Seeing Wan Jianyi's silent, brooding expression, Dao Xuan Zhenren couldn't help but smile faintly.
He knew Wan Jianyi was tempted.
And who wouldn't be? Such an exceptional disciple—how could anyone resist?
Dao Xuan shook his head. If not for Xiao Yicai's existence, he might have taken Ji Changfeng as his own disciple.
Yicai, don't blame your master.
This is for the sake of Qingyun Sect!
Dao Xuan thought to himself.
If he truly took Ji Changfeng as a disciple and later passed the position of Sect Leader to him, there was no doubt that tensions would arise between Xiao Yicai and Ji Changfeng.
But that wasn't the main issue.
The real problem? Ji Changfeng was already apprenticed to Tian Buyi. Even if Dao Xuan wanted to take him as a disciple, he lacked a proper excuse.
Wan Jianyi, however, was different.
If Wan Jianyi wanted to take Ji Changfeng as a disciple, would Tian Buyi object? Could Tian Buyi object?
Of course not.
After all, during the journey to the Wilderness years ago, Tian Buyi had benefited greatly, and Wan Jianyi could practically be considered his mentor. Not to mention the matter of Su Ru.
Wan Jianyi's affection for Su Ru was no secret within Qingyun Sect at the time. Yet Tian Buyi, that chubby interloper, had won her heart.
Though it was Su Ru's choice, the fact remained—Tian Buyi owed Wan Jianyi. There was no denying it. Much of Tian Buyi's current success was thanks to Wan Jianyi's guidance.
So, if Wan Jianyi wanted to take Ji Changfeng as a disciple, Tian Buyi wouldn't dare protest.
With this in mind, Dao Xuan looked at Wan Jianyi and gently patted his shoulder. "Junior Brother, think it over carefully. A talent like this is rare and not to be missed."
Wan Jianyi silently sipped his spiritual wine, saying nothing.
Dao Xuan shook his head, flicked his whisk, and rose to leave the Ancestral Shrine.
As Dao Xuan stepped out of the path leading from the Ancestral Shrine, he spotted Ji Changfeng nearby. A trace of surprise flickered in his eyes.
"Nephew Changfeng? What are you…?"
"Greetings, Sect Leader, Martial Uncle." Ji Changfeng offered a slight bow before standing and smiling. "Sect Leader, Martial Uncle, I've been waiting here for you for some time."
"Waiting for me?" Dao Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed. I have matters concerning Caomiao Village that I wish to report to you," Ji Changfeng said calmly.
He had long intended to address this issue but hadn't found the right moment. Since he had met Wan Jianyi today, he figured he might as well resolve the Caomiao Village matter now.
"Oh?" Dao Xuan's gaze sharpened, and he regarded Ji Changfeng with a grave expression. "Nephew Changfeng, come with me. This is not the place to talk."
With that, Dao Xuan led the way toward Yuqing Hall.
Ji Changfeng followed closely behind.
Soon, the two arrived at a quiet chamber within Yuqing Hall. Dao Xuan gestured to a meditation cushion nearby. "Nephew Changfeng, sit."
Ji Changfeng didn't stand on ceremony. He thanked Dao Xuan with a bow and sat down.
Dao Xuan's tone grew serious. "Nephew Changfeng, you mentioned matters about Caomiao Village. What exactly is this about?"
Ji Changfeng paused briefly before speaking. "Sect Leader, Martial Uncle, it's like this…"
He recounted the events of Caomiao Village: how Puzhi had passed through, how demonic cultists had sought to seize the Blood-Devouring Pearl, and how one of those "demonic cultists" had unleashed Qingyun Sect's Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique.
Of course, he omitted the part about Zhang Xiaofan becoming Puzhi's disciple.
"What?!" Dao Xuan's face darkened with fury.
Boom—
A tremendous aura swept through the chamber.
Supreme Purity Realm!
Undoubtedly Supreme Purity!
"You're saying there's a traitor from the demonic cult within our Qingyun Sect? And this traitor's status is likely no less than a Peak Master?" Dao Xuan stared at Ji Changfeng, shock and suspicion in his eyes.
Ji Changfeng remained composed. "I don't know for certain, but that night, the demonic cultist indeed used our sect's Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique."
Dao Xuan's eyes flickered. "Why didn't you report this sooner?"
Ji Changfeng lowered his head. "I didn't dare."
"Didn't dare…" Dao Xuan opened his mouth, then paused.
He suddenly recalled how, during the gathering at Yuqing Hall, Ji Changfeng had kept his head down, not uttering a single word. At the time, the Peak Masters had assumed he was simply terrified.
So, he was genuinely afraid?
And who wouldn't be? The foremost righteous sect, infiltrated by a demonic cult traitor!
If Ji Changfeng had spoken up that night, he might have been targeted by the traitor. For self-preservation, no one would rashly reveal such a thing.
Dao Xuan's expression grew grim. He looked at Ji Changfeng and asked quietly, "Nephew Changfeng, do you have any guesses about this traitor's identity?"
Ji Changfeng feigned contemplation before responding, "First, we can rule out my master, as the cultist was lean, and Master is… not. We can also rule out Martial Uncle Shuiyue of Xiaozhu Peak, as the cultist was male. And, of course, we can rule out you, Sect Leader, Martial Uncle. That leaves the other four Peak Masters as prime suspects."
Dao Xuan nodded silently.
Then Ji Changfeng added, "Sect Leader, Martial Uncle, I have a plan. Why don't you secretly follow me as I test the Peak Masters? With your strength, the traitor won't escape."
Dao Xuan frowned. He initially wanted to reject such a reckless plan that put a disciple in danger.
But on second thought, as a Supreme Purity Realm master, could he not protect a single disciple within Qingyun Sect?
Dao Xuan pondered briefly. "Wait here a moment."
With that, his figure vanished from the chamber.
Ji Changfeng glanced around but saw no trace of him.
Is this the power of the Supreme Purity Realm? Ji Changfeng marveled quietly.
He waited patiently in the chamber.
Before long, Dao Xuan returned, holding a sword in his hand—a blade neither gold nor stone, resembling both jade and metal, ancient and mysterious.
Ji Changfeng's jaw dropped.
The… Zhuxian Sword?!
Dao Xuan's expression remained calm as he casually held the Zhuxian Sword. He looked at Ji Changfeng and said, "Nephew Changfeng, let's go. Today, I'll purge the sect of this traitor!"
Ji Changfeng swallowed hard, maintaining his composure. He bowed slightly. "Sect Leader, Martial Uncle, which Martial Uncle should we test first?"
Dao Xuan thought for a moment. "Let's start with Junior Brother Cangsong."
Over the years, he had always trusted Cangsong, even entrusting him with disciplinary authority. Surely, Cangsong couldn't be the traitor.
Let's start with Junior Brother Cangsong to ease my mind…
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 50+ chapters and also other stories: patreon.com/Caluem