From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 11 The target of public criticism

The morning sunlight bathed the Immortal Gate Square, gilding the ancient bluestone slabs with a golden hue. A faint spiritual aura permeated the air, soothing the soul. I took a deep breath, calming my excited heart, and slowly walked onto the martial arts arena in the center of the square.

A number of fellow disciples had already gathered around me, whispering among themselves in small groups, occasionally casting curious glances at me. I tried to ignore their stares and focused my attention on the upcoming presentation.

As is customary, newly initiated disciples need to demonstrate their cultivation achievements in the square for the elders and senior brothers and sisters to judge. Although I am a transmigrator, the original owner of this body had no achievements in cultivation, so this can be considered my first appearance as a "newly initiated disciple".

I focused my mind, formed hand seals, and channeled my spiritual energy to begin practicing the basic sword technique. Although this technique was fundamental, I had practiced it diligently day and night and had already mastered it. My movements were fluid and graceful, the sword light flashed, and the spiritual energy flowed with my swordplay, subtly forming sharp sword energies.

The audience gradually quieted down, their eyes fixed on my performance, filled with surprise and admiration. I could feel their gazes, which boosted my confidence, allowing me to execute my swordsmanship flawlessly.

After finishing my swordplay demonstration, I sheathed my sword and stood there, fine beads of sweat forming on my forehead. A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, and many of my fellow disciples cast approving glances my way.

"Excellent! I never expected Junior Sister Xiao to have such skill at such a young age!"

"Yes, this basic sword technique seems to have been completely transformed in her hands!"

I smiled slightly, about to greet everyone, when suddenly a deep voice came from behind the crowd: "Wait."

The crowd parted automatically, and a middle-aged man in a blue Taoist robe with a serious expression stepped forward. He was tall and imposing, exuding authority even without anger; he was none other than Uncle Zhou, who was in charge of supervising the demonstration.

Uncle Zhou walked up to me, staring at me sharply, and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yao, your swordsmanship is indeed good, but your cultivation..." He paused, a hint of doubt in his eyes, "...your cultivation seems to have improved too quickly."

My heart skipped a beat, and a bad feeling welled up inside me...

My heart tightened. Uncle Zhou's words were like a sharp pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. The whispers around me buzzed like countless mosquitoes in my ears, making me feel dizzy.

“Uncle-Master Zhou, I…” I tried to explain, but his sharp gaze forced me back.

"Hmph, the most taboo thing in cultivation is being impatient for quick success and taking shortcuts!" Uncle Zhou coldly interrupted me. "You've only been a disciple for a few months, yet your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. If you say there's nothing fishy going on, who would believe it?!"

His words exploded like thunder, and the murmurs from the audience grew louder. A barrage of questioning glances shot at me like arrows. I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Uncle-Master Zhou, are you mistaken? Junior Sister Xiao is exceptionally talented and diligent in her cultivation, so it's normal for her cultivation to improve rapidly!" A familiar voice rang out from the crowd, tinged with urgency. I turned to look, and it was none other than Senior Brother Lin Feng who spoke.

"Lin Feng, you have no right to speak here!" Uncle Zhou snorted coldly, clearly very dissatisfied with Lin Feng's explanation.

Just then, another person stepped out from the crowd—it was Senior Brother Liu, with whom I had a long-standing feud. A sinister smile played on his lips as he said in a sarcastic tone, "Uncle Zhou is right. Cultivation is about gradual progress. How can it be like Junior Sister Xiao, soaring to the heavens like a rocket? Could it be that Junior Sister Xiao has some special cultivation secret that she's unwilling to share with everyone?"

Senior Brother Liu's words immediately resonated with those around him, and many began to echo his sentiments, their eyes filled with suspicion and hostility as they looked at me. A chill ran through me; I finally understood that Senior Brother Liu was the one lurking in the shadows, plotting to kill me!

Faced with everyone's doubts, I was speechless. I couldn't very well tell them that I actually came from another world and possessed a different cultivation method, could I?

"Enough!" Uncle Zhou abruptly waved his hand, silencing the crowd's discussion. He stared intently at me and said, word by word, "Xiao Yao, this matter is of utmost importance, and I must investigate it thoroughly! Men, take Xiao Yao back to the Enforcement Hall for questioning!"

My heart sank completely...

Without a word, two enforcement disciples escorted me to the Enforcement Hall. Along the way, I could feel the strange looks from those around me—some mocking, some contemptuous, and a few showing pity. I bit my lip, trying hard to suppress the grievances and anger in my heart.

Inside the Hall of Enforcement, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. Uncle-Master Zhou sat high on the throne, his face ashen, scrutinizing the cultivation records I had submitted. The records meticulously documented my daily cultivation activities, times, and insights; every stroke was neat and clear.

