To betray one's sect was a crime punishable by death — and worse, by eternal dishonor.
Only a madman or a fool would dare such a thing.
Mo the Protector felt himself mad indeed — yet some instinct told him that following this thirteen‑year‑old boy would lead to greatness.
Nan Huairen's heart trembled. This moment was one of the great turns of his life. His master's steadfast words said everything.
"As long as Senior Brother commands, I'll tread through fire and water."
The title "Senior Brother," once spoken only by sect rules, now came from the depths of his heart.
A thirteen‑year‑old youth who dared to mock the Nine Saint Demon Gate, slay their protector, and dismiss their princess as a maid — what fearlessness!
Ever since he entered the Demon Gate, every step Li Qiye took had been measured and sure.
Nan Huairen had always been shrewd, but now he saw things clearly. In his whole life he might rise no higher than Elder; perhaps this boy was the door to rebirth.
Li Qiye merely nodded slightly.
"One day, you'll know — this decision was the wisest you ever made."
### The Return Plan
"How shall we report this when we return?" Mo asked after a pause.
The alliance and assessment involved delicate matters; even he felt as if walking on thin ice.
Li Qiye smiled faintly.
"Since Elder Yun spoke to you before we left, I believe you already know what to say."
Mo's heart gave a pang. True enough — before departing, the Grand Elder of Nine Saint had privately asked him to keep silent about the Guardian Gods. He had made no promise, but that moment still haunted him.
Such a meeting had been unthinkable for one of his rank; in the past, even if the sect master came in person, he would have spoken only briefly to a Protector like him.
"I understand."
He nodded firmly, his mind already composing a careful report — one that would shield both himself and Li Qiye.
### Departure from Nine Saint
Days later, Li Qiye and his companions departed. The Grand Protector Yu He himself escorted them to the Sect Gate.
A king‑ranked expert personally sending off disciples of the Washing‑Dust Sect — such honor was unheard of.
The Dao Platform rose, the Gate opened, linking the two sects.
When the three stepped through and emerged again within the Washing‑Dust grounds, Mo and Nan both breathed deeply.
The air — the familiar heaven‑earth energy — felt like home and dream alike.
A few days in Nine Saint had felt like an eternity — absurd, fantastical, yet undeniably real.
### Back to the Washing‑Dust Sect
Upon return, Mo the Protector reported directly to the Six Grand Elders, while Li Qiye went alone to his solitary peak.
From its summit he gazed across the Sect lands, the wind tugging at his robes as he stood wordless.
In the era of Immortal Emperor Mingren, the sect's dominion had spanned a million li; its qi currents had rolled like tides.
Now it was a fading flame — its spiritual veins retreated, its vitality thin.
The entire sect was like an old man clinging to life.
Li Qiye sighed quietly.
He had refused Zhen Tian Sea City, the War God Hall, and even Nine Saint — to return to this fallen place. He had his reasons.
Across countless ages as the Raven of Eternity, he had grown disdainful of the sect's later generations.
Of Mingren's disciples, he had once favored one of purer heart than the First Disciple, but upon waking from slumber, he found the sect in that disciple's hands — stiff, orthodox, its flame dimmed.
He despised that self‑righteous "orthodoxy."
From then on, he had never returned, never cared for its rise or fall.
Now, back once more in flesh and blood, he stood upon the soil of his own making.
He had founded the Washing‑Dust Sect and raised an Immortal Emperor; now he would raise another.
One day, the sect would again sweep across the Heavens and reign over the Nine Worlds.
### The Summons
Lost in thought, he did not notice Nan Huairen approaching.
"Senior Brother, the elders wish to see you," Nan said hurriedly.
Li Qiye nodded and followed him to the Ancestor Hall.
### The Elders' Inquiry
Inside, the Six Grand Elders sat in grave silence.
Mo the Protector had already submitted his report.
It was deliberately vague — focusing on Li Qiye's traversal of the Heart‑Disrupting Forest, glossing over his duel with Xu Hui and saying nothing of the Snake‑Beating Stick or the Stone Guardians.
All credit was framed as "mere chance."
The air in the hall grew heavy.
"You truly passed the trial?" the Grand Elder asked in a low voice.
At first, none had believed this marriage mission would succeed. Yet he had returned alive — and victorious — even surviving the Heart‑Disrupting Forest.
"Indeed," Li Qiye replied calmly. "I suppose my reward is due."
"The reward will come," the Grand Elder said gravely, "but first you must explain a few things. According to our sources, Xu Hui is among the foremost of Nine Saint's youths — your equal to our own Hall Masters. You entered the sect barely trained — how did you defeat him?"
"The ways of the Dao are many; the simplest is the truest," Li Qiye answered. "I walk the path of the strange blade. In a fight to the death, courage decides victory."
"Nonsense!" one Elder snapped — the same who had once spoken in his favor.
"A mortal body defeating a True Life expert? Arrogant child!"
Li Qiye met his eyes coolly.
"I speak truth. What others cannot do does not mean I cannot."
His voice hardened.
"Honored Elders, I entered the Nine Saint Demon Gate to risk my life for the sect. If you suspect cheating, both Mo the Protector and the Demon Gate can testify."
His tone remained steady, yet each word rang like a hammer.
"Before I left, you knew this mission was a death sentence. I went to protect the sect's face — and returned successful. Now I'm met only with doubt?
If this is how the sect treats those who bleed for it, who will sacrifice next time?"
"We agreed upon the terms that day," he continued. "If you go back on your word now, what is the worth of our sect's honor?"
"You dare lecture us on honor!" an Elder snapped.
Li Qiye remained unmoved.
"I risked my life — my merits are clear. If the sect keeps its word, I am content. If not, I'll still demand justice — a right I earned with my own life."
Some of the elders shifted uneasily. The hall fell into stiff silence.
After a moment, the Grand Elder coughed softly, seeking to ease the tension.
"Calm yourself, Qiye. It's not that we doubt you. But tell us this — how did you cross the Heart‑Disrupting Forest?"
He fixed his gaze on Li Qiye, eyes narrow and searching, as if to read the truth within his heart.