Translator: CinderTL
"Chang Yin?" Song Wen muttered under his breath, a frosty expression hardening his features.
When did a mere Golden Core cultivator dare to be so disrespectful to me?
"Sect Leader, Chang Yin is a direct disciple of Senior Gui Ni and is renowned as the strongest cultivator below the Nascent Soul realm. Rumor has it she once fought Senior Tong Hua of the Nine Palaces Sect alone and escaped alive," Xin Bai transmitted to Song Wen, sensing his unfamiliarity with Chang Yin.
Xin Bai and Liu Qi's expressions darkened. They detected a hint of threat in Chang Yin's words and worried she might target them within the Evil Marsh Secret Realm.
"Young Chang Yin, do you have objections to the Asura Sect participating in this Evil Marsh Secret Realm expedition?" Song Wen asked coldly.
Chang Yin remained composed under Song Wen's questioning, responding with neither subservience nor arrogance. "How could I dare? I merely offered a friendly suggestion for your consideration, Senior. I wouldn't want your sect to waste manpower and end up empty-handed."
"Then this Sect Leader must thank you for your concern. But rest assured, Young Chang Yin, this Sect Leader will not return empty-handed," Song Wen replied.
"In that case, I wish your sect's two Golden Core Fellow Daoists a bountiful harvest," Chang Yin said.
"Young Chang Yin, how about we make a bet?" Song Wen said with a hint of interest.
"Oh?" Chang Yin's eyes widened with curiosity. "What does Senior have in mind?"
Song Wen replied, "My purpose on this trip is the Seven Lives Mushroom. Let's bet on who brings out more Seven Lives Mushrooms—you or my two disciples."
"One against two. Senior Yin Shuo, that seems a bit unfair to this junior. However, I accept the bet. What will be the stakes?" Chang Yin asked.
Song Wen said, "Let's use the treasures you both obtain in the Evil Marsh Secret Realm as the stakes."
Chang Yin countered, "What if Senior's two disciples return empty-handed? Wouldn't I be at a disadvantage? How about we add a hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones as a wager? Does that sound fair to you, Senior?"
Song Wen agreed, "Very well, as you wish."
Chang Yin turned to You'e. "Senior You'e, would you be willing to serve as the impartial witness for this bet?"
Throughout Song Wen and Chang Yin's conversation, You'e had remained silent, watching Chang Yin provoke Song Wen. Only after Chang Yin's request did she finally speak.
"Very well, I shall bear witness to this wager."
"Thank you, Senior You'e," Chang Yin said, bowing to You'e. Then, turning to Song Wen, she added, "Senior Yin Shuo, I'll take my leave now."
With that, she turned and returned to the Profound Yin Sect's Giant Flying Ship.
After exchanging a few casual words with Song Wen, You'e also returned to her ship.
"Sect Leader, how dare Chang Yin show you such disrespect? Why didn't you eliminate her?" Xin Bai asked through mental transmission.
From Chang Yin's words, it was clear she harbored ill intentions toward Xin Bai and Liu Qi. Both men were eager for Song Wen to eliminate her immediately.
Song Wen replied, "Keeping her alive serves a temporary purpose. I made that bet with her precisely to ensure you two can survive the Evil Marsh Secret Realm. Killing her now would only provoke the other Golden Core cultivators of the Profound Yin Sect, which would be detrimental to your mission. Furthermore, Chang Yin, determined to win the bet, won't resort to killing you. Only by keeping you alive can she display her victory in the bet."
Of course, Song Wen's words weren't the true reason for sparing Chang Yin.
If he killed her, it could attract the Gui Ni. Moreover, if Chang Yin died, who would search for the Seven Lives Mushroom for him?
He couldn't place all his hopes solely on Xin Bai and Liu Qi.
Three days later.
A strange phenomenon suddenly appeared in the swamp below.
Strands of colorful light radiated from the depths of the swamp, casting an eerie glow over the ominous shadows above. It revealed an indescribable sense of unease.
The murky swamp water gradually began to ripple, forming concentric circles.
