Chapter 594 - Lesser Realm

Chapter 594 - Lesser Realm

A powerful surge of fury erupted in the lesser realm, alarming all the grand elders.

"Outrageous! How dare he humiliate my disciple in this manner!" Yu Bu emerged from the thatched hut with Qing Mu standing behind him, looking aggrieved.

Among the ten grand elders, Yu Bu was known for his alchemy. As a sect master, he had taken Qing Mu as his disciple. Qing Mu's flattery skills had ensured that he quickly became Yu Bu's favorite student. He also showered Qing Mu with special treatment over the years.

As the former sect master, Yu Bu's rank and status commanded respect; even other grand elders had to be respectful to him—but only out of deference to his former title. After all, the sect had steadily declined during his time as the sect master, and he was regarded as the most unsuccessful leader in the sect's history.

Not only did he fail to stop the sect's declining position, but he also accelerated it instead. When he stepped down, he initially wanted to pass the mantle to his eldest disciple, but the grand elders, six peak masters, and ordinary elders didn't favor it.

After much competition, Mu Tianli rose to the position of sect master. The grand elders had seen his effort throughout the years. Under his leadership, the sect finally saw improvements, proving that he was steering the sect in the right direction.

"It was my incompetence that brought you shame, Master," Qing Mu said with a grievance in his tone. He followed behind Yu Bu with a sly smile hanging on the corner of his lips.

"Does Mu Tianli think he can disregard me just because he has become the sect master? Let me ask him what qualifications he possesses to strip you of your position as the Treasure Pill Peak's chief alchemist!" Yu Bu said, intending to leave the lesser realm to look for Mu Tianli.

The other grand elders walked out of their thatched hut and looked at Yu Bu curiously, wondering what could have happened for him to be so furious.

"Yu Bu, aren't you taking it too far by interfering in the conflict between juniors?" Gao Gu's voice echoed, causing the surrounding space to tremble as he appeared before Yu Bu and Qing Mu.

"Gao Gu, you've arrived at the right time. Your beloved disciple dared to strip my disciple's position as the chief alchemist. Does he have any respect for me, the former sect master? If I don't get a good explanation today, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Yu Bu snapped, his voice thundering through the lesser realm as his aura swept out.

Yu Bu's powerful aura scared the cranes into fleeing. The other grand elders also walked out from their abodes and looked around, unsure of the reason behind the conflict.

"Yu Bu, why don't you ask your beloved disciple what he has done throughout the years?" Gao Gu said, his demeanor unshaken. As grand elders, they had no need to be involved in petty quarrels because it would only diminish their dignity.

"What has he done? Has he betrayed the sect, or colluded with our enemies? He's only guilty of some embezzlement, which is hardly a rarity among the alchemists in the sect," Yu Bu retorted sharply. He was aware of his disciple's greed, but his disciple had always been filial to him.

"It looks like he hasn't been entirely honest with you," Gao Gu commented. He wasn't furious because he knew Yu Bu was used to standing on the high ground in a conversation, relying on his status as the former sect master.

Qing Mu became nervous upon hearing Gao Gu’s comment, and the other grand elders naturally noticed his behavior. They had already noticed Mu Tianli's arrival earlier, and now they turned to look at Gao Gu.

They spent most of their time in seclusion, where each period could last centuries. Thus, they only paid attention to the sect’s affairs if the sect faced a life-and-death threat.

"Since you're too embarrassed to tell the truth, I'll do it on your behalf," Gao Gu said, glancing at Qing Mu while stroking his beard.

"Is he an elder then?" asked the female elder.

"No, he's not!" Qing Mu remained knelt on the ground as the grand elders swept their gazes through him.

"Since he's not a true disciple nor an elder—then he must be an elite disciple?" the female grand elder asked in a confirming tone as she retracted her gaze from him. Her tone suggested that she already knew the answer.

"Yeah. He joined the sect a year ago and was promoted to an elite disciple a few months back," Qing Mu said, gritting his teeth. He didn't dare to lie to a grand elder.

"How is that possible? How can someone possibly rise from an outer to an elite disciple in just one year?" The other grand elders exclaimed in disbelief. They were considered prodigies during their time, and the journey from an outer to an elite disciple had taken them over two years.

"I recall that the sect has recently managed to produce the Spirit Restoration Pill, and the formula seems to have originated from a junior. Could it be him?" another grand elder asked as he stepped forward. Turns out that Liu Wuxie's deeds of bringing the Spirit Restoration Pill back to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had reached the ears of those in the lesser realm.

"That's him. If not for him, the sect wouldn't have plunged into chaos," Gao Gu said, confirming the speculation now that the timing was right.

"I'm intrigued. I'd very much like to meet this young man!" more elders voiced their interest, eager to leave the lesser realm to meet Liu Wuxie.

"Gao Gu, don't change the subject. Your disciple stripped my disciple's position as the chief alchemist. That decision must be reversed, or don't blame me for what happens next!" Yu Bu raised his voice to interrupt everyone, seeing that the situation had turned against him.

"Your disciple is no longer fit to manage the Treasure Pill Peak. The sect is developing rapidly, and we can't allow anyone to hold it back. I hope you can reconsider," Gao Gu refuted as he stood his ground firmly. The decree had already been issued, and to reverse it meant that Mu Tianli's prestige as the sect master would be affected.

The two stood at odds, each unwilling to yield for their disciples.

"So, do you intend to oppose me to the end?" Yu Bu's face darkened with humiliation. If he couldn't make Gao Gu yield, how would he be able to maintain his standing in the lesser realm?

"I only act for the ultimate good of the sect," Gao Gu responded, his tone calm, but his conviction remained firm.

"For the sect's interest, you want to sacrifice my disciple? Are you disregarding me, the former sect master?! " Yu Bu's voice became grim, and his eyes gleamed angrily.

As the tension rose in the lesser realm, an elder came between them and raised his hands to mediate. "Let's take a step back each. We've lived long enough, and everything can be discussed. I believe we will have news soon."

They had lived a long time to do something as childish as bickering like children as it was beneath their status.

As the elder who had intervened to de-escalate the conflict had anticipated, the grand elders present had indeed sent their avatars beyond the lesser realm to investigate. In less than fifteen minutes, the avatars returned, each identical in appearance to their physical forms.

Now that they knew the truth, they all looked at Qing Mu mockingly.