Chapter 22
He's the only one who absolutely cannot be included.
This is the scene of Luo Tian and Ye Chen's first meeting.
At that time, the entire Xuantian Sect was wiped out, and only the Holy Maiden Tianxuan escaped with her life with Ye Chen's help.
Luo Tian, already consumed by the deaths of his junior brothers and sisters, finally couldn't hold back his jealousy and resentment when he saw the Holy Maiden of Tianxuan with another man.
Then comes the classic scene: the villainous sycophant provokes the protagonist, who is destined for greatness, and is utterly defeated in a battle between equals.
Enraged, Luo Tianshi unleashed her full power to crush Ye Chen, but was stopped by Tianxuan Saintess.
It was both shameful and disgraceful.
This led to a feud between the two.
……
Back to the present.
[Objective: To travel to the Divine Ruins Secret Realm as a protector, and to incur Ye Chen's wrath due to the Heavenly Pivot Saintess.]
[Reward: Your reputation as the ultimate simp for the Heavenly Maiden of Xuan will increase; your reputation for risking your life to stop the destined male lead, Ye Chen, will also increase.]
[Punishment: His reputation as the ultimate simp for the Heavenly Maiden of Xuan is lowered; his reputation for risking his life to stop the destined male protagonist Ye Chen is also lowered.]
The system's mission objective is obvious: to allow Luo Tian to replicate his predetermined fate.
but.
There are techniques to being a simp.
Acting skills also depend on improvisation on the spot.
Ordinary performances are unchanging, but true acting transcends the script.
"who is he?"
Luo Tian's tone turned extremely cold.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at the Holy Maiden Tianxuan.
"..."
Tianxuan Saintess and Luo Tian stared at each other without uttering a word.
Sensing the strange atmosphere, the Holy Son of Tian Shu quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Senior brother, this person is called Ye Chen. He is a rogue cultivator who helped us fight against the evil spirits in the secret realm not long ago."
The Holy Son of Tian Shu recounted what had happened in the secret realm.
From their meeting in the core area to the demons breaking free of the seal and setting up the Soul-Devouring Demon Array.
From fighting against enemies from the Sacred Land of Creation and the Sacred Land of Jade Pool, to using the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder to slay evil and demons.
Ye Chen appeared at that time and helped the group block some of the evil spirits.
They worked together from then on until they left the secret realm.
"interesting."
Luo Tian smiled.
"The ancient demon broke free of its seal and almost wiped out all the rogue cultivators. Yet Ye Chen, a mere rogue cultivator, not only successfully evaded the pursuit but also appeared at just the right moment. It's too much of a coincidence."
"What do you mean by that?"
Ye Chen frowned and took a step forward.
Do I need to spell it out for you?
Luo Tian's gaze was deep and unfathomable.
"I suspect that you did something in the secret realm that caused the ancient demon to break free of its seal, and then hid in the shadows looking for an opportunity to leave."
Although this plot point was not part of the predetermined fate.
Luo Tian also had no evidence.
However, this is not an unfounded association.
Because those destined for greatness always experience a mix of fortune and misfortune, trouble is their defining characteristic.
Not to mention that Ye Chen is a decisive and ruthless person.
What do the lives and deaths of other people have to do with him?
By smearing Luo Tian's name on others, he instantly seized the moral high ground.
At this moment, the surrounding sects, hearing the dispute, all rushed over to join in the fun.
"So Ye Chen was the culprit all along?"
"Since the Divine Son of Xuantian has said so, I think it's probably true."
"Damn it! He's the one who killed my brother!"
Faced with the pointing fingers and whispers of others, Ye Chen felt a surge of pressure.
"If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext!"
Ye Chen said in a deep voice.
"I, Ye Chen, act with integrity and uprightness. What I do, I do; what I don't do, I don't do. For the Xuan Tian Divine Son to condemn me based on mere words is nothing but slander!"
"I only helped the Holy Maiden of Tianxuan because of our past relationship. I never coveted a single thing from the Xuantian Sect. I never expected that the Xuantian Divine Son would be so narrow-minded as to turn around and accuse me, thus disgracing the reputation of the Xuantian Sect."
"If the Divine Son of Xuantian is unhappy about my contact with the Holy Maiden of Tianxuan, then I, Ye Chen, will simply leave!"
Having said that, Ye Chen was about to turn and leave.
"Wait a moment."
Luo Tian said calmly.
"You want to stop me?"
