Chapter 713 - 712: The Equipment Can’t Be Given Away

Chapter 713: Chapter 712: The Equipment Can’t Be Given Away

The current Clan Leader emerged, leaning on a cane. In the Sealing Heaven Divine Kingdom, he was the figure of highest authority—his word was law. From the perspective of the other powers in the Divine Kingdom, he was equivalent to the Sovereign.

When he appeared, everyone in attendance respectfully called out, "Clan Leader!"

Their voices were filled with a deep, heartfelt reverence. No one dared show him any disrespect. But he was old and it was time for him to prepare to step down, which explained why the succession struggle was so intense.

The three elders were the primary candidates to be the next Clan Leader, but becoming a candidate wasn’t simply a matter of having a high cultivation level. There were requirements in all respects, such as personal prestige and even the status of one’s own children. All of these were among the absolute prerequisites.

Yi Tianyun narrowed his eyes, studying the old man. This was Su Kaifeng, the Clan Leader of the Sealing Heaven Divine Kingdom. However, everyone addressed him as Clan Leader; calling him by his given name would be extremely disrespectful.

"Mm." Su Kaifeng slowly walked forward, looking Yi Tianyun up and down before remarking with a hint of emotion, "I never imagined little Xingchen’s child would be all grown up. To possess such a cultivation level and foundation at such a young age... truly remarkable."

His cultivation level was considerably higher than Yi Tianyun’s, and coupled with the exceptionally pure Bloodline Power of the Sealing Heaven Divine King he possessed, he could sense that Yi Tianyun’s cultivation was formidable. However, he couldn’t grasp the finer details; he only knew that his cultivation was impressive and nothing more.

He didn’t have an Eye of Investigation, so there was no way for him to know that Yi Tianyun was wearing the Desolate Ancient Desolate Set. That set, along with his Madness Mode, was his greatest asset. When not activated, he was a powerful first-level Saint King Stage expert. But when he unleashed his full power, even a peak Saint King Stage expert would have a hard time stopping him!

"Thank you for your praise, Clan Leader," Yi Tianyun said respectfully.

’The Third Elder and First Elder have given me a terrible impression. In fact, my impression of the clan as a whole is quite poor. They ostracize outsiders and are obsessed with bloodlines; they probably call me a half-breed behind my back. But this Clan Leader is different. I can sense his genuine appreciation.’

"Cl-Clan Leader, what are you saying?" The Third Elder, standing nearby, was completely stunned. ’When Su Kaifeng came out, he said he would accept the set on my behalf. Doesn’t that mean I’m going to be subjected to a memory search?’

"I said I would accept this set of equipment on your behalf. Since a junior wishes to offer up such an astonishing Divine Artifact, we needn’t worry about where it came from," Su Kaifeng stated calmly. "I heard everything you two said very clearly. Since you claim to be innocent, then we certainly can’t let this equipment go to waste. Placed in our Sealing Heaven Divine Kingdom, it would be considered a national treasure."

"Rest assured, I will personally conduct the Soul Search. With my power, as long as you don’t resist, your soul will not be harmed in the slightest. Furthermore, we are only searching for ordinary memories, so the damage will be even more minimal. As for the Martial Arts and other secrets in your mind, I have no need for them. Having me perform the Soul Search is undoubtedly the best option."

A Soul Search by Su Kaifeng was undoubtedly the best choice. He already had one foot in the grave and had no interest in anyone else’s Martial Arts. Was there any Martial Art in the Sealing Heaven Divine Kingdom that he didn’t know? He knew the ones others knew, and he knew the ones they didn’t!

Cultivators have long lifespans, but it is extremely rare for one to live to the end of their natural life. For Su Kaifeng to have lived this long was a testament to his excellent conduct and immense personal strength. Otherwise, he would never have survived to the present day.

"B-But..." The Third Elder was dumbfounded. ’I might have been able to find an excuse before, but now the Clan Leader himself has stepped forward to accept it. What else can I possibly say?’

’Defy the Clan Leader? Isn’t that the same as defying the entire Sealing Heaven Divine Kingdom?’

Nearby, the First Elder’s expression turned grim. ’Doesn’t this mean that everything we’ve done is about to be exposed?’

"Do you have anything else to say for yourself now?" Su Kaifeng asked. "You can say it. Why are you unwilling to accept the Soul Search? Could it be, as they have suggested, that the two of you have done something that cannot see the light of day?"

"N-No..." The Third Elder’s face was pale, and his tone lacked any conviction.

"If not, then why won’t you let me perform the Soul Search?" Su Kaifeng’s voice turned cold. "Or do you think even I am not to be trusted? What exactly are you trying to pull?"

"N-No... Clan Leader, I was wrong! I should never have done such a thing! I beg you, please spare me!" Overwhelmed by the pressure, the Third Elder could only fall to his knees and kowtow repeatedly, an undeniable admission of his guilt.

’What other excuse could he possibly find? There were none. It was better to confess now than to have the truth ripped out of him by the Soul Search.’

The moment he began to kowtow, the faces in the crowd twisted with anger. To think he had continued to argue and deny everything even after Yi Tianyun had exposed him. His final, reluctant confession ignited the fury of the masses!

"The Third Elder and the First Elder really did it? I can’t believe it was them! They kept insisting they had nothing to do with what happened to Yi Xingchen, but who knew they were the culprits all along!"

"Dammit, doesn’t this mean we’ve been blaming the wrong person? It wasn’t an Evil Technique at all, they really confessed..."

"This is terrifying! He can actually make them tell the truth! But this Third Elder and First Elder are just disgusting, aren’t they? To do something like this all for the sake of power!"

...

Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could march up there and beat the two of them senseless. Yi Xingchen had been one of their future pillars, but now he was half-crippled. It would likely be difficult for him to keep up in the future.

To think they would do such a disgusting thing for their own selfish gain. It was truly sickening.

"Clan Leader, we were wrong! We were blinded by greed! Please, give us one more chance! We’ll never do it again..." At this, the First Elder also dropped to his knees. ’The Third Elder is already kneeling. That means it’s all exposed. If I don’t confess right now, the consequences will be even more severe.’

"You two!" Yi Yuanlong kicked out in a fury. The force was so great and unexpected—BAM!—the Third Elder, who was closest to him, was sent flying, endlessly spitting blood in mid-air.

The kick had come so suddenly that even with the Third Elder’s high cultivation level, he hadn’t been able to react.

He immediately glared at the First Elder and said coldly, "I had my suspicions before, but to think you two were really capable of this! We are clansmen! I can’t believe you would do such a thing. Brother turning against brother... is there any point to it?!"

"Isn’t this all for power? For the position of Clan Leader? What do you even get by taking that seat? Nothing more than extra resources and a bit more authority? And for that, my son became the sacrificial lamb! You..." Yi Yuanlong was seething with rage. He wanted nothing more than to cut them down with his sword, but he couldn’t act with the Clan Leader present.

The final decision rested with Su Kaifeng; Yi Yuanlong had no authority here.

The First Elder remained silent, making no attempt to defend himself. ’The situation is set in stone. What else is there to say?’

Standing to the side, Yi Tianyun put away the set of armor and said nonchalantly, "Looks like I won’t have to give away my equipment after all..."

The truth was finally brought to light. Their deception was dismantled with ease.