Volume 3 Chapter 45

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Volume 3 Chapter 45: Breakup

Questions, resentment, suspicion, and doubt—many negative emotions began to spread among the cultivators present.

Yet, in the midst of the diverse thoughts of the cultivators, this feast of conspiracy continued to unfold.

Meanwhile, the orchestrator might be hiding in some corner, watching the cultivators filled with mutual suspicion, a smug, cold smile on their face, while the cultivators remained unaware.

Meanwhile, the sun set in the west, and before anyone realized, the amber twilight had already blanketed every inch of grass, wood, sand, and stone on Huandao Island.

In the afterglow, seeing the fleeting weariness on Zhang Hualing’s face, Xu Qingfan suddenly wondered how the old fox, who had shouldered the burdens of Jiuhua Gate for centuries, truly felt facing this inescapable predicament.

Helpless? Powerless? Or perhaps, simply without regret?

To many cultivators at Jiuhua Gate, Zhang Hualing was merely a detestable elder, a greedy sect leader, a cowardly leader, and an unreasonable old man. Although several elders within the sect supported him, it was only because Zhang Hualing could offer them enough benefits. Privately, regarding Zhang Hualing’s actions over the years, the elders couldn’t help but have their criticisms.

However, despite that, no one can deny that after Jiuhua Gate was severely weakened a thousand years ago, it was under Zhang Hualing’s leadership that the sect gradually regained its strength.

At this moment, when the entire Jiuhua Gate was in crisis, all eyes, from the high and mighty elders to ordinary disciples like Xu Qingfan, turned to Zhang Hualing. They all desperately hoped he could find a way to lead Jiuhua Gate out of crisis, just as he had done over the centuries.

Only at times like these do the cultivators of Jiuhua Gate realize that Zhang Hualing represents more than just a heartless old man; in comparison, he is more importantly the Sect Master of Jiuhua Gate.

…

Not only the cultivators of Jiuhua Gate, but also many sect leaders and elders from other sects on Huandao Island were closely watching Zhang Hualing’s every move. Unlike the cultivators of Jiuhua Gate, their gazes were filled with hostility, and Xu Qingfan even saw an unconcealed gloating expression on the faces of Taoist Jiuze, the Sect Master of Liuhe Gate, and Man Tian, the head of the Eight Wilderness Hall.

Finally, under the gaze of over a hundred cultivators present, Zhang Hualing finally made a move.

Zhang Hualing slowly took out a firestone from his pocket, struck it to create sparks, and lit his ever-present pipe. He then took a deep drag of dry tobacco, paused for a moment, and exhaled a long stream of gray smoke.

After completing this series of actions, the blank expression on Zhang Hualing’s face returned to his usual calm and composed demeanor.

"This body does resemble Junior Martial Brother Ma Huaguang, and it is true that Taoist Friend Xuan Ku died by our Jiuhua’s secret technique, the ‘Linghua Finger.’ But I swear, everything on Huandao Island was absolutely not done by our Jiuhua."

Under the collective gaze of the cultivators present, Zhang Hualing spoke calmly and assuredly.

"Hmph…! Since this body is of your Jiuhua Mountain elder and Taoist Friend Xuan Ku was killed by your Jiuhua Mountain technique, how can you say this isn’t done by your Jiuhua? Sect Master Zhang is truly arrogant."

Taoist Jiuze, who had been silent all along, finally spoke. He coldly retorted upon hearing Zhang Hualing’s words.

"Indeed, it’s very clear now. From Taoist Friend Xuan Xian’s words, at least four Jiuhua Mountain elders were involved in the Huandao Island incident. With such significant forces used, is Sect Master Zhang playing games with us by saying this has nothing to do with the Jiuhua Gate?" The main hall master of Eight Wilderness Hall, Man Tian, followed Taoist Jiuze’s lead.

Originally, the major sects that lost elite disciples were intimidated by Jiuhua Gate’s Holy Land renown and, despite their dissatisfaction with Zhang Hualing’s earlier words, held back from speaking out. But now, seeing the powerful Eight Wilderness Hall and Liuhe Gate taking a stand, the sect leaders and elders of other factions, feeling supported, began to openly question and challenge, leaving Jiuhua Gate engulfed in accusations.

