A blazing performance

Upon hearing that it was Qin Shi who led the team to slaughter the Disciples of the Guanghan Immortal Palace, Daoist Ming Xuan's pupils constricted. He hurriedly looked at Chen Gong and demanded, "Where is Qin Shi?"

Chen Gong immediately turned around and looked behind him, only to find that Qin Shi's figure was nowhere to be seen on the floating island.

In reality, the moment Qin Shi returned to the sky above the floating island, he had used the Ten Thousand Li Talisman given to him by Chen Yuan to escape ten thousand miles away.

Suddenly, Chen Gong realized the truth—this was the stench of a conspiracy!

Qin Shi might have been used by someone and silenced.

There was another possibility: Qin Shi himself was in cahoots with the person framing the Kunxu Holy Land. The massacre had been directed by someone behind the scenes, and then he was silenced.

"Elder, I fear Qin Shi was used by someone and met with misfortune," Chen Gong replied in a deep voice. "It is likely that the person behind the scenes killed Bai Ruoxi and framed Junior Brother Qin Shi."

Since Qin Shi was not present, Chen Gong could make up whatever he wanted.

Qin Shi's massacre was a fact, but even with a memory stone, what did it matter? As long as he adamantly denied having ordered it himself, it would be fine.

Facing Chen Gong's glib excuses, Fairy Yue Xuan's anger flared even higher. She supported the weak Liu Ning and said in a deep voice:

"Ning'er, do not be afraid! Tell us exactly what happened, from beginning to end! Let the world see just how vicious the Kunxu Holy Land is!"

With the support, Liu Ning took a deep breath. Forcing herself to endure the grief and hatred, she began to recount:

"Elder Yue Xuan, Seniors... not long after we entered the Secret Realm, news came that Senior Sister Ruoxi's younger sister, Bai Xiaolan, had been killed by Chen Yuan of the Xuantian Sect. Because of this, Senior Sister Ruoxi issued a wanted order, offering a reward for Chen Yuan."

As she said this, her gaze subconsciously swept toward the Xuantian Sect's direction.

"Later, Senior Sister Ruoxi and Senior Sister Zhirou fell in the direction of the Foggy Forest. The spiritual energy on the battlefield was chaotic and had been deliberately covered up. However, there was a loophole: Disciples of the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion discovered Sword Qi from the Chiyang lineage of the Kunxu Holy Land on the battlefield.

At that point, I was only speculating and was not certain that the Kunxu Holy Land was truly responsible.

Until later, when I and the other Disciples were hiding in a mountain col, that beast Qin Shi actually led Disciples to come and slaughter us.

They were numerous and powerful, and we... we were simply no match for them..." By the time Liu Ning finished speaking, she was already sobbing uncontrollably.

"Complete nonsense!" Chen Gong immediately retorted. Although it was a fact that Qin Shi had committed the massacre, he absolutely could not admit it. He did not believe that Liu Ning truly had evidence.

"Whether it is nonsense or not, you will know once you see it!" Fairy Yue Xuan did not hesitate any longer and poured all her spiritual energy into the memory stone!

Hum!

The memory stone shone brightly, and the image was clearly projected above the sea of clouds:

In the image, Qin Shi's figure appeared, his face gloomy and agitated, as he sternly issued orders to his trusted aides:

"...Damn it, we've really been screwed over this time! That idiot Qi Wenhai actually left his own sword for someone else. He failed to do his job properly and left such a huge handle for others to use! Immediately send more men. You must find Chen Yuan and Qi Wenhai before anyone else does. Once you find them, there is no need to bring them back; execute them on the spot and clean it up! You must not let this matter be exposed, understand? Go now!"

Qin Shi's words, filled with killing intent, clearly spread throughout the entire sea of clouds!

Chen Gong was completely dumbfounded. This, this, this—where did this memory stone come from?

He could have imagined that the memory stone would show the scene of Qin Shi leading people to massacre others, but he never expected it to be the scene where he issued the order.

The whole matter was not yet particularly clear, and some people were still confused.

Just at this moment, a voice filled with sudden realization and grievance rang out from the direction of the Xuantian Sect.

