The night of the Ziwei Star’s attempted assassination, Qing Yi had brought back a broken Cloudfire Arrow, and Fu Ling had also been in the imperial city. Could it be that Chong Zhao and Fu Ling knew each other long before, and his act of saving her today was not just out of righteousness?
Even though Fu Ling was his daughter, Jin Yao couldn’t help but feel concerned about the safety of both the celestial clan and the human realm.
The four Supreme Celestials’ expressions also changed upon hearing about the attempt on the Ziwei Star. Jing Lei and the others looked at Yu Feng.
Yu Feng studied Chong Zhao intently, his brows slightly furrowed.
"I heard that not long ago, a celestial intruded upon the imperial city to assassinate the Ziwei Star, and Supreme Celestial Qing Yi discovered traces of demon presence at the Guardian Dragon Array. When I learned of the demonic energy surrounding Chong Zhao, I connected the two incidents. I went to Miao Sect personally to investigate and found out from Miao Sect disciples on Liu Island that Chong Zhao was absent from the sect the night of the assassination."
Although Shou An had uncovered this clue, Nan Wan seized the chance to claim it as his own, thinking it would be a great service to expose Chong Zhao’s duplicity within the celestial ranks.
Nan Wan turned to Er Yun. "Lady Er Yun, Chong Zhao is your junior brother. Three months ago, on the night of the full moon, he wasn’t on Miao Sect Island. Isn’t that correct?"
Er Yun, outraged, shot back, "You lie through your teeth! My junior brother often leaves the island for training. Even if he wasn’t on the island that night, that doesn’t prove he was the one who attempted to assassinate the Ziwei Star!"
"The Guardian Dragon Array bears the essence of a true dragon, and any injury inflicted by a dragon’s soul would leave a dragon mark on a cultivator’s golden core. If we extract Chong Zhao’s golden core to inspect it, we’ll know the truth!"
At this suggestion, the celestials’ faces changed collectively. Removing a golden core was as painful as stripping flesh from bone for a cultivator and would also damage their spiritual meridians—such a method was indeed cruel.
"Ugh," Mu Jiu muttered from the sidelines, shivering slightly. "These celestials talk all about righteousness and virtue, but their actions are far more ruthless than ours in the demon clan."
Hua Hong frowned, shocked at the ruthlessness of Yun Xiao Sect, a supposedly honorable school. Even if Chong Zhao wasn’t the one who attempted to assassinate the Ziwei Star, forcibly extracting his golden core would damage his spiritual veins, hindering his cultivation and ruining his potential. Yet, if they didn’t proceed, he would be unable to prove his innocence, making it unlikely for the celestials to trust him with entry into the Nine Heavens Celestial Palace.
"Indeed, if we simply extract his golden core, the truth will be revealed," Xi Yun said gravely, turning to Jin Yao. "Celestial Lord?"
Jin Yao immediately shook his head. "Sect Master Xi Yun, the golden core is fundamental to a celestial’s cultivation, and forcibly removing it would damage his spiritual veins. Without concrete evidence, we cannot proceed in such a way."
Jin Yao looked toward Chong Zhao, speaking in a serious tone. "Chong Zhao, you are the one I have chosen to personally bestow spiritual power upon. I ask you now—was the attempt on the Ziwei Star in any way related to you?"
"Celestial Lord, I…" Chong Zhao’s entry into cultivation had always been driven by a desire to avenge his family. His life alone was of little consequence, but Miao Sect had shown him great kindness. Admitting to such a crime would bring ruin upon his already fragile sect.
Er Yun, fearing that these Supreme Celestials would indeed forcefully remove Chong Zhao’s golden core, stepped protectively in front of him. "Celestial Lord, my junior brother is wholeheartedly devoted to the celestial clan. His dedication to the path is unwavering; he would never commit such an act!"
"Insolent! The attempted assassination of the Ziwei Star is a grave matter, far beyond what a mere Miao Sect disciple should dare to speak of." Nan Wan sneered, rebuking Er Yun.
"I think you’re simply jealous of my junior brother for winning the Wu Yan Tournament and gaining the opportunity to enter the Celestial Palace, so you’ve fabricated these charges to frame him!"
"You…!" Nan Wan, stung by the accusation, flushed with anger and was about to retort, but Xi Yun stopped him.
Since Nan Wan’s proposal to extract Chong Zhao’s golden core, murmurs of debate had risen among the celestials. If they couldn’t prove Chong Zhao was guilty of attempting to assassinate the Ziwei Star, Yun Xiao would be the laughingstock of the Three Realms.
Xi Yun’s eyes darkened as he made his decision.
"Yun Xiao is one of the Three Great Mountains, and we have a duty to protect the celestial clan. Since the Celestial Lord is moved by compassion, let me bear the weight of this sin!"
Xi Yun suddenly waved his hand, sending a surge of celestial power that struck Er Yun, knocking her to the ground.
"Sister!" Chong Zhao cried out in fury, rushing to help her, but an invisible force held him firmly in place.
Before anyone could react, Xi Yun appeared in front of Chong Zhao and reached toward his forehead. A pained, anguished scream echoed across the mountain gate.
"Junior Brother!"
"Chong Zhao!" Fu Ling’s face paled, and she moved to intervene, but Tian Yu raised a hand to stop her.
No one had expected Xi Yun, the master of Yun Xiao Sect, to resort to such extreme measures against a young celestial disciple who had only recently reached the Supreme Lord stage.
"Sect Master Xi Yun, stop!" Jin Yao’s expression changed as he raised his hand to send out divine power to intervene, but he hesitated.
Chong Zhao’s face turned deathly pale as he fell to his knees, his golden core slowly emerging from his brow.
Upon the golden core, a faint golden dragon mark was dimly visible.
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