Chapter 53: That Is Naturally My Most Beloved

The next morning, Shi Anqi, who had obediently remained in the guest room of the Divine Path Sect, saw Ren Yidao once again.

Less than a month later, the relationship between the two had changed once again.

Shi Anqi no longer had any way to view the youth before him as an ordinary disciple of the Divine Path Sect.

Although he had not looked down on him before and had given him a considerable degree of importance.

But even if Shi Anqi racked his brains, he could never have imagined that Ren Yidao's importance to the Divine Path Sect could be so exaggerated.

A heaven-proud one whose bell rang nine times, the object of the Divine Path Sect's focused cultivation.

Although he did not know what means he had used, he had single-handedly repelled a wave of invaders.

And he was even able to restore the mental state of a Fallen into Demon Formless cultivator!

And most importantly, he was actually able to serve as a vessel for Sikong Yu's divine sense to descend!

This last point was more important than all the previous ones combined.

The Divine Path Sect could abandon a heaven-proud one, and could give up a powerful sect member, but they absolutely could not lose their Sect Leader.

Strength is the foundation of existence in this world.

If one wants to live peacefully and undisturbed by outsiders, the most crucial prerequisite is having enough strength to make others shrink back in fear.

The Divine Path Sect's strength was once questioned, but after today, those probing hands would likely hide back into the shadows.

If they reach out to provoke again, they will likely truly be chopped off!

Looking at the youth who was smiling as usual, with a faint, clear aura of Merit dissipating from his body, Shi Anqi dared not be negligent and cupped his hands, saying:

"Daoist Ren."

His smile remained the same, and Ren Yidao returned the salute, then said:

"Brother Shi is too polite; you should still address me as you did before. The Sect Leader isn't paying attention to me here right now."

Hearing these words, Shi Anqi felt even more uncomfortable.

Does "not paying attention right now" mean that he might pay attention later?

Is Sikong Yu, a dignified Sect Leader, really that bored!?

If Sikong Yu had truly heard the roar in Shi Anqi's heart, he would certainly have answered immediately:

【To tell you the truth, it's even more boring than you think.】

【Oh right, come help me turn my head...】

First, they exchanged pleasantries and flattery, then they spoke some official words.

Such as "The Beigan Dynasty has always been very concerned about the various affairs of the Divine Path Sect...", "If there is a need for help, just apply to Beigan..."

After pulling back and forth for a long time, the two finally sat down for a private conversation.

"Brother Shi's righteous assistance this time has moved me greatly."

Although the two had had dealings in private, those things could not be brought out into the open.

This conversation between the two did not represent individuals, but symbolized a formal dialogue between the Beigan Dynasty and the Divine Path Sect.

Judging solely from the results, Shi Anqi, a high-ranking official of the Beigan Dynasty, led a team to take action and helped resolve this crisis for the Divine Path Sect.

Regardless of whether Shi Anqi went privately, and regardless of whether Beigan itself tacitly approved of this matter, it was not important to the matter itself.

Or rather, both sides chose to selectively ignore it.

They now needed an opportunity to communicate.

And now, it was just the right time to sit down and talk properly.

"I dare not accept such praise. Even without my intervention, I believe the Divine Path Sect could have easily resolved this crisis."

This was indeed Shi Anqi's heartfelt sentiment.

Excluding the special circumstances of Lieyang Peak and Lingxu Peak, the remaining peaks had all resolved it entirely on their own.

There were many wounded, but apart from a few disciples who went missing with their life or death unknown, there was not a single confirmed casualty.

Moreover, the sect's foundation had not actually been exposed much.

They only activated a few well-known peak-protecting Arrays; other than that, not even many Elders had appeared.

Compared to a crisis, the Divine Path Sect seemed more like it had treated this turmoil as a military exercise, just letting the young disciples experience the cruelty of slaughter...

Wait a minute, could it be!

A bit uncertain, Shi Anqi raised his eyebrows and asked:

"The high-level figures of the Divine Path Sect actually knew about the actions of the Disha Sect?"

If they had long known about this operation by the Disha Sect and had laid a trap in response...

Then this battle was not inviting a wolf into the house, but catching a turtle in a jar.

... Hiss.

Everything could be explained.

Why the Divine Path Sect's reaction was so calm, why the sect's foundation remained hidden...

Because there was no need.

Without explaining, Ren Yidao looked at Shi Anqi with a faint smile and curiously asked in return:

"Regarding this question, I actually have a question I would like to ask you."

"Brother Shi, why did you think I would want to resolve it alone? Want to play the hero by myself?"

Why?

Isn't this a common trait of heaven-proud ones?

Believing oneself to be the most outstanding of all under Heaven, being headstrong and self-opinionated, and not easily seeking help from others.

Besides, you were just a disciple with little influence; even if you had revealed such intelligence, no one would have believed you anyway.

To present such intelligence without being able to explain its source, let alone prove its authenticity, makes being questioned or even suspected the norm.

"But what if the Divine Path Sect is not the kind of sect you imagine it to be?"

Smiling as he looked at the uncomprehending Shi Anqi, Ren Yidao's voice was gentle:

"I have said it before, the sect is my home; that is not just a polite remark."

"I have no need to lie to my family."

Shi Anqi recalled Ren Yidao's words from before.

Though there be thousands, I shall go.

"So, why would I play the hero all by myself?"

"Besides being high-risk and low-reward, what is there to admire about that kind of choice?"

"Therefore, shortly after you told me the news, I reported the situation to the higher-ups of the sect."

Frowning as he heard this, Shi Anqi suddenly asked:

"But aren't you afraid that such an action would alert the enemy? What if there is someone among them who has betrayed the sect?"

Shi Anqi knew that asking in such a way might be inappropriate, but he was truly curious about how Ren Yidao had decided on this issue.

Regarding this, Ren Yidao never considered it a difficult matter, saying lightheartedly:

"That is simple; if there might be a traitor among the higher-ups, then why not just choose those who are trustworthy?"

"Speaking of which, do you want to guess who I ended up choosing?"

His face twitching, Shi Anqi thought of that female cultivator who acted like a mad Demon, and lowered his voice:

"Your Senior Sister?"

"No, I was worried she would... reveal a flaw, so I didn't tell her."

Jing Yueqin: Achoo! Why do I feel like someone is badmouthing me?

"Then did you report it directly to Sect Leader Sikong?"

"No, before yesterday, I didn't even have the qualifications to have an audience with the Sect Leader."

"Then who was it?"

Unfamiliar with the interpersonal relationships of the Divine Path Sect, Shi Anqi truly could not think of anyone else.

Ren Yidao smiled, and using a strange tone that Shi Anqi could not understand, he said slowly:

"That would, of course, be one of my most respected Senior Uncles."

He said:

"The Peak Master of Lieyang Peak."

"Senior Uncle Zuo Su."

(End of chapter)