42: Chen Tieshan: What a sin!

Inside the Myriad Law Pavilion's main hall, Mo Lingzi, covering his burnt beard, exaggeratedly reported the 'miserable state' of the Formation Breaking Sect to Sect Leader Yun Canghai.

He vividly described how the Burning Heaven Palace 'colluded with the Formation Breaking Sect to launch a sneak attack' and how he 'fought valiantly through a bloodbath,' but he completely avoided mentioning the details of his burnt beard.

"Sect Leader! Yan Cangyun, that old scoundrel, is too arrogant! I wondered how he dared to provoke our Myriad Law Pavilion, but it turns out he teamed up with the Formation Breaking Sect!" Mo Lingzi roared, slamming the table.

Yun Canghai tapped his fingertips on the table, his gaze profound: "Are you sure you saw the Burning Heaven Palace colluding with the Formation Breaking Sect?"

Mo Lingzi swore, "Absolutely! I saw Yan Cangyun conspiring with the Sect Leader of the Formation Breaking Sect with my own eyes!"

Yun Canghai didn't press further, a wisp of Sword Qi condensing on his fingertip.

"Since they've torn off the pretense, then don't blame us for being impolite. Issue an order: Myriad Law Pavilion Disciples are to enter a state of combat readiness immediately!"

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Burning Heaven Palace, the atmosphere was even more peculiar.

Yan Cangyun, injured by Mo Lingzi's sword, was sprawled on a soft couch, grimacing as he applied ointment. Lie Tianxiong lay opposite him, listening to his complaints about the Myriad Law Pavilion's 'despicable actions.'

"Good, very good. Myriad Law Pavilion, Formation Breaking Sect... do they all want to step on our Burning Heaven Palace? Perfect, the Seven Great Sects competition is coming soon. We'll settle all scores, old and new, at the event!"

Lie Tianxiong listened to the Grand Elder's lament, caressing the lingering palm print on his face, then suddenly sneered and crushed the jade cup in his hand.

"Yun Canghai, that old fox..."

"Go wake up those three old monsters in the Earth Fire Cave, and tell them... this Lord permits them to use the Burning Heaven Art."

At this time, in the Formation Breaking Sect, Chen Tieshan was leading the Elders in cleaning up the mess.

Suddenly, a Disciple rushed in to report.

"Sect Leader, the Myriad Law Pavilion says we colluded with the Burning Heaven Palace, and the Burning Heaven Palace says we colluded with the Myriad Law Pavilion. Now both great Sects demand an explanation from us!"

Chen Tieshan nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood, collapsing onto the ruins: "What a disaster...!"

As the sun rose high, light footsteps echoed on the purple bamboo path of Zizhu Peak.

Xuan Yangzi, in a green robe, carried a food box and shouted from afar, "Junior Brother Changge, guess what good things I brought you!"

Gu Changge was sitting by a stone table, fiddling with a freshly picked purple crystal fruit. He looked up at the sound, seeing the undisguised joy on Xuan Yangzi's face.

Even his usually neatly stroked beard was slightly upturned, indicating that this old fox must have encountered something joyful.

"What's making you so happy?" Gu Changge twirled his fingertip.

He immediately guessed it was about the Burning Heaven Palace and the Myriad Law Pavilion.

Seeing Xuan Yangzi's excited expression, Gu Changge feigned ignorance and asked.

Xuan Yangzi strode a few steps to the stone table, placed the food box down, and lifted the lid to reveal layers of spirit cakes wrapped inside.

"You wouldn't believe it, Xuan Province has been so lively lately!"

He sat on a bamboo chair, took the teacup Gu Changge offered, gulped it down, and then, with animated eyebrows, recounted the recent events.

Xiao Ruobai, who was wiping the Nine Heavens Dragon Soul Halberd nearby, listened dumbfounded, almost dropping the cloth in his hand.

He had originally thought that conflicts in the cultivation world were all open and honest battles, never expecting such an 'unintended' farce.

He couldn't help but murmur, "It can be like this? This is truly eye-opening..."

