Amidst Wan Lei's naivety and Xiao Jin's speechlessness, a piece of news once again ignited the Five Elements Hall.
This news was, of course, about Wan Lei's second task.
A purgatory-level mission: achieve first place in the first level of the Tower of Fortune within six months. Failure meant expulsion from the Five Elements Hall.
Furthermore, the reward for this mission was two thousand merit points. Refusal required forfeiting half the merit points, which was one thousand points. Wan Lei only had nine hundred and ninety-nine points...
It was unclear who released this information. It could have been the person responsible for assigning tasks, or perhaps the Holy Hall elders were fanning the flames.
However, it still caused a stir on the Five Elements Hall forum.
The news wasn't released in the form of official news, but the speaker was so confident, they were willing to stake their head on its authenticity.
First Floor: Real or fake? Is Wan Lei that strong? Both missions are purgatory-level?
Second Floor: So many merit points, it would be great if it were for me.
Third Floor: Upstairs, please have some self-awareness. If you were given this mission, you'd just pack your bags and get out of the Five Elements Hall.
Fourth Floor: This is simply impossible. Not to mention anything else, challenging the nine Hall Masters' disciples is no easy feat. Each one is a heaven-defying prodigy, especially the last one, Jian Fan Chen. Forget six months, even with ten years, Wan Lei wouldn't be able to defeat him.
Fifth Floor: Jian Fan Chen only needs one sword, and Wan Lei will be defeated.
...
Eighth Floor: I think Wan Lei is being targeted. What kind of logic is it to expel someone for failing a mission, especially when it's not a violation of sect rules or a major offense? Why drive him out?
Twelfth Floor: Don't you understand upstairs? The previous mission was purgatory-level, investigating the Great Sage Equalling Heaven. It was an almost certain death mission, basically sending him to his death. It's clear Wan Lei has offended someone.
Thirteenth Floor: Exactly. This time, it's expulsion for mission failure. They're trying to find an excuse to kill Wan Lei openly. After all, if he weren't a disciple of the Five Elements Hall, there would be many ways to kill him.
Eighteenth Floor: The people Wan Lei offended are nothing more than the disciples of the Water Hall and Fire Hall Masters. The disciples certainly wouldn't have the authority to assign missions like this. It must be the Hall Masters.
Nineteenth Floor: Upstairs, shut up! Our Water Hall Master is kind and benevolent; she wouldn't retaliate against Wan Lei. Dare to speak ill of our Goddess Xi Sha again, and I'll see if the Water Hall disciples won't fight you to the death. Wan Lei is a lesson for you!
Twenty-sixth Floor: Then it must be the Fire Hall Master. He was the one who led people to cause trouble last time, and he was definitely the one who assigned the first mission. This must be him too. The Fire Hall Master is trying to force Wan Lei to his death.
Thirty-second Floor: Trash Fire Hall Master, targeting a disciple like this, and such a prodigy. This is destroying one's own foundation. What good comes from forcing Wan Lei to the opposite side of the Five Elements Hall?
Thirty-third Floor: New talents emerge in every generation, each shining for centuries. Does the Immortal Realm lack prodigies? But there is only one Five Elements Hall in the Immortal Realm.
Thirty-sixth Floor: What are you talking about? If he can target Wan Lei today, he can target us tomorrow. He hasn't committed any mistakes, yet he's being bullied like this. Is there still justice in this world?
Thirty-eighth Floor: Damn it, I can't stand it anymore. You scoundrel Li Yan, get out of the Five Elements Hall.
Li Yan get out of the Five Elements Hall...
Request the Holy Hall to sanction the Fire Hall Master...
Protect Wan Lei, Wan Lei is a hero who fears no danger...
Soon, the public opinion on the forum was overwhelmingly one-sided, with almost everyone believing that the Fire Hall Master was deliberately framing Wan Lei.
For a time, the outcry against Li Yan flooded the entire forum.
"How is it? The Black Pot Hall Master's burden has grown even larger. Amazing, truly amazing."
In the back mountains of the Water Hall, the Golden Hall Master He Xu smiled at Li Yan. Beside him, Xi Sha rested her chin, her delicate, moist lips pouted, a look of displeasure on her face.
"Hmph, you dog Immortal Venerable, making me a scapegoat again. Look how bad my reputation has become in the Five Elements Hall.
That Wan Lei has become the weak and innocent victim, and I've become the villain who harms loyal subjects. Don't forget that the original incident was him bullying Xi Sha first."
"Who would believe that? A disciple at the Grand Void Realm bullying a Saint? Isn't that ridiculous?
If you hadn't shown up when the Water Hall disciples went to cause trouble last time, all this wouldn't be happening now. After all these years, you still can't keep your composure. You deserve to be used by the Immortal Venerable."
"Hmph, no one named Wan is good. I'm going into seclusion. If I'm in seclusion, who will say I'm harming others? How can someone in seclusion harm others?"
"You say you're going into seclusion, and you're going into seclusion? Who believes that?"
He Xu couldn't help but retort to Li Yan again. He found it immensely satisfying to see his teammate, friend, and rival in such a predicament.
Li Yan became furious and was about to erupt when his eyes suddenly rolled.
"He Xu, did you little brat play tricks behind the scenes? Did you arrange for people to guide the public opinion on the forum? You've wanted to kick me out of the Five Elements Hall for a long time, haven't you?"
"Pfft, pull the other one. A mere bit of public opinion can kick you, the dignified elder and Fire Hall Master of the Five Elements Hall, out? What a joke!
Besides, if I wanted to kick you out, I've had hundreds of opportunities over the past fifty thousand years. You've made mistakes so many times, and each time it was us who came forward to protect you."
He Xu sneered. He utterly disdained Li Yan's intelligence. At the same time, he couldn't quite understand how such a foolish person could be his rival in love for fifty thousand years without losing. What was Xi Sha thinking?
He believed Xi Sha didn't want their brotherhood to turn into enmity, completely failing to consider that Xi Sha might genuinely not like either of them...
"Oh, don't argue. I really don't understand why the Immortal Venerable would trouble a junior disciple so much. How can a new disciple complete such a mission?
And you too, Li Yan. You had to lead people to cause trouble, and then you were exploited by the Immortal Venerable. You brought it upon yourself."
Hearing Xi Sha's somewhat displeased words, Li Yan frowned and glanced at He Xu.
So Xi Sha had been worried about that brat?
He Xu gave Li Yan a meaningful glance.
That brat is a formidable rival, and might even become a love rival. It's time for preemptive measures.
Li Yan looked deeply at He Xu.
Let's join forces and deal with that brat. Our conflict does not allow a third person to intervene.
He Xu nodded to Li Yan.
I agree.
Xi Sha's confused big eyes looked left and right.
What coded messages are these two exchanging now? They look a bit like villains...
Public opinion continued to ferment, with a large portion of the Five Elements Hall criticizing the Fire Hall Master.
Everyone believed that a dignified Hall Master, repeatedly targeting a mere Grand Void Realm disciple and pushing them to their death, was utterly heartless.
People sympathize with the weak, especially when that weak person belongs to their own group. As disciples, it's even easier to resonate.
Sympathizing with the victimized weak and condemning the bullying strong is the innate nature of every civilized society.