It has finally come.

Seeing Taoist Jiuze and Man Tian speak up one after another, Xu Qingfan sighed softly in his heart and thought quietly.

The moment he found himself in a predicament at Jiuhua Gate, he had actually anticipated this situation but didn’t expect it to happen just now.

Liuhe Gate and Eight Wilderness Hall had always eyed the reputation of Jiuhua Mountain’s Holy Land due to their own reasons, as Jiuhua Gate was somewhat weaker than these two sects, and even more so compared to the other Five Holy Lands.

This time, Jiuhua Mountain being framed was the perfect opportunity for them to take its place.

In fact, Xu Qingfan had previously suspected that the mysterious masterminds behind the plot might be one of these two sects, or possibly a collaboration between them.

When he raised the three doubts earlier, he was prepared to face their questioning and attacks, and had plans ready in his mind. However, he didn’t expect that both Taoist Jiuze and Man Tian, being cautious by nature, would refrain from offending Jiuhua Mountain before the situation was clear.

Now that the situation has turned against Jiuhua Mountain, they finally emerged, eagerly adding salt to Jiuhua Mountain’s wounds and becoming the leading attackers.

In doing so, these two sects could attack Jiuhua Gate without leaving any evidence, while also gaining the favor of other sects, proving their strategic foresight.

Indeed, when other sects saw Liuhe Gate and Eight Wilderness Hall questioning Zhang Hualing, they quickly followed suit.

Once a voice rises, countless others echo, and at that moment, the two sects seemed to hold the prestige of a Holy Land.

At this moment, Li Tianying from the White Lady Palace also began to make her move.

"I was wondering before, with the strength of my disciples, how could they be killed so easily by these little ones," said Li Tianying, pointing at Xu Qingfan, Jin Qinghan, and Lv Qingshang, who were standing quietly by the side, completely ignoring the fact that Xu Qingfan had already subdued two of her disciples upon her arrival. She said coldly, "So it was some of your Jiuhua Gate’s elders bullying the young. I don’t care what excuse you have or why Jiuhua Mountain is doing this, but I want you to hand over those elders who harmed my disciples. Otherwise, even if it leads to war between our two groups, I will avenge my two beloved disciples."

As Li Tianying finished speaking, the voices condemning Jiuhua Mountain grew louder from other factions. In their excitement, some hot-tempered cultivators even began to gather Spirit Qi, ready to attack once someone made the first move.

The situation became uncontrollable.

However, what slightly reassured Xu Qingfan was that other than the White Lady Palace, the other Four Holy Lands — who truly had influence — remained silent, seeming to be plotting something. Even the cultivators from Penance Valley, where two members had died, were silent, which made people feel a bit strange.

But Xu Qingfan noticed that the leaders of these Four Holy Lands were slightly moving their lips, indicating they were discussing strategies among themselves rather than not wanting to participate.

Facing all these accusations, Zhang Hualing’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "Have any of you taoist friends considered this: everything in the world is done for a purpose. If Jiuhua Gate did this, then what could be our motive?"

Li Tianying replied coldly, "Everyone knows that although Jiuhua Gate still has the name of a Holy Land, it no longer has the strength a Holy Land should possess. Many sects without the name of a Holy Land have already surpassed Jiuhua Gate in power. Doing this is just to take advantage of the Newcomer Competition, where elite disciples of various factions gather, to eliminate them so those factions won’t be able to compete with Jiuhua Gate in the future."

As Li Tianying’s voice fell, a chorus of agreement rose up behind her.

Zhang Hualing remained calm and simply asked, "Since that’s the case, why would my sect’s elder spare some disciples’ lives and let them see the attackers were from Jiuhua? Wouldn’t that just make us more suspicious? I’m not a wise man, but I wouldn’t make such an obvious mistake, would I?"

Man Tian whispered, "Truth can appear false, and false can seem true. You did this to confuse everyone, leaving obvious flaws to make it look like Jiuhua was framed. But you didn’t expect that the friends from Penance Valley would find Venerable Xuan Ku’s body, nor that they would kill one of your elders. Just like earlier when Jiuhua Gate almost cleared their name."

