Chapter 57

When Xie Wen learned that Shen Lizhi had been given the title of "Feather Clan Demoness," he was still watering the climbing trellis at the Half Moon Peak Hut. Xie Wen eventually moved to the Flying Cherry Blossom Pavilion, but he still made it a habit to visit the Half Moon Peak Hut.

Although my older sister is gone, this place still holds many memories for them.

Chu Xianyue has been coming frequently these days. Despite being burdened with a mountain of important matters, he still comes here every day without fail. The backlash from Xie Wen's Lover's Curse could take effect at any moment. It's like a time bomb strapped to Xie Wen, ready to explode at any moment.

Xie Wen now misses the Blood Beads of the past terribly. He misses Hong Hong'er, who could transform into a human.

After Xie Wen returned, Yun Yan was also surprised that she hadn't seen the strange child for quite some time. She asked Xie Wen, "Senior Sister, where is that red-haired child? Let me tell you, that child is definitely not simple, definitely has a problem! You have no idea how powerful he is behind the scenes, don't be deceived by his appearance. Maybe he's an undercover agent from another sect, just like Pei Xuan."

A spy from another sect? Xie Wen couldn't help but laugh out loud. How did Yun Yan come to this conclusion? Could it be that he was scared by Pei Xuan and was left with lingering effects?

Yun Yan looked at Chu Xianyue with utmost seriousness, "It really is Master! You've seen that child before, haven't you? The one who was mixed in with the crowd during the great battle! It followed Senior Sister afterward. Now it's gone again! There must be something fishy going on."

Chu Xianyue glanced at Yun Yan indifferently, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness. He didn't doubt when he should have, and he was being strange and unpredictable when he shouldn't have.

Xie Wen was also having a headache. She was thinking about how to explain that the child was currently hanging around her neck.

It was at this very moment.

A messenger from the outer sect brought news, saying: "The dynasty has sent word that Shen Lizhi of the Tianyan Sword Sect has no registered residence or relatives, and her background is suspicious. She is very likely a Feather Clan demoness. The dynasty has specially summoned people from all the major immortal sects to the Sun and Moon Platform of Huangqi Palace to publicly verify Shen Lizhi's identity with the Blood Nether Cauldron."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yan jumped to his feet. "When did Shen Lizhi leave the Sword Sect?"

Xie Wen: "You're still asking me? Haven't you been with her the whole time?"

Yun Yan recalled that a few days ago Xie Wen was still in the Dynasty and his life was unknown. Shen Lizhi's condition had been very strange. He knew she was worried about Xie Wen, but he did not expect that Shen Lizhi would go to the Dynasty alone.

Now, she's probably been captured by the dynasty and they're trying to frame her. Shen Lizhi is from the Tianyan Sword Sect. If there's really something wrong with Shen Lizhi's background, and she's truly a member of the Feather Clan, then the Tianyan Sword Sect can't escape responsibility. They might even become the target of everyone's attacks and condemnation.

As everyone knows, the Feathered Clan has always been the most taboo and unspeakable people in the Immortal Capital.

Anyone who gets associated with the Feather Clan is doomed. The Sword Sect will then be seen as protecting the demoness and her collusion with other unorthodox groups.

The dynasty's intentions were obvious; it was nothing more than to put the Sword Sect at a disadvantage.

Regardless of Shen Li's background or whether she is a member of the Feather Clan, there will only be one final result from the examination.

Anyone can be a "feathered person" if the dynasty wants them to.

The dynasty set the date as October 10th. They only had a few days left.

Regardless of the circumstances, even if it weren't for the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect, Xie Wen would definitely protect Shen Lizhi and absolutely couldn't let that happen. In the cultivation world, being labeled a Feather Clan demoness is tantamount to a death sentence. There's no way she could survive.

Xie Wen looked at the composed Chu Xianyue, who hadn't shown much emotion throughout. Xie Wen didn't know what Chu Xianyue was thinking, but she still told him, "I'm going to find Ali."

Chu Xianyue nodded and said, "Since you've made up your mind, then go ahead."

He knew that once she made a decision, he couldn't change it, just as Xie Wen had committed suicide to ascend to the throne. Her path was always hers to decide.

All Chu Xianyue had to do was stay behind her.

"Oh, by the way, we must be very careful of Jin Huaran this time."

Xie Wen told her everything she knew, “He probably controls the entire dynasty now. He wants to deal with us. Although we don’t know what his reasons are.”

Even if there's a conspiracy, they have to go. Jin Huaran has presented them with a dilemma they can't choose, one they must confront.

Shen Lizhi was imprisoned on the Sun and Moon Terrace of Huangqi Palace, heavily guarded, and no one could approach her.

When Xie Wen and the others arrived, Sui Qian from Huangqi Palace came to greet them.

As if she had anticipated their early arrival, Suiqian waited patiently at the mountain gate.

Xie Wen cut to the chase, "We want to meet Shen Lizhi."

Sui Qian was not surprised at all. "Three immortal lords, if you want to see Shen Lizhi, please wait patiently until the tenth day. At that time, everyone will be able to see her."

Xie Wen glanced coldly at Sui Qian and snorted, "Since when did Huangqi Palace become so desperate as to collude with the dynasty?"

Sui Qian said without changing his expression, "The matter concerning the Feathered Clan is a matter of life and death for the world. As part of the Immortal Capital, Huangqi Palace has the right to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the human world."

