Regarding the matter of Yao Kaidong, Qin Xiao pondered for a moment before offering the narrative he had prepared long in advance. After all, no one else had been present at the time, allowing him to spin whatever tale he wished, and he had already coordinated his account with Yun Man.
He began with how he and Yun Man had initially parted ways, followed by Yao Kaidong tracking him down using a lingering spiritual trace left upon his person. He claimed he had fled for the sake of the Sect's righteousness while the other party pursued him relentlessly.
Next, he described how he and Yun Man had separated during their flight. He had originally intended to return and join the main group, only to be intercepted halfway and overtaken by Yao Kaidong. He detailed with great color how the other party had subjected him to cruel abuse and torment.
Finally, he explained that Yun Man had arrived in the nick of time and, upon seeing him tortured beyond recognition, had been consumed by fury and accidentally slain both Yao Kaidong and Li Cheng in her blind rage.
As for why they had not immediately returned to the main group, he claimed his injuries had been far too severe to permit casual movement, forcing them to remain behind and recuperate until now, when he was still far from fully healed.
Qin Xiao even shifted the blame for all the physical trauma from his Body Refinement training onto Yao Kaidong's head.
"To think that boy was so vicious and merciless. He constantly stirred up trouble within the Sect, but out of respect for the Grand Elder's face, I rarely reprimanded him. I never imagined he would harbor such schemes, plotting to murder fellow disciples within the secret realm."
Seeing that Qin Xiao spoke with absolute conviction and bore genuine injuries upon his body, Lin Tiancheng believed seven or eight parts of the story and instantly flew into a rage.
"Then why did you not report this matter immediately?"
Once his anger subsided slightly, Lin Tiancheng pressed on.
"Sect Leader, what use would a report have been? Who would have believed me? Even if they did believe it, what could be done? If the Grand Elder learned his son died at the hands of my master-disciple pair, I would be a dead man no matter how much justice I had on my side. Sect punishments require reasons, but avenging a son requires none."
Qin Xiao replied with internal exasperation.
Sect Leader, are you letting your anger cloud your judgment? How can you say something like that out loud? If I had reported it, even if you were willing to protect me, the Supreme Elder was right there. He might not have struck me down himself, but if he chose to block your protection, what could you possibly rely on to keep me alive?
"Indeed, you acted correctly. It was my oversight not to think it through. Had you spoken up earlier, I could have defended you on grounds of righteousness, but if the Grand Elder insisted on your death, he undoubtedly would have had the Supreme Elder intervene to stop us."
After careful thought, Lin Tiancheng realized the truth in those words. No wonder Qin Xiao had chosen to keep silent; denial left a sliver of hope, whereas a confession would have sealed their doom.
"Since the deed is done, you will reside on Seven Stars Peak upon returning to the Sect. There are Formations there that can shield you. I will go and sound out the Supreme Elder's stance; as long as he does not interfere, you will weather this storm."
After a brief deliberation, Lin Tiancheng instructed Qin Xiao to lay low while he handled the fallout.
"Then I am deeply grateful to the Sect Leader."
Assured of Lin Tiancheng's backing, Qin Xiao quickly offered his thanks.
Meanwhile, Yao Tiansheng stood at the helm of a flying sword carrying five people in total-himself, the Supreme Elder, and the three surviving disciples of Immortal Sword Peak.
"Godfather, Dong'er was undoubtedly killed by Qin Xiao and his disciple. With so many people present earlier, I could not afford to tear down the facade, but once we return to the Sect, I must have his life in recompense. When the time comes, I ask that Godfather preside over justice.
Though burning with rage, Yao Tiansheng maintained a respectful demeanor before Yao Zhan.
"Tiansheng, while I too grieve Dong'er's fall, I cannot act without evidence. I am not merely your godfather; I am the Supreme Elder of the entire Tianyuan Sect. If you insist on private revenge, I cannot assist you. Bring forth proof, and I will naturally render justice."
Yao Zhan replied with chilling indifference.
Having spent his entire life pursuing the Dao without a companion, he had managed to break through to the late Soul Formation stage. The path of cultivation abhorred worldly entanglements above all else, which was why he had never taken a partner or sired descendants. He had only taken in two foster sons long ago because they showed promise.
