Chapter Six: The Scapegoat

“It’s an order from the Gate of Life and Death,” Liu Chengfeng said.

The Gate of Life and Death? What’s going on? Zhou Qi was taken aback. The Gate of Life and Death was so far above him—why would they pay attention to a mere Qi Refining disciple like himself, much less name him directly to participate in the Five Sects Tournament?

At the mention of those three words, all hope vanished from the faces of the disciples. Be it good or ill, when the Gate of Life and Death decreed something for Zhengyi Sect, there was no recourse but obedience.

Zhou Qi pondered, but could not make sense of it at all.

“Sigh, I’ve dragged you into this,” Diwu Xingwen lamented.

In that instant, Zhou Qi understood everything. Diwu Xingwen had been on the verge of death, and Zhengyi Sect was about to be swallowed by the other four sects. Yet Zhou Qi had found a rare mountain lingzhi and prolonged Diwu Xingwen’s life. The plans of the four other sects were thus frustrated, but they couldn’t very well take out their anger on Zhengyi Sect or Diwu Xingwen directly. So, to vent their frustration, they targeted Zhou Qi, an unremarkable Qi Refining disciple, and someone asked the Gate of Life and Death to demand his participation. The Gate, seeing it was only a matter of a Qi Refining disciple in a sect tournament, naturally agreed.

He was being made a scapegoat. To participate in the Five Sects Tournament was certain death—he would definitely be singled out!

The other disciples understood the situation as well and couldn’t help but feel a quiet sympathy for Zhou Qi.

His face went deathly pale; the more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Dying in a bungee-jumping accident in his former life would have been enough, but now, after transmigrating, he was being betrayed by his own sect, and even worse, targeted by the other factions. This was simply intolerable!

He prayed for the protection of the True Lord of the Heavenly Mystery.

But the matters set by the Gate of Life and Death were not to be changed.

“Since it’s the Gate’s decree, this disciple would never dare refuse. However, I am only at the sixth stage of Qi Refining. If I bring shame to the sect, I beg the Sect Master and elders for forgiveness. I only regret my lack of strength and inability to serve the sect better. The sect is the place that gave me life and nurtured me, the harbor I call home. I fear that, after the tournament, I shall never return. In my next life, I only hope to be born again under Zhengyi Sect’s roof, to repay the kindness of the sect and all the elders.” With that, Zhou Qi made a deep bow, his tears falling without restraint.

His words left Liu Chengfeng’s face alternating between red and white. The sect could not possibly defy the Gate of Life and Death for Zhou Qi’s sake; there would not even be the faintest dispute. It was obvious he was being used as a scapegoat, but little did they expect that the disciple who cared so deeply for the sect would be pushed out like this.

All the elders and disciples were moved. None had imagined Zhou Qi’s feelings for the sect ran so deep. Reflecting on their own actions, they could not help but feel ashamed.

“The Gate’s edict is settled; we cannot change it. But perhaps this does not spell certain doom. There are still two months before the tournament. In these two months, the sect will spare no effort to help you improve your cultivation. Spirit stones, magical tools, elixirs—whatever you need, the sect will provide. The reason I had you come to the stage earlier was to help you get used to the tournament atmosphere in advance,” Liu Chengfeng said.

Such a rare disciple had finally appeared; if the sect didn’t show some response, even the fragile unity they maintained would fall apart.

All the elders and disciples nodded; there was no opposition or jealousy as in the past. After all, Zhou Qi was in this situation for the good of the sect. If Zhengyi Sect were really to be dissolved and merged into another, what good could possibly await them?

“The Sect Master speaks wisely. For these two months, you shall stay by my side. I will teach you personally, to repay the favor you did me,” Diwu Xingwen declared.

This announcement shocked everyone. The Supreme Elder would personally instruct an outer sect disciple—such treatment had only ever been afforded to the Sect Master’s daughter, Liu Piaopiao. The jealousy that had just died down flared anew; they could only resent their own misfortune that the burden hadn't fallen on them instead.

Having achieved his objective, Zhou Qi bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude, stating that he would go through fire and water for the sect without hesitation.

Thus, the candidates for the Five Sects Tournament were set.

Three Golden Core stage: Fu Shaojian, Wan Yanwen, Teng Ziyi.

Three Foundation Establishment stage: Zhen Jianping, Zhuge Qingsen, Zhai Qianqian.

