"Dead?"
Chen Yan's brows furrowed slightly. This was an outcome he had never anticipated.
Given Zhang Xishun's formidable vitality as a Qi Sea Realm cultivator, causing his demise was no easy feat.
Moreover, Elder Fu Qian had already sealed his meridians, making it impossible for him to self-destruct his qi sea and meridians to die.
"He had poison insects implanted in his body long ago, his internal organs dissolved into bloody water, beyond even divine intervention to save him."
Chu Xiyao explained:
"I believe that even if we capture others in the future, it will likely be difficult to extract any information from them."
Because those people most probably also have poison insects implanted within them.
The clues once again reached a dead end.
Chu Xiyao continued:
"He entered Kongshan Sect's outer court as a rogue cultivator twenty years ago, already at the mid-stage of Body Forging Realm back then.
"He had several close outer court disciple friends, and from observation, they genuinely seemed unaware of Zhang Xishun's affairs. Moreover, they were all quite puzzled by Zhang Xishun's sudden decision to participate in the outer court competition.
"In the eyes of Zhang Xishun's close disciple friends, he was someone with almost no cultivation talent whatsoever. Getting accepted into Kongshan Sect was pure dumb luck, and he might never break through to the Qi Circulation Realm in his lifetime.
"Yet in reality, Zhang Xishun had quietly broken through to the Qi Sea Realm at some unknown time, and had been continuously taking unidentified realm-suppressing pills to limit his cultivation to the Body Forging Realm."
Chen Yan's expression turned grave, as there were many suspicious points, some even terrifying upon deeper consideration.
What exactly was their purpose?
What could make a Qi Sea Realm cultivator willingly remain as a Body Forging Realm disciple in the outer court for decades?
"We don't know how many people like Zhang Xishun are lurking within the outer court, or even across the various peaks."
Chu Xiyao's expression appeared quite solemn.
Kongshan Sect, that colossal entity situated in the northern part of Chenping Continent.
Hailed as one of the Five Great Sects, with tens of thousands of years of heritage, it had produced several Immortal Ascension Realm great powers in the past, and still had Divine Ability Realm, even Dao Union Realm cultivators presiding over it today.
Kongshan Sect might appear strong and unshakable on this land, but in reality, it was already weak inside despite outward strength.
The various peaks and factions within the sect formed their own power blocs, engaging in constant scheming and intrigue - but these were relatively unimportant, as they were common ailments of super-sized sects.
The true threat to the sect were those parasites and conspirators hidden deep within the sect's core.
Perhaps Kongshan Sect could continue barely surviving like this for several thousand more years, but it would only be barely surviving.
"Any leads on the list?"
Chen Yan asked.
"None."
Chu Xiyao shook her head:
"No one knows where exactly Song Mingde hid that list."
It was certain that no one had found Song Mingde's list yet.
Otherwise, Zhang Xishun wouldn't have come after him.
If they truly couldn't find the list, they could consider a different approach.
For instance, what exactly had Song Mingde discovered while handling the Merit Hall's correspondence and documents, and how did he compile that list?
He was merely an outer court steward with no background, yet he managed to grasp the fatal weakness of those hiding in the shadows.
This was a question worth pondering deeply.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the other side of the detention center.
An Enforcement Hall disciple wearing outer court robes appeared before Chen Yan's cell door, bowing successively toward Chu Xiyao and Chen Yan:
"Senior Sister Chu, Senior Brother Chen."
Over the past half month, Chen Yan had become quite familiar with this disciple.
Most of his meals and other necessities were delivered by him.
"What is it?"
Chu Xiyao asked the disciple.
"Elder Yue Chi from Kongyuan Mountain's Alchemy Hall wishes to meet with Senior Brother Chen. I must ask Senior Sister Chu to temporarily withdraw for a moment."
The Enforcement Hall disciple said.
Elder Yue Chi?
Chen Yan naturally knew who he was - Lin Qifeng's senior brother, his own Second Uncle-Master.
When he had gone to Kongyuan Mountain as a messenger previously, he had delivered the message to Yue Chi.
"I understand."
Chu Xiyao said softly, then turned to glance at Chen Yan once more before exiting the detention center.
Half a ke later, the white-robed elder appeared before Chen Yan's cell, gazing meaningfully at Chen Yan who was confined within.
He said nothing.
"...Second Uncle-Master."
Until Chen Yan finally couldn't contain himself and spoke first.
"You still call me Uncle-Master?"
The white-robed elder spoke as if amused, yet also helpless:
"That scoundrel master of yours doesn't even regard me as his senior brother! He's... he's practically treating me like some evil cultivator to mess with!"
Chen Yan was utterly confused, not understanding what Yue Chi meant.
"He claimed that I was the one who gave you the pills."
Yue Chi's expression darkened.
"..."
Now Chen Yan understood.
Lin Qifeng was indeed messing with his senior brother as if he were some evil cultivator.
But judging by Elder Yue Chi's meaning, it seemed he had indeed accepted this blame that Lin Qifeng had pinned on him.
Chen Yan couldn't comprehend the relationship between Lin Qifeng and Yue Chi, but he suspected the bond between these two senior brothers was anything but ordinary.
Because this kind of blame wasn't something just anyone could shoulder.
"Do you know what happened in the outer court competition afterward?"
Yue Chi continued.
"This disciple has heard some accounts."
Despite Qi Yadong's death, Chen Yan's confinement in the detention center, and the escalating situation between Lin Qifeng and Song Wencheng, chaos had briefly erupted on the training grounds.
But soon, under the supervision of Training Grounds supervisor Xue Xiu, the Qi Circulation Realm outer court competition resumed.
During this period, several outstanding outer court disciples attempted to challenge the inner court gatekeepers, but all were defeated in the end.
However, the most eye-catching performance came from Xu Aotian.
After achieving seven consecutive victories in the opening matches, Xu Aotian ultimately easily defeated this year's competition champion, earning the title of outer court champion.
Of course, in previous outer court competitions, the emergence of an outer court champion - that rare prodigy seen only once in a century - would naturally attract overwhelming attention.
But not this year.
Because everyone's focus was concentrated on the cheating scandal involving Outer Court Elder Lin Qifeng and his disciple Chen Yan.
Cheating incidents occurred almost every year in both outer court and sect competitions.
But an outer court elder conspiring in cheating - this was a first in Kongshan Sect's history.
"Qifeng had no choice, because this was the only way to protect you."
Yue Chi said:
"Do you know what you would have faced if your master hadn't used this method to safeguard you?"
"Being labeled as the Cause of Calamity."
Chen Yan said calmly.
Yue Chi narrowed his eyes slightly, then remained silent for a moment:
"You seem to understand everything clearly. Then why did you act that way?"
"Rather than asking me these questions, I'm more curious to know why Second Uncle-Master and Master are so determined to protect me."
Chen Yan countered.