Regarding the events in the East Sea, Qin Xi omitted the beginning and end, basically recounting everything except the experiences in the Six Paths Palace. In his telling, Fairy Fengqing lingered in the East Sea for unspeakable reasons. After encountering them, she grew increasingly suspicious and paranoid, and ultimately, consumed by jealousy, she secretly made a move, intending to kill them both.
After finishing his account, Qin Xi produced the wreckage of the destroyed Ten-Thousand Li Solitary Boat. The lingering spiritual energy fluctuations on it could easily be identified as Fengqing's doing.
After Qin Xi finished speaking, the sixth floor of Wanhe Tower fell into silence. Although Fengqing's actions were incredibly foolish, her bad temper was well-known—otherwise she wouldn't have earned the nickname 'Female Rakshasa.' For her to do such a thing wasn't entirely unexpected.
Liu Dingyuan flew into a rage. "Utter nonsense! No matter how foolish Fengqing was, she wouldn't attack two people alone, striking from a position of weakness! I think it's more likely that you coveted Fengqing's opportunity and seized the chance to kill her for her treasures!"
Dao Lord Zhenyang snorted and pointed at the black cloak on the table. "Then how do you explain this?"
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying didn't immediately take a stance. Instead, he picked up the cloak and examined it carefully. "I've heard of this item before. It's called the Demon-Shifting Cloak and should be paired with a specific set of demonic cultivation arts. This demonic art is difficult to cultivate; the slightest mistake can cause a drastic change in temperament..."
"Old Liu, did you hear that?" Dao Lord Jinghe, who had been sitting back watching the show, lazily chimed in. "Don't say Fengqing wouldn't be so stupid—the facts prove she was exactly that stupid..."
"That's just speculation!" Liu Dingyuan's face flushed crimson, his neck bulging as he struggled to suppress his anger. He turned to Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying. "Fellow Daoist Yuan Ying, please say something."
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying sighed. "Indeed, it is merely speculation."
The situation had returned to square one. Fengqing's change in temperament due to a demonic art had physical evidence, but the evidence wasn't particularly strong. Qin Xi and Mo Tiange killing for treasure, while having no evidence, was the most logical speculation.
Both sides clung to their own versions, making it impossible to determine the truth.
After a long silence, Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying spoke calmly. "I have a method. I wonder if you would agree to it."
Dao Lord Zhenyang softened his tone. "Please speak, Fellow Daoist Yuan Ying."
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying said, "In the cultivation world, there are two arts that can prevent people from lying. One is the Soul-Searching Art. This art is relatively simple but has many restrictions and causes great harm to the subject. The other is the Dream-Guiding Art. The Dream-Guiding Art uses dreams as a guide, making the subject lower their guard and answer any question truthfully, with no adverse consequences." He looked at Qin Xi and Mo Tiange. "Are you two willing to undergo the test of the Dream-Guiding Art?"
Hearing this, both Dao Lord Zhenyang and Liu Dingyuan showed surprised expressions. Dao Lord Jinghe exclaimed curiously, "Old Yuan Ying, you actually know the Dream-Guiding Art?" The Soul-Searching Art had been passed down to this day, but few knew of the Dream-Guiding Art, and even fewer could perform it.
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying replied indifferently, "I know a little."
"Good!" Liu Dingyuan immediately agreed, turning to look at them with a flickering gaze. "If you don't dare, then you must be guilty!"
Qin Xi and Mo Tiange exchanged a glance and smiled. Qin Xi said, "We speak the truth. There's nothing we dare not do."
"Fellow Daoist Zhenyang?" Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying turned to Dao Lord Zhenyang.
Seeing the two of them appear relaxed, Dao Lord Zhenyang naturally had no objection. "We trouble you then."
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying nodded and said to Mo Tiange and Qin Xi, "You two, retract your spiritual sense, relax your sea of consciousness, and do not resist."
With so many Nascent Soul cultivators watching, being told to relax their sea of consciousness was rather difficult. However, they also knew that if they didn't relax and accept the Dream-Guiding Art, they would suffer greatly.
Dao Lord Jinghe whispered, "Your master is here. Just put your minds at ease. If anyone tries to harm you, your master and Senior Brother Zhenyang will protect you with our lives."
Hearing Dao Lord Jinghe's words, the two of them felt greatly reassured.
Just as they closed their eyes and relaxed their sea of consciousness, Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying extended his hand. A ball of light slowly gathered in his palm. When the light sphere reached the size of a fist, he gently pushed it forward. The light sphere split into two, enveloping them.
In that instant, Mo Tiange felt as if the people and objects around her had moved far away. She entered a strange sensation—relaxed, pleasant, and completely unburdened. Hazily, it seemed someone asked her something. Without a moment's hesitation, she instinctively answered...
She didn't know how much time had passed when she heard Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's detached yet clear voice: "The questioning is complete. Withdraw!"
The light spheres withdrew from the two of them. Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying glanced at Liu Dingyuan. "Any other questions?"
Mo Tiange didn't know what she had just said and looked toward Dao Lord Jinghe.
Dao Lord Jinghe grinned and gave them a thumbs-up. The two of them relaxed. Fengqing striking first was a fact. As long as Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying hadn't asked about other matters, it was fine.
Liu Dingyuan's face was ashen. After struggling for a moment, he said, "These two knew Fengqing's emotional state was unstable. Why did they deliberately provoke her? This action violates the principle of mutual aid and watchfulness among fellow cultivators!"
Dao Lord Zhenyang countered, "She harbored malicious intent toward others, yet others are supposed to aid and watch over her? So, according to the rules of your Tiandao Sect, others must abide by them?"
