145: guess

Within the Myriad Spirit Affinity Realm.

Mu Wanqing and her group traveled towards the central stone tower while listening to Li Hu recount matters about Qi Yue.

Whether it was due to Xiao Lingxian's jade pendant or the allure of the fifth-grade elixir being too great.

Li Hu shared many little-known insider details about Fairy Qiyue.

"Esteemed Fellow Daoists, did you know that when Fairy Qiyue first entered the Holy Land, she once fought three Crack Moon Demon Wolves alone beneath the Moonfall Cliff?"

"At that time, she hadn't even reached Core Formation, yet with a Plain White Longsword, she drew Moonlight to condense Sword Aura, forcefully shattering the demon wolves' Demon Cores. That kind of grace and bearing, even if a Nine Heavens Fairy descended to the mortal Realm, might not match half of it."

Xiao Lingxian narrowed her eyes slightly, never expecting Sister Qiyue had such a past.

Li Hu lowered his voice and continued, "It was precisely because of this battle that Fairy Qiyue of the Profound Moon Holy Land became widely known. Also gaining fame was the Secluded Moon Fairy of the Profound Moon Holy Land."

"Secluded Moon Fairy? Who is she?" Mu Wanqing asked curiously.

Li Hu was momentarily stunned, having no choice but to explain a bit more.

"Secluded Moon Fairy is a female Cultivator who joined the Profound Moon Holy Land later. Because her appearance somewhat resembles Fairy Qiyue's, the two were playfully called the 'Twin Flowers of Xuanyue' by everyone!"

"According to rumors, Secluded Moon Fairy was brought back to the Sect by that Elder Yun Yao. When she first saw her, she mistakenly thought Secluded Moon was Fairy Qiyue's younger sister, which is why she brought her into the Profound Moon Holy Land. How things truly are, only those involved would know."

Upon hearing this, Ye Hao recalled that group of people from the Profound Moon Holy Land.

In his memory, he hadn't noticed anyone who resembled Elder Qi Yue.

Li Hu went on, "However, it's true that Fairy Qiyue felt an instant connection with her. The two also addressed each other as sisters within the Sect. Fairy Qiyue even gave most of the 'Moon Dew Pill' gifted by her friend to Secluded Moon Fairy to help her Breakthrough."

Suddenly changing the topic, he lowered his voice again, "Although Secluded Moon Fairy's appearance somewhat resembles Fairy Qiyue's, her Cultivation Aptitude is worlds apart."

"Even after consuming numerous Medicinal Pills and Heaven And Earth Treasures, Secluded Moon Fairy barely managed to cross the Nascent Soul Bottleneck. In recent years, there have even been rumors that Secluded Moon Fairy formed cliques for personal gain within the Holy Land, even secretly annexing other Cultivators' resources. In contrast, Fairy Qiyue has a cool, aloof temperament and never gets involved in such disputes. And then..."

At this point, he deliberately paused, sweeping his gaze over everyone's solemn expressions before slowly saying, "The Profound Moon Holy Land announced that Fairy Qiyue was in seclusion to attempt a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Sixth Layer, but this seclusion lasted nearly three years."

"With Fairy Qiyue's Aptitude, merely breaking through to the Nascent Soul Sixth Layer shouldn't have been so slow."

Ye Hao nodded upon hearing this, "Fairy Qiyue indeed met with an accident, which is why my Junior Sister earlier asked if you knew who killed her."

Li Hu's eyes darted around as he flatteringly smiled, "This humble one only knows this much, the rest is... truly... I beg you all not to spread it around."

He stopped mid-sentence and immediately chose to change his words.

No other reason than the red-clothed woman beside him taking out a lustrous white sixth-grade elixir, a Nourishing Origin Pill, and handing it over.

Li Hu swallowed, discreetly accepting the Medicinal Pill, then cautioned a few words, "The next few sentences from this humble one are merely wild speculation, so I ask you esteemed Fellow Daoists to just listen and forget."

