Chapter Twenty-One: The Abyssal Sanctuary
Chen Jianzhi of the Pure Law Hall walked over slowly, his composure unshaken even before the four elders, still confident enough to provoke with his words.
Recently, the dispute between him and Shen Yu had become well-known among the elders, largely because it involved the dazzling swordswoman Yu Wenwen from the Dao Sect.
Chen Jianzhi made no effort to conceal his disdain. “You surely recall the wager we made that day. Tell me, have you obtained the inheritance of the Spirit Treasure?”
He had paid no attention to the young girl Shang Yingluo, instead keeping his eyes fixed on Shen Yu, whose expression remained calm. Chen Jianzhi was certain that Shen Yu carried no aura of a Spirit Treasure, nor could he possibly have received its legacy.
As Chen Jianzhi pressed his question, those who had been shocked by the incident between the Hall Master of the True Crossing Hall and the little girl began to recover, turning their eyes to Shen Yu’s hands—empty, indeed.
Their gazes shifted, emotions flickering: pity, regret, contempt, and even ridicule. To many, a disciple who had only just entered the Path realm daring to challenge a prodigy of the Pure Law Hall seemed nothing short of arrogance.
Receiving no answer, Chen Jianzhi continued, “I never believed you could obtain the Spirit Treasure, yet you presumptuously challenged me. Shen Yu, you brought this upon yourself.”
The memory of Shen Yu’s closeness with Yu Wenwen stirred Chen Jianzhi’s anger, fueling his desire to thoroughly humiliate the youth, to trample his pride and confidence underfoot.
Yet, Shen Yu remained composed throughout, unmoved by Chen Jianzhi’s words.
...
For a moment, everyone stared quietly at Shen Yu.
Beside him, Jiang Shaoqiu opened his mouth as if to speak, but then fell silent. He had witnessed firsthand the soaring figure atop Treasure Cliff.
Ye Zhiqiu remained silent.
Shang Yingluo regarded Chen Jianzhi with curiosity, thinking, so this is what a fool looks like.
The elders of the four halls sensed something, their gazes intentionally settling on Shen Yu, and their expressions subtly changed.
...
“It stands to reason that, having entered the sect before you, I ought not to fuss over the matter…” Chen Jianzhi spoke, feeling pleased and eager to display magnanimity before the crowd.
“Last time, you came to the Hall of Law Derivation. There, I have a Cloud Sea Heart Inquiry, most suited for discerning the truth of the Dao heart.”
He had barely finished before an urgent, aged voice interrupted him.
Elder Zhou Yi of the Hall of Law Derivation addressed Shen Yu: “Our Dao Xuan Master has met you many times and holds you in high regard. What do you say? Come practice in the Hall of Law Derivation.”
Chen Jianzhi looked at the eager elder, wondering if his eyes deceived him.
“The path of cultivation is more than just the Dao heart; there are many places to see and explore,”
Then Xu Qingmei of the True Crossing Hall smiled and said, “You and Yingluo are close, and I’ve heard our Yu Wenwen mention you. Surely there’s some friendship. Young people should stay connected.”
Daochen Master, after a moment’s silence, spoke as well: “My Pure Law Hall is willing to cultivate you with all our resources. As for your previous dispute with our disciple, in the face of the Great Dao, such matters are insignificant.”
In that moment, the three major figures of the Dao Sect spoke with surprising unanimity, as if they were welcoming attendants in a common tavern.
---
The crowd struggled to comprehend the sudden change in attitude from these luminaries.
“What’s going on?”
Chen Jianzhi, emerging from his daze, could not understand the reversal.
“Difficult to understand, isn’t it?” Shen Yu looked at him calmly. “Your realm isn’t high enough, so you cannot see many things—such as my natal Spirit Treasure.”
With a sweep of his right hand, Shen Yu drew a talisman, and a pale red sword shadow appeared before him.
“Now, you should be able to see it,” he said.
Chen Jianzhi’s face turned pale, his eyes wide with shock.
...
Silence.
Some newly inducted disciples and stewards of the Seven Peaks might not know what the sword shadow signified, but judging from Chen Jianzhi’s expression…
This time, he had lost.
“You’ve lost. I may ask a small favor, yes?” Shen Yu said.
Chen Jianzhi’s face flushed crimson, his fists clenched. “Speak.”
Shen Yu looked at him, then walked forward, each step echoing clearly in the hush.
Everyone watched, tension thick in the air. What would he do? Chen Jianzhi was not only the Hall Master’s chosen disciple, but also an official of the Law Enforcement Pavilion. Would Shen Yu publicly humiliate him?
The four elders made no move to intervene, their faces impassive as they observed.
Shen Yu reached Chen Jianzhi, extended his hand.
Chen Jianzhi held his head high, proud.
Shen Yu removed the lofty silver Dao crown from his head, examined it for a moment, then said, “I thought it was your height that made me uneasy, but it turns out it was this crown.”
He continued, “You look much better without it.”
Patting Chen Jianzhi’s shoulder, he said earnestly, “Next time, just tie your hair with a Dao scarf. It’ll be much more pleasing.”
Chen Jianzhi’s face alternated between blue and white, mortified beyond measure.
...
With humiliation and anger, Chen Jianzhi left, and the minor storm he brought dissipated.
Shen Yu casually tossed the Dao crown aside, ignoring the worshipful and admiring gazes around him, and turned to walk toward Yan Qingshu.
He had intended to go to the Hall of Law Derivation; the Heart Inquiry Path was indeed excellent, and in his spare time, he could bask in the sun with the old Dao Xuan.
---
But after seeing Shang Yingluo, he felt uneasy.
Three thousand years from now, relations between the human and demon clans would be even worse. If the girl’s identity were exposed,
the consequences would be unimaginable.
He lacked the strength to protect her yet, so he decided to accompany her to the True Crossing Hall.
...
Yan Qingshu’s face lit up as the youth approached.
“Shen Yu.”
At that moment, a crisp, cold voice sounded, and a slim Daoist had somehow arrived at his side.
Shen Yu stopped and looked at him.
Xu Qingmei stamped her foot helplessly.
Zhou Yi and Daochen Master were grave, saying nothing.
Yan Qingshu spoke, “Master, is this your decision, or…?”
Dao Fan replied, “It’s the Sect Master’s will.”
The Sect Master had not taken a disciple in decades, yet now favored this youth. The elders immediately abandoned any thought of opposition.
Only Yan Qingshu clung to a shred of hope. “But the Sect Master hasn’t appeared in decades. Isn’t he in seclusion…”
Dao Fan’s expression chilled. “Mind your words.”
Yan Qingshu’s face changed, not daring to speak further.
Dao Fan turned to Shen Yu. “Come with me to the Abyssal Sacred Hall; you may find it interesting.”
Shen Yu asked, “What is there to see?”
Dao Fan replied, “Many fascinating people and things.”
Shen Yu pondered, then asked, “Is it true the Sect Master is the strongest cultivator on this continent?”
Dao Fan thought for a moment. “He should be.”
Shen Yu nodded, then came before Shang Yingluo, rubbed the heads of the girl and the little spirit fox, and said gently, “Take good care of yourself—and the cakes.”
Dao Fan placed his right hand lightly on Shen Yu’s shoulder.
In an instant, they became a stream of light, vanishing into the sea of clouds.