It was one thing for Cang Li to appear here. That, Li Heng could barely rationalize.
Zhao Wuji had told him that Yun Jin showed considerable talent in sword cultivation. She had even begun practicing the Azure Lotus Sword Art, and Tianxing Sect had long stationed a sword elder on-site. Through that elder, it was possible Cang Li was nearby and had dropped in for a visit. That much he could accept.
But Qing Yun?
Though Li Heng had never personally met the man, he knew the name well. Qing Yun was one of the three Ninth-Rank alchemists of Xuandan Gate—a figure who stood at the peak of the cultivation world.
Why would someone of that caliber appear at Tianxing Sect, and with the clear intent to expose him?
What did Qing Yun even want from this?
Li Heng tried to reassure himself. Maybe he had gotten it wrong. Perhaps this wasn't that Qing Yun.
Clinging to a thread of hope, he asked carefully, "Senior Qing Yun? Could you be the Qing Yun of Xuandan Gate?"
He wore a look of hopeful expectation, praying for a denial.
Qing Yun glanced at him with clear mockery and nodded lightly. "Indeed. That would be me."
Li Heng's face went pale.
Xuandan Gate's Qing Yun. That could only mean one man.
No one in the world would dare impersonate someone of his level. And with Cang Li standing by his side, who hadn't denied it either, the identity was beyond doubt.
Li Heng staggered.
All he wanted was to earn a little favor, maybe pocket a small reward. It was supposed to be a simple matter—take down a Unity-stage cultivator, gain a favor from his senior brother.
And now?
He had stirred a hornet's nest.
He had tried to crush a Unity-stage cultivator and ended up provoking figures like this?
"Qing Yun?"
Down below, murmurs rose from the crowd.
Qing Yun was a famous name among the upper ranks, but to ordinary disciples, it was mostly unfamiliar.
Yun Jin, however, was taken aback.
She had heard that name before.
In the novel, Ye Danxia had shown strong talent in alchemy. Though she entered Qingxiao Pavilion, she earned the respect of Xuandan Gate seniors and eventually, through a series of encounters, became a Ninth-Rank alchemist herself.
Qing Yun was an established Ninth-Rank alchemist of Xuandan Gate.
He never directly interacted with Ye Danxia because by the time she rose to his level, he had already sacrificed himself.
In an effort to resist the demon race, he had forced himself to refine a pill beyond his own capacity. The pill succeeded, but the backlash killed him. That very pill had been given to his close friend, Ji Wusi.
Ji Wusi consumed it and charged into the Demon Realm, slaying a Demon Sovereign with a single strike.
Unfortunately, that Demon Sovereign turned out to be the male lead. Having cultivated a Nirvana technique, he revived later, rendering Qing Yun and Ji Wusi's sacrifices meaningless.
Looking at the old man, Yun Jin couldn't help but feel a deep respect.
Whatever his fate in the novel, a man willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good was worth honoring.
Qing Yun, with his acute perception, caught the change in Yun Jin's gaze and grew smug.
Looks like even after all these years, his reputation still carried weight.
This disciple... he had to take her in.
Seeing Yun Jin's expression, both Shen Yanye and Cang Li immediately realized trouble was brewing.
Shen Yanye quickly said, "Li Heng, do you dare let me ask you a few questions in front of a Heart-Seeking Beast?"
A small white beast appeared before him, no larger than a cat. Its amber eyes shimmered with the power to see through lies. His Heart-Seeking Beast had already reached a high rank. Someone like Li Heng would be unable to deceive it.
Li Heng's expression stiffened.
Of course he knew about Heart-Seeking Beasts—beasts capable of discerning truth from lies.
His actions wouldn't survive such scrutiny.
So he said directly, "Apologies. That is an interrogation method. I see no need to submit to it."
He refused.
Shen Yanye was stunned.
He could just... refuse?
Had he summoned his beast for nothing?
Qing Yun, off to the side, burst out laughing.
With thinly veiled mockery, he said, "Xiao Shen, you really are too idealistic. Why would he agree? I suggest you put your beast away."
Shen Yanye looked unwilling, but before he could say more, a gentle female voice rang out.
"Qing Yun, I must disagree."
Qing Yun's expression changed instantly.
He turned toward the voice.
A stunningly beautiful woman slowly stepped forward.
Qing Yun gritted his teeth. "Liu Li."
When had she arrived? He hadn't noticed a thing.
Liu Li smiled slightly. A glimmering lump of crystal-clear mud formed in her palm. As it stood upright, it grew facial features.
Qing Yun's expression darkened further.
A Crystal Beast.
The greatest strength of these creatures was their ability to hide their master's presence.
Liu Li had gone to such lengths just to steal his potential disciple?
Li Heng didn't know who she was, but judging from Qing Yun's reaction, she had to be a peer—a cultivator of terrifying skill.
Likely a senior of the Beastmaster Sect.
"Yanye," said Liu Li softly. "If he refuses, does that mean you have no other way? Your cultivation is still lacking."
Shen Yanye brightened and bowed respectfully. "Disciple accepts the teaching. I will strive to improve."
Liu Li gave Yun Jin a warm smile.
Yun Jin: "???"
She blinked in confusion.
This senior was Shen Yanye's master?
But Shen Yanye was already at the Tribulation stage…
Then this woman must be...
"Senior Brother," Yun Jin whispered, "what's going on today? Why are so many top cultivators showing up?"
Yue Zhao gave her a complicated look. "Take a guess."
"Me? Guess?" Yun Jin joked, "Don't tell me they're here for me?"
Yue Zhao said nothing.
Yun Jin: "???"
Wait, seriously?
She was completely lost.
Liu Li suddenly turned to Li Heng, her gaze calm.
In the next instant, Li Heng's eyes went vacant. His voice was hollow. "Present."
Qing Yun sneered. "Your mastery of spiritual force has reached a ridiculous level."
Beastmasters were known for their powerful souls, stronger than most of their peers. Their strength came not only from beasts, but also from the terrifying force of their own spirits. Manifesting that force as mental power was a field in which the Beastmaster Sect held unmatched expertise.
Zhao Wuji felt a chill run down his spine.
Just one glance from her, and Li Heng—a Tribulation cultivator—had been completely subdued.
He wanted to protest, but as soon as Liu Li looked at him, his body froze.
"Yanye," she said calmly, "ask."
Shen Yanye straightened up and asked, "Li Heng, did Lin Ya truly cultivate demonic arts?"
Li Heng, dazed, replied, "No."
A white light flashed over the Heart-Seeking Beast.
It was the truth.
The atmosphere shifted at once.
So Lin Ya really had been framed.
Zhao Wuji was panicking inside. He desperately wanted to warn Li Heng, but he couldn't move, couldn't speak, only watch helplessly.
"I'll ask again," Shen Yanye said with a raised brow. "Then what was that sinister aura detected during the inspection?"