Dual Cultivation Chapter 1145: Qualifications

Upon touching down on the earth, Sect Leader Qing surveyed the surroundings with a steady gaze.

"Sect Leader, did you truly permit this Outer Court disciple to enter the Eternal Yin Yang Cave?" Chen Yi questioned her.

Sect Leader Qing glanced toward Chen Yi, then directed her attention to Lin Xinyi and Su Yang, who met her eyes with a composed smile.

Sect Leader Qing let out an inner sigh before giving a nod. "Indeed. Do you object to that?"

"O-Of course I do!" Chen Yi paused briefly yet stood firm in his protest. "I see why you'd allow Disciple Xiao to join, but an Outer Court disciple who just entered the sect with no real accomplishments? That insults all those who've bled and sweated to earn this spot! Don't you agree, everyone?!"

Chen Yi declared, eyeing the rest of the Sect Elders.

"The Vice Sect Leader speaks true, Sect Leader."

After a brief hush, a Sect Elder finally voiced his thoughts.

"I'm fine with Disciple Xiao Yang's presence, but this Outer Court disciple... it goes too far."

"I side with the Vice Sect Leader too. Someone without merits shouldn't be here, especially not a fresh Outer Court disciple."

Faced with their valid grievances, Sect Leader Qing stayed quiet for an instant before facing Su Yang.

"What's your response to this, Disciple Xiao?" She chose to hand the choice to him, since he'd been the one escorting Lin Xinyi.

Before Su Yang had a chance to reply, Lin Xinyi moved ahead and spoke with her gaze downcast. "The Seniors make a fair point. I lack the right to stay, so I'll depart right away."

Though embarrassment burned inside her, Lin Xinyi held back any protests and embraced the truth quietly. She'd suspected even on the way that it might prove too ideal, so the result didn't shock her much. Ultimately, their stance held some logic.

The moment Lin Xinyi spun around to walk off, Su Yang's firm voice rang out, "Where do you think you're headed?"

Lin Xinyi stopped in her tracks and faced him with arched brows, puzzled if he'd missed the Sect Elders' demand for her exit.

"I'm not sure what game you're playing, Disciple Xiao, but it'd be smart to quit now before you forfeit your own spot too," Chen Yi interjected.

Su Yang fixed his eyes on him and replied evenly, "If we're discussing worthiness, then to me, not one of you deserves to stand here."

"What did you just say?! Such nerve!"

"Mind your tongue! Do you grasp the words coming out of your mouth?!"

Chen Yi and the Sect Elders flared up at once from his statement. For a simple junior to challenge their right to be there was utterly insolent.

Su Yang kept his poise steady as he clarified, "Consider it. What real efforts have you made for this sect that earn you a turn in the Eternal Yin Yang Cave? From where I stand, you've only squandered the sect's vital assets while giving nothing back. Had you genuinely aided the sect, it wouldn't have sunk so low or turned into a joke among peers."

"How bold to utter such rubbish!"

"You've crossed the line as a disciple, Xiao Yang!"

"And right before the Sect Leader, no less?!"

The Sect Elders exploded in rage, their wrath stoked mostly by the shame of a public scolding in the Sect Leader's view.

Su Yang merely shrugged. "But am I off the mark? Without my intervention, the Boundless Yin Yang Sect would've faced even greater mockery after getting crushed by the Mystic Delight Pavilion. Thanks to me, the sect's honor stayed intact for the first time in ages, and it even rose a bit."

"Thus, in my view, you all present—who've achieved nothing praiseworthy—hold no greater claim than my companion, a mere Outer Court disciple."

"That's it! I won't stand for this open insolence anymore! I have to correct you right here before you turn beyond saving!" Chen Yi bellowed, unleashing a mighty aura from within.

Yet the instant Chen Yi let loose his cultivation, a far mightier force crushed it down.

"Stop this!" Sect Leader Qing commanded sharply, quelling the crowd in a flash.

"Sect Leader... surely you won't side with him? I admit he preserved our dignity against the Mystic Delight Pavilion, but enough is enough! Allowing a lowly disciple to trample us will doom the whole sect!" Chen Yi urged.

Sect Leader Qing shut her eyes and drew in a long breath prior to answering, "We'll hash this out afterward—once the Eternal Yin Yang Cave session ends. I lack the patience for such folly at this moment."

"B-But Sect Leader!"

"Anyone who speaks again won't step foot in the Eternal Yin Yang Cave," she stated firmly.

Chen Yi parted his lips only to snap them shut without a peep.

Witnessing the Sect Leader's unyielding resolve to halt the dispute, Chen Yi relented with no option. Still, bitterness churned in his chest, and he shot Su Yang a venomous glare to make his resentment clear.

Never had a simple disciple slighted him in such a manner before.

Su Yang met the glare with an unflinching calm, showing no trace of fear. Wordlessly, he clasped Lin Xinyi's hand and drew her close once more.

Lin Xinyi longed to voice her thoughts, yet words escaped her entirely. She glanced at the Sect Leader, who ignored her and focused on the Eternal Yin Yang Cave's gateway.

'Do they truly permit me to remain?' she pondered silently.

Abruptly, Su Yang's voice echoed in her mind, "Quit worrying and stick with me."

At those words, Lin Xinyi could merely give a quiet nod.