The instant the formation ceased its operation, Wei Lingkai's life force stopped draining. For now, his life was spared.
Yun Xi dashed forward and tried to sever the chains binding her Uncle. Because the formation had shut down, the chains detached from its runes but still clung tightly around Wei Lingkai's body.
Cao Yi called out urgently, "Junior Sister Wei, get him out first. Elder Wei is still confronting the Xiao family. He's our best evidence. Even if we have to act, we must have justification."
Yun Xi bit back her fear and murmured, "Understood," before lifting the unconscious Wei Lingkai and carrying him out of the chamber.
Inside, Cao Yi showed no mercy. He hurled a custom‑etched formation plate into the air, then triggered it to self‑detonate. The explosion shattered the barrier's restraints in an instant.
The blast echoed through the courtyard, drawing the attention of Wei Chenyin and the three Xiao elders. Their Divine Senses swept over the scene and immediately detected the trio approaching—one of them slumped in the arms of Yun Xi, robed in the ceremonial vestments of the Haoran Sect.
Yun Xi's reflexes were lightning‑fast. The moment the elders' Divine Sense fell on her and the injured Wei Lingkai, she blurred forward, bringing her burden to stand before Wei Chenyin.
Her face pale, she whispered, "Uncle has only half a life left."
Wei Chenyin's eyes sharpened. She turned to the Xiao elders, her gaze cutting like a blade. "We've found our man. How will you explain yourselves to the Haoran Sect?"
The Xiao elders all looked at one another, stunned into silence. None of them had expected Xiao He to stoop so low. And with Wei Lingkai's faint life force still radiating from his robes, there was no room left for excuses.
The eldest among them managed to croak, "This was all Xiao He's doing."
Before he could elaborate, Yun Xi's Divine Sense—a condensed Mystic Frost Needle—pierced silently into his spirit sea. His eyes glazed over mid‑sentence, and he collapsed without a sound.
Xiao Lei let out a terrified scream, "Third Elder!"
Wei Chenyin flicked her long sash, sending Xiao Lei sprawling to the ground. With their target in view, she had no reason to harm a young girl. Her wrath was reserved only for guilty elders.
Xiao He—caught off guard by the sudden turn of events—took a reflexive step back. Yun Xi materialized beside him, driving a Mystic Frost Needle into his dantian.
"Aaah!" Xiao He cried, dropping to one knee. A frigid pain blossomed in his core and spread through his limbs like ice.
The female Xiao elder gritted her teeth and spat, "Why are you so aggressive?"
Wei Chenyin's voice was cold as still water. "Aggressive? Weren't you proclaiming a moment ago that you had no proof? Evidence is before your eyes. The evil formation that siphoned Lingkai's life force and spiritual core still stands in your mansion. How do you plan to answer for this? Think carefully before you speak."
Yun Xi knelt beside Wei Lingkai and slipped a top‑grade Spirit‑Nourishing Pill into his mouth. Then she fixed her frosty gaze on Xiao He and ordered, "Remove the spirit‑locking ring and chains."
Xiao He trembled, unsure whether to fear the white‑haired youth before him or his fierce captors. Gritting his teeth, he undid the rings and chains. Yun Xi snatched them up immediately—solid proof of their crime.
An aged voice cut through the tension. "I will give you that explanation."
Xiao Ye, his face lined with age, was led into the courtyard by two attendants. Xiao He's terror deepened. He tried to stand but found his legs too stiff to move. He croaked hoarsely, "Father, this is my fault. I will accept the punishment."
Xiao Ye raised a hand to silence his son. "All origins trace back to me. If I had not let evil energy corrupt my spiritual root, you would never have resorted to such an extreme measure. The fault lies with me."
"Father!" Xiao He half‑rose to plead, but Xiao Ye ignored him. He looked instead at Wei Chenyin, at Yun Xi's unwavering expression, and at Wei Lingkai, whose life still hung by a thread. He sighed deeply, then spoke with dignity, "Esteemed Daoyou, this was Xiao He's misguided attempt to save me. None of the other Xiao clan bears responsibility. I beg you not to harm the innocent."
"Innocent?" Yun Xi laughed coldly. "Is my Uncle innocent? He regarded Xiao He as a friend and guided him safely to Xiaohe City. Instead, he became the sacrifice for your healing ritual. If we had failed to find him, he would have slipped away unnoticed. When you rebuilt your root, would you still have called him innocent?"
Her anger flared, and she unleashed her Nascent Soul realm's pressure. A silent wave rolled out from her, flattening the lower‑level disciples of the Xiao clan. Cultivators at Foundation Establishment stage lay prone, blood trickling from their orifices. The Golden Core elders fell to one knee, barely holding themselves upright.
But the pressure circled gently around Xiao Ye, Xiao He, and Xiao Lei, sparing the wounded three.
Xiao He's face turned ashen. Xiao Lei whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks. She dared not look at Wei Lingkai's ghastly mask of white hair and deathly pale skin. Had her brother truly sunk this low?
Xiao Ye wavered, supported by his daughter. He lifted his voice, "Dear Xiaoyou, do not shed blood in vain. I will atone with my life."
With that, he struck his own forehead, then sagged to the ground.
"No!" cried Xiao He.
"No!" wailed Xiao Lei.
Their cries echoed through the courtyard. Yun Xi withdrew her pressure at last. She had never intended to kill; she sought only justice.
Xiao He crawled to his father's side, sobbing, "Father, it was my fault. Why did you save me? Why?"
Xiao Ye patted his son's hand. "A child left untaught is the father's fault. I sacrificed myself so you and your sister might live in peace, and to protect the honor of the Xiao clan. It was worth it."
He inhaled a final breath and lay still.
At that moment, Wei Lingkai—bolstered by the Spirit‑Nourishing Pill—opened his eyes.
Xiao He stared toward Yun Xi and Wei Lingkai, his hatred flaring anew as he met Wei Lingkai's calm, bitter smile. The friend who once fought at his side had become his executioner, and in such a merciless way. He had been blind to it all.
Yun Xi let out a harsh laugh. "What now? You hate my Uncle? You thought he deserved death so you could restore your father's root. Who gave you the right to decide his fate? Did he ever wrong you? Did he harm the Xiao clan?
He did neither. He simply fit the conditions for your root‑restoration ritual, so you unhesitatingly offered him as the sacrifice."