Taoist Jiuze added, "No matter your excuse, the evidence shows that the Huandao Island incident was planned by Jiuhua Gate. Sect Master Zhang, by arguing now, you’re lowering your standing. It would be better to admit and earn the title of a hero."

Hearing Man Tian and Taoist Jiuze, the other sects echoed in agreement, each presenting various reasons for Jiuhua Gate’s conspiracy against Huandao Island. As the reasons accumulated, the cultivators grew more certain, until it seemed that Jiuhua Gate had truly intended to overthrow the cultivation world long ago. With such ample reasons and strong confidence, even those who initially did not believe Jiuhua Gate was behind it came to accept it.

Watching the cultivators provide reasons for Jiuhua Gate’s conspiracy, Xu Qingfan found it amusing, like labeling an innocent person as guilty and then justifying their crime.

Reasons are always the easiest thing to find in this world.

Seeing the crowd’s judgment, Zhang Hualing’s anger briefly flashed, but he remained calm and said sternly, "I swear on the centuries-long fortune of Jiuhua Mountain’s ancestors, this was not a plot by us."

Hearing Zhang Hualing, the protest quieted slightly, as cultivators at the Condensed Core Stage could sense the truth in his words. Zhang Hualing, at the late stage of the Golden Core Stage, would not easily swear, knowing it linked to Heaven’s rules, which must not be broken.

Zhang Hualing’s oath was the most serious vow in the Cultivation World.

But Zhang Hualing paid little attention to this, keeping his eyes fixed on the silent Four Holy Lands, and continued, "I assure you this matter is absolutely not the doing of Jiuhua Mountain. Why Ma Huaguang was on Huandao Island and why Taoist Friend Xuan Ku died from Linghua Finger, I am as clueless as everyone here. I pledge to thoroughly investigate this matter upon returning to Jiuhua Mountain, and within a month, I will provide a satisfactory explanation to all the Taoist friends. What do you all think?"

Zhang Hualing knew that although the other sects seemed numerous and powerful, the real decision-makers were still the Four Holy Lands. Without the permission of the Four Holy Lands, even if the other sects were dissatisfied with Jiuhua Gate, they wouldn’t dare to unitedly attack, as it would lead to significant losses for themselves, and such actions would signify the start of a major conflict in the Immortal Realm.

Li Tianying sneered and said, "If it is as you say, and we let you leave so easily, what if you shut yourselves on Jiuhua Mountain afterward? Jiuhua Mountain’s protection array is famous, and even if we feel deceived later, it would be difficult to seek justice from you."

Zhang Hualing replied calmly, "With the combined strength of those present, is it possible that you can’t break through Jiuhua Mountain’s defense array? Even if I were to seal the mountain, it would be in vain."

Just as Li Tianying was about to speak, Master Xu Heng of Mercy Cloud Temple finally interjected. With his white eyebrows raised, he spoke kindly, "Though all evidence points to Jiuhua Mountain, it doesn’t prove it was planned by Jiuhua Mountain. I, along with Taoist Friend Qinglingzi, Venerable Xuan Jian, and Sect Master Zeng, agree you may return to Jiuhua Mountain to investigate this matter further. You have one month. We will gather at Jiuhua Mountain then, hoping Sect Master Zhang can explain to the Immortal Realm."

Upon hearing Master Xu Heng, the Jiuhua Mountain cultivators showed pleasure, whereas Li Tianying, Taoist Jiuze, Man Tian, and others wore expressions of anger. Just as they were about to speak, Sect Master Qingling of Qingxu Gate stepped in and said, "However, we feel it is unsuitable for Jiuhua Gate to keep the ‘Xuanwu Token’ now, so please, Taoist Friend Zhang, hand it over to us for safekeeping until the truth is revealed."

Upon hearing this, the junior disciples like Xu Qingfan felt indifferent, but many elders of Jiuhua Gate turned grave, while Taoist Jiuze and Man Tian showed delighted expressions.