"...Zhou Yan intends to harm me?" Zhang Rongfang narrowed his eyes.

First, there was a message in Celestial Maiden’s handwriting, then there was an insider from the Reverse Time Society, and Daiost Congshan of the Zhenyi Sect even proactively sent a message.

"Hurry up! It will be too late if you don’t leave now!! Zhou Yan is one of the few Grandmasters of the Snow Rainbow Pavilion! Do you intend to stay here and await death? Now Shangguan Feihua is held up by other matters and won’t be back for a while. If he changes his mind, no one will be able to save you!!" Daoist Congshan urgently urged.

"....." Zhang Rongfang carefully observed the person. Up close, he could see that there was no sign of lying in the other person; his heartbeat and blood flow were completely consistent with a state of urgency.

But this didn’t prove anything; controlling heart rate and blood flow was not difficult for Super Grade experts with inner skills.

"Hurry!!" Daoist Congshan urged.

*

*

*

Outside Qingchuan Prefecture, amidst large tracts of forest land.

A team of mysterious individuals dressed in black were holding a purple-red round jade plaque, moving through the forest.

Their movements were neither fast nor slow, as if they were searching for something, their expressions focused.

"Why do we have to do such tedious work? Wouldn’t it be better to stay at headquarters enjoying good food and drink?"

The leaders were two tall figures wearing black leather armor.

One of them lazily spoke up.

"What’s there to complain about with a job that’s completely free of danger?" the other responded, bewildered.

"It just feels like a waste of time. Does this Daoist of Great Dao Teaching really have a method to restrain God-worshipping? Isn’t it obvious? Certainly not! Otherwise, the Eastern Sect wouldn’t have been so embarrassed back then. Would they wait until annihilation to take out such a great weapon? Isn’t that stupid?" the lead person said.

"Don’t you understand what those above mean? We’re just going through the motions. After all, we’re just a spare piece, doing it for show." The second person sighed.

"So, our investigation is mere formality; the real work relies on those behind us. This...is certainly false, a slander. Of course, if those above need it, even false claims can temporarily become true."

"Is such slander useful? The other party is a Daoist of Great Dao Teaching, no one would believe such a small trick, right? Haven’t you seen that, despite spreading to many places, nothing’s happened?" the first person retorted.

"You don’t understand; many things, if it’s just one incident, are nothing, but if there are many strung together...even a sliver of doubt can destabilize many things." The second person sighed.

He leaped lightly forward with the jade disk in his hand, landing on a tree branch.

"This should be the area where the God-worshipper disappeared at the Jade Void Palace. They were investigated here for a long time before."

"Yes, it’s here. There likely won’t be anything, just check casually and we can go back."

The two whispered to each other, not noticing that the jade disk in their hands was slowly emitting a faint silver color.

By the time they realized something was wrong, a silver fish pattern was already slowly emerging in the center of the jade disk.

"No...it can’t be!?" Both were stunned, looking at each other in disbelief.

This jade disk was something unique to the Spirit Court; the Flying Spirit Sect had many special creations against Spiritual Veins to check all traces left after a God-worshipper’s death.

As long as it’s within ten years, if residuals can be found, it can be traced.

In terms of research on Spiritual Veins regarding God-worshipping, the Spirit Court stood above all forces, being the best in the world.

What was unexpected to the two was that a God-worshipping Grandmaster had really perished here.

"As long as it wasn’t due to being drained, finding the dead Spiritual Veins black powder, the jade disk can directly indicate the manner of death!"

The two suppressed their horror, realizing the gravity of the situation.

For the jade disk to turn silver, there was only one possibility, that they had found the residuals of a deceased God-worshipper.

And the appearance of a fish pattern...

This meant the death was not due to the Spirit Core being broken, but through some other special method!

The next step, after the jade disk’s guidance, was to determine the true killer....

If it really was Daoist Zhang Ying, then the problem was really severe!!

"Is there truly another method to restrain God-worshipping!?!"

The two were shocked, having originally only been sent to go through the motions, yet they had actually discovered a clue.

"Immediately notify Lord Zhou!" Instantly, one continued to search for the residual black grey of the Spiritual Veins.

