Chapter 80 Clues and Shadows Emerge
The sudden attack from the Weapon Hall elders, accusing Ye Li of using the Mysterious Ice Sword to steal the Weapon Hall's secret atlas, was a sudden and drastic move, intended to completely tarnish her reputation before she could even participate in the ruins exploration. The news sparked renewed discussion within the sect, with many eyes focused on Yundan Peak, eager to see how Ye Li would respond.
Yet, Ye Li's reaction was surprisingly calm. She didn't rush to defend herself, but instead, using her Elite Disciple privilege, submitted a detailed report to the Law Enforcement Hall. This included a record of the Xuanbing Sword's refining process (omitting the reference to Venerable Xuanhuan's spatial concepts), the sources of the materials used (some harvested from secret realms, some purchased through Youge channels, with clear accounting), and a joint certificate of authenticity issued by Lay Buddhist Muyun and two other highly respected refiners. This certificate confirmed that while the Xuanbing Sword's refining technique was exquisite, it differed fundamentally from the diagram stolen from the Weapon Hall in its core rune structure and energy guidance.
The evidence was overwhelming, the logic clear. The accusations of the Weapon Hall elders suddenly seemed weak, and they were reprimanded by the Law Enforcement Hall for their false evidence. This storm had come and gone quickly, and Ye Li, with thorough preparation and a strong attitude, easily resolved it once again. However, this continuous challenge only made Ye Li more convinced that Situ Kuang and his faction were using any means necessary to suppress her.
Just as she was about to put her energy back into exploring the ruins, a top-secret intelligence from Youge made her smell an unusual hint of danger, a scent far colder and deeper than factional struggles.
The information came from a newly recruited, extremely secretive informant of Sun Xiaohou's—a former unsuccessful outer disciple of Zhan Kuangfeng. Dissatisfied with the tyranny of Situ Kuang's faction and the oppression of Gao Sheng, he secretly defected to Youge, codenamed "Shadow Fang." Shadow Fang accidentally overheard a fragment of a drunken conversation between Gao Sheng and a confidant in a secret room. The content was fragmentary but chilling:
"...Humph... That bitch Ye Li... won't be able to be so proud for long... Once we enter the ruins... Lord Shadow Demon will take care of her..."
"...Master (referring to Situ Kuang)'s cooperation with 'that side'...is beyond her imagination..."
"...As long as we find... the 'key'... not only the Xuanyun Sect... but also the entire Northern Territory..."
"...I heard that thing...is related to that couple...in Blackwater City...over ten years ago..."
"Lord Shadow Demon", "over there", "key", "the couple in Blackwater City"... these key words exploded in Ye Li's mind like thunder!
The name "Shadow Demon" instantly reminded her of some vague memories of powerful demons in her past life! And the thought of "the couple in Blackwater City" directly touched upon her deepest secrets—that was the place where her missing parents had last carried out their mission!
The disappearance of her parents in Blackwater City had always been a mystery and obsession in her heart. She had suspected the Ye family and the mission itself, but she had never imagined that it would be connected to Zhan Kuangfeng and Situ Kuang, or even the even more mysterious "Shadow Demon" and "that side"!
Could it be that his parents' disappearance wasn't an accident, but a conspiracy? And this conspiracy seems to involve some important item called a "key"? What is this "key"? Is it related to the Samsara Mirror?
Ye Li's heartbeat quickened involuntarily. She forced herself to calm down and analyze this intelligence carefully. Although it was just a drunken snippet, its authenticity remained to be verified. But combined with the clues she had previously gathered—Zhan Kuangfeng's secret contact with the Red Flame Sect, Situ Kuang's excessive "concern" for her activities in the northern border, and the various doubts surrounding her parents' disappearance—a vague and terrifying clue seemed to be emerging:
Situ Kuang, or rather, Zhan Kuangfeng's faction, is likely secretly colluding with a mysterious external force (suspected to be the demon clan or a related organization)! The purpose of this collusion may be related to the search for a crucial "key" that may be connected to the Samsara Mirror. His parents' disappearance back then was most likely due to their inadvertent exposure to this secret!