The ripples grew increasingly rapid, eventually coalescing into a vortex several miles wide.
At the center of the vortex was a bottomless, pitch-black hole—the entrance to the Evil Marsh Secret Realm.
A transparent barrier enveloped the vortex.
This Restriction had been set up by the Four Great Sects of the original Demon Dao to prevent outsiders from entering.
"The Evil Marsh Secret Realm has opened," You'e said. "Daoist Yin Shuo, would you mind if your sect's two young cultivators went in first?"
"As you wish," Song Wen replied.
He signaled Xin Bai and Liu Qi to enter the secret realm.
Neither dared disobey Song Wen's command. They immediately flew to the transparent barrier and, using the method Song Wen had learned from Hao Kong, passed through it smoothly. They then plunged into the black hole at the vortex's center and vanished.
Following them, the ten Golden Core cultivators from the Profound Yin Sect entered the secret realm one by one.
When only Song Wen and You'e remained above the swamp, she asked, "Daoist Yin Shuo, were you involved in the death of my Junior Brother, Xue Cangqiong?"
Song Wen frowned slightly.
From You'e's words, it was clear that she knew something about Xue Cangqiong's death, but not much.
Song Wen was also surprised to learn that You'e, who was only at the Early Stage of Nascent Soul cultivation, was Xue Cangqiong's Senior Sister.
Moreover, the fact that You'e had been trying to investigate Xue Cangqiong's death since his passing showed that they had a close relationship.
"Fellow Daoist You'e, why do you say that? Xue Cangqiong was a Late Stage Nascent Soul cultivator, while I am only at the Early Stage. How could I possibly have killed him?" Song Wen said with an innocent expression.
You'e replied, "I asked Xue Mei and Gui Ni, and they both said that you killed my Junior Brother. But I've always had doubts about this. With your cultivation, it's impossible for you to have killed him alone. I'd like to hear your explanation."
"Fellow Daoist You'e, your insight is truly remarkable," Song Wen said with admiration. "If you believe I killed Xue Cangqiong, you've fallen into the true killer's trap."
You'e asked, "Are you saying... Gui Ni killed my Junior Brother?"
"Not just Gui Ni, but Xue Mei as well," Song Wen said.
"Do you have any proof?" You'e asked.
Song Wen replied, "I was hiding in the shadows when they killed your Junior Brother. I witnessed it firsthand."
Mere words are no proof!
You'e hadn't readily believed Gui Ni and Xue Mei's claims, so she naturally wouldn't readily believe Song Wen's either.
You'e stared at Song Wen with a questioning gaze, remaining silent.
Seeing this, Song Wen continued, "I watched their battle closely. Your Junior Brother possessed three extraordinary treasures: a blood-colored evil spirit, a Soul Defense Magical Treasure shaped like an animal bone, and a Crying Blood Infant. Xue Mei and Gui Ni killed your Junior Brother, and naturally, these three treasures fell into their hands. If you can trace the whereabouts of these three treasures, you'll know whether my words are true or false."
Upon hearing this, You'e's skepticism toward Song Wen's words lessened.
The three treasures Song Wen mentioned—the Crimson Refinement Tribulation Fiend, a High-Grade Soul Defense Magical Item, and the Crying Blood Infant—were Xue Cangqiong's most valuable possessions.
If these three treasures were indeed in Xue Mei and Gui Ni's possession, it would be irrefutable proof that they had killed Xue Cangqiong.
"Daoist Yin Shuo, thank you. I will investigate this matter," You'e said.
"Sigh..."
Song Wen suddenly let out a long sigh, his face filled with emotion.
"The dead are gone, and the living remain. Fellow Daoist You'e, neither Gui Ni nor Xue Mei's cultivation is something you can match. Why insist on pursuing your Junior Brother's death?"
"Thank you for your counsel, Fellow Daoist," You'e replied resolutely. "This old woman's lifespan is dwindling. If I can avenge my Junior Brother before I die, it will be worth it for all the times he followed me around, calling me 'Senior Sister.'"
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (RDC) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c1054. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (4.1K+) Chapters, (5.8M+) Words.