Chapter 334 - Ling Fei's Treachery

The Elders had a bad premonition the moment they heard the voice, but before they could rise to their feet, they saw Perfected Immortal Zhong Li attacking Xiao Chen with his palm from the outside. The formidable attack came whirling like the gale, making the frame of the doors quake.

Perfected Immortal Guyang immediately inserted himself in front of Xiao Chen and took the hit. Their palms collided loudly, producing a force strong enough to shake even the hall enforced with a grand Defensive Formation. Dust gathered on the beams of the roof rained down. Outside the hall, dozens of tiles crashed to the ground. Qingluan and Ziyun’er immediately flanked Xiao Chen to protect him after seeing this.

“Old Friend Zhong Li, please remain calm. The blame is not on Hero Xiao…” Perfected Immortal Guyang sighed, retrieving his palm.

Perfected Immortal Zhong Li wore a red long gown and a murderous expression on his face. Zhong Buhui wasn’t just his eldest disciple but also his illegitimate child. His face contorted with sorrow and rage as he pointed at Xiao Chen. “The followers of the Devil’s Practice killed my disciple, but yet you protect them. Very well, very well indeed…”

Ling Fei couldn’t keep the sneer off his face. Perfected Immortal Guyang sighed. “It’s indeed worthy of lament that our two young heroes died at the hands of the followers of the Devil’s Practice. Rest assured, Old Friend Zhong Li. We will surely inform the League of this and have them do their utmost to arrest the murderer. It’s also a way of giving the world an explanation.”

“Giving the world an explanation? Very well, let it be so.” Senior Xingxiu walked into the hall as well. He wore a cyan and indigo robe with Stars Talismans embroidered all over. Unlike Perfected Immortal Guyang who was crying for blood, his face was stunningly devoid of expression. However, his gaze remained fixed on Xiao Chen.

Perfected Immortal Guyang sighed. “The Abyss of Devil’s Aura may have something to do with the Nether World. When the time comes, it must be sealed. Perhaps your help will be needed then…”

“Report!” A disciple in cyan wanting to report news interrupted him, running inside the hall anxiously. Third Elder dressed in red looked frosty. He chided, “What made you so flustered? Speak!”

The disciple trembled with fear. His voice shook as he said, “O-O-Outside! There’s a crowd outside charging up! Unknown hordes of people are also gathering under the mountain, saying they’re here to find the… Devil’s Practice spy! They’ve beaten up so many Senior Brothers!”

“Such audacity!” Third Elder flew into a rage. With a solemn expression, Perfected Immortal Guyang slammed his palm on the sandalwood side table and crushed it into pieces. “Summon the Immortals’ League immediately. Tell them to send reinforcements over to suppress the crowd and prevent schemers from taking advantage of the chaos!”

“Yes!” The cyan-robed disciple retreated out of the hall. Before long, another disciple came running in. “The crowd is demanding to see the eighteen people who went to the Abyss of Devil’s Aura. They’re…”

Voices erupted in unison before he could finish, sounding both near and distant. “Uproot treachery and eliminate evil! Rectify our Orthodox Path! Followers of the Devil’s Practice must be put to death! Uproot treachery and eliminate evil! Rectify…”

The voices grew closer and closer, sending tremors down the frame of the doors along with it. Several disciples outside the hall turned pale from fright. They stared helplessly at the mass of humans heading toward the Pure Harmony Hall. Judging by their mood, it seemed that they were determined to tear apart the entire hall.

The Elders immediately flew out of the hall. Perfected Immortal Guyang imbued his voice with Qi and yelled, “Remain calm, my friends! We have found a solution to our problem! Please allow me to carefully…”

“We don’t want to listen to your one-sided explanation! We want to see those eighteen people! Just what is the League scheming that you refuse to let us see them?” the impassioned mob cried.

Right then, yet another two disciples came bearing more news. “Bad news, First Elder! Many are charging up the mountain, demanding to see the eighteen people! Perfected Immortal Qing Chen, Perfected Immortal Tai Yi, and Master Xuanji can’t hold them off anymore! Please go and take a look immediately!”

Perfected Immortal Guyang heaved a deep sigh. He turned around and addressed those behind him. “Junior Brothers, I’ll leave this to you. I’ll go and take a look over there.” He turned into a sword light and flew in the direction of the public square.

Now that Perfected Immortal Guyang was gone, the mob of hundreds began to force their entry into the hall. The Elders stepped forward to stop them. Third Elder said solemnly, “That’s enough! The group that investigated the Abyss of Devil’s Aura is here! Do you think they’ll run off? Please head to the public square for now!”

Xiao Chen and the rest finally stepped out of the hall. Suddenly, a dozen or so figures charged over. It was the remaining members of the Hidden Fragrance, Li Muxue, and Murong Xian’er.

