The Demon Lord's persona must not be ruined!

Xue Lie's smile froze slightly.

Public trial?

Need evidence?

He felt something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The Fifth Elder had already started muttering to himself:

"A public trial? What... what is the cult leader trying to do?"

The Eighth Elder also frowned:

"There's evidence? What evidence?"

Xue Lie's unease grew stronger and stronger.

He recalled the way Chu Yuan looked at him that day in the main hall.

It's like watching a clown jumping around.

Xue Lie took a deep breath, suppressing his unease.

What are you afraid of?

He did nothing, he just said a few things that needed to be said.

Even if they investigate, they won't be able to trace it back to him.

The three-day deadline has one day left.

Xue Lie paced back and forth in the cave, almost wearing out the floor tiles beneath his feet.

"No...no, no..."

The more he thought about it, the more something seemed off.

Sun Yan instructed him to go to the elders' council and publicly criticize the guardian of the heart meridian, saying it was to strike while the iron was hot and force Chu Yuan to back down. He went.

But the more I thought about it after I got back, the more scared I became.

Chu Yuan's attitude was too calm, so calm that it made him uneasy.

And then there's the phrase, "Produce evidence that no one can refute."

What evidence?

Xue Lie stopped in his tracks, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He suddenly realized something.

From beginning to end, it was Sun Yan who was giving him advice.

To deal with the guardian of the heart meridian, they won over the Fifth and Eighth Elders, and seized the opportunity to launch an attack...

Every step was Sun Yan's idea.

But what about Sun Yan himself?

He remained behind the scenes from beginning to end, never even showing his face.

"Hold!"

Xue Lie cursed and turned to leave.

No, I have to find Sun Yan and get to the bottom of this. If there really is any evidence, I need to know what it is beforehand so I can come up with a countermeasure.

Sun Yan's cave dwelling is located in a secluded corner of the back mountain, and usually few people come here.

When Xue Lie landed at the entrance of the cave, he was still thinking about how to start the conversation when they met.

Then he froze.

The cave's protective barriers were wide open, and the stone door was ajar.

Xue Lie's heart skipped a beat, and he pushed open the stone door and rushed in.

empty.

The room was empty; the tables and chairs were still there, but all of Sun Yan's belongings were gone.

Xue Lie stood in the center of the empty cave, cold sweat pouring down his back.

As he turned to leave, his peripheral vision caught sight of a letter on the stone table.

The envelope had three large characters written on it.

Bloodstained and sworn brother.

Xue Lie's hands were trembling as he tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

He only read the first line before his mind went blank.

"Brother Xue Lie, it is as if we are meeting in person after reading this letter."

When you see this letter, you'll probably realize that you've been used.

Unfortunately, it came to this realization too late.

From the very beginning, I deliberately approached you.

Those ideas for dealing with the heart meridian were mine; those things I taught you to say to the elders were also mine.

Every step you take is in accordance with my plan.

Are you really curious about what I'm trying to do?

it's actually really easy.

I want everyone to know that Elder Xue Lie colluded with outsiders, framed his fellow disciples, and even tried to incite a war between the righteous and the demonic paths.

As for the evidence?

This letter is the evidence.

Oh right, I forgot to tell you, I've already had a copy of this letter made and sent to Yuanji Palace.

Chu Yuan should have already seen it.

Thank you for your cooperation during this time, Brother Xue Lie.

Without you, how could I have stirred up the water so smoothly?

Finally, I'd like to offer a final word to Brother Xue Lie.

idiot.

Sun Yan stayed.

The letter slipped from Xue Lie's hand and fluttered to the ground.

He stood there as if struck by lightning, his face deathly pale.

It’s over.

It's all over.

That letter...

That letter has been read!

The envelope had obvious creases along the edges, and the ink on the letter had been dry for more than a day.

What does this tell us?

This means that Sun Yan had already written the letter and sent it out long ago!

He foolishly went to the elders' council to perform the ritual, thinking he was in the right.

Xue Lie leaned on the stone table, his legs went weak, and he almost couldn't stand up.

wrong.

No, no!

Sun Yan said he had someone make a copy and send it to Yuanji Palace...

Has Chu Yuan already seen it?

Why didn't Chu Yuan expose him on the spot?

