76

The atmosphere inside the cave was heavy.

Xu Jiuling sat upright in the jade chair at the head of the table, his face ashen.

He had already learned the whole story, and now his gaze towards Li Feiyu was filled with undisguised rebuke.

"Foolish!"

"Qingchen has already formed a blood feud with Mo Qiuxian. Do you know who stands behind Mo Qiuxian? It's that person from the Transmission Hall! If there weren't sufficient benefits, why would I offend a fellow cultivator for your petty squabble?"

He snorted coldly and continued his reprimand: "This boy is clearly someone Mo Qiuxian has been plotting against. Protecting him for now is one thing."

"Now you're insisting on stepping in, clearly declaring you're determined to fight Mo Qiuxian to the death! That will involve his backers and cause an even bigger uproar. Is it worth it? Is it worth it?"

"You are also a cultivator, yet you've picked up the habits of the martial world. Acting so impulsively, what kind of immortal are you cultivating?!"

Li Feiyu stood below, head bowed, his face pale from the reprimand, but dared not utter a single word in rebuttal.

This half-hour of admonishment made him fully understand his uncle's attitude.

...

About half an hour later, Qing Chen saw Li Feiyu emerge, dejected and looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Junior Brother Qing, this...I'm truly sorry."

He approached, his tone apologetic. "Uncle...he's not in a good mood today. He said he only wants to see me and doesn't want to see any guests."

Qing Chen, observing his expression, already understood.

It wasn't that Xu Jiuling was in a bad mood, but rather that the other party simply didn't want to get involved.

Although he was disappointed, he understood.

If he were in that situation, he probably would have made the same choice and stood by.

“Senior Brother Li, I understand.”

Qingchen spoke first. “Senior Brother Li, I understand. This isn’t your fault; you’ve done your best. I’ll find a way to handle it myself.”

Li Feiyu looked at Qingchen, hesitant to speak, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Finally, he uttered only a reminder:

“Junior Brother Qing, you must be careful. Mo Qiuxian is narrow-minded and vindictive; he will never let things go easily.”

Qingchen nodded, then suddenly said, “Senior Brother Li, please inform him again that I have something else to report.”

Li Feiyu shook his head with a wry smile: “Junior Brother Qing, alas, you shouldn’t bother. It’s useless.”

“Senior Brother only needs to tell Hall Master Xu,” Qingchen’s tone was calm, “that it concerns the Xu family of Haichang Island.”

Li Feiyu was taken aback. Although he didn’t understand, seeing Qingchen’s resolute expression, he could only sigh:

“Fine, I’ll go again for you.”

He turned and entered the cave again.

A short while later, he returned, his face showing undisguised surprise.

His gaze fell on Qingchen, and he said, "My uncle invites you in."

Qingchen, upon hearing this, remained calm, as if he had already anticipated this.

Since returning to his sect from Huangzhu Island, he had secretly inquired about the deep-seated grudges between the Xu family of Haichang Island and which cultivators of the Ningxuan Sect.

After some twists and turns, he finally learned that the Xu family of Haichang Island and Xu Jiuling harbored a deep hatred for each other.

In his early years, Xu Jiuling was merely a Qi Refining stage cultivator. He had fallen in love with a female disciple from the same sect and intended to become her Daoist partner.

However, the woman's family disapproved of his low cultivation level and humble origins, and forcefully opposed the marriage.

Just then, a direct descendant of the Xu family on Haichang Island also became interested in this female disciple and took a liking to her.

Therefore, to curry favor with the Xu family, the woman's family disregarded her wishes and forced a marriage.

The woman, with a fiery temperament, on the eve of the wedding, with the marriage arranged, betrothal gifts exchanged, and the ceremony imminent, reversed her magical power, severing her own heart meridian and dying.

Because of this, Xu Jiuling's hatred for the Xu family of Haichang Island ran deep in his bones.

Qing Chen straightened his robes and calmly followed Li Feiyu into the cave.

He knew that although Xu Jiuling was unwilling to clash with Mo Qiuxian or anyone behind him because of him,

if something could touch Xu Jiuling's vital interests or cause him pain, perhaps there would be a turning point.

Inside the cave, the furnishings were ancient and simple, filled with a misty spiritual energy.

Xu Jiuling sat upright, his face stern, scrutinizing Qing Chen.

He didn't deliberately release his spiritual pressure, but the natural aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator still enveloped the surroundings, inspiring awe.

Qing Chen stood in the hall, striving to maintain his composure.

He knew that before such a powerful figure, even the slightest cowardice could lead to utter destruction; every word and action was crucial.

Xu Jiuling's gaze was like lightning, scrutinizing the outer disciple below who concealed his cultivation level, remaining silent.

This silence itself was a form of pressure.

Qingchen took a deep breath, bowed respectfully, and spoke clearly:

"Disciple Qingchen, I apologize for disturbing your meditation, Master, but I have urgent matters to report. This matter concerns the safety of the sect. Having discovered it, I dare not conceal it, and I hope you will investigate thoroughly."

"Oh?"

Xu Jiuling's eyes flickered slightly, his tone unreadable. "Oh? The safety of the sect? Tell me, what is it that has escalated to such a level?"

Qingchen's heart tightened, knowing the crucial moment had arrived. He said solemnly:

"While stationed on Huangzhu Island, I discovered that the island's mayor was acting suspiciously, and his daughter, Chen Zhu'er, secretly possessed Qi Refining cultivation.

Being wary, I conducted a brief investigation and unexpectedly learned that the Xu family of Haichang Island had secretly instructed this woman to spy on the movements of our Ningxuan Sect!

All the clues and evidence have been recorded in this recording stone."

Having said this, he presented a recording stone with both hands.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiuling's eyes sharpened instantly. With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned the recording stone, which floated lightly into his palm.

He focused his consciousness into it, and after a moment, raised his eyes, expressionless: "Where's the Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman? Bring it here as well."

Qing Chen dared not delay and quickly retrieved the transmission talisman he had obtained from Chen Zhuer from his storage bag.

Xu Jiuling held it in his hand, examining it carefully. A cold smile curved his lips:

"Hmph, Old Ghost Xu is indeed cautious. He didn't send it directly back to Haichang Island, but instead sent it via a detour to Xuanyue Island."

He stroked the transmission talisman with his fingertips, carefully savoring the information within, his eyes flashing with cold light. "This matter... is rather interesting."

Then, his gaze returned to Qing Chen, his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Your cultivation is not as simple as the fifth level of Qi Refining, is it?"

When Qing Chen entered, he only used a common concealment technique, not the secret methods from the *Demon Seed Golden Lotus*.

In front of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, this disguise would naturally be exposed.

He had no intention of hiding his abilities; he intended to demonstrate his value!

"This disciple dares not conceal anything from the Hall Master. This action is to prevent Mo Qiuxian from secretly spying," Qingchen replied respectfully.

Xu Jiuling pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, scrutinizing Qingchen: "Knowing how to be patient and leverage power, you are indeed a capable person."

"Since that's the case... I will give you a chan