Chapter 108: Public Trial

Xie Hongchen stopped a group of elders, and Huang Rang turned around and ran.

Qiu Cailing, Kang Xuetong, and others hesitated as they watched Xie Hongchen draw this boundary.

There were more than a dozen of them, and no matter how talented Xie Hongchen was, he was still young. It’s certainly possible to defeat him.

However, everyone was of a certain age, with one foot in the grave. If they were to be injured by this young man at this time, it would be adding insult to injury.

The older people get, the more they fear death.

They were just relying on others, unwilling to risk their old bones in a moment of hot blood against Xie Hongchen.

Huang Rang fled. Qiu Cailing held an artifact in hand but still advised, “Xie Hongchen, as the sect master, can you really abandon the reputation of the sect? If Xie Lingbi is truly guilty, the sect rules can handle it. Why let outsiders meddle?”

Xie Hongchen said, “The appearance of the guilty is also a sect rule.”

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Huang Rang turned around and, with a frown, saw Xie Lingbi! Yes, the person rushing back was none other than Xie Lingbi!

As soon as the boundary of the Yi Nian Shenbu Tomb was broken, he immediately sensed it in the Enchanting Flower Sect.

But because the inner sect of the Yuhu immortal sect prohibited the use of transmission talisman, he transmitted to the foot of the outer sect mountain and then hurried inside.

It was also a coincidence that, as soon as he entered, he intercepted Huang Rang, who was fleeing down the mountain! Qiu Cailing, seeing him, immediately said with a deep voice, “You’ve done a good thing!”

Xie Lingbi’s eyes darkened, and he looked at Huang Rang, saying, “I don’t know what Elder Qiu is referring to?”

Qiu Cailing, at this stage, still wanted to protect Xie Lingbi.

After all, he was the former sect master of the Yuhu immortal sect and Xie Hongchen’s master. If news of his cultivation of evil arts spread, what would be left of the face of the Yuhu immortal sect?

Qiu Cailing said, “Stop the nonsense; she has evidence of your cultivation of evil arts on her hands.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Lingbi certainly knew that the matter had been exposed. He looked at Huang Rang, who had already made up his mind to take her life. “Wretched woman, seek death on your own!”

As he spoke, the sword in his hand reappeared, and the sword light directly slashed towards Huang Rang.

Although Qiu Cailing despised Xie Lingbi’s actions, the immediate priority was to ensure that the situation did not leak out. Therefore, he did not stop Xie Lingbi from killing to keep things quiet.

He moved to the side, and, given Xie Lingbi’s cultivation level, it was not difficult for him to kill Huang Rang.

However, Huang Rang had many artifacts on her, using all the artifacts given by Di Yiqiu, but Xie Lingbi skillfully dealt lethal blows. She resisted with great difficulty.

Yet, at this point, Xie Lingbi had not yet utilized the Spirit and Devil Book.

Using the protective artifacts gifted by Di Yiqiu, Huang Rang was engaged in a struggle with him when suddenly, voices from afar approached.

At this moment, who could be coming?

Qiu Cailing looked up, and his whole person froze.

A large group of people were talking and walking towards the mountain. The leader of the group was none other than Di Yiqiu!

The chief had already been paying attention to his surroundings. At this moment, he had already seen Huang Rang. Beside him, He Xijin, Wu Zichou, and Zhang Shuju rushed forward.

Huang Rang breathed a sigh of relief and retreated to Di Yiqiu’s side. The Chief had already said, “Elder Qiu, Elder Ancestor Xie Lingbi, what are you two doing?”

Qiu Cailing frowned, and Xie Lingbi added, “This woman trespassed into our Yuhu immortal. I took action to intercept. Shouldn’t I?”

He stared at Di Yiqiu and asked, “Why are you here?”

Before the Chief could speak, Xie Shaochong rushed to say, “Elder Ancestor, the Chief, and others came with an invitation from the Yuhu immortal sect, claiming to attend a feast. However, I haven’t heard of any internal feast. So, I invited them into the Harmony Garden first and will inquire with the Sect Master later.”

As he spoke, he handed over an invitation.

Qiu Cailing took it and found that the invitation was genuine. Xie Hongchen’s handwriting was even on it.

He glanced at Di Yiqiu, knowing that this person must be up to something.

Despite being young, Di Yiqiu was already a renowned artifact forger. Forging a signature, creating an invitation—it was no challenge for him!

