You Betrayed the Sect, So Why Regret It Now? - Chapter 3:

Chapter 3: Release – Preparing to Leave the Sect

Zhao Qiyue waved her hand impatiently and said, “Enough. Since it’s like this, then it’s just a misunderstanding. Qin Fan, next time speak up sooner. Li Chen may be full of faults, but this time it was indeed a misunderstanding.”

Qin Fan bowed his head in feigned guilt and apologized, “Yes, it was my mistake. I ask Senior Brother for forgiveness.”

“Li Chen, don’t hold a grudge. Your Junior Brother meant well. Let go of your resentment. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared, this matter is over.”

“Master, I still have one more thing to report,” Li Chen said respectfully.

Zhao Qiyue frowned. “What else? Do you intend to cling to this matter and refuse to let it go? Li Chen, your heart is too narrow. I’ve already said it ends here.”

“He is your Junior Brother. Are you expecting him to kneel and apologize to you? You were once the Senior Brother. Show some tolerance and don’t be so petty.”

Zhao Qiyue was already feeling irritated. She had just spared him, and now he wanted to continue clinging to it?

If he insisted on pushing further, she wouldn’t show mercy.

Yes, he had once contributed greatly to the Qilin Holy Land, but that was in the past. He had no right to shamelessly use that to demand anything.

If he dared to continue, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.

Zhao Qiyue’s eyes turned cold and venomous. Li Chen’s body trembled.

He knew—Zhao Qiyue was ready to kill him.

Li Chen calmly said, “Master, I’m now only at the Qi Refining Realm, which isn’t enough to be an inner sect disciple. I am willing to be demoted to an outer sect disciple.”

Zhao Qiyue’s face darkened. “What did you say? I dare you to say it again!”

“Do you think I don’t know what you’re plotting?”

“You were once the Holy Son of the Qilin Holy Land, your cultivation awe-inspiring.”

“But do you know what you’ve done these past few years? You poisoned the sect’s spirit beasts, stole the sect’s spirit pills, beat fellow disciples, and even spoke arrogantly, saying the Qilin Holy Land would’ve ceased to exist without you.”

“I remember every one of these things clearly.”

“Are you trying to show defiance to your Master now?”

“Do you really think I won’t kill you?”

A murderous aura erupted from Zhao Qiyue. If she struck, Li Chen would die on the spot.

The elders nearby looked at Li Chen, feeling a twinge of pity.

This man had once protected the Qilin Holy Land. Even if he had done wrong, it shouldn’t come to execution.

But what could they do? They were just elders.

Li Chen replied, “Master, you misunderstand.”

“What did I misunderstand? Speak, or I’ll throw you into the Infernal Demon Cave to suffer!”

At the mention of the Infernal Demon Cave, the crowd gasped.

That was the harshest punishment. The Infernal Wind would slash at the body constantly. Though not fatal, it was worse than death.

Li Chen calmly said, “Master, I’ve recently heard rumors. Some say that only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can be inner sect disciples. I am still at the Qi Refining Realm. Many disciples are dissatisfied with this. Over time, such whispers could damage the Qilin Holy Land’s reputation.”

“In order to uphold the sect’s prestige, I request demotion to the outer sect to silence the gossip.”

“I ask for Master’s permission.”

Li Chen spoke with serenity.

He knew his situation clearly.

Qin Fan would definitely target him, instigate the five Junior Sisters to humiliate him constantly. With his cultivation crippled, his only choice was to leave.

Even if he wasn’t sent to the Infernal Demon Cave, he would still die in the Qilin Holy Land.

Zhao Qiyue wouldn’t let him go either.

His position was dangerously unstable. He had to leave as soon as possible.

By demoting himself to an outer sect disciple, he would sever all ties with the sect.

Outer sect disciples had no sect registration. They did not belong to the Qilin Holy Land.

Zhao Qiyue hesitated for a moment. She had also heard those rumors. Now that Li Chen brought them up, granting his request would silence the gossip—and fulfill his unspoken wish.

