Damned Healer-Chapter 742: Reckless and Audacious Fool

"Hahahaha! What a ridiculous joke," Ruan burst out laughing, finding the current Darian extremely absurd. "Herion is the most outstanding disciple of the current generation. Today, he proved he has the ability to become the Sect Leader’s direct disciple. As for you, what exactly are you thinking..."

Before he could even finish speaking, he felt Chrysos’s gaze and immediately stopped, changing what he was about to say.

"Hmph, what part of you compares to Herion? Attracting that many Fire Elementals was an accident caused by your ascension. You know very well whether you attracted them with your own ability or not! Do you dare take the risk? Aren’t you afraid of losing your reputation and your Master’s?"

The Grand Supervisor of the Palaces’ words made all the disciples present burst into laughter, while most of the Palace Masters also shook their heads in mockery.

But amid all that, there were Palace Masters with serious expressions. They felt something about this was a bit wrong. The oldest Palace Master of all had no fear whatsoever, so he said calmly:

"Although that seems to be the case, based on the results, Darian did indeed win. Therefore, we owe him an explanation."

As expected, those words instantly enraged Ruan.

"An explanation? What explanation? Let me repeat: he only attracted those Fire Elementals because it coincided with the maturation of his Celestial essence! Not blaming and punishing him for nearly compromising the results is already kindness. What kind of explanation do we still owe him? Do you want to twist the results and let him surpass Herion and become the direct disciple? What nonsense is this?"

"That would be a disgrace to our entire sect!" several disciples roared in agreement.

Darian almost burst out laughing. Who was really twisting the results here?

After a few seconds, the oldest Palace Master snorted and added, "The rules were personally set by the Sect Leader, and the person we are choosing is his direct disciple. Therefore, it obviously falls to the Sect Leader to personally decide how to resolve this matter."

Hearing this, Ruan took a deep breath. He was clearly very agitated and had crossed the line of decorum. Without delay, he hurriedly bowed and said respectfully: "Your words are correct. I spoke too much. All these matters will follow the Sect Leader’s decision."

He was very certain: the Sect Leader would not give up on Herion and accept a ridiculous person like Darian as a direct disciple. Darian was an Alchemist, after all, and Alchemists did not devote themselves completely to cultivation. Therefore, having him as a direct disciple was not the best for the sect.

"You must already have a plan, just say it." The Sect Leader’s dry voice sounded from above.

Ruan felt immense relief. "Yes, Sect Leader."

He turned to everyone and announced, "Even though an accident occurred... based on the results, Darian did indeed win, and it is logical that he demands an explanation. However, when the Sect Leader used the Fire Elementals to decide who would be the direct disciple, the test evaluated talent, constitution, and control over the power of fire. However, when Darian attracted the Fire Elementals, it had no relation to those factors."

Everyone nodded in unison.

"Therefore, to be truly fair, Herion and Darian will have another contest between them."

"What kind of contest?" Chrysos asked dryly.

Ruan replied sternly: "Naturally, it must be a test that covers talent, constitution, and mastery over fire. Most disciples have already spent a long time in the Celestial Lake, so the additional test should not take much time. Therefore, I suggest that Herion and Darian dive into the Golden Celestial Lake, and the winner will be decided based on the depth of the dive."

As soon as Ruan’s suggestion was heard, everyone’s eyes lit up. The deeper one went into the Golden Celestial Lake, the stronger and more dangerous the burning energy became.

To go deeper, the body’s compatibility with the fire element and the ability to control it were equally relevant. With this additional testing method, the result would be determined quickly.

Everyone wore faint mocking smiles. How could Darian possibly compare to Herion?

"Sect Leader, what do you think of the suggestion?" Ruan asked cautiously.

"Very well," he replied emotionlessly. "Let’s do it."

After obtaining approval, Ruan let out a subtle sigh of relief before turning to Herion.

"Herion, you already spent all your energy attracting the Fire Elementals for six hours. You must be tired. Do you need to rest for a bit?"

Even a fool could tell Ruan’s words were purely for show. Herion bowed and replied:

"I thank the Grand Supervisor for the concern; this disciple is in excellent condition right now. Everything will follow the instructions... however, I have some objections."

"Oh?" A faint smile appeared on Ruan’s face. "What objection?"

Herion answered seriously. "To go deeper into the Lake, although constitution and comprehension of the fire element are important, cultivation is equally important. However, when the Sect Leader chooses a direct disciple, he does not emphasize cultivation, but rather constitution and comprehension. In terms of cultivation, this disciple is far superior to Lord Darian. Therefore, this competition is unfair to him."

Ruan was not surprised and smiled. "Then how should we proceed for it to be fair?"

"I have a suggestion. Lord Darian only needs to reach ten percent of what this disciple achieves to be declared the winner. This disciple would also lose without complaint or argument if that were the case."

Herion’s words were extremely sincere and calm. Everyone nodded vigorously, showing admiration.

"Hahahaha!" The Grand Supervisor of the Palaces laughed loudly. "You truly are my outstanding disciple! Very well, then we will follow these rules. Darian, did you hear that? You only need to reach ten percent of what my disciple achieves to obtain victory. Moreover, this was Herion’s personal suggestion. Do you have anything else to say?"

