Since arriving on Phoenix Island, Bei Chen had kept to himself. Although Jin Yao suspected Shou An’s accusations were false, Chong Zhao was about to enter the Celestial Palace, and he needed to be above reproach to earn the sincere respect of all celestials.
"Summon the Kunlun sword cultivator," Jin Yao ordered in a low voice.
Meanwhile, by the shores of Purple Moon Lake in the Demon Realm, Bai Shuo paced back and forth, feeling increasingly uneasy. Distracted, she missed her step and fell into the lake.
"Cough, cough…"
She sputtered and coughed, pulling herself back onto the shore, but as she struggled, a residual divine aura from the small amethyst moons on the lake gathered together, yanking her out of the water. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, the powerful divine aura restrained her limbs.
At that moment, an image appeared in Bai Shuo’s mind: a floating bridge seeming to connect heaven and earth, and a noble woman in ancient, soft yellow robes standing behind a deity clothed in violet.
"You’re leaving?"
The violet-robed deity didn’t turn around, his figure exuding a lonely familiarity.
"There are so many attachments in the Divine Realm—are you only concerned about that one ancient being, Tian Qi?"
Tian Qi? The Demon God Tian Qi?!
In the vision, the Demon God sighed as if about to turn around, and Bai Shuo instinctively tried to look closer, but then countless strands of purple divine energy from Purple Moon Lake surged into her forehead.
Bai Shuo’s eyes widened, her pupils constricting before she went limp, her body enveloped by the overwhelming divine aura floating above Purple Moon Lake.
In the ancient forest of Wu Tong, the cultivator in green opened his eyes abruptly from meditation, a charm floating out of his sleeve—the very one Bai Shuo had thrown in the marshes of Yuanling.
"Bai Shuo?" The cultivator in green frowned slightly.
The charm suddenly ignited with violet flames, and he caught a fragment in his hand.
"The power of a Demon God?!" He leapt to his feet in shock. "How did she become entangled with a Demon God’s power?"
His fingers twitched as he realized something else, his face turning grim. "She’s not on Phoenix Island…"
With a sweep of his hand, the torn charm floated out of the window, and without delay, he pursued it.
At that same moment, at the gates of Phoenix Island—
"There’s no need. I am here."
As Jin Yao had spoken, a flash of light appeared, and Kunlun’s sword cultivator, dressed in white with a stern expression, stepped forward before the crowd.
"Greetings, Celestial Lord Jin Yao." Bei Chen bowed in respect.
Kunlun’s cultivation sect traditionally followed the Way of Tranquility, with each lineage training only one direct disciple. The new generation’s sword cultivator was typically destined to become Kunlun’s next sect master. Although Bei Chen was only a Supreme Lord, he held an esteemed status akin to that of the other sect leaders.
"Bei Chen, Shou An claims that in the stone hall of the foreign city, Chong Zhao’s body was shielded by demon power while fighting the evil dragon. Did you see this?"
The Kunlun sword cultivator’s silence at the question sent a wave of alarm through the celestials, and even Jin Yao’s gaze darkened. Could the Wu Liang disciple be telling the truth?
"That day, I did see a spiritual shield protecting Chong Zhao," Bei Chen spoke at last, and the celestials erupted in murmurs. Chong Zhao’s brow furrowed as he stayed silent, and Er Yun’s hand, which supported him, froze in distress.
Shou An’s face lit up with excitement. "I told you, he’s involved with the demons!"
"However, during that life-and-death struggle against the evil dragon, the danger was extreme, and I couldn’t discern whether the shield’s power was demonic or celestial," Bei Chen continued gravely, surprising Chong Zhao.
Shou An, baffled, stammered, "Supreme Celestial Bei Chen, you…"
Jin Yao’s expression relaxed, and the celestials, who had been holding their breaths, sighed in relief. Kunlun’s sword cultivator didn’t mince words, making them all anxious for nothing.
Bei Chen, without hesitation, addressed Jin Yao further. "Although I could not identify the origin of the shield, I firmly believe that Chong Zhao is not colluding with the demons."
"Why do you say so?"
"That day in the foreign city, whether facing Sect Master Rong Xian’s corrupted golden core or the God-Slaying Array, Chong Zhao always put himself on the line, protecting celestial disciples and Miao Sect members alike. If he bore ill intentions toward the celestials, why would he do so? Moreover, I witnessed him searching tirelessly for medicine for a sick foreign child, reflecting his high character. To judge him guilty of collusion based solely on a single shield would be unjust."
Though young, Bei Chen’s words were powerful. Kunlun was the oldest celestial sword sect besides Da Ze, and his statement held immense weight. Some celestials, feeling chastised, looked at Shou An with disdain.
Chong Zhao’s face showed a hint of emotion, his throat tight.
"Well said." Jin Yao nodded. "A single unidentified shield does not suffice to—"
"Celestial Lord!" Sensing that Jin Yao was inclined to defend Chong Zhao, Nan Wan interjected, "Even if the shield’s origin cannot confirm his involvement with demons, what about the attempted assassination of the Ziwei Star that disrupts human destiny?"
"What? Assassination of the Ziwei Star?!"
The celestials erupted once more as Chong Zhao, who had maintained his calm, now looked at Nan Wan, his face growing pale.
Jin Yao’s expression froze, and an unreadable look passed between him, Chong Zhao, and Fu Ling.
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