Facing this man wasn't any easier for Li Xun than facing the two Wanderers.
After getting a sense of the situation inside the hall, Li Xun greeted each of the elders respectfully, putting up a humble attitude.
Just then, Underworld Flame Yama finally opened his mouth. "Hundred Ghosts..."
His voice was rough, worn down to a hoarse rasp that sometimes crackled, like it could fail at any second. Still, even through the breaks and strain, there was a rhythm to the slow way he spoke. Like flickering firelight, rising and falling with an odd but distinct style.
"....Tell us everything about your private fight with Gui Wuzang."
No lead-in. No warning. Just a sharp, straight cut to the heart of the matter.
But Li Xun had been expecting this. He welcomed the directness. With a calm "Yes," he began recounting what had happened that night, step by step, in clear detail.
As for whether it was all true or not....well, like drinking water, only the one drinking it knows if it's warm or cold.
From the looks on their faces, it was clear the others in the hall weren't taking his words too seriously. They listened, but didn't seem too concerned either way. Underworld Flame Yama raised a hand to his lips and gave a quiet cough.
"So, by your telling, this was all just… an accident?"
The man Li Xun suspected was Lord Bishui let out a cold snort, but said nothing.
Li Xun glanced in his direction, then replied evenly, "The Sect Leader knows best."
"Quite honest of you," Underworld Flame Yama said. There was no obvious sarcasm in his tone, but what he said next carried a subtle edge: "Hundred Ghosts, let me ask you this; if it wasn't an accident, but someone's doing… how do you think it had be done?
"If your answer holds water, if it can stand up to scrutiny… then I'll let this whole matter slide. How's that?"
Li Xun paused for a brief moment, then gave a small smile.
"Sect Leader, to tell you the truth, I've also been wondering if the whole thing was a little too convenient. I've tried to work through it while I was recovering in bed. But I've only managed to backtrack the events up to the point where the restrictive formation shifted. Beyond that… I honestly don't know."
At the moment he had mentioned "restrictive formation shifted," Li Xun noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere within the hall. That further confirmed his hunch.
He swept his gaze around again, carefully taking in everyone's expression before continuing, "The force that killed Senior Brother Gui Wucang was Nine Nether Sword Qi. It must have been triggered by the 17th variation of the Hidden Nether Transformation. The fluctuation of its qi mechanism should be like this..."
When it came to his area of expertise, Li Xun feared no one.
He began by explaining out loud, but it quickly became too intricate to convey clearly. So he started tracing patterns on the ground with the tip of his foot as he spoke.
Starting from the Nine Nether Sword Qi, he methodically worked backward through over seventy transformation techniques and nearly a thousand possible variations. From Gui Wucang's last known position, he expanded the scope outward, mapping all kinds of qi mechanisms movements across the surrounding mile. Big or small, he left nothing overlooked.
Whether his deductions were right or wrong didn't even matter at this point. His sheer memory and deductive skill left everyone stunned.
No one in the hall was an amateur, and precisely because of that, the impact of what he demonstrated struck them all the more deeply.
Li Xun continued, fully absorbed in his explanation. But most of the others could no longer keep up. Underworld Flame Yama exchanged glances with Madam Yan and Lord Bishui, then started clapping, smiling.
"Excellent! Hundred Ghosts, you're very impressive!" His deep-set eyes gleamed with a strange light. "We rarely see this level of talent in the sect. It would be a shame if someone with your skill in formations weren't put to use."
Li Xun gave a polite bow, smiling. "Since I've joined the sect, it's only right that I contribute. If there's anything you need, Sect Leader, I'll do my best."
"Smart man," Underworld Flame Yama added a note of approval, then coughed once more before continuing.
"As it happens, there's a matter that requires someone skilled in restrictive formations, someone shrewd and Savvy. Hundred Ghosts seems just right."
He turned to Madam Yan as he said this.
She gave a gentle smile. "If the sect leader thinks he's suitable, why not let him gain some experience outside? But he's only been in the sect for a month and hasn't received much guidance. Aside from his talent in formations, his cultivation's still average. The sect leader will still need to find someone to watch over him."
"Of course," Underworld Flame Yama replied briskly; he seemed to have forgotten Li Xun's cultivation level of Melting and Forging Void.
He tapped his finger lightly on the table, and two disciples, Ming Li and You Wusheng, entered the hall and bowed.
Underworld Flame Yama looked to Li Xun. "Ming Li and You Wusheng will accompany you in this trip. For most tasks, follow their lead. But when it comes to anything involving restrictions and formation techniques, you're in charge."
Li Xun looked at him, then at his new companions. He still didn't know what the mission even was.
But he had no say in the matter.
So he bowed again, then, at Ming Li's signal, retreated out.
As he walked out, he could feel the eyes of everyone in the hall following him. And through all kinds of secret techniques, they were probing the fluctuations in his heart.
Li Xun showed no reaction to this; he simply kept his heartbeat steady and cautious as he slowly withdrew.