Detached and unfeeling by nature, he cared little for the death of a mere grand-disciple, valuing his own reputation and the future of the Sect far more.
"Godfather, I understand. I would never disturb you without proof. Until I find it, I will handle matters myself while continuing the search. My son shall not die in obscurity."
Knowing his godfather's cold nature all too well, Yao Tiansheng sought only a single promise: that once concrete evidence materialized, Yao Zhan would stand firmly on his side.
He was well aware that his master and foster father was completely devoid of familial warmth, measuring everything purely by utility. Given the formidable talent Yun Man had recently demonstrated, even ironclad proof might not secure his backing, which made securing this verbal commitment essential.
In any case, Yao Tiansheng intended to seize any opportunity that arose, even if it meant executing first and reporting afterward. If Qin Xiao did not die, the hatred festering in his heart could never be appeased.
"Xueyue, tell me precisely what occurred."
Turning his gaze to the Holy Maiden standing beside him, Yao Tiansheng spoke in a frosty tone.
"Master, I know few details. At the time, Senior Brother quietly slipped away with Senior Brother Li, and I knew they were going after Qin Xiao. But since Yun Man had concealed her cultivation all along, Senior Brother must have fallen victim to an ambush."
Utterly bewildered, Liu Xueyue could only report what little she knew. She had only learned of Yao Kaidong's death upon exiting the realm, as neither he, Li Cheng, nor Qin Xiao's master-disciple pair had returned to the rendezvous point beforehand.
"Useless thing."
Failing to glean any useful information, Yao Tiansheng spat out a cold curse.
Yet he could do no more than scold her. Liu Xueyue was now Immortal Sword Peak's most promising disciple and the sole pillar remaining for the younger generation.
In past generations, disciples who successfully reached the Nascent Soul realm either entered the Main Peak to manage Sect affairs or retreated into forbidden grounds for secluded cultivation, leaving only a handful behind to support their original peaks. Ultimately, every peak belonged to the Tianyuan Sect as a whole, which was why the Sect Leader wielded supreme authority.
This arrangement served to consolidate power and prevent any single peak from growing strong enough to rebel-a lesson learned from bitter experience in the past.
It was precisely this inherent authority that gave Lin Tiancheng the leverage to protect Qin Xiao, allowing him to check a Grand Elder whose cultivation slightly surpassed his own.
Naturally, the Sect operated under strict rules, preventing even the Sect Leader from acting with absolute impunity.
The return journey was uneventful. The first to reach the Sect grounds was, fittingly, the Grand Elder's Immortal Sword Peak.
The Supreme Elder had agreed to leave seclusion and accompany the Grand Elder to the secret realm solely to lend weight to their presence. Had an external force slain Yao Kaidong, it would have constituted a direct challenge to the Tianyuan Sect requiring his intervention for the sake of the Sect's prestige. However, this was an internal feud, and he had no desire to meddle, especially when he needed to prepare for his upcoming attempt to breach the peak of the Body Integration realm.
Next to arrive were the disciples under Wen Yuanying's command.
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng had returned ahead of them all.
Once the flying ship landed, the disciples dispersed back to their respective peaks to brief their Peak Masters on the secret realm trials and report the situation regarding Qin Xiao, sensing that a storm was brewing within the Tianyuan Sect.
Having witnessed the private exchange between the Sect Leader and Qin Xiao, everyone knew Lin Tiancheng intended to shield the offender. Since the Grand Elder would certainly refuse to let the matter rest, a clash seemed inevitable.
After hearing their disciples' accounts, the various Peak Masters fell into deep thought, choosing to withhold judgment and observe how the situation unfolded.
To contend with the Main Peak for influence, these Elder Peak Masters usually banded together to apply pressure and secure their own voice in Sect matters. Yet this time, the waters seemed different, and none of them rushed to pick a side.
Knowing the situation was fraught with danger, Qin Xiao brought Yun Man straight back to Seven Stars Peak, activated the defensive Formation, and finally let out a breath of relief.
Meanwhile, Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng arrived outside the Supreme Elder's secluded cultivation chambers.