Chapter 106: High-level shock, dark chess starts

The news that Situ Kuang was seriously injured and unconscious, and his golden elixir was on the verge of shattering, was like pouring a bucket of cold water into an already boiling oil pan, shocking the entire Xuanyun Sect's top leaders to the extreme.

The atmosphere within Lingxiao Hall grew extremely strange. The indignant voices demanding severe punishment for Situ Kuang instantly faded, replaced by a complex silence. Everyone looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.

Situ Kuang had returned, but in a state bordering on crippled. What was the implication? Was it a self-torture tactic? Or was it internal strife or silencing within the Shadow Demon faction? Or was it... had he truly suffered unimaginable backlash after his failed sneak attack?

The expressions of the Zhan Kuang Peak elders, including True Man Lieyang, were utterly uglier, as if their father had died. Situ Kuang was the pillar of Zhan Kuang Peak, their backer. Now, not only had this backer become a criminal within the sect, but also a comatose invalid. This had instantly deprived them of their greatest support and confidence. Their previous arrogance was gone, leaving only fear and uneasiness.

Sect Leader Xuan Chengzi sat upright in the main seat, his expression as calm as water, his emotions unrecognizable. His fingertips gently tapped the armrests of the chair, producing a rhythmic clacking sound, each one seemingly striking at the very core of the people at Zhan Kuang Peak.

After a long moment, Xuan Chengzi finally spoke slowly. His voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable determination: "Situ Kuang is colluding with the Shadow Demon. The evidence is irrefutable and overwhelming. Regardless of his current state, he is a traitor to our Xuanyun Sect and his crimes are unforgivable!"

It's settled! As soon as these words came out, any hope of luck on Zhan Kuangfeng's side was completely cut off.

"Yes," Xuan Chengzi changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Master Lieyang and the others, "Considering that he has served the sect for many years and is now seriously injured and on the verge of death, I will temporarily spare him the punishment of extracting his soul and refining his spirit. I will depose him from his position as Peak Master, reduce his cultivation (if he can still wake up), and banish him to the Netherworld Frigid Cave for eternity!"

The Netherworld Frigid Cave! That's where the Xuanyun Sect imprisons the most vicious traitors. It's bitterly cold year-round, its spiritual energy is depleted, and anyone who enters suffers a fate worse than death! This sentence is truly harsh!

"As for Zhan Kuang Peak..." Xuan Chengzi's eyes grew sharp. "The Peak Master has committed immorality and colluded with foreign enemies. How can everyone be blameless? Lieyang, as the Deputy Peak Master, you failed to supervise effectively and are to blame! Effective immediately, you will resign from your position as Deputy Peak Master and undergo a hundred years of self-reflection! All affairs of Zhan Kuang Peak will be temporarily managed by the Discipline Hall!"

"Master! I..." Master Lieyang's face changed drastically and he wanted to argue.

"Hmm?" Xuan Chengzi simply glanced at him indifferently, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped him, choking all words in Lieyang Zhenren's throat. He lowered his head with a pale face. He knew that the Sect Master was being lenient because of their past relationship. If he argued again, he would probably end up in a worse situation.

"In Zhan Kuang Peak, anyone who colluded with Situ Kuang and participated in this conspiracy must be strictly investigated by the Discipline Hall. Once verified, they will be severely punished according to the sect rules and will not be tolerated! The rest of the disciples need to be re-examined. If there are those who have different intentions, they will be eliminated!" Xuan Chengzi gave the order for the purge in a cold voice.

This was an opportunity to thoroughly overhaul the rotten tree of Zhan Kuang Peak! The other peak masters and elders in the hall bowed in acceptance, no one daring to object. The Sect Master had been patient for years, and now, taking advantage of Situ Kuang's self-destruction, he was finally going to purge the sect of this cancer within!

"Junior Brother Muyun," Xuan Chengzi said, looking at Lay Buddhist Muyun, his tone much softer. "This time, you and the disciples of Yundan Peak turned the tide and exposed the rebellion, and your contribution is invaluable. Saint Qin of Bishui Pavilion was seriously injured while saving our disciples, and our sect will always remember this. You will be fully responsible for the subsequent negotiations with Bishui Pavilion, as well as for compensation and rewards. You must satisfy Bishui Pavilion and convince our disciples."

"I will obey the Master's order." Mu Yun Lay Buddhist bowed and responded. He understood that this was the Master's trust in him and Yun Danfeng, and that it was also a sign of considerable power being handed over to him.

"Ye Li." Xuan Chengzi's gaze finally fell on the silent Ye Li, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration and inquiry. "Your performance this time was truly astonishing and brilliant, bringing glory to our Xuanyun Sect in the Northern Territory! You remained calm in the face of danger and valued friendship and loyalty. Even more remarkable, you were able to injure a Yuandan Realm Shadow Demon. You are truly a pillar of our sect's future!"

"Master, you are so kind. I am unworthy of your praise. It is all thanks to Master's wise teaching and the concerted efforts of fellow disciples. I am just doing my duty." Ye Li stepped forward and responded with a calm salute, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xuan Chengzi nodded in satisfaction. This boy was gifted with extraordinary talent, and his calm demeanor, neither arrogant nor impetuous, was truly rare. He pondered for a moment, then said, "The sect will surely reward you handsomely for your achievements. However, I heard that you seem to have made other discoveries in the Bingpo Xuan Palace ruins."

