At this moment, he didn't believe a single word of anyone's testimony. Whether it was Song Wanníng's fault or not, everything had to be blamed on Song Wanníng. Otherwise, coming here today would've been pointless.
The moment Mu Zixu finished speaking, everyone instinctively turned their eyes to Dao Qing and the others.
If Dao Qing and the others were covering for Song Wanníng, then sure, the testimony might be skewed. But even if it was proven that Song Wanníng framed Feng San, at most she'd be punished a bit. Feng San killed someone first, and nothing could wash that clean.
The disciples understood this perfectly. They knew Song Wanníng absolutely wouldn't get into trouble today. At the same time, they admired her quick thinking. If they were in her place facing such a powerful enemy, they would've already panicked, not even thinking about recording the whole thing.
Mu Zixu was already losing ground.
Dao Qing stepped forward and said loudly, "Mu Zixu, Song Wanníng really did stay in seclusion on the peak the whole time. She never left, and not just us, even the sect's service disciples can prove that. There's no way to fake it."
He continued, "Of course, if you think we're lying, we can swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao. Let's see if we're lying, or if your master here is lying."
Dao Qing directly threw out the Heavenly Dao oath.
No one dared to swear falsely on the Heavenly Dao. If they lied, the backlash would kill them, even immortals couldn't survive that kind of retribution.
That alone proved Song Wanníng's whereabouts were spotless.
Now the pressure shifted straight to Mu Zixu.
"Mu Zixu, if you've got nothing to hide, do you dare swear to the Heavenly Dao too? Let's see who's playing tricks here and harming your disciple, how about that?"
His voice only grew louder, refusing to back down at all.
Mu Zixu's heart sank. The Heavenly Dao oath was something he definitely didn't dare take. Back then, when Feng San insisted Song Wanníng drugged him, he already thought it was unlikely.
He understood Song Wanníng well enough to know something wasn't right. If she really wanted to use drugs, she'd poison him dead on the spot, not give him an aphrodisiac.
And Song Wanníng would never apologize to Feng San. Never.
So he'd known from the start that this had nothing to do with her. Someone must've impersonated Song Wanníng and approached Feng San.
Mu Zixu thought he'd calculated everything. The only thing he never expected was Song Wanníng would win and Feng San would die instead.
That was the one flaw in his plan.
"Dao Qing, stop trying to confuse everyone. I didn't do anything, so why should I swear to the Heavenly Dao?"
Mu Zixu snapped "It's clearly your fault. Why should I prove anything? I'm here to seek justice for my disciple! Even if Song Wanníng didn't drug him, this started because of her. She must give me an explanation!"
He refused to back down, and his pressure surged toward Song Wanníng.
He really couldn't understand how this bitch managed to kill Feng San instead.
Why? Why?
They kept arguing, but everyone could already see what happened. Song Wanníng had been set up.
Feng San thought she harmed him, so he went to retaliate.
But Song Wanníng wasn't someone you could push around. She simply used the chance to kill him.
The crowd looked at Song Wanníng differently now.
She was vicious, fearless, smart, and utterly ruthless to herself and others. A terrifying person.
The sect master finally sighed and stepped forward to mediate. "It's clear now someone interfered from the shadows and tried to break our sect's unity.
Song Wanníng and Feng San were both victims. What we need is to find the person manipulating things from behind the scenes, not attack the innocent. Mu shidi, wouldn't you agree?"
If Mu Zixu kept making trouble, he wouldn't show mercy anymore.
The sect master's tone now carried real pressure, completely different from before.
The moment Mu Zixu heard it, he knew the sect master was siding with Song Wanníng. His fury was boiling, but he also knew he'd already lost ground. From the moment she brought out the recording stone, there was no chance of victory.
He forced himself to nod. "The sect master is right. I also want to know who's playing tricks behind the scenes."
He stared at Song Wanníng. "Who could impersonate Song Wanníng so perfectly and even produce such a powerful pill that Feng San didn't detect anything?"
The real reason he didn't want Feng San to confront Song Wanníng became clear.
Feng San was a dignified alchemist. If someone drugged him and he didn't notice, that was humiliating. And sure enough, the disciples were now whispering about exactly that, calling Feng San ridiculous.
Compared to that, Mu Zixu's prestige would definitely suffer, making it impossible to surpass Dao Qing.
That hurt far more than Feng San's death.
His honor meant everything, and now thanks to Feng San, it was ruined. He could've killed his own disciple himself.
At that moment, Song Wanníng suddenly spoke. "Martial Uncle Mu, I remember Feng San saying you were choosing an inheritor among your disciples?"
Her question dropped like water in hot oil, instantly igniting the crowd.
Wu Wang and Ouyang Lin reacted immediately. "Song Wanníng, what are you implying? Are you saying we framed Feng San?"
Wu Wang's face reddened with fury.
"That's slander!"
Ouyang Lin's eyes went red. "Song Wanníng, watch what you say. We might have grudges, but we'd never go that far. Stop spreading filth!"
They both rushed to cut ties, terrified someone would link them to it.
Mu Zixu's face went black as ink, and he stared daggers at Song Wanníng.
"Song Wanníng, say that again if you dare. You've got no evidence. Where'd you get the courage to spout nonsense?"
"This bitch."
Song Wanníng didn't flinch. A smile tugged faintly at her lips.
"I only remembered what Feng San said and asked out of curiosity. Why're you all so worked up? If you didn't do anything, there's nothing to worry about. The innocent don't fear investigation. What's there to be afraid of?"
Her gaze swept over Wu Wang and Ouyang Lin, sharp and meaningful.
Whether they were involved or not, they were a direction worth investigating.
And so was Situ Yue.
Song Wanníng turned toward the crowd. Situ Yue stood there looking disappointed, unwilling, and angry.
Whether she was involved or not, Song Wanníng would find out. If she was part of it, Song Wanníng wouldn't care whose disciple she was.
Any intruder deserved to die.
Situ Yue was stewing in frustration that Song Wanníng escaped so easily when she suddenly felt a cold gaze lock onto her.
She looked up, and her eyes collided with Song Wanníng's.
A chill ran straight up her spine.