Gu Changge glanced at him and said indifferently, "There are many ways in the cultivation world. Go practice the 'Nine Forms of Battling Heaven'; Master the third form before lunch."

"Yes, Master!"

After Xiao Ruobai had walked away, Gu Changge took out a palm-sized jade pendant from his sleeve.

Its surface was as smooth as autumn water, its edges carved with intricate cloud patterns, with faint streams of light swirling within.

This was obtained from a sign-in three days ago.

When the jade pendant first came into his hand, a piece of information naturally appeared in his mind: "Measures the heart and identifies the soul, discerns loyalty and treachery."

This was indeed a good item for purging the Sect.

"What is this?" Xuan Yangzi curiously leaned over, then was startled.

"Heart-Measuring Jade Pendant!"

Gu Changge gently tapped the jade pendant with his fingertip, and ripples instantly spread across its surface.

"The jade pendant can sense the true thoughts deep within a person's heart. If someone harbors ill intentions towards the Sect, the jade pendant will reveal a grayish-black malevolent Qi.

If they are loyal, it will glow with golden light. For someone like you, it would be a heart of pure sincerity."

"Junior Brother Changge, this treasure... can it really expose all traitors?"

His voice tightened, his eyes gleaming with the keenness of a hunter spotting prey.

Gu Changge unhurriedly peeled a spirit orange, flicking his finger, and the orange peel accurately landed in a bamboo basket three zhang away.

"What? The dignified Sect Master of Qingxuan Sect, doesn't even have the courage to purge his own Sect?"

"Nonsense!"

Xuan Yangzi slammed the stone table, making the teacups jump.

"I've waited a hundred years for this day!"

For years, the Azure Profound Sect appeared stable, but in reality, undercurrents surged.

Spies from the Burning Heaven Palace, informants from the Myriad Law Pavilion... it was just that everyone hid too deeply, making it impossible to clean them out.

This Heart-Measuring Jade Pendant was truly a timely aid!

"It's simple to use."

Gu Changge handed him the jade pendant.

"You only need to get close to the person and concentrate for a moment, and you'll know the result. But remember, this treasure must not be easily shown to others, lest you alert the enemy."

Xuan Yangzi held the jade pendant, his fingertips trembling.

He suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Gu Changge: "Junior Brother Changge, for this great gift, I thank you on behalf of the Azure Profound Sect!"

"Don't thank me so soon," Gu Changge picked up his teacup.

"When dealing with the traitors, keep the commotion small, don't cause widespread panic. After all, some people might just be temporarily muddled."

"I understand!"

Xuan Yangzi carefully placed the jade pendant into his storage ring and then patted the food box.

"These spirit cakes were freshly made at Dan Ding Peak, using millennium snow lotus powder. Keep them as snacks. I'll head back now and start investigating with the Elders!"

With that, he walked briskly down the mountain. Just as he reached the bend in the bamboo path, he turned back and shouted, "Oh, right, should I lock up the traitors I find and wait for you to deal with them?"

Gu Changge waved his hand: "You are the Sect Master; you can decide such matters yourself."

Watching Xuan Yangzi's eager back, Gu Changge's lips curved into a faint smile.

With this Heart-Measuring Jade Pendant, the waters of the Azure Profound Sect should finally be thoroughly cleansed.

As soon as Xuan Yangzi's figure disappeared into the clouds, Gu Changge flicked his fingertip, and the purple crystal fruit on the stone table transformed into a stream of light, accurately landing in the beak of the Little Black Bird on his shoulder.

"Chirp—"

The Little Black Bird flapped its wings, its black bean-like eyes full of mischief, as if mocking Xuan Yangzi's eager look, like he had found a treasure.

Gu Changge flicked its head with his finger, his gaze turning towards the main peak of the Azure Profound Sect.

Xuan Yangzi walked down Zizhu Peak, clutching the Heart-Measuring Jade Pendant, his steps light but his mind heavy.

His fingertips caressed the smooth surface of the jade pendant; the cool touch slightly settled his chaotic thoughts.

The treasures Junior Brother Changge brought out had never failed, but the matter of traitors concerned the Sect's Foundation, and there was no room for carelessness.