Xu Zifan and Shi Yunxuan cultivated together in their room for three days and three nights before leaving. Xu Zifan hadn't believed in dual cultivation techniques until he actually used them. He thought they were too bizarre and unreasonable. However, such miraculous things existed in the cultivation world; dual cultivation could indeed improve one's strength. And a pure Yang body's first time could truly allow the other person to advance in a cultivation level!
Because they cultivated a top-grade technique with pure and refined power, both gained tremendous benefits from this dual cultivation session. Shi Yunxuan not only drew out demonic energy but also advanced to the late Golden Core stage, while Xu Zifan reached the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage. Shi Yunxuan told Xu Zifan that this was due to his special physique and the technique's highly efficient nature, explaining the remarkable effect on their first attempt; future advancements wouldn't be as significant. However, Xu Zifan felt this was already incredibly impressive. He reasoned that each subsequent dual cultivation session would boost his strength, so what could be simpler than this technique?
With Shi Yunxuan's threat eliminated, they all relaxed. Sect Leader Shi finally decided to visit Sect Leader Xiang of the Xuantian Sect to resolve the matter between the two sects. Regarding Huo Chongjun's claim of being a demonic cultivator, she still had no evidence. Considering the status and prestige of the Xuantian Sect, she couldn't rashly contact other sects to unite against him, nor would the other sects agree to it. Therefore, she planned to personally investigate the matter.
Xu Zifan and Shi Yunxuan naturally followed. Xu Zifan planned to compete with Huo Chongjun in public this time. As long as he defeated Huo Chongjun, his mission would be completed.
After receiving the letter from the Hehuan Sect, Xiang Wentian remained troubled. He summoned Xiang Yushuang again and asked her, "Shuang'er, tell me the truth. Did you really not kill anyone from the Hehuan Sect? The sect leader has come in person, surely for this matter. If you don't tell me the truth, how am I supposed to deal with it?"
Xiang Yushuang smiled and said, "Father, how many times have you asked me? How could I lie to you?" She said somewhat awkwardly, "I just met Shi Yunxuan and had some conflict with her. She doesn't like me very much and her words are always barbed. I also think she is full of lies and very cunning. If I have a grudge against someone that makes them want to harm me like this, it is probably her."
Xiang Wentian frowned. "Sect Leader Shi's daughter? How did you become enemies?"
Xiang Yushuang shook her head, indicating she didn't know. Xiang Wentian then looked at Xiang Yushuang's expression and asked, "Is Chongjun good to you? Your cultivation hasn't improved much, but Chongjun's cultivation has improved very quickly. Has Chongjun bullied you?"
"No, he's busy cultivating, he's very busy all day long, and sometimes I don't even see him."
"That's good, Shuang'er. You have a special constitution, so remember not to let anyone take advantage of you, or you'll face endless troubles. If your father is gone one day, how will you protect yourself if your cultivation level isn't high?"
"Father, what are you saying? You've always been here, and Chongjun will protect me. Father, don't worry, we're really fine."
Xiang Wentian sighed and waved his hand, "Go."
After Xiang Yushuang left, Xiang Wentian opened the visiting card sent by the Hehuan Sect and stared at the two characters "Zhengyang" on it, lost in thought. His former top disciple had disappeared without a trace after leaving the sect. He had sent people to search for him for a long time but could not find him. It turned out that he had gone to the Hehuan Sect? If his daughter had married Xu Zifan smoothly, he would have nothing to worry about. Now, although he did not find anything wrong, he had a feeling of unease in his heart.
Cultivators' premonitions are usually quite accurate, and he was secretly on guard against Huo Chongjun, somewhat distrusting his daughter's words. Thinking of the upcoming arrival of the Hehuan Sect, he sighed again, deciding he could only wait for Sect Leader Shi to arrive to see what her purpose was.
Sect Leader Shi and Xiang Wentian were both at the Nascent Soul stage. Sect Leader Shi paid a personal visit, and Xiang Wentian personally greeted him in return. After exchanging pleasantries, the two sect leaders went together to the main reception hall. Once they were seated, Xu Zifan stepped forward to help Xiang Wentian with his luggage, saying, "Sect Leader Xiang, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
Xiang Wentian stared at him for a long time before saying, "Zhengyang, when you left, I told you that you could come back anytime. Now, do you really not consider me your master anymore?"
Xu Zifan smiled respectfully and said, "Sect Leader Xiang, when I left that day, I intended to sever all ties. Later, I often reflected on myself and realized that my actions that day were inappropriate and that I was afraid of hurting Master's feelings. Since then, I have not dared to hope to be forgiven by Master. Later, by chance, I was fortunate enough to receive the inheritance of Daoist Chu Duan and have become his disciple. Therefore, I no longer dwell on the past and only wish Sect Leader Xiang peace and good health."
Xiang Wentian felt a lump in his throat. How could the disciple he had raised and taught have become someone else's? But Daoist Chu Duan was a renowned figure in the cultivation world, far surpassing even him. Naturally, he couldn't compete with Daoist Chu Duan for a disciple, so he could only swallow his anger and force a smile. "In that case, it is indeed your good fortune. This is a good thing. Then why did you come with Sect Leader Shi?"
Xu Zifan smiled and looked at Shi Yunxuan. Shi Yunxuan understood and stepped out to stand next to him. Xu Zifan introduced, "Sect Leader Xiang, Yunxuan and I are already engaged. She is the Daoist partner I have chosen, so I will stay in the Hehuan Sect from now on."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yushuang immediately looked at Shi Yunxuan, staring at her incredulously. No wonder Shi Yunxuan had been so sarcastic and mocking towards her when they met in the boundless forest, and hadn't told her whereabouts of Xu Zifan. So that's what their relationship was like? That makes sense. Xu Zifan had disguised himself back then, and even though he was right in front of her, he wouldn't say a word, letting Shi Yunxuan humiliate him. That's the only explanation.
