Chapter 5: An Unexpected Breakthrough and a Failed Scheme

“Impossible! You’ve actually reached the Foundation Establishment stage; how can this be possible!”

Watching Zhou Xiaoyue effortlessly break free from the Immortal Binding Rope, Li Ge instinctively stumbled back a few steps. His face was etched with disbelief; he had never imagined events could unfold in such a manner.

Although Zhou Xiaoyue possessed decent aptitude with her three spiritual roots, she had attempted to reach the Foundation Establishment stage numerous times. Despite consuming countless elixirs, all her efforts had proven fruitless.

Ever since that wretched Ye Cha arrived in the Outer Sect, he had completely captivated Zhou Xiaoyue’s heart and soul.

Before, she would diligently cultivate, but afterward, she spent her days constantly hovering around Ye Cha.

When Zhou Xiaoyue hadn’t been seen by Ye Cha’s side for some time, rumors quickly spread. It was said she had ventured into the perilous Beast Realm, seeking rare heavenly treasures to aid Ye Cha’s cultivation.

Upon hearing this news, Li Ge couldn’t help but feel utter disdain for Zhou Xiaoyue, this female cultivator who so slavishly fawned over Ye Cha.

However, it then became much easier for them to bully Ye Cha, as no one would be there to come to his rescue anymore.

His current scheme to frame Ye Cha was precisely because Zhou Xiaoyue was absent, making Li Ge absolutely certain of its success.

Yet, to his dismay, the current turn of events diverged wildly from his meticulously laid plans!

Ye Cha’s luck was simply too extraordinary.

Even a mere sycophant had stumbled upon such immense fortune, simultaneously becoming a powerful ally against him.

“What’s so impossible about it? I’ve been attempting to reach Foundation Establishment for quite some time now. It was only a matter of course for me to succeed, yet Junior Brother Li Ge doesn’t seem very pleased, does he?”

Originally, both Zhou Xiaoyue and Li Ge were Outer Sect disciples, meaning they should have addressed each other as peers.

However, on the path of cultivation, the accomplished lead the way!

Now that Zhou Xiaoyue had taken the crucial step into the Foundation Establishment stage, she naturally no longer needed to address Li Ge as before. Instead, she deliberately emphasized the words “Junior Brother.”

“This… Senior Sister Xiaoyue reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, what wonderful news! Why haven’t I heard anyone else mention it? I was truly disrespectful just now; I hope Senior Sister won’t take offense.”

If Zhou Xiaoyue had still been in the Qi Condensation stage, Li Ge wouldn’t have given her much thought.

However, Zhou Xiaoyue had now reached the Foundation Establishment stage, granting her the esteemed status of an Inner Sect disciple.

Though only a single character separated “Inner Sect” and “Outer Sect,” the implications were vastly different.

Becoming an Inner Sect disciple not only meant an increase in cultivation resources, but also freedom from the constant burden of daily tasks. They could dedicate themselves entirely to cultivation, striving for higher realms sooner.

Truly, only by becoming an Inner Sect disciple could one be considered to have genuinely stepped into the Lingtian Sect!

Had he known earlier that Zhou Xiaoyue had reached Foundation Establishment, even if Li Ge possessed the courage of a bear and a leopard, he wouldn’t have dared to be so aggressive.

He had even laid hands on Zhou Xiaoyue!

This was utterly disastrous!

As these thoughts raced through Li Ge’s mind, cold sweat streamed uncontrollably down his forehead, making his already corpulent face slick with grease. Combined with his unsightly features, the mere sight of him was enough to induce nausea.

Zhou Xiaoyue gazed at Li Ge, her heart filled with revulsion. She couldn’t fathom what kind of aesthetic taste those female cultivators who fancied him possessed.

If Li Ge had a gentle personality and was a decent person, his slightly unattractive appearance wouldn’t have mattered.

The crucial point, however, was that Li Ge was anything but.

Could it be that in the eyes of other female cultivators, any male would suffice?

“Hmph, you say you don’t mind, and I should just accept that? You were so imposing just now, even bringing out the Immortal Binding Rope! If I hadn’t been here, would you have simply tied up Junior Brother Ye Cha and taken him away?”

