66: Chapter 66 Now, it's our turn to make a move.

Su Yunling shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion: "I don't know. He left after killing them, and I didn't even have time to say thank you."

Elder Li pressed further: "Where is the cave where you were imprisoned? We can send people to investigate and perhaps find some clues about the bandits."

Upon hearing this, Su Yunling's face showed a trace of fear, and her body instinctively trembled.

"I... I don't know." She lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz, "I was knocked out and taken away by them, and I woke up in the cave. After escaping, all I knew was to run desperately towards a populated area. I... I ran for three full days before I saw the shadow of a market town."

Although this explanation wasn't perfect, it was incredibly convincing.

After all, when people are scared, how can they have such a clear mind? It's good enough that they returned alive.

Moreover, a mysterious powerhouse passing by acts as they please, decisive in killing, saving people without leaving a name.

Such anecdotes of reclusive Revered Masters who hate evil are not uncommon in the Cultivation world.

The high-ranking officials of Qingxuan Sect and Tiangang Sect questioned her repeatedly, but Su Yunling stuck to her story, so they did not press further.

Anyway, they were just a few thieves; it didn't matter if they died. The important thing was that the person returned.

Finally, the matter was concluded as: Su Yunling was blessed by the heavens and saved by a reclusive Revered Master.

And the five kidnappers died unexpectedly.

At this point, the people of Qingxuan Sect and Tiangang Sect finally breathed a sigh of relief, because this matter was finally coming to an end.

Three days later, Qingxuan Sect dispatched an Elder to personally escort Su Yunling back to Tiangang Sect.

This was both an expression of apology and an effort to resolve the rift between the two Sects caused by this incident.

When the news of Su Yunling's safe return reached Tiangang Sect, the entire Sect was in an uproar.

However, the joyous atmosphere did not last long before it was overshadowed by another major event.

This was because two Disciples had recently gone missing within the Sect.

Inner Sect Disciple Chen Zifan went out and did not return; he was missing!

Inner Sect Disciple Lin Feier went out to perform a Sect mission with two companions, and all three went missing!

The identity tokens of the latter two companions were found at the bottom of a cliff, along with a few burnt scraps of clothing stuck to them, but Lin Feier's was nowhere to be found, leading to constant speculation.

Some said the three discovered a treasure, and Lin Feier killed the other two companions to silence them.

Others said the three might have encountered danger, two died, and Lin Feier escaped injured.

But these two incidents happened to coincide with the time Su Yunling successfully escaped from the bandit's lair.

Not long after, news also came from Blazing Fire Sect that three of their Core Disciples at the Tenth Level of Qi Refining had also perished during that same period.

And Su Yunling said there were five kidnappers.

Three dead plus two missing makes exactly five.

Four men and one woman also matched perfectly.

A startling deduction formed in the minds of all high-ranking Sect officials: the ones who kidnapped Su Yunling were very likely the three Disciples from Blazing Fire Sect, and Chen Zifan and Lin Feier, who were involved for unknown reasons!

Although there was no direct evidence, the logic of this deduction was incredibly smooth.

However, as soon as this deduction emerged, it was forcibly suppressed by the high-ranking officials of the two major Sects with astonishing unanimity.

What kind of joke is this? Admitting that their own Core Disciples were bandits who kidnapped a Genius from another Sect?

Admitting that Sect Disciples fought among themselves and colluded with an outside Sect to deal with their own Senior Brother and Senior Sister?

This was not only a great humiliation but also a scandal that would shake the Sect's Foundation! Moreover, if the speculation were true, the two Sects would inevitably engage in endless conflict!

Therefore, no matter the truth, this crime must never fall upon their own people.

Thus, in a very short time, Tiangang Sect and Blazing Fire Sect both announced that their respective Disciples had met with misfortune and tragically died during their outdoor training.

A potential storm that could have ignited a war between the two Sects was thus forcibly suppressed.

But the calm on the surface could not hide the turbulent undercurrents beneath.

The Revered Masters of the three Blazing Fire Sect Disciples, Chen Tai, Chen Zifan's father, and Deacon Lin, Lin Feier's grandfather, were not fools.

They all knew in their hearts that the deaths of their Disciples (children/grandchildren) were inextricably linked to Su Yunling.

Without being able to find that mysterious powerhouse, all their anger naturally focused on Su Yunling.

If it weren't for her, how would their Disciples and relatives have lost their lives?

This twisted displacement of anger made them wish they could immediately extract Su Yunling's soul and refine her.

But they couldn't, at least not openly.

Because as soon as Su Yunling returned to the Sect, she was taken by her Revered Master, Elder Jing Xuan, to an Immortal Cave next to hers for personal protection.

Outwardly, it was announced that this was to calm her nerves and recuperate.

In reality, it was to protect her.

Now, Su Yunling was not only a lost-and-found Genius of the Sect but also a key figure affecting several Sects. Elder Jing Xuan would never allow any more accidents to befall her.

Yet, Su Yunling, at the center of the storm, was oblivious to the turbulent outside world.

In the Immortal Cave next to her Revered Master's, she had only one goal — to Cultivate!

Her father's words still echoed in her ears.

Hesitation and concealment would only attract wolves.

Only absolute strength could crush all schemes and tricks!

She no longer suppressed her Cultivation speed, swallowing the supreme-grade pills given by her younger brother like candy.

The terrifying talent of her High-Grade Spiritual Root was brought to its fullest potential with the abundant supply of resources.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Qingyang Town.

A green rainbow streaked across the night sky, silently landing in a secluded courtyard of the Su Family.

Su Chengyuan put away his Flying Sword, looking at the lit room in the courtyard, and the tense expression on his face for over a month finally softened into a smile.

He pushed open the door and walked in.

Inside the room, the Spiritual Qi was dense.

Su Cheng sat cross-legged, surrounded by a faint cyan vortex of spiritual power.

As he completed his final cycle of circulation, all the Spiritual Qi was absorbed into his body.

He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.

Qi Refining Ninth Layer Middle Stage!

For over a month, the anxiety and worry in his heart had all transformed into motivation for Cultivation.

With the support of a large number of Medicinal Pills, his cultivation achieved a leapfrog Breakthrough.

"Father." He looked at the travel-worn Su Chengyuan at the door and the relieved expression on his face, and his constantly worried heart finally settled down.

"You're back." Su Chengyuan's face showed fatigue, but the gloom between his brows had dissipated.

He walked to the table and sat down, poured himself a glass of water, and meticulously told Su Cheng all about Su Yunling's safe return to the Sect and the subsequent arrangements.

"That's excellent." Su Cheng let out a long sigh after hearing this, "As long as Sister is safe, everything else is secondary."

"That Chen Tai and Old Man Lin probably won't let it go." Su Chengyuan said solemnly, "Their influence within the Sect is not small. I'm worried they will find ways to make trouble for Yun Ling."

"It's fine." A cold glint flashed in Su Cheng's eyes, "I guess Tiangang Sect and Blazing Fire Sect will most likely suppress this matter. This incident has a considerable impact; if they really investigate it, they won't be able to conclude it easily. As long as Sister doesn't leave the Sect, with her Revered Master, who is at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, protecting her, Chen Tai and Old Man Lin won't dare to act openly. Once Sister successfully achieves Foundation Establishment, they will have even less of a chance."

As long as Sister doesn't leave the Sect, with her Revered Master, who is at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, protecting her, Chen Tai and Old Man Lin won't dare to act openly. Once Sister successfully achieves Foundation Establishment, they will have even less of a chance."

"And now, it's our turn to act." Su Cheng changed the subject, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Su Chengyuan was stunned: "Us?"