The male supporting character was actually myself.

Amidst the wave of unified messaging, a unique perspective suddenly emerged, and Jiang Chen instantly became the center of attention.

"Senior Brother Liu!" Zhou Zhixue, who had almost been dragged to hell by the disciples of the Punishment Hall, was miraculously saved. She burst out with an immense will to live and desperately broke free from the disciples, rushing towards him, so excited that she was incoherent. "Save me! Brother Liu, you're the best! Please, you must save Xue'er!"

Jiang Chen took a step back without making a sound, preventing her from grabbing his leg.

The disciples of the Punishment Hall rushed forward and restrained him again, but did not continue to drag him and waited for instructions from their superiors.

The fluffy little dumpling wrinkled its face and stuck out its tongue. "Yue! Don't try to disgust people with your act. My host would never like you!"

However… the protagonist's methods are truly ruthless. That young and beautiful girl suddenly looks so old. Host, you'd better be careful. Meow will keep an eye on things for you too.”

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Sect Master Yan Xuzi was about to seize the opportunity to spare Zhou Zhixue's life when Lin Xucheng suddenly stood up, a faint smile on his face, and looked at Liu Jiangchen, asking in return, "Oh? Does Senior Brother Liu mean that the Sect Master and many peak masters and hall masters are unreasonable and have punished the demoness too severely?"

"Of course!" Jiang Chen turned around with a flick of his sleeve. The alchemist badge on the collar of his white robe gleamed in the sunlight, causing Lin Xucheng to squint and take a step back to avoid it.

The disciples who came to plead for mercy may not all know Lin Xucheng, but everyone knows Liu Jiangchen.

That's a legend that lives and walks among us!

In today's cultivation world, where alchemists are as rare as phoenix feathers and pharmacists who only know how to make pills are all the rage, anyone who can climb up to Liu Jiangchen's high branch is practically blessed with good fortune.

At this moment, even if someone of high rank and power spoke up, it would be difficult to quell public anger. But when the alchemist, whom everyone wanted to curry favor with, opened his mouth, everyone secretly thought that in order not to offend anyone, they chose to keep quiet and keep their eyes down, even if they were very dissatisfied.

"First of all, regarding the affair, you two are both at fault." Compared to Lin Xucheng's aggressive tone, Jiang Chen's words were gentle and refined, but her rebuttal made the other party's face freeze. "But don't forget, in terms of sentiment, it was you, Lin Xucheng, who flirted with and made inappropriate advances towards Zhou Zhixue first."

Before accusing her of being shameless, shouldn't you first settle your own shameless and vulgar sins as well?

In your secret affair, you were the one who initiated it while she was the one who was passive; your crime is far more serious than hers.

In addition, you accused Zhou Zhixue of violating the rules of the Xiaoyao Sect by practicing seductive arts.

If it were truly her own cultivation, she would certainly have to hide it well enough to avoid being discovered and subjected to the most severe punishment. So, Junior Brother Lin, how did you find out about such a secret?

First you seduced me, then you betrayed and informed on me. You're truly a model of turning your back on someone once you've pulled up your pants!

Finally, as far as I know, the two confronted each other in court, and Zhou Zhixue was indignant that you had only slapped her in the face for slandering and framing her.

Instead, you used a forbidden technique to instantly drain most of her life force. If the sect leader hadn't discovered it in time and intervened, Zhou Zhixue would have been a dried-up corpse long ago.

The Free and Unfettered Sect has always upheld the principle of "great virtue carries all things," yet they've taken in a beast like you, a scoundrel who, at the slightest disagreement, tries to squeeze every last drop of life out of his former lover.

If this is how things turned out between two people who had such a deep and intimate relationship, what will happen if any fellow disciples have a conflict with Lin Xucheng in the future? Will they also be drained dry by your vicious methods without anyone knowing?

"You, you..." Lin Xucheng stammered, unable to find any point to refute, and his arrogant demeanor faltered.

The fact that everyone was under the protagonist's halo only made them less intelligent, not deaf. Liu Jiangchen's reasonable rebuttals were audible, and many disciples who had no connection with Lin Xucheng were not fully aware of the whole incident.

