Xia Jiye’s face changed drastically, clearly hit at the vital point by Zhao Ya’s words.
Shen Yunshen, standing nearby, also saw the clue and immediately questioned, "Right, Azure Dragon Temple has never crafted hidden weapons. What’s going on here?"
Although flustered inside, Xia Jiye forced himself to remain calm, "What? Just because the temple doesn’t make hidden weapons, I can’t buy them from outside for self-defense?"
"And to conclude I have ties with Separation Tower just because of a hidden weapon, this is simply creating an accusation from nothing."
Zhao Ya smiled.
This Xia Jiye may not have other skills, but he certainly has a stubborn mouth.
But no matter how much he denies it, it’s useless. Since Zhao Ya found his flaw in this, he would never give up easily.
"You’re making sense; the temple indeed hasn’t banned people from buying hidden weapons for self-defense on their own. However, you overlooked one thing: your hidden weapon and the one used by that killer from Separation Tower are both unique, at least they were never seen before in Beyond the World."
"So now I want to ask Elder Xia, you claim the hidden weapon was bought. Then where exactly did you purchase it?"
Zhao Ya pressed step by step, quickly cornering Xia Jiye into a dead end.
Xia Jiye’s heart gradually sank.
At this moment, he felt exceptionally remorseful.
If only he had known earlier, he should have never exposed that Thunder Bomb just now, no matter what.
But now, it’s too late to say anything.
Xia Jiye also didn’t expect Zhao Ya to be so keen, to hold on to this point and not let go.
The key is that this Thunder Bomb was indeed bought by Xia Jiye from Liu Ming of Separation Tower.
How could he say that out loud?
Seeing Xia Jiye rendered speechless, Shen Yunshen felt extreme delight in his heart.
Just a moment ago, he almost got fooled by Xia Jiye’s slick talk and sophistry.
Even though Shen Yunshen has formidable strength, his skill in rhetoric is far inferior to Xia Jiye’s, and the frustration he felt can be imagined.
Therefore, when Zhao Ya stepped up and rendered Xia Jiye speechless with just a few words, Shen Yunshen really felt like laughing out loud.
"Xia Jiye, weren’t you quite eloquent just now? Why so quiet now?" Shen Yunshen mocked.
Xia Jiye was at a loss for words.
And seeing his demeanor, how could the people present not know what’s going on?
For a while, there was a tumult among the onlookers.
Many showed expressions of disdain, with some even angrily rebuking Xia Jiye.
"Such a treacherous person, colluding with external killers against sect disciples, what a venomous heart."
"Please eradicate this villain to purify the portal for our Azure Dragon Temple."
"... ."
Amidst the tidal wave of scolding, even those elders who were on good terms with Xia Jiye couldn’t help but step back with grim expressions, not daring to say a word.
Because colluding with outsiders and assassinating sect disciples severely crossed the line.
There was no way to justify it.
So even being in the same camp, these elders dared not stand up, fearing they might be implicated themselves.
In the distant loft, Guan Xuejiang couldn’t help but sigh softly.
He had witnessed everything that just happened.
Especially Zhao Ya forcing Xia Jiye into speechlessness with a single detail after all his sophistry, making him bow his head in admission, a hint of admiration surfaced in Guan Xuejiang’s eyes.
"No wonder, brother, you even passed down your most prized Technique of True Power to him. He truly is a talent hard to come by." Guan Xuejiang said.
Guo Luming did not speak, only smiled.
"Let’s go; this farce should also come to an end."
With that, Guan Xuejiang leaped down from the loft and arrived on the scene.
"Elder!"
"Greetings, Elder!"
The elders and disciples all bowed in salute.
Guan Xuejiang nodded slightly and then walked straight up to Xia Jiye.
"Xia Jiye, look up at me."
Xia Jiye trembled all over, lifting his head to look at Guan Xuejiang.
At this moment, Guan Xuejiang exuded a natural aura of authority, his eyes especially brilliant like stars.
Though just standing there simply, his aura seemed to subtly link with the Azure Dragon carved on the distant cliff, turning his presence instantly as compelling as a tidal wave.
Zhao Ya naturally felt this change as well, gazing at Guan Xuejiang, resembling a Divine Spirit, before looking again at the distant Cliff Dragon Painting.
In his mind appeared the words Guo Luming had once said to him.
The so-called Divine Spirit is merely the manifestation of a strong will.
And the Cliff Dragon Painting, as the fundamental practice map of Azure Dragon Temple, gathers the strength of countless outstanding talents over the millennia, ultimately forming an immensely grand and powerful will.
Now, Guan Xuejiang used his own aura to induce this will within the Cliff Dragon Painting and infused it upon himself.
At this moment, he seemed to be the embodiment of the cliff dragon in the human realm.
His power was indeed unmatched.
No wonder, even with Azure Dragon Temple declining for so long, everyone dared not underestimate Guan Xuejiang as the Grand Elder.
For mastering this technique meant that, at least within Azure Dragon Temple’s domain, Guan Xuejiang was nearly invincible.
And Zhao Ya consequently had a hint of enlightenment, but this insight flitted by like a shooting star, fleeting and elusive.
Zhao Ya could only temporarily shelve this doubt in his heart, continuing to focus his attention.
Upon connecting with the aura of the Cliff Dragon Painting, Guan Xuejiang’s robes started to flutter without wind.