I’m Definitely Taking This Power-Fantasy Protagonist Role! Chapter 73

This news took Jiang Baiyu by surprise because, judging from the silhouettes captured in the illusion, Tianxiang Palace was clearly among the first to ally with the Immortal Court, and it was such a major sect. They even went so far as to form a four-sect alliance to jointly attack Yuheng Sect, with the master of Tianxiang Palace and the master of Feixing Island teaming up to deal with the head of Chonghua, almost killing him.

His involvement led to a divergence in the development of the illusion from history, but the clues presented during the same time period must be real.

The person known as Lin Zhao Ren said, "There is no longer a Tianxiang Palace in this world. During the chaotic rise of the Human Emperor, many sects and families were destroyed, including the once glorious Tianxiang Palace."

His expression was mocking, laced with sarcasm. "Just as I couldn't have imagined, Tianxiang Palace was actually one of the driving forces behind the downfall of Yuheng Sect. Tianxiang Palace probably never expected that they would become a stepping stone for others. After enduring the passage of time without falling, they ultimately perished at the hands of those they never would have expected, turning to ashes."

As he recalled the past, Lin Zhao Ren's expression turned cold.

When he was inexplicably pointed at by the masses, Tianxiang Palace stood up to oppose the opinions of others, believing that the notion of a calamity star was too absurd to be credible.

He had even felt grateful in his heart for the master of Tianxiang Palace's righteous words, arguing on his behalf.

"Back then, I had a hard time obtaining the divine treasure to leave the secret realm, only to find Yuheng Sect reduced to ruins. My masters and fellow disciples had all perished in battle, and years of accumulation had been plundered clean. Small-time villains stood on the ruins, flaunting their power and mocking Yuheng Sect for suffering divine retribution."

"I searched everywhere for surviving disciples, wanting to revive the sect. My master, uncles, and seniors were all gone, but we were still here. I still had the divine treasure, and Yuheng Sect still had hope. One day, I would make the name of Yuheng Sect reappear before everyone and avenge my fallen masters and fellow disciples!"

"But inexplicably, a rumor suddenly spread, claiming that I was a calamity star descended to the world, inherently brutal and fierce, with malice ingrained in my bones. When I matured, I would surely unleash a bloody storm, causing suffering to all living beings, and thus I was deemed intolerable by heaven and earth. Yuheng Sect was destroyed because of this calamity star, and it was a divine warning that I must be eliminated as soon as possible."

"As soon as the rumor appeared, it spread everywhere, growing more intense, inciting people's hearts. Many cultivators, believing it might be true rather than false, launched a verbal attack against me. Everyone knew that Yuheng Sect had been inexplicably destroyed, and I would definitely investigate to find the true culprit. It's laughable that at that time, I didn't even know who had attacked; I really thought they were all incited by the rumors. Looking back now, it was clearly a trap set by the true mastermind to eliminate the root of the problem."

"Some of those involved were genuinely incited, a mob of fools, while others were simply afraid I would uncover the truth and trace it back to them. The destruction of such a large sect could not be simple, even if the Immortal Court was behind it, those acting as pawns must have gained benefits from it."

"Before long, I found myself surrounded by enemies, with everyone singing the same tune against me. Even among the surviving disciples of the sect, there were voices speaking against me. In such a situation, Tianxiang Palace stood up to refute and condemn the notion of the calamity star, striving to protect me and the sect, and opposing those who wanted to eliminate the source of the catastrophe in advance."

"Thanks to Tianxiang Palace stepping forward, opposing voices gradually increased, which led to some negative comments about the palace master, making me feel quite guilty. But in fact, Tianxiang Palace was one of the executioners that led to the downfall of Yuheng Sect!"

Lin Zhao Ren's tone was icy. "They joined forces to besiege Yuheng Sect, trampling through the entire sect, personally creating a massacre, and afterward pretended as if nothing had happened, feigning deep sorrow and regret for Yuheng Sect's plight. It was only because the Immortal Court's envoy intervened that Yuheng Sect ultimately couldn't withstand it; otherwise, with their strength, even if they could defeat my master, they would have to pay a painful price."

The sudden destruction of Yuheng Sect was the deepest pain in Lin Zhao Ren's heart, and the calamity star rumor pushed him into an abyss, adding insult to injury.

He even truly doubted whether he was, as everyone said, a calamity star who brought misfortune to those around him. Otherwise, how could he explain the sudden downfall of such a large sect like Yuheng Sect overnight?

Disciples of the sect were not mere chickens, ducks, cows, or sheep; his masters had their own abilities. What kind of power could cause an entire sect to collapse?

He hated himself even more, having obtained the precious divine treasure but failing to protect Yuheng Sect.

The pain and self-blame made him spiral deeper into despair, haunted by demons.

Now looking back, how much of his suffering was due to being blinded by a single leaf, led by the nose because he didn't know the truth?

When he was in the illusion, punching the envoy of the Immortal Court, it felt like all his frustrations were being vented. But when he saw his masters and fellow disciples gradually disappearing in the light, and his master still worrying about him in the end, all he felt was bitterness and grievance.

He no longer had a home.

He had no master, no sect. Even if he killed the mastermind in the end, the people who had disappeared would not return, and the home he lost would not come back.

The divine treasure was powerful, but it seemed not so useful.

The longing for the silhouettes merged into his body, the reluctance and concern transformed into his strength, and in the end, everyone gave their blessings.

Those points of light rushing toward them were the best proof.

Lin Zhao Ren reached out to Jiang Baiyu, wanting to grasp something.

Jiang Baiyu looked at his hand in confusion and then held it back.

Lin Zhao Ren smiled, the smile of the beautiful young man was like a spring breeze, instantly warming the world, causing Jiang Baiyu to unconsciously smile back at him.

Indeed, the beautiful young man was the most wonderful. If it were a big Lin Zhao Ren… uh, it seemed not impossible?

Jiang Baiyu scolded himself for a second for being misled by beauty, uncontrollably imagining what a big Lin Zhao Ren would look like if he smiled like that.

He probably could mesmerize someone to the point of losing their mind, becoming a fool on the spot.

Lin Zhao Ren spoke playfully, "Changhua Yu Jun comes from Tianxiang Palace, but the situation of the Ascending Immortal Academy she established is quite delicate. It claims to be neutral, but in reality, it is defying the Human Emperor. Under the rule of imperial power, there is no need for the word neutrality; only absolute obedience is required."

"In recent years, the relationship between the Ascending Immortal Academy and the Human Emperor has become increasingly tense. The Human Emperor's intention to make the academy submit is almost explicit, so it wouldn't be surprising if a large army were to press down at any time. That's why someone like Chongxiao dares to wave a big flag and lead a group of rabble to kick down the door."

It's just a case of a fox borrowing the tiger's power.

Jiang Baiyu pondered, "So, you want to cooperate with the academy head?"

He analyzed, "If you directly seize the position of the academy head, it would be meaningless. After all this effort, are you really just trying to block this hole in front of the Human Emperor? Bringing the Ascending Immortal Academy to submit to the Human Emperor is even less your style. I think you might want to kill the Human Emperor instead."

Jiang Baiyu paused, "Although there is a grudge with Tianxiang Palace, everyone’s situation is quite similar now."

*

At the Ascending Immortal Academy

Changhua Yu Jun and the big Lin Zhao Ren were sitting face to face. At this moment, her face was frosty, and her aura was terrifying because Lin Zhao Ren had said, "Anyway, since I have nothing to do for now, listening to the jokes about Tianxiang Palace isn't bad."

The originally relaxed atmosphere immediately turned tense, but Lin Zhao Ren seemed completely unconcerned. "Does the academy head want to have another round?"

That was naturally out of the question.

The Ascending Immortal Academy was her years of hard work, and she couldn't let it be destroyed in a moment of impulse.

The fact that both sides could temporarily cease fire and sit down together for tea was because neither had the intention to kill.

Changhua Yu Jun took a deep breath, calming down, and asked, "Who exactly are you?"

"Me?" Lin Zhao Ren said meaningfully, "You can call me Xiguang, and speaking of which, I am still an old friend of Tianxiang Palace. Back in the day, the palace master spoke out for justice, which I have been grateful for a long time. I never expected to see an old friend again, only to find them in this state."

He spoke word by word, "Who would have thought that after the downfall of Yuheng Sect, such a major sect as Tianxiang Palace would follow suit? Truly, the world is unpredictable."

Upon hearing this, Changhua Yu Jun's expression suddenly changed, her gaze seemed to nail Lin Zhao Ren in place, and after a moment, her eyes became complex.

"Xiguang… so it's you." She concealed her emotions, her face expressionless, raised her hand, and poured a cup of tea that automatically flew in front of Lin Zhao Ren. "I've heard my master mention you. My master has always been preoccupied with the events of that year."

Lin Zhao Ren did not drink the tea, his lips slightly drooping.

Changhua Yu Jun was completely unconcerned with his cold face. "Since you are not here to seek revenge, you must want to know the follow-up to the events of that year. Tianxiang Palace has indeed become a joke; all their schemes have gone to waste. But if Yuheng Sect were in that position, what would happen?"

"The Immortal Court is powerful, far beyond what the lower realms can match. As long as they destroy a sect, they can protect the entire lower realm. What is light and what is heavy? We are willing to face death, but have we ever considered whether the ordinary people behind us are willing to endure this catastrophe to gamble on a slim chance of victory?"

"Perhaps it is better to lie low for now and figure out the Immortal Court before making plans. But my master is not as hard-hearted as she thinks, and the enemy is far more ruthless and vicious than she anticipates."

"My master once wondered why it was necessary to designate the destruction of Yuheng Sect. Now it seems that it may have been one of the Immortal Court's strategies. Not only can they eliminate a major sect in the lower realms, reducing resistance to their invasion, but they can also test the obedience of the people below, depleting their strength. In the end, when they have used them up, they can kick them aside. Supporting a puppet that completely obeys them, pointing and hitting wherever they want, is much more reassuring than trying to win over forces that have been operating in the lower realms for years."

"The downfall of Tianxiang Palace is both self-inflicted and a result of the Immortal Court's ruthlessness."

"Today, you come to listen to the jokes about Tianxiang Palace, which is a form of retribution."

Changhua Yu Jun looked at Lin Zhao Ren, her eyes containing deep meaning. "I once thought that was the Immortal Court's strategy, but now it seems that Yuheng Sect may not have just been unlucky."

"There are rumors circulating in the capital that the High Priest is observing the stars and has discovered chaotic stars intruding, and is currently busy searching for them."

Lin Zhao Ren mocked, "Back then, they used the calamity star to confuse the masses and fan the flames. Now they want to use the same tactic again, truly thinking everyone is a fool?"

Changhua Yu Jun replied, "Whether they are fools or not is another matter, but I know this High Priest is not simple."