Suspicion

"This isn't some heavenly treasure; it's a phenomenon created by someone using various divine abilities here."

After the Qingyun Sect's chief disciples sent the other disciples back to the sect, they turned their attention to the large pit. Dao Xuan examined it for a few moments before making his decision.

"It's not a heavenly treasure?"

Several Peak Lords were filled with confusion.

"Sword Qi, lightning techniques, and various other strange energies intertwined. It's true that it could make people misunderstand that some earth-shattering phenomenon occurred here, but this was all man-made. Furthermore, this person's cultivation should be in the lower three realms, and they've only recently begun practicing these divine abilities."

Dao Xuan explained with a chuckle.

So-called heavenly treasures were all fabricated. The real goal was to find out why these Demonic Cult members gathered here. As for the place where this supposed heavenly treasure descended, it was very likely the work of some mysterious cultivator. As for his motives, no one knew. Perhaps he was just bored and decided to use a divine ability?

However, Dao Xuan had some doubts in his heart. Judging by the traces of these divine abilities, they bore a striking resemblance to the cultivation methods recorded in the Qingyun Sect's library.

Moreover, compared to those records, the techniques used by this mysterious cultivator were even more profound, even managing to summon heavenly lightning.

Of course, this was all Dao Xuan's speculation, and he didn't mention it to the others.

Just as everyone was still pondering and guessing about the Demonic Cult's actions, they suddenly saw a figure approaching from afar. They all turned to look at him.

"Hmm? Master, and all my Martial Uncles, what are you all doing here?"

As the figure drew closer, it was Su Changqing, dressed in white, his robes fluttering, and with a handsome and refined demeanor. He walked slowly towards the Qingyun Sect Peak Lords, feigning surprise and confusion as he asked them.

"Changqing!"

Shui Yue's heart, which had been hanging heavy, finally settled upon seeing Su Changqing appear safely before her. She quickly walked over to examine him. "Did you encounter anyone else on this journey? Are you injured?"

"Thank you for your concern, Master. Your disciple remembers your teachings and avoided demonic beasts along the way. I also didn't encounter any strange people, so I'm not injured," Su Changqing replied to Shui Yue with a slight smile.

The various Peak Lords were puzzled. Weren't all the Qingyun Sect disciples already sent back? How did Su Changqing suddenly appear here, looking so nonchalant, as if he knew nothing of what had just happened?

Moreover, they recalled that Su Changqing's name wasn't among those selected for the Qingyun Sect's disciple trials.

"Changqing, why are you here?"

Zeng Shuchang, the Peak Lord of Chaoyang Peak, was the first to ask Su Changqing.

In contrast, the Qingyun Sect Leader, Dao Xuan Zhenren, remained silent. Instead, he looked at Su Changqing with a knowing smile, seemingly guessing something in his heart.

"Martial Uncle Zeng, I arrived at Nine Yin Mountain yesterday. While cultivating, I saw a celestial flower called the Desolate Orchid Water Lily recorded in ancient texts. I was fond of it and planned to pick one here while also gaining some experience. I had already informed Master in advance," Su Changqing replied to Zeng Shuchang, cupping his hands in a bow.

"Desolate Orchid Water Lily?"

With such a story, the others didn't seem to believe him.

"Yes, I searched for a long time to find one."

Su Changqing took out a Desolate Orchid Water Lily from his embrace. Fortunately, only the spiritual essence of the plant was used during his Foundation Establishment breakthrough; the main body was still preserved, and it could now serve as proof.

The Peak Lords and Masters finally believed Su Changqing's explanation.

"Oh, right. I just obtained the Desolate Orchid Water Lily and was about to return to the sect when I saw the commotion here and hid. Did you Martial Uncles use your divine abilities here?" Su Changqing changed the subject, asking them with feigned surprise.

The crowd remained silent for a long time. Tian Buyi's expression darkened, and Shui Yue looked at Su Changqing with an embarrassed expression, as if reminding him not to bring it up.

Two Qingyun Sect Peak Lords had fought against a Demonic Cult Grandmaster, and even with help, they had only managed to achieve victory. They couldn't possibly speak of such a matter.

Su Changqing, feigning understanding, didn't press further. He then said, "Oh, right, Martial Uncles, while I was hiding just now, I saw a cave. The cave seemed to have a formation with flowing patterns, but there was no one there. Perhaps you could go take a look?"

Su Changqing naturally couldn't mention the formation or the Kui Ox directly. Doing so would only make these meticulous Peak Lords even more suspicious of his actions on Nine Yin Mountain.

He could only hint at it in this roundabout way, letting them discover the cause and effect themselves.

"Martial Brother Cang Song, Martial Brother Shang, you two go and investigate."

Since Su Changqing had informed them, Dao Xuan Zhenren dispatched Cang Song and the other to investigate.

"Then, Sect Leader, Master, and all the Peak Lords, your disciple Su Changqing will take his leave and return to the sect. I won't disturb you any further." With the Demonic Cult having fled and only a formation left behind, and with the Peak Lords to settle the remaining matters, Su Changqing had nothing else to do on Nine Yin Mountain. He requested permission from the group.

"Yes, you, your Master, and Martial Uncle Tian can return first." Dao Xuan Zhenren nodded, allowing Shui Yue and Tian Buyi, who had been weakened by the recent battle, to return to the sect with Su Changqing.

Just as Su Changqing stepped onto Shui Yue's flying sword, preparing to leave with her, he heard a voice from behind him.

"Kid, your swordsmanship is good!"

Su Changqing froze for a moment. He turned around and saw Dao Xuan looking at him with a knowing smile, which immediately made Su Changqing understand.

It seemed his actions had ultimately not escaped Dao Xuan's notice. He must have known that it was him who had assisted in the sneak attack.

However, it appeared Dao Xuan had no intention of exposing him.

Since that was the case, Su Changqing felt relieved. He could still remain an inconspicuous nobody, growing in the shadows where no one could see him, on his path to the Great Dao.

Su Changqing returned a smile to him, then his sword rose into the air, gradually disappearing into the clouds.

"Good kid, you truly live up to my expectations from back then."

From the moment he first saw Su Changqing, Dao Xuan had already formed many suspicions. Especially after detecting that Su Changqing had already reached Foundation Establishment, his thoughts became even more solidified.

He recalled that Chang Qing had only been cultivating the Daoist arts in the sect for about six or seven months, right?

In just six or seven months, he had cultivated the Taiji Xuanqing Dao to the fourth realm and reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Such a cultivation speed even shocked him, the Sect Leader of the Qingyun Sect.

The only one who could possibly compare to him was the Qingyun Ancestor from back then!

However, this young man had a steady temperament and didn't seem to like revealing his mysteries in front of others. Otherwise, he could have told the truth earlier.

"You don't like to reveal your abilities in front of people? Then the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament will be a good opportunity for you to show off."

Suddenly, Dao Xuan Zhenren had a mischievous thought. If this young man wanted to hide his strength, then he would test his true capabilities at the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament.