Chen Siyu stood in an immortal cultivation cave dwelling where spiritual energy was in chaos, lost in thought as she faced the strange runes. She tried using the knowledge she had learned in parallel universes to decipher the information contained within them. After some effort, she discovered that these were modified dark spiritual energy guiding runes, designed to disrupt the normal circulation of spiritual energy and pin the blame on the new cultivation philosophy.
"It seems the Conservative Faction has truly gone to great lengths to sabotage the spread of the new cultivation philosophy," Chen Siyu murmured. She carefully collected several rune samples, intending to take them back for further study in hopes of finding a way to break them and uncover more clues left by those pulling the strings.
Meanwhile, Chen Ruixuan followed the trail of rumors all the way to a remote town. At the town tavern, he heard people animatedly discussing all kinds of terrifying rumors about the new martial arts. Pretending to join their conversation casually, Chen Ruixuan keenly picked out several crucial pieces of information from their scattered remarks.
It turned out that mysterious figures had frequently been appearing in town lately. They had been secretly spreading rumors among the residents and spending lavishly, as though backed by a powerful force. Based on the tavern owner's description, Chen Ruixuan formed a rough picture of these mysterious people. They all wore black cloaks that concealed their faces, and their movements were highly secretive.
Following the direction in which the mysterious figures had departed, Chen Ruixuan found traces they had left behind in a forest outside the town. He tracked those traces and eventually arrived at a hidden valley. An eerie aura filled the valley, and everything around him was deathly quiet, as if countless eyes were watching from the shadows.
Chen Ruixuan cautiously slipped into the valley when he suddenly heard a low conversation. He quietly moved closer and discovered a group of black-clad men sitting in a circle, discussing something.
"Following the orders from above, we've spread rumors everywhere. What should we do next?" one of the black-clad men asked.
"Keep expanding the rumors' influence. It would be best if we could stir up panic among the cultivators about the new cultivation philosophy and make them abandon it on their own," another black-clad man who appeared to be their leader said coldly.
Chen Ruixuan's heart leaped with joy. At last, he had found the source of the rumors. Just as he was about to sneak away and report back to his sister, he accidentally stepped on a branch, producing a crisp snapping sound.
"Who's there?" The black-clad men instantly became alert. They sprang to their feet and surrounded Chen Ruixuan from every direction. Knowing he could no longer hide, Chen Ruixuan simply stepped out and shouted, "You despicable scum! You're actually using such methods to sabotage the spread of the new cultivation philosophy!"
The leader of the black-clad men sneered. "Hmph, you've got some nerve, kid, following us. Since you're here, don't even think about leaving alive!" With that, the black-clad men charged at Chen Ruixuan all at once. Fearless, Chen Ruixuan swiftly unleashed the Pretty Me Punch.
For a time, spiritual energy surged through the valley as Chen Ruixuan engaged the black-clad men in fierce battle with his agile, ever-changing, and formidable fist technique. But there were too many of them, and they seemed to have received specialized training. Working in seamless coordination, they gradually forced Chen Ruixuan into a desperate situation.
Just as Chen Ruixuan was beginning to struggle, a five-colored flash suddenly streaked through the air. Chen Siyu had arrived just in time. She swung the Five-Colored Ribbon like a dragon emerging from the sea, instantly binding several black-clad men.
"Big Sister!" Chen Ruixuan cried out in delight.
"Little Brother, I'm here to help!" Chen Siyu said. The siblings joined forces, and their combat power soared. Before long, they had beaten the black-clad men into utter disarray. Seeing that the situation had turned against him, the leader tried to flee, only to be tightly bound by Chen Siyu's Five-Colored Ribbon.
"Speak! Who is the mastermind behind you?" Chen Siyu demanded angrily. At first, the black-clad leader gritted his teeth and refused to speak, but under the overwhelming pressure of Chen Siyu's spiritual energy, he finally yielded.
"It's... it's the Conservative Alliance. They joined forces with the various Conservative Faction powers, trying to stop the spread of the new cultivation philosophy and restore the old order..." the black-clad leader said tremulously.
Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan exchanged a glance, determination flashing in their eyes. Now that the truth was gradually coming to light, they knew that what awaited them next was the entire Conservative Alliance. This massive organization possessed immense power and acted with insidious cunning. Yet Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan showed no intention of retreating. They were determined to completely crush the Conservative Alliance's plot and ensure that the new cultivation philosophy could spread smoothly throughout the Primordial World. However, the Conservative Alliance would certainly not surrender without a fight. An even fiercer confrontation was about to unfold—how would Chen Siyu and Chen Ruixuan respond?
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