Invincible Soul Emperor-Chapter 105: Proving Innocence

Li Zongrui stared at the Memory Crystal Ball in Ye Qingchen’s hand. After a brief shock, a sliver of wishful thinking lingered in his heart.

I can’t believe it, Li Zongrui thought. How could someone as young as Ye Qingchen be so meticulous? To have prepared a Memory Crystal Ball in advance just to record his own registration... No, he must be bluffing!

Thinking this, Li Zongrui said coldly to Ye Qingchen, "Ye Qingchen, if you had evidence, why didn’t you show it sooner? Let me tell you, if that crystal ball doesn’t contain the proof we’re looking for, then you’ll be guilty of deceiving the Sect Leader! This won’t be as simple as getting expelled from the sect. Your Dantian will be destroyed, and you’ll serve as a slave in the Qingyun Sect for the rest of your life!"

Li Zongrui assumed Ye Qingchen was bluffing and tried to intimidate him, but he had no idea that Ye Qingchen had come fully prepared. Hearing Li Zongrui’s threat, Ye Qingchen sneered and addressed Li Qingfeng. "Sect Leader, the proof of my registration is right here. I ask that you ascertain the truth!"

With that, Ye Qingchen handed the Crystal Ball to Li Qingfeng.

After taking the Crystal Ball, Li Qingfeng didn’t rush to activate it. Instead, he glanced at Li Zongrui and Steward Wang. Li Qingfeng hadn’t become the Sect Leader of the Qingyun Sect by being a fool; he already had a rough idea of what had happened. However, since his own son was involved, the situation would be easier to manage if Li Zongrui would just bow his head and admit his mistake now.

But Li Zongrui clearly had no intention of confessing. He still believed Ye Qingchen was just putting on a show.

Li Qingfeng sighed and infused his Spiritual Energy into the Memory Crystal Ball. A white light flared, and a palm-sized light screen materialized above it. Figures flickered within the light screen. Everyone present was a master, so they could easily make out the contents.

The scene showed Ye Qingchen respectfully bowing to Steward Wang before handing over his disciple token. Steward Wang personally handled the registration and then heaped praise on Ye Qingchen. Every moment of the recording proved that Ye Qingchen was telling the truth. He had indeed registered. And now, with his spot taken, the very same Steward Wang who had praised him so highly was pretending not to know him. It was obvious that Steward Wang was inextricably involved in this matter.

But to my relief, Zongrui doesn’t appear in the recording at all, Li Qingfeng thought. Otherwise, it would be a huge loss of face if people saw the sect’s Young Sect Leader scheming against an Outer Sect Disciple behind his back.

"Steward Wang, explain yourself," Li Qingfeng’s voice was ice-cold. An incident like this during the Alchemist Qualification Assembly was a stain on the Qingyun Sect’s honor.

Steward Wang trembled, casting a desperate, pleading look at Li Zongrui. But Li Zongrui simply turned his head away, pretending not to notice.

I’m finished, Steward Wang thought, his heart sinking. There’s no way out of this. Putting aside whether the Sect Leader would even believe me, my punishment wouldn’t be lessened, and I’d make a mortal enemy of Li Zongrui. I might as well take the fall. Perhaps if he sees me shouldering the blame, he’ll still look out for me in the future.

At this thought, Steward Wang dropped to his knees with a thud beside Li Qingfeng. With tears streaming down his face, he cried out, "Sect Leader, forgive me! I had a moment of folly!"

Before Li Qingfeng could speak, Li Zongrui jumped forward and started berating Steward Wang. "Some ’moment of folly’! Because of your ’moment of folly,’ you’ve ruined the future of a highly promising disciple! Because of your ’moment of folly,’ you’ve tarnished the reputation of the Qingyun Sect! Steward Wang, what can anyone even say to you?"

Ye Qingchen watched this spectacle with a cold gaze. Nobody here is an idiot. They’ve all figured out you’re the one behind this, Li Zongrui. And now you’re jumping out to play the good guy?

Still, I have no hard evidence tying this to him. And since he’s the Sect Leader’s son, even if he is found at fault, his punishment won’t be heavy.

Sure enough, after his tirade, Li Zongrui bowed to Li Qingfeng and said, "Father, Steward Wang has served the sect for many years. I ask that you show mercy and grant him a lenient punishment."

Li Qingfeng glanced at his son, inwardly sneering at his performance. However, he has a point. Steward Wang has served the Qingyun Sect diligently for many years without ever making a mistake. If I punish him too harshly for this, it might dishearten the other veteran members of the sect.

After considering this, Li Qingfeng announced, "Steward Wang, you are stripped of your position as steward, and you will forfeit six months’ worth of your stipend. Do you accept this judgment?"

Steward Wang immediately kowtowed profusely, repeatedly thanking him for his mercy. As long as I keep my life, everything else is just a worldly possession that can be earned back.

Li Qingfeng waved a dismissive hand, and Steward Wang scurried away. Then, he turned to Ye Qingchen and asked, "Ye Qingchen, are you satisfied with the sect’s handling of this matter?"

Ye Qingchen knew better than to push his luck by making demands. He simply nodded and said, "The Sect Leader’s judgment is clear and convincing. But... am I still eligible to participate in the Alchemist Qualification Assembly?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Li Qingfeng nodded, pleased. He didn’t press the issue with Steward Wang. That shows good character. If he had been difficult and demanding, I would have been forced to punish the steward more severely, but my impression of Ye Qingchen would have dropped significantly.

Regarding Ye Qingchen’s question, Li Qingfeng replied, "Since you registered, you are naturally qualified to participate. However, the Alchemist Qualification Assembly has already been underway for almost two hours, and the first round will end in just one more hour. It will be very difficult for you to achieve a high rank if you join now. In light of the unfair treatment you’ve received, our sect can grant you one request instead. You might as well skip the assembly."

Li Qingfeng knew Ye Qingchen’s goal was to become an Inner Sect Disciple. In his eyes, Ye Qingchen’s strength and character already met the requirements. Thus, he was prepared to bend the rules and promote him directly.

But to Li Qingfeng’s surprise, Ye Qingchen shook his head. "Thank you for your generous offer, Sect Leader, but I still wish to participate in the Alchemist Qualification Assembly and earn my place with my own ability."

Ye Qingchen understood Li Qingfeng’s kind intentions. But I’m completely confident I can win the championship. Even starting two hours later than everyone else, I am determined to take first place! Only by showcasing my Alchemic Talent can I secure better treatment and resources within the sect going forward.