After everyone was teleported out, the anger Yao Tiansheng had bottled up finally found an outlet.
"No one is allowed to leave."
Yao Tiansheng stepped forward directly, his voice cutting across the disciples who had just emerged from the secret realm.
"What is going on?"
Those who had just set foot outside finally took in the scene before them.
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng, Supreme Elder Yao Zhan, Great Elder Yao Tiansheng, and Sixth Elder Wen Yuanying of the Tianyuan Sect were all present. Aside from the sixth elder, who had led the initial journey, the other three represented the absolute pinnacle of power within the sect.
That was not all. Aside from Elder Qi, who had led the Pure Yang Sect's delegation, several other elders had arrived, and the Profound Yin Sect was similarly well-represented.
The Immortal Dao Merchant Association had dispatched multiple Soul Formation late-stage managers, accompanied by Ling Ruoxue.
As for the other powers and sects, though unaware of the specific events, they had dispatched their ancestral figures the moment word of such a massive mobilization reached them. Whatever the reason, they intended to have a presence.
Aside from the newly emerged disciples, the lowest cultivation base among those present was the Nascent Soul stage-consisting of ancestors from minor factions. The majority were in the Soul Formation stage, while the Tianyuan Sect boasted the most formidable showing, with a Body Integration stage Supreme Elder in attendance.
"Elder Yao, what is the meaning of this? Surely you can explain now?"
Curious leaders from uninitiated factions called out when they saw Yao Tiansheng blocking the departures.
Though some had tried to glean information beforehand, those in the know had kept silent, claiming the truth would reveal itself once the disciples emerged.
"Big Brother, what is happening here?"
Ignoring Yao Tiansheng entirely, Ling Ruoxue went straight to Ling Wushuang with a worried expression.
When she first heard that every elite disciple of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association except Ling Wushuang had perished, she refused to believe it. With her older brother present, who could possibly slaughter the association's disciples? Yet seeing him emerge alone, anxiety compelled her to step forward.
"This cannot be explained in a few words. We will speak after we return."
Ling Wushuang had no desire to linger. The matter was of monumental importance, and he needed to report to his father immediately.
Cang Xing lowered his head and retreated toward the Pure Yang Sect elders, not daring to speak uninvited.
Su Lin fared no better, the gloomy expressions of his own elders making their displeasure clear.
"Which of you killed my son, Yao Kaidong?"
Seeing that the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, the Pure Yang Sect, and the Profound Yin Sect ignored his demand, Yao Tiansheng directed his query squarely at the three leading figures.
After all, only those three possessed cultivation levels surpassing his son's. If they had exhausted their Dharma Treasures, they might have managed such a feat.
"Is Elder Yao interrogating us? Since leaving the second layer, we remained together without separating once, and every disciple can vouch for it. As for your son's fate, what does it have to do with us?"
Ling Wushuang had never held any fondness for Yao Kaidong, and Yao Tiansheng's arrogance only deepened his disdain. Abandoning all courtesy, he delivered a blunt refusal.
"Shimeng, tell us what occurred."
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng sensed the mounting danger and hastily summoned Lin Shimeng.
The fact that the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, the Pure Yang Sect, and the Profound Yin Sect had emerged with virtually no survivors-save for their designated leaders-transcended mere anomaly; it was astonishing.
"Senior Brother Ling Wushuang speaks the truth. An upheaval occurred within the secret realm, and every disciple who entered the second layer perished. These three escaped. Once outside, we stayed together without parting. Yao Kaidong and Li Cheng departed on their own accord, and we know not where they went or why they never returned. I assumed they would teleport out with the rest of us, unaware they had already fallen."
Lin Shimeng provided a general account while deliberately omitting Qin Xiao's involvement.
"It truly wasn't them?"
Yao Tiansheng had entertained numerous scenarios, but not this one. If not them, from whom was he to exact vengeance?