"Who harmed Fairy Qiyue, I dare not recklessly conclude. But do you esteemed ones know that the Cultivators of the Blood Shadow Cult are most skilled in the Puppet Dao?"

Mu Wanqing blinked her eyes, somewhat puzzled, "What does this have to do with Fairy Qiyue?"

Li Pingan nodded, "I know, we just fought them not long ago. That so-called Saint used two female Cultivator Puppets."

Hearing this, a flicker of apprehension passed through Li Hu's eyes, "This Fellow Daoist speaks correctly. The Blood Shadow Holy Land is most adept at refining female Cultivators into Puppets."

"Not long ago, I heard that the Mountain Protecting Elder of the Blood Shadow Holy Land was gathering a material called Soul-Severing Flower, and in considerable quantity."

"Soul-Severing Flower?" Mu Wanqing looked towards Ye Hao, whose knowledge was broader.

Ye Hao helplessly shook his head, "Senior Sister, I haven't heard of this thing either."

Li Hu explained, "It's normal for you esteemed Fellow Daoists not to know this Spirit Medicine. It's an auxiliary herb used only in refining Puppets, specifically Puppets at the Nascent Soul Realm or above."

"Nascent Soul Realm Puppets, could it be..." Li Pingan recalled the two Puppets he fought that day, a bold speculation surfacing in his mind.

Li Hu nodded with a grave expression, "The Blood Shadow Holy Land, due to Cultivation Technique limitations, can only refine female Cultivators into Puppets. And in the Central Region recently, the only female Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Realm who meets the conditions is Fairy Qiyue, who has been in seclusion for nearly three years."

As soon as these words were spoken!

Mu Wanqing and the others were all filled with fury, especially Xiao Lingxian, who had spent the most time with Fairy Qiyue. Her usually cool eyes surged with overwhelming rage, undisguised killing intent appearing.

"So, it was that Mountain Protecting Elder of the Blood Shadow Holy Land who killed Sister Qiyue."

Li Hu shook his head in denial, "The one who killed Fairy Qiyue should be someone else."

"What do you mean?" Xiao Lingxian's expression stiffened, "Could it be your previous words were all false?"

"Fairy, please calm your anger." Li Hu quickly waved his hands, his face breaking into his habitual smile:

"Esteemed ones, think about it. That Mountain Protecting Elder is only at the Nascent Soul Fourth Layer, while Fairy Qiyue was already at the Nascent Soul Fifth Layer before entering seclusion. Even if they fought within the Profound Moon Holy Land, as long as a trace of spiritual power fluctuation leaked during their battle, how could the Late Stage Nascent Soul Elders within the Holy Land remain completely unaware?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the anxiety in everyone's hearts.

Ye Hao pondered for a moment, tracing a spiritual power trajectory in the Void Realm with his fingertip, "You mean, the one who could act against Fairy Qiyue silently within the Profound Moon Holy Land without being discovered must be someone from inside the Holy Land?"

Li Hu chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of self-mockery:

"This is just this humble one's speculation. After all, the Profound Moon Holy Land's waters run deep. The actions of Secluded Moon Fairy within the Holy Land in recent years were mentioned earlier. As for the truth, it's up to you esteemed ones to investigate. This humble one is merely speaking offhand, so just listen and forget."

Upon hearing this, Ye Hao understood. It seemed this 'All-Knowing Rat' had indeed said all he could.

Continuing to press him likely wouldn't force out any more information. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for informing us."

Mu Wanqing and the other three also cupped their hands in thanks.

Li Hu took the Nourishing Origin Pill, immediately storing it carefully. The smile on his face grew increasingly obsequious, and combined with his slender figure, gave off a shrewd, mercenary vibe, completely unlike a Golden Core Cultivator.

He rubbed his hands together, his tone carrying a hint of urgency, "Since the destination has been reached, this humble one will now part ways with you esteemed ones."

Destination?

Mu Wanqing and the others looked ahead, only then noticing a pitch-black stone tower standing in the distance. At that moment, many Cultivators were gathered at the tower's base, forming small groups and vigilantly watching their surroundings.