Xiang Yushuang couldn't quite describe her feelings, but she felt worse than if she had swallowed a fly. It was as if something that originally belonged to her had been taken by someone else, and even made better, and was being flaunted in front of her.
Xiang Wentian glanced at Xiang Yushuang with regret, then smiled and offered his blessings, "I will definitely attend your Daoist couple ceremony in person."
Xu Zifan and Shi Yunxuan bowed together, saying, "Thank you, Sect Leader Xiang." Then they retreated behind Sect Leader Shi.
Having met and exchanged pleasantries, it was time to get down to business. Sect Leader Shi, without beating around the bush, took a sip of his spiritual tea and said bluntly, "Sect Leader Xiang, it's a good thing that Zhengyang received the inheritance of Daoist Chu Duan, but on the day of the inheritance, your daughter and her Daoist partner happened to be present. In the struggle to seize the inheritance, they killed three members of my sect and severely injured my daughter. I only came today because my daughter's injuries have just healed. Sect Leader Xiang, as the number one sect in the cultivation world, the Xuantian Sect must give me an explanation for this matter."
Xiang Wentian's expression turned serious. "Sect Leader Shi, you shouldn't make things up without evidence. Shuang'er is kind-hearted and would never do such a thing. If you want me to believe you, you'll have to provide concrete proof."
Sect Leader Shi placed the teacup on the table. "Does Sect Leader Xiang think that Zheng Yang and Yun Xuan are lying and deliberately framing them?" She smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes. With a wave of her hand, three corpses appeared in the open space in the center of the hall.
This was extremely rude, but Xiang Wentian couldn't reprimand Sect Leader Shi because he knew that Sect Leader Shi's actions were not rash.
Sect Leader Shi stood up and walked to the three corpses, his voice turning cold, "Sect Leader Xiang, why don't you come and see who killed them? You're not unfamiliar with what kind of cultivation technique your daughter practiced and what moves she used, are you?"
Xiang Yushuang's expression changed, and Xiang Wentian's heart sank upon seeing this. It seemed his daughter had lied after all. He sighed inwardly, walked to the corpses, and examined them. They had many wounds, most of which were likely inflicted by Huo Chongjun, but the fatal wounds were caused by Xiang Yushuang's martial arts techniques. If he were to argue further, he would be unworthy of being the leader of the number one sect.
Xiang Wentian's face was extremely grim. He turned to his daughter and son-in-law and asked, "Is this really as Sect Leader Shi said?"
Huo Chongjun bowed and calmly said, "Master, we didn't know that the one who would receive the inheritance was our eldest brother... True Lord Zhengyang. Opportunities are always given to the capable, which is why I fought for it. Who knew that Junior Sister Yunxuan would set up so many traps that Shuang'er and I suffered such a great loss? When I saw Shuang'er injured, I was truly enraged, which led to the conflict with these three from the Hehuan Sect. During the fight, they held nothing back, and Shuang'er and I had to use all our strength to protect ourselves. It was indeed our fault that they died. I am willing to accept punishment, but these three were not entirely without fault either. In fact, the hostility wasn't initiated by us, but by Junior Sister Yunxuan's insistence on stopping us."
With tears in her eyes, Xiang Yushuang said pitifully, "Father, Sect Leader Shi, it's all my fault. I'm willing to accept the punishment."
Shi Yunxuan clapped and laughed, "This is even better than a theatrical performance. Sect Leader Xiang, please forgive my rudeness. When we killed the eighth-tier demon beast, you came to take advantage of us. When we killed the eighth-tier demon beast a second time, you came to steal our spoils again. The guardian beast was killed by Brother Xu, so he naturally deserves the inheritance. Moreover, when you arrived, he had already gained the approval of Daoist Chu Duan and had begun the inheritance process. Stealing opportunities by force after someone has received the inheritance is called robbery. Don't try to downplay the seriousness of the matter."
She walked to the three corpses and said coldly, "My martial uncle and two junior sisters only forbade you to harm me because they saw me inside. They even escaped after being seriously injured. But you, I personally heard Huo Chongjun instruct Xiang Yushuang to kill them to prevent his reputation from being ruined by the news of his attempt to seize the opportunity. He also severely injured me, and upon seeing Brother Xu's face, he even tried to kill him. If Brother Xu hadn't been so familiar with the underground palace, we might have lost our lives. Most importantly, the technique Huo Chongjun used that day was demonic, overflowing with demonic energy, clearly indicating considerable power. Please investigate the truth with the sect leader!"
Huo Chongjun, emboldened and seemingly agitated, retorted, "This is slander and a frame-up! Master, your disciple has absolutely not practiced any demonic arts!"
Xu Zifan suddenly said, "Ten years ago, during the chaos in the Demon Realm, I remember that Sect Leader Xiang led dozens of disciples to hunt down a demonic cultivator. That demonic cultivator seemed to have nine lives, and his demonic energy was extraordinary. Sect Leader Xiang went to great lengths, joining forces with the Sect Leader of the Thousand Swords Sect, to finally destroy his soul. I wonder what that demonic cultivator's name was?"
Huo Chongjun's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart pounded. How could Xu Zifan have known?!
Xiang Wentian had a vivid memory of that chase and instantly remembered, "Huo Yan?"
He had a guess in his mind. He knew that Xu Zifan meant that. He wanted to suspect that Xu Zifan had ulterior motives, but his recent unease seemed to finally have the most reasonable reason. Xu Zifan was also his disciple. He subconsciously believed Xu Zifan to a large extent and slowly turned to look at Huo Chongjun.
"Who is Huo Yan to you?"