From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 130 A Turning Point: The Predicament Eases Slightly

My heart pounded like a drum, and my trembling fingertips traced the blurred words on the pages. This was a resource allocation method I had never heard of before. It wasn't a simple equal distribution or allocation according to work, but a dynamic and complex system that adjusted based on each person's contribution and needs. It skillfully balanced the interests of all parties and ultimately resolved the internal strife that had nearly destroyed the immortal sect.

"I've found it! I've found a solution!" I excitedly closed the book, almost jumping for joy. This wasn't just a turning point for the Immortal Sect, it was my turning point too! I couldn't wait to share this discovery with everyone and help the Immortal Sect escape its current predicament.

I rushed to the council hall, only to find the atmosphere even more tense than before. Elder Xuanfeng and Elder Mingyue each stood on one side, their faces ashen, while Deacon Wu stood to the side, his brow furrowed in worry. Senior Brother Lin and Junior Sister Chu also stood on either side, their expressions grave.

"Elders, I've found a solution!" I shouted breathlessly, holding up the "Tales of the Immortal Sect" in my hand.

Elder Xuanfeng sneered, "What kind of heretical methods are you using now? Xiao Yao, are you perhaps trying to bewitch people with these unorthodox practices?"

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down: "Elder, this is not a heretical method, but the wisdom of our ancestors! This book records that the immortal sect faced a similar crisis hundreds of years ago, and they resolved the crisis using this special method of resource allocation."

I handed the book to Elder Xuanfeng and pointed to that passage, explaining, "This method..."

"Enough!" Elder Xuanfeng interrupted me impatiently, shoving the book aside. "Hundreds of years ago? That's all outdated stuff! The immortal sects of today are vastly different from what they used to be. What's the use of those old, trivial matters?"

“But…” I tried to continue explaining, but was interrupted by Elder Xuanfeng’s angry roar.

"You're a piece of trash without any spiritual roots, what do you know about the path of cultivation? How dare you point fingers here! Get out of here!"

Senior Brother Lin stood up for me: "Elder Xuanfeng, Junior Sister Xiao Yao is also doing this for the good of the Immortal Sect, you..."

"Do you also want to rebel?" Elder Xuanfeng glared at Senior Brother Lin.

I pulled Senior Brother Lin aside, shook my head, and signaled him to stop talking. I knew that Elder Xuanfeng was blinded by anger and wouldn't listen to anything I said.

I turned to Elder Mingyue and handed her the "Records of Anecdotes of the Immortal Sect": "Elder Mingyue, please take a look, perhaps..."

Elder Mingyue took the book and began to read it carefully. Her brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently, clearly indicating that she was deep in thought.

After a moment, she raised her head, looked at me, and said with a hint of admiration in her eyes, "Xiao Yao, your idea is indeed very original and has a certain degree of feasibility. However..." She paused, then turned her gaze to Elder Xuanfeng, her tone tinged with worry, "I'm afraid Elder Xuanfeng's side..."

I followed Elder Mingyue's gaze to Elder Xuanfeng, only to see him glaring at us, his eyes filled with hostility. My heart sank, and a bad premonition welled up inside me.

Suddenly, the door to the council hall was pushed open, and a disciple rushed in in a panic, "Report...Reporting to the elder, the demons..."

Elder Mingyue's words sent a chill down my spine; I understood what she meant. Elder Xuanfeng was notoriously stubborn; once he made up his mind, nothing could sway him. Moreover, this concerned the allocation of resources within the immortal sect, affecting the interests of too many people—changing the status quo was no easy task.

I gripped the "Chronicles of the Immortal Sect" tightly, my heart filled with resentment. Were I really meant to watch the Immortal Sect crumble? I refused to believe it! There must be another way!

Deacon Wu had remained silent until he quietly approached me and lowered his voice, saying, "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, your idea is indeed bold, but the Elders' Council is unlikely to reach a consensus. If you could gain more support, perhaps..." He gave me a meaningful look and didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear enough.

More support... A thought struck me, and my gaze swept across the council hall. Senior Brother Lin remained firmly on my side, while Junior Sister Chu wore a disdainful expression, and most of the others remained neutral. It seemed that to turn the tide, I needed to convince more people to believe in me.

Just then, the flustered disciple finally caught his breath and stammered, "The demons... the demons have launched a massive attack and have already breached the outer defenses!"

The news struck like a thunderbolt through the council hall. The tense atmosphere was instantly replaced by panic.

Elder Xuanfeng suddenly stood up and roared, "What? The Demon Clan is attacking? How could it be so fast!"

Elder Mingyue's expression also changed drastically, and he said in a deep voice, "First stabilize the situation, then immediately activate the mountain-protecting formation!"