Di Yiqiu held Huang Rang’s hand, first making sure she was unharmed before finally feeling reassured.

Huang Rang hid behind He Xijin and others, saying, “Dear fellow cultivators, in recent days, my husband has been running around due to a case of a missing child. After investigation, it was found that someone used the bereaved party to consume resentment. Master He and others also discovered that the assassin who attempted to kill me at the Wugu Altar used the lost evil art, the Spirit and Devil Book. All the evidence points to Xie Lingbi, the elder ancestor of the Yuhu immortal sect.”

“Utter nonsense!” Xie Lingbi was about to step forward again, but He Xijin and others simultaneously stopped him. He Xijin said, “Since it’s nonsense, why not let her finish speaking!”

Qiu Cailing took another look at the crowd, feeling that Di Yiqiu had truly caused damage. Almost half of the respectable figures from the immortal sect had arrived. He contemplated but did not speak in defense of Xie Lingbi.

After all, why would the elders support Xie Lingbi?

They just didn’t want the reputation of the Yuhu immortal sect to be damaged because of him alone.

Seizing the opportunity, Huang Rang said, “Everyone, I am here as a witness for Sect Master Xie, thanks to the trust of the court and Master He. I came to the Yuhu immortal sect to testify for Sect Master Xie.”

At this point, she raised the storage artifact from Xie Hongchen in her hand and said, “Here is a cultivation manual personally written by Xie Lingbi. From four hundred years ago, Xie Lingbi has been practicing the evil art, the Spirit and Devil Book!”

The crowd gasped!

Xie Lingbi angrily said, “You wretched woman seeking death!” He struck out with his palm, but this time, the other sect leaders came forward.

Chai Tianrong, the current head of the Enchanting Flower Sect, who supported his master, Yue Mihua, said, “Ancestor Xie Lingbi, don’t be angry. Let’s wait for Third Dream to present evidence. If the evidence is false, it will naturally prove your innocence.”

The relationship between the Enchanting Flower Sect and Xie Lingbi has always been good due to the deep friendship between Yue Mihua and Xie Lingbi. This persuasion was actually leaning towards Xie Lingbi.

However, how could Xie Lingbi allow Huang Rang to produce evidence?

Seeing Huang Rang take out a note from the storage artifact, Xie Lingbi secretly gathered his strength, preparing for a powerful strike. However, He Xijin and others were already on guard!

At this moment, a furious shout erupted, and everyone collectively blocked his palm strike!

Qiu Cailing’s expression changed a few times, suddenly saying, “Since this matter is at the request of Sect Master Xie, I will go and ask him to come out and explain everything to everyone!”

After speaking, he turned and walked away!

“Qiu Cailing!” Xie Lingbi understood the thoughts of these old guys. These elders were only concerned about the sect’s reputation, not whether he lived or died.

Sure enough, without looking back, Qiu Cailing left, and skeletal figures surged in the black mist, blood dripping from their sharp teeth.

Observing the chaos around him, Xie Lingbi, at this point, made up his mind and suddenly transformed into a black sack.

“This scoundrel is indeed practicing evil arts!” The crowd erupted into chaos.

Yue Mihua, who had been ill in recent days, trembled for a long time before stuttering, “Lingbi, what have you been doing all these years!”

In the midst of the black mist, Xie Lingbi coldly snorted and scolded, “Shut up. A sparrow cannot understand the aspirations of a swan!” As he spoke, skeletal figures on his body rushed towards Huang Rang.

Amidst the confusion, his voice rang out, every word filled with hatred: “Bitch, go to hell!”

The black skeletal figures attacked Huang Rang, and He Xijin intervened! Although he wasn’t articulate with words, his skills were quite sophisticated.

Blocked by He Xijin, everyone else surrounded them. Enveloped in the black mist, Huang Rang turned her head, wanting to protect Di Yiqiu.

Di Yiqiu unfurled a black cloak, shielding her within.

Qiu Cailing paid no attention to the ongoing melee; he hastily went inside. He saw other elders still entangled with Xie Hongchen. After such a long battle, Xie Hongchen’s snowy robes only showed two bloodstains, indicating he wasn’t seriously injured.

“Stop!” Qiu Cailing said sternly, “Since the Sect Master has made a decision, we will no longer hinder. You explain this matter to the sect on your own. But… you must remember, the thousand-year reputation of the Yuhu immortal sect is not to be taken lightly. Do not ruin it with your own hands.”

