Situ Qian narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam suddenly flashing through them, "Don’t think that just because you’re the Saint Heir, you can do whatever you please."
"Old man asks you, during this turbulent time for the Blood God Sect, where have you, the Saint Heir, been?"
"As the Saint Heir, you have not fulfilled your duties, and now, when the Divine Sect is selecting the Acting Sect Leader, you suddenly emerge, seeking to steal the position. Even if you were to succeed, how could you possibly command the respect of the others?"
With these words, many high-ranking members of the Blood God Sect nodded in agreement. Lin Yi had disappeared for many days without any explanation. Now, suddenly reappearing and aiming for the position of Acting Sect Leader seemed somewhat unjustifiable.
However, Lin Yi shook his head and said, "And when did I ever say I wanted to be the Sect Leader?"
"I think the position of Acting Sect Leader suits the Holy Daughter quite well. As for Situ Qian, you should just continue being your Supreme Elder and stop coveting the Sect Leader’s position."
Hearing this, the crowd in the great hall was slightly startled. Lin Yi was actually saying that he didn’t plan to become the Sect Leader but was recommending Holy Daughter Shangguan Xin Yan for the position?
Could this young man really be so magnanimous, to willingly cede the position of Sect Leader?
"Since when has it been the turn for a youngster like you to call the shots in the Blood God Sect?"
Yet, Situ Qian’s determination to secure the position of Supreme Elder was unrelenting, and he would not abandon his ambitions for the Sect Leader’s seat just because Lin Yi stepped aside.
"Besides, the Holy Daughter is not qualified to succeed as Sect Leader, for she has already broken the sect rules and is no longer chaste!"
Situ Qian glared at Shangguan Xin Yan with malicious intensity.
At this declaration, an uproar ensued.
Upon hearing these words, Shangguan Xin Yan’s pretty face lost all color, her old wounds laid bare for all to see.
"No way, has the Holy Daughter been defiled? Is it true?"
"According to the rules of our Blood God Sect, before succeeding as Sect Leader, or becoming the Sect Leader’s Wife, the Holy Daughter must be pure, and must not be sullied by any other man. Otherwise, it is a grave taboo that must be met with the severest of punishments."
"Supreme Elder, this matter concerns the Holy Daughter’s life, you must not speak carelessly."
All the high-ranking officials of the Blood God Sect looked solemn, obviously treating the matter with great seriousness.
If it were true, it would become a major scandal for the Blood God Sect, turning them into a laughingstock throughout the Eastern Domain.
"Indeed, Supreme Elder, I know very well what kind of person Xin Yan is. You must not make false accusations."
The Heavenly Illusion King’s face turned icy cold as well. This Situ Qian was utterly malicious; to seize the position of Acting Sect Leader, he was resorting to such vile slander against Shangguan Xin Yan.
This wasn’t just about stripping Shangguan Xin Yan of the qualification to succeed as Sect Leader; it could also cost her her life.
"Of course, I have evidence; I wouldn’t speak without proof," Situ Qian said with a cold sneer. Then, with a flash, he appeared in front of Shangguan Xin Yan, gripped her wrist, and lifted her sleeve, revealing her snow-white arm as smooth as lotus root.
However, the guardian palace mark, which should have been on that arm, had disappeared without a trace.
Seeing that the guardian palace mark had vanished, the Heavenly Illusion King’s face changed dramatically, turning extremely grim. She had thought it was Situ Qian’s defamation, but to her surprise, Shangguan Xin Yan had truly lost her purity!
This meant that Shangguan Xin Yan would lose not only the chance to compete for the position of Sect Leader but would also be executed by the Divine Sect!
And even she could not protect Shangguan Xin Yan anymore!
"Who would have thought that the Holy Daughter would actually commit such a violation of the sect rules," said the Blood Netherworld King, looking at Shangguan Xin Yan unfavorably. "Speak, who is the adulterer who dared to bring shame upon the Blood God Sect?"
"I shall flay and dismember him, crush his bones and scatter his ashes."
Situ Qian also looked at Shangguan Xin Yan with a mocking smile, saying, "Holy Daughter, as long as you confess truthfully, I can decide for myself, and perhaps I can spare you from death."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xin Yan found herself in turmoil.
She dared not look at Lin Yi, fearing that it might lead the Blood God Sect’s high-ranking officials to suspect him.
She could not disclose the truth; otherwise, not only would she and the position of Sect Leader be beyond her reach but Lin Yi, the Saint Heir, would also be taken down.
After all, if Lin Yi, not yet the Sect Leader, had slept with the Divine Sect’s Holy Daughter and touched the future Sect Leader’s Wife, it would be an unforgivable sin.
But as she hesitated, Lin Yi’s voice suddenly rang out in the great hall, "Instead of pressuring the Holy Daughter, you might as well ask me."
"What does it have to do with you?"
Lin Yi laughed and said, "Because the person who took the Holy Daughter’s chastity is none other than I, the Saint Heir."
At this declaration, the atmosphere in the entire hall of the Blood God Sect exploded once more.
Even the Heavenly Illusion King looked at Lin Yi with an expression of disbelief.
For a moment, she was unsure whether to be happy or angry.
Angry that this young man was so bold as to secretly push down the Divine Sect’s Holy Daughter.
Happy that it wasn’t an outsider who had taken the Holy Daughter, but Lin Yi himself.