At this moment, the sect's most treasured artifact pointed at the old woman and said that she was Zhou Zhixue, whose life force had been taken away by Lin Xucheng using a secret technique. Many people gasped in shock.

Zhou Zhixue is a famously clever, adorable, and lively junior sister of the Xiaoyao Sect. Even if you don't know her well, you've seen her before.

Liu Jiangchen also stated that she was spared because the sect leader interrupted the spell in time; if it hadn't been interrupted...

The others looked at each other and quietly took a few steps back to distance themselves from Lin Xucheng.

Who could be so lucky as to have the sect leader by their side helping them when they are ambushed?

"What terrifying magic! I can't afford to mess with him. I must stay away from Lin Xucheng from now on!"

"His words are frivolous and his behavior is dissolute. If he can be so cruel to his former lover, what about others? How could our sect accept such a terrible disciple?"

"In that case, it is indeed unfair that Lin Xucheng, who committed a serious mistake, is only allowed to reflect on his actions in seclusion, while Zhou Zhixue, whose life force has been taken away, is to be torn to pieces."

"Pah! That's not what you said just now. Weren't you shouting loudly and righteously demanding that Zhou Zhixue be killed?"

"I didn't know Lin Xucheng was even worse. I just heard it from Senior Brother Liu..."

…………

No matter how much the halo diminishes intelligence, it can't truly turn many cultivators into brain-dead fools.

After careful analysis, they all felt that having someone like Lin Xucheng, who possessed forbidden secret techniques and was ruthless, around was extremely dangerous. After whispering among themselves, they quietly retreated, trying to pretend to be out of the loop.

“Jiang Chen’s words are reasonable. In that case, I will rescind my order.” Yan Xuzi watched as the disciples, who had been somewhat frenzied under the previously dazzling aura of fortune, began to show signs of fading. Filled with emotion, he seized the opportunity to change the punishment. “Zhou Zhixue has practiced the art of seduction and has disregarded morality by engaging in illicit relations with others. I hereby order the Punishment Hall to abolish the Free and Unfettered Sect’s cultivation techniques and expel her from the sect forever!”

Zhou Zhixue, who was almost stunned, took a few breaths to react. Tears streaming down her face, she kowtowed and thanked the sect leader for his mercy in a hoarse voice.

"Junior Sister Zhou, you've learned your lesson. In the future, never let yourself be foolish and deceived by sweet words, lest you make a grave mistake again." Jiang Chen looked at her meaningfully and said, "After being punished in the Punishment Hall, sever all ties of grudges and affections within the sect. Go down the mountain with peace of mind."

Go down the mountain?

She wasn't such a naive girl. After being specifically reminded, Zhou Zhixue immediately understood that Senior Brother Liu wanted her to wait for him at the foot of the mountain!

Could it be... that even in this terrible state, he doesn't despise himself?

"Waaaaah, Senior Brother Liu, I was wrong, I'm sorry..." Having escaped death and deeply moved by Senior Brother Liu's unwavering loyalty, Zhou Zhixue was filled with remorse and hatred, crying out in anguish that she knew she was wrong.

The extreme highs and lows in such a short period of time were almost too much for Zhou Zhixue, a cultivator, to bear.

She regretted being blind and foolish to have lost her true love and given her virginity to that scumbag Lin Xucheng; she hated herself for losing more than half of her life force and looking like an old woman; she was grateful that Senior Brother Liu had not forgotten their past affection; she feared the punishment of having most of her cultivation stripped from her; and she was saddened that a disciple of the dignified Xiaoyao Sect would be expelled from the sect and would never again be able to proudly introduce herself and be envied by other cultivators...

"Guards, drag him away!" The head of the Punishment Hall said with a gloomy face. He was naturally very unhappy that his suggestion had been rejected in public by Liu Jiangchen.

Alchemists are the most precious treasures of a sect; even the sect leader has to give them some leeway and can't afford to offend them. Shouldn't we take this opportunity to severely punish this little bitch who has fallen into our hands?

He waved his hand and sneered, "In accordance with the sect leader's order, the cultivation techniques of the Free and Unfettered Sect practiced by Zhou Zhixue are hereby abolished!"

