505: Chapter 15 Zhang Xiaofan

Seeing that his long-cherished wish was difficult to fulfill, Universal Wisdom was unwilling and his thoughts raced.

Meng Li, however, stretched out a finger once more.

In an instant, more than ten Five Thunder Talismans materialized from the Void Realm, forming a blockade that surrounded Universal Wisdom.

Universal Wisdom's heart immediately hammered wildly. Before he could even move, the Talismans transformed into blue-white lightning that struck down, frying him until he was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, but he did not die.

This was because Meng Li had intentionally held back.

He did not know Universal Wisdom, but based on key information like Caomiao Village and the villagers being murdered, he recalled the relevant plot. He vaguely remembered that the other party originated from Tianyin Temple—no, in the drama version, it should be Tianyin Pavilion—and held an extraordinary status. Killing him directly might cause some trouble later on.

After all, he held no grudges against Universal Wisdom.

The one who held a grudge was the villagers of Caomiao Village.

For the above reasons, Meng Li held back.

Lu Xueqi, who stood nearby and hated evil like an enemy, hadn't thought that far. Seeing that Universal Wisdom was not dead, she merely assumed he had a strong life force and immediately prepared to deliver a finishing sword strike.

Meng Li quickly stopped her: "Senior Sister Lu, what are you doing?"

"Eliminating demons and upholding righteousness," Lu Xueqi replied without hesitation.

Meng Li said helplessly: "Senior Sister Lu, your intention is good. But before eliminating the demon, shouldn't we first clarify the situation? For example, what was the reason this person went on a killing spree in Caomiao Village, and whether there was some hidden conspiracy involved."

"If we kill him without figuring anything out, and it leaves behind a hidden danger that brews into a great disaster later, wouldn't that be a sin?"

Tian Linger also chimed in: "Exactly, Senior Sister Lu. We should first find the surviving villagers and ask them clearly about the situation."

Lu Xueqi nodded, saying with a hint of apology: "What you said makes sense. I was impulsive and didn't consider things thoroughly."

It wasn't that she couldn't think of these things; she was just too hateful of evil and had been angered by Universal Wisdom's actions.

Meng Li waved his hand: "It's fine. Let's gather the remaining villagers and ask them what exactly happened."

Because the three of them had promptly rescued the villagers who called for help and quickly resolved the fight, and during the process, they displayed methods like lightning, which were very conspicuous at night, the surviving villagers hadn't fled far. They easily found several, and then asked the villagers to help gather the rest.

Then, wails and screams sounded throughout the entire village once more.

"Dad! Mom! Wake up!"

"My husband! You died so tragically!"

"My child, how can I live without you!"

...

It took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before these sorrowful and miserable sounds gradually subsided.

Next, all the surviving villagers of Caomiao Village gathered in the open area, including Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan from the dilapidated temple. This happened because when the survivors who were close to their families verified the count, they discovered the two boys were missing. Holding onto a sliver of hope, they searched for them, found them unconscious in the dilapidated temple, quickly woke them up, and brought them over.

Both boys had been unconscious and knew nothing of what had happened. Being brought over now, they saw all sorts of tragic scenes along the way and were completely stunned.

When they saw the corpses of their respective parents, only three words filled their minds—The sky has fallen!

Then, the two became dazed and listless until they reached the gathering spot and saw some familiar faces, which slightly improved their state.

When he saw Universal Wisdom, whose body was charred black and whose appearance could only be vaguely discerned, Zhang Xiaofan was greatly shocked. He subconsciously ran over and asked Universal Wisdom: "Master, how did you become like this? Who hurt you like this? Didn't you drive the bad guy away?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the scene instantly fell silent.

Those who were sobbing stopped crying, those offering comfort ceased their words, and those angrily cursing interrupted their tirades...

The next second, everyone stared blankly at Zhang Xiaofan, their gazes fixed.

Suddenly being the focus of so many gazes, the young Zhang Xiaofan was instantly terrified.

Not long after, a villager named Wang Da Niu, who had a past grievance with Zhang Xiaofan's family and happened to have a relative who died at Universal Wisdom's hands, asked Zhang Xiaofan through gritted teeth: "Zhang Xiaofan, what did you just call this person?"

The rest of the people also turned their gazes toward Zhang Xiaofan, their expressions unfriendly.

Lin Jingyu, who had the best relationship with Zhang Xiaofan, was slightly better off, but because his parents had died tragically, he also stared at Zhang Xiaofan.

Meng Li, Lu Xueqi, and Tian Linger also looked toward Zhang Xiaofan.

However, Meng Li's gaze carried a trace of extra strangeness, shifting between Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu. This was because the youthful versions of the two boys now resembled two familiar faces—members corresponding to the second and third characters of a three-person group from his first life.

Facing everyone's gazes, Zhang Xiaofan felt an inexpressible pressure.

At the same time, he recalled Universal Wisdom's admonition before teaching him the Cultivation Technique. He vaguely felt that the situation had exceeded his imagination and was extremely bad, so he subconsciously denied it: "No, I didn't call him anything just now. You misheard."

Little did he know, these words instantly ignited a powder keg.

Wang Da Niu rushed over directly, grabbed Zhang Xiaofan by the collar, and snarled fiercely: "Nothing?"

"I heard you clearly just now! You called him 'Master'! And you asked how he ended up like this, asking who injured him!"

"I just found it hard to believe, so I asked you once."

"Instead, you brazenly lied, taking me for a deaf person?!"

Saying this, rage surged in his heart, and he directly slapped Zhang Xiaofan across the face. At the same time, his eyes turning red, he pressed: "Confess honestly! What exactly is your relationship with this damned villain, or I'll kill you!"

The other villagers remained silent upon seeing this.

This was because they had also heard Zhang Xiaofan's words. Many people in the village had died, and this matter had to be clarified!

Lin Jingyu opened his mouth, about to speak but stopping himself.

He believed Zhang Xiaofan was not involved because they were childhood friends, and Zhang Xiaofan's parents had also died. But he also wanted to know the truth.

Zhang Xiaofan was speechless for a moment.

On one side was the promise to Universal Wisdom, his Master; on the other side was the villagers' urgent questioning. He didn't know what to say that would be right.

At this moment, Universal Wisdom spoke weakly: "This matter has nothing to do with Xiaofan; it is all my fault. Not long ago, I visited Qingyun Sect. After descending the mountain, I was ambushed by a black-clothed person suspected to be a Demonic Technique user from the Blood Refining Hall, and I was severely injured. I was recuperating in the dilapidated temple in the village when I unexpectedly met Xiaofan."

"Xiaofan saw that I was injured and specifically brought me medicine."

"But during this time, I fought that black-clothed person again, my injuries worsened, and I was beyond saving."

"I could not bear for my life's learning to have no successor, and seeing Xiaofan's kind heart, I taught him some skills. Therefore, he called me 'Master.' To prevent him from exposing his skills and attracting pursuit from the black-clothed person, I specifically instructed him not to speak of the matter and not to easily reveal his methods."

"Not long ago, that black-clothed person came to find me again. I fought him, was mistakenly hit by a Demonic Technique, suffered Qi Deviation, and that is why I went on a killing spree in the village, harming the innocent."

"Although I was hit by a Demonic Technique, the bloodshed was indeed caused by me."

"If you all wish to avenge your relatives, feel free to seek me out, but Xiaofan is innocent."

"His parents also met their end by my hand."

After finishing speaking, he looked towards Lu Xueqi: "The young lady just used a Sword Flight Technique. The three of you must be Disciples of the Qingyun Sect, right?"