Because I Can't Help It

Little Ling'er exited the room and came to the courtyard. The others gradually got up as well.

Shi Tou asked, "Little Ling'er, what's going on with you?"

Little Ling'er sobbed, "The Sect Leader really doesn't care about us anymore, wah~"

"Who cares if he doesn't care, what's the big deal," said Shi Tou.

Gou Zi also said, "That's right Little Ling'er, we're already at the Foundation Establishment realm now, we don't need to be taken care of anymore."

"Let's just eat breakfast first!"

Little Ling'er said, "Go buy it yourselves if you want to eat."

"Why do we have to buy it ourselves, did the Sect Leader not buy any?" asked Shi Tou.

Little Ling'er coldly laughed, "Is the Sect Leader our dad or our mom? Why does he have to buy for us?"

"What have we ever done for him in return?"

"From now on, don't try to rope me into anything you guys want to do. Little Ling'er was ignorant before, but I know what gratitude is."

Shi Tou said, "Little Ling'er, what's gotten into you!"

"I'm not crazy, I won't believe you guys anymore," she said as she ran back into the room.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what was going on.

Xiao Lan said, "Let's go find Master!"

At this time, Zhou Ruiqing also came out, "No need to find him, I'm here. I don't want to say much, just do your duty as a disciple."

"Yes, Master."

Tang Xiaoyu had been silent in his room all morning. He didn't know what was going on with Lin Qingying's side, but she hadn't come to find him either.

At noon, Little Ling'er knocked on Tang Xiaoyu's door.

"Sect Leader, it's time to eat."

"Oh, I'll be right there."

Tang Xiaoyu came to the living room where everyone else was sitting.

Tang Xiaoyu sat down, "Let's eat!"

Everyone started eating, the atmosphere was very oppressive.

After they finished eating, Tang Xiaoyu spoke up, "I'm announcing something. When we return, the position of Sect Leader will be passed on to Tang Xiaoyan. Elder Zhou will become Supreme Elder."

Shi Tou immediately stood up, "Why Tang Xiaoyan? Is it because she's your cousin?"

"That's right, it's because she's my cousin that I'm passing it to her. If I don't help those close to me, and instead help a stranger, wouldn't I be crazy?" Tang Xiaoyu readily admitted.

Nobody could beat him in a verbal sparring match. He continued, "You want to be Sect Leader? Take a good look at yourself, what kind of character do you have?"

"Let's talk strength! You were knocked down with one kick. Let's talk temperament! Look at that petty side of yours, always stirring up trouble and slandering others. Let's talk brains! Other than talking about how great the Dong and Li families are, and provoking conflict, what else can you do?"

Shi Tou was left red-faced and speechless. He tried to retort, "I may not be capable, but Xiao Lan and Xiao Xue can do it!"

Tang Xiaoyu laughed in exasperation, "How old are Xiao Lan and Xiao Xue? Just thirteen! Where have they gone, what have they experienced? With their little experience, can you be sure they're capable?"

"Let me make this clear, I'm informing you, not discussing this with you. Know your place, you're just a disciple. If you don't want to stay in the Sanqing Sect, then get the hell out. You're really overestimating yourself!"

Tang Xiaoyu looked to Zhou Ruiqing, "Reclaim the cultivation methods of those who have been expelled from the sect."

"Sect Leader, don't worry. I was prepared for this long ago. I only taught them the basics, and sabotaged their learning just in case they left the sect. Can't have them take our secrets."

Tang Xiaoyu nodded, "Make a list of those who challenged me and slandered me. When we return, punish them accordingly, no need to show me any favors."

Zhou Ruiqing said, "Yes Sect Leader, I'll make sure to give them an unforgettable lesson."

"Alright, dismissed. Xiaoyan stay behind, I'll impart some experience to you."

"Yes."

After everyone else left, Tang Xiaoyu gestured for Tang Xiaoyan to come closer.

"You were the first to learn the Qi Condensation Formula right?"

"Yes, I passed it to Master afterwards."

"Mm, I know you're not that foolish. Be more careful from now on, don't think too highly of others like your cousin."

Tang Xiaoyan rolled her eyes, "You think I'm an idiot? Who else is as foolishly sincere as you?"

"Just like Little Ling'er, everyone has their own agenda. Let alone others."

Tang Xiaoyu laughed bitterly, "I see, I've been too idealistic about reality. Thank you for the reminder."

Tang Xiaoyan said reluctantly, "Cousin, don't be too upset. At least I've always supported you."

"Hehe, then you have to work hard! I'm relying on you to cover for me!"

Tang Xiaoyan disdainfully said, "Haven't I always been covering for you?"

"Uh, right, my mistake."

"Cousin, are you really leaving the Sanqing Sect?"

"Yes!"

"I said before, a person's thoughts change over time. I want to find my own path now."

Tang Xiaoyan wanted to try and persuade him, but couldn't bear to see his last shred of hope crushed.

"What about that woman next door?"

"Heh, do you know what 'helpless' means? I was merely an outlet for her momentary impulse."

"Love? Just a product of novelty. Once the novelty wears off, it depends on whether the other person still satisfies your needs, as to whether it becomes affection or indifference."

Tang Xiaoyan asked puzzledly, "Then why were you acting intimate with her?"

"Would you allow your emotions to be rejected by a commoner right now?"

Tang Xiaoyan didn't even need to think, "Of course not, only dead people reject me."

"There you go. If I dared to reject her, she would also completely get rid of me just to maintain her authority and face."

"Cousin, you're so pitiful. Why are you still so happy every day?"

Tang Xiaoyu spread his hands, "Because I have no choice!"

"If I were you, I would just end it all."

Tang Xiaoyu angrily said, "Are you still my sister?"

"Oh don't get mad, I was joking. You have to stay strong and keep living. Who knows, you might have a meteoric rise one day."

Tang Xiaoyu nodded in agreement, "That's what I think too. Based on my summary this past year, I definitely have a protagonist's fate, just lacking an opportunity."

Tang Xiaoyan immediately lost interest in talking to him. [Can't you tell it's just lip service?]

"Keep dreaming your protagonist dreams then! I'm leaving first."

"Leaving so soon, chat with me a bit more!"

"Don't you know how much you like to chat endlessly?"

"No I don't, everyone else likes chatting with me!"

Tang Xiaoyan yelled loudly, "I meant normal conversation, not your nonsensical bragging."

Tang Xiaoyu rubbed his nose, "Then you can go first."