Yun Ling's eyes flashed, as if she had thought of something. She quickly stepped forward and made a move to help Mo Lan up. "Patriarch Mo, please tell us if you have any grievances. Yunlan Sect has always been fair and will not blame anyone indiscriminately."
Mo Lan's legs felt as if they didn't belong to her; they were as soft as a puddle of mud.
He strongly resisted Yunling's help, saying, "Elder, this matter is the fault of our Mo family. I am willing to atone with my death, only asking that the sect spare the rest of the Mo family."
As he spoke, he kept glancing at Nalan Yanran out of the corner of his eye, trying to beg for her forgiveness.
Although their plan was only just begun before it was interrupted, it did not cause any harm to Nalan Yanran.
But since that thought has only just occurred to her, and Yun Yun is unaware of it yet, there is still room for things to turn around.
"Master Mo, the young sect leader was only sent by the sect leader to offer birthday wishes out of good intentions. You don't need to take her safety upon yourself. The sect still distinguishes between gratitude and resentment. Tell me first what exactly happened to the Mo family and why you provoked a Dou Huang to come knocking on our door."
Yunling noticed his gaze, and thinking she understood what he meant, she comforted him.
But Yunling didn't see Nie Yuan's cold smile at all.
The other elders present also noticed that Mo Lan was acting strangely, as if he was deliberately hiding something.
Is there really something hidden here? Was the sect leader involved in something?
"Are you going to talk or not? If you don't, we'll all be executed!"
Yun Yun felt a bit of a headache. Were these people so afraid of Nie Yuan, but not of her? She felt like she had no intimidating power at all.
"Say it, I'll say it."
Mo Lan shuddered and quickly recounted how Mo Cheng had grabbed the girl and tried to gouge out her eyes for his own use.
This opening naturally led to the revelation of the Mo family's fusion with the bodies of magical beasts.
"Several detained children were also found at the scene."
Nie Yuan waited for him to finish speaking before adding to the story.
"You actually used people for experiments; it's utterly immoral and unethical."
Yun Yun's pretty face turned cold. She felt it was unbelievable that instead of cultivating properly, he actually tried to strengthen himself by grafting the special abilities of magical beasts or using other people's talents.
This goes against the original intention of cultivation.
Yunhai suddenly stood up from the crowd, "Sect Master, we have already obtained evidence of this matter not long ago, and the Sect Master originally assigned me to handle it."
He paused, his gaze fixed on Yun Leng.
When Yun Yun looked at him, Yun Leng quickly released his hand from Mo Lan's, as if the other person had become burning hot.
He quickly said, "Sect Master, I was aware of this matter at the time, but I was worried that Elder Mo Cheng was always the first to pay tribute to the sect every year, and that there might be a misunderstanding or that he was being framed, so I didn't deal with it immediately."
Yun Yun frowned, feeling somewhat dissatisfied.
Over the years, Nie Yuan has already set up a complete structure in the Yunlan Sect. Why would you, Yunling, need to worry about being framed?
But she certainly couldn't say that in front of all the elders.
"Mo Lan, this matter was caused by Mo Cheng, who has already paid the price with his life. The sect will naturally not take its anger out on you anymore, but you must ensure that similar things never happen again."
Yun Yun's expression relaxed slightly, still thinking that the Mo family had committed some earth-shattering mistake.
Although Mo Cheng's methods were indeed somewhat ruthless, he is now dead, and everything should end with him.
Now Nie Yuan probably won't have much room to perform, right?
[Ding! Yun Yun experiences feelings of smugness and good luck, emotion value +99]
She looked at Nie Yuan, only to see that the latter still had a mocking expression on his face.
Did I do something wrong?
On the other side, Yun Leng knew that the sect leader was still on her side, so she went to help him up again, "Patriarch Mo, did you hear me clearly? Get up quickly."
"No! Sect Master, I, Mo Lan, am willing to die to atone for my sins. I only ask that you spare the lives of the rest of the Mo family."
