As soon as Liu Buli spoke, the more timid disciples immediately lowered their heads and apologized.
Liu Buli didn't respond, but instead asked Yun Xiang, "Who is it that spoke these words? Point them out to me."
Yun Xiang immediately pointed.
Although she had followed Liu Buli's advice and briefly learned some common sense about interpersonal relationships, she hadn't really taken it to heart.
Moreover, in her heart, Liu Buli and Lu Wuming were good people, so those who spoke ill of them were naturally bad people.
She didn't want to have a good relationship with bad people, nor would she hide anything for them at this moment.
Seeing her disregard for her fellow disciples, those disciples also frowned. One female disciple, pointed out by Yun Xiang, stepped forward, her face flushed. She said, "So what if I said our Sect Master was bewitched by a monster? Our Sect Master, you are the head of the sect, and every move you make represents our sect's image! You openly declared you were a 'duanxiu' and that you were with your own disciple! If you don't care how others see you, what about our sect's reputation? It's all been ruined by your actions, and we're not even allowed to say anything about it!"
After she finished, two male disciples beside her nodded in agreement. The few of them gathered together, forming a group to condemn Liu Buli. They chimed in, "Yes, Senior Sister is right. When we joined this sect, it was indeed out of admiration for you. But look at what you're doing now, Sect Master. Two men being together is already against the natural order, and you're actually with your own disciple. Don't you think this is shameful!?"
"Exactly! I used to be a Dan Sect disciple, and I was proud of it. But after all these things that have happened, how do others in the cultivation world talk about us? Isn't it natural for us to have complaints!?"
The few of them went back and forth, getting more and more worked up.
As their numbers grew, they felt their words were quite reasonable, and their confidence increased.
The Grand Elder had caught up to Liu Buli. Hearing these disrespectful remarks from the disciples, the old man frowned incessantly, unsure of what to say.
In contrast, Liu Buli, the person involved, appeared extremely calm. He yawned and lazily looked at the other disciples around him, asking, "Do all of you think the same way?"
Those disciples he looked at were stunned and instinctively divided into two groups.
One group believed it didn't matter what the Sect Master did; they didn't care about the sect's reputation. As long as they could cultivate and learn well in the Dan Sect, nothing else mattered much.
The other group consisted of those pointed out by Yun Xiang. They were already forced to stand on Liu Buli's opposing side. Knowing that changing their tune now would be useless, they could only grit their teeth and swallow their desire to apologize, standing with the first female disciple in opposition to Liu Buli.
Seeing everyone had taken their stance, Liu Buli turned to Yun Xiang and asked, "Yun Xiang, what do you think about me and Lu Wuming?"
Yun Xiang blinked, her expression momentarily bewildered.
The young girl seemed to not quite understand why this question was directed at her.
However, since Liu Buli had asked, she thought for a moment and directly expressed her thoughts. "I think whatever Sect Master wants to do is Sect Master's business. If Senior Brother Wuming is good to Sect Master, then it's a good thing for Sect Master to be with him. The former Sect Master once told me that it's extremely difficult to find someone to walk through life with. If Sect Master has found such a person, then cherish them. This is a matter between the two of you, so why ask me what I think?"
Her answer was truly the epitome of innocence.
Liu Buli couldn't help but laugh. The disciples who had initially stepped forward to oppose them, however, were like cats whose tails had been stepped on. They clamored, "How is it not our business? Are you shameless? Your actions, Liu Buli, have affected the reputation of our entire sect. Isn't that enough to be scorned?"
Yun Xiang tilted her head, not replying.
When they had first started fighting, it was because of conversations like this.
The content was similar, and the outcome was also similar.
In short, she felt those people interfered too much with Liu Buli's life. They had insulted her respected Sect Master, and the result was that neither side could convince the other, leading to a fight to the death.
However, with Liu Buli watching nearby now, a fight was definitely out of the question.
Seeing that the disciples were about to continue shouting at Yun Xiang, Liu Buli felt a bit bored and waved his hand. He interrupted them, "Now that both sides have made their positions clear, and I've heard your thoughts. So, tell me, what is your proposed solution? Lu Wuming and I haven't been together for a day or two, and your grievances have been accumulating for quite some time. So, let's take this opportunity for you to voice your thoughts and let me hear them, so I have a clear understanding, shall we?"
At his words, the disciples were stunned.
What solution? What solution should there be? Although they had been gossiping about Liu Buli and Lu Wuming since they got closer, it was just talk. They hadn't intended to cause any substantial change.
In the current cultivation world, there were no prominent great sects. After the Dan Sect and the Medicine Master Valley joined forces, the Dan Sect had undoubtedly become the foremost sect in alchemy and medicine.
Even if they disapproved of the Sect Master's actions, they had never considered leaving the sect. After all, the benefits of staying were too great. Just slandering the Sect Master behind his back, life was still quite good.
Thinking this, the few disciples exchanged glances.
Finally, the female disciple who spoke first stepped forward, her neck stiff, and gritted her teeth, "We... we don't have any other ideas. We just feel that as our Sect Master, you should be responsible to the sect and to your disciples. Therefore, that monster, you should expel him from the sect and sever all ties with him. It would be even better if you were willing to find a female cultivator and hold a Dao Companion ceremony. In short, silencing those outside is the greatest responsibility you owe us."
At her words, there were more cheers and echoes from the crowd.
Liu Buli stroked his chin and smiled, "You are right. If you do this, it will indeed be a responsibility to you. However, I don't understand, I am responsible to you, but who will be responsible to me? Have you considered this clearly?"