Obsidian frowned and pursed his lips, saying, "Only two people can enter the Treasure Pavilion. If they have problems, then there's probably no one left who can be trusted."

Chong Jiu's voice also turned somber, "If even Ban Heng, who grew up with me, can betray me, what chance do you have against a mere celestial servant?"

Upon hearing his words, Ban Heng's face turned pale, as if the veins under his skin could be seen.

He knew all along. Did he always know?

If he knew this, then none of his previous strategies would be usable, and he would have to come up with new ones.

Obsidian glanced at Ban Heng and nodded. "Then I'll go back and bring those two people out to ask them who they gave those three pieces to."

After Obsidian left, Chongjiu had Honglang close the doors of the main hall and set up an array.

Sitting in the main seat, he calmly looked at Ban Heng, who had already knelt down in the middle of the hall.

Shu Jianyue first poured Chong Jiu a cup of spiritual elixir and made him drink it before sitting down to watch the show.

Chong Jiu put down his cup, looked at Ban Heng and said calmly, "Speak, what is your reason?"

Ban Heng lowered his head; his reasons, the reasons he had thought of for so long, were no longer valid.

Rong Jin and Hong Lang were both looking at him.

The four of them grew up together and naturally had a very deep bond, which is why they were so angry when they learned that he had betrayed them.

Seeing that Ban Heng remained silent, Hong Lang stepped forward and kicked him. "The God is asking you a question. What, have you become mute following Wujie?"

Ban Heng looked up at Chong Jiu and said in a hoarse voice, "There's no reason. I was just too careless and fell into the trap of the Boundless Path, which led to everything that followed."

"Tell me," Rong Jin said.

Ban Heng glanced at him, then lowered his eyes and said, "I tricked him into getting tainted by evil energy, and then he gradually became an evil cultivator."

"He kept using this as leverage to threaten me, so I had no choice but to do things for him."

Hong Lang couldn't hold back any longer and punched him directly, saying, "You betrayed the God Lord because of this!"

"Aren't there any evil cultivators in the Upper God Realm? So many evil cultivators are running rampant in the Upper God Realm, have you heard the God Venerable say anything about it?"

"As long as you don't do anything wrong, will the God Lord ignore you and let that guy Wujie bully you?"

"What's wrong with your brain? Has it been tainted by evil spirits?"

Ban Heng glared at him with red eyes, "You're not me. You don't know how helpless I felt back then. I was afraid that if I were infected by evil spirits..."

"You'll lose everything you have now, won't you?" Shu Jianyue said with a faint smile as she looked at him.

"Isn't this the result of your selfishness? There's no need to make so many excuses."

"Helplessness. Every one of you here is a transcendent being in the Upper God Realm. You yourself are also of extraordinary status. I really want to know what kind of helplessness you are."

"You're afraid, you're probably afraid that A-Jiu will abandon you because of this, so you chose to abandon him first, right?"

Ban Heng looked at Shu Jianyue, a flash of resentment in his eyes.

Because everything she said was true, that was exactly what he was thinking at the time. In fear and worry about being abandoned, he chose to abandon the God first.

He should have dealt with this woman back when he was in China, since at that time it was just her and a weakling.

Shu Jianyue clicked her tongue when she saw his look and continued, "Since you think Ajiu won't let you go, why did you come back? What, do you think Ajiu will soften his heart and won't do anything to you?"

Ban Heng did not return with this purpose in mind. At that time, he was not sure if the God knew about his betrayal, so he returned to test him. He also had a backup plan, but he hoped he would not have to use it.

The saying "Human nature is inherently good" cannot be applied to everyone.

“Some people are inherently evil, and there’s no way to change that.” After saying this, Shu Jianyue stood up, patted Chong Jiu on the shoulder, and left the main hall.

After Shu Jianyue left the main hall, Chong Jiu looked at Ban Heng and said, "Tell me, how did you knock me unconscious and take me out of Chongyao Palace?"

After hearing this, Rong Jin stared intently at Ban Heng.

He was the person who had always been closest to the God, yet he was unaware that the God had secretly arranged for him to be taken away. This was his greatest dereliction of duty.

Ban Heng clenched his fists tightly, and after a long while he said, "I... I used bitter lotus to drug you."

Bitter lotus!

Hong Lang unleashed another flurry of punches and kicks, saying, "You actually dared to use that thing on the God! Luckily, the God is alright, otherwise I would have skinned you alive and pulled out your tendons."

Bitter lotus is an extremely potent substance; it is addictive and a forbidden drug that can cause cultivators to fall into demonic ways.

Chong Jiu narrowed his eyes slightly. He hadn't felt addicted to the drug after waking up in the cave. Either the bitter herbs he used were wrong, or he had a natural aversion to bitter herbs, so he wouldn't get addicted.

Where did the bitter lotus come from?

Ban Heng lowered his head and said, "Wujie gave it to me. He gave me two, but I only used one."

"Take out the rest." Chong Jiu stretched out his hand.

Ban Heng hesitated for a moment, then took out a jade box from his storage ring.

With a slight twitch of his fingers, Chong Jiu sent the jade box flying from his hand to the other side.

Opening the jade box, he saw a bitter lotus flower inside, gleaming with a faint white light. Chong Jiu closed the lid. "What color did you use for me?"

“Purple.” Ban Heng looked at him, puzzled.

Chong Jiu nodded and put the jade box away. "Now tell me, how did you bring me out of Chongyao Palace?"

Ban Heng froze completely.

"What, can't you say?" Hong Lang stood diagonally opposite him, glaring at him.

Ban Heng lowered his head even further, saying, "I'll have Youxin carry you out with her in her mouth."

Youxin is a semi-divine beast that he carries. It is very large and can easily hold a person in its mouth.

Honglang's eyes widened; Youxin's mouth was notoriously foul.

Rong Jin immediately looked at Chong Jiu.

Chong Jiu's face didn't change, but he felt disgusted and raised his hand to slap Ban Heng.

Ban Heng sent him flying through the air with a single blow.

"I will not touch you now. I will deal with you after I have dealt with Wujie."

"Rong Jin, take him away and lock him in the Wind Prison."

Rong Jin immediately responded and left with Ban Heng. Just as they reached the palace gate, Chong Jiu's words came again, "After taking him there, he can go to Wuguo Cliff to be punished and reflect on his actions."

"Yes." Rong Jin immediately turned around and bowed.

With this punishment, at least I won't be living in fear anymore, for fear that the gods will despise me.

Just as Chong Jiu got up to return to his bedchamber, Bai Jue's message arrived.

After reading Bai Jue's message, he looked at Hong Lang and said, "Tell Fan Yin to keep a close eye on Wujie's movements, and then send the two young masters to the Chaos Palace. Remember, they should be sent there in a royal procession."

"I will go to the Ghost Realm and keep watch in Chongyao Palace. Do not let anyone know that I am not in Chongyao Palace."

Honglang immediately bowed and replied, "Yes."