"Senior Brother Liu! Senior Brother Liu, save me!" Seeing the other party's sinister and terrifying appearance, Zhou Zhixue sensed that she might not be able to escape torture and screamed for help in great fear.

However, the other party had a helpless expression and looked at Lin Xucheng with a cryptic gaze.

Even if she were stupid, she could figure out there was more to it than met the eye.

Why are so many people defending Lin Xucheng and trying to kill him?

Why did even the sect leader look helpless and severely punish himself?

Even an alchemist dares to openly challenge him, which clearly means that Lin Xucheng has a trump card that he is unaware of. Even Senior Brother Liu can only help him escape the death penalty but cannot escape his own demise!

The moment she realized what had happened, Zhou Zhixue only hated herself for being so foolish. Having spent so much time with him, she hadn't even figured out a single thing about Lin Xucheng. New and old grudges surged into her heart, and Zhou Zhixue, filled with unvented rage, gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "Lin Xucheng, I will sacrifice all my life force and soul, even if it means falling into the demonic path, I will curse you to be utterly destroyed and die a horrible death!"

Jiang Chen felt gratified, but also somewhat confused.

Why doesn't the main system issue a task for him, the best supporting actor, to help the protagonist out of trouble?

Didn't they realize what was happening? Or have they already come up with another plan, so that even if the male protagonist is punished by being made to reflect on his mistakes, he can still turn misfortune into good fortune?

Fortunately, they managed to save a fish, which further fueled Zhou Zhixue's hatred, making their subsequent plans seem effortless and natural.

"Lin Xucheng, a disciple of Qiubai Peak, is to go to the summit of Lingya Peak to reflect on his mistakes." Yan Xuzi waved his right hand, and his long sleeves swept through the air like a gentle breeze.

A spatial rift opened, and a floating stone staircase appeared out of thin air next to the purple bamboo forest on the back mountain.

Lingya Peak, where the Xiaoyao Sect punishes erring disciples by making them reflect on their mistakes, is not strictly speaking within the sect itself, but rather located in a closed space that has been inherited and controlled by successive sect leaders.

Unless the sect leader personally activates the ability or cultivates to the Nascent Soul stage, which allows him to tear through space, it is absolutely impossible to freely enter and exit Lingya Peak.

Among the many suspended cliffs where one can contemplate one's past mistakes, the summit has the harshest environment.

The empty summit is set up with layers of formations, where one not only has to endure the physical pain of being constantly lashed by the gale, but also suffers the torment of inner demons within the illusion.

Usually, only high-ranking members of a sect who have committed serious mistakes and possess formidable power are imprisoned at the top, under the pretext of reflecting on their actions.

Throughout history, no prisoner who has reached the summit has ever emerged unscathed.

Lin Xucheng was naturally unaware of the inside story, so he wasn't too worried about his time in solitary confinement; on the contrary, Qiu Bai Zhenren, who knew it wasn't a good place, was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.

However, before he could plead for mercy, the sect leader coldly looked at him and said, "Master Qiubai has failed in his teaching and has allowed his disciple to behave recklessly and practice forbidden techniques. From this day forward, he shall go to the three-sided wall of Lingya Peak to reflect on his mistakes. He is hereby removed from his position as the peak master of Qiubai Peak, and the deputy peak master shall temporarily take charge of all affairs."

"Sect Master?!" Never expecting that he would also be held accountable, Master Qiubai's face turned deathly pale.

Yan Xuzi suddenly unleashed a sharp and oppressive aura, "What? You dare to do it but not admit it?"

"This humble servant acknowledges his mistake and accepts punishment!" The difference in strength almost made Qiu Bai Zhenren breathless. With a dejected expression and his head drooping, he thanked the sect leader for his mercy and followed closely behind his disciple as he ascended the floating stone steps in the spatial rift.

"My disciple, you've ruined your master!"

Having lost his official position and face, Master Qiubai shook his head and sighed as he walked up the stone steps to the third floor. Suddenly, the path behind him disappeared. He glanced at Lin Xucheng, who was unaware of the torment he was about to face, sighed, and sat down cross-legged on the floating cliff.