The council hall was thrown into chaos. The elders gave orders, and the disciples ran around preparing for battle.

My heart sank. The demon invasion was undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the already troubled immortal sects. It seemed that resolving internal conflicts would have to be put on hold for the time being.

I was about to leave when Elder Xuanfeng called out to me, "Xiao Yao, you stay here!"

I was startled, not understanding what he meant.

Elder Xuanfeng walked up to me, his sharp gaze fixed on me: "I'll reconsider the plan you just mentioned. Now, you're coming with me to the front lines!"

I was stunned. I never expected him to send me to the front lines. What could a useless person like me, without any spiritual roots, possibly do at the front lines?

Before I could react, Elder Xuanfeng had already turned and left. I gritted my teeth and followed him.

The battle at the front was even more brutal than I had imagined. The demon army was advancing fiercely, and although the disciples of the immortal sect fought valiantly, they were still being pushed back step by step.

Elder Xuanfeng directed his disciples to form a battle formation to defend against the demons' attack. I stood behind him, watching the bloody scene before me, my heart filled with fear and unease.

Suddenly, a demon soldier attacked from the side, and Elder Xuanfeng was unable to dodge in time and was hit in the shoulder.

"Elder!" I exclaimed and rushed forward to support him.

Elder Xuanfeng clutched his wound, his face pale, but he still forced himself to say, "Don't worry about me, keep fighting!"

I was anxious, so I quickly took out healing pills from my storage bag and gave them to him.

Just then, a dark figure descended from the sky and headed straight for me.

I was startled and instinctively tried to dodge, but it was too late.

"Watch out!" A figure blocked my way, taking the hit head-on.

It's Senior Brother Lin!

He was knocked away and crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out blood.

"Senior Brother Lin!" I cried out and rushed to his side.

"Xiao Yao... I'm so glad you're alright..." Senior Brother Lin said weakly, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

Tears streamed down my face as I held his hand tightly.

Elder Xuanfeng also came over, looking at Senior Brother Lin with a complicated expression in his eyes.

“Xiao Yao,” he said in a deep voice, “you take Senior Brother Lin back first, leave this to me.”

I nodded, helped Senior Brother Lin up, and turned to leave.

I must find a way as soon as possible to save Senior Brother Lin, and also to save the Immortal Sect...

"Wait," Elder Xuanfeng suddenly called out to me, "that plan..."

Supporting my seriously injured senior brother Lin, I stumbled back. His face was pale, and his breath was weak, but he kept trying not to worry me. "Xiao Yao, don't cry... I'm fine..." he said intermittently, a forced smile on his lips.

Back at my lodgings, I immediately treated his wounds and fed him precious healing medicine. Only when I saw his breathing gradually stabilize did my anxiety ease slightly.

"Senior Brother Lin, thank you." I said, my voice choked with emotion, as I held his hand. If it weren't for him, I might be the one lying here right now.

When Senior Brother Lin woke up and learned that Elder Xuanfeng had summoned me, he immediately realized this was an opportunity. Despite his weakness, he insisted on helping me. "Xiao Yao, your plan can truly resolve the crisis of the Immortal Sect. I must make sure more people understand!"

Over the next few days, despite his illness, Senior Brother Lin traveled around explaining my plan to the other disciples and trying to gain their support. He was an excellent orator with clear logic, and he quickly convinced some of them.

However, Junior Sister Chu interfered. She deliberately distorted the contents of my plan and spread rumors, saying that I wanted to use this opportunity to seize power and control the resources of the immortal sect.

"That good-for-nothing Xiao Yao, what does she know? She just wants to take advantage of the chaos to rise to power!" Junior Sister Chu's sharp and sarcastic voice rang out in the crowd, and many disciples were incited by her to question my motives.

Senior Brother Lin argued his case with reason, but he was outnumbered and surrounded by Junior Sister Chu's supporters, nearly getting injured again.

Upon learning of this, I was extremely anxious. I understood that if I couldn't clarify the facts as soon as possible, my plan would completely lose public support.

I decided to personally explain my plan to more disciples. I went to the plaza where the disciples were gathered, took a deep breath, and said loudly, "Fellow disciples, there are some misunderstandings regarding my plan..."

However, before I could finish speaking, I was interrupted by a commotion.

"Don't listen to her nonsense! She's just trying to fool us!"

"What right does a useless person with no spiritual roots have to give orders about the world?"

"Get out of here! We don't want to hear what you have to say!"

A torrent of insults and mockery washed over me, drowning out my voice. I tried to explain, but no one was willing to listen.