Xie Hongchen was also surprised—why did he suddenly change his mind? But this doubt was quickly dispelled.

Xie Hongchen rushed over, and from a distance, he saw He Xijin and others engulfed in a black mist. When other elders arrived, they were also astonished!

Although Qiu Cailing was dissatisfied, at this point, he could only say, “What are you still standing there for? Xie Lingbi is practicing evil arts, as exposed by the Sect Master. Why not go forward and capture him?”

The elders reacted and understood that the situation had escalated.

Without further hesitation, they rushed into the black mist, aiming to capture Xie Lingbi!

Xie Lingbi, whose evil arts were not yet complete, couldn’t resist so many powerful cultivators.

The skeletal figures transformed by the black mist couldn’t bite the enemies and unexpectedly turned around, starting to consume Xie Lingbi’s own body! A chilling sound echoed as everyone listened.

At this moment, Xie Lingbi suddenly roared and rushed towards Xie Hongchen.

In an instant, the black mist in front of everyone dissipated. Only Xie Hongchen remained, shrouded in the black mist.

Xie Hongchen was momentarily stunned, then felt his spiritual consciousness shake, and his body’s perception began to blur. He suddenly realized and said, “Master… he intends to take over my body.”

Xie Lingbi sneered. Having expended considerable energy earlier, he now solely focused on taking over, with no other words. People saw the black mist tightening around Xie Hongchen, leaving them at a loss. This forbidden art had indeed been lost for many years.

Huang Rang was anxious, and suddenly she turned to Di Yiqiu and said, “I remember you once forged an artifact that absorbed cultivation. Do you recall?”

Di Yiqiu frowned. Huang Rang continued, “It looks like a black umbrella, and when absorbing cultivation, it turns red… Do you have it now?”

The chief took out the black umbrella from his storage artifact, but his eyes were full of suspicion. “This umbrella was forged by me and my master together, never shown to anyone. How do you know about it?”

Huang Rang, of course, knew. In the first dream, Xie Yuanshu used this item to absorb the cultivation of Xie Hongchen and Xie Lingbi.

“It’s too late to explain!” she exclaimed. “First, save Xie Hongchen!”

Di Yiqiu had no choice but to open the black umbrella. In the radiance of a spell, the umbrella covered Xie Hongchen, who was entangled in black mist! However, this umbrella was only newly forged, and its effectiveness was not as good as one crafted a hundred years later.

Although the black mist was drawn towards it, it still clung tightly to Xie Hongchen. Qiu Cailing, helpless, said, “Help!”

Dozens of elders no longer held back and infused their spiritual power into this strange and unknown artifact. Xie Lingbi was already doomed, and Yuhu immortal sect could not afford to lose Xie Hongchen.

With everyone’s combined efforts, the black mist finally began to converge slowly within the umbrella! The black umbrella spun, indeed turning red, as if burning metal, dazzling and beautiful.

At this moment, its owner was Di Yiqiu. Naturally, it gradually transferred the absorbed power into the body of Di Yiqiu! Di Yiqiu could only accept it.

Strange cries echoed within the black mist, and Xie Lingbi struggled frantically.

However, if he wanted to control Xie Hongchen, he would inevitably be unable to resist the power-absorbing treasure. If he gave up resisting the treasure, how would he restrain Xie Hongchen?

But as the black umbrella spun faster and faster, the black mist on Xie Hongchen’s body gradually weakened. Finally, he reached into his bosom and pulled out two gold needles…

As the gold needles fell, a roar echoed from the black mist. However, soon, the roar turned into silence.

The black umbrella also converted the last obtained power to its owner, and Qiu Cailing and others instantly withdrew their spiritual power. —After all, they couldn’t let it absorb Xie Hongchen’s cultivation, right?

At this moment, the black mist on Xie Lingbi dissipated completely, and he stood dumbfounded in place, with two gold needles stuck on his head.

Soul-Binding Bone-Setting Needles.

Xie Hongchen remained silent for a long time without speaking.

Qiu Cailing urged him several times; at last,  Qiu Cailing had to speak on Xie Hongchen’s behalf: “Everyone, although Xie Lingbi is from Yuhu immortal sect, practicing evil arts is an unforgivable crime. According to the sect rules, he is sentenced to the punishment of the Soul-Binding Bone-Setting Needles, which has been personally administered by Sect Master Xie!”