Now that things have come to this, let's just mind our own business.

What use is a divine son of nine resounding sounds, a person destined by heaven? If the master himself cannot walk out alive, what good is an empty name!

Soon Lin Xucheng could no longer see his master. In front of him, there was nothing but a seemingly endless stone staircase, and the air seemed so still that there wasn't even a breath of wind.

He didn't know how long he had walked, but he saw a mountain peak that could only accommodate one person floating at a great height.

"Heh, it's just facing the wall in self-reflection, consider it a period of seclusion for cultivation." Lin Xucheng said dismissively, sensing that the spiritual energy here was quite abundant and even a little smug. "Once I've gone into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, I'll definitely make the entire sect look at me with new eyes!"

Supervising the master and apprentice as they ascended to the summit, Yan Xuzi waved his hand to remove the stone steps, activated the formation, and closed the spatial rift. He then dismissed the crowd and called back Jiang Chen, who was about to turn and leave.

"You've only recently advanced to the Golden Core Realm, haven't you?" The sect leader asked him to sit down opposite him in the pavilion behind the mountain. With a flick of his finger, a steaming tea set appeared on the stone table.

Yan Xuzi was completely unpretentious at this moment. He poured him a cup of spiritual tea and said to himself, "Although your cultivation method is unique, and you can refine cross-realm pills with the strength of the early stage of the Golden Core Realm, cultivation is the foundation of a cultivator and cannot be neglected."

Unable to discern the other party's true intentions, Jiang Chen could only obediently nod, "I will follow the sect leader's teachings and strive to cultivate diligently to achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible."

The sect leader originally intended to cultivate Liu Jiangchen to counter the powerful Lin Xucheng. Although the two of them could not compete in terms of luck, only Liu Jiangchen was currently capable of making a significant contribution.

He wondered if the difference in fortune was related to strength.

Lin Xucheng was already at the peak of the Golden Core realm;

Liu Jiangchen has just advanced to the initial stage of the Golden Core Realm.

If the punishment of facing the wall in self-reflection can be used to delay Lin Xucheng's cultivation progress, and Liu Jiangchen's cultivation can be rapidly improved during this period, then perhaps when the two are evenly matched and with my secret assistance, Liu Jiangchen can suppress Lin Xucheng and prevent him from causing harm to the region.

But this matter cannot be stated openly; we can only send gifts under the guise of showing concern.

"This is the sect's collection of books." Yan Xuzi took out a scroll of secret manual from his storage ring and handed it over. "In principle, you are not a disciple of an elder and are not qualified to borrow it, but you are the only alchemist in the entire Xiaoyao Sect. So let's change some old rules."

"Take this and study it carefully. It contains many insights and precious medicinal formulas from the sect's senior alchemists. How much you can comprehend within three days depends entirely on your aptitude."

Jiang Chen hurriedly accepted the gift with both hands and thanked him. Then he tentatively said, "This disciple will definitely seize the time to comprehend and cultivate. After all, I offended Lin Xucheng today. Once he finishes reflecting on his mistakes, he will definitely cause trouble for me, given his vindictive nature. I don't want to be inferior to him then."

"Go ahead and do your best. He won't leave Lingya Peak alive so easily. I will also send people to protect your safety, so don't be afraid of him." Yan Xuzi was in a good mood. As long as Liu Jiangchen regarded Lin Xucheng as a hypothetical enemy, the plan was half successful!

At least these two young people with great fortune won't join forces to become invincible.

Jiang Chen was pleased to hear the sect leader's hostility towards the male lead. With a clear-headed and powerful leader as a temporary teammate, he was sure he could thoroughly humiliate Lin Xucheng within the Xiaoyao Sect!

Chapter Eight: Junior Sister probably doesn't want to be seen like this either, right?

"Host, do you think the sect leader might be a bug?" The fluffy little thing squatted on his shoulder with its hands tucked in, its eyes slightly narrowed and a soft purring sound coming from its throat.

Jiang Chen put the manual into his spatial storage and went straight to the mountain gate without stopping after leaving the back mountain.