"Senior Sister Lin, that is not entirely correct. It was not merely two senior brothers who left; Qin Xiao and his disciple departed as well."
Liu Xueyue chimed in abruptly.
"What? Those two also left?"
Yao Tiansheng immediately swung his gaze toward Qin Xiao and Yun Man, who lay resting nearby.
"Why does the Great Elder look at me thus? Surely you do not suspect I could match Holy Son Yao?"
Qin Xiao asked with an air of indifference.
"You may lack the capability, but your disciple does not. Even with her cultivation concealed, this old man can perceive she has reached the Nascent Soul stage."
Furious as he was, Yao Tiansheng was no fool; he concluded that his son's death must lie at the feet of Qin Xiao and his disciple.
"The Nascent Soul stage?"
The Tianyuan Sect disciples stared in disbelief, well aware of how recently Yun Man had entered the sect. How could such a leap be possible?
Ling Wushuang, Cang Xing, and Su Lin, having already witnessed Yun Man's strength during their flight, felt no surprise. It appeared Yao Kaidong had indeed met his end at their hands. Yet none of them intended to meddle; they had more than enough troubles of their own to address.
"Since nothing more remains, you may all disperse. Qin Xiao, come here."
Having fixed upon the culprit, Yao Tiansheng saw no reason to detain the others.
"Great Elder, unfortunately, this disciple is severely injured and unable to move. If you have something to say, speak from where you are."
Qin Xiao knew this reckoning was inevitable, but they lacked proof.
"Did you kill my son?"
Yao Tiansheng demanded, suppressing his rage.
"No."
Qin Xiao answered without hesitation.
He spoke the truth; he had not struck the blow-Yun Man had.
"Great Elder, I understand your grief over losing your son, and suspicion is natural. But to level such accusations without a shred of evidence-is that not rather excessive?"
Before Yao Tiansheng could retort, Qin Xiao pressed on.
"The second layer suffered an unprecedented calamity, claiming countless lives. Who is to say the first layer was spared similar anomalies? Perhaps Senior Brother Yao fell victim to such a disaster. Alternatively, he may simply have been left behind in the secret realm, much like those trapped in the second layer."
Regardless of what Yao Tiansheng intended to argue, Qin Xiao maintained the offensive. Suspicions were fine, but without proof, they remained mere guesses, and the dangers of the secret realm offered no shortage of alternative explanations for a death.
"Boy, spare me your glib tongue. This old man will investigate this thoroughly. If I discover your hand in this, no one will save you.
As numerous elders from other factions lingered to observe the spectacle, Yao Tiansheng restrained himself; lacking concrete proof, he could not openly punish Qin Xiao.
"Supreme Elder, Great Elder, this matter is riddled with complications. Let us return to the sect first, lest we become the laughingstock of outsiders."
Sensing the volatility of the situation, Lin Tiancheng offered timely counsel.
Furthermore, Yun Man's breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage marked her as a prodigy far surpassing a standard Heavenly Spirit Root. Whatever the cost, she had to be protected.
"Return to the sect."
Recognizing the wisdom in Lin Tiancheng's words, Yao Zhan agreed that remaining here would only invite mockery.
Shortly after, the assembly dispersed. Supported by Yun Man, Qin Xiao boarded the Flying Ship that had brought them.
Outwardly unbothered, Qin Xiao seethed with inner panic. The Great Elder alone would have been troublesome, but the appearance of a Body Integration stage Supreme Elder left him with zero margin for error-not even his newly acquired backing from his master's wife could shield him.
Speaking of which, why had Ye Qiuyue not been present? The Heavenly Clothes Pavilion had sent an unfamiliar face to receive their people instead. Had urgent matters called her back early?
Opting out of the Flying Ship, the Supreme Elder and Great Elder departed directly with the Immortal Sword Peak disciples, while Lin Tiancheng boarded the vessel to question Lin Shimeng and investigate Qin Xiao's situation further.