It had finally arrived. Ye Li knew that the sect couldn't possibly be completely unaware of the opportunity she had received. She had been prepared.

"Reporting to the master, I did gain something," Ye Li said calmly, and then took out a few items from the storage ring. They were not the most important fragments of the Samsara Mirror and the bone fragments of the "Ice Emperor Sealing Heaven Art", but some equally precious treasures, but not indispensable to her at the moment:

A ten-thousand-year-old "Ice Soul Snow Lotus" sealed in black ice is one of the main ingredients in refining ancient elixirs that can improve cultivation and heal Dao injuries.

Three fist-sized pieces of "Ten Thousand Years Mysterious Ice Marrow" containing pure extreme cold energy, which are the best materials for refining ice magic weapons or constructing advanced spirit gathering arrays;

There was also a jade slip obtained from a side hall, which recorded several lost ancient ice-related magical powers (she had made a backup copy herself).

"I was lucky enough to find these items in a side hall of the ruins. I know very well that it is not easy to cultivate in a sect, and such treasures will be of great use to the development of the sect. I am willing to present these three items to the sect to repay the sect's kindness in cultivating me!" Ye Li's voice was clear and his attitude was sincere.

Seeing the three treasures Ye Li brought out, especially the ten thousand year old Ice Soul Snow Lotus and the ten thousand year old Mysterious Ice Marrow, even the knowledgeable Xuan Chengzi and the various peak masters and elders had a glint of heat in their eyes! These things are invaluable treasures for individuals, and for the sect, they are strategic resources that can enhance the overall strength!

Ye Li's move was extremely clever. Not only did it demonstrate his loyalty to the sect and silence those who might be jealous, but it also used these "sugar-coated bullets" to exchange for tangible benefits and a greater living space.

Xuan Chengzi smiled sincerely, "Good! Good! You are indeed a good disciple of the Xuanyun Sect! You understand the greater good and consider the overall situation! I will accept your kindness on behalf of the sect!"

After a brief thought, he announced Ye Li's reward:

1. Open the fifth floor of the Sutra Library, which contains the sect's most profound techniques and magical books for Ye Li to read at will (for a period of three years);

2. Reward 100,000 high-grade spirit stones and 500,000 contribution points, and have priority in exchanging them for any resources needed in the sect's treasury;

3. Promote Ye Li to the position of core disciple of the sect, with the same status as the chief disciple of each peak, and enjoy all the benefits and rights;

4. Ye Li is allowed to choose an ideal location at a spiritual vein node in Yundan Peak to open up an independent cave, and the sect will fund the construction of a top-level protective formation.

Each of these rewards was truly substantial! Especially the fifth-level authority of the Sutra Repository and the status of a core disciple meant that Ye Li had truly entered the inner circle of the Xuanyun Sect, gaining unprecedented freedom and resources!

"Disciple, thank you, Master, for your generous gift!" Ye Li bowed deeply. This was exactly what she had wanted. Greater authority meant she would have access to more of the sect's secrets, making it easier to investigate her parents' disappearance and the Shadow Demon. More resources would allow her and Youge to grow faster.

The meeting in the hall lasted a whole day, and finally decided on the treatment plan for Situ Kuang and Zhan Kuangfeng, as well as the reward details for those who made contributions to this incident.

As Ye Li followed Master Mu Yun out of Lingxiao Hall, the afterglow of the setting sun fell upon her. She narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling the weakness that had not yet fully recovered from her body, as well as the warm touch of the jade token in her hand, which symbolized her core true successor status.

The storm has subsided, but the undercurrent remains turbulent. With Situ Kuang's downfall and the purge of Zhan Kuangfeng's forces, the power structure within the sect is facing a reshuffle. This is undoubtedly a golden opportunity for the quietly developing "Youge".

After returning to Yundan Peak, Ye Li immediately summoned Lin Feng. Lin Feng, after this period of experience and the resources provided by Ye Li, had already broken through to the late stage of Condensing Veins, and his temperament had become more calm and capable.

"Zhan Kuang Peak is about to undergo a dramatic change," Ye Li instructed directly. "A large number of disciples will inevitably be in a state of panic, and may even be implicated and ostracized. You should secretly contact those frustrated disciples who have decent qualifications and good character, and who are dissatisfied with Situ Kuang's actions. After careful examination, you may consider accepting them into Youge. Remember, it's better to have no one than to have the wrong one. First and foremost, examine their loyalty."

Lin Feng's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood Ye Li's intention. This was the perfect opportunity to expand and absorb new blood! "I understand! I will act cautiously and will not cause any trouble for the Pavilion Master!"

"Also," Ye Li took out a storage bag, "Inside these are some spirit stones and resources for the subsequent development of Youge and the recruitment of new members. We need to improve the strength of the core members as quickly as possible. I have a feeling that even greater storms are yet to come."

"Yes!" Lin Feng took the storage bag and felt its weight. He was excited and admired Ye Li's foresight.

Watching Lin Feng leave upon receiving his orders, Ye Li walked to the window and gazed at the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance. Cleansing and absorbing, open rewards and covert moves, she was gradually weaving her own network within this vast sect, accumulating the power of revenge and protection.

Her gaze finally drifted towards Yingke Peak, where the Bishui Pavilion's emissaries resided. Qin Yixuan's injuries remained her greatest concern. How would this love, born between life and death, quietly grow in this chaotic situation?