Ye Chen turned around and glared at Luo Tian, his fists clenched tightly.
"I just want to tell you that yes, I am in love with Junior Sister Tianxuan, but my criticism of you is not for personal reasons, but to seek justice for my junior brothers and sisters, as well as for my fellow cultivators who have suffered misfortune."
"My intuition tells me that you are involved in this matter, but I have no evidence. So, considering that you once acted with my junior brothers and sisters, I will let you leave."
"Finally, my love for Junior Sister Tianxuan is not as superficial as you think. Rather than possessing everything about her, I want her to be happy, and you can't do that."
Luo Tian looked down at Ye Chen, making no attempt to hide his hostility towards him.
"..."
Ye Chen's face was grim, his fingernails almost digging into his palms.
"Do you dare to fight me at the same level?"
"Why should I lower myself to fight you? If you still have this intention after you break through to the Void Refinement stage, what harm is there in fighting you?"
"good!"
Ye Chen uttered these words harshly and nodded to the Holy Maiden Tianxuan.
He then used his movement technique and left without looking back.
"What an rude person!"
"With the cultivation level of the Xuan Tian Divine Son, killing him would be as simple as slapping him."
"The Divine Son of Xuantian is magnanimous; if it were me, I would never have let him leave!"
The surrounding cultivators who were watching the scene were all indignant on Luo Tian's behalf.
Luo Tian smiled and thanked everyone for their support, but also said that this was a matter between him and Ye Chen, and he appreciated everyone's help.
In fact, if the system hadn't stopped him, he really would have thought of slapping the protagonist of Destiny to death.
Unfortunately, without the main character, the play can't continue.
……
[Goal achieved!]
[This works? You occupy the moral high ground, uphold the righteous cause, and simultaneously confess your personal feelings. Not only have you successfully incurred Ye Chen's wrath, but you've also boosted your reputation in front of everyone!]
Despite this, many rumors still suggest that you harbor resentment towards the Holy Maiden of Tianxuan, yet they also believe you are upright and honest, not hiding your favoritism, and capable of letting go of what you've done.
Your unwavering devotion to the Holy Maiden of Tianxuan is common knowledge.
[His evaluation as a guardian of the Xuan Tian Sect, a divine being, has been improved.]
[His reputation as the ultimate simp for the Heavenly Maiden has improved.]
[He risked his life to prevent the destined male protagonist, Ye Chen, from gaining a higher rating.]
The crowd gradually dispersed.
The people from the sacred Yaochi were the last to leave.
Before leaving, the protectors of the Yaochi Holy Land did not forget to offer some advice.
"Divine Son Luo Tian might consider becoming Daoist partners with my Holy Maiden. My Holy Maiden is a celestial being banished from heaven, and she and the Divine Son are a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
"Everyone knows that the Holy Maiden of Yaochi is beautiful and graceful, but unfortunately, my heart belongs to another. I fear that I will disappoint the Holy Maiden's feelings, and I hope she will understand."
Luo Tian humbly declined.
Once the people from Yaochi Holy Land had left, Luo Tian summoned a flying boat and took his fellow disciples back to Xuantian Sect.
On the way back, Luo Tian finally had a chance to be alone with the Holy Maiden Tianxuan.
"Senior brother went too far this time."
Tianxuan Saintess said softly.
"Ye Chen is just a rogue cultivator, why must you press him so hard, senior brother?"
"Of course, it's because I deeply love Tianxuan."
Luo Tian gazed at the Holy Maiden Tianxuan with deep affection.
"If you truly love me, then please stop doing this kind of thing."
"Does Tianxuan like Ye Chen?"
"Isn't Senior Brother also going to become a Daoist couple with the Holy Maiden of Yaochi?"
"That's why I declined."
"..."
The Holy Maiden of Tianxuan remained silent.
Upon seeing this, Luo Tian let out a long sigh.
"I know Tianxuan's heart is not with me, so I don't expect to have everything about you. So if Tianxuan meets a good match, what's wrong with me letting go... Only Ye Chen is different."
Why?
Tianxuan Saintess frowned.
"Because I am your most beloved senior brother, the Divine Child of Xuantian."
Luo Tian stared intently at the other person.
"I will protect everything in the Xuantian Sect, protect the Sect Master, protect my junior brothers and sisters, and of course, protect you, Tianxuan. Ye Chen will destroy all of this."
"So no matter what, I can't let him get close to you, he's the only one I absolutely can't."
"Even if it costs me my life!"