NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 24:
Chapter 24: A Gentleman Does Not Covet Wealth… But the More, the Better!:
The exchange of glances among the crowd revealed that most had already guessed the truth.
Ever since Lu Chen left, anomalies had been occurring one after another throughout the sect.
The sect master was likely just as uneasy as everyone else, which was why she had asked Meng Yu about divination.
In that moment, all eyes focused on Meng Yu.
“Reporting to the sect master, I have not performed any divination regarding Lu Chen,” Meng Yu replied calmly.
“My master once said that fortune-telling and divination touch upon the secrets of the heavens. Unless it is a matter of great importance, a disciple should avoid entangling themselves with karma.”
Everyone was stunned, their thoughts surprisingly aligned.
Was Meng Yu out of her mind?
Lu Chen leaving the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect—was that not a major event?
If even this was considered trivial, then nothing in the world could be deemed significant!
Yet, Meng Yu spoke with such ease, as if she truly believed it.
The crowd wavered for a moment.
Could it be that Lu Chen was really no longer important?
A trace of disdain flickered in Chi Lingxiao’s eyes.
Little junior sister, your lies are becoming more and more refined.
You may deceive others, but not me.
If you hadn’t foreseen something, why else would you have left without a word?
Others searched for Lu Chen tirelessly and found nothing, yet you conveniently ran into him the moment you left the sect? Was that not too much of a coincidence?
Yu Yanxue let out a soft sigh.
“So, after meeting Lu Chen, you decided to return?”
“Yes. I believe that everything has cause and effect. If one forcefully changes fate, they will suffer the consequences. It is better to let things run their course.”
A fleeting chill passed over Yu Yanxue’s usually composed expression.
She seemed displeased with Meng Yu’s response.
At that moment, Chi Lingxiao abruptly stood up, her tone filled with suspicion.
“Meng Yu, you left without a word and now return on your own accord. The reason for this is highly questionable.”
“Did Lu Chen say something to you that made you change your mind?”
“As far as I know, you and Lu Chen always had a rather close relationship.”
With those words, Meng Yu was immediately pushed into the spotlight.
Xu Qingshan also took the opportunity to add, “Sect master, when I led the disciples to retrieve Lu Chen, Meng Yu did indeed try to stop us.”
Yu Yanxue’s gaze sharpened.
“Meng Yu, do you have anything to say?”
Meng Yu stepped forward, her eyes cold as she locked onto Chi Lingxiao.
“I do!”
“While it was improper of me to leave the sect without permission, it was certainly not for the reasons Senior Sister Lingxiao claims.”
“If you speak of having a good relationship with Lu Chen, then let me ask—who among you here has not benefited from him?”
“When he returned to the sect, he distributed all his treasures. Can any of you claim you did not receive a share?”
She paused deliberately before raising her voice.
“And among all these people, Senior Sister Lingxiao surely received the most!”
“Everyone knows that eighty percent of the items in your courtyard once belonged to Lu Chen!”
“By that logic, wouldn’t your relationship with him be the closest?”
An uproar spread through the hall.
Chi Lingxiao’s face turned scarlet, her entire body trembling.
The once confident and composed expression on her face was now a mix of embarrassment and rage.
She could deny many things, but what Meng Yu said was indisputable.
It was the truth!
Back when Lu Chen had lost his cultivation, she had taken the best treasures he discarded.
This was no secret.
But for Meng Yu to bring it up so openly—it was utterly humiliating!
Chi Lingxiao bit her lip so hard that it nearly bled.
Yet, with so many eyes on her, she had to find a way to save face.
After a brief moment of internal struggle, she finally spoke.
“Why bring this up now? Are you saying I took too many treasures?”
“As they say, heaven sees all. I only hope that Senior Sister has a clear conscience.”
“Enough!” Yu Yanxue’s voice cut through the commotion like a blade.
“I did not come here to listen to you argue!”
“Even if Lu Chen has not returned, his whereabouts must not be ignored!”
“Yes, sect master!”
Everyone immediately stood up in acknowledgment.
Xu Qingshan lowered his gaze slightly.
Meng Yu was determined to protect Lu Chen—so much so that she dared to confront even Chi Lingxiao.
Chi Lingxiao was known for her sharp tongue, yet she had been utterly defeated by Meng Yu.
If even she was left speechless, what chance did he have?
Better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Since the sect master had not expressed anger, it was wise to swallow the words he had originally planned to say.
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Yu Yanxue scanned the room before speaking again.
“The matter of Lu Chen must be investigated, but we cannot neglect the Demonic Abyss either.”
“Elder Xu, delegate the task of tracking Lu Chen to others.”
“In five days, the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect will enter the Demonic Abyss!”
The crowd stirred, their excitement barely concealed.
The Demonic Abyss was a place where spiritual energy leaked abundantly!
If one could obtain a fortuitous opportunity, they could rise to unimaginable heights overnight!
It was a chance worth taking.
Even Qi Ze, who usually maintained a reserved demeanor, had a glimmer of light in his eyes.
The Mystic Spirit Holy Sect was truly going to take action against the Demonic Abyss!
Seeing the anticipation in their faces, Yu Yanxue felt somewhat relieved.
As long as they gained something from the Demonic Abyss, the sect’s lost prestige could be reclaimed.
Currently, all the major sects were focused on Lu Chen.
By the time they realized that the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect had reaped an immense harvest, they would be filled with regret!
Fifteen minutes later.
The crowd gradually dispersed.
Meng Yu did not return to Tianji Peak but instead went to Lu Chen’s old residence.
At night, the thatched huts near the Spirit Spring looked especially desolate.
Before even stepping inside, Meng Yu was already choking back sobs.
…
Midnight.
The moon shone brightly, the stars sparse.
Lu Chen completed his circulation of spiritual energy, his body feeling light and refreshed.
Although his meridians had been reconstructed, his cultivation still required steady progress.
Rushing would only lead to setbacks.
He had yet to reach the Core Formation Realm, but with the support of the Divine Scroll, his strength already surpassed others of the same level.
To be able to walk this path again—Lu Chen considered it both a blessing and an opportunity.
Just as he was about to rest, his eyes suddenly sharpened.
Footsteps.
A group of ten or so people.
They were approaching the thatched hut.
They were deliberately suppressing their presence, holding their breath—yet they had still given themselves away.
The assassins from North Li had left him unsatisfied.
And now… another group had delivered themselves right to his doorstep.
His drowsiness vanished in an instant.
Stretching lazily, Lu Chen patted Xuan Mo’s head.
“Little one, what do you want today?”
Xuan Mo lazily opened one eye before curling back into a ball.
Still playing dead.
Lu Chen chuckled.
“If you won’t say, I’ll just assume you want everything.”
The ones outside were not assassins, but they carried quite a few treasures on them.
As the saying goes, a true gentleman is mild and refined like jade.
But there’s another saying—
A gentleman does not covet wealth… but the more, the better.
A faint smirk played at Lu Chen’s lips, his eyes narrowing slightly.