Top of Heaven-Reaching Peak.
Six Peak Masters of Zhenyang Sect were sitting in the Conference Hall with varied expressions.
The Heaven-Reaching Peak Master, Wei Shouyuan, was tall and slim, with a long horse-like face and beard, appearing dignified and solemn.
Divinity Transformation Peak Master, Shi Shuhong, was handsome, gentle as jade, giving a warm and refreshing feeling.
Master of Forgetful Peak, Zheng Shengmo, was short, fat, and seemed wretched, with a face full of a smile that hid daggers beneath.
The three were currently debating a matter.
Wei Shouyuan said, "Youâve all heard about the Xingluo Town incident, right?"
Shi Shuhong immediately responded, "The Chang Family has guarded Xingluo Town for years, but in one night, the Patriarch perished and the entire family was exterminated. The perpetrator was truly ruthless, against heavenly principles."
The two exchanged glances, and Wei Shouyuan stroked his long beard, saying slowly:
"I heard that on the day the Chang Family was annihilated, Si Minglan from Xiyue Peak and an Outer Sect disciple were also in Xingluo Town. It seems they were involved?"
Shi Shuhong was "startled" and turned to look at Ye Xiyue: "Elder Ye, is this true?"
Ye Xiyueâs expression was cold and indifferent: "Si Minglan recently had a breakthrough in cultivation, so I sent her down the mountain to train. Xingluo Town was just a passing stop."
Wei Shouyuan chuckled: "But Iâve heard that on the night the Inner Sect competition ended, Si Minglanâs room suddenly exploded, and seemingly a man rushed out from inside? Junior Martial Uncle Zheng, what do you think of this?"
Zheng Shengmoâs fat face remained calm, smiling:
"Iâve heard that on that night, Nephew Si Minglan had an epiphany while cultivating, and couldnât control her power for a while, hence the room damage. Havenât you and Junior Brother Shi experienced similar things?"
Shi Shuhong shifted the topic: "No matter the case, as the Guardians, itâs disgraceful for the Chang Family to be exterminated. If we canât give the other towns an explanation, it might damage Zhenyang Sectâs authority."
Ye Xiyue suddenly spoke: "I will go to Xingluo Town and uncover the truth."
Wei Shouyuan and Shi Shuhong exchanged another look; they actually didnât care about the Chang Family, only wanted to use this matter against Ye Xiyue.
Since your Xiyue Peakâs people killed the Guardian, you naturally should explain.
Also, it was an opportunity to give Ye Xiyue a warning, to show she couldnât be equal to them just because she became an Elder.
Having been rejected by Ye Xiyue separately, the two had secretly allied.
To force Ye Xiyueâs submission and share the Top-grade Spirit Root.
But if Ye Xiyue left Zhenyang Sect over the Xingluo Town matter, their plans would fall through.
Wei Shouyuan immediately said: "A small town like Xingluo, thereâs no need for an elder to go personally."
Shi Shuhong added: "Elder Ye, we will send someone to Xingluo Town. Youâre the Peak Master of Xiyue Peak; since it involves your disciples, it would be best if you stayed in Zhenyang Sect to avoid suspicion."
Zheng Shengmo suddenly spoke: "When a disciple of Xiyue Peak acts improperly outside, the Peak Master should personally handle the matter. Xiyue is responsible, thanks to Sang Yueâs good guidance. Xiyue should go to Xingluo Town."
His wretched appearance and constantly referring to "Xiyue" not only supported Ye Xiyue but showed his close relationship with her.
This made Wei Shouyuan and Shi Shuhongâs faces look displeased.
Could it be this Fatty Zheng really already took Ye Xiyueâs Red Pill?
Were we a step late?
At this moment, Zheng Shengmo looked at a female cultivator sitting beside him: "Junior Sister Ming Yue, what do you think?"
This female cultivatorâs brows and eyes were like paintings, with a gentle temperament, sitting quietly but with a dignified elegance.
Tantai Mingyue, Master of Danxia Peak, ranked eleventh on the Beauty Ranking, known alongside the late previous Xiyue Peak Master, Sang Yue, as "Zhenyang Double Moon."
Tantai Mingyue was like a sister to Sang Yue. After Sang Yue was seriously injured and perished at the Demon Sectâs Relic on Celestial Ridge Mountain, she often cared for Ye Xiyue.
During the Inner Sect competition, Danxia Peak and Xiyue Peak allied, eventually helping Ye Xiyue win first place.
At this, hearing Zheng Shengmoâs words, Tantai Mingyue looked at Ye Xiyue, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes, her voice gentle:
"Xiyue has always been prudent in her actions; I support her decision."
