From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 296 Xiao Yao Advises Chu Mei: The Hearts of the People

A chilling killing intent surged forth like a tide, Elder Xuanfeng's staff shone even brighter, and the surrounding air crackled as if it were about to explode at any moment.

I took a deep breath, gripped the Azure Frost Sword tightly, and looked past the restless rebel disciples, my gaze landing on Junior Sister Chu.

She huddled at the back of the crowd, her eyes darting around, clearly struggling internally.

"Junior Sister Chu," I raised my voice, trying to keep my tone calm, "do you really believe that Deacon Wu is colluding with the demons? We're fellow disciples, don't you even have this much trust in us?"

As I spoke, I slowly walked towards her, each step feeling exceptionally heavy, not only because of Elder Xuanfeng's oppressive aura, but also because my former comrades, who had once fought side by side with me, were now turning their swords against each other.

"Xiao Yao! Stop spreading your nonsense!" Elder Xuanfeng roared, waving his staff and unleashing countless sharp spells at me like raindrops.

I dared not be careless and quickly dodged to avoid it.

Fireball, ice arrow, wind blade...

Various spells intertwined, forming an impenetrable net of death that enveloped me.

I dodged left and right, looking disheveled, my clothes were torn, and a shallow bloodstain was left on my arm.

"boom--"

An earthen wall rose from the ground, barely blocking a powerful lightning strike. I was thrown back several steps by the shockwave of the explosion, stumbled, and fell heavily to the ground.

Dust flew up and blinded me. I instinctively braced myself with my hands on the ground, and a sharp pain shot through my palms.

I struggled to my feet, spitting out a mouthful of saliva mixed with dirt. My white clothes were covered in dust, making me look disheveled.

The attacks around me didn't stop; instead, they intensified. I felt like a small boat on a vast ocean, about to be swallowed by giant waves at any moment.

I gritted my teeth, enduring the pain, and fixed my gaze on Junior Sister Chu again, only to find her eyes filled with...

fear?

disgust?

"Junior Sister..." I was about to speak when I saw her suddenly take a step back and hide behind Elder Xuanfeng, her voice trembling as she said, "Senior Sister Xiao... I... I'm scared..."

My heart sank, and a sense of powerlessness welled up inside me.

Seeing my disheveled state, Fairy Mingyue's face flashed with a hint of contempt. With a gentle wave of her hand, pure white petals drifted down, seemingly beautiful and harmless, yet containing a sharp sword aura.

The petals brushed against my cheek, leaving tiny cuts that stung painfully.

I smiled bitterly. We used to enjoy flowers and tea together, but now she's turned on me without any mercy.

"Xiao Yao, are you still not going to admit defeat? Look at you, like a stray dog, do you even deserve to be our leader?" Elder Xuanfeng's voice was sharp and piercing, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

The surrounding laughter rose and fell, like tiny needles pricking my eardrums and my heart.

When Junior Sister Chu saw my appearance, she turned pale with fright. She shrank back behind Elder Xuanfeng, her body trembling slightly, as if avoiding a plague.

Looking at her, I felt a surge of indescribable bitterness.

We used to cultivate together and go on adventures together, but now she is so afraid of me.

I was forced to retreat step by step, surrounded by enemies whose faces were full of mockery and contempt.

I feel like prey trapped in a spider web, the more I struggle, the more powerless I become.

Sweat streamed down my face, mixed with dust and blood, and a salty, bitter taste spread through my mouth.

I was panting heavily, my vision was blurring, and I could barely stand.

"Xiao Yao, you've reached the end of your rope. Surrender now!" Elder Xuanfeng's voice carried a hint of smugness as he slowly approached me, his staff gleaming with a dangerous light.

I looked up, my gaze sweeping over familiar yet unfamiliar faces, and a chill ran through me.

Am I really going to collapse here?

Not reconciled!

I can not be reconciled!

Suddenly, I saw a blurry figure in the distance, running towards me.

"Senior sister—" A frantic cry pierced the air...

Senior Brother Lin's figure went from blurry to clear. He brandished his long sword and, like a bolt of lightning, cut through the crowd, charging towards me.

"Senior sister—I'm here to help you!" he shouted, his voice tinged with anxiety.

I was overjoyed, but also even more worried.

Although Senior Brother Lin is quite strong, Elder Xuanfeng has many experts around him, and he alone will probably find it difficult to break through the encirclement.

Sure enough, just as he was about to rush in front of me, several rebel disciples blocked his way, and in an instant, they surrounded him with flashing swords.

"Senior Brother Lin!" I exclaimed, my heart filled with anxiety.

Senior Brother Lin was trapped, and I was powerless to help. It felt like a boulder was pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

The attacks from all around intensified, and I barely had a chance to catch my breath.

A wind blade grazed my cheek, a fireball brushed past my sleeve, and an ice arrow stung my skin...

I feel like a piece of iron being repeatedly hammered, which could shatter at any moment.

I gritted my teeth, stopped dodging, and went straight to meet Fairy Mingyue.

Just as she was about to attack again, I suddenly stopped in front of her, looked directly into her eyes, and said in a calm but firm tone: "Mingyue, do you really think Elder Xuanfeng is doing this for our own good? Look around you, look at these fellow disciples who used to be with us day and night, what have they become?"

My voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange power that stunned Fairy Mingyue.

The petal in her hand remained suspended in mid-air, refusing to fall.

The surrounding noise gradually subsided, and everyone's eyes were focused on us, with an atmosphere of doubt spreading in the air.

“Mingyue, you are kind and naive, and easily deceived. But ask yourself honestly, do you really believe that Deacon Wu would collude with the demons? Do you really believe what Elder Xuanfeng said, that overthrowing me will bring a better future?” My tone remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

Fairy Mingyue's eyes flickered uncertainly. She looked at me, then at Elder Xuanfeng behind her, a hint of struggle appearing on her face.

I took the opportunity to hold her hand, and I felt her palm tremble slightly.

“Bright moon…” I was about to continue speaking when I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.

I turned around abruptly, only to see Elder Xuanfeng's face revealing a sinister smile, his staff raised high, gleaming with a blinding light...

"Xiao Yao, don't even think about bewitching people!"

Elder Xuanfeng's staff came crashing down on me with a devastating force, and I could even feel the sharp whistling sound of the air being torn apart.

At the critical moment, Fairy Mingyue suddenly stood in front of me. The white silk in her hand danced like a serpent, wrapping around Elder Xuanfeng's staff and dissipating most of the force.

"Elder, why are you so stubborn?" Fairy Mingyue's voice trembled, yet it carried an unprecedented firmness.

I was stunned. Everything around me seemed to stand still, with only the clear voice of the Moon Fairy echoing in the air.

She really stood by my side.

A warm feeling welled up inside me, dispelling my previous despair and exhaustion.

I saw the tears glistening in her eyes, and I also saw her clenched fists—the courage to break free from the cocoon and the determination to dispel the fog.

"Mingyue! Have you gone mad?!" Elder Xuanfeng roared, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The betrayal of Fairy Mingyue clearly disrupted his plans, and his confident smile gradually froze, replaced by panic and anger.

The rebel disciples around me also became agitated. They looked at each other in confusion. I took a deep breath, straightened my back, and a surge of power welled up from the bottom of my heart and flowed through my entire body.

I felt an unprecedented sense of confidence and power, as if I were enveloped in a golden light that dispelled all the gloom.

"Fellow disciples," my voice was clear and firm, echoing through the valley, "Elder Xuanfeng's lies have been exposed, and Deacon Wu's innocence will soon be proven. Do you still want to continue down this wrong path?" My gaze swept over the faces, some confused and some hesitant, each one filled with expectation and strength.

I saw the weapons in the hands of some disciples begin to tremble, and expressions of struggle appeared on their faces.

I understand; they've started to waver.

Human nature is ultimately inclined towards good.

"Hmph, even if you bewitch Mingyue, do you think you can win?" Elder Xuanfeng's face was terribly gloomy, and the staff in his hand emitted a buzzing sound, and a powerful pressure swept over again.

His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, and...

fear?

He pulled a black talisman from his sleeve, which shimmered with an eerie blood-red light.

"Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for being impolite!" he said with a sinister laugh that sent chills down my spine.

what is that……