From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 52 Sunlight Dispels the Fog

"Come in." A gentle yet cool voice came from inside the hall, as calm as ever, yet it sent a shiver down my spine. I pushed open the hall door, and there sat Wen Chen Immortal Venerable, still dressed in white, sitting upright before his desk, seemingly detached from the world.

"What brings you here?" He put down the book he was holding, his gaze falling on the black box in my hand, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's this?"

"Wen Chen," I ignored his question and addressed him by his name, "there are some things I want to discuss with you privately."

He was visibly taken aback, seemingly surprised by my directness. His gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he said calmly, "Go ahead and speak."

I took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in my heart, and said as calmly as possible, "I know you have many questions, about me, about this stone... I can explain them all, but not here."

"Where do you want to go?" His tone remained calm, but I could sense a ripple of emotion hidden deep in his eyes.

“Let’s go to Sunset Peak.” I said firmly. It’s a secluded place, just the two of us, where we can be honest with each other without anyone watching.

Wen Chen remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing something. I nervously gripped the box in my hand, my palms sweating. I knew this concerned whether he was willing to believe me, whether he would give me a chance to explain.

"Okay." He finally spoke, got up and walked outside.

I felt a sense of relief and quickly caught up with him. On Luoxia Peak, the setting sun dyed the sky a fiery red, casting our two figures in a particularly lonely light.

"Speak, what do you want to say?" Wen Chen stopped in front of me, his gaze deep, as if he could see through everything.

I took a deep breath and slowly opened the black box in my hand... "This stone was placed in my room by someone sent by Sect Leader Qin."

Wen Chen's gaze fell on the black stone, his brows furrowing even more deeply. "Why would he do that?"

"Because he wants to sow discord between us and ruin you!" I said firmly, telling him everything that Master Fang had told me, including how Master Qin used Madam Chu to spread rumors, how he fabricated evidence, and how he tried every means to kill me.

“This stone was the tool he used to frame me for practicing evil arts, and the abnormal spiritual energy in my body was also because he secretly tampered with it.” I paused, a bitter tone in my voice, “He successfully made you doubt me, distance yourself from me, and even… hate me.”

Wen Chen's expression grew increasingly grim as I spoke; his thin lips were tightly pressed together, and he exuded a chilling aura. I knew he was blaming himself for his misunderstanding and furious at Sect Leader Qin's actions.

"Wen Chen, I've always wanted to tell you that I approached you not to use you, nor to cultivate any evil arts." I mustered my courage and looked directly into his deep eyes. "I like you. I've liked you since the first time we met."

My voice was soft, yet exceptionally firm. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed us in its warm glow, as if casting a warm light upon our confession.

Wen Chen was visibly taken aback, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—surprise, wavering, and a hint of barely perceptible joy.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice filled with remorse. "I wronged you."

"No, you did nothing wrong. It was me who didn't tell you the truth sooner." I shook my head and gently smoothed the wrinkles between his brows. "I don't blame you. I just hope you can believe me."

He held my hand, his eyes gentle yet firm. "I believe in you, Yao'er."

“Wen Chen,” I grasped his hand in return, my heart filled with emotion and joy, “Let’s expose Sect Leader Qin’s conspiracy together and clear my name, okay?”

He nodded, his eyes filled with determination and resolve. "Okay, let's do it together."

As the sun sets, two figures on Luoxia Peak stand close together, their hearts finally intertwined, with no more barriers between them.

"Who allowed you to be together!" Just then, an angry voice shattered the brief silence...

My heart tightened, and before I could react, I felt Wen Chen pull me behind him, shielding me with his body. Looking back, I saw Sect Leader Qin standing not far away, his face ashen, his eyes filled with malice and cruelty.

"Sect Leader Qin, you've come at the perfect time!" Wen Chen's body surged with spiritual energy, his tone icy and chilling. "You owe Yao'er, and you owe an explanation to everyone you've deceived!"

"Confess? Hahaha..." Sect Leader Qin laughed loudly, his tone full of disdain. "You? A piece of trash I can manipulate, and a fool blinded by love, you think you can fight me?"

"Sect Leader Qin, those who commit many evil deeds will surely perish. You have done countless evils, and today is your end!" The voice of Master Fang came from behind, carrying a chilling aura of righteousness. Dressed in white, he descended like a god, blocking Wen Chen and me.