Liu Dingyuan's expression turned extremely ugly. He never imagined that Fengqing had indeed struck first. Fengqing wasn't that foolish a person. After thinking it over, it was likely that Fengqing's cultivation had gone awry without her realizing it. At this point, Tiandao Sect's face was already lost, but he couldn't help but argue on principle.
He turned to Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying. "Fellow Daoist Yuan Ying, what do you say?"
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's handsome, youthful face remained utterly calm. He said, "The actions of Shoujing and Qingwei were indeed somewhat inappropriate."
If such a thing had happened in the past, Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying wouldn't have said another word. But now, with the Tianji Region sects forming the Tianji Immortal Alliance, regardless of identity, they should be regarded as fellow sect members. Although, if it were anyone else, they would likely have done the same as Mo Tiange and the others.
Dao Lord Zhenyang snorted but didn't say anything more.
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying said, "Very well, the matter is now clear. This incident is not the fault of Shoujing and Qingwei. Tiandao Sect shall not trouble them further."
Hearing this, the faces of the several Tiandao Sect members were filled with suppressed frustration. But they had all agreed to Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's mediation, and the facts were laid bare before them. There was nothing more they could say.
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying continued, "However, these two witnessed Fengqing trapped by a demonic barrier and did not lend aid. This action violates the principles of righteousness." He paused. Still, no one spoke, so he went on, "In that case, Xuanqing Sect shall provide compensation to Tiandao Sect."
"Whew—" Many people present let out a sigh of relief, though not without a tinge of regret. They still hadn't gotten to see a fight.
With neither major sect objecting, this was almost the best possible outcome. Liu Dingyuan knew that since Fengqing had struck first, there was no 'justice' to be sought from Xuanqing Sect. Dao Lord Zhenyang also understood that with Tiandao Sect losing a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was impossible for Xuanqing Sect to give nothing. Thus, both sides tacitly accepted this result.
With the outcome decided, the various Nascent Soul cultivators, some relieved, some regretful, left Wanhe Tower, leaving only the leaders of the two major sects and the other prominent sects.
Next came the main event: the compensation issue.
A Nascent Soul cultivator held immense significance for a sect. Liu Dingyuan seized on this point to make exorbitant demands. Dao Lord Zhenyang, of course, refused. Their side had only acted somewhat inappropriately and bore no responsibility; compensation was merely a gesture. The two began a war of words, haggling over every single spirit stone... This was hardly the demeanor of a great late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator; they were more like petty market vendors...
Under the witness of the various sect leaders, the two sides finally reached an agreement, putting the matter to rest.
Returning to the Xuanqing Sect branch, Dao Lord Zhenyang wiped his face and said, "That old fellow Liu Dingyuan... one day I'll make him spit out everything he took today!"
Although they had managed to cut the amount by more than half, it was still a considerable sum. Mo Tiange pondered for a moment and said, "Senior Brother Zhenyang, I have some spirit herbs on hand that could offset a portion..."
Dao Lord Zhenyang waved his hand. "High-year spirit herbs are rare. You should keep them for alchemy and personal use. The sect can afford these things." He then smiled. "Qingwei, you're still too much of an outsider. You are disciples of the sect. If something happens, the sect will naturally shoulder it for you, especially since this matter wasn't your fault."
Mo Tiange was slightly taken aback, lost in thought. So this was the difference between her and Qin Xi?
While she was deep in thought, Dao Lord Zhenyang had already assumed a serious expression. "You two should return to Taikang Mountain now. Time is pressing. Regarding what Senior Amber mentioned, I will have our sect disciples keep an eye out. You two just focus on cultivation."
"Senior Brother Zhenyang, what about here..."
"Miaoyi and Xuanyin are already on their way," Dao Lord Jinghe said, waving his hand. "You two just go. By the way, tell Lingxi he'd better go into seclusion too. The three of you are the hope of Xuanqing Sect."
Mo Tiange looked up at Qin Xi. His expression was solemn, and she understood somewhat—her master and Dao Lord Zhenyang had already made a decision. If the world truly fell into chaos, undergoing a heaven-shaking change, the entire Xuanqing Sect would strive to preserve their lives, allowing them to pass on the sect's legacy.
A complex feeling welled up in her heart, but in the end, she merely responded softly, "Yes."
With Dao Lords Zhenyang and Jinghe having made the decision, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi set off on their journey back to Taikang Mountain that very day. Not long after they left, Xuanyin and Miaoyi arrived. The four Dao Lords didn't go to Wanhe Tower but holed up in the Xuanqing Sect branch, shutting the doors and setting up barriers to discuss matters.
The next day, Luo Fengxue, the sect master stationed at Taikang Mountain, received a message. The content wasn't long, but Luo Fengxue studied it all night. Soon after, the Xuanqing Sect issued a sect master's order, recalling a group of disciples. Subsequently, batches of disciples were dispatched, but they didn't head to the battlefield. Instead, they wandered throughout the entire Tianji Region, their purpose unknown.
Only a handful of people within Xuanqing Sect were aware of these changes.
Mo Tiange, Qin Xi, and Dao Lord Lingxi all entered seclusion simultaneously. After a trip to Kunzhong City, Dao Lord Huayan returned to Taikang Mountain and no longer went back to his own cave abode. Instead, he stationed himself daily at the main peak's Sanqing Hall. Mo Tiange knew his lifespan was running out, and his cultivation had been stuck at the early Nascent Soul stage with basically no possibility of advancement. Therefore, he intended to contribute his final strength to the sect—protecting them during their seclusion.
Thinking of this, Mo Tiange retrieved a medicine bottle from her Qiankun Ring. This bottle contained a pill called the Longevity Pill. One pill could extend one's lifespan by five hundred years.