Chapter 472: 472. The Long Awaited Challenge (II)

Gasps and murmurs swept over the grand banquet hall. Surprise, excitement, and worry were just some of the emotions that emerged. Third-phase challenges didn't always appear every year. But for those that did, they were always drama-filled events that would go down in the historical records.

The bond between a Sacred Daughter and her acolyte was precious. Trying to forcibly break it was akin to a public declaration of war. Sometimes, conflicts caused by the third phase led to long and bloody feuds and great shifts in power.

This challenge against Chen Wentian was a long-awaited one. Long Yifei's talent was widely known even after two short months. She was like a beacon in the night, shining through the fog of mediocrity. Compared to her, Chen Wentian was a nobody with no future. It was truly a fresh flower stuck into cow dung.

The challenger, Immortal Bamboo Wave Yang Gehu, was a well-known name. He was a rising star among the Seven Potentates. He had the reputation of an intelligent yet serious man. Almost everyone in the chamber held him in high regard.

A sea of eyes swept over the three people caught in the sudden maelstrom. The Yang Clan of Great Waves wanted Long Yifei, a rare gem of a Sacred Daughter who was beyond precious. They all wanted to see what would happen and how this insignificant Chen Wentian could possibly fight back.

“Immortal Bamboo Wave Yang Gehu…” Abbotess Li said, “You have accused Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian of failing to meet one of the core covenants for acolytes. Do you have adequate proof? Do you understand that if your challenge fails, you will be subject to great punishment.”

“Yes, I do.” Yang Gehu answered, his tone carrying the utmost confidence.

“Noted. Sacred Daughter Long Yifei…" Li Shishi continued, "A serious accusation has been levied against your acolyte. Will you fight it? If you do and it is proved accurate, your relationship to be severed. He will never be allowed to be your acolyte again. He will also be banished from the Order for the next one hundred years; prohibited from being anyone's acolyte and prohibited from setting foot in any territory that the Order controls for that length of time."

"However, if you simply concede, your relationship will still be severed but he will not suffer banishment. He just cannot be your acolyte again. But either way, I remind you that you are under no obligation to accept Yang Gehu as your new acolyte... You may take a few moments to consider before you decide."

“I have already made my decision, Abbotess Li.” Long Yifei said firmly, without hesitation, "I will fight this challenge!"

There was no way she could give up. That would be a silent admission of guilt, a coward's way out. It was the most humiliating option and she would never subject her master to something like that.

Li Shishi remained impassive, “Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian, acolyte of Long Yifei, do you also intend to contest this challenge?"

The tension in the grand banquet hall shot up. Many immortals from the Seven Potentates all targeted Chen Wentian with their spiritual auras as if trying to intimidate him into submission, wishing he would simply give up.

But he wasn't going to give up. A pillar of blue flames roared to life and blazed towards the ceiling. He turned toward Yang Gehu with a fiery stare and silent promise. If this challenge was a declaration of war, then he wasn’t going to let his enemies off easily.

“Yes. I will contest this insult against my honor and reputation!"

“Very well, the executive council of abbotesses will judge this challenge. You three may come up here.” Abbotess Li said.

There was a swift surge of spiritual energy across the stage at the front. The loosely arrayed tables and chairs disappeared, making way for a single row of seven chairs on a raised platform for the executive council.

Seven of the most senior abbotesses, including Li Shishi, took their seats. Chen Wentian and Long Yifei landed in front of the council, holding hands. Yang Gehu arrived soon after, standing next to Long Yifei at arm’s length. Chen Wentian found that intolerable and quickly brought Long Yifei to his other side. This elicited a few giggles from the crowd and the slightest possible smile from Li Shishi.

Chen Wentian didn’t let his guard down. He didn’t expect any help from these old hags in front of him. Even if they were quite beautiful compared to the witches of the subcontinent, he wasn’t fooled.

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Abbotess Li clapped her hand to draw everyone’s attention, “The executive council of the Millennium Mountains Campus of the Virtuous Order of Chunzhen is now gathered to judge this case. Immortal Bamboo Wave Yang Gehu, your accusation is against one of the covenants for acolytes of the Order. It is that acolytes must be able to adequately provide for their Sacred Daughter and not impair their growth. Tell me, how will you prove your accusation against this covenant?"

“Wait a moment!” Chen Wentian cut in.

Abbotess Li glanced at him with another slight smile while the six abbotesses glared at him like he was the worst kind of sinner. He ignored them and focused on Abbotess Li, the leader of this monkey trial and the craftiest of them all.

“Abbotess Li,” He said, “You have described my punishment in detail should I fail but what about my opponent should I prevail? You have not mentioned any specifics regarding this."

"We can discuss this after the trial. That is more important, don't you think?" She asked.

The other abbotesses nodded in agreement. It was as if they all expected him to fail. There was no reason to waste time on Yang Gehu's potential punishment that would never come to pass. 

"Abbotess Li, I disagree." He replied defiantly, "Although I am a newcomer to the Virtuous Order, I have read all of your covenants and laws. I know that the accuser's punishment can be made clear before the trial instead of after it. In fact, this was the only option in the beginning before the rule was modified."

Li Shishi's lips split into a faint smile. He wasn't sure if she was congratulating him or mocking him. The accuser's punishment wasn't of great importance for her or the council because they assumed he would lose. The third phase of the Gift Giving Ceremony was created with good intentions and gradually turned into a weapon to bully others. But rules were still rules and they could not completely do away with the original ones.

“Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian has spoken correctly. Let us determine the accuser's punishment should the accusation prove to be untrue. There are many options within reason as long as the council and both parties approve of them. Often, it has resulted in a heavy monetary penalty. Or the acolyte may seek to reclaim their honor through a duel to the death. Tell me, what do you want?” Abbotess Li asked.

Chen Wentian cocked his head and glanced at Yang Gehu who still sported a calm and confident demeanor. Regardless if it was a combat ability or wealth, his opponent had an abundance of both. It was difficult to properly punish a person like this but luckily, Chen Wentian knew of something that could hurt Yang Gehu and hurt him for a long time.

“Abbotess Li,” Chen Wentian replied brightly, “I have decided. Please punish my accuser in the same way you would have punished me. He should be prohibited from being an acolyte and banned from the Virtuous Order for a hundred years.”

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