Chapter 575: Reactions from All Sides

Wan Huozong, grand hall.

“Disciple pays respects to my uncle.”

Zhuang Lie bowed, while Dong Congyang, the sect master of Wan Huozong, stood to one side of the hall.

Shan Hong, seated at the highest seat, regarded Zhuang Lie with a complex expression—Canglan Sect’s Yin Wushuang had arrived so promptly precisely because this disciple of his had sent a message to Canglan Sect three days prior.

Now, to pursue it further is meaningless.

“Uncle, I’m curious—why did you think Lin Chen would run into trouble upon emerging?”

In contrast, Shan Hong was more intrigued by how his own disciple had foreseen that Lin Chen would face trouble upon exiting the Sacred Flame Realm, and had sent word to Canglan Sect in advance.

At that time, the Eastern Prince had shown no hostility toward Lin Chen; as for any prior grievances between the two, no one in Wan Huozong knew of them.

“I didn’t know the Eastern Prince would target Lin Chen—I merely feared that the Qihuang Sect might send powerful figures who, even if they didn’t act within Wan Huozong, might lie in wait outside it. That’s why I alerted the Canglan Sect.”

Facing his own uncle, Zhuang Lie concealed nothing—he truthfully revealed how he had detained the Qihuang Sect disciples. He had notified the Canglan Sect mainly out of fear that the Qihuang Sect might kill Lin Chen; he never expected that Yin Wushuang, the Grand Elder of the Canglan Sect, would come in person, nor that the one ultimately targeting Lin Chen would be the Eastern Prince and the imperial family.

“This matter has brought trouble to the sect—I am willing to accept punishment.”

Hearing this, Shan Hong sighed softly: “You are not at fault—the fault lies with me, your uncle, for being too cautious.”

Yin Wushuang’s assessment this time had jolted Shan Hong into sudden realization: Wan Huozong could no longer continue like this.

“Starting today, I will enter seclusion. All major and minor sect affairs shall be decided by you, Congyang.”

Dong Congyang, standing beside him, froze—he had not expected his uncle to make such a decision.

“Uncle, this cannot be! I…”

“No more words.”

Shan Hong cut off Dong Congyang’s protest: “For years, I believed only I could manage sect affairs without error—but look at all the supreme sects: which of them has their Grand Elder meddling in daily matters?”

“Congyang, from now on, all sect affairs shall be decided by you and the Elders. Unless there is a major dispute, do not bother me.”

Having made his decision, Shan Hong did not wait for Dong Congyang to speak again—his figure vanished on the spot.

…

“Master.”

Watching his uncle depart, Zhuang Lie turned to the sect master, his eyes gleaming.

On matters of sect affairs, he and the sect master shared the same view: the sect could no longer remain so insular. Its disciples must step out into the world, and beyond a few core sect techniques, much of the research on primordial fire could be opened to warriors from other regions.

Of course, neither of them resented their uncle—his uncle had his own burdens, and their views were not necessarily right; everything needed time to prove itself.

…

…

Three days later!

In the Yan Imperial Court, across all regions and supreme sects, whether Elders or junior disciples, everyone was discussing one matter.

The two battles that had occurred at the entrance to the Sacred Flame Realm.

Yin Wushuang, Grand Elder of the Canglan Sect; Lin Chen of the Canglan Sect; the imperial third prince; the Eastern Prince; the Queen of the Yuepo Clan…

If the Yan Imperial Court had trending topics, these figures would have dominated the top spots, with second place going to “Who is the mysterious Eastern Prince?”

And topping them all, without question, was the Grand Elder of Canglan Sect’s statement.

【You bully Lin Chen because his background is weak—I bully you because your strength is weak.】

Upon hearing the full account, nearly every warrior was most stunned by this line from the Grand Elder of Canglan Sect.

It was not merely because the words were bold—it resonated deeply with them.

Aside from the tiny handful at the very pinnacle, most warriors—even those from supreme sects—found themselves identifying with Lin Chen’s position.

If even Lin Chen, a supreme sect prodigy, could be bullied so freely due to his weak background, what of them?

What of these sect’s prodigies, inner disciples, even ordinary disciples? Were they not equally at the mercy of their enemies’ whims?

If even supreme sect disciples suffered thus, how much worse for warriors from lesser sects and third-rate factions? These warriors had endured far too many instances of being oppressed by superior backgrounds.

Suddenly, both the imperial family and the Eastern Clan’s reputations among warriors plummeted, branded as bullies who wielded power to crush the weak.

…

…

Central Province, imperial clan.

Yan Hui knelt within the ancestral shrine, his face pale.

“Over these three days, the Divine Seal has lost another tenth of its fortune—all because of you.”

Before Yan Hui stood a middle-aged man in yellow robes, his face dark with rage.

“I merely thought it unwise to provoke Dongfang Canglang now—I sought to use Lin Chen to divert his anger.”

“Filthy brat—still making excuses!”