Liu Buli’s question was direct, and the elders saw no need to beat around the bush. The head elder nodded and spoke plainly, “Sect Leader, according to the rules, one is only considered a member of the Pill Sect after undergoing the disciple-acceptance ceremony. I don’t recall us preparing such a ceremony for him.”
The implication was that the “little disciple” Liu Buli had just mentioned was not officially recognized by anyone else.
Liu Buli raised an eyebrow.
This haste to disavow the relationship must be for a reason.
He swept his gaze over everyone in the room and said, “Why don’t you just tell me directly? What has that child done to offend you? If it’s about the Su family, I’ve already dealt with it. Thoroughly. I don’t recall leaving any loose ends.”
At his words, everyone jolted.
He had been gone for half a month, but the news of the Su family’s annihilation had already spread throughout the cultivation world.
Liu Buli had done exactly as he said he would before he left.
If one did not abide by the Pill Sect’s rules, then whoever protected them would die, and none would survive.
For a moment, all the elders fell silent, exchanging glances, each waiting for someone else to speak first.
Finally, the head elder gritted his teeth, forcing a strained smile. “Sect Leader, as you can see, we haven’t mentioned the Su family. You did the right thing then, and our Pill Sect’s prestige in the cultivation world has indeed increased. Let’s set that matter aside. We asked you here today because we wanted to discuss something else with you.”
Liu Buli raised his eyelids, his face clearly etched with annoyance.
He glared at the head elder and said, “Speak plainly. If you can’t finish within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, it proves you lack even the basic ability to organize your thoughts, and you needn’t continue as an elder.”
His words startled them again.
In their memories, Liu Buli was supposed to be a spineless individual with no strong opinions. He was usually only interested in his own trivial research and paid no attention to the sect’s affairs, big or small. It was precisely because of this that his disciples had forgotten the sect’s rules.
But what was happening now?
From the moment he had gone to exterminate the entire Su family to uphold the sect’s rules, they had already noticed his change. But none of them had expected that after rectifying external matters, he intended to return and rectify the sect’s internal affairs as well?
Liu Buli’s strength was unparalleled within the sect, so neither the elders nor the hall masters had ever considered confronting him directly.
But in his current state…
It seemed he wasn’t planning on reasoning with them either?
As Liu Buli finished speaking, his gaze remained fixed on the head elder. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a soft “tap-tap” sound that added a palpable sense of pressure to the room.
The head elder found himself in a difficult position. After hesitating for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and said directly, “Sect Leader, while you were away, we gathered some information. The child you keep by your side… seems to be of the Ghost Clan, correct?”
He asked cautiously.
He was afraid that a single wrong word would touch Liu Buli’s sensitive spot, causing him to annihilate their families just as he had the Su family.
Yet, even with such careful phrasing, Liu Buli’s expression grew even more displeased.
He narrowed his eyes and said, word by word, “Whether he is of the Ghost Clan or not, what business is it of yours?”
The head elder quickly waved his hands. “I’m not saying it’s my business. I just wanted to say, Sect Leader, you must have heard the recent rumors, haven’t you? The Ghost Clan is invading the cultivation world in large numbers, and those monsters eat people! I believe it’s not good for us or our disciples to have such a creature staying in our Pill Sect. After all…”
“He can’t see you anyway. He’s by my side at all times. Wherever I go, I take him with me, and I watch him. What dissatisfaction do you have?” Liu Buli countered. “Even if he truly eats people, I would be the first he consumes. Since I haven’t been eaten by him yet, what are you worried about?”
The head elder was left speechless.
He opened his mouth and hesitated. “But, but if he really attacks, we won’t have time to resist. Then…”
“Then I will be the one to kill him myself,” Liu Buli stated calmly. “He is my disciple, and no one else is allowed to comment on him. If you called me here just to discuss this matter, I advise you to take advantage of the fact that it’s not too late and go home to sleep.”
As he finished speaking, Liu Buli stood up and strode towards the main door of the assembly hall.
Reaching the doorway, he seemed to recall something and turned back to remind them, “Oh, right. The head elder did say one thing correctly. He hasn’t officially joined my sect yet, so prepare yourselves. The disciple-acceptance ceremony will be held soon.”
This time, without giving anyone a chance to object, Liu Buli slammed the door shut and left.
After he departed, the people in the room remained stunned by the powerful and overbearing pressure for a long time.
After a while, the second elder, sitting beside them, asked hesitantly, “If the Sect Leader doesn’t agree, what about the deal we promised earlier… what should we do?”
“Proceed as planned,” the head elder said with a dark expression. “No matter how capable Liu Buli is, he’s bound to miss something eventually. When the time comes, we’ll act directly. At worst, we’ll break his arms and legs so he can’t run. He won’t die anyway. That boy is not simple; even among the Ghost Clan, few possess such strong regenerative abilities. Too many people want him. This deal must be made, and it must be made!”
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(Bonus chapter delivered, seeking gifts and encouragement. My darlings, I love you!)