65: Thunderous Counterattack and Shock to the Sect

Before the night had receded, the mess and the wounded in the Ding Zi Courtyard, along with the distress signal fireworks soaring into the sky, were like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the tranquility of the Qingxuan Sect's Outer Sect.

The Law Enforcement Team arrived quickly. Looking at the collapsed walls, the scattered debris, and Wen Youyi, whose aura was withered and whose lips were stained with blood as he was supported by Zhao Iron Pillar, the leading Law Enforcement Deacon's face turned extremely ugly.

Within the Sect, to launch such a fierce attack on a Disciple's residence was simply lawless!

“Junior Martial Nephew Wen, do you know who did this?” the Law Enforcement Deacon asked in a heavy voice.

Wen Youyi's face was pale, and his voice was weak but clear: “Reporting to the deacon, there were The core five people in total among the attackers, all masked, with extremely high cultivation. The leader likely possessed a Qi Refining Late Stage cultivation. This Disciple... this Disciple fought for his life and was fortunate enough to leave a small, faint mark on their leader.”

He extended a finger, and a wisp of an extremely faint, unique star aura lingered around his fingertip.

“This was caused by a special Cultivation Technique I Cultivate; the aura is unique, difficult to mimic, and difficult to completely clear in a short time. Please, Deacon... use this as evidence to apprehend the criminals!”

Qi Refining Late Stage?! A mark?!

The Law Enforcement Deacon's heart shook, realizing this matter was by no means simple. He carefully collected that wisp of star aura with a jade bottle and said solemnly, “Rest assured, Junior Martial Nephew, the Sect will definitely give you an explanation! Quickly send Junior Martial Nephew Wen and the injured Disciples to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion for treatment!”

Wen Youyi was urgently sent to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Senior Sister Mu personally appeared and arranged for the best healer to treat him. When she saw the severe damage to his Meridians caused by forcibly triggering his Domain, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't ask much, only instructing them to use the best medicine.

Meanwhile, holding that wisp of star mark, the Law Enforcement Team began a secret investigation across the entire Sect! Any Qi Refining Late Stage Disciple, especially those who might have been recently injured or exhibited unusual behavior, was included in the investigation!

This mark, produced by the star core fragment, was of an extremely high level and highly concealed, yet it carried a unique “order” attribute, completely different from ordinary spiritual power, making it extremely difficult to disguise or remove.

In the Five Elements Courtyard, Fire Cloud Child soon received the news.

“Useless! A bunch of useless trash!” He was so angry his whole body shook, smashing everything in the room to pieces! Not only did they fail to kill Wen Youyi, but they even had a mark left on them?! Now they were in big trouble!

He immediately ordered the Captain of the Shadow Guards, who was at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer and had participated in the operation, to go into seclusion and clear the mark at all costs, while also preparing a scapegoat.

However, the stubbornness of the star core mark exceeded their imagination. The Captain of the Shadow Guards tried every method but could not completely clear it in a short time, only managing to barely suppress it.

Just as he was at his wits' end, the Law Enforcement Team followed the faint sensation of the mark and investigated step by step, finally pinpointing the Five Elements Courtyard area!

When the news spread, the entire Outer Sect was in an uproar!

Although there was no direct evidence yet to prove that Fire Cloud Child was the instigator, the fact that the criminals came from the Five Elements Courtyard was almost certain!

“My god! It was actually people from the Five Elements Courtyard?”

“They actually dared to act directly within the Sect?”

“This is trying to kill someone to silence them!”

Public opinion instantly shifted! Disciples who had previously been fearful of the Five Elements Courtyard now felt a shared sense of grief and anger. Members of the Mutual Aid Society were even more incensed, nearly storming the Five Elements Courtyard's base!

Pressure surged toward the Five Elements Courtyard and the powers behind it like a landslide or a tsunami.

The Discipline Hall had to intervene again. This time, even a Golden Core Stage Elder was alerted and personally looked into the matter!

Ultimately, under the concrete evidence of the mark and immense public pressure, the Five Elements Courtyard had to cut their losses, putting forward a Qi Refining Sixth Layer Disciple as a scapegoat who confessed to attacking Wen Youyi due to a personal grudge. The Captain of the Shadow Guards at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer was urgently sent away from the Sect to “gain experience” and avoid the mark's detection.

Although they couldn't directly bring down Fire Cloud Child, the Five Elements Courtyard's reputation was ruined, and they were forced to pay a heavy price. Some of their connections within the Law Enforcement Team and the Inner Sect were also implicated and rectified.

Meanwhile, Wen Youyi and the Mutual Aid Society saw their prestige reach an unprecedented peak thanks to this incident!

With his body at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, he had withstood an assassination attempt by a Qi Refining Seventh Layer and survived, successfully leaving behind evidence that forced the Five Elements Courtyard to cut its tail to survive! This courage, ability, and luck impressed countless people!

When Wen Youyi's injuries stabilized and he returned to the Ding Zi Courtyard from the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, he received a hero's welcome!

Looking at the brand-new and even sturdier courtyard walls (repaired with Sect funds), as well as the Disciples outside with fanatical and respectful gazes, Wen Youyi knew that after this battle, they had truly established a firm foothold in the Qingxuan Sect.

“Brothers,” he said in a heavy voice to the four people including Zhao Iron Pillar and the many core members who had gathered around, “we have made it through this ordeal. But the enemy has not disappeared; they have only temporarily retreated.”

His gaze swept over everyone, his tone resonant: “We must use this precious time to become stronger! So that no one will ever dare to easily stretch their claws toward us again!”

The horn of the counterattack had already sounded, and their journey had only just begun.

(End of Chapter)