"Kidnapped the Ghost King's son for a sacrifice?" Qi Yu repeated, disbelief coloring her tone as she walked out with the others.
On the training grounds, a group of pale-faced individuals indeed stood by the entrance. An immense aura of resentment emanated from them, so potent that even the heavens and earth seemed to dim, turning overcast and gloomy.
The Ghost Tribe's High Priest, standing at the forefront, fixed a cold gaze on Li Yu, his voice laced with hostility. "Venerable Li Yu, I harbored no ill intentions towards your small sect. However, the eldest son of our Ghost King, our young clan leader, has been captured by someone from your faction! You owe us an explanation."
Li Yu's expression remained unperturbed. "How did you ascertain that the person who captured your young clan leader was definitely from my Beiyuan Sect? Was it based on their attire? Or some token?"
Qi Yu and the others, standing at the back, were equally curious about this question. If any sect disciple were to secretly practice evil arts or commit wrongdoing outside, let alone capture the Ghost King's son for a sacrifice, they would hardly wear their sect's uniform, would they? Who would be foolish enough to invite their own capture? Thus, following this line of reasoning, even if the perpetrator wore Beiyuan Sect attire, it was likely done intentionally.
Li Yu clearly shared this doubt but added, "Of course, now that the Ghost Tribe has come knocking, I'm not saying my sect's disciples are entirely innocent. I merely wish to see the evidence. Would the esteemed members of the Ghost Tribe be so kind as to present it?"
The Ghost Tribe's priest looked at Li Yu. "I know you likely believe I am deliberately targeting the Beiyuan Sect, but this time, I truly am not. Look, I have several injured Ghost Tribe subordinates here. The magical imprints on them are very clear – they are all from your Beiyuan Sect!"
Li Yu lowered his gaze, scrutinizing the wounds on the Ghost Tribe subordinates. Yue Zhiyin frowned and walked over to examine the magical traces on them as well. After the examination, he stepped back, returning to the group. His brow furrowed deeply as he addressed Qi Yu and the others, "They are indeed from our sect, but I don't know which disciple. Minglou, go and retrieve the records of recent disciple excursions."
Minglou responded with a hurried trot. Upon his return, he carried a blue-bound book, meticulously detailing the departure and return times of every Beiyuan Sect disciple, recorded with a brush. Yue Zhiyin compared the time of the Ghost Tribe's incident with the travel times of each sect disciple. Finally, he shook his head and reported to Li Yu, "Master, none of our sect disciples' travel times match."
"Your sect disciples' travel times not matching doesn't mean they couldn't have done it," the Ghost Tribe's priest stated sternly. "Many of the disciples you've accepted are innate spiritual artifacts. For these creatures, who knows if they might have the ability to transform into avatars and sneak out?"
"Watch your tongue," Qi Nian's face instantly darkened. "What do you mean by 'creatures'? What do you think your Ghost Tribe amounts to?"
Sui You's palm erupted with flames, and he sneered, "Old Priest, dare you repeat that?"
The Ghost Tribe's High Priest pursed his lips, his face ashen. His gaze flickered towards Rong Yan, who, meeting the priest's eyes, suddenly exclaimed, "Master, I remember now! Junior Brother Qi Yu secretly left late one night!"
His words immediately drew the attention of other Beiyuan Sect disciples. The Ghost Tribe's High Priest wore an expression of 'just as I suspected.' "Which one is Qi Yu?"
Qi Yu's expression remained calm, her heart steady. She strode forward. "I did go out, but I have not cultivated any evil arts, so I have nothing to fear from an investigation." She extended her hand, hoping to prevent trouble for the Beiyuan Sect.
"Hold on," Li Yu raised a hand to shield Qi Yu, his gaze fixed on the Ghost Tribe's High Priest. "Being suspected of cultivating evil arts and subjected to public scrutiny is a matter of great reputational importance. If my disciple Qi Yu is not the culprit, how will your Ghost Tribe compensate my disciple for the damage to her reputation?"
The Ghost Tribe's High Priest, upon hearing this, became enraged. "Li Yu, what do you mean by that? Are you suggesting the two of them should debate within the Oath of Truth formation?" The Oath of Truth formation was a lie-detecting array, typically used to interrogate disciples accused of crimes within a sect, as those entering it were incapable of lying.
Li Yu nodded unhurriedly. "Precisely. In my view, while the wounds on your subordinates are indeed from my Beiyuan Sect, how can I be sure there isn't a misunderstanding? This matter is fraught with suspicion; how can it be rushed?" He continued, "Therefore, High Priest, why don't you first have your Ghost Tribe subordinates enter the Oath of Truth formation and publicly prove that every word they speak is true, and then confess the circumstances of their injuries? After they have confessed, we can then investigate whether my sect disciple has cultivated evil arts. Isn't that a more reasonable approach?"
"You!" The Ghost Tribe's High Priest pointed at Li Yu, grinding his teeth in fury. Yet, he was unable to win an argument or a fight.
Just then, the副祭司 (fù jìsī - assistant priest) beside him spoke up. "High Priest, as far as I know, there is only one type of evil art that requires a sacrifice, and that is the Myriad Poison Gu." He continued, "Practicing this evil art, whether human or spiritual artifact, will cause immense torment from heart demons on the night of the full moon. Tonight is precisely the full moon. Why don't we all stay awake tonight, right here on the training grounds, and wait for the full moon? Anyone with a problem will be revealed at a glance. What do you say?"
Upon hearing this, the Ghost Tribe's High Priest glanced at his assistant priest, then, suppressing his anger, nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Rong Yan, standing not far away, heard these words. His face turned deathly pale, and his legs began to tremble.