From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 262 Aftershocks of the Immortal Sect: Xiao Yao Debunks the Rumors Again

Ziyun's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in my ears.

I suddenly opened my eyes, and my relaxed mood was instantly shrouded in gloom.

New rumors?

How can it be?

I clearly already...

"What rumor?" I tried to keep my tone calm, but my mind was in turmoil.

Ziyun hesitated for a moment, then looked around and lowered her voice, saying, "They said... they said you actually colluded with Heifeng, deliberately staged a play, and the purpose was to..." She didn't finish her sentence.

My heart sank, and a chill spread from the depths of my soul.

Colluding with Black Wind?

This is simply nonsense!

I have sacrificed so much for the Immortal Sect and to prove my innocence, yet I am now being slandered like this. An indescribable anger and grievance welled up in my heart.

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my anger, and looked around.

Sure enough, I saw some of my fellow disciples looking at me with suspicion and distrust. Just like before, they easily believed those unfounded rumors, and all my previous efforts seemed to be completely negated at this moment.

I felt a suffocating sensation, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping my throat, making it impossible for me to breathe.

A sense of oppression washed over me like a tidal wave, almost drowning me.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh, and the sharp pain brought me back to my senses a little.

No, I can't let myself be defeated like this!

I told myself that I had to prove my innocence once again and completely shatter these rumors!

“Xiao Yao,” a familiar voice called out. I turned around and saw Elder Xuan walking up to me with a solemn expression. “Come with me.”

I nodded and followed Elder Xuan into the council hall.

As soon as I entered, I sensed an unusually heavy atmosphere, with a sense of oppression permeating the air.

I saw Mingyue there too. She was talking quietly with several elders. When she saw me come in, her gaze fell on me, and it was complicated and meaningful.

"Xiao Yao," Elder Xuan began slowly, "regarding the new rumors..."

“I know,” I interrupted him, “I’ll handle it.” My tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Mingyue sneered, crossed her arms, and looked at me with suspicion: "Handle it? How do you plan to handle it? Like last time, wait for the rumors to escalate, and then spend all your time explaining? Xiao Yao, your method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause." Her words were like sharp thorns, mercilessly piercing my heart.

A surge of anger welled up in my chest, and I could barely control my emotions.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, and said in an icy tone, "Mingyue, I know you have a problem with me, but please don't speculate about my intentions. Everything I've done is for the sake of the Immortal Sect, to quell this storm as soon as possible. And what have you done besides making sarcastic remarks?" The council hall was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

I could feel the probing gazes of the elders around me, like countless tiny insects crawling all over my body, making me feel uncomfortable.

The air was thick with tension, almost solidified, making it hard for me to breathe.

Mingyue's expression changed, and she was about to retort, but I didn't want to get entangled with her any longer.

I turned around abruptly, my sleeves billowing in the wind, and walked straight out of the council hall.

Behind her came Mingyue's incredulous voice, along with the buzzing of whispers from the crowd, like a swarm of annoying mosquitoes.

The sunlight was so bright that I could barely open my eyes.

I raised my hand to shield my eyes, and the light between my fingers was cut into fragments, just like my chaotic and disordered mood at that moment.

I stopped, took a deep breath, felt the cool mountain breeze on my cheeks, and tried to calm the turbulent emotions in my heart.

In the distance, the rolling mountains appear and disappear in the clouds and mist, like a traditional Chinese ink painting.

I closed my eyes, trying to dispel the restlessness in my heart.

Suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder.

I suddenly opened my eyes and saw...

Seeing Wen Chen standing behind me, a hint of worry in his eyes, he gently patted my shoulder and said softly, "Are you alright?"

I forced a smile and shook my head: "It's nothing." But even so, I felt like there was a lump of cotton stuck in my throat, making me feel suffocated.

Wen Chen didn't speak, but stood quietly beside me. His presence was like a silent force, supporting my faltering body and mind.

I took a deep breath and turned to look into the distance. The mountains were faintly visible in the clouds and mist, like a fairyland, but I was not in the mood to appreciate the scenery at the moment.

The new rumors, like maggots clinging to my bones, are tightly wrapped around me, making it impossible for me to shake them off.