Silence enveloped the surroundings. Xie Hongchen lowered his gaze, not speaking for a long time. As everyone’s attention turned to Xie Lingbi, some sighed, and others were horrified.

Yue Mihua, the former master of the Enchanting Flower Sect, walked slowly over and said after a while, “Old friend… why….why do this to yourself?” But Xie Lingbi didn’t respond.

He stared straight ahead, seemingly devoid of perception.

Huang Rang hadn’t even had a chance to look at him!

Worried that Di Yiqiu’s body couldn’t withstand Xie Lingbi’s cultivation, she had been feeding him spiritual pills. Now, seeing the unharmed Di Yiqiu, she finally ran up and “admired” him from all sides.

Hahaha, Xie Lingbi, congratulations! Huang Rang was overjoyed.

Di Yiqiu’s blood was surging, and it took him quite some time before he put away the black umbrella. He saw Huang Rang circling around Xie Lingbi several times. —She was very happy. She rarely felt such ecstatic joy.

Did she have a grudge against Xie Lingbi?

For this black umbrella, to avoid causing conflicts and suspicions among the sect members, only he and his master, Qiu Yanming, knew about the entire forging process.

How did she know this so clearly?

The intense pain in Di Yiqiu’s body had not subsided, but doubts were already rising in his mind.

But regardless, with Xie Lingbi punished, everything could be considered settled.

Today’s Yuhu immortal sect might not be in the mood to “entertain” everyone.

After witnessing this incident, everyone had to bid farewell.

Qiu Cailing and others had to work hard to beautify the situation, presenting Xie Hongchen’s righteous act of justice to salvage the reputation of the Yuhu immortal sect.

Only Xie Hongchen remained silent.

He personally escorted Xie Lingbi into the secret chamber of the Luofu Hall.

The noisy crowd around suddenly dispersed, leaving silence in the secret chamber.

Xie Hongchen placed Xie Lingbi in the chamber, surrounded by rows of people who had been punished by the sect. Xie Hongchen tidied his clothes; his body was in a terrible state, with many places already skeletal.

Xie Hongchen brought water and cleaned away the bloodstains, then used medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding.

He did all this calmly in the vast chamber filled with people. Yet there was only the faintest sound. After a long time, he finally asked, “Why? You have the status and honor you deserve, don’t you?”

Xie Lingbi didn’t answer.

So, he asked again, “Therefore, raising me was just for the sake of this final possession. Master, who am I after all?”

Xie Lingbi remained silent.

Xie Hongchen closed his eyes. This sealed mountain cave, with its endless darkness, felt suffocating. However, for some, they would forever be confined here, unable to break free.

The Celestial Court.

Although the Yuhu immortal sect wasn’t in the mood for a banquet, Huang Rang was!

She personally arranged several banquet tables and invited the leaders of the assisting immortal sects to dine.

Among these people, some were injured, and Huang Rang didn’t hesitate to dip into her own pocket and distribute some pills. She was in high spirits, and even He Xijin asked, “Why are you so happy?”

Huang Rang smiled, saying, “Evil has been eradicated, and this niece is naturally happy! However, Di Yiqiu was forced to absorb Xie Lingbi’s power, so please, uncle, take a look at him.”

“Niece is really considerate!” He Xijin shook his head, then looked at Di Yiqiu and asked, “How is your health?”

Di Yiqiu replied, “I feel no abnormalities.”

Zhang Shuju, standing nearby, said, “Let us recover first, and then assist you in cultivation.” Di Yiqiu stood up and thanked, “Thank you, Master Zhang.”

“Why be so formal?” Wu Zichou, on the other hand, disregarded it and said, “Ah Rang is the niece of the Sect Master He. When you marry her, you naturally become one of us. No need to be polite.”

But Zhang Shuju added, “Your artifact has tremendous power. From now on, you must take good care of it and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands!”

He Xijin said, “It’s best to… to destroy it completely… not leaving any forging methods!” Di Yiqiu said, “It was just a playful creation from my childhood, never intended for circulation. Everyone, rest assured.” Upon hearing this, the group finally said, “That’s great. Come, let’s drink.”

During the night, several wise individuals indeed assisted Di Yiqiu in cultivating and dissipating the power of Xie Lingbi within him. Yuhu immortal sect was unwilling to suffer such a hidden loss; several letters from Qiu Cailing requesting the return of this portion of cultivation were ignored by the court.

Humph. Thinking of retrieving something that entered the Celestial Court? Daydreaming.