Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 150: Endless Malice
The Incense Burning Sect wanted to know what treasure Chen Ye possessed, and what exactly was in Fengdu City. Unfortunately, Chen Ye was too tight-lipped; his words, "My lifespan is nearing its end," effectively sealed the deal.

Pang Wen had never seen anyone so resolute, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. He even wondered if Chen Ye had seen through his thoughts.

Since Chen Ye is so tight-lipped, we can only give him a little trouble.

If you can talk, talk; if you can find out, find out. If you can't find out, stir up trouble and make Chen Ye the target of everyone's criticism.

When everyone thinks you're a demon, you need to prove yourself.

Under pressure, Chen Ye will reveal his weaknesses.

Just find some excuse, say that there is a demon hiding in Fengdu City, and you need to go in and take a look. Then you can naturally find out something.

This method is not something the Incense Burning Sect can use personally, but the Lamp Burning Sect is not afraid of it.

The disciples of the Burning Lamp Sect were used for this purpose. Pang Wen knew that if anything went wrong, he would be a pawn to be discarded and might be used by the Incense Burning Sect to "give others an explanation."

But death is death. If one cannot join the Incense Burning Sect, it is impossible to achieve immortality with one's talent and aptitude.

Only by entering the Incense Burning Sect would there be even a sliver of a chance.

Pang Wen cultivated diligently for hundreds of years, but he did not achieve a peaceful mind; instead, he yearned for immortality even more.

However, the lives of ordinary cultivators are too difficult. Reaching the Tongxuan realm is already the limit. If they want to break through to the Huashen realm and reach the so-called Lesser Longevity realm, only the various secret realms of high-ranking sects can support them.

The Qinghe Sword Sect has a Sword Tomb, the Fenxiang Sect has a Soul Cleansing Flower, and the other sects also have their own secret realms.

Ordinary cultivators lack these things; no matter how hard they try, they can only reach the Profound Realm.

If it weren't for the help of Tianxin Island, which allowed him to break through in the sect's secret realm, Daoist Shan Heng of Baihai Valley would not have been able to cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm.

This is why there are only five major sects.

Pang Wen has reached the limit of his arduous cultivation; joining the Incense Burning Sect is his only way out.

Therefore, framing Chen Ye is no big deal; for the sake of immortality, Pang Wen is willing to do anything.

"Unfortunately, those major demonic sects were wiped out too thoroughly back then. I've heard that it's much easier for demonic sects to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, but I'm afraid no one knows that anymore."

Pang Wen sighed inwardly, then turned around and added fuel to the fire, leading many to believe that Chen Ye was colluding with the Demonic Sect.

It's not that they actually have any evidence, it's just that they've been hearing the name Chen Ye too much lately.

A rogue cultivator overpowered the five major sects, forcing them to admit their mistakes. That was bad enough, but what's worse, he cultivated extremely quickly.

It is said that when he entered the Hundred Seas Valley, he had just condensed his Qi Sea, and in less than a year he had already achieved the Gang Sha Body Refinement, something that ordinary people might not be able to do even in a hundred years.

As for where these rumors came from, no one really investigated; they were just "hearsay".

With such powerful cultivation, it would be one thing if they simply clung to the Qinghe Sword Sect, but instead they established their own sect in a place teeming with demons, and some of their subordinates even had shady dealings with the Chilian Demon Sect.

Who wouldn't think the worst?

As for why the Qinghe Sword Sect supported him, that can be explained: the Qinghe Sword Sect was deceived, and this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

Many people pretend to be upright gentlemen and befriend the Qinghe Sword Sect, only to be killed by the sect a few years later.

Of course, there is another possibility.

Zhang Qi is about to ascend to immortality, and the once strict Qinghe Sword Sect will have to learn to blend in with the world.

Without this sword immortal keeping things in check, the Qinghe Sword Sect would not have a second Dao-Merging expert. If they continued to be as intolerant as before, the result would only be rapid decline.

Perhaps Chen Ye seized the opportunity to associate himself with the Qinghe Sword Sect, who wanted to use him to demonstrate that their sect rules had changed.

There are many different opinions, but in any case, Chen Ye must have something wrong with him.

Looking at the scene before him, Pang Wen felt that the time was almost right, and it was time for him to play the good guy.

Pang Wen coughed lightly, about to speak, when he suddenly heard an angry voice from the side: "How dare you vermin slander the Qinghe Sword Sect?!"

Pang Wen frowned and looked at Feng Huaiyu in the corner.

They hadn't had a chance to get rid of him before, and sure enough, trouble ensued. However, Pang Wen was actually happy to see it happen; rumors like this, if no one contradicts them, will only make everyone think they're false.

The more people jump out to contradict, the more deeply the rumors will spread.

Feng Huaiyu, however, was unaware of all this. He simply couldn't bear to listen any longer and couldn't help but shout, "The Qinghe Sword Sect has been fighting demons and protecting the righteous path for a thousand years, saving countless lives. How many of us rogue cultivators have benefited from their kindness? How dare you spread rumors here?!"

Immediately, someone retorted, "Favor? Heh, I've never received any favor from the Qinghe Sword Sect. How come you protect the Qinghe Sword Sect just because you've received something, but can't criticize them if you haven't? Why are you so filial? If you want to acknowledge the Qinghe Sword Sect as your father, you have to see if they even acknowledge you." "I know this person, from the Qinghe Sect, hahaha, he really wants to acknowledge a father, but others don't recognize him."