Chen Yuan stood up abruptly from his rocking chair, his face showing lingering fear. He stepped out from the crowd, cupped his hands toward the four directions, and said in a clear voice:

"Seniors, please be the judge! This Junior, Chen Yuan of the Xuantian Sect, is the very person being hunted by that Bai Ruoxi!"

As soon as he said this, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Chen Gong's face showed shock—Chen Yuan was actually not dead!

Chen Yuan went all out with his acting, his tone trembling slightly as if recalling an unbearable experience, and there was even a tear in the corner of his eye:

"Previously, I found a dao lord relic. I did indeed have some misunderstandings with Bai Xiaolan of the Guanghan Immortal Palace, but there was absolutely no mortal enmity between us.

Who would have thought that Qin Shi of the Kunxu Holy Land would seize this opportunity to intervene and kill Bai Xiaolan? Furthermore, he framed me, causing me to be hunted by Bai Ruoxi.

I am merely a Nascent Soul cultivator; how could I possibly have the strength to kill Bai Xiaolan, who was in the Soul Transformation Stage? Qin Shi's action was intended to make everyone point their fingers at the Xuantian Sect behind me.

Later, they formulated a plan to make my Xuantian Sect and the Guanghan Immortal Palace break out into a great war. They decided to ambush and kill Bai Ruoxi and the others in the Foggy Forest.

Because I was a wanted man, I could conveniently be used as bait.

After luring Bai Ruoxi and the others into the trap, Qin Shi, Chen Gong, and the others joined forces to kill them all."

Chen Yuan perfectly displayed indignation: "Senior Brother Qi Wenhai took it upon himself to force his dark red sword onto me, saying that as long as I stood out after leaving the Secret Realm and admitted that it was done by our Xuantian Sect, he would give me this sword as a 'reward'."

As he spoke, he took out Qi Wenhai's sword.

A Medium Grade Heaven Rank Flying Sword was indeed a significant fortune for a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"My cultivation is low, so I had no choice but to feign agreement. After luckily escaping, I have been hiding here and there ever since."

He pointed abruptly at the image from the memory stone that had not yet dissipated in the air, his voice rising, filled with grievance:

"Now everything is clear! The scene accidentally left behind Qi Wenhai's Sword Intent, causing the spearhead to turn back toward the Kunxu Holy Land.

Qin Shi must have killed Senior Brother Qi Wenhai, and fearing that the matter would be exposed, he slaughtered the various Senior Sisters of the Guanghan Immortal Palace to silence them!

He even wanted to kill me! Just because I am a potential witness! And I have evidence in my hands."

Chen Yuan finally asked back, his words resounding with power:

"Seniors, please think about it! This Junior only has the cultivation of the Late Nascent Soul stage, while Senior Sister Bai Ruoxi was at the Nascent Soul Perfection Stage, and she had numerous Soul Transformation Disciples by her side!

What virtue or ability do I, Chen Yuan, have to be able to kill them all?"

"Whoa—!" The entire venue was in an uproar!

Chen Yuan's explanation was very clear; even the most brainless person understood it now.

"This Qi Wenhai is stupid enough to have actually left his Sword Intent at the scene."

"Who is to say otherwise! The plan to frame the Xuantian Sect and incite a great war between the two sects was perfect, but it was all ruined by Qi Wenhai alone."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, stupid enough. Qi Wenhai actually left his sword for Chen Yuan. No wonder they said he acted on his own initiative. If I were Qin Shi, I would have killed him too."

The sounds of discussion echoed all around.

The chain of logic instantly became clear!

Over at the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion, Xu Nuo watched Chen Yuan's acting masterclass and secretly admired him. If she didn't know the ins and outs of the matter, she would have believed it too.

On the Xuantian Sect's side, Sect Master was furious.

"Ming Xuan, you old dog, how dare you do this?! You actually wanted to make my Xuantian Sect go to war with the Guanghan Immortal Palace. What exactly is your intention?"

This shout was full of Aura, instantly making Daoist Ming Xuan's face turn pale.

Chen Yuan's accusation meant that his Kunxu Holy Land had not only offended the Guanghan Immortal Palace but also the Xuantian Sect.