Reactions to refusal

The moment Jiang Xuan turned away, the pressure in the training grounds finally eased.

But no one spoke, not at first.

It was as if the entire Outer Sect had been frozen in place.

Then, as if a dam had burst, an uproar began.

"Is this guy an idiot? How does someone get handed a chance like that and just throw it away?"

"What kind of arrogant fool is he? Does he think he's better than everyone?"

"He's playing hard to get. Watch. A few days from now, he'll go crawling back, begging to join."

"Tch. If the Seven Peaks Alliance is offering invitations, they should give it to someone who actually appreciates it! Like me!"

"There's no way they actually wanted him, right? Maybe it was a mistake?"

"He probably thinks he's special. Let's see how long that lasts when the Seven Peaks Alliance crush him."

"I've spent years trying to get noticed by an Inner Sect faction, and this bastard just throws it away like it's trash?"

"Maybe he hit his head in training. That's the only explanation. No sane person refuses an offer like that!"

"Does he think he's above us now? Dammit!"

"If he doesn't want it, I sure as hell do. Maybe I should go beg Jiang Xuan to take me instead."

"This has to be some kind of trick. No one refuses the Seven Peaks Alliance like that."

"Tch! Let's see how long it takes before the Seven Peaks Alliance 'teaches him a lesson' for this insult."

"Uh… was that a good or bad thing? Should we be congratulating him or mourning his death? Can someone explain to me please?"

As the comments spread, so did the general sentiment.

Lu Chen was now the fool who rejected treasure and opportunity.

The disciples looked at him as if he were an exotic animal, a fool animal.

They looked at him with pity, disdain, or outright amusement.

Some more knowledgeable, decided to move away and not even share the same space as him.

"He won't last long."

"Better not get involved with him. He'll drag us down when the Alliance retaliates."

The damage was done.

He remained expressionless, standing still at the training ground amidst the storm of whispers.

But deep down, he cared about what to hear

"I hope this doesn't get me into trouble."

While Lu Chen prayed that no more troubles would appear.

Some disciples scoffed and turned away.

Others simply shook their heads, looking at Lu Chen like he was a complete idiot.

And then there were those who smirked.

Because they knew one thing for certain…

"The Seven Peaks Alliance doesn't take rejection lightly."

Lu Chen had just made an enemy.

Whether he realized it or not.

...

A fair distance away, beyond the eyes of the outer disciples, Jiang Xuan's pleasant smile vanished.

His footsteps slowed, his jaw clenched.

Then…

CRACK!

The air trembled as his fist smashed into a stone railing, sending tiny fractures running through it.

"That bastard…!"

His entire expression twisted in disgust.

"Some low cultivation trash dares to reject the seven peaks alliance??"

His voice was low, seething with anger.

Behind him, one of the Inner Sect disciples asked quietly.

"Senior Brother Jiang, should we…?"

Jiang Xuan took a deep breath, forcibly regaining his composure.

"No," he said, voice cold, but his eyes still burned with fury.

"I should've put him in his place right there, but I can't."

Because the truth was… Even he didn't understand why the Seven Peaks Alliance had chosen to invite Lu Chen.

A nobody with no power or connection.

"Why would the alliance waste time on someone so insignificant?"

The higher ups had ordered him to extend the invitation.

So even though he is furious, he knows that this disciple must be someone extraordinary to get the attention of the leaders.

"What does he have that I don't see?"

Jiang Xuan's hands clenched into fists.

One thing was certain… "Lu Chen has insulted the Seven Peaks Alliance."

He can't do anything yet, but after the higher ups hear about the insult this outer disciple threw at their invitation, they will definitely skin him alive.

At that moment he will pay for it.

...

Far away, in his secluded bamboo courtyard, Gu Tianying smiled.

A small jade slip rested in his palm, detailing the results of the Seven Peaks Alliance's approach to Lu Chen.

"Predictable." he mused.

He took a slow sip of tea, eyes glinting with amusement. 

One of the greatest pleasures in his life is when the pieces move the way he intended.

"Just as my analysis predicted, Lu Chen is far too cautious to tie himself to any faction."

But that was precisely what made him interesting.

Now, the Seven Peaks Alliance will view him as a variable.

They wouldn't forget this slight.

The Seven Peak Alliance wants to control and take under their wing all the potential leaders and talents of the sect.

They will not let anyone promising escape their clutches and allow another faction to co-opt them.

Whether through force, suppression, or elimination…

Sooner or later, they would come for him.

Gu Tianying smiled.

This was exactly what he wanted.

A small spark of conflict.

And once it ignited, the flames would spread.

For now, there was no need to interfere.

Lu Chen will do everything perfectly on his own.

Gu Tianying merely had to watch and enjoy.

==========

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