However, if this woman spoke first, it might leave the Great Qin cultivators with a preconceived impression.
Upon hearing this, the Deputy Palace Master of the Wushi Demonic Palace, Lin Wuji, immediately unleashed his Demonic Qi, which surged behind him like countless black tentacles.
His eyes turned pure black, and demonic patterns appeared on his forehead, giving him an imposing aura of Demonic Qi.
"Ning Fa! Is what Elder Lin said true!" Lin Wuji asked, his voice icy, as a bone-chilling killing intent enveloped Ning Fa.
At this, even Venerable Ling Jun, a Spirit Transformation Cultivator, couldn't help but frown.
His gaze towards Ning Fa suddenly became stern, and he asked coldly, "Young friend Ning, did you really do these things?"
Lu Caifu beside him felt her heart tighten, sensing that things were not good.
The Supreme Elder of their merchant alliance had entered the Dao through Confucianism, so he not only had strong clan sentiments but also deeply disdained internal strife.
If Ning Fa had truly done these things, it would be very difficult for him to get out of this situation today.
And then, her original plan would be impossible to carry out.
After the Spirit Transformation Cultivator Venerable Ling Jun spoke, the Golden Pattern Masked Woman and Lin Wuji, who had been restless and even eager to act, had to restrain their auras, but they still stared at Ning Fa with killing intent.
At this moment, Ning Fa's expression remained calm, and he said in a deep voice, "Senior Ling Jun, it is true that I killed Huangfu Hong, Shen Xinlan, and Pei Nanshu, but I was forced to act.
This is because these three colluded with Great Qin cultivators while I was infiltrating Great Qin's rear to carry out a mission, intending to kill me.
When I discovered this conspiracy, I killed the three of them.
As for fellow Daoist Ji Lianxing, I did not forcibly occupy her.
She is Shen Xinlan's disciple, and she was with me during the mission, used as an informant by Shen Xinlan.
However, later, fellow Daoist Ji repented and informed me of the matter, hoping I would protect her and help her escape from Mo Qianqiu, which is why she is by my side."
After Ning Fa finished speaking, Hermit Xuyuan immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
"Senior Ling Jun, we can also testify that the matter is exactly as fellow Daoist Ning said. He was forced to kill those three fellow Daoists.
Moreover, although fellow Daoist Ning cultivated in the rear for a few years, it was because he felt an opportunity for a breakthrough.
He then successfully broke through and returned, turning the tide by killing several enemy Great Cultivators, which allowed Cangyuan to hold on until your arrival, Senior, and that of the other fellow Daoists."
Upon hearing this, Venerable Ling Jun's expression softened.
At this, Lin Xiue said with a face full of anger, "Utter nonsense!
It's clear that Ning Fa had a personal grudge against my master and them, so he coerced fellow disciple Ji Lianxing into fabricating this story to shut us up.
And fellow Daoist Xuyuan also deliberately favored Ning Fa, so we could only express our anger in silence.
Now that Lord Lin has arrived, please uphold justice for us.
Junior Sister Ji, you don't need to be afraid of Ning Fa anymore. Tell us about his evil deeds!"
At this, Mo Qianqiu also said to Ji Lianxing with a solemn expression, "Junior Sister Ji, now that Senior Ling Jun and Palace Master Lin are here, you don't need to be afraid or worry about the restraint Ning Fa placed on you. Just tell us the truth, and we will give you justice."
Ning Fa's eyes flashed with coldness.
This Mo Qianqiu was truly a hidden viper. He had made no move before, but now that people from his own sect had arrived, he was directly attacking.
He couldn't help but look at Ji Lianxing, wanting to see how she would choose.
As the person directly involved, Ji Lianxing's testimony was crucial.
Everyone else also looked at her, and she had a conflicted expression on her face.
After a short while, she still took a deep breath and bowed to Venerable Ling Jun: "Senior Ling Jun, there is not a single word of falsehood in what fellow Daoist Ning said.
It is true that Shen Xinlan coerced me and intended to collude with enemy cultivators to harm fellow Daoist Ning while he was on a mission behind enemy lines.
I followed fellow Daoist Ning willingly because Mo Qianqiu had ill intentions towards me. He coveted my Heavenly Charm Body and wanted to refine me into an Yin Pill, which is why I sought fellow Daoist Ning's protection."
Upon hearing this, Hermit Xuyuan and the others, who had been tense, immediately relaxed.
Ning Fa was slightly surprised. It was clear that Mo Qianqiu had some confidence in what he had said about Ji Lianxing, but he hadn't expected Ji Lianxing to choose him.
Ji Lianxing continued, "If you don't believe what I've said, Senior, you can perform Soul Searching on me."
Ning Fa couldn't help but smile. This woman was very intelligent and had far-sighted vision.
Ning Fa had some guesses as to why she made this choice.
Firstly, it certainly wasn't because of the Soul Restraint he had placed on her, as he wouldn't dare activate it in front of Venerable Ling Jun, and might even be forced to withdraw it.
It should be because of her Heavenly Charm Body, which made her very worried about returning to the Wushi Demonic Palace.
Even with people from her own sect present, she wouldn't dare to gamble, as the next person who wanted to turn her into an Yin Pill might be someone from her own sect.
However, the most fundamental reason for her choice was her high regard for Ning Fa, which was a very bold move in this situation.
Ning Fa also decided to reward her handsomely.
Ji Lianxing's statement clearly exceeded Mo Qianqiu's expectations, but his expression only turned slightly gloomy, without much change.
Lin Wuji, however, frowned, his killing intent undiminished.
Venerable Ling Jun said indifferently, "There's no need for the trouble of Soul Searching. I can naturally discern whether what you say is true or false.
In that case, those three colluded with the enemy to harm a pillar of our own side, and they indeed deserved to die."
After speaking, he turned to Hermit Xuyuan and said, "Young friend Xuyuan, please come with me. This Venerable has some matters he wishes to inquire about from your Spiritual Pivot Pavilion."
Venerable Ling Jun's eyes flashed, and he flew towards the city.
Seeing this, Ning Fa secretly thought that Mo Qianqiu was still too naive. Even if Ji Lianxing truly spoke a lie as he wished, what of it?
In front of a Spirit Transformation Cultivator, trying to deceive them with lies was still too far-fetched.
But soon, Ning Fa's brow furrowed. Given Mo Qianqiu's cunning and experience, he couldn't possibly not have thought of this.
He glanced again at the woman with the golden-patterned mask whose killing intent had not subsided, and at Lin Wuji, and a realization dawned on him.
Clearly, for these Demonic Path cultivators, reasons were irrelevant. What mattered was that Ning Fa had indeed killed their people.
Moreover, he had exposed this matter publicly. Given the majesty of the two Spirit Transformation sects, Wushi Demonic Palace and Yuan Cha Gate, they could not let such a matter pass easily.
This was perhaps Mo Qianqiu's true objective.
Thinking of this, killing intent surged within Ning Fa.
"I don't care what reasons you have behind you. I only ask you, did you kill Huangfu Hong?" the woman with the golden-patterned mask asked, staring intently at Ning Fa, her killing intent fierce.
"I have the same question. Did you kill Shen Xinlan?" Lin Wuji said, his Demonic Qi surging.
Although both had witnessed Ning Fa's strength just now, they were not yet truly intimidated.
At the same time, behind the two, some Nascent Soul Cultivators also had their killing aura surging, seemingly preparing to make a move.
Ning Fa's expression remained unchanged, and he sneered, "Are your ears faulty? Didn't I make myself clear enough just now? If you want to avenge them, then come at me together. I, Ning Fa, will welcome you."
The other cultivators couldn't help but change their expressions, not expecting Ning Fa to maintain such a defiant stance when facing the pressure of two top experts.
