Inside the secret chamber.
The white light glowing from the formation gradually dimmed. As the formation faded, the investigation came to an end.
Ji Wusi opened his eyes, his brows drawing together slightly as he looked at the immortal artifact in front of him. Over the past few days, with the formation assisting them, they had employed every secret method available to thoroughly examine the artifact.
Even the faintest leak of Luck had been detected.
And yet...
They found not a single trace of corruption within the immortal artifact. Even with the combined effort of all present and the support of the formation, nothing suspicious had turned up. If that was the case, no further probing would likely change anything.
Ji Wusi was certain.
Something was wrong with Qingxiao Pavilion.
Back during the confrontation with the Demon Sovereign, he had already sensed Lin Xiao acting suspiciously. Ji Wusi had long harbored doubts about Lin Xiao.
Outsiders believed their relationship was oil and water, a conflict of clashing personalities.
But only Ji Wusi knew the true reason.
He had always suspected Lin Xiao.
Yet Lin Xiao was the Sect Master of Qingxiao Pavilion, a position of immense importance.
If Ji Wusi made accusations without solid evidence, it would stir internal unrest among the human race, and no one would side with him.
This time...
With Yun Jin discovering some irregularities involving Qingxiao Pavilion disciples, Ji Wusi's suspicions deepened. Using that as justification, he brought his people and conducted a thorough investigation of Qingxiao Pavilion.
However...
There was still nothing.
Even after all this, he had found no trace of wrongdoing.
"Sect Master Ji, the artifact shows no sign of corruption," one person said.
Ji Wusi nodded. "That's true."
But his frown only deepened.
The artifact being clean did not mean Qingxiao Pavilion was free of guilt.
Still, as Lin Xiao had pointed out, he had opened his sect fully and allowed them to investigate freely. Now that the artifact had passed every test, if Ji Wusi continued pushing, Lin Xiao might just turn the accusation back on him.
Evidence.
What he needed now was evidence.
The chamber door opened.
Lin Xiao stepped in with a smile on his face. "Finished your investigation? Was there anything wrong with the artifact?"
Ji Wusi shook his head. "The artifact is fine."
Lin Xiao's smile widened. "That's good. I also thought, how could an artifact like that possibly be compromised? Since all of you have confirmed it, I can finally be at ease. You've also searched the rest of the sect. Surely this proves Qingxiao Pavilion's innocence, doesn't it?"
Ji Wusi narrowed his eyes. "Sect Master Lin, no need to rush. We will come to our conclusion in due time."
"Why don't we move to the main hall and discuss further?" Lin Xiao offered.
Everyone agreed.
As they left the underground chamber, communications with the outside world resumed. Almost reflexively, Ji Wusi checked his communication talisman, and his expression turned grim.
He looked up abruptly, eyes locking onto Lin Xiao. His voice was sharp with anger. "The ruler of Canglan Kingdom has arrested Qin Ping and the others under the charge of colluding with the demon race, just to force Yun Jin into action? Lin Xiao! If the charge is collusion with demons, it should fall under the judgment of the Demon-Slaying Alliance! Why has the Alliance not intervened?"
Ji Wusi was furious.
As the leader of the Demon-Slaying Alliance, he theoretically held the authority to summon all members of the Alliance.
But in truth, the Alliance was composed of disciples from many sects.
And here in Qingxiao Pavilion's territory, many of the branch leaders of the Alliance were either Qingxiao Pavilion disciples or people raised by the sect.
In a normal situation—especially one involving a Mahayana cultivator and demons—the Demon-Slaying Alliance should have intervened immediately.
Ji Wusi had placed some of his own people in the local branches of the Alliance. During his days investigating the immortal artifact, those confidants had sent him constant reports.
They told him that turmoil had erupted in Canglan Kingdom, but Qingxiao Pavilion's people had forbidden them from interfering.
And now it involved Yun Jin.
No—this wasn't just involving Yun Jin. This was aimed directly at her.
Even Qin Ping had been captured. He was in the Mahayana realm.
Ji Wusi could hardly imagine what Yun Jin would face if she truly went to rescue him.
But knowing his disciple as he did, she most likely would.
That meant Yun Jin was already...
Ji Wusi's heart gave a faint tremble.
Lin Xiao looked innocent. "Oh? That happened? I've been at the entrance to the secret chamber these days, so I didn't know. If it's true, perhaps the others thought this was an internal matter of Canglan Kingdom and didn't want to interfere."
"How is Xiao Jin now?" Qing Yun asked anxiously, unable to hold back.
"I've met Qin Ping a few times. That man would never work with the demons. There's something fishy going on," Liu Li added. "Xiao Jin is righteous to a fault. If she believes Qin Ping is in danger, she'll definitely try to save him. That..."
Liu Li couldn't finish. Her eyes were full of worry.
Ji Wusi steadied himself and continued reading the rest of the messages.
Over the past few days, he had received quite a few updates.
His expression remained tense at first.
But as he read further, something subtle began to change in his face.
Soon, the corners of his lips curled into a small smile.
By the end...
Ji Wusi slapped his thigh with a resounding smack. "Good! Well done!"
Everyone stared at him in confusion.
Even Lin Xiao's expression grew uncertain.
He couldn't check his messages in front of Ji Wusi, but he was convinced that Yun Jin must be dead by now.
He had been waiting to see Ji Wusi break down in anguish.
But that reaction never came.
Ji Wusi was now radiant with joy.
He looked at Lin Xiao with a meaningful smile. "Sect Master Lin, you've been stuck with us in the secret chamber for days. I'm guessing you're not up to speed with what's been happening outside. Let me tell you the story."
Ji Wusi began to recount the events, voice full of color and life. "The capital was thrown into chaos. Yun Jin infiltrated it to save her comrades."
Lin Xiao leaned in to listen carefully.
Yun Jin actually went?
Wasn't that walking into a trap?
Could she really turn things around?
"The so-called king was actually Xue Daoren in disguise. He activated the Blood Sacrifice Formation and declared he would slaughter the entire city if Yun Jin didn't appear. Naturally, Yun Jin couldn't tolerate that. Just as the Blood Daoist tried to assert dominance, she struck in anger."
She struck in anger... and then?
Everyone turned their eyes to Ji Wusi.
Ji Wusi paused for dramatic effect, then continued with excitement in his tone. "Yun Jin, wielding Tai'a, shattered Xue Daoren's life-bound artifact! Though she was caught by his spell and trapped, the Blood Dao Sect disciples cast a blood net to sacrifice the entire city. Just then, Yun Jin broke free. Flames wrapped around her, and she slaughtered the disciples of the Blood Dao Sect. Even the Xue Daoren was no match for her."
Ji Wusi's storytelling was vivid and intense.
Lin Xiao burst out in disbelief. "Impossible!"
Xue Daoren was in the Mahayana realm.
As far as Lin Xiao knew, Yun Jin was only in the Divine Transformation stage.
A Divine Transformation cultivator...
Slaughtering the entire Blood Dao Sect?
Defeating Xue Daoren?
What kind of ridiculous fantasy was this?