This speculation sent a chill down Ye Li's spine. If true, it meant the Xuanyun Sect had already been infiltrated, and she, possessing the Samsara Mirror (perhaps the so-called "key" or something related to it), had already become the target of that mysterious force! Situ Kuang's previous suppression might not only be due to factional struggles and personal grudges against Gao Sheng, but also a deeper reason, perhaps to eliminate her as a potential "key" holder, or to force her to reveal a flaw!
"The Mirror of Heart... I'm afraid it's not just Situ Kuang's idea..." Ye Li's eyes gleamed coldly. That mysterious "Shadow Demon" or "that side" might also want to confirm something through the Mirror of Heart!
The seriousness of the matter has far exceeded the scope of internal strife within the sect. It involves a possible conspiracy of the demonic sect, the truth behind her parents' disappearance, and her own greatest secret!
She immediately issued the highest level of instructions to Lin Feng through the Samsara Mirror:
"Initiate the 'Deep Dive' plan! Mobilize all available resources, regardless of cost, and focus on investigating the following matters:
1. All unusual movements of Situ Kuang and his core confidants over the past twenty years, especially the itineraries and contacts related to the Blackwater City mission.
2. Fight against any secret connections between Kuangfeng and forces outside the sect, especially with the demons, or organizations with the word "shadow" in their names, or any strange forces outside the Northern Territory.
3. Collect all legends, records or rumors about the "key", whether true or false.
4. Thoroughly review the copies of the files from my parents' Blackwater City mission and look for any overlooked details.
5. All members of the Youge enter a silent and dormant state, refrain from any unnecessary activities, and ensure personal safety as the top priority!
"I obey your command!" Lin Feng felt the solemnity in Ye Li's order and carried it out without hesitation.
After issuing the order, Ye Li sat alone in her quiet room, her heart restless for a long time. She had initially thought it was merely a sect-wide dispute and a struggle for opportunity, but she hadn't imagined such a shocking conspiracy might lie beneath the surface. Her parents' vengeance, her own personal crisis, and the secret of the Samsara Mirror seemed to be connected by an invisible thread.
She recalled the betrayals she had endured in her past life: Ling Hao, Mo Shang, Xuan Cong... Could there be a dark hand behind them, similar to the Shadow Demon? Was the shattering of the Samsara Mirror and her own rebirth also related to this?
The mystery is thick, but Ye Li's heart is becoming more and more resolute. No matter who her opponent is, whether it is a scum in the sect or a demon hiding in the shadows, she will uncover the truth, seek justice for her parents, and carve out a way for herself!
"Situ Kuang... 'Shadow Demon'... 'Key'..." Ye Li muttered to herself, her fingertips unconsciously moving across the tabletop, her eyes as cold as ten thousand years of black ice. "Whatever you're plotting, now that I've noticed, don't even think about succeeding easily. The ruins of the Bingpo Xuan Palace... may not only be a place of opportunity, but also the stage where your conspiracy will be exposed!"
She realized that the upcoming exploration of the ruins would be even more dangerous. Not only would she have to face the unknown risks of the ruins themselves, the hidden threats within the sect, but she might also face a direct confrontation with the mysterious "Shadow Demon" force.
The overwhelming pressure also fueled her fighting spirit. She needed even greater strength! She needed to perfect her "Star Silence" sword technique as quickly as possible, and strive to reach a higher level of cultivation before exploring, even if it meant just reaching the peak of the Condensed Veins Realm.
At the same time, her strategy for dealing with the "Mirror of Heart" also needed to be adjusted. Previously, she had simply been wary of Situ Kuang exploiting the situation, but now she had to consider the possibility of a deeper purpose for the investigation. She had to ensure that the secrets of the Samsara Mirror and the Star Core were completely secure.
A greater storm is brewing beneath the seemingly calm surface of the Xuanyun Sect. And Ye Li, a girl burdened with secrets and struggling at the center of the vortex, has become the most crucial chess piece in the storm's eye. But she will never be content to be just a chess piece; she will become the chess master and overturn this foggy chess game completely!
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