ALL NOVEL Chapter 79: Drawing the Sword Against an Emperor-Level Expert!
Cloud Soaring Mountain.
Divine Dao Immortal Palace.
A group of people had gathered here.
The atmosphere was heavy and silent.
On the high platform at the center of the grand hall sat an elderly man in black robes, with crane-like white hair and a youthful face.
He was the Sect Master of the Divine Dao Sect—Chen Yundao.
Below the platform, the black-robed Moonlight Venerable spoke, “Master, I have already investigated. The Hidden Gauze Sect Holy Son Li Ran indeed entered the secret realm!”
“Oh?”
Chen Yundao said, “Is this related to Song Qingsong’s death?”
Moonlight Venerable snorted coldly, “According to those who accompanied him, it was Yue Jianli, Li Ran, and Qingsong who entered the final trial. In the end, only my disciple died, while the other two came out unscathed!”
“Hao Yue, what do you mean by that?”
An elder from the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion said unhappily, “Are you implying that our sect’s top disciple colluded with a demonic cultivator?”
“Whatever happened, we should ask the head disciple Yue!” Hao Yue retorted coldly.
Yue Jianli, dressed in a blue robe, stood quietly with her sword in her arms.
Upon hearing the term “demonic cultivator,” a flash of displeasure crossed her lowered eyes.
Chen Yundao asked calmly, “Head Disciple Yue, what happened during the final trial? Was Song Qingsong killed by Li Ran?”
His voice was peaceful yet carried an undeniable pressure.
Yue Jianli lifted her head and said faintly, “Song Qingsong indeed died in the final trial, but it had nothing to do with Li Ran.”
“Not Li Ran?”
The Moonlight Venerable frowned, “Then how did my disciple die?”
Yue Jianli explained, “In the final trial, the three of us faced the fierce beast Taowu. Song Qingsong was killed on the spot by the berserk Taowu. It’s as simple as that.”
Her words caused a stir in the hall.
“Taowu?!”
“That’s an ancient ferocious beast!”
“The secret realm is so dangerous?”
……
Even Moonlight Venerable was taken aback, shaking his head, “Taowu? That’s an ancient fiend! Even a trace of its bloodline is too much for someone at the Golden Core stage to handle. How did the two of you survive?”
Yue Jianli sneered and retorted, “Are you saying we should have died alongside Song Qingsong?”
The Moonlight Venerable stammered, “I didn’t mean that…”
Yue Jianli continued, “Taowu was killed by Li Ran and me together. After completing the final trial, we were both exhausted and parted ways.”
Her account mixed truth and lies, making it hard to find flaws.
Moonlight Venerable’s eyes flickered, “Then where were you in the days after leaving the secret realm?”
Yue Jianli raised an eyebrow, “That’s my personal business. I don’t need to report to you.”
Moonlight Venerable’s eyes turned cold, “Were you not with Li Ran?”
“Hao Yue!”
The Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion elder shouted angrily, “You’re making baseless accusations! Just because your disciple lacked skill and died, you’re trying to tarnish our sect?”
Moonlight Venerable flared up and respectfully said to Chen Yundao, “Master, I believe there is more to Qingsong’s death! Please, master, probe Yue Jianli’s memory to reveal the truth to the world!”
Yue Jianli’s gaze turned icy cold.
If her memory was probed, everything would be exposed!
Chen Yundao spoke, “Head Disciple Yue, this would also prove your innocence. Do you have any objections?”
“Of course, I do!”
Yue Jianli’s voice was cold, “Why should I prove my innocence to you? With fortune comes danger. Why should Song Qingsong be exempt from dying?”
The hall fell silent.
Chen Yundao said indifferently, “I just want the truth.”
“I have already told you the truth!”
Yue Jianli said angrily, “Because your sect lost a disciple, you want to probe my memory and expose all my secrets? Divine Dao Sect, you’re really imposing! Do you think Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion is a pushover?”
Clang!
With a flick of her thumb, her sword emitted a burst of sword energy.
Even though she’s facing an Emperor-level expert, she drew her sword without hesitation!
The tension reached its peak!
Everyone watched in shock.
Yue Jianli, someone who is just at the Golden Core stage, dared to draw her sword against an Emperor-level expert?!
Was she tired of living?
Even the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion elder was taken aback, swallowing nervously.
Chen Yundao leaned back in his chair, his face obscured by shadows, making his expression indiscernible.
After a long silence, he said lightly, “Head Disciple Yue is right, such an action is indeed inappropriate. It was my mistake.”
Hao Yue’s face changed instantly.
At this moment, a disciple hurriedly ran in, “Master, there is a letter for you!”
Chen Yundao frowned, “Who sent the letter that made you so flustered?”
The disciple looked around nervously, then swallowed and said, “It’s from Leng Wuyan…”
“Who?”
“That demoness?!”
The hall was instantly abuzz.
Even the usually calm Chen Yundao abruptly stood up, his expression stunned.
“Leng Wuyan sent me a letter? This… bring it here.”
“Yes.”
The disciple quickly presented the letter.
Chen Yundao took out a jade slip, infused it with spiritual power, and listened carefully.
He then slowly sat back in his chair.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Head Disciple Yue would not lie. If that’s the case, there’s no need to bring this up again.”
“Master…” Hao Yue was anxious.
Chen Yundao raised his hand to interrupt, “Escort the fellow disciples from Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion down the mountain.”
“Yes.”
An elder responded, guiding Yue Jianli and others out of the hall.
The hall quieted down.
Moonlight Venerable whispered, “Master, there is something suspicious about Qingsong’s death…”
He was convinced that this matter was related to Li Ran!
Chen Yundao shook his head, “Maybe you are right, but you have no evidence. Let it rest.”
“Also, your intention to deal with Li Ran has reached Leng Wuyan’s ears. I advise you to stay in seclusion within the sect and avoid going out as much as possible.”
“Leng Wuyan?”
Moonlight Venerable’s throat tightened.
How did she find out so quickly?
“I understand…” Moonlight Venerable said dejectedly.
……
Yue Jianli and the others were descending the mountain.
The Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion elder spoke with some fear, “Jianli, you were really impulsive earlier, daring to draw your sword against Chen Yundao!”
That was an Emperor-level expert; he could have crushed them with a finger!
Yue Jianli also breathed a sigh of relief.
To say she wasn’t afraid would be a lie.
But in such moments, she had to stake everything. If Chen Yundao had seen through her, it would have been catastrophic.
Just then, a conversation among Divine Dao Sect disciples caught her attention.
“Did you hear? Xiao Qingge’s cultivation has recovered!”
“I heard from relatives in Five Yang City. It’s true! And it’s related to Li Ran, the Hidden Gauze Sect Holy Son!”
“Oh? What does it have to do with that demon?”
“Xiao Qingge has a marriage contract with Li Ran. He used an immortal material, the Life Fruit, to forcibly reverse her talent!”
“Really…”
……
Yue Jianli’s hand trembled as she gripped her sword.
‘So, he stole my Life Fruit to give it to another woman!’
‘I’m risking my life for him, and he’s off courting another woman…’
‘That scoundrel…’
Yue Jianli gritted her teeth, “Elder, you go back first. I need to go somewhere else.”
The elder was puzzled, “Where are you going?”
“To Five Yang City!”