“Brother Xiao Chen!” A teary-eyed Murong Xian’er threw herself at Xiao Chen.

“I’m alright.” Xiao Chen chuckled, caressing her forehead. He then addressed the mob. “Enough. We’ll reply what we saw at the Abyss of Devil’s Aura as it is to the League. Please head to the public square for now.”

That was how the mob was finally convinced to return to the public square. The twelve ladies of the Hidden Fragrance tightly guarded Xiao Chen throughout the journey, refusing to let anyone come close. When they arrived at the public square, they were greeted with a crowd of people so packed that there was barely any breathing room. There were likely over ten thousand people here.

“They’re here!”

No one knew who shouted, but the crowd swiftly approached them like a swarm of bees. The ladies of the Hidden Fragrance immediately stepped forward to stop them, as did the dozen or so Elders of the League. With their support, Xiao Chen and the rest were able to step onto the high platform in the public square.

The square was now packed with cultivators from all sorts of sects as well as independent cultivators from all over the world. The seats on the northern and southern sides were occupied by famed seniors from established families and sects. Most of them were in the Nascent Soul Realm or even the Nirvana Realm.

When the mob finally fell silent, Xiao Chen said loudly, “Everyone, please rest assured. We have already investigated the Abyss of Devil’s Aura and could confirm that it isn’t the Valley of God and Devil. In the next few days, the League will send its people to seal the place. That much, you can all be sure of…”

His words prompted a majority of the crowd to nod and discuss among themselves. It was surely in their favor that the abyss had nothing to do with the Valley of God and Devil. Still, some remained skeptical. One of them asked, “You left as a group of eighteen, but why did only sixteen of you return? I heard from folks in this city that a spy from Devils’ sects have appeared amongst us Orthodox people. What’s the story behind this?”

Everyone started chattering again when they heard the mention of a spy from the Devils’ sects. Xiao Chen indicated them to be silent before replying, “It’s indeed regretful. That day, we were ambushed by a devilish object. Senior Brothers Qi Feng and Zhong Buhui valiantly protected us to ensure our safe exit, but unfortunately perished in the nest of devils…”

That was the explanation that the group had agreed on: Qi Feng and Zhong Buhui’s unfortunate passing. They would at least be heroes in the eyes of the world. This was a way of consoling the White Mist Academy and Yin-Yang Sect, as well as a way of limiting both sects’ rage at the Immortals’ League.

Grief and indignation filled the mob after they heard what Xiao Chen said. It was indeed regretful that two elite youngsters perished in the nest of devils. This also prompted their anger at the Devils’ sects as they incessantly cursed the followers of the Devil’s Practice. Those from the White Mist Academy and Yin-Yang Sect looked particularly pained and furious.

Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted from an indignant-looking Ling Fei. His eyes turned grim as he pointed to Xiao Chen. “Xiao Chen! Do you still intend to shield followers of the Devil’s Practice even now?”

The crowd looked confused. “What’s going on? Is there more to their deaths?”

Yu Yifeng and the others on the high platform were stunned. Ling Fei had been the one to suggest making up a heroic image for those two, so why was he exposing the truth right now?

Xiaoyue remained expressionless as if she had seen this coming. Xiao Chen sneered and said without emotion, “Touche, Brother Ling.” Ling Fei had pulled a fast one over him.

“What’s going on? Explain yourself! How exactly did Qi Feng and Zhong Buhui die?” The mob became even more heated, especially members of the White Mist Academy and Yin-Yang Sect. Some people even tried climbing up the platform.

Ling Fei sneered. He turned around and addressed the crowd. “Very well! Let me tell you the truth!” He pointed to Xiao Chen and said, “That day, he led us to some unknown place. The ground caved in and we fell to yet another unknown place. Then, he disappeared!”

Looking sorrowful and indignant, he continued, “Over the next two days, we were repeatedly ambushed by large amounts of devilish objects and Brother Qi and Brother Zhong tragically died at the hands of the followers of the Devil’s Practice! Afterward, when we wanted to avenge them, he suddenly reappeared!”

“Shut up, Ling Fei! How dare you babble nonsense!” Qingyu and Zhou Li yelled at the same time. Qingyu added, “The two cultivators were so strong that if Junior Brother Xiao hadn’t arrived in time, there might even be more casualties!”

Ling Fei couldn’t keep the nasty smirk off his face. Ignoring them, he pointed to Xiao Chen and said, “This person used his identity as our leader to stop us from going after the followers of the Devil’s Practice! He let go of them just like that and even called them his brothers! Look carefully, all of you! It’s this sanctimonious hypocrite! Remember his name: Xiao Chen!”