"Xiao Yao, do you know your crime?" Uncle Zhou's voice was as piercing as an ice pick.

"This disciple was unaware!" I straightened my back and looked him straight in the eye. "This disciple has never done anything against the rules of the sect, much less taken any shortcuts!"

Uncle-Master Zhou sneered, pointed to a spot in the notebook, and asked sternly, "Then explain why you are cultivating the 'Qi Condensation Technique' so quickly? In just a few months, you have already broken through to the third level. Isn't that against common sense?"

My heart tightened, and I looked in the direction he was pointing. I noticed that the handwriting on the record seemed a little off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

"I..." I opened my mouth, but found myself unable to defend myself.

"What, can't say it now?" Senior Brother Liu sneered from the side. "I think Junior Sister Xiao is feeling guilty!"

I abruptly turned to look at Senior Brother Liu, a thought suddenly flashing through my mind. Could it be...?

"Uncle-Master Zhou, please allow me to examine this record carefully!" I took a deep breath and pleaded.

Uncle Zhou pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. I took the notebook and began to carefully read through it, page by page, word by word, not missing a single detail. Finally, when I turned to the page recording the progress of my "Qi Condensation Technique" cultivation, I discovered a clue.

Although the handwriting in this record imitates my handwriting, upon close inspection, some differences can still be seen. Moreover, the time and content of the record regarding my practice of the "Qi Condensation Technique" also differ from my memory.

"I understand!" I suddenly looked up, pointed at the record, and said in a deep voice, "This record has been tampered with!"

"What?!" Uncle Zhou and Senior Brother Liu exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

“Look here,” I pointed to the handwriting in the record and explained, “this is not my handwriting at all; someone deliberately forged it. Moreover, the time and details in the record regarding my cultivation of the ‘Qi Condensation Technique’ are all fake!”

I looked up at Senior Brother Liu, my gaze sharp as a knife. "Senior Brother Liu, I have never offended you. Why are you framing me like this?!"

Senior Brother Liu's expression changed, and he subconsciously wanted to deny it, but he avoided my gaze under my sharp stare.

I took a deep breath and continued, "I remember very clearly that I never wrote in the records that I broke through to the second level of the 'Qi Condensation Technique' on a certain day of a certain month, let alone that I broke through to the third level in just a few days! This record was clearly added by someone on purpose to frame me!"

My gaze swept back and forth between Senior Brother Liu and Uncle Zhou. "As for who this person is, I think everyone knows the answer in their hearts!"

The hall was utterly silent; you could hear a pin drop. Uncle Zhou's expression was unpredictable; he stared intently at me, as if trying to find a flaw in my demeanor. After a long pause, he sighed deeply, turned to Senior Brother Liu, and said sternly, "Nephew Liu, do you know your mistake?"

Senior Brother Liu was pale, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word. He knew perfectly well that in the face of irrefutable evidence, any attempt at sophistry would be futile.

"Considering that you haven't committed any major offenses in the past, this time I'll punish you by making you face the wall in repentance for three months and copy the sect rules a hundred times. Do you accept this?" Uncle Zhou's voice was deep and authoritative.

Senior Brother Liu lowered his head helplessly and said in a low voice, "This disciple is convinced."

Uncle Zhou then turned his gaze to me, his tone tinged with apology: "Nephew Xiao, I have wronged you this time. I hope you will not take it to heart."

I shook my head and said calmly, "Uncle Zhou, you flatter me. I believe that the innocent will remain innocent and the guilty will remain guilty."

Uncle-Master Zhou nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and then announced the outcome for me: "Given that Nephew Xiao has done nothing wrong, this matter is dropped. I hope you will continue your efforts in cultivation and become a pillar of our immortal sect as soon as possible!"

I bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Your disciple will follow your teachings!"

This ordeal ended in my victory. I not only cleared my name, but more importantly, my position within the sect was solidified.

A few days later, the Immortal Gate Square was bustling with activity. I stood once again in the center of the square, ready to demonstrate my cultivation achievements. This time, I felt no fear, only confidence and determination.

I took a deep breath, circulated my spiritual energy, and executed a set of basic sword techniques with fluid grace, each move flowing perfectly. The sword light flashed, exuding a chilling aura, drawing gasps of surprise from the surrounding disciples.

"Good! Junior Sister Xiao's swordsmanship has improved again!"

"Yes, her progress in just a few months is truly astounding!"

"It seems our junior sister is destined for great things!"

Hearing the exclamations of praise around me, my heart was filled with joy and pride. I knew this was just the beginning, and my goals extended far beyond this. My gaze drifted into the distance, to the mist-shrouded peaks and the even wider expanse of sky and earth.

I gripped the sword tightly in my hand and secretly vowed in my heart: I will definitely become stronger and stand at the pinnacle of this world!