusion to preside over the coronation ceremony for the Saint-Transmitted Disciple. The Liangyi Sect is founded on the Sword Dao. On the day of the coronation ceremony, there will be a test regarding Sword Dao talent, which is very important to you. In the next three days, you should prepare well."
"This disciple understands," Zhang Ruochen said.
Purple Cloud Half-Saint nodded. The holy light on the human-shaped stone statue completely withdrew, becoming still and motionless once again.
The vast Sacred Might in the Daoist temple also gradually dissipated, returning to calm.
Zhang Ruochen stood up, glanced at Zhao Yibing, who was still kneeling on the ground, shook his head, and then walked out of Purple Cloud Temple.
"Lin... Lin Yue... Senior Brother, wait a moment."
Behind him, a figure rushed out, came before Zhang Ruochen, and knelt down with a thump.
It was Xu Chen.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Xu Chen, rubbed his chin with his finger, and said with a half-smile, "Junior Brother Xu, what is the meaning of this?"
Xu Chen's entire body trembled uncontrollably, his face as pale as a dead man's, as he stammered, "Lin... Lin Yue Senior Brother, everything earlier was this junior brother's fault. I beg... beg you to spare my worthless life."
"Thump! Thump!"
After saying this, Xu Chen kept kowtowing, nearly breaking the stone slabs on the ground.
Xu Chen was also a clever man. Of course, he understood the current situation.
Today, he had thoroughly offended "Lin Yue." If "Lin Yue" had any intention of retaliating, with "Lin Yue's" current cultivation and status as a Saint-Transmitted Disciple, he would only need to move a finger to kill him.
To save his life, Xu Chen no longer cared about face.
At this moment, he was like a lapdog, kneeling before "Lin Yue," begging for forgiveness.
Zhang Ruochen looked at him with some contempt, saying, "Earlier, didn't you say I was a coward afraid of death?"
Xu Chen slapped his own face, saying, "No, no, I... I am the coward. I am a bastard. I deserve to die ten thousand deaths. I am worse than an animal."
To save his life, Xu Chen used all his strength to slap his own face. With every slap, a bloody mark appeared on his cheek.
For this kind of jumping clown, Zhang Ruochen couldn't be bothered to argue with him. He shook his head, saying, "Since you like slapping your own face so much, then kneel here and keep slapping. Slap yourself ten thousand times, then immediately get out of the Liangyi Sect. Don't let me see you again. Remember to slap hard. If it's not hard enough, you'll bear the consequences."
Zhang Ruochen said this lightly, not even looking at Xu Chen again, and walked straight down the mountain.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin Yue. Thank you, Senior Brother Lin Yue, for sparing my life." Xu Chen's face showed joy, knowing he had barely escaped with his life, as he kept kowtowing in the direction Zhang Ruochen had left.