....
Maybe someone out there can figure out how many cultivators in the Tongxuan Realm had broken through the boundary and ascended since ancient times, but absolutely no one can say for certain how many cultivators have appeared in that same span of time.
And if you can't even count the people, how could anyone possibly know how many magical treasures had been refined, how many destroyed, or how many survived to this day?
That's why the Tongxuan Realm is a place that never runs out of hidden treasures.
Beyond the famous secret domains and hidden realms known across the world, there are countless ancient dwellings left behind by cultivators of the past. These hidden places are called Old Residences.
Sure, the quality of these Old Residences varies wildly. But if you search through enough of them, chances are you'll find something worthwhile eventually.
And this time, the Old Residence that drew Li Xun in… was a somewhat decent one.
According to rumors, the original owner of this Old Residence was a traitor from the Mystic Cycle Sect of Zhuyin Mountain, one of the Ten Mountains—a major orthodox sect.
Four hundred years ago, after stealing a treasure from his sect, he had fled to a hidden place and built a mansion to hide… but in the end, he was still killed by those sent to hunt him down.
The treasure he had stolen, however, had vanished without a trace.
It wasn't until recently that someone discovered the cave residence where he'd hidden it all those years ago.
That person turned out to be a low-ranking disciple of the Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect. His cultivation hadn't been impressive, but he'd been quick-witted. The moment he'd noticed something unusual, he'd rushed back to report it—and that was what had led to this operation.
Still, everyone knew that the Mystic Cycle Sect was one of the top sects in the Tongxuan Realm when it came to seals and formations. A traitor from their ranks wouldn't be a lightweight. If even the sect's elite couldn't break through the formations back then, they clearly weren't something to underestimate.
If someone like Madam Yan or Lord Bishui had gone in person, there'd be no problem. But sending high-profile figures like them would attract too much attention.
So in the end, it had to be the second-generation disciples who took on the task. Officially, it was just "experience training," but the real mission was to quietly get the task done without alerting others.
That's how Li Xun, a prodigy in formation arts who seemingly dropped from the heavens, got roped into this "training trip."
Their destination lay nearly 700,000 li from Tenghua Valley. Even flying nonstop by sword, it would take ten full days and nights to reach. It was a long way off. Li Xun and the other two barely took time to pack before setting out that same afternoon.
Right before leaving, Li Xun casually asked Madam Yan for a flying sword. After a quick temporary refinement, he mounted it and took off. The disciples who watched from the valley were equal parts confused and amused. Was there really a cultivator in the Tongxuan Realm who didn't have his own flying weapon?
In this world, nine out of ten cultivators had a flying sword or similar item for travel.
Of course, Li Xun had one too. But what he had was Azure Jade!
It was the very sword that Ming Ji had used to make her name back in the day. That sword's reputation was simply too great. Before entering the valley, he had hidden it away, along with other equally eye-catching treasures like the Jade Bixiu and Phoenix Feather Needles. There was no way he could bring them out now.
He knew it would raise suspicion. Luckily, he had a way to deal with it.
Just ten li out from the valley, he pursed his lips and let out a sharp whistle. In response, a red blur shot out of the mist and swiftly flew alongside his sword. A moment later, it shrank down and slipped into the leather pouch at his waist.
Both Ming Li and You Wusheng turned to stare, their expressions a little off. But their attention wasn't on Li Xun; it was on the creature now peeking curiously out of his pouch.
It was the bloodkiss beast Li Xun casually referred to as "Kitty.
Their expressions held seven parts curiosity, three parts caution.
Mingli was the more talkative of the two. He cleared his throat, cautiously eyeing Kitty as he asked, "Junior Brother Hundred Ghosts... is that a blookiss?"
Li Xun gave a sheepish smile and nodded. "Good eyes, Senior Brother. That's exactly what it is. I only just tamed it, though. Still a bit wild. Hope it didn't make a bad impression."
The two glanced at each other, then seemed to understand. When they looked back at Li Xun, there was a hint of respect in their eyes... and maybe a little sympathy too.
Taming a cunning creature like that? He must've paid a heavy price. No wonder he didn't have a flying sword of his own.
The three of them smiled. Naturally, everything that happened here would find its way to the ears of the valley's higher-ups through special channels.
Almost instantly, Li Xun felt a weight lift from his body. Ever since his meeting with Underworld Flame Yama, there had been an invisible pressure that had been clinging to him. Now, it was gone.
Kitty poked its head out of the pouch, baring its teeth in a sly grin as it looked at Ming Li and You Wusheng. The two shuddered, recalling all the terrifying stories they'd heard about bloodkisses. They instinctively drifted away from Li Xun, and their flying swords let out soft tremors beneath their feet: almost like they were mourning the perilous journey ahead.
....
If you're enjoying this web novel and want to see the translation continue, please consider leaving a rating and a review on NovelUpdates. Thanks :)