Xie Zhaolin's gaze tightened slightly as she gave Mo Yan a subtle look.
Mo Yan understood immediately. He suppressed all outward emotion and strode to the courtyard gate, unlocking the seal.
As the doors swung open, a familiar figure stood against the sunlight outside.
The visitor wore the slightly worn elder robes of Qingxi Sect, slender in frame, face carrying a trace of fatigue and barely noticeable worry. It was none other than the Alchemy Peak Peak Lord, Elder Wei.
Mo Yan's expression shifted to a perfect blend of surprise and curiosity. "Elder Wei? What brings you here?"
Elder Wei didn't answer immediately. His gaze first scanned Mo Yan, then moved past him toward Xie Zhaolin standing silently inside the courtyard. He tugged at the corner of his mouth, his voice dry as he said, "What, Elder Mo won't invite me in? Am I just supposed to stand out here and talk?"
Mo Yan frowned slightly, about to respond, but Xie Zhaolin's voice echoed in his mind: "Let him in."
He stopped immediately, stepping aside. "Elder Wei, please come in."
Elder Wei entered the courtyard in a single step, flicking his hand behind him so the doors slowly closed, the seal flaring back to life, cutting off all outside noise and prying eyes.
Xie Zhaolin stepped forward a couple of paces and performed a respectful disciple bow. "Disciple Xie Zhaolin greets Elder Wei."
Elder Wei paused, his eyes landing briefly on Xie Zhaolin before shifting quickly to the seated Mo Yan. He remembered that when his life was on the line, it was this unassuming Elder Mo who had reached out and saved him. Otherwise, he'd probably be nothing but dust by now.
Now, with the sect in sudden turmoil, the first person he thought could be trusted—or at least someone who could calm him a little—was this quiet, low-profile Elder Mo.
Mo Yan noticed Elder Wei's scrutiny. After a brief pause, he spoke. "Elder Wei, with Sword Peak Peak Lord suddenly dead and the sect under lockdown, the Sect Master's hall must be in urgent deliberation. Why come here instead of the hall?"
Elder Wei seemed to shake himself free from some lingering thought, letting out a nonchalant smile.
"The Sect Master's hall? With so many going there, one more or less doesn't matter. What needs discussing will be discussed. Besides…"
His gaze flicked to Mo Yan again, meaning clear: "Elder Mo, you didn't go either, right?"
Mo Yan let out a wry, self-deprecating smile, shaking his head slightly. "Elder Wei jokes. You, as a peak lord, naturally have the right to participate in core sect matters. I'm just a minor inner sect elder, my cultivation low, my words carry little weight. Even if I went, I'd only add awkwardness, not help at all. Better to stay here and quietly await news."
His words subtly acknowledged his own low status while complimenting Elder Wei, posture humble to the extreme.
Elder Wei tugged at his mouth corner without responding further, letting the topic drop.
"Elder Mo… do you know… how Sword Peak Peak Lord Ling fell?"
Mo Yan's heart skipped, but he kept his face neutral, showing mild uncertainty. "I only just heard of it from the funeral bell. I truly don't know the specifics. Elder Wei… do you know something?"
He skillfully tossed the question back.
Elder Wei's gaze darkened as he shook his head. "The exact cause is still under investigation. The Sect Master and a few Supreme Elders have gone to Sword Peak personally. But…"
He paused, lowering his voice, carrying an unsettling undertone. "According to the first disciple on duty to notice something was wrong, Peak Lord Ling… passed away in his meditation chamber, without any obvious external wounds or signs of a fierce duel."
"However," he shifted tone, eyes flashing sharpness, "his Primordial Soul… reportedly vanished utterly, as if some force erased it in an instant! Even Nascent Soul elders couldn't detect a trace of his residual soul!"
Erased in an instant?! No remnants left at all?!
The words shook not only Mo Yan but also Xie Zhaolin, who had been standing with her head bowed.
What kind of force could so cleanly wipe out a peak lord-level sword cultivator's Primordial Soul, leaving no battle traces?
Mo Yan's expression twisted into shock and disbelief. "This… how is it possible? Peak Lord Ling's cultivation was profound… Who… or what method…" His voice faltered, stunned.
Elder Wei stared at Mo Yan as if trying to read something from his reaction.
After a moment, he said slowly, "Exactly… what method… could achieve this in the sect's core without a sound?"
Mo Yan fell silent, testing the waters. "Elder Wei… do you have anyone in mind as a suspect?"
Elder Wei didn't answer directly, instead turning to the silent Xie Zhaolin with a loaded question: "Elder Mo, you're quiet and reclusive, but careful-minded. In your view, within Qingxi Sect, who could have both the ability and motive to do something like this?"
He tossed the question, clearly not expecting an actual answer, but rather probing—or maybe wanting to hear this Elder Mo's opinion on something so unusual.
Mo Yan showed a measured look of surprise, then smiled wryly. "Elder Wei jokes. Such a shocking event is still under investigation by the Sect Master and Supreme Elders. I, a lowly outer sect elder with limited knowledge, dare not speculate, let alone point fingers."
"Though…" His expression turned thoughtful. "Judging by your tone, Elder Wei… you may already have someone in mind?"
Elder Wei gave Mo Yan a long, complex look.
He remained silent for a moment, sipping the now-cold tea before speaking slowly. "Suspect? Who could I suspect? Without proof, words are empty, only inviting trouble. If not for this, Alchemy Peak wouldn't have fallen to its current state."
Both Xie Zhaolin and Mo Yan's hearts stirred at the mention of Dan Peak's past in this context.
Before Mo Yan could speak, Elder Wei stopped and turned toward the gate, leaving without another word.
Once his figure disappeared from sight, Xie Zhaolin finally spoke.
"Do you remember the intelligence you once received from Elder Wei?"
Mo Yan blinked, slightly surprised, then understood immediately.
"You mean… her?"