Ha! This person has suddenly elevated their own status. They've turned selfishness into a form of universal love.

Don't you find it ridiculous?

Xie Wen said, "Even so, why don't you dare let us see Chen Li? Are you afraid we'll discover something? Or are you hiding something?"

Sui Qian said, "Miss Xie is joking. Shen Lizhi is a serious criminal and a prime suspect. No one can see him. If you take this opportunity to take him away, wouldn't it be a crime for the people of Huangqi Palace?"

Yun Yan stepped forward. "We will not have any contact with Shen Lizhi. We only need to see her once. We will do nothing else."

Sui Qian: "No matter what, it won't work. Rules are rules. If you want, you can stay at Huangqi Palace. I'll arrange accommodations for you. But if you insist on seeing people, I'm sorry, I'll have to offend you."

Yun Yan trembled with anger at Sui Qian's arrogant tone. Back when the Sword Sect was at its peak, which sect dared to speak to them like that? It was only after the battle between the Sword Sect and Kunlun Ruins that the Sword Sect spent a great deal of manpower and resources to rebuild, and its strength was greatly diminished.

Opportunistic and opportunistic, this group of people from Xiandu has always been like this.

Chu Xianyue stopped Yun Yan, "We'll stay in Huangqi Palace. We'll wait a few days to verify Shen Li's background and clear the name of Huanjian Sect."

Sui Qian's lips curled slightly. "In that case, please follow me."

Suiqian arranged for them to stay in the same place they had lived before, the Zuiwan Pavilion, which was still nestled in the peach grove.

Xie Wen observed the entire Huangqi Palace. It was heavily guarded both day and night, especially at this critical juncture. Anyone who went out had to register after taking just a few steps.

It's not convenient to move around during the day, so it's definitely more convenient at night.

After a day of eating and drinking to their hearts' content and resting, the three of them first drew three puppet figures identical to themselves and left them at their residence in the evening. Then they turned into a ray of light and slipped into the Sun and Moon Platform.

After knocking out all the guards on the Sun and Moon Platform, Xie Wen transformed and stood in front of the cage imprisoning Shen Lizhi.

"Ah Li, wake up, it's me," Xie Wen called softly.

Shen Lizhi, who hadn't been asleep, stood up in surprise upon hearing this. "Awen, I knew you'd come. But have I caused you trouble again? It's all my fault."

Xie Wen shook his head. "At a time like this, don't try to take the blame. You were arrested by Jin Huaran, right? How did he frame you?"

Shen Lizhi thought for a moment, then suddenly felt a splitting headache and clutched her head in pain. "I don't remember. It was a man. When I sneaked into the palace to find you, I met a man. He... he... he looked at me with some kind of mirror. Then he started investigating my background and said I was a member of the Feather Clan. After that, I was imprisoned here."

Xie Wen knew in his heart that it was Jin Huaran. Who else could it be but him?

However, the only remaining question is, "Ali, are you really a member of the Feather Clan?"

Previous speculations all pointed to the worst possible outcomes for Wang Chao and Jin Huaran. Now, thinking back, Jin Huaran and Shen Lizhi had no prior grudges and had little interaction. Shen Lizhi was also a marginal figure within the Sword Sect. If he truly intended to frame someone, why wouldn't he target a higher-ranking cultivator within the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect?

On the contrary, it was Shen Lizhi.

Xie Wen had never dared to suspect anything in this direction. She recalled being imprisoned in the dynasty's jail, and by a twist of fate entering the Boundless Sea, she heard a member of the Feathered Clan say, "One of our clansmen has escaped the Boundless Sea. He will definitely find a way to bring us back!"

One of their clansmen left the Sea of ​​No Return.

Xie Wen's mind was filled with this sentence.

Who exactly is this winged person? Could it really be Shen Lizhi?

Xie Wen hesitated. She wasn't sure.

Shen Lizhi hadn't answered Xie Wen's question yet, and Xie Wen was now both anxious and conflicted. Yun Yan also frowned and said, "Shen Lizhi, what are you hesitating for? Just say you're not!"

Inside the cage, Shen Lizhi could only cover her head with one hand, panting, and stammering, "I...I don't know."

Xie Wen asked, "Do you still remember your relatives and friends from your childhood? What do they look like? Do you remember where you came from? What do you want to do? Where is your final destination?"

Xie Wen forced Shen Lizhi to look into his eyes. Shen Lizhi's clear eyes suddenly became unfathomably deep. She covered her head and went crazy, "Ahhh, I don't know, I don't know."

Just as Shen Lizhi was about to lose control of her emotions, someone behind her tugged at Xie Wen's hand, squeezed it, and said in a deep voice, "Xie Wen. Don't force her to say it. Don't provoke her."

Shen Lizhi is acting strangely right now.

Xie Wen took a step back, somewhat dazed, and staggered.

Chu Xianyue subconsciously patted Xie Wen's shoulder, saying nothing more. Everything depended on Xie Wen's decision; whether to save him or not was entirely up to Xie Wen's will.

She looked up again and heard Shen Lizhi murmur to herself, "My dear friends and family, my white-haired beauty... I came from the deep sea, I want to escape. To leave that hell forever!"

Xie Wen's head spun for a moment. The white-haired beauty corresponded to the Feather Clan, and the deep sea and the Avici Hell were the Sea of ​​No Return.

Yun Yan exclaimed, "Shen Lizhi, what nonsense are you spouting? Shut up! Shut up!"