Still, she wanted to test him one last time. “Are you truly willing?”

“For the honor of the Qilin Holy Land, I ask for Master’s approval,” Li Chen said with steady composure.

In his heart, he silently thought—this would be the last time he called her Master. All gratitude and grudges between them would be wiped clean.

She brought him into the sect. He had guarded the Qilin Holy Land.

The debt was paid.

From now on—they were enemies.

Zhao Qiyue nodded. “Approved. You must continue cultivating and not be lazy. Teach your Junior Brother well. He is the future of our Qilin Holy Land.”

“Yes.”

With a flash, Zhao Qiyue vanished.

Li Chen finally breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Yin Xiumei clutched Qin Fan’s hand and smiled. “Junior Brother, let’s go. Didn’t you want to learn alchemy? I’ll teach you. As for that useless trash, don’t bother letting him teach you. Whatever he knows, I know too.”

Qin Fan beamed with joy. Even though he hadn’t been able to destroy Li Chen today, that fool had willingly lowered his own status to that of an outer sect disciple.

Elite disciples held the power of life and death over outer sect disciples.

And outer sect disciples were nothing.

Without sect registration, they could be manipulated however he liked.

There was no rush. Acting too soon would draw suspicion.

Qin Fan walked to Li Chen’s side, bowed his head, and said in mock guilt, “Senior Brother, I’m truly sorry for causing you to be demoted to an outer sect disciple. I can’t sleep or eat with peace of mind.”

Yin Xiumei’s face turned cold. “What nonsense are you telling him? He’s just trash now. Come, I’ll teach you alchemy.”

Li Chen looked at the towering Qilin Holy Hall.

And finally exhaled deeply.

It was time to leave.

Li Chen left the Holy Land quickly and returned to his quarters.

He packed simply and made his way to the outer sect residence.

Outer sect disciples didn’t have sect registration. They could leave anytime, but that also meant they were exposed to danger. Inner sect disciples had the right to kill them.

He needed to leave quickly.

…

Misty Peak, inside the cave residence.

Yin Xiumei sneered, “Hmph, that mutt still thinks he’s the Holy Son. His cultivation has been crippled for decades and he’s still stuck at the Qi Refining Realm.”

“He dared to act proud in front of me. I’m already in the Void Refinement Realm and still have to call him Senior Brother? I’ve had enough.”

“It’s perfect that he’s now an outer sect disciple. I’ll have plenty of chances to punish him later.”

She was clearly displeased that she didn’t get to deal with Li Chen today.

Ning Ningyun smirked. “Second Sister is right. He used to order us around—now it’s our turn to order him around. If he dares object, we can kill him anytime.”

Ying Zihan said coldly, “Tch. What kind of Holy Son? I still remember when he hit me. I was only ten! He really had the heart to strike a child.”

Tang Bingtong laughed. “Why don’t we go mess with him now? He’s an outer sect disciple. We can do whatever we want.”

Qin Fan was startled. “That might not be a good idea… he was still our Senior Brother once.”

But in his heart, he sneered. Li Chen couldn’t die just yet—he still carried the Qilin Holy Land’s fortune.

That fortune had to be slowly drained.

Only when Qin Fan reached the Golden Core Realm could he fully absorb that fate and crush Li Chen completely. These women were all destined to become his harem.

Deep within his mind, a voice echoed: “Kid, you really are worthy to be my successor. These women? Play with them if you want, but don’t get attached.”

“When you reach the Golden Core Realm, I’ll teach you the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art. You’ll transfer the Demonic Woman Meng Huanxiang’s cultivation into yourself.”

“In less than ten years, you’ll become a Great Ascension Realm powerhouse.”

“It’s a pity you’re only at the 8th stage Foundation Establishment Realm now, so you can only slowly absorb Li Chen’s fortune. If you were at the Golden Core Realm, you could’ve killed him immediately.”

Qin Fan smirked inwardly. Li Chen, now that you’re an outer sect disciple, I can play with you however I want. You’ll never escape my grasp.