I felt like an isolated island, surrounded by boundless indifference and hostility. I was filled with a sense of powerlessness; was all my efforts truly going to be in vain?

Just when I was about to despair, Senior Brother Lin squeezed his way to my side and supported my swaying body. "Xiao Yao, don't give up! I believe in you!" His voice was weak, but full of strength, giving me a sliver of comfort.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I can't give up. For Senior Brother Lin, for the Immortal Sect, I must persevere!

Looking at these deceived disciples before me, a sudden surge of inexplicable anger welled up within me. I abruptly raised my head, my gaze sweeping firmly across the crowd, and declared loudly, "I know many of you don't believe me, but I can assure you that my plan is absolutely for the future of the Immortal Sect! If you truly care about the Immortal Sect, please give me a chance to finish what I have to say!"

My voice echoed across the square, and the crowd gradually quieted down. Some disciples began to hesitate; their eyes no longer held complete hostility, but rather a hint of doubt and inquiry.

I saw a glimmer of hope and was about to continue explaining when suddenly, a disciple pointed at me and cried out in terror, "Look! Xiao Yao's eyes..."

Before he finished speaking, I felt a strange energy surging within me, and my eyes... began to emit a faint golden light... Golden light burst forth from my eyes, and I felt a powerful force surging within me, as if it were about to break free from some constraint. The surrounding noise vanished, replaced by complete silence. Everyone stared at me in astonishment, their eyes filled with disbelief. My heart was also filled with doubt. What was happening? This power...

Before I could even figure it out, Elder Xuanfeng's voice boomed like thunder: "Monster! You really are a monster!" He pointed at me and shouted sternly, "How dare you use sorcery to bewitch people within the immortal sect! Guards, seize her!"

My heart sank. Elder Xuanfeng was using this opportunity to get rid of me! I struggled to control the surging power within me, forcing myself to calm down. I knew I absolutely couldn't panic at this moment.

"Elder Xuanfeng, what do you mean by this?" Elder Mingyue stepped forward, her tone calm and steady. "Xiao Yao was merely trying to explain her plan. How could it be considered sorcery?"

"Hmph, Mingyue, don't be fooled by her!" Elder Xuanfeng sneered. "How could a useless person without spiritual roots possess such power? This is clearly sorcery! Do you intend to protect a monster?"

His words immediately instilled even greater fear and unease in the surrounding disciples. They looked at me with eyes filled with terror and disbelief. I knew that Elder Xuanfeng's rumors were beginning to take effect.

“I didn’t use any magic, this power…” I tried to explain, but I found that I couldn’t explain the source of this power at all.

"Still trying to argue!" Elder Xuanfeng interrupted me sharply. "Guards, seize her!"

Several disciples immediately rushed forward, trying to subdue me. I instinctively tried to resist, but I found that Senior Brother Lin was holding my hand tightly and shaking his head at me.

"Xiao Yao, don't be impulsive." His weak voice rang in my ears. "Now is not the time for a head-on confrontation."

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger, and let the disciples take me away. I knew that if I resisted, it would only confirm Elder Xuanfeng's accusations, making it even harder to recover.

On the way to be taken away, I kept thinking about how to deal with the predicament I was in. Elder Xuanfeng's rumors had already taken hold, and I had to find a way to clarify the facts as soon as possible, otherwise everything I had done would be in vain.

I suddenly thought of Steward Wu. He is one of the few people in the immortal sect who remains neutral and is cautious. Perhaps I can find a breakthrough from him.

I looked at the disciple who was escorting me and mustered my courage to say, "Please let me see Steward Wu. I have something important to tell him."

The disciple hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed to my request.

After meeting Deacon Wu, I told him the whole story in detail and asked him to help me investigate the truth.

After listening to my story, Deacon Wu pondered for a moment and said, "Xiao Yao, I know you are sincere, but Elder Xuanfeng has a huge influence in the immortal sect, and it will not be easy to bring him down. You... should think it through."

I nodded firmly and said, "I know it's difficult, but I must try. For the future of the Immortal Sect, I cannot back down!"

Looking into my determined eyes, Deacon Wu finally nodded and said, "Alright, I agree to help you. However, you should also be prepared that this will be a difficult struggle."

I thanked Deacon Wu gratefully, a glimmer of hope igniting in my heart. I knew the road ahead was still fraught with difficulties, but I believed that as long as I persevered, I would surely overcome the predicament, clear my name, and fight for a chance for the future of the Immortal Sect.

As I left Deacon Wu's residence and prepared to return to my room, I saw a familiar figure approaching from afar… Elder Xuanfeng. Several disciples followed behind him, each with an unfriendly expression, walking towards me…