Feng Huaiyu blushed deeply, but he still insisted, "Doesn't the Qinghe Sword Sect's thousand-year reputation deserve your utmost trust? You actually believe such baseless rumors? Don't you feel ashamed saying that? Does any of you have any evidence to produce?"

Speaking of Chen Ye, Feng Huaiyu knew that Chen Ye had gone to the Northern Frontier alone and saved the people of an entire city. If not for that, the Nirvana Sect's blood sacrifice might have succeeded, and even the Qinghe Sword Sect might not have been able to stop it.

Even if they were unaware of Chen Ye's actions, the Qinghe Sword Sect was already renowned throughout the land.

In Feng Huaiyu's view, the Qinghe Sword Sect was full of upright gentlemen who had saved countless lives and were selfless. They couldn't be more perfect. How could anyone slander such gentlemen? What's even more outrageous is that so many people actually agreed with such baseless rumors.

Back in the day, when you were a wandering swordsman, doing a good deed would make you a renowned "hero," and everyone would bow and praise you. Why is it that when you become a cultivator, you completely abandon all sense of chivalry and honor?
Feng Huaiyu originally thought that if he asked for evidence face to face, these people would definitely be speechless. Unexpectedly, someone said disdainfully, "If you are not satisfied, let the Qinghe Sword Sect come and kill me. The Qinghe Sword Sect has no objection. Who is it for you, a member of the Qinghe Sect, to speak?"

"you!"

Feng Huaiyu drew his sword from his waist, angrily pointing it at the shameless cultivator, unable to resist the urge to slash him down.

Pang Wen quickly stepped in front of Feng Huaiyu, putting on a nice-natured act and saying, "Fellow Daoist Feng, this is just a verbal dispute. How can you resort to violence? I believe the Qinghe Sword Sect would not associate with demons, but Chen Ye does have someone under his command who can control the Crimson Serpent. You saw it with your own eyes."

"If this misunderstanding isn't cleared up, it will tarnish the reputation of the Qinghe Sword Sect. We will find out the truth sooner or later, so you should calm down."

Feng Huaiyu glared at Pang Wen and questioned, "You are the source of this rumor. I felt something was wrong with you from the beginning. If you were genuinely here to investigate the Nirvana Sect, but you used bewitching arts to control those barbarians, then how are you any different from a demon?"

Pang Wen said innocently, "Fellow Daoist Feng, I know you are eager to protect the Qinghe Sword Sect, but you can't make enemies everywhere. Don't you think you are the one ruining the reputation of the Qinghe Sword Sect? I said long ago that we need a reason to get involved in this to avoid conflict with the barbarians."

"Although I was the priest who controlled the barbarians, I didn't do anything heinous. I was just asking them to do me a favor to avoid conflict and unnecessary fighting. I was doing this out of good intentions, so how can you make false accusations?"

Feng Huaiyu felt a lump in his throat. How could they so readily spout such fallacies when it was clearly a fabrication?!

Feng Huaiyu's hand holding the sword trembled, as if he couldn't help but stab Pang Wen.

But at that moment, the treasure ship suddenly shook, startling everyone on board.

Pang Wen frowned and quickly ordered, "Everyone, please wait here. I'll go take a look."

Pang Wen left in a hurry, and Feng Huaiyu calmed down a bit. He sheathed his sword again and said to everyone, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Farewell!"

Feng Huaiyu jumped off the treasure ship, too lazy to stay with these people any longer.

All he wanted to do now was to inform Chen Ye about Pang Wen's plot to frame him, and then leave this troublesome place.

He had barely disembarked and gone far when he heard a faint hissing sound.

Feng Huaiyu immediately tensed up, gripped the sword tightly in his hand, and looked around warily.

Suddenly, a mist rose from the snow, and tiny snake heads emerged from the snowdrifts.

Feng Huaiyu was taken aback. The snake with exposed bones was a red-banded snake.

Feng Huaiyu held his sword and watched the small, red-banded snake warily. The snake then stretched out its tail and beckoned to him.

But in the blink of an eye, the red-banded snake in front of him disappeared, and then reappeared ten feet away, beckoning its tail at him in the same way.

"Does this mean I should follow them?"

Feng Huaiyu was puzzled, but after hesitating for a moment, he followed. The tremors of the treasure ship earlier were probably caused by the red-striped snake, which was also what saved him from the predicament; otherwise, things might have gotten out of control.

Although he didn't know who the other person was, Feng Huaiyu wanted to see for himself.

The red-banded snake flashed and guided Feng Huaiyu forward. Its unpredictable speed surprised Feng Huaiyu, who couldn't figure out whether it was a spirit beast or some kind of special magic.

The more surprised I became, the stronger my curiosity grew.

Feng Huaiyu quickened his pace, following the red-striped snake as it circled around, moving away from the treasure ship's location, and wandering aimlessly to some corner of the Holy City.

Finally, in front of a dilapidated house, the red-banded snake stopped appearing and instead twisted its body and crawled into the house.

Feng Huaiyu understood that they had finally arrived at their destination.

He took a deep breath, walked to the dilapidated house, and then pushed the door open and went inside.

Before he even entered, he saw the person inside, Chen Ye, who was all smiles.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

(End of this chapter)