Chapter 454

Chapter 454: Conspiracy

For the auction this time, the Ice Snow Sect had sent a total of five people. Aside from Lü Wei, there were four others, with the leader named Leng Ming.

He was also the man who had spent extravagantly at the auction, purchasing treasures such as the beast bone and the Heavenly Demon Spear.

Leng Ming, dressed in a cyan-blue robe, frowned as he looked at Lü Wei, whose aura was chaotic and who was severely wounded. His voice was icy, and an unhappy expression appeared on his face.

Although their Ice Snow Sect couldn’t compare to the Three Sects and Three Gates of the Jin Yun Domain, within the entire Jinyun Continent, among other Immortal Gates, it was still a far superior existence.

Now, his junior brother had clearly been ambushed by someone else.

This was a complete disregard for the Ice Snow Sect. How could Leng Ming, as his senior brother, tolerate this?

"Senior brother, I was suddenly attacked by thieves. Only after going through immense hardship did I manage to escape," Lü Wei said, clutching his chest, his face pale.

He did not divulge any information about Zhou Luo and the others.

Because that woman was clearly from the Wan Gu Sect. If they were confronted, his identity as a Demon Cultivator would probably be exposed too.

So, at this moment, he had to find a way to conceal this incident.

Anyway, he had previously placed a strand of demonic mark energy on that woman. As long as she hadn’t returned to the sect, after he recovered from his injuries, he would find a way to silence her.

Otherwise, if this matter got out, he would certainly die.

"Did you see who they were?" Leng Ming asked.

Lü Wei shook his head. "Senior brother Leng, I’ve never seen that group before. The techniques they used were extremely bizarre too. They were most likely bandits. I was just unlucky."

"You…" Leng Ming wanted to ask more to seek revenge for him.

But a man behind him interrupted. "Senior brother Leng, Junior Brother Lü is injured now. Healing his injuries is the priority."

Leng Ming frowned, then nodded. "Assist him in healing his injuries. Junior Brother Lü, tell me the location where you were attacked. I will go and take a look."

Lü Wei initially didn’t want to say, but seeing Leng Ming’s serious expression, he knew he couldn’t hide it.

A new plan instantly sprouted in his mind.

"Alright, Senior brother Leng. I’ll tell you the location right away." Lü Wei nodded without concealing it.

After obtaining the location, Leng Ming instantly transformed into a streak of light and disappeared from the spot.

In less than half an hour, he arrived at the place where Lü Wei and Zhou Luo had fought earlier.

Looking at the chaotic battlefield, his gaze was deep as he searched for traces of the battle.

"It seems they were sword masters."

Observing the trees that were neatly severed and the layer upon layer of turf ripped from the ground, he concluded this immediately.

And just as he was searching for traces of the fight, he suddenly frowned, detecting a trace of an eerie aura.

He took a deep breath. Arcane energy surged around him, a cold aura moving with the wind, enveloping the area.

"This chilling aura isn’t from the Ice Snow Sect’s techniques… Could it be… a Demon Cultivator?"

His eyes widened, a flash of shock crossing his face. He felt he had discovered something remarkable.

Demon Cultivators—in the Huoyun Country, they were beings every cultivator sought to kill.

He never expected to find traces of them here today.

In an instant, his gaze turned cold, and he grew vigilant as he surveyed the surroundings.

A moment later, he found a Gu insect on the ground.

“Wan Gu Sect?”

At the sight of that Gu insect, Leng Ming immediately thought of Wan Gu Sect.

Across the entire Jinyun Continent, nearly all powerful Gu Masters were connected to Wan Gu Sect in some way; most were its disciples.

Since a Gu insect had appeared here, he instinctively suspected their involvement.

He then swiftly took out an image-recording device and documented the scene. After preserving the broken Gu insect in a wooden case, he departed.

Soon after, he rejoined the group.

Lü Wei’s injuries had improved considerably after treatment.

Leng Ming approached him, asking gravely, “Didn’t you realize your attacker was a Demon Cultivator?”

“Demon Cultivator?”

These words shocked the nearby Ice Snow Sect disciples, all eyes turning abruptly to Lü Wei.

Lü Wei pretended to be bewildered: “Senior Brother Leng, I was ambushed so suddenly—I had no time to identify him. No wonder his techniques seemed so bizarre! So he was a Demon Cultivator.”

“He isn’t just a Demon Cultivator. He might also be linked to Wan Gu Sect,” Leng Ming stated grimly.

“Senior Brother Leng, what do you mean by that?”

The others paled in alarm.

Wan Gu Sect was one of the Six Major Immortal Sects of the Jin Yun Domain. If connected to Demon Cultivators, it would be catastrophic.

Moreover, baseless accusations could provoke their wrath—something the Ice Snow Sect couldn’t withstand.

Without further explanation, Leng Ming produced the device. “See for yourselves.”

Leaning against a tree, Lü Wei watched the projected image, then glanced at Leng Ming. A glimmer of light flashed deep in his eyes.

If I could ignite war between two Immortal Sects… Master would reward me handsomely when he learns of this.

A daring scheme formed in his mind.

The “Master” he spoke of was the demonic being who had granted him formidable powers.

All these years, he had infiltrated the Ice Snow Sect under orders, never revealing himself.

Had he not been meeting another Demon Cultivator, Yao Wu and her son might never have glimpsed his true face.

Regardless, those witnesses had to be silenced.

Luckily, they didn’t know his real identity—only that he belonged to the Ice Snow Sect. There was still room to maneuver.

As for these fellow disciples? They’d serve perfectly as pawns to incite conflict.

"Senior Brother Leng, now that you mention it, I remember—he did use Gu insects," Lü Wei announced loudly.

The listeners frowned deeply but remained silent.

"This matter is too grave, Senior Brother Leng. We should report it to the sect immediately," one suggested.

Others nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I’ll inform our master first," Leng Ming replied.

The group then decided against returning to Jinyun Immortal City, heading directly toward the Snow Region instead.

Elsewhere, Zhou Luo, his family, and several Biquan True Sect members had already left the area.

Several days passed without further attacks, and they arrived safely at Biquan True Sect.

"Senior sister, take care on your journey," the three Biquan True Sect disciples bowed respectfully to Ye Qian.

"Thank you for your aid. Convey my greetings to our master," Ye Qian nodded slightly.

After the trio entered the sect, Zhou Luo’s party wasted no time, flying straight toward Qinyuan Domain.

Aboard the flying boat, Zhou Luo stood with hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought as scenery blurred past.

The presence of a Demon Cultivator within Ice Snow Sect was both trivial and momentous.

On a minor scale—this was none of his concern. His voice held no weight; he couldn’t change anything.

Even if Ice Snow Sect crumbled because of it, it wouldn’t affect him in distant Qinyuan Domain.

But considered gravely—the exposed traitor couldn’t be allowed to escape.

Especially since Yao Wu had revealed herself as a Wan Gu Sect disciple.

If the infiltrator sought to silence witnesses, Yao Wu’s life would be in immediate peril.

She’d need to remain in Qinyuan City awhile, he concluded.

Turning to Yao Wu, he said, "Once we reach Qinyuan City, we’ll tell Hong Han and have him relay this news to the sect."

Only then would Wan Gu Sect prioritize Yao Wu’s safety.

Upon her return, she could be well-protected.

Yao Wu nodded.

Suddenly, Zhou Luo’s expression changed sharply.

The flying boat lurched to a halt under his control.

His right hand lifted—Cheng Sky Sword appeared. Deep eyes scanned the sky ahead; power surged around him.

"Who is it?"