"Master Fang? You also want to get involved in this matter?" Sect Leader Qin's expression changed slightly, and a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes.

"Evil cannot prevail over good. As a chivalrous person, I cannot stand idly by!" Master Fang said firmly, drawing his sword and pointing it directly at Sect Leader Qin. "Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven and bring you to justice!"

Having said that, Master Fang launched the first attack, his sword flashing like a rainbow, aiming straight for Master Qin's vitals. Wen Chen also attacked at the same time, the two of them working in perfect coordination, one on the left and one on the right, firmly suppressing Master Qin.

I stood aside, watching the battle unfold before me with bated breath. Sword energy crisscrossed, spiritual energy surged, and the sky above Sunset Peak was painted with vibrant colors, yet lurked with deadly intent. Although I knew no martial arts, I knew this was a life-or-death struggle; the slightest mistake could mean annihilation.

Although Sect Leader Qin was powerful, he gradually fell into a disadvantageous position when faced with the combined attack of Wen Chen and Hero Fang. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his eyes revealed panic and fear.

"You...you mustn't be so smug!" Sect Leader Qin roared, suddenly pulling a black bead from his robes. "Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me!"

"Oh no, it's a Bursting Bead!" Master Fang's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in surprise.

Wen Chen reacted quickly, pulling me behind him and releasing a powerful spiritual energy barrier to protect the three of us.

"boom!"

A deafening roar erupted. The massive shockwave from the exploding explosive bead instantly leveled everything around us. Smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring the sky, and I was so shaken that I almost lost my footing.

When the smoke cleared, I looked around and saw that the once beautiful Sunset Peak was now a scene of devastation. Sect Leader Qin had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only scorched earth and the acrid smell of gunpowder.

"Cough cough..." Master Fang clutched his chest, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, clearly injured in the explosion.

"Brother Fang, how are you?" I rushed forward and asked with concern.

"I'm fine, I won't die." Master Fang waved his hand and looked at Wen Chen, "Brother Wen, are you alright?"

Wen Chen shook his head, his gaze sweeping around before finally settling on me and Master Fang. "It's good that we're both alright."

"Brother Wenchen, Sister Yao'er, are you alright?" Fairy Lin's anxious voice came from afar. She lifted her skirt and ran over in a panic, followed by Madam Chu, who looked ashamed.

Seeing that the three of us were safe and sound, Fairy Lin breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest, saying, "You scared me to death! Thank goodness you're all alright."

Madam Chu walked up to me with an apologetic look on her face and said in a low voice, "Yao'er, I misunderstood you before. I was blinded by Master Qin's sweet words and believed those rumors. I even spoke ill of you. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Looking at Madam Chu, I knew she was genuinely remorseful, so I smiled slightly and said, "Madam Chu, it is a great virtue to admit one's mistakes and correct them. Let bygones be bygones."

Madam Chu gave me a grateful look, then turned to Wen Chen and bowed respectfully: "Immortal Venerable Wen Chen, I was blind and did not recognize your greatness before. I have offended you. Please forgive my ignorance."

Wen Chen remained calm and said in a composed tone, "Madam Chu, there's no need to blame yourself. This matter has nothing to do with you."

Although Sect Leader Qin is dead, this turmoil has subtly changed the relationship between me and Wen Chen. We fought side by side, went through life-and-death trials together, and our trust and affection for each other have deepened.

“Yao’er,” Wen Chen gently took my hand and looked at me with deep affection, “After going through so much, I understand even more that you are the most important person to me in this world.”

My heart warmed, and I took his hand in return, saying firmly, "Me too. Wen Chen, no matter what happens in the future, I will be by your side and face it with you."

As the sun set, golden rays bathed Luoxia Peak. Due to his injuries, Master Fang took his leave. Fairy Lin, understanding the situation, didn't linger, leaving Wen Chen and me alone.

"Let's go back." Wen Chen gently put his arm around my shoulder and led me back.

The moonlight, as clear as water, bathed the forest path. Wen Chen and I strolled side by side, neither of us speaking, yet the unspoken understanding between us spoke volumes.

“Wen Chen…” I stopped and looked up at him.

"What's wrong?" Wen Chen looked down at me, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"I……"

I took a deep breath, and a certain thought became clearer and clearer in my mind...