Just then, a burst of laughter echoed.
With a flash of sword light, a figure appeared before them.
He wore a cloud-patterned sword robe, his bearing upright and heroic. Although his face was extremely handsome, he was unshaven, unkempt, and reeked of alcohol.
He raised his hand and took a large gulp from his wine gourd. His drunken eyes swept over everyone, then landed on Ning Fa, and he laughed heartily, "I, Ye Cangfeng, like your personality, fellow Daoist Ning."
He then looked at Lin Wuji and the woman with the golden-patterned mask, a look of disdain on his face.
"You demonic sect cultivators just love to bully others with your status.
I, Ye Cangfeng, say this: if you want to fight fellow Daoist Ning one-on-one, I won't say anything.
But if you intend to gang up on him, don't blame me, Ye Cangfeng, for interfering."
As he spoke, his aura erupted, containing an extremely sharp Sword Intent.
Suddenly, a sound like clashing metal echoed from the surroundings. Many cultivators' swords and magic treasures trembled uncontrollably, causing everyone to gasp in fear.
Clearly, this was a Sword Cultivator, and his mastery of the sword had definitely reached an incredible level.
Ning Fa's eyes flashed with brilliance as he looked at him. This person's Sword Dao realm had definitely reached the third level.
Combined with his cultivation, which had almost reached the peak of Nascent Soul, his strength would undoubtedly place him among the top Nascent Soul cultivators in Great Qin. He likely possessed the strength of a top Great Cultivator.
Seeing Ye Cangfeng step forward, Lin Wuji and the woman with the golden-patterned mask immediately changed their expressions. While anger flashed in their eyes, a hint of apprehension also appeared.
Just then, with a flash of light, another person flew out.
This was a handsome young man. A moon-white gem was embedded in his forehead, adding to his beauty and giving him an air of mystery.
Although his aura was not as sharp and imposing as Ye Cangfeng's, it was like a high mountain or flowing water, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to those who saw him, dispelling any hostility.
"Count me, Shen Cizhou, among you. If you intend to gang up on him, I, Shen, will also lend a hand."
The cultivators of Great Qin, while shocked, couldn't help but show expressions of anticipation, as the two who had stepped forward were no ordinary individuals.
Ye Cangfeng was the Sword-Wielding Elder of Great Qin's foremost Sword Cultivation sect, Lingxiao Sword Pavilion. His status was extremely high, and his strength was immense. Even within Great Qin, he was considered one of the top experts.
Shen Cizhou, on the other hand, was a core disciple of another powerful Great Qin sect, Brilliant Moon Palace.
He was also a renowned genius in Great Qin, possessing strength comparable to a Great Cultivator even in the early Nascent Soul stage.
Now, at just over two hundred years old, he had advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage. The advancement from mid Nascent Soul to late Nascent Soul had taken him only twenty-odd years, and his strength was equally unfathomable.
Both Lingxiao Sword Pavilion and Brilliant Moon Palace were also Spirit Transformation sects, each with a Spirit Transformation cultivator presiding over them, making them no less significant than Wushi Demonic Palace and Yuan Cha Gate.
While the cultivators of Great Qin watched with amusement, they also felt a sense of surprise.
Ye Cangfeng's intervention was not unexpected, as he had always hated evil and harbored a deep resentment towards demonic sects. This was because his family had been destroyed by demonic cultivators in his youth.
What surprised them was Shen Cizhou's appearance. His personality had always been gentle and refined, and such a forceful action was somewhat contrary to their impression of him.
The intervention of these two powerful figures caused Lin Wuji and the woman with the golden-patterned mask to change their expressions again, their eyes filled with even greater anger.
Just then, Lu Caifu blinked her eyes and suddenly smiled, "Fellow Daoist Lin, Fellow Daoist Chongli, I forgot to tell you something. The junior you mentioned earlier, Senior Tianyi, is actually fellow Daoist Ning."