The other led the team, turning toward Qingchuan Prefecture and hurrying away.

*

*

*

In the courtyard.

Zhang Rongfang quietly looked at Daoist Congshan in front of him.

The handwriting of Celestial Maiden, the insider of the Reverse Time Society, the elusive attitude of Zhou Yan.

And this baffling investigation.

Who is true and who is false in all these? Who is genuinely sincere, and who harbors sinister motives?

He couldn’t distinguish.

But.... does distinguishing really matter?

Thump, thump, thump.

At this time, another group of people quickly entered the courtyard gate.

Leading them was Zhou Yan, dressed plainly. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

He clearly intended to rest but held a jade disk in his hand, making his expression unusually solemn.

"Daoist Zhang, we have discovered something nearby. You might want to take a look." He threw the jade disk onto the ground in front of Zhang Rongfang.

"In Citong, our investigation results showed that several Grandmasters who had conflict with you mysteriously disappeared.

Here, we found that a God-worshipping Grandmaster, who had conflict with you, was killed by a special unknown method. The killer was not a God-worshipper, nor did he die from a shattered Spirit Core."

Zhou Yan’s expression was grim.

His gaze was fixed on Zhang Rongfang.

"The results of this investigation, you should give me an explanation, right?"

"...." Zhang Rongfang glanced at Daoist Congshan beside him.

The person exhibited none of the previous urgency, instead standing by with an air of indifference as if everything was unrelated to him.

It was as if the one urging him to flee earlier was not him.

The messenger, the Reverse Time Society, Zhou Yan, and the so-called investigation.

"Explanation? I don’t understand what you’re saying? How to explain?" He calmed down, speaking lightly.

"Are you clear about what I mean?" Zhou Yan’s mind was in turmoil. "Over there in Citong, and here in Qingchuan, anyone who had conflicts with you mysteriously disappeared. Now traces of their deaths have been found, all killed by some special method!"

"What could an ordinary Super Grade possibly know? Do you really think it was him who did the killings?"

From outside the courtyard, a tall figure suddenly walked in.

This person had white hair and stood three meters tall, dressed in the distinctive deep-blue robes of the Great Dao Teaching.

It was none other than Shangguan Feihua, who had been entangled earlier.

"Shangguan Manor Lord, I didn’t expect you to return so promptly." Zhou Yan turned around to face him, a flash of seriousness in his eyes.

"Why wouldn’t I return? This is the stronghold of the Shangguan family. If anyone dares to cause trouble here, don’t blame me if I turn hostile!" Shangguan Feihua said coldly, staring intently at Zhou Yan.

"Since the Manor Lord is here, it’s just as well. Take a look at the evidence I’ve found." Zhou Yan pointed to the jade disc on the ground.

Instantly, all eyes in the room fell on the jade disc. Those present were no ordinary people, and many recognized the disc.

This object had appeared several times in past cases of unrest and mysteries.

Those with deep experience could recognize this item.

"It’s the Falling Jade Disc...!"

Shangguan Feihua naturally also recognized it.

He was also aware of what the fish pattern on it signified.

"We used four Falling Jade Discs previously, and the result was that two of them displayed the fish pattern. Now, I’ve used another here, and it too shows the fish pattern."

Zhou Yan said in a deep voice.

"Now, you tell me, why do most of the jade discs related to the Daoist show anomalies?"

"The strongest around Daoist is just a Super Grade. How could he kill a Grandmaster?" Shangguan Feihua countered. "So, even if the method of death is unusual, it shouldn’t be concluded that he was the one who did it!"

"Then why are all the dead connected to him by enmity?" Zhou Yan interrogated sharply.

By now, Shangguan Feihua sensed something was amiss. Clearly, Zhou Yan was supposed to be on their side, yet now he was inexplicably bringing up this accusation.

"It couldn’t have been him!" Shangguan Feihua’s gaze turned icy cold.

"Then who!? Tell me, who!?" Zhou Yan took a step forward, pressing the issue. "Do you realize that among the dead is a Grandmaster from the Twelve Sect Mansions?!"

"Do you have evidence?!" Shangguan Feihua did not back down.

