Ye Zhaozhao fought to suppress her panic, tears welling in her eyes as she spoke softly, "Manager Qiu, please stop spouting nonsense. I've only ever purchased a few magical instruments from the Spiritual Weapon Pavilion. I have no personal dealings with you. I… I don't know why you've suddenly started insulting me today…"
As she spoke, Ye Zhaozhao cast a quick, wounded glance at Li Shuang—one that seemed to imply Li Shuang was secretly plotting against her.
Master Lingxu's expression instantly turned cold. "Li Shuang! What deep grudge do you hold against Zhaozhao, that you would harm her again and again?"
Li Shuang looked at him calmly, even with a hint of curiosity. "Master Lingxu, didn't you say you trusted Manager Qiu's character? That if he had done nothing wrong, he wouldn't have sought you out?"
Those had been his exact words.
When he had assumed Manager Qiu was looking for Li Shuang, he had declared Qiu's character to be flawless and his visit justified. But now that Qiu was here for Ye Zhaozhao, suddenly the judgment shifted—Ye Zhaozhao was deemed innocent and Li Shuang guilty without question.
The double standard was plain for all to see.
Meng Yifei sighed inwardly. How had he never noticed before how biased Lingxu was? Even the headmaster seemed to think the same, and murmurs began to ripple among the disciples.
They started to wonder—had Ye Zhaozhao saved the lives of everyone on Lingxu Peak in some past life? Otherwise, how could they all be so partial to her?
Rumors had long circulated that Li Shuang, jealous of Ye Zhaozhao's talent, suppressed her at every turn. Yet even under such pressure, Zhaozhao's cultivation speed remained astonishing, proof—so they said—that she was a rare genius.
But wasn't it possible that Li Shuang was the one under pressure?
Lingxu Zhenren shifted uncomfortably under their stares. "This Manager Qiu is making baseless accusations," he said coldly. "Am I not allowed to question him?"
Before Li Shuang could respond, Hong Sheng spoke evenly. "Manager Qiu has already told me everything. If I didn't have solid evidence, I wouldn't have come with him."
He turned his gaze to Ye Zhaozhao. A moment later, a delicate blue butterfly appeared at his fingertips.
It fluttered in the air, scattering fine white powder as it passed.
Those touched by the powder showed no change—except Ye Zhaozhao.
"Huh… why is there blue glitter on Ye Zhaozhao's skirt?" Luo Mingyue remarked with a smile.
Everyone turned to look. Sure enough, the pale yellow skirt now shimmered faintly with a blue glow.
Ye Zhaozhao's expression changed instantly.
What… what was happening?
Her eyes darted toward Manager Qiu. It was him! He had done something to her!
Hong Sheng's lips curved faintly. "Ye Zhaozhao, you thought you could get Manager Qiu to cooperate with just any casual disguise? From the first time you came to the Spiritual Weapon Pavilion to discuss cooperation years ago, Manager Qiu marked you with tracking powder. He learned you were Master Lingxu's direct disciple and has wanted to work with you ever since. After all… you can run, but Master Lingxu cannot."
"Each time you met, he sprinkled more tracking powder. Convenient, isn't it?" His tone cooled. "This powder only lasts half a day. If you never left Lingxu Peak, how do you explain the marks on your dress?"
The Lingxu Peak disciples turned toward her.
"Zhaozhao! What's going on?" Chang Le'an demanded.
Ye Zhaozhao's heart pounded. Her eyes reddened. "I… I don't know. I truly haven't left Lingxu Peak."
She could never admit to plotting against a fellow disciple.
Hong Sheng's voice was calm but cutting. "Still denying it? No matter. Manager Qiu is always cautious—every meeting, he secretly placed a photo stone in the room. Manager Qiu, please take it out."
Without hesitation, Manager Qiu produced a photo stone.
"This is absurd! Zhaozhao said she's never done such a thing. Impossible!" Chang Le'an burst out. "If you have the guts, play it! Let's see you lie in front of the headmaster and master!"
Ye Zhaozhao glanced at him, a flicker of resentment in her eyes.
Luckily, she had long known Chang Le'an's mind was simple—otherwise, she might have suspected he was deliberately making trouble for her.
"There's no need for a photo stone," she said quickly. "Manager Qiu, there must be some misunderstanding. Let's talk privately—"
"Privately? Zhaozhao, you still want to spare him? Play it!" Chang Le'an urged. "I'll see how they can deceive anyone once it's shown!"
His eyes were bright with conviction. For his junior sister's sake, he would expose these villains publicly.
Ye Zhaozhao's heart sank. Fool. A knife can be useful—but sometimes it cuts the wrong way.
Why had Senior Brother and Master suddenly fallen silent?
Manager Qiu didn't hesitate further. He sneered and activated the stone.
An image appeared—a veiled woman in familiar clothing. Her face was hidden, but her voice, clear and sharp, rang out with unmistakable familiarity.
Ye Zhaozhao's voice.
The figure's tone was venomous, vowing to ruin Li Shuang completely.
Gasps spread through the crowd. Was this the gentle, kind junior sister they had always spoken of?
Their gazes changed. Lin Qingling and the others glared at her with fury. Li Shuang remained calm—she had long known of Zhaozhao's malice.
Chang Le'an still tried to protest. "The great Spiritual Weapon Pavilion, resorting to such low tricks! This must be fake—"
"Shut up." Lingxu Zhenren's voice was cold, his words clipped.
Chang Le'an closed his mouth in confusion. Wasn't the image fake? Could it really be…?
He looked at Ye Zhaozhao.
Her face was pale as paper. She opened her mouth several times, but in the end, only her trembling lips moved—no words came out.