"I believe in you," Wen Chen's voice rang out again, filled with determination and trust.

These three simple words flowed into my heart like a warm current, dispelling the gloom within.

I turned to look at him. His eyes were clear and firm, as if he could see through everything about me and gave me boundless strength.

"Thank you," I said softly.

I began to investigate secretly, visiting various places and carefully observing everyone's expressions and actions.

A tense atmosphere hung in the air, like the calm before a storm.

I could feel the gazes around me, some curious, some suspicious, some indifferent. These gazes stung my skin like needles, making me feel uncomfortable.

Finally, I discovered some clues.

I noticed several disciples who were usually inconspicuous. They always huddled together furtively, whispering to each other. Their eyes were shifty, as if they were deliberately avoiding my gaze.

My gut feeling tells me that there's something wrong with these people.

I secretly followed them and finally overheard their conversation in a secluded corner.

"This rumor has spread quite well; Xiao Yao must be in a terrible predicament right now," a shrill voice said.

"Hmph, let her be smug. This time, we'll make sure she's utterly disgraced!" another gruff voice chimed in.

"Shh, keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you," the third voice warned.

My heart sank. It was indeed the remnants of Black Wind's forces!

A surge of anger burned in my chest, and I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh.

I've decided not to wait any longer; it's time to teach them a lesson!

I acted swiftly and apprehended all those spreading rumors.

They didn't even have time to react before I subdued them.

I brought them before the crowd and said coldly, "These people are the masterminds behind spreading rumors!"

Everyone was stunned by what they saw, and a sense of shock filled the air.

“Xiao Yao, you…” one of them said in a trembling voice.

I sneered and said, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

The man was pale, his lips trembling, but he couldn't speak.

"The truth is out." Wen Chen's voice came from the crowd. He walked to my side, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Now, do you have any questions?"

Everyone fell silent.

I looked around and saw Ziyun giving me a thumbs up with a bright smile on her face.

I smiled slightly, a huge weight lifted from my heart.

Just then, I felt a cold gaze fixed on me. I turned my head and saw…

Seeing Mingyue standing at the edge of the crowd, her face was gloomy, and her gaze was like a poisoned dagger, stabbing fiercely at me, making me feel a chill.

The surrounding noise gradually faded away, as if isolated by an invisible barrier, leaving only the moon's hostile eyes in my world.

A tense atmosphere filled the air, so oppressive that I could hardly breathe.

I could feel my heart pounding violently in my chest, as if it were about to burst through my ribs.

The sunlight shone on me, but it couldn't dispel the chill in my heart.

I looked around and saw familiar faces. The doubt and suspicion in their eyes had disappeared, replaced by respect and trust.

I took a deep breath, feeling the aura of glory enveloping me, and a sense of control over the whole situation welled up within me.

I smiled slightly, savoring this moment of victory.

The applause came like a tidal wave, deafening, and I felt my body tremble slightly.

Flowers and praises fell like snowflakes, surrounding me.

I felt as if I were floating on a cloud, light and airy, almost unreal.

However, behind this glory, I felt a sense of unease.

I know this is only a temporary victory; the real enemy is still lurking in the shadows, watching us with predatory intent.

Mingyue's gaze was like a thorn, deeply embedded in my heart, reminding me that this battle was not over yet.

My gaze swept across the crowd, lingering on each person's face for a moment, trying to find the hidden enemy.

Their expressions varied: some were joyful, some were envious, and some were jealous, but most of all, they felt awe.

I feel as if I can hear their inner voices, their thoughts, their secrets.

Suddenly, my gaze fell on an inconspicuous corner, where a disciple dressed in a gray robe stood. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were unusually cold, like a venomous snake hiding in the grass, ready to launch a fatal attack at any moment.

My heart sank suddenly and a chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

I knew my intuition was right; there was definitely something wrong with this person.

I quietly approached him and whispered in his ear, "I know what you're doing."

His body trembled slightly, and he abruptly raised his head.

He looked at me with a strange smile on his lips and said, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Is that so?" I sneered. "You'll understand soon enough."

I turned and left, leaving him standing there alone, pale-faced. I knew this game had only just begun...