Chapter 779 - 304: Hidden Scheme

The Elder Sun Jingyi’s Cultivation was around the Fourth Layer of True Essence Refining, while the young man’s aura was profound and his momentum overwhelming. ’He’s probably above the level of Six Times of True Essence Refining!’

Chen Qing did not rashly try to hide. After all, if they discovered his tracks, it would make him look guilty.

The two figures landed, their gazes instantly locking onto Chen Qing.

The man’s eyes swept over the Dubhe Pavilion Token and True Inheritance robes at Chen Qing’s waist. "Song Shuhuai of the Cloud Water Upper Sect. And what might I call this True Inheritance Junior Brother from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect?"

’Song Shuhuai!?’

Chen Qing’s heart sank.

He’d heard this man’s name in both Sect intelligence reports and rumors. Song Shuhuai was one of the most renowned True Inheritance disciples of his generation in the Cloud Water Upper Sect. It was said his talent was peerless, his strength unfathomable, and that he had long since completed Six Times of True Essence Refining. He was one of the future pillars of the Cloud Water Sect.

To stand out in a behemoth like the Cloud Water Upper Sect, his martial aptitude and strength had to be that of a genius among geniuses.

At this thought, Chen Qing’s vigilance rose to its peak, but his expression remained impassive. He cupped his fist in return. "Chen Qing, of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect."

"So, it is Junior Brother Chen." Song Shuhuai’s eyes narrowed slightly as he asked in a seemingly casual tone, "My sect’s Junior Brother Zhou Qianjun unfortunately met his end inside Smoke Wave Marsh just a moment ago. His Life Token shattered. I wonder, while you were investigating here, Junior Brother Chen, did you happen to discover anything unusual, or perhaps see the assailant?"

The previous dispute between Chen Qing and Zhou Qianjun’s group had evidently already been reported back to both Sects, but it had been temporarily suppressed since there were no deaths or injuries.

Beside him, Sun Jingyi stared at Chen Qing with a burning gaze, as if trying to find some clue on his person.

"Oh? Zhou Qianjun... has fallen?"

Chen Qing’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"That’s right. Just a short while ago, his Life Token shattered and his aura was extinguished."

Song Shuhuai’s tone grew heavier as he pressed, "Did you see anything, Junior Brother Chen?"

"You two jest," Chen Qing said, his tone carrying a hint of coldness. "I only just arrived at the outskirts of Smoke Wave Marsh and was preparing to go deeper to investigate traces of the Demon Sect. I am not yet familiar with the situation here and have seen no signs of a fight, nor any suspicious individuals."

He paused, then added, "To question me so pointedly... are you implying that the death of your sect’s Zhou Qianjun has something to do with me?"

"Junior Brother Chen, you misunderstand." A faint smile touched Song Shuhuai’s lips. He cupped his fist again, his tone softening. "We are frantic with worry over Junior Brother Zhou’s death and are merely making routine inquiries with anyone who might have been present. We mean nothing personal by it. Since you saw nothing, Junior Brother Chen, we will not disturb you further."

With that, he gave Sun Jingyi a meaningful look. The two of them moved, transforming into streaks of light and heading off in another direction, deeper into the mist.

After they had traveled some distance, Sun Jingyi couldn’t resist asking via voice transmission, "Song Zhenchuan, do you think he’s suspicious? He did have a conflict with Zhou Zhenchuan before..."

Song Shuhuai shook his head slightly and replied via voice transmission, "It probably wasn’t him. I observed his aura. Although it is dense and heavy, far surpassing an ordinary first refining, his foundation is still that of someone who has only recently entered the True Essence Realm. After Junior Brother Zhou consumed the Burning Essence Pill, his strength surged temporarily. Even in his weakened state after the pill’s effects wore off, he wasn’t someone a novice in the True Essence Realm could so easily and precisely locate and kill in an instant, to say nothing of doing so without leaving a trace. Besides..."

He paused before continuing his analysis, "His reaction when he learned of Junior Brother Zhou’s death was too normal. It didn’t seem like he was guilty."

"Then it was most likely the vile work of those Demon Sect scoundrels!" Sun Jingyi said through gritted teeth, a cold glint in her eyes.

Just then, a long cry suddenly echoed from the distant mist. It was the unique signaling call of the Cloud Water Upper Sect. The sound was urgent, clearly indicating a major discovery.

Both of their expressions turned grim at once.

"Let’s move!"

Song Shuhuai barked a low command, and he and Sun Jingyi instantly accelerated, hurtling toward the source of the cry.

Before long, the pair met up with Zhao Songtao and the others.

Beside Zhao Songtao stood Li Muyun, his aura listless and his face pale. He had clearly taken an Elixir to stabilize his injuries but remained weak.

Upon seeing Song Shuhuai, Zhao Songtao immediately said in a grim voice, "Nephew Song, Junior Sister Sun, you’ve arrived just in time! We found a heavily injured Nephew Li. According to him, the three of them did indeed encounter Qi Yu and Lei Hong of the Demon Sect and only managed to escape after an intense struggle."

"What’s more, that Qi Yu is in the core area of Black Stone Reef, not far from here! She’s activating some kind of Secret Technique. A deep blue flame is raging, and the trapped Profound Nether Black Ox is wailing ceaselessly. I fear she’s trying to forcibly subdue the Exotic Beast to obtain the Seven-leaf Golden Lotus!"

"Qi Yu!? The Seven-leaf Golden Lotus!?"

A sharp glint flashed in Song Shuhuai’s eyes as a brilliant, clear light erupted from his body, scattering the dense mist. "Everyone, with me! Now!"

The Profound Nether Black Ox and the Seven-leaf Golden Lotus were both considered great treasures.

Hearing this, the assembled masters of the Cloud Water Upper Sect immediately surged with killing intent. They transformed into streaks of light, shooting like arrows loosed from a bow toward Black Stone Reef at full speed.

The dense fog churned and roiled, stirred up by their powerful auras.

......

After Song Shuhuai and Sun Jingyi left, Chen Qing sneered inwardly. He knew their questions were merely routine; they had no real evidence pointing to him.

He calmed his Heart and Spirit and continued to silently perceive the movements within Smoke Wave Marsh with the help of the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Chen Qing suddenly felt an unusually violent fluctuation from the Black Stone Reef area. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi there seemed to be boiling.

’It seems the Cloud Water Upper Sect and the Demon Sect have finally clashed. With such a huge commotion, they must be fighting for real this time.’

Chen Qing’s mind raced as he assessed the situation.

Just then, a clear and familiar eagle’s cry echoed from the distant sky.