A gasp rippled through the main hall as the powerful individual’s words fell. The gazes of those present turned sharp and hostile towards Xue Qi and Bing Yao.
While they were revered goddesses of Snow Peak, generally kind to most and well-cared for, this matter was too grave. Colluding with outsiders to harm fellow disciples was a cardinal sin.
Moreover, the powerful individual’s reasoning held weight. The animosity between Xue Qi and Zong Luan was well-known; they loathed each other, wishing the other dead. However, due to their Peak Master’s influence, their disputes, no matter how fierce, never resulted in death.
As for Bing Yao, she had recently confronted Zong Luan in his private quarters, humiliating him thoroughly. For this very reason, Xue Qi and Bing Yao had narrowly escaped severe punishment. It was only due to the forceful intervention of Yin Long and the interference of Yulong Villa that the two girls managed to salvage the situation.
Even so, after successfully turning the tables and having Zong Luan sent to Si Gu Cliff for reflection, their standing in the eyes of their Peak Master had significantly diminished. The Peak Master, forced to change his decision, naturally attributed this predicament to the two girls and their associates.
Thus, though they appeared to have won, in reality, Xue Qi and Bing Yao had lost. Deprived of their master’s favor, they then blamed Zong Luan, leading them to collude with Yin Long and Ye Zhenghao to assassinate him.
Almost everyone in the hall had their own theory of how the crime unfolded, convinced that Zong Luan’s death was undeniably linked to Xue Qi and her three companions.
“No, no, it wasn’t us!”
Feeling the fierce glares, Xue Qi and Bing Yao panicked. It was impossible to explain themselves out of this situation!
In the next moment, Xue Qi urgently turned to her Peak Master. “Master, you know us. We would never do such a thing. And you know everything I’ve been doing these past two days!”
“Mm, I am naturally inclined to believe you, Xue Qi and Bing Yao,” the Peak Master replied. His gaze flickered towards Xue Qi, and after a pause, he continued, “But we need evidence to prove your innocence. Otherwise, I cannot give an account to everyone!”
“This…”
Hearing this, Xue Qi’s expression changed dramatically. While she had witnesses, the gathered crowd did not trust them. She was at a loss for how to clear herself and Ye Cangtian’s names.
After a moment of hesitation, she looked pleadingly at Yin Long, hoping he could dispel Snow Peak’s suspicions.
Sensing Xue Qi’s gaze, Ye Cangtian slowly stepped forward. He met the Peak Master’s eyes without flinching and spoke, “Peak Master, I will say only one thing: Zong Luan was an ant in my eyes! If I truly intended to deal with Snow Peak, I would have dealt with you directly. There would be no need to eliminate an ant first, alerting you and raising your suspicions!”
A stir went through the crowd again as Yin Long finished speaking, everyone’s gaze turning furious. Zong Luan, after all, was the Peak Master’s disciple, and a formidable cultivator at the peak of Quasi-Heavenly Grade fifth realm. Even if he had been taught a lesson by Yin Long, calling him an ant was disrespectful not only to the deceased but also to Snow Peak itself. No one could tolerate such an insult.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Someone drew their weapon, and soon, others in the main hall followed suit, unsheathing their swords and pointing them at Ye Cangtian.
The next moment, a formidable individual stepped forward, his gaze exceptionally fierce. “Yin Long, apologize to Zong Luan and Snow Peak, or you will not leave here alive today!”
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian glanced at the Peak Master in the main seat. Noticing his silence, Ye Cangtian let out a cold sneer. While Yin Long’s words held some truth, essentially clearing him as the killer, the Peak Master could not overlook the disrespect shown to Zong Luan and Snow Peak. He needed to teach the young man a lesson and curb his arrogance. Furthermore, this was an opportunity to test Yin Long’s strength. Thus, the Peak Master did not intervene.
“Heh, Snow Peak can’t find the killer, so you’re going to take it out on me?” Ye Cangtian sneered, radiating extreme disdain. “You have my apologies, but I have a short temper. If you attack me, I won’t hold back!”
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian looked back at the Peak Master. “Peak Master, before we act, I must remind you! If my actions cause any damage to Snow Peak, I will offer no compensation!”
“Hmph! Snow Peak has its foundations, and we can afford a fight!” The Peak Master’s anger surged at Yin Long’s audacity. He was determined to teach the man a lesson today. Moreover, he believed that if he could capture Yin Long, the latter would surely compensate Snow Peak for any losses to save his own life.
“Master, Brother Yin Long, please take a step back!”
“If you two fight, it will only bring joy to our enemies and sorrow to our friends. It’s simply not worth it!”
As Yin Long and Snow Peak were about to draw their weapons, Xue Qi quickly stepped forward to mediate. She did not wish to see a battle, regardless of who emerged victorious. Bing Yao also stepped forward, saying, “Master, these two brothers are our friends. You cannot treat them like this!”
“Get out of here!”
“He has repeatedly insulted the authority of my Snow Peak. If I do not intervene, how can Snow Peak establish itself in the ruins in the future!”
Seeing his two disciples attempt to dissuade him, Xue Feng’s anger intensified. He had made his decision in front of everyone, and their intercession was a clear challenge to his authority. Such insubordination could not be tolerated. Furthermore, in his view, Yin Long and Ye Zhenghao had lost their utility. He had initially sought their help against Yulong Villa, but now, members of Yulong Villa had secretly reached an accord with Yin Long. He had also learned from Xue Qi that Yin Long would not assist them. Therefore, he had no qualms about severing ties. Offending one super-force or two made little difference; the outcome was the same – absorption or annihilation.
As the Peak Master’s angry voice boomed, Xue Qi and Bing Yao visibly trembled. Neither had ever seen their Peak Master so enraged, and they were instantly intimidated.
Just then, Ye Cangtian’s voice cut through the tension. “You two, wait on the side. Don’t worry, I have this under control!” As he spoke, Ye Cangtian glanced at Ye Zhenghao, who quickly stepped forward and pulled the two girls to the side.
Seeing Ye Zhenghao join them and show no intention of intervening, Bing Yao’s eyes widened in anger. “Brother Zhenghao, you are brothers! Can you bear to leave Brother Yin Long to face this alone?” Although Bing Yao knew Ye Cangtian was powerful, the main hall was filled with Snow Peak’s experts. If they all attacked together, she worried Ye Cangtian might not be able to withstand them.
In response, Ye Zhenghao shook his head. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t need my help, nor does he want it.” Ye Zhenghao understood this perfectly. If he intervened, it would imply that Liehuo Yuan was making a move, and those with ulterior motives would speculate that Liehuo Yuan intended to attack Snow Peak, creating further complications.
“This…” Xue Qi and Bing Yao were about to voice their concerns when they saw Yin Long, with his back to them, give a thumbs-up. It was clear he was praising Ye Zhenghao, indicating that Ye Zhenghao’s words were in line with Yin Long’s wishes. Seeing this, Xue Qi and Bing Yao ultimately chose to remain silent.
“Damn it, who gave you the guts to challenge the many experts of my Snow Peak alone! I think you’re tired of living!”
“I’ve seen arrogant people, but never one as arrogant as you. I want to see what makes you so confident!”
“Bastard, you’re the first to look down on my Snow Peak like this. Since you’re courting death, we’ll grant you your wish…”
On the other side, the experts of Snow Peak observed everything Ye Cangtian was doing. Especially his final gesture, giving Ye Zhenghao a thumbs-up and signaling him not to worry, which infuriated them beyond measure. It was naked contempt and insult!