The sect was no longer silent.
Whispers bloomed like fungus in the damp corners of courtyards, among laundry lines and training halls. Lin Feng's bloodline—once a well-guarded secret—was now an open wound pulsing beneath every conversation.
"He used demonic blood to save a disciple."
"No wonder he rose so quickly."
"If it were anyone else, they'd be exiled."
The elders said nothing. Which was worse.
Because silence now meant fear.
In the quiet of the library annex, Su Qingxue sat alone. Before her lay scrolls on bloodline inheritance, forbidden sigils, and sect doctrines. Her eyes were red from sleeplessness.
Every word she read twisted around her thoughts.
Lin Feng had saved someone.
But…
How many had he deceived to stay in that position?
Behind her, a familiar voice spoke.
"You'll only find confusion in books written by the victors."
She turned. Shen Li stood in the doorway, sunlight casting his silhouette in soft amber. His expression was calm.
"I thought I'd find you here," he said.
Su Qingxue hesitated. "Were you… always planning this?"
He blinked. "Planning what?"
She didn't answer. But he stepped closer, voice low.
"I don't hate Lin Feng. I don't even envy him. I just… want a world where people like us don't get crushed because we weren't born favored."
Su Qingxue stared at him.
And for the first time, she couldn't tell if he was lying.
Elsewhere, in the Moonlight Pavilion, a meeting took place—one not sanctioned by any elder.
A dozen outer disciples. A few inner ones. All with tired eyes, bitter hearts.
"He's not a demon," someone muttered. "But he lied. And the elders protect him."
"We need fairness," said another. "The sect is rotting from the top."
Shen Li sat among them, silent, watching.
Then, a voice spoke louder than the rest.
"What if we… asked for a vote?"
Everyone turned.
"Challenge the elders," the speaker continued. "Ask for accountability. Transparency. Even if we don't win—we shake the foundations."
Shen Li smiled inwardly.
The next morning, a petition was nailed to the center of the courtyard:
Let justice be seen. Let the truth be known. We, the undersigned, request a public council to discuss the standing of Lin Feng.
Not to shame him. But to ask if a sect led by secrets… is still righteous.
The signature at the bottom was fake. But the first real name added beneath it… was Su Qingxue.
System Update: ✓ Quest Complete: "Collapse of the Idol (Stage 1)" Lin Feng – Public Reputation: 26.1% ↓ Emotional Stability: 19.7% ↓ Factional Division in Sect: Initiated (Risk Level: Medium-High) Su Qingxue – Loyalty Shift: 51.2% – "Wavering Anchor"
New Quest: "From Followers to Fire" Objective: Ignite the first open rebellion against sect leadership. Let Lin Feng stand in the middle when the fire spreads.
Shen Li looked up at the dawn sky.
The spark had caught.
Now all that was left—
Was to feed the fire.