"Chapter 2" Escape

As they gathered in the hall, Ye Xuan's eyes fell upon a long line of Elite Sword Sect disciples, their robes stained with the blood of their enemies.

Ye Xuan's unease grew, knowing that if his true identity was discovered, the consequences would be dire.

"Senior Brother, this is the line for outer sect disciples," one of the two disciples said, as they approached the main hall.

"You should join the Inner sect disciples over there," he added, pointing towards another corner of the hall.

Ye Xuan nodded, looking towards the direction.

The line closest to him was indeed comprised of outer sect disciples, while the line the disciple pointed to was made up of Inner sect disciples, their auras and attire distinguishing them from the others.

Ye Xuan knew that joining the Inner sect disciples would make his escape more difficult. So, instead of heading towards them, he turned around and began to slip away unnoticed.

The outer sect disciples, assuming Ye Xuan was going to join the Inner sect line, lost interest in him and eagerly awaited the Grand Elder's arrival, expecting to be rewarded for their victory over the Twin Blade Sect.

"Finally, I can leave," Ye Xuan thought to himself, silently summoning the Escape Stone.

The Grand Elder's voice thundered through the hall, silencing the murmurs and drawing everyone's attention.

"Today, we have emerged victorious against the nefarious Twin Blade Sect, who had secretly colluded with demons. We have vanquished evil and proved our unyielding resolve!"

Ye Xuan scoffed inwardly at the Grand Elder's words, dismissing them as mere propaganda.

Seizing the opportunity, he began to discreetly back away from the main hall, intent on making a swift escape.

Meanwhile, the Grand Elder continued, his gaze respectfully turning to the men beside him. "We owe our victory to the wise guidance of the Envoy from the Heavens Gate, to whom we extend our deepest gratitude."

Ye Xuan ignored it and was about to crush the Escape Stone and make his escape, a hand suddenly appeared from behind and clamped down on his shoulder, freezing him in place.

Startled, Ye Xuan stepped forward and turned around to face the same Inner Sect elder, who had appeared behind him once more.

The elder's eyes narrowed as he scanned Ye Xuan, but he couldn't find any familiar features.

Suddenly His expression turned angry, and he yelled, "Who are you? What have you done to Disciple Lin?"

The elder's cultivation, which had reached the Spiritual Awakening stage, burst forth and descended upon Ye Xuan, making it difficult for him to move.

The air around the elder seemed to ripple and distort, as if his very presence was warping the space around him.

"Where did you get that outfit?" the elder demanded. "Where is Disciple Han Lin?"

Suddenly, the elder's eyes widened as he recognized the unique memento on the outfit, a symbol exclusive to Inner Sect disciples.

Only the elders knew about this distinctive mark, and the elder's eyes locked onto Ye Xuan with a mix of shock and suspicion.

A chilling thought crept into the Elder's mind, and a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.

He desperately hoped that Han Lin was safe, not just because he was an Inner Sect disciple, but also because he was the son of the Grand Elder.

The Elder's loud words and actions had already sparked a commotion, and other elders and disciples looked over, their curiosity piqued by the sudden disturbance.

A loud, heavy voice thundered through the air as Grand Elder Han and the Envoy from the Heavens Gate descended beside them.

The Grand Elder's gaze fell upon Ye Xuan, and his eyes widened in rage as he took in Ye Xuan's attire.

"Boom!"

With a sudden burst of Qi, the Grand Elder sent Ye Xuan flying across the distance.

His back slammed onto the wooden plaque of the main hall with a loud "thud," the impact sending shockwaves through his body.

"Where is my son?" the Grand Elder thundered, his Spiritual Forging cultivation erupting in a frenzy.

The surrounding disciples trembled with fear, intimidated by the elder's unbridled anger.

Fortunately, Ye Xuan managed to retain his grip on the Escape Stone. With a pained groan, he crushed the stone in his hand, his eyes blazing with defiance as he glared at the Grand Elder.

"Like father, like son," he spat. "Attacking someone just because they're weak. Ahhhhh, my back is killing me."

His expression turned icy, and he issued a chilling warning: "Old man, if we meet again, remember that it's I who will take your life."

Before the Grand Elder could react, Ye Xuan vanished into thin air with a soft "Zoop," leaving everyone stunned, including the Envoy of the Heavens Gate.

The Envoy vanished and reappeared at the spot where Ye Xuan had disappeared.

"He didn't seem like a cultivator from the Spiritual Realm... then how did he...?" His eyes scanned the area, then locked onto the shattered remains of the Escape Stone.

"This is...!" The Envoy's voice trailed off in shock. "Impossible. How did this thing end up here?" He turned to the Grand Elder, his expression grave.

"The matter of your son can wait. First, we need to find out who that person was and how he obtained something which even I can't get my hands on."

Grand Elder was about to complain but seeing the serious expression of the Envoy, he shook his head and nodded.

Envoy after discovering this, left on his own leaving the Elite Sword sect behind.

The sect disciples begin searching for the body of Han Lin while the elders gathered around Grand Elder who with solemn expression ordered, "inform the Sect Leader about the words of the Envoy and also let the other sect know that Envoy is looking for someone, this will ease our search when others will join us in this."

No one dared question the Grand Elder, just as the Grand Elder wouldn't dare question the Envoy from the Heavens Gate.

The Heavens Gate was a formidable organization that wielded significant control over these lands.

While they didn't interfere in the daily lives of commoners, every sect, clan, and even royal family was aware of their presence and wouldn't dare oppose them.

The Heavens Gate's authority was absolute, and their power was not to be trifled with.

Meanwhile, Ye Xuan found himself thousands of miles away from the ruins of the Twin Blade Sect.

He stood in the midst of a dense forest, with no clear indication of his precise location.

"I have no idea where I am, but I need to get out of here," Ye Xuan muttered to himself. He decided to employ an ancient navigation technique, seeking a vantage point to guide him. With a determined look.

His search was cut short when he spotted a massive beast coiled around a towering tree, its trunk thicker and taller than the surrounding Trees.

The creature was a serpent with a single, unblinking eye in the middle of its forehead - a sight Ye Xuan had never seen before.

Instantly on guard, he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

The serpent, sensing his presence, slowly raised its head, issuing a low, ominous warning to Ye Xuan.

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