Thus, it was two against two, with the other in the Conference Hall being Leng Jing, responsible for internal punishments as Sword Tomb Peak Master.
No one asked for his opinion.
Because Leng Jing was solitary, focused only on cultivation and internal punishments, not participating in any other matters.
Now each side stood with two people, with Ye Xiyue herself, becoming three against two, after much debate, Wei Shouyuan and Shi Shuhong had to agree to let Ye Xiyue go down the mountain.
The meeting concluded, and Shi Shuhong stood and cupped his hands to Zheng Shengmo: "Unexpectedly, Senior Brother Zheng beat us to it, congratulations."
As he spoke, his gaze turned to Ye Xiyue, full of meaning.
Acting cold and indifferent before me, turns out you had already given yourself to your Martial Uncle, really shameless.
Ye Xiyue knew his mocking intent but did not argue back, rising and walking toward the hallâs exit.
Zheng Shengmo laughed heartily: "Junior Brother Shi, you are handsome, beloved by the sectâs female disciples, why envy an old man like me? Hahaha!"
Shi Shuhongâs expression became somewhat unpleasant as he cupped his hands and left swiftly.
Seeing Zheng Shengmoâs response, Wei Shouyuan thought he had truly succeeded. He said coldly:
"Senior Brother Zheng, when do you expect to break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm?"
Zheng Shengmo chuckled: "No rush, Iâve gained much, and need to gradually absorb it. I have important matters to discuss with Xiyue, so Iâll take my leave."
With that, he hurried after Ye Xiyue.
Wei Shouyuan watched the gleeful, short and fat figure depart, huffed coldly:
"What an alleged first fairy of the day, what the third on the Beauty Ranking, hah, lowly!"
Zheng Shengmo caught up to Ye Xiyue, seeing nobody around, and finally spoke with a sneering smile:
"Xiyue, I was helping to thwart Wei Shouyuan and Shi Shuhongâs misdeeds. Donât mind it."
Ye Xiyue nodded lightly: "Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Zheng."
Zheng Shengmo paused and asked in a low voice: "The matter in Si Minglanâs room that night..."
On the night of the Inner Sect competitionâs conclusion, Zheng Shengmo entered Si Minglanâs room, intending to forcibly dual cultivate, yet Si Minglan escaped.
The commotion was huge that night, even the room was shattered, but fortunately, most Xiyue Peak disciples were drunk, not witnessing Zheng Shengmoâs misconduct toward Si Minglan.
Afterward, Ye Xiyue explained to Xiyue Peak disciples that Si Minglan had suddenly broken through during cultivation, unable to control her power.
Hence she sent Si Minglan down the mountain to train, stabilizing her foundation.
This way, the matter was covered up.
But Zheng Shengmo was dissatisfied with not obtaining Si Minglanâs Top-grade Spirit Root, demanding compensation from Ye Xiyue, either she replaced her junior sister or quickly acquired Divinity Transformation Spirit Liquid.
Simultaneously, the news of trouble in Xingluo Town arrived, Ye Xiyue suggested to Zheng Shengmo that she could use this chance to leave the mountain, head to the Northern Wilderness to seek Divinity Transformation Spirit Liquid for him.
Zheng Shengmo gladly agreed, so the two enacted a play at the Conference Hall earlier.
However, Ye Xiyueâs true intention of going to the Northern Wilderness was not merely to help Zheng Shengmo with his breakthrough.
She aimed to further explore the Demon Sect Leaderâs Relic, discover a method to separate the Immortal Body from the Demon Embryo.
If she removed the Demon Embryo, the Supreme Heart-Severing Sword would advance further, her injury would heal, and cultivation could restore to Nascent Soul Peak.
If she truly found Divinity Transformation Spirit Liquid in the Northern Wilderness, sheâd use it for herself.
Once she reaches the Divinity Transformation Realm and returns to Zhenyang Sect, those who coerced her back then would face death.
At this moment, Ye Xiyue concealed all her thoughts behind her face, calmly saying: "No Xiyue Peak disciple suspects Martial Uncle."
Zheng Shengmo laughed heartily: "Thatâs good, Xiyue, the road ahead is distant, take care; Martial Uncle awaits your good news."
Ye Xiyue lowered her head in silence, while Zheng Shengmo laughed joyously, transforming into a streak of light, quickly departing.
The gale roared by the cliffside, Ye Xiyueâs skirt fluttered, half of her face cold, the other smiling with an eerie expression:
"Xingluo Town, Northern Wilderness..."