Mo Lan waved his hand repeatedly, pushing away Yun Leng's hand.
"Mo Lan, what exactly do you mean? If you're being threatened, just say it."
Yun Leng was a little angry. Was this guy out of his mind? The sect leader had already spoken; did he not understand human language?
Mo Lan could only plead, seemingly wanting to exchange his own life for a promise from Yun Yun.
Yun Leng looked directly at Nie Yuan and said, "Sect Master, if you want to target me, there's no need to pressure the Mo family like this. Although the Mo family has done some very outrageous things, Mo Cheng is already dead."
"Hehe, Yunling, when I pressured the Mo family, did you ever consider that they were protecting you? You've only been in charge of the Yunlan Sect for a short time, and you've already resorted to such underhanded tactics."
Nie Yuan retorted without hesitation. Although he was taken in by Yunshan when he was a child, he genuinely regarded Yunlan Sect as his home.
On the other hand, Yun Ling has been in the Yunlan Sect for so many years, claiming to be doing it for the sect's sake, but he only wants to use the sect's reputation and prestige to do things that suit his own wishes.
"Stop arguing."
Yun Yun rubbed her temples and looked at Nalan Yanran. "What were you trying to say just now?"
Whoosh!
Nalan Yanran pointed at the Mo family, her face filled with grief and indignation, "Teacher, the Mo family tricked me into going there under the guise of a birthday celebration, then drugged me, intending to do something wicked. If it weren't for this accident, I'm afraid they would have really succeeded in their scheme."
Wow!
After her voice faded, the hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Yun Yun's expression suddenly twitched, her face changed instantly, and a look of horror crept onto her face.
At this moment, Ge Ye spoke up: "Sect Master, Mo Lan and Mo Lin personally told us that they wanted to invite the Young Sect Master this time, attempting to manipulate her and gradually influence the sect. Furthermore, to ensure their success, they colluded with Elder Yun Leng beforehand."
Whoosh!
Yun Yun's face paled slightly, and her questioning gaze slowly shifted towards Yun Leng.
Yunling was also somewhat flustered.
He never imagined that the Mo family would be so bold as to invite the young sect leader to their home with such a purpose.
"Slander! It's all slander!"
To everyone's surprise, Yun Ling roared, his fighting spirit surging, and landed on the Mo family members present.
Nie Yuan did not stop her, but looked at Yun Yun with a mocking smile.
To say he's not qualified?
Who exactly is unqualified? They almost harmed even their own disciple.
[Ding! Yun Yun experiences shock and fear, emotion value +999]
[Ding! Yun Yun experiences lingering fear and panic; emotion value +999]
[Ding! Yun Yun experiences doubt, confusion, and pain, with an emotion value of +999] Nie Yuan has always viewed things from a spectator's perspective and hasn't participated much.
At this moment, he finally spoke: "Am I qualified now?"
Yes? Or no?
Yun Yun bit her lip tightly, a struggle flashing across her face.
If I say yes, wouldn't that mean I'm bowing down to Nie Yuan?
Am I really willing to accept this?
She appeared at Yunlan Sect earlier than Nie Yuan and then followed Yun Shan.
Yunshan has always praised her talent, saying she will take over the Yunlan Sect in the future.
But everything changed with Nie Yuan's arrival.
Even the elders within the sect held different opinions.
All the words that had once been used against her were now directed at Nie Yuan.
Yun Yun felt a little jealous, but not hateful, because Nie Yuan was also very good to her.
But there was no love between the two of them.
Even when Nie Yuan shielded her from Queen Medusa's Serpent Seal Curse, she felt more that Nie Yuan was making amends to her.
Because she felt that many things that clearly belonged to her had been taken away by Nie Yuan.
"Yunling has just been away from managing the sect for too long, and it's inevitable that he will make mistakes due to unfamiliarity. No one can be without making mistakes. As long as he can realize it, there is always a chance to correct it in the future."
