Imprisonment

When Chen Yan opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was a heavy, dark iron gate.

The space was cramped. He tried to stretch his legs, and the sound of metal scraping against metal echoed from his ankles.

Chen Yan was imprisoned in the Outer Court's Detention Center.

He had been locked up here for fifteen days.

As for what exactly happened, it had to be traced back to the Outer Court Grand Competition half a month ago.

Chen Yan had punched and killed Qi Yadong, the personal disciple of the Kongyuan Mountain Law Enforcement Hall Elder.

Afterward, Song Wencheng flew into a rage. His anger was by no means just shame.

Because it was absolutely impossible for a cultivator in the Body Tempering Realm to kill a cultivator in the Qi Condensation Realm with a single punch; this had surpassed the understanding of all cultivators on the Chenping Continent.

It was even more impossible than the sun rising from the west.

Song Wencheng had originally thought that this match was just to let Qi Yadong show off and, incidentally, to curb Lin Qifeng's arrogance.

But he never expected such an outcome.

If a cultivator in the Qi Condensation Realm suppressed their realm to the Body Tempering Realm through elixirs and then dueled another cultivator in the Body Tempering Realm, perhaps the other Body Tempering Realm cultivator, under the right circumstances, might have had a one-in-a-thousand chance of a narrow victory.

Then, for a Body Tempering Realm cultivator to punch and kill a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator who had suppressed their realm was an absolutely impossible event.

It violated the basic common sense of the cultivation world.

That Chen Yan kid played dirty.

This was Song Wencheng's first reaction.

Using underhanded tactics not permitted by the rules in the Sect Grand Competition was a contemptuous act that warranted severe punishment.

And if such a sneaky, underhanded tactic caused any casualties on the stage, the disciple would have to bear full responsibility.

This was also why Song Wencheng had Chen Yan imprisoned.

But at the time, Lin Qifeng had vehemently opposed it. The two were at an impasse until the Elder Zhengfa of Kongyuan Mountain was alerted, and it was finally decided to imprison Chen Yan in the Detention Center.

Originally, Song Wencheng had requested that Chen Yan be imprisoned in the Kongyuan Mountain Detention Center, arguing that Chen Yan had killed a Kongyuan Mountain disciple. However, Lin Qifeng strongly objected.

In the end, Elder Zhengfa of Kongyuan Mountain mediated, and Chen Yan was temporarily imprisoned in the Outer Court's Detention Center.

"You're awake?"

A clear, cold voice came from outside the cell.

Chen Yan looked up and saw the figure in white, with hair like a waterfall.

It was Chu Xiyao.

"Senior Sister Chu, you're here again?"

Chen Yan greeted her.

"Mhm."

Chu Xiyao nodded.

Ever since Chen Yan was imprisoned, people from Qingchan Peak had been coming and going in front of his cell, day and night.

This was because they suspected someone was after Chen Yan's life, just like they had been after Song Mingde's life back then.

However, Chen Yan was indifferent to life and death.

In fact, if he died, it would perfectly verify his guess about the reincarnation score.

But Chen Yan would not choose to commit suicide.

As of now, he still couldn't get past that hurdle in his heart.

"How much longer will you be locked up here?"

Chu Xiyao asked.

"I don't know. I'm completely unaware of the situation outside."

Chen Yan replied.

Actually, Chen Yan did have some understanding, such as Lin Qifeng choosing to protect him.

According to Sun Lu, who had visited him some days ago, Lin Qifeng had confessed to Elder Zhengfa of Kongyuan Mountain that he had given Chen Yan a forbidden elixir that allowed him to break through his physical limits in a short period. Because he, as an Outer Court Elder, didn't want to lose face in the Outer Court Grand Competition, it had led to this outcome.

But in reality, apart from the Po Bing Needle, Lin Qifeng had given Chen Yan nothing.

As for the Po Bing Needle, it had already been confiscated by the Law Enforcement Hall.

Of course, the Law Enforcement Hall steward's explanation to Chen Yan was that it was being kept for safekeeping.

Apart from the harsh living conditions, the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall had been treating Chen Yan well, providing him with good food and drink. They also turned a blind eye to anyone visiting him.

After all, even now, Lin Qifeng was still an Outer Court Elder, and the Outer Court disciples naturally had to show Chen Yan some respect.

As for why Lin Qifeng was so determined to protect him, even at the cost of soiling his own reputation?

Chen Yan didn't understand, but he knew it had absolutely nothing to do with master-disciple affection.

There was no interaction between him and Lin Qifeng as master and disciple.

Chen Yan couldn't even offer Lin Qifeng any more benefits.

Lin Qifeng could find another mouthpiece for Kongyuan Mountain at any time; he believed plenty of Outer Court Disciples would be willing to serve him.

He thought darkly, Perhaps he's trying to pry into my secrets?

It was possible, but Chen Yan still advised him to give up on that idea.

With the Hidden Immortal Art in his possession, no one could possibly pry into Chen Yan's secrets.

"It shouldn't be too long. This incident has even alerted the Sect Master. From what my Master and Elder Fu said, the Sect Master probably wants to smooth things over. He'll likely give Elder Lin a superficial punishment and offer Elder Song some compensation, and then it'll be over," Chu Xiyao said.

"Mm."

Chen Yan nodded.

"Why did you kill Qi Yadong?" Chu Xiyao asked, always curious about this.

"I didn't understand the medicinal effects and couldn't hold back," Chen Yan casually lied.

He truly couldn't hold back. He hadn't expected to be able to kill Qi Yadong with a single punch.

Even though Qi Yadong had suppressed his cultivation to the Body Tempering Realm, stripping him of his protective True Qi.

Qi Yadong's physical body still possessed the strength of a peak Qi Condensation Realm cultivator.

Chen Yan had only just entered the Martial Spring Realm. He knew the gap between the Qi Condensation Realm and the Martial Spring Realm was like a chasm.

He hadn't expected that a single punch, without using any True Qi, could kill a peak Qi Condensation Realm cultivator.

"Did you really take the forbidden medicine?" Chu Xiyao asked. She had watched everything clearly from the spectator stands at the time.

A Body Tempering Realm cultivator killing a peak Qi Condensation Realm cultivator like Qi Yadong in one punch was a feat that would shock even the Chief Disciple of Qingchan Peak.

In that instant, Chu Xiyao clearly felt the killing intent erupting from some Inner Court Elders in the spectator stands.

It was killing intent directed at the "Calamity Cause."

Chu Xiyao looked up at that moment and saw Lin Qifeng sitting upright, his brow furrowed, staring at Chen Yan on the stage, lost in thought.

It wasn't until the medical hall disciple announced Qi Yadong's death and Song Wencheng erupted that Lin Qifeng reacted.

Having his disciple take "forbidden medicine" for the sake of face was a rather lame excuse.

Chu Xiyao didn't quite believe it.

She believed Chen Yan must be hiding some secret.

"At this point, what else do I have to lie about?" Chen Yan said with a wry smile, then changed the subject. "How did Zhang Xishun's interrogation go?"

Hearing this, Chu Xiyao's expression darkened slightly. "He's dead. He didn't reveal anything."