Just as Li Ge attempted to de-escalate the situation, Zhou Xiaoyue had no intention of letting him off so easily.

She pressed him relentlessly, clearly signaling that this matter was far from over!

Zhou Xiaoyue’s thoughts were simple: once she thoroughly intimidated Li Ge this time, he wouldn’t dare to trouble Ye Cha again.

Therefore, she absolutely could not yield.

“Misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding! Ye Cha and I have known each other for so long, how could I possibly do such a thing to him? Senior Sister Xiaoyue, please don’t misunderstand me; it would truly break my heart.”

As Li Ge spoke, he didn’t forget to cast innocent glances at Zhou Xiaoyue, employing every ounce of his flirtatious charm.

Though he had once looked down on Zhou Xiaoyue, times had certainly changed.

As an Inner Sect disciple, her status had soared, incomparable to that of an Outer Sect member.

Even if Zhou Xiaoyue liked Ye Cha, that scoundrel Ye Cha had extremely high standards; otherwise, he wouldn’t have strung Zhou Xiaoyue along for so long.

In that case, he might just have a chance.

Seeing a “golden phoenix” emerge right beside him, Li Ge naturally wouldn’t let such a prime opportunity slip away. However, it hadn’t occurred to him: even if he fancied Zhou Xiaoyue, would she ever deign to look at him?

With a delicacy like Ye Cha laid out before her, who would ever be interested in a failed, pickled vegetable?

“Your heartbreak, does it have anything to do with me?”

Zhou Xiaoyue’s blunt, straightforward reply left Li Ge utterly speechless.

The female cultivators he had encountered before had always fawned over him, yet only Zhou Xiaoyue remained entirely unimpressed. Before Ye Cha’s arrival at Lingtian Sect, there were even rumors that Zhou Xiaoyue disliked men and only preferred women.

However, Zhou Xiaoyue’s fervent pursuit of Ye Cha was proof enough that she did not dislike women.

But then, why was she not swayed by him?

Both he and Ye Cha were men; why should she favor Ye Cha and not him!

“Li Ge, stop spouting such useless nonsense! What you intend to do to Ye Cha, do you think I’m a fool who can’t see through it? This matter is not over. I will take Ye Cha to the Elder Council and get to the bottom of exactly what happened!”

Zhou Xiaoyue had grown utterly fed up with Li Ge’s narcissism; she no longer wished for her eyes to be defiled by his presence.

If Li Ge had continued to be so brazen, Zhou Xiaoyue wouldn’t have minded teaching him a lesson herself. Concepts like gender differences or not bullying men could all be cast aside!

Alas, Li Ge did not give her that opportunity.

Before she could even make a move, he immediately backed down.

“Senior Sister Xiaoyue, I’m telling the truth! The Elder Council really does want to see Ye Cha. If you don’t believe me, just go and see for yourselves.”

As Li Ge heard Zhou Xiaoyue’s words, his eyes darted around. The words that then emerged from his mouth, however, were delivered with utmost sincerity.

This made Zhou Xiaoyue furrow her brow in skepticism, wondering inwardly if Li Ge’s earlier claims had actually been true.

But why, then, had Li Ge used the Immortal Binding Rope on her?

“It’s already this late, and I still have a mission to complete. You two go on ahead!”

Realizing his plan couldn’t proceed smoothly and that Zhou Xiaoyue was proving incredibly difficult, Li Ge immediately shifted his feet after speaking, preparing to make a quick escape.

Although he found Zhou Xiaoyue highly intriguing, this was not the opportune moment to capture his prey.

Fortunately, they had made thorough preparations before coming.

The Elder Council did indeed wish to summon Ye Cha, though not for an interrogation, but for an entirely different matter…

“Wait, you can’t leave.”

However, before Li Ge could even take a few steps, Ye Cha stepped forward of his own accord.

His expression was serious, and he was not deterred by Li Ge’s menacing gaze. Instead, he continued to speak, enunciating each word clearly.

“Li Ge, since you claim I sold my beauty for personal gain, then let’s go to the Elder Council together! I, Ye Cha, conduct myself uprightly and honorably; I will never allow anyone to casually slander my name.”