Whether it was 20%, 10%, or 1%, Ruan would not be worried. With Darian’s cultivation level, before passing the tribulation, which was a major dividing line for cultivators of this universe... it was almost impossible for him to even remain inside that lake for a few seconds.

Chrysos did not speak, but continued looking at Darian. He knew Darian was full of surprises and felt it would be interesting to watch him in this contest. But...

"That being the case... Darian, what else do you have to say? If there is nothing more to add, we can begin," Ruan said, laughing.

Darian still had not moved, and his expression remained as impassive as before. He stared at Ruan and spoke coldly:

"What? Of course I do. I refuse."

He had obviously placed first, yet he was being forced to prove his worth. Today’s result was his complete victory over Herion... but he still had to be tested again? What kind of joke was this?

Ruan’s brows furrowed upon hearing Darian’s blunt refusal, but he did not show the slightest shock, as he had already expected this reaction. "Why? Herion already gave you a ninety percent advantage. Could it be you think it’s still not enough?"

"It has nothing to do with that," Darian said lightly. "I want to ask why, during the Fire Elementals battle, when there was almost no difference between Herion and Lazaro, when the final result depended more on luck, none of you proposed an additional test. When my Fire Elemental count completely surpassed Herion’s, all of you forcibly declared Herion the winner; and now you’ve proposed yet another additional test... on what basis?"

"That..." Ruan was speechless for a second. All kinds of gazes focused on Darian. Most of them were filled with ridicule... and pity.

Indeed, the result of the dispute between those two disciples at the end had more to do with luck than skill. But no one wanted a new test.

"Hehehe, I already knew he wouldn’t dare do it," a disciple laughed quietly.

"Do you even need to ask? He didn’t even dare enter the Lake before, just stayed on the shore."

"You think he deserves to be compared to Senior Herion? Obviously, he won’t agree and will cling tightly to the previous result... Pfft, this is really pathetic and embarrassing."

Many disciples mocked, and even Herion shook his head and sighed inwardly.

"This kind of fairness of yours is a joke. Why should I accept this?" Darian completely ignored the surrounding voices.

"Really, this is quite pathetic and embarrassing. I came to this sect thinking I would find a home that would support me and be fair according to my achievements... but who would’ve thought the Golden Crow Sect was this small and mediocre."

Silence.

When his voice fell, everyone present froze instantly.

First came shock, then... killing intent filled everyone’s eyes in unison.

He actually dared to say that? Was he tired of living?

"INSOLENCE!!"

A voice filled with rage exploded.

That single word made the disciples who had secretly mocked him turn pale with fear. It wasn’t just them; all the sect’s big shots present felt as if a hammer had slammed into their chests and lowered their heads in terror.

That was because this furious rebuke came directly from the Sect Leader above.

"Darian, I already consented to the additional test, so how dare you refuse it?! You are merely an insignificant disciple. Not only are you disobeying orders, but you even dare to utter delusions that disgrace the sect! Who gave you such courage!?"

The temperature spiked rapidly, and the previously still atmosphere became scorching enough to melt bones.

For a long time, there had been a saying in the sect: the Leader’s fury was as terrifying as the end of the world; when he became enraged, he left no one involved alive.

Fortunately, he rarely lost his temper, but whenever it happened, the consequences were extremely dreadful, so dreadful that no one dared remember what had occurred.

Everyone had been somewhat irritated by Darian’s uncontrolled statements, but now, amid the terror, they only felt pity for him. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

However...

Darian raised his head and spoke slowly, his voice as calm as ever. "Really? If you’re the Leader of this Sect, then you should take responsibility for what you say. If I won, I won... by what right do I need to take this additional test?"

"..." Everyone present was stunned. He actually talked back...

Perhaps, since he was his brother’s disciple, the Sect Leader might have only severely punished him if he had knelt and begged for forgiveness. But now... he was definitely doomed!

Chrysos’s face completely lost color under the intense heat. He could tell his brother was truly serious and furious.

He hurriedly approached Darian, knelt down, and said, "Sect Leader, Darian has this kind of personality. He definitely did not intend to offend you, I beg—"

"Personality?" The Sect Leader’s voice carried extremely disdainful mockery. "An ignorant junior, someone as weak as an ant, dares oppose me and even dares argue with me?! Palace Master Chrysos, the person you brought into the sect, is a reckless and audacious fool!"

He spat the words and focused his gaze on Darian like a blade.

"You want me to honor what I said? Hmph, with what power? If I wish, I can protect your family and, in the next instant, incinerate them. But what can you do to me? In my eyes, you are nothing more than an insignificant spark. Instead of cherishing your chance here, you still dare behave like this in front of me."

Chrysos bowed completely, pressing his forehead to the ground as he pleaded heavily:

"Sect Leader, Darian was brought by me. He has a naturally unyielding temperament, and I never thought that was a bad thing, so I never restrained him much. Everything happened because I failed to discipline him. I ask that you punish me instead and lessen his punishment... or at least let him live."

The Sect Leader paused for a second; he truly wavered and considered how to resolve this. But...

"Enough playing around."

The dry voice echoed through the silence.

Everyone turned toward Darian... then their hearts skipped.

He took out a weapon? Did he have shit for brains?

Darian held his dagger calmly, his eyes fixed on the Sect Leader, completely emotionless.

"You think you’re pretty great, huh? Fine, that works too. Since I came to this sect to cultivate, I can just destroy everything and take whatever I want before leaving."