You Betrayed the Sect, So Why Regret It Now? - Chapter 7:

Chapter 7: I Was Wrong… But What Did I Do Wrong?

The next day…

In the Qilin Holy Hall.

A rogue cultivator named Li Cao knelt on the ground and respectfully said, “Li Cao greets the Qilin Sect Master.”

Zhao Qiyue looked at the rogue cultivator and asked coldly, “You’ve seen Li Chen?”

“Yes, Sect Master of Qilin.”

“Where is he?”

Li Cao reported honestly, “I saw him the day before yesterday. A powerful cultivator came to Central State and took Li Chen away. I overheard their conversation. That person seemed to be from the Myriad Demons Sect.”

Zhao Qiyue sneered. “The Myriad Demons Sect, huh?”

“That mutt actually defected to a demonic sect.”

“Does he think hiding there means I can’t touch him?”

“Throwing himself into the Myriad Demons Sect’s arms… he’s completely disgraced me! Zhao Xueyi, go to the Myriad Demons Sect immediately and bring him back.”

Zhao Xueyi nodded. Now that they had his location, bringing him back was only a matter of time.

She didn’t dare delay and rushed toward the Myriad Demons Sect.

…

Inside the Myriad Demons Sect, within a cultivation chamber.

Li Chen was deeply comprehending the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art. He had decided to completely abandon his old technique from the Qilin Holy Land, the Qilin Sacred Technique, and instead cultivate the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art to condense his own Heaven-Devouring Golden Core.

At the Foundation Establishment Realm, one had to choose a core cultivation method to advance. Li Chen had once practiced the powerful Qilin Sacred Technique, which revolved around the power of the qilin to suppress all foes.

But now that he had severed ties with the Qilin Holy Land, he couldn’t continue using their technique. He had to commit to the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art instead.

As he cultivated, Li Chen made astonishing progress. He didn’t expect this demonic technique to be even more mysterious than the Qilin Sacred Technique. While the Qilin technique harnessed the qilin’s might to suppress everything, the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art allowed him to absorb the cultivation of others and convert it into his own.

This was truly a demonic technique—brutal and merciless.

Devour the heavens. Devour the earth. Devour all living things. Everything could be consumed.

Li Chen sneered. “Wonderful. It’s truly wonderful.”

Yin Xiumei, Ning Ningyun, Ying Zihan, Tang Bingtong, Yin Lanying—you five. I raised you, trained you, and you repaid me with betrayal and humiliation.

Everything you have in terms of cultivation came from me.

So…

I will take it all back.

Li Chen made up his mind. He would use the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art to absorb the cultivation of all five of them.

He looked at the pills beside him—gifts from Fu Yao. When he left the Qilin Holy Land, he hadn’t brought a single pill with him. Without hesitation, he picked one up and swallowed it, absorbing its medicinal essence.

The Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art advanced rapidly.

1st stage Foundation Establishment Realm…

2nd stage Foundation Establishment Realm…

3rd stage…

4th stage…

In just one day, Li Chen had advanced to the 4th stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Just then, while Li Chen was cultivating, a familiar voice echoed outside.

“Senior Brother, come out and see me…”

Li Chen opened his eyes. That voice—it was Zhao Xueyi.

He inwardly groaned. So soon?

He had hoped to hide his identity for a while and focus on cultivation. But it had only been two days and they had already tracked him down to the Myriad Demons Sect.

Fu Yao entered the chamber. “Brother, Zhao Xueyi is here. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. Just keep cultivating.”

Li Chen stood up. “What must come, will come. Come with me. I should at least make things clear.”

Although the five Junior Sisters had trampled his dignity, Zhao Xueyi hadn’t.

Li Chen had a hunch—Zhao Xueyi must have exited seclusion because she learned the fate chains had been broken and could no longer suppress Meng Huanxiang. She must’ve come to beg him to return and reestablish the chains.

But Li Chen had been reborn. He would no longer be a fool.

Not a chance.

Fu Yao followed Li Chen to the gates of the Myriad Demons Sect.