"Before I came, someone from the Reversal Society sent him a message, advising him to escape. That is evidence!" Zhou Yan suddenly declared.

He pointed at Daoist Congshan standing to the side.

"Brother Congshan cooperated with us, pretending to be a Reversal Society expert, urging him to run. He did not deny it, instead, he seriously considered it! This alone shows he is problematic!"

"Are you certain?!" Shangguan Feihua sharply gazed at Daoist Congshan, his large, bell-like eyes gleaming ominously in the moonlight.

Daoist Congshan’s face tightened, and his whole body stiffened, almost taking a step back.

"Yes! It is true!"

"You might not care about outsiders, Manor Lord, but among the Twelve Sect Mansions, we are interlinked. A Grandmaster has perished at the hands of a traitor; surely, Manor Lord wouldn’t remain indifferent?" Zhou Yan’s voice was icy.

Shangguan Feihua fell silent, turning to glance at the silent Zhang Rongfang.

"Zhang Ying, were the deaths really caused by you? As long as you say it wasn’t, I will ensure you remain unharmed in Qingchuan Prefecture!"

"Is the Manor Lord teaching someone to evade responsibility?" Zhou Yan’s expression turned severe, shouting a demand.

"Silence!" Shangguan Feihua roared angrily, like a lion’s mighty roar, causing dust to fall from the courtyard walls and ripples to spread across the small pond.

"I represent the military of the Snow Rainbow Pavilion! How dare you behave wantonly!? I will wipe out your nine generations!"

Zhou Yan stepped forward, shouting furiously, his imposing figure radiating a presence only slightly weaker than Shangguan Feihua’s.

"Annihilate my nine generations? I’ll take you out first!!" Shangguan Feihua’s body rapidly swelled, silvery patterns emerging on his surface.

"Harboring fugitives! Secretly releasing rebel collaborators! Shangguan Feihua, it seems you are tired of living!" Zhou Yan slowly gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist.

Outwardly, he was stern and angry, but inwardly he was secretly pleased.

This was his purpose for coming here—whether to frame Zhang Rongfang or to provoke Shangguan Feihua—it would achieve his desired outcome.

If he could also incriminate Shangguan Feihua with collaborating with rebels, his mission here would be completely successful.

"I ask you once more, are you truly going to shield someone colluding with rebels? Are you sure it’s actually Zhang Ying? Is he truly in his thirties? Is he indeed that so-called peerless genius?"

Shangguan Feihua’s breath was heavy as he looked toward Zhang Rongfang.

"By the name of Celestial Venerable, tell me the truth. Have you colluded with rebels!?"

"No."

Zhang Rongfang shook his head.

"Is your Cultivation of Literature and age falsified?"

"No."

"Were you the Eastern Sect’s pawn in the past? Are you still loyal to the Eastern Sect?" Shangguan Feihua asked again.

"No." Zhang Rongfang replied.

Shangguan Feihua’s eyes were cold as he glanced at Zhou Yan, then back at Zhang Rongfang.

"Lastly, were the Grandmasters from the Western Sect and the Jade Void Palace’s Shang family killed by your cooperation?"

"No." Zhang Rongfang said.

"Do you see? By the name of Celestial Venerable! If there is even a hint of falsehood at this moment, they will surely be punished when they worship the gods in the future! Therefore, he cannot be..."

"To kill them, there is no need for anyone’s cooperation."

Shangguan Feihua’s words were abruptly cut off.

His voice was entirely suppressed by Zhang Rongfang’s calm and deep tone.

Even though his voice was louder.

Yet, at that moment, in everyone’s ears, Zhang Rongfang’s brief reply was like a great bell, causing everyone’s hearts to tremble.

All eyes instantly focused on Zhang Rongfang.

Including Zhou Yan and Shangguan Feihua.

"What did you just say!? Say it again!" Shangguan Feihua’s eyes widened in rage, staring intently at Zhang Rongfang.

He suspected he had heard wrong.

He misheard that previous sentence.

"I said, to kill them, there is no need for anyone else, I alone am enough."

Zhang Rongfang’s expression was calm as he repeated.

He looked up, meeting the gaze of everyone present.