After a long silence, Yun Yun met Nie Yuan's gaze directly.
"Very well, let's see how long you can keep up your stubbornness?"
Nie Yuan smiled, then turned and left without hesitation.
He realized that Yun Yun seemed to have gone mad ever since he proposed the divorce.
Anyone with eyes could see that she wasn't in charge of the sect's decision-making, but Yun Yun just wouldn't let go.
Since she's so stubborn, there's nothing more to say. Let's wait and see.
As long as Yunling retains even a sliver of power, the Xiao family's affairs will likely never end well.
The main hall became exceptionally quiet after Nie Yuan left. Some elders quietly departed, and others followed suit when Yun Yun had no objections.
Yun Yun remained standing, a deep weariness showing between her brows and eyes.
"Teacher, I might not be able to win the three-year challenge."
Nalan Yanran's words made Yun Yun's irritation increase even more.
Yun Yun asked, puzzled, "Yanran, there are still less than two months left. Why are you losing confidence at this time?"
"I suspect that Xiao Yan may already be a Dou Huang. I think I saw him in the Mo family."
Nalan Yanran said uncertainly.
"How is that possible? There's no one in the Jia Ma Empire who cultivates faster than Nie Yuan. Xiao Yan is just from Wutan City. He reached the Dou Huang level in three years? Does he even deserve it?"
Yun Yun waved her hand wearily, "Yanran, don't overthink it. You yourself said you were drugged by the Mo family. It might just be a hallucination. Go back and get some rest. If you're not sure, then focus on your cultivation during this time."
Nalan Yanran opened her mouth, but only saw Yun Yun's back. Helplessly, she cupped her hands and said, "Teacher, this student takes her leave."
Then, she and Ge Ye turned and left, their eyes not looking at Yun Leng who was present.
...
On the other side.
Nie Yuan returned to his residence, just as he was about to upgrade his alchemy level, when he found Nalan Yanran looking for him.
She repeated what she had said to Yunyun.
"It's really unlikely that he can break through to the Dou Huang level in three years. If he had that talent, he certainly wouldn't still be staying in the Jia Ma Empire."
Nie Yuan smiled faintly, "Either you're mistaken, or the other party is using external forces."
"Grandmaster..."
Nalan Yanran spoke up, but seeing Nie Yuan's tense expression, she immediately changed her words, "Master, Uncle-Master, do you have time to give me special training? I want to become stronger, I don't want to lose."
She clenched her teeth, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Nie Yuan sighed inwardly, but didn't say anything hurtful.
Because this duel cannot be won with just a little training.
Simply put, from the moment Xiao Yan first released the Buddha's Wrath Lotus over Yancheng, Nalan Yanran was already in a situation where defeat was inevitable.
The combined power of different flames is completely unreasonable.
Even with the combination of the strange fire and the beast fire of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, the power was still beyond what Nalan Yanran, who was at the same level, could achieve.
In layman's terms, the author gave Xiao Yan a cheat code, so how can you win?
Unless Xiao Yan didn't get the Strange Flame, the only one to blame is his teacher, who helped him out.
After thinking for a moment, Nie Yuan nodded with a smile, "I just thought of a way to heal your grandfather's injuries. I'll give you some advice on cultivation then."
Originally, Nie Yuan did not plan to stay in Yunlan Sect for long; he wanted to obtain Gu He's notes and insights.
Now it's even more so.
Yun Yun didn't want him to interfere in the affairs of the Yunlan Sect; if he wanted to participate, he would have to withdraw the divorce proceedings.
Nie Yuan is not going to compromise; leaving Yunlan Sect is a better plan.
"Thank you, Uncle-Master."
Nalan Yanran was overjoyed, and a beautiful smile appeared on her pretty face.
[Ding! Nalan Yanran has experienced excitement and exhilaration, her emotion value has increased by 999]