The Next Day
Yushi Bao escorted Yun Chuxue alone to the appointed meeting.
From Yushi Bao's words, Yun Chuxue learned that they had arranged to meet at a huge square not far from Holy Star City. This square could accommodate up to a hundred thousand people, showing their cunning. Even if Yun Chuxue confessed her identity, with the Spiritualist Guild's obstruction, they could still kill her.
Yun Chuxue and Yushi Bao proceeded first, with Yushi Shi bringing up the rear with Yuxun.
What surprised Yun Chuxue was that when she and Yushi Bao arrived, the square was already filled. Yushi Bao casually leaped onto the platform and sat at the highest position, while Yun Chuxue stood in the center of the square.
Around the square, there were people of all kinds—farmers, wanderers, members of small clans, and even businessmen, all gathered there.
Everyone in the square pointed and whispered about Yun Chuxue. They knew the person beneath the veil was Su Xue'er, but they wondered about her strength and whether she was impersonated by someone sent by the Spiritualist Guild.
The monarchs and sect masters of several major empires remained silent, waiting for the Spiritualist Guild's leader, Yushi Shi. His arrival would be their cue to act.
Soon, Yushi Shi descended onto the square. He was astonished by the elaborate setup, never expecting them to go to such lengths for Yun Chuxue.
The square and its surroundings were filled with over half a million people, all waiting for an answer.
As Yushi Shi sat at the highest platform, Yun Chuxue spoke with her old voice, "Everyone, you should know that Yun Chuxue has returned. Can you continue to listen to me?"
People looked at each other, seemingly discussing something. Yewen Zhanhua was the first to speak, "Su Xue'er, since you know that Yun Chuxue has returned, yet you still came to the appointment, it means either you're here to clear your name or you are Yun Chuxue herself. We didn't set up such a grand scene for nothing. Yun Chuxue, reveal your true face."
Indeed, Yewen Zhanhua was sly.
Yun Chuxue sneered and slowly removed her veil, facing Yewen Zhanhua. "Yewen Zhanhua, you're right. It's me."
The crowd, upon seeing Yun Chuxue confess her identity, seethed with hatred, especially Yaowu and Xue Chengyu, who harbored deep resentment.
Just as the crowd was about to take action, the new head of the Yun Chuxue Palace shouted, "Stop!"
Everyone looked at the new head of the Yun Chuxue Palace with strange eyes. Beixun Empire's Emperor Gongsun Yuyan asked puzzledly, "Master of the Yun Chuxue Palace, what do you mean?"
"Yun Chuxue is my disciple of the Yun Chuxue Palace. Regardless of what she did before, I, as the head of the Yun Chuxue Palace, will punish her in the name of the Yun Chuxue Palace and expel her from the palace."
Yun Chuxin's actions left everyone speechless.
Yun Chuxin sent people to whip Yun Chuxue. Initially, Yun Chuxue wanted to resist, but Yun Chuxin angrily shouted, "How dare you! As Yun Chuxue's person, your fault is ours. You should accept the punishment."
Su Xue'er glared at Yun Chuxin, broke free from the person holding her, and said, "I'll kneel down by myself."
Yun Chuxue tied her long black hair in front of her chest and knelt down in front of Yun Chuxin.
"Snap, snap, snap..."
The punisher was extremely ruthless. Yun Chuxue was whipped eleven times, each strike drawing blood and leaving deep marks. After wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, Yun Chuxue slowly stood up, breathing heavily. Listening to the sound of each whip, Yushi Shi clenched his fists tightly, glaring fiercely at Yun Chuxin, wanting to rush up and kill him now.
Yun Chuxin loudly announced again, "From now on, Yun Chuxue is no longer a disciple of our Yun Chuxue Palace, and we, the Yun Chuxue Palace, declare our withdrawal."
With that, Yun Chuxin and the people of the Yun Chuxue Palace left.
Everyone was astonished. They had initially thought that the Yun Chuxue Palace was on Yun Chuxue's side, but they unexpectedly pulled such a stunt.
As the people from the Yun Chuxue Palace departed, Yun Chuxue stood holding the Snow Moon Sword, gazing at the crowd. Representatives from various empires surrounded Yun Chuxue, their gazes contemptuous, treating her like a lamb to be slaughtered.
Just as they were about to act, a golden beam of light pushed them back. Yun Chuxue turned to see Yushi Shi standing behind her.
"If you wish to make a move, you'll be opposing the Spiritualist Guild. Have you thought it through?" Yushi Shi warned.
Emperor Luoyang of the Xi Yun Empire also stepped forward. "Count me in. Harming Yun Chuxue means opposing the Xi Yun Empire."
Those individuals looked to their respective leaders.
"Is our Chief Executive trying to instigate a war across the continent? Hmm?" Ye Dinglin eyed them with hostility.
Yun Chuxue stepped back, softly saying, "Yushi Shi, I don't need your help. Utilize the relationship with the Xi Yun Empire to protect the Spiritualist Guild. I can't avoid this challenge, and I must accept it. This battle will prove my position on the continent. So, step aside."
As Yun Chuxue moved forward, Yushi Shi grabbed her arm. "Yun'er..."
"Yushi Shi." Yun Chuxue pointed her sword at him. "Don't force my hand."
With that, she leaped into the air, addressing the crowd, "My affairs have nothing to do with the Spiritualist Guild or the Xi Yun Empire. If my enemies dare, they can come for me. I'm heading north."
The monarchs and sect masters of the three great empires and seven major sects loudly ordered their subordinates: whoever could kill Yun Chuxue would be richly rewarded.
Instantly, the people on the square surged toward the direction Yun Chuxue had flown.
Yushi Shi was about to go after her but was stopped by Yushi Bao. "Yushi Shi, you don't need to go. If you do, you'll become Yun Chuxue's enemy. Don't burden her further. Our current goal is to rally various forces to the Spiritualist Guild. You've seen the current situation on the continent. The seven major sects of the three great empires are gradually aligning. It's only a matter of time before they launch a full-scale attack on the Spiritualist Guild. That's why Yun Chuxue doesn't want your help, for her sake, and for the sake of the Spiritualist Guild."
Yushi Shi nodded, sighing. "Yun'er, I hope you return safely."
Outside the square, people had learned that these forces were hunting Yun Chuxue. Some followed, some watched as spectators, and some remained in place, curious about what the Spiritualist Guild would do and whether they would aid Yun Chuxue.
Sensing many forces behind her, Yun Chuxue roughly estimated that there were over a hundred Spiritual Masters among them. It seemed they had mobilized all the strong individuals within their factions.
Yun Chuxue stopped in an open valley, with forests ahead and her pursuers behind. This battle would likely be very difficult.