Open Strife and Secret Schemes

Shen Yi strode up to the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate, carrying the heads of the Song brothers, and arrived before the Mission Hall.

Three heads rolled onto the ground with a thud. The cultivators present turned as pale as death, looking at Shen Yi as if he were a god of slaughter.

News spread like wildfire throughout the entire Qingxuan Sect in an instant.

"Did you hear? The new Outer Disciple, Kong Ming, killed the Three Heroes of the Song Family and even took their heads!"

"How is that possible? The Three Heroes of the Song Family are top-tier cultivators in the Outer Disciples. How could they be defeated by an unknown newcomer!"

"I can vouch for it. I was there."

"What? Are you one of the heads?"

"No, I was at the Mission Hall. I personally saw Shen Yi carrying Song Zhe's head. I also heard that while his mission wasn't completed, he killed a traitor to the sect!"

"A traitor to the sect? You mean the Three Heroes of the Song Family are traitors to the sect?"

With three Outer Disciples dead and four disciples lost, the matter finally alarmed the higher-ups of the Qingxuan Sect.

"Kong Ming, you insist that these three, Song Zhe and his brothers, betrayed the sect. Do you have any proof?"

The one asking was the Qingxuan Sect's Second Elder, Zhang Zishi. His gaze was stern, but a hint of admiration flickered in his eyes. He had already received word from Zhu Siwen that Kong Ming was willing to pledge allegiance to him, and he was quite pleased, though he still had to maintain appearances.

"Disciple was ordered that day to rescue Zhao Xiaotian, the sole heir of the Zhao family, and killed the kidnapper, Zhao Ye. However, these three suddenly appeared, intending to kill for treasure. Disciple's cultivation was insufficient to protect the Zhao father and son, and they were killed by his brothers. They then tried to kill me to silence me. Disciple fought back with all his might, managing to kill them in turn. Unfortunately, the repercussions were too great, and the bodies of the Zhao father and son, along with Zhao Ye, were destroyed."

Shen Yi had already devised his strategy on the way. Since there were no witnesses to refute his story, he decided to tell a half-truth.

"Nonsense! Even if the Song brothers were foolish, they wouldn't act so recklessly!"

The one speaking was the Qingxuan Sect's Third Elder, Wang Shangyi. He was in the late Foundation Establishment stage and belonged to the Great Elder's faction. With the Great Elder currently away from the Qingxuan Sect, Wang Shangyi was in charge.

The deaths of the Song brothers had caused a significant loss to his faction, and he was naturally unwilling to let the matter rest, even demanding Shen Yi's life in exchange.

"With no witnesses, how can you simply declare whether the Song brothers betrayed the sect based on your word alone! What if you harmed fellow disciples and then slandered them?"

"Then, according to Junior Brother, what should be done?"

Zhang Zishi stroked his beard, glanced at Wang Shangyi, and asked slowly.

"Soul searching!"

Wang Shangyi shouted, crushing the teacup in his hand. It was clear he was utterly furious.

"Soul searching? Do you know the consequences of soul searching! Are you trying to cripple Kong Ming's foundation and cause our Qingxuan Sect to lose a future Foundation Establishment expert!"

Zhang Zishi appeared indignant and unyielding, his stance very clear: he would protect this disciple today.

Shen Yi showed no fear. He bowed respectfully to Zhang Zishi, then stood tall before Wang Shangyi.

"Disciple fears nothing. I am willing to undergo soul searching by Third Elder. Even if I die or become an imbecile, I will prove my innocence and that I am by no means a killer of fellow disciples!"

The more Shen Yi acted this way, the more resolute Zhang Zishi became. He even declared he would not hesitate to fight Wang Shangyi to protect Shen Yi.

In Zhang Zishi's eyes, Shen Yi was already a disciple of his faction, someone who could be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future.

"Since that is the case, if you are unconvinced, then invite the Sect Leader Senior Brother to come out of seclusion and let him make the decision!"

Seeing that he couldn't completely subdue Wang Shangyi, Zhang Zishi decided to involve the Sect Leader to make the final judgment. Upon hearing the Sect Leader's name, Wang Shangyi wavered. In recent years, the Great Elder's faction had already had friction with the Sect Leader. If the Sect Leader were to emerge now, this matter might truly be settled.

"Hmph, the Sect Leader Senior Brother is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed. No soul searching then. As long as you can produce evidence!"

Wang Shangyi decided to compromise, demanding that Shen Yi provide proof. Otherwise, he would be deemed a killer of fellow disciples and would be dealt with accordingly.

The atmosphere became tense. Just then, a disciple reported that members of the Zhao family had arrived to file a complaint.

Upon hearing that the Zhao family members were here, a flicker of surprise flashed in Shen Yi's eyes.

"Esteemed Immortal Elder! We implore you to uphold justice for our Zhao family!"

As soon as the Zhao family members entered, they were in tears, tearfully recounting the atrocities committed by the Song brothers, detailing how they had coerced and tortured them. Seeing the wounds on the person's body, Zhang Zishi's face filled with rage, while Wang Shangyi remained silent.

"The Zhao family is under the protection of our Qingxuan Sect. According to sect regulations, sect disciples are forbidden from harassing protected families. Those who violate this are considered traitors to the sect. Third Junior Brother, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Zhang Zishi glanced at Wang Shangyi's expression out of the corner of his eye, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Since the matter was now clear, he decided to hand over the decision-making power to Wang Shangyi, simply to witness Wang Shangyi's frustration.

"This..."

Wang Shangyi pretended to ponder for a moment, though he had already made up his mind.

"Song Zhe, Song Bo, and Song Ze, for disregarding sect rules and harassing a protected family, are considered rebels of the sect. Kong Ming has merit for eliminating the villains, but he failed to complete the mission, resulting in the death of the Zhao father and son. His merits and demerits cancel each other out, and no further action will be taken."

"Ah, Junior Brother, that is not quite right. How can it be a cancellation of merits and demerits? Have you forgotten his merit in killing Zhao Ye? It should be more merit than demerit. As for the mission reward, let's hold onto it for now and calculate it together when the secret realm returns."

Wang Shangyi knew the situation was settled and did not argue. He flicked his sleeve, snorted coldly, glanced at Shen Yi, and left in anger.

"Hmph, trying to fight me, you're still too green."

Zhang Zishi looked disdainfully in the direction Wang Shangyi had left. He turned back to face Shen Yi, who felt an immense pressure envelop him, as if his very soul was trembling.

"Not bad. Once you achieve Foundation Establishment, I will definitely take you as my disciple."

Zhang Zishi patted Shen Yi's shoulder with satisfaction, then transformed into a streak of light and vanished.

Shen Yi and the Zhao family member were left facing each other, staring for a long time.

"Aren't you leaving?"

Shen Yi, though he desperately wanted to ask who had arranged for him to come to the Qingxuan Sect at this time to seek justice, held back, not wanting to reveal his connection to the mysterious person.

"Immortal Master, some say that if I come here, I can gain many benefits."

The person seemed to know something, staring at Shen Yi with expectant eyes.

Shen Yi helplessly shook his head, already understanding the reason for this person's presence. He casually tossed a bag of Spirit Stones and said, "The Zhao family has lost its patriarch. You should seize this opportunity."

Originally, the Zhao family patriarch had gifted the Zhao family's properties to Shen Yi. Not wanting to give the Qingxuan Sect any grounds for accusation, he intentionally wanted the person before him to become the Zhao family head, thus repaying the favor for helping him out of a tight spot.

Seeing Shen Yi's meaningful gaze, the person nodded gratefully and trotted off, heading straight for Qingxuan City.

"Just who is this mysterious person?"