277: Chapter 277 What Xia Qingcheng!

The interior of the pavilion was elegantly decorated, with several Disciples dressed in uniform green robes busy behind the counter.

One of the Disciples heard footsteps and looked up—

In the next moment, his entire body stiffened!

He saw an elderly man with white hair and beard and a majestic countenance standing before the counter, his body radiating a suffocating Spiritual Pressure.

What shocked the Disciple most was the Elder's attire the old man wore, embroidered with the insignia of the Lingxiao Sect!

"El... Elder!"

The Disciple hurriedly stood up and gave a respectful bow, his voice trembling.

"Disciple Shangguan Yun greets the Elder! I did not know the Elder was visiting; please forgive me for failing to welcome you properly!"

The other Disciples also rose one after another to pay their respects, their faces filled with awe.

An Elder of the Lingxiao Sect—those were all existences at the False Core Stage or above!

Normally, it was difficult for Outer Sect Disciples like them to even catch a glimpse of one, let alone have such a close-range encounter!

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande ignored the Disciples' flattery and stepped forward, taking a jade slip from his robes and handing it to the Disciple named Shangguan Yun.

"Has this young man been here in the past few days?"

His voice was low and raspy, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

Shangguan Yun hurriedly took the jade slip and sent his Divine Sense into it—

In the next instant, a lifelike image surfaced in his mind.

It was a young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, carrying himself with dignity, his brow tinged with the arrogance typical of a scion from a prominent family.

Shangguan Yun identified him carefully for a moment, and his expression changed slightly...

---

Lingxiao Market · Lingyuan Pavilion

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande stood where he was, watching the subtle change on Shangguan Yun's face, and his heart sank.

"What? You've seen him?"

His voice involuntarily rose a few pitches, and the Spiritual Pressure of a False Core True Person faintly released, making Shangguan Yun's breathing hitch.

Shangguan Yun quickly lowered his head as fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his voice trembling slightly:

"Re... Reporting to Elder, this Disciple has indeed seen this person."

Hearing this, a sharp light burst from Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's eyes!

He suddenly stepped forward, his withered palm slamming onto the counter with a 'thwack' that made the jade slip on the table jump.

"Speak!"

His voice was low and urgent as he stared intently at Shangguan Yun like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey, enunciating every word:

"I am Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande, an Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall! If you know anything, report it truthfully at once! If you dare to hide a single word, it will be the crime of deceiving an Elder and obstructing official business. When that time comes, do not blame me for being heartless and letting you taste the suffering of the Law Enforcement Hall's prison!"

Shangguan Yun's face turned pale with fright at this sudden surge of Aura, and his legs trembled slightly.

He was just an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple who usually received Loose Cultivators and handled trivial matters; when had he ever seen such a display?

The Law Enforcement Hall!

That was the most terrifying place in the entire Sect!

It was said that of those who went in, not a single one could walk out intact!

"El... Elder, please appease your anger!"

Shangguan Yun hurriedly bowed, his voice shaking, no longer daring to hide anything:

"This Disciple does not dare to hide anything! I will speak! I will speak!"

He took a deep breath, trying his best to calm himself, and said tremulously:

"A few days ago... about five or six days ago, this Senior... no, this Cultivator did indeed come to the Lingyuan Pavilion."

"What did he come for?!" Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande stared at him intently, his gaze like a blade.

"He... he came to ask this Disciple about something."

Shangguan Yun swallowed hard and continued:

"He asked this Disciple who had rented that Immortal Cave with the Spiritual Qi vortex."

"Spiritual Qi vortex?!"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's brow furrowed, and then a flash of realization crossed his eyes.

"And then?!"

He pressed further, his voice becoming increasingly urgent.

"And then... and then this Disciple doesn't know."

Shangguan Yun had a mournful face as he hurriedly added:

"This Disciple only told him who had rented that Immortal Cave. As for the rest... this Disciple really knows nothing else! That Cultivator left after asking, and I've had no further interaction with him!"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande felt a surge of joy!

His great-grandson was almost certainly related to that Immortal Cave and the person who rented it!

"Who rented that Immortal Cave?!"

He stared fixedly at Shangguan Yun, enunciating every word:

"Tell me truthfully!"

Shangguan Yun opened his mouth, a look of obvious hesitation appearing on his face.

Seeing this, Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande gave a cold snort, and his Spiritual Pressure surged again:

"What? Do I need to teach you how to speak?!"

"No... I wouldn't dare!"

Shangguan Yun shuddered, gritted his teeth, and finally spoke the name:

"Reporting to Elder, that Immortal Cave... was... was rented by Senior Sister Xia."

"Senior Sister Xia?"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's brow furrowed as he followed up:

"Which Senior Sister Xia? There are eighty if not a hundred Disciples in the Sect with the surname Xia. Which one are you talking about?!"

Shangguan Yun's voice dropped even lower, almost to a whisper that only the two of them could hear:

"It's... the True Disciple under Master Meng... Senior Sister Xia Qingyue."

"What?!"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's pupils constricted violently, and his whole body stiffened as if struck by lightning!

Xia Qingyue?!

A True Disciple?!

The Disciple of Meng Qingcheng?!

That Immortal Master Meng Qingcheng, who was famous throughout the Sect for being 'extremely protective'?!

---

The anger, urgency, and majesty on Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's face—

In this moment, it was like a punctured balloon, deflating instantly.

He stood there dazed, his lips slightly parted, yet unable to say a word.

His belly full of rage turned into deep helplessness and apprehension at this moment.

So what if he was a Law Enforcement Hall Elder?

So what if he was a False Core True Person?

Meng Qingcheng—

She was his direct superior!

The Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall!

A Core Formation True Person!

And... she was notoriously protective of her own in the Sect!

Who didn't know that Meng Qingcheng treated her Disciples like treasures, fearing they'd break if held too tightly or melt if kept in her mouth?

Forget about touching her Disciple; even saying one unpleasant word, if that woman found out, you'd lose a layer of skin!

Moreover...

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande smiled bitterly in his heart.

Although he was a Law Enforcement Hall Elder, to put it bluntly, he was just a False Core Stage 'Elder,' who could only be considered mid-to-high level in the Sect.

And Meng Qingcheng?

A Core Formation True Person, the number one person in the Law Enforcement Hall, and the Sect Master's right-hand woman!

The difference in their status was like heaven and earth!

If he dared to find trouble with Xia Qingyue, forget about revenge—he'd likely lose his own old life!

"Are... are you telling the truth?"

Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's voice was trembling, his eyes full of unwillingness and struggle.

"You aren't lying to me?"

Shangguan Yun hurriedly shook his head, his face full of helplessness:

"Elder, please see clearly, this Disciple would never dare to lie to you about this! That Immortal Cave was indeed rented by Senior Sister Xia. The rental records are still in the Lingyuan Pavilion's ledgers; I can pull them out for you to see... it's just..."

He paused, carefully watching Outer Sect Elder Meng Tiande's expression, and whispered:

"It's just that Senior Sister Xia is a True Disciple of the Sect with a noble status. At the time... this Disciple didn't dare to ask too many questions."