Xue Lie's mind was in complete turmoil when he suddenly remembered Chu Yuan's words, "The trial will be held publicly in three days."

Three days later...

That's time left for him?

Or is it that... Chu Yuan is waiting for him to jump in on his own?

Xue Lie took a deep breath, turned around and rushed out.

Never mind, I'll go apologize first!

Yuanji Hall.

Chu Yuan was flipping through the intelligence that Qianji had just sent when he heard a series of hurried footsteps outside.

Xue Lie practically lunged in, kneeling down as soon as he entered, his head banging against the ground with loud thuds.

"Master! I am guilty! I deserve to die!"

He wasn't afraid of Chu Yuan.

In Xue Lie's view, Chu Yuan's cultivation level was definitely gone.

However, he is still the leader of the Xuantian Sect, and if he gives an order...

He was besieged by a large number of Xuantian Sect members.

I absolutely cannot handle this myself!

Chu Yuan raised his head and glanced at him.

Xue Lie lay on the ground, trembling all over:

"Your subordinate was deceived by Sun Yan, bewitched, and followed his instigation to commit those despicable acts! Your subordinate is willing to accept any punishment! I only beg the leader for mercy!"

Chu Yuan remained silent.

Xue Lie didn't dare to raise his head, just lay there, his back soaked with sweat.

After a long while, Chu Yuan finally spoke, his tone indifferent:

Get up.

Xue Lie was taken aback and looked up.

Chu Yuan looked at him, a half-smile playing on his lips:

"I originally intended to invite you in person. Since you've come yourself, it saves me the trouble."

Xue Lie's heart skipped a beat.

Chu Yuan turned to look to the side:

"Youyue, go and invite the Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder. Tell them that I have important matters to discuss with them."

Youyue emerged from the shadows, clasped her hands in acceptance of the order, and vanished from the hall in a flash.

Xue Lie opened his mouth:

"Master..."

Chu Yuan waved his hand:

"Don't rush. Let's wait until everyone is here."

Xue Lie dared not utter a sound, standing aside, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.

Not long after, the Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder were invited.

The two were still bewildered when they entered the hall. When they saw Xue Lie standing there with an odd expression on his face, they felt even more uncertain.

The Fifth Elder tentatively spoke:

"The cult leader summoned me; what important matter does he wish to discuss?"

Chu Yuan stood up and patted his robes:

"Accompany me somewhere."

The Eighth Elder was taken aback:

"Where to?"

Chu Yuan looked at him, his tone indifferent:

"Valley of Flowers."

The Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder's expressions changed simultaneously.

Valley of Flowers?

Isn't that the territory of the righteous?

Chu Yuan ignored them and started walking out. He paused as he passed Xue Lie.

"Keep up."

Xue Lie dared not utter a single word of dissent and followed with his head down.

Outside the palace, Youyue had already summoned the Void-Crossing Divine Boat.

The pitch-black flying boat hovered in mid-air, runes flowing around it, exuding a chilling aura.

Chu Yuan stepped forward and stood with his hands behind his back.

Youyue followed closely behind.

Li Tu and Qian Ji also emerged from the shadows and leaped onto the flying boat.

The Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder exchanged a glance and reluctantly followed.

Xue Lie was the last to board the ship; his legs were so weak he could barely move.

"Walk."

At Chu Yuan's command, the Void-Crossing Divine Ship trembled violently, transforming into a streak of light that tore through the sky and headed straight for the Valley of a Hundred Flowers.

Valley of Flowers.

The protective array enveloped the entire valley, filled with spiritual energy, where celestial birds danced, creating an atmosphere of otherworldly beauty.

Inside the main hall, Valley Master Mo Yurou sat at the head of the table, listening to her disciples report on their affairs.

Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.

That was the intuition about danger that came after one had cultivated to the Tribulation Transcending stage.

Mo Yurou suddenly looked up, her divine sense extending outwards, soaring straight into the sky.

Then her expression changed.

A streak of dark light was approaching at an alarming speed; the aura emanating from the flying ship could be sensed even from dozens of miles away.

There is more than one Tribulation Transcending Stage.

And the aura of the leader...

Mo Yurou suddenly stood up, her face deathly pale.

"The Demon Lord?!"