Novel Full Chapter 3506: Martial Aunt (23)
Chapter 3506: Martial Aunt (23)
Yi Youxuan had assumed that she had been stealthy enough in taking the jade token, but she had not expected a ‘rat’ to be hiding nearby.
"I did not take it," Yi Youxuan said, flatly denying everything. In any case, the item was inside her immortal estate, so no one else could ever get their hands on it. Furthermore, the hidden realm was vast and filled with natural treasures, and it even contained ancient spirit beasts.
There was no way she was going to hand over the jade token.
Qi Cheng spoke up. "Since the founding of Zisha Island, no one has ever managed to bring the jade token out of the hidden realm. Although my disciple has some strength, she is not so capable that she could retrieve it."
The jade token contained a complete map of the hidden realm and even marked the locations of medicinal herbs. It allowed the holder to find anything they needed within the realm.
So, was this jade token precious? It was incredibly precious. To put it simply, the hidden realm was essentially its own immortal estate.
The realm was the very foundation of Zisha Island. The sect’s founder had discovered it and subsequently established the sect on this island.
Yet, clearly, it had now become another one of Yi Youxuan’s fated opportunities.
"You did take it! I will allow the sect leader to perform soul-searching on me," the disciple said, with tears still hanging from his eyes.
Soul-searching was a reliable method, provided the person being searched cooperated. If their spiritual consciousness resisted violently, it could lead to mental confusion or cause the person to break down and go insane.
This technique was effectively the lie detector of the cultivation world. By accessing memories directly within the mind, one could clearly see exactly what had happened.
Yi Youxuan’s expression immediately became incredibly ugly. Soul-searching was a deeply insulting process, akin to being stripped naked and having one's privacy scrutinized without restraint.
If she truly allowed someone to search her soul, all her secrets would be exposed—the immortal estate, her divine artifacts, her pills, and the truth about the jade token and the previous incident with Jianzhan Peak.
Yi Youxuan knew her treasures were enough to drive people to a frenzy of greed. Setting the treasures aside, the sheer insult of soul-searching was like a violation of her spiritual consciousness, and she found it absolutely intolerable.
"You have no evidence to prove I took anything, yet you want to search my soul? Your greed is truly a repulsive sight," Yi Youxuan said, casting all caution aside. At worst, she would simply leave this place.
With her trump cards, she was confident she could fight her way out.
"I am willing to undergo soul-searching. She truly took the jade token," the disciple said, cupping his hands toward the sect leader.
Yi Youxuan was beyond frustrated. What kind of grudge did this disciple have against her that he was so determined to testify against her?
"Why are you slandering me like this?" Yi Youxuan asked with a frown.
"My brother is currently lying in bed recovering from the injuries you gave him! Besides, you actually took the thing. I will let the sect leader search my soul to see the truth," the disciple said through gritted teeth. "Sect Leader, I am willing to accept soul-searching."
"It is inevitable that accidents happen on the arena. To use underhanded tricks just because your strength is inferior to others is truly despicable," Yi Youxuan said. She felt the atmosphere of the Zisha Island sect was truly wretched. They simply could not stand to see someone else succeed.
Ning Shu: …
You're being a bit overbearing there. You beat the boy up and now you won't even let him hold a grudge? He's testifying against you, so what?
The disciple turned bright red at Yi Youxuan’s mockery. He gritted his teeth and said to the Sect Leader, "I am willing to undergo soul-searching."
"Very well. Do not resist," the sect leader said. He also wanted to get to the truth, as the jade token concerned the very foundation of the sect.
As the sect leader performed the soul-search, everyone else waited in silence. Yi Youxuan’s face was as dark as soot.
"Why have I been called out? What is the matter?" An old man with white hair and the complexion of a youth appeared in the air, descending step by step.
Everyone present hurried to bow. "Grand Elder."
The old man looked ordinary and did not project a powerful aura. With his ruddy complexion, he looked like a kind, gentle grandfather.
The grand elder nodded, scanning the crowd. Finally, his gaze settled on Ning Shu. "You are carrying a cloud of misfortune, and your Dao heart is damaged. I haven't been out for a while, yet you have managed to make quite a mess of yourself, girl."
The old man walked over to Ning Shu and reached out to feel her pulse. "Your meridians are slightly distorted, though it is not too serious. What happened? Did you suffer a broken heart?"
The grand elder looked at Qi Cheng. "Did something go wrong between the two of you?"
Qi Cheng replied, "Not at all."
Yi Youxuan watched the sudden arrival of the grand elder warily. The old man looked frail and lacked the overwhelming pressure of a powerful cultivator, yet alarm bells were ringing in Yi Youxuan’s head.
Her instincts sensed a profound danger.
"Then how did you end up like this?" the grand elder asked Ning Shu. After all, she was a girl from his own clan, so he felt he should ask.
"The situation is a bit complicated. I was soundly beaten by someone, and I have been unable to overcome that mental blow. My body has developed some temporary issues because of it. However, there is something more important than me right now. A disciple has brought the jade token out of the hidden realm," Ning Shu said, changing the subject. She didn't want everyone to keep pestering her about that old history.
The sect leader finished the soul-search. The disciple’s face was pale, and his soul had been slightly strained. The sect leader gave him a pill to swallow and told him to rest well, saying he had performed a great service and would be rewarded in the future.
The disciple was helped away to rest.
The sect leader cupped his hands toward the grand elder. "The jade token has indeed been brought out."
"Oh? That is good news. Now Zisha Island can truly master the hidden realm," the grand elder said mildly.
The sect leader nodded and turned to Yi Youxuan, whose face was incredibly grim. "Please hand over the jade token. In exchange, Zisha Island can fulfill any request you have."
"No. This token is mine. Furthermore, it was an ownerless object. On what grounds do you demand I hand it over?" Yi Youxuan said, backing away.
"On the grounds that you are a disciple of Zisha Island. You should put the interests of the sect above all else," the grand elder stated. "Besides, we are not asking you to hand it over for nothing. You will be provided with compensation and other rewards."
"Heh…" Yi Youxuan let out a cold laugh. "What a clever calculation. You want to trade a few paltry items for the entire hidden realm. You old bastards are truly shameless to demand things from a disciple. Your greed is disgusting.
"You use your status in the sect to pressure me and shamelessly demand a disciple's possessions. At worst, I will simply quit Zisha Island. If you are going to be heartless, do not blame me for being unjust," Yi Youxuan said with ringing conviction.
The grand elder’s face twitched at being called an ‘old bastard,’ but he did not want to earn a reputation for bullying the weak. He said directly, "The hidden realm has always belonged to Zisha Island. It was discovered by our founder, who then established this sect. Therefore, the item belongs to the sect."
Yi Youxuan rolled her eyes. "Since when was it yours? Did you ever actually hold the jade token? Now that I have it, you all jump out and claim it belongs to you. Have you no shame?"