Chapter 948: Suspicion

Chapter 948: Chapter 948: Suspicion

"Look, the wound on Elder Gui is so obvious; it’s the Xue Family’s Frost Palm Technique. Xue Wei is highly suspicious!" A middle-aged man waved his arms, speaking excitedly.

"But Xue Wei made a good point earlier. He’s not the only one in the family who knows this technique. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding." An elderly woman shook her head, her tone filled with doubt.

"Xue Wei usually seems quite upright. How could he do such a thing?" A young man furrowed his brow, appearing very confused.

"Have you all forgotten? During the previous competition, Xue Wei was so unscrupulous. Who knows how many schemes he’s hiding?" Another elderly man snorted disdainfully.

"But Elder Gui is the Guardian of the Secret Realm. How could he unjustly accuse Xue Wei for no reason? There must be something fishy about this!" A woman was visibly angry, seemingly convinced of Xue Wei’s guilt.

"We should trust the Family Head and Elders’ judgment. They will give us a fair outcome." A middle-aged man tried to calm the surrounding excitement.

"Even so, if Xue Wei is truly guilty, can the Family Head bear to punish him harshly?" A young woman bit her lip, looking a bit hesitant.

"Sigh, no matter what, this matter has already become unmanageable. I hope the Family Head and Elders can quickly uncover the truth and give everyone justice." An old man sighed, shaking his head.

The audience’s discussion grew more intense, with some firmly believing Xue Wei was guilty, while others thought he was wronged.

The whole scene became chaotic, with everyone arguing endlessly for the justice they held in their hearts.

The Family Head and Elders stood on the high platform, observing the situation below, their brows furrowed, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

Elder Gui snorted coldly, his voice as chilling as a cold wind, making everyone present feel a wave of coldness.

He slowly stepped forward, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s, staring intently at Xue Wei: "Am I senile? Back then, the person who hurt me—could I not recognize them?"

He lifted his sleeve, revealing the hideous scar, pointing at Xue Wei as he continued: "This scar was caused by your Xue Family’s Frost Palm Technique, that’s undeniable. But more importantly, the person who injured me back then brazenly declared themselves the future Saint Heir and demanded I show respect. Tell me, is this arrogant person the future Saint Heir of your Xue Family?"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet carried an irresistible authority, each word heavily striking at the hearts of the Xue Family.

The audience below fell silent immediately, with all eyes focused on Elder Gui and Xue Wei.

Elder Gui’s questioning was shocking, and he continued: "I, Elder Gui, have guarded the Secret Realm for centuries, and I’m not yet senile. When Xue Wei attacked me, I clearly remembered his face and words. Now, he stands here, not only denying but also arguing that I mistook him. What are your Xue Family’s rules? Are they to let such a person become the future Saint Heir?"

The Family Head’s expression became complex, with deep suspicion and unease in his eyes.

He knew what Elder Gui said was true, but he was also reluctant to easily convict Xue Wei.

The Elders exchanged glances, their hearts equally filled with mixed emotions.

Xue Wei’s face turned pale, a hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he continued to argue strongly: "Family Head, Elders, Elder Gui, I really didn’t do such a thing. I’ve always respected the Guardians in the Secret Realm and could never attack them. Elder Gui, could you have remembered wrongly? At that time, I didn’t enter the Secret Realm alone, other Xue Family members can testify."

Elder Gui let out a cold laugh, his tone filled with endless chill: "Remembered wrongly? I, Elder Gui, have guarded the Secret Realm for years, never showing bias. Today, I’m personally here to testify against you, to give the Xue Family justice. If you’re truly innocent, why do you need to argue so much? Do you think a few lies can allow you to get away with it?"

The audience began discussing heatedly again, with some starting to waver, gradually leaning toward believing Elder Gui’s accusations, while Xue Wei’s defense appeared increasingly feeble.

Their gazes were filled with suspicion and anger, and the atmosphere in the entire square gradually became tense.

Just as the atmosphere became almost impossible to breathe, Yan Lao stepped forward.

He was tall, exuding a scorching aura as if he were a walking flame.

He smiled slightly, his gaze carrying a gentle light, but it also contained undeniable authority.

"Elder Gui, calm down first." Yan Lao’s voice was like a warm spring breeze, gently sweeping past everyone’s ears. His tone was both soothing and dignified, "This matter indeed needs thorough investigation, but after Elder Gui speaks, it’s my turn."

Yan Lao smiled slightly, then took out a small Energy Core from his bosom, raising it slowly. The Energy Core was about the size of a fist, dark red all over but entwined with a layer of pitch-black Demonic Qi, which made the originally brilliant Energy Core appear dim.

"Since this guy refuses to admit it, Family Head, take a look at this thing." Yan Lao’s voice was steady, but his words carried an irresistible force.

In the sunlight, the Energy Core appeared exceptionally eerie as if it contained endless darkness.

The pitch-black Demonic Qi flowed like a living thing, seemingly roaring and struggling.

Surrounding people felt a chill upon seeing the Energy Core, instinctively stepping back a few paces, looking at it in horror.

"This Energy Core is something I purposely left behind earlier," Yan Lao continued, "Its main body is the power crystal of our Secret Realm Guardian, pure and flawless. But now, it’s tainted by Demonic Qi, becoming so dim. This Demonic Qi is precisely because some people’s improper means have turned the Energy Core into this."

The Family Head took the Energy Core with trembling hands, carefully inspecting it.

This Energy Core was dark red all over, supposed to emit pure and powerful energy, but now it was tainted by the pitch-black Demonic Qi, appearing dim.

The faint cracks and black lines emerging on the Energy Core’s surface made the Family Head’s heart sink.

The Family Head’s brow furrowed deeply, eyes filled with shock and confusion.

He raised his head, his voice slightly trembling: "This... this Energy Core is the essential source of power for the Guardian of the Volcanic Secret Realm, guarding the realm’s stability for thousands of years. But now it’s become like this; what exactly happened?"

He lowered his head again, carefully observing, his fingers gently brushing over the surface cracks of the Energy Core, feeling the faint impact of Demonic Qi.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and anger in his heart, and looked up at Yan Lao: "Yan Lao, what on earth is going on? Why has the Energy Core been tainted by Demonic Qi like this?"