Li Chen faced Zhao Xueyi.

Zhao Xueyi’s face darkened when she saw Li Chen standing with Fu Yao. “Senior Brother, why did you betray the sect and join the Myriad Demons Sect? You used to disdain the demonic path.”

“And now you’ve become one of them? You’ve changed.”

She had expected Li Chen to leave the Qilin Holy Land—but not to join the Myriad Demons Sect. That was a shock.

Li Chen replied coldly, “Zhao Xueyi, there’s nothing more to say. Go back. I’m now a disciple of the Myriad Demons Sect. Don’t call me Senior Brother again. Just call me by name—I don’t deserve that title.”

He had already left the sect.

There was nothing left between him and the Qilin Holy Land.

Returning was out of the question.

His words were cold and final. Zhao Xueyi instinctively stepped back, her eyes wide. Especially the words: “I don’t deserve that title.” That tore through her heart like a blade, making it hard to breathe.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm. “Senior Brother, I know your cultivation fell and you’ve suffered deeply. You made some mistakes, and yes, many people have opinions about you. But to me, you’re still my Senior Brother.”

“Come home with me. I’ll protect you.”

Li Chen burst into laughter—bitter and filled with despair.

He stared at Zhao Xueyi, no longer holding back his fury. “I made mistakes? And what mistakes are you talking about?”

Zhao Xueyi looked at him sternly. “The Junior Sisters told me. You should know.”

“I know? Know what?” Li Chen roared.

“Slaughtering sect-raised spirit beasts?”

“Attacking fellow disciples?”

“Molesting them?”

“Stealing from them?”

“These are all things they told you. But do you even know the truth?” Li Chen raged like a storm, his voice shaking the earth.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

“When Master entrusted you to me, you were only five years old. I was twelve. I raised you. Do you really believe I’m the kind of person who would do those things?”

“Or did you always think I was that kind of man?” Li Chen shouted.

This was the Junior Sister he had raised himself. Zhao Qiyue’s daughter. He had always treated her like a little sister. Whatever she wanted, he gave her.

And yet…

When he lost his cultivation, she secluded herself in training, ignoring his suffering. She believed the rumors. She thought he was the one at fault.

But was he wrong?

No.

The only mistake he had made… was trusting the wrong people.

He had raised a group of thankless wolves.

Zhao Xueyi looked guilty. “I know you’ve suffered a lot over the years. Without cultivation, people stop respecting you.”

“But that doesn’t justify what you’ve done. Come back with me. Ask for Master’s forgiveness. Ask the Junior Sisters for forgiveness. As long as I’m there, no one will make things difficult for you. You’ll still be our beloved Senior Brother.”

Li Chen never imagined the Junior Sister he raised would stand before him, not to support him, but to blame him.

The pain pierced his heart like a blade—deep, sharp, inescapable.

His heart went cold.

Li Chen said coldly, “If that’s how you see it, then fine. Let’s say it was my fault. But I’m not going back. Zhao Xueyi, leave. From now on, we owe each other nothing.”

His eyes were firm and resolute. Every word was laced with despair.

Zhao Xueyi shook her head. Her gaze was unwavering. “No. I’m taking you back.”

Li Chen’s brow furrowed. “Zhao Xueyi, must you force me to turn hostile? I’ve already said—I’m not going back. Don’t push me.”

“You can’t betray the sect. You can’t join the Myriad Demons Sect.”

“I didn’t betray the sect.”

“You joined the Myriad Demons Sect. Isn’t that betrayal? You know the punishment for betrayal. The Qilin Holy Land will hunt you down. Come back with me, or Master will issue a pursuit order. All five Holy Lands will chase you.”

Li Chen had already thought this through. He explained calmly, “You forget—I’m an outer sect disciple. According to the rules of the Five Holy Lands, outer sect disciples are not officially registered.”

“Since I don’t have a sect registration, how can I be considered a disciple of the Qilin Holy Land?”

“If I’m not a disciple, then how can I be guilty of betrayal?”

Zhao Xueyi was stunned.