Four Qi Refining stage: Yu Yicheng, Wei Jinan, Yi Qiuming, and the scapegoat Zhou Qi.

Originally a mere spectator, Zhou Qi was now forced into the sect tournament and even to represent Zhengyi Sect in the Five Sects Tournament—something he had never anticipated.

Still, at least the sect had promised full support. It all depended now on whether the Profound Heavenly True Art would prove sufficiently helpful.

If they wanted his life, they’d have to be ready to pay with their own.

All eyes turned to Zhou Qi on the stage, torn between envy and sympathy.

But fame, he certainly had. Mention Zhou Qi, and there was not a soul in Zhengyi Sect who didn’t know: the Paragon-Ender, founder of the Confrontation School, the Scapegoat, the one who would enter the Five Sects Tournament with only sixth-stage Qi Refining cultivation—and, most crucially, whose loyalty to the sect put all others to shame.

If this were his former world, he could have used this opportunity to debut as a celebrity.

Zhou Qi followed Diwu Xingwen back to his cave residence, where he saw a woman of unparalleled beauty and noble bearing seated on a meditation cushion. At the sight of Zhou Qi, she paused briefly, then stood to greet him with a smile. “Greetings, Junior Brother Zhou. You are now quite the celebrity in Zhengyi Sect.”

Zhou Qi hastily returned the salute. “Greetings, Senior Sister.”

“This is Liu Piaopiao, the Sect Master’s daughter. She has studied with me from childhood and has now reached the second stage of Golden Core. For the next two months, you will study with Piaopiao. She knows all I know of the Qi Refining stage. If you need spirit stones or elixirs, you may ask her. She will spar with you, teach you some cultivation arts; if there’s anything you don’t understand, you may come to me. In time, I will also teach you some life-saving techniques,” Diwu Xingwen explained.

Zhou Qi was startled—so this was the famous Senior Sister Liu, the great beauty of Zhengyi Sect whom so many disciples dreamed of meeting but never could. He hurriedly saluted again. “Forgive me for the intrusion, Senior Sister. I am sorry to interrupt your cultivation. Please accept a small token of my respect.” He quickly produced the low-grade flying sword he had acquired earlier and offered it to Liu Piaopiao.

He knew Liu Piaopiao would not care for it, but proper etiquette demanded he offer something. Unfortunately, he did not have anything more suitable for a lady on him—a misstep, to be sure.

Diwu Xingwen and Liu Piaopiao were both taken aback; who greeted someone with a flying sword as a gift? For a moment, the two were at a loss.

After a long pause, Liu Piaopiao finally waved her hands and said, “Junior Brother, you have already sacrificed too much for the sect—I can’t possibly take your gift. Please keep it. If you have any requests, just let me know.”

Zhou Qi tried to insist, but Liu Piaopiao declined, so he had no choice but to put the sword away.

He cupped his hands and said, “Senior Sister, what I need most right now is spirit stones. Could I have a thousand lower-grade spirit stones to start with?”

Once again, Diwu Xingwen and Liu Piaopiao were speechless.

Junior Brother Zhou, are you building your foundation? Why do you need so many spirit stones? With Zhengyi Sect’s cultivation techniques, could you possibly use them all in two months?

“Give them to him. Deduct them from my offerings,” Diwu Xingwen said as he turned to leave, considering it just compensation. The sect truly had acted dishonorably.

Liu Piaopiao could only nod in agreement. As Diwu Xingwen departed, she asked, “Is there anything else you need, Junior Brother?”

What else? A set of defensive magical tools would be nice. For offense, the flying sword sufficed, and he probably couldn’t use a mid-grade magical tool at his current level anyway. Best not ask for too much at once, or it might breed resentment.

“Senior Sister, I also need herbs to restore my soul. I was poisoned by Li Gang before, and it damaged my spirit,” Zhou Qi remembered the True Lord’s advice and added.

Liu Piaopiao was utterly speechless. Herbs to restore the soul were even rarer than mountain lingzhi, and Zhou Qi certainly didn’t look like someone with a wounded soul. Still, remembering her master’s instructions, she replied, “I’ll see what I can find in the herb repository.”

Zhou Qi was overjoyed. If he could awaken the True Lord of the Heavenly Mystery, he would be even more secure. He thanked her profusely.

“I’ll go fetch the spirit stones and herbs for you. Stay here and don’t wander off,” Liu Piaopiao said, and with that, she hurried away as if escaping.

Hmm? Is she taking advantage of me?