When Chen Yan opened his eyes again, what greeted his vision was a heavy black iron barred door.
The space was cramped. He tried to stretch his legs, and the sound of metal scraping began from his ankles.
Chen Yan was imprisoned in the outer court's detention center.
He had already been confined here for fifteen days.
As for what exactly had happened, we need to go back to the outer court competition half a month ago.
Chen Yan had punched Qi Yadong to death with one strike—Qi Yadong being the personal disciple of the Enforcement Hall elder from Kongyuan Mountain.
Subsequently, Song Wencheng flew into a rage, and his anger was definitely not just embarrassment turning into fury.
Because a Body Forging Realm cultivator killing a Qi Circulation Realm cultivator with one punch was absolutely impossible; this had already exceeded the understanding range of all cultivators on Chenping Continent.
More impossible than the sun rising from the west.
But he never expected it would end like this.
If a Qi Circulation Realm cultivator suppressed their realm to Body Forging Realm using pills to duel another Body Forging Realm cultivator, and that other Body Forging Realm cultivator, under perfect conditions of timing, location, and circumstances, might have a one-in-a-thousand chance to narrowly win...
Then a Body Forging Realm cultivator punching to death a Qi Circulation Realm cultivator who had suppressed their realm was absolutely impossible to occur.
This violated the basic common sense of the cultivation world.
That kid Chen Yan was playing dirty tricks.
This was Song Wencheng's first reaction.
Using underhanded methods not permitted by the rules during the sect competition—such contemptuous behavior warranted severe punishment.
And if these sneaky, underhanded tricks caused any casualties on the arena, then that disciple must bear full responsibility.
This was also why Song Wencheng wanted to imprison Chen Yan.
But at the time, he encountered direct opposition from Lin Qifeng. The two were deadlocked until they disturbed the True Dharma Elder of Kongyuan Mountain, who finally decided to imprison Chen Yan in the detention center.
Originally, Song Wencheng had demanded that Chen Yan be imprisoned in Kongyuan Mountain's detention center, reasoning that Chen Yan had killed a Kongyuan Mountain disciple, but this was again strongly opposed by Lin Qifeng.
In the end, the True Dharma Elder of Kongyuan Mountain mediated, temporarily confining him to the outer court's detention center.
"You're awake?"
A clear, cold voice came from outside the cell.
Chen Yan looked up and saw that figure dressed in pure white robes, with hair like a waterfall of black silk.
It was Chu Xiyao.
"Senior Sister Chu, you're here again?"
Chen Yan greeted.
"Mm."
Chu Xiyao nodded.
Ever since Chen Yan was imprisoned in the detention center, whether day or night, there had never been a lack of people from Qingchan Peak stationed in front of Chen Yan's cell.
Because they suspected someone was coveting Chen Yan's life, just like how they had previously coveted Song Mingde's life.
However, Chen Yan was rather indifferent about life and death.
In fact, if he died, it might perfectly verify his speculation about reincarnation scoring.
But Chen Yan would not choose suicide.
Right now, he still couldn't overcome that psychological barrier.
"How much longer will you be imprisoned here?"
Chu Xiyao asked.
"I don't know. I know nothing about the situation outside."
Chen Yan said.
Actually, Chen Yan had some understanding—for example, that Lin Qifeng had chosen to shield him.
According to what Sun Lu, who came to visit him some days ago, said: Lin Qifeng confessed to the True Dharma Elder of Kongyuan Mountain that he had given Chen Yan forbidden medicine that could temporarily break through physical limits. As an outer court elder, he didn't want to lose face in the outer court competition, which led to this outcome.
But in fact, apart from the Soul Ice Needles, Lin Qifeng had given Chen Yan nothing.
As for those Soul Ice Needles, they had already been confiscated by the Enforcement Hall.
Of course, what the Enforcement Hall attendant told Chen Yan was that they were "temporarily safeguarding" them.
Apart from the poor living conditions, the Enforcement Hall disciples had been providing Chen Yan with good food and drink, and they turned a blind eye to anyone's visits.
After all, even now, Lin Qifeng was still an outer court elder, so the outer court disciples naturally still had to show Chen Yan some courtesy.
As for why Lin Qifeng was going to such lengths to protect him, even at the cost of dirtying his own reputation?
Chen Yan didn't understand, but he knew it definitely had nothing to do with master-disciple affection.
There had been no master-disciple interaction between him and Lin Qifeng whatsoever.
Not even benefits—Chen Yan couldn't offer Lin Qifeng anything more.
Lin Qifeng could replace him as a mouthpiece between him and Kongyuan Mountain anytime; Chen Yan believed plenty of outer court disciples would be willing to serve him.
Thinking more darkly, perhaps Lin Qifeng was coveting his secrets?
That was possible, but Chen Yan still advised him to give up that hope.
With the existence of the Hidden Immortal Art, no one could hope to pry into Chen Yan's secrets.
"It probably won't be too long. This incident has even disturbed the Sect Master. From what my master and Elder Fu have implied, the Sect Master likely wants to gloss things over—superficially punish Elder Lin, then give Elder Song more compensation, and that will be the end of it."
Chu Xiyao said.
"Mm."
Chen Yan nodded.
"Why did you kill Qi Yadong?"
Chu Xiyao asked. She had always been very curious about this.
"I didn't understand the medicine's effects well and couldn't hold back my strike."
Chen Yan casually fabricated.
He truly hadn't held back—he never expected he could kill Qi Yadong with one punch.
Even though Qi Yadong had suppressed his cultivation to the Body Forging Realm, lacking protective true energy,
his physical body strength was still that of a peak Qi Circulation Realm cultivator.
Chen Yan had just stepped into the Martial Spring Realm. He knew the gap between Qi Circulation Realm and Martial Spring Realm was like a chasm.
But he never expected that a single punch from him, without using any true energy, could actually smash to death a peak Qi Circulation Realm cultivator.
"Did you really take forbidden medicine?"
Chu Xiyao asked. Sitting on the viewing stand at that time, she had seen everything clearly.
A Body Forging Realm cultivator instantly killing peak Qi Circulation Realm Qi Yadong with one punch—such an achievement would shock even the Chief Disciple of Qingchan Peak.
In that instant, Chu Xiyao clearly sensed the killing intent erupting from certain inner court elders on the viewing stand.
That was killing intent directed at the "Cause of Calamity."
At that moment, Chu Xiyao looked back upward and saw Lin Qifeng sitting upright with a serious expression, frowning deeply as he watched Chen Yan on the arena, lost in thought.
It wasn't until the Medical Hall disciples announced Qi Yadong's death and Song Wencheng erupted in fury that Lin Qifeng finally reacted.
Making his disciple take "forbidden medicine" just to save face was a rather lame excuse.
Chu Xiyao didn't quite believe it.
She believed Chen Yan must be hiding some secrets.
"At this point, what reason would I have to lie?"
Chen Yan smiled bitterly, then began to change the subject:
"How is Zhang Xishun's interrogation going?"
Hearing this, Chu Xiyao's expression darkened slightly:
"He's dead. We got nothing out of him."