“My young friend, what you just said is a bit confusing. Do you mean that the foundational manual issued by our Zhentian Alliance contains your ancestor’s manuscript?”
Chou Yuanfeng’s face showed no sign of guilt, and his gaze was clear, causing those who were initially suspicious to waver again.
As the Alliance Leader of Zhentian Alliance and an eighth-level formation cultivator, Chou Yuanfeng wouldn’t do such a thing, would he?
Wang Yang was so angered by Chou Yuanfeng’s calm demeanor that his fingers trembled. How could someone be so shameless?
He was simply relying on his status, believing no one would dare expose him. I will not let him succeed.
Wang Yang produced a thick stack of papers and held them high. “This is the manuscript of my ancestor, Zhen Yuanzi. The foundational manual has multiple sections that match my ancestor’s manuscript. How do you, Alliance Leader Chou, explain this?”
Chou Yuanfeng smiled slightly. “My young friend, the foundational manual issued by the Zhentian Alliance is held by almost every formation cultivator on the Nine Continents Continent. If you casually present a manuscript and claim it as your ancestor’s, I have no way to explain.”
“You, you are clearly quibbling,” Wang Yang waved the manuscript in his hand forcefully. “The content within was written by my ancestor with all his heart. I don’t know where you obtained this ancestor’s manuscript, but you must clear my ancestor’s name!”
A fire burned within Wang Yang, preventing him from remaining silent and feigning ignorance like his master. It gave him the courage to travel thousands of miles alone to the headquarters of the Zhentian Alliance.
They had done nothing wrong, so why should they be timid as if they had committed a crime?
He wanted to stand in public and seek justice for his departed ancestor.
Bai Xinlian was also watching Wang Yang, a glint in her eyes.
Wang Yang’s accusation made her realize he was like her, that she was not the only one persecuted by the Zhentian Alliance.
However, the turn of events was too sudden. Just as Wang Yang was about to reveal the manuscript to everyone, he suddenly felt a scorching heat from his palm.
This sensation made his expression change, and he instinctively let go of his hand.
But the moment he released it, he immediately reacted and rushed to grab the manuscript. He saw the manuscript spontaneously combust in mid-air, turning into a blazing ball of fire that illuminated his face.
“No!”
Wang Yang cried out in grief and, without hesitation, moved to grab the fireball.
However, as his hand was about to touch the fireball, the flames dissipated, and he only managed to grasp a handful of scorching ash.
“Ancestor’s manuscript… it’s gone…”
Wang Yang’s face instantly lost all color. He looked up, his eyes filled with deep-seated hatred. “It was you! You did this!”
Chou Yuanfeng’s gaze was full of helplessness, as if he were looking at a petulant child.
“My young friend, I didn’t even use my spiritual power. All the fellow Daoists present can attest to that.”
“That’s right, we didn’t feel any spiritual power fluctuations from Alliance Leader Chou.”
“Yes, I can also vouch for that.”
Someone from the black seats immediately chimed in.
Bai Xinlian sneered.
Chou Yuanfeng hadn’t acted because many people were willing to solve it for him.
The higher-ups of the Zhentian Alliance knew the truth behind those foundational manuals they issued, so they were more eager than Chou Yuanfeng to silence the youth.
There was no need for Chou Yuanfeng to step forward, nor for him to make any move. Someone else would arrange it for him.
“My young friend, I don’t know your intentions. Guests are welcome. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding between us. After the grand meeting concludes, we can sit down and discuss it properly. For now, let’s not waste everyone’s time.”
Chou Yuanfeng’s words resonated with the crowd.
“Yes, let’s discuss whatever it is after the exchange assembly is over!”
“In my opinion, this brat is deliberately causing trouble. Why not just kick him out?”
“I don’t understand. Even if we take a step back and assume the foundational manual truly contains his ancestor’s insights, isn’t that a good thing? Why hide it? It would be better to share it for everyone to learn from.”
“Exactly, alas, he’s too selfish.”
“……”
The overwhelming condemnation left Wang Yang bewildered.
He just wanted to seek justice for his ancestor, but why had he become the one being accused?
“You’ve all been deceived by Chou Yuanfeng! He’s a liar! He’s tricked you all!”
Wang Yang shouted hoarsely, trying to bring everyone back to their senses, but all he received were indifferent, even disgusted, glances.
Could it be that no one noticed the anomaly in all this?
No, there was no fool among those seated here. Perhaps some were truly captivated by Chou Yuanfeng, but most chose to ignore it.
While Wang Yang’s situation might evoke sympathy, it wouldn’t compel people to sacrifice their own interests to help him.
They were the beneficiaries of the manuals, so they were even less likely to stand against the Zhentian Alliance.
Wang Yang’s voice gradually grew hoarse, his eyes stinging. He suddenly understood why his master had vehemently objected when he learned of his intention to seek justice for his ancestor.
He couldn’t contend with Chou Yuanfeng, nor could he contend with the Zhentian Alliance behind him.
He had been wrong.
He lowered his head dejectedly, his current expression hidden.
Xu Yi sighed with affection and was preparing to make her entrance in a heroic rescue manner, adjusting her robes, when an unexpected person once again thwarted her plan.
“Chou Yuanfeng, if his words are not credible, then does my word carry any weight?”
Bai Xinlian slowly rose from her seat, her wide Daoist robes fluttering in the air, giving her a sense of ascension.
Chou Yuanfeng’s eyes darkened for a moment before he quickly masked it. “Vice Alliance Leader Bai, what do you mean by this?”
“Chou Yuanfeng, why feign ignorance? When you committed those despicable acts, you should have foreseen this day.”
Bai Xinlian looked at Chou Yuanfeng’s shifting expression, feeling an unspeakable sense of satisfaction.
She had finally waited for this day.
“Vice Alliance Leader Bai, whatever personal grievances you have with Alliance Leader Chou, please resolve them in private and do not bring them up at the exchange assembly!”
Another Vice Alliance Leader of the Zhentian Alliance stood up and shouted sternly, a hint of imperceptible nervousness in his tone.
Bai Xinlian, as a Vice Alliance Leader of the Zhentian Alliance, knew many of its secrets. Her sudden outburst would bring considerable trouble to the Zhentian Alliance.
They had initially thought that although Bai Xinlian held the position of Vice Alliance Leader, she never interfered in alliance matters or claimed benefits, assuming she was unconcerned. It turned out that a barking dog doesn’t bite.
If they had known this earlier, they should have accepted Chou Yuanfeng’s proposal to eliminate her.
“Personal grievances?” Bai Xinlian sneered. “You’re not entirely wrong in saying that. Chou Yuanfeng and I do have quite a few personal grievances, but these personal grievances are closely tied to the Zhentian Alliance. I believe this time and this setting are just right to discuss them.”
Wang Yang, who had been lowering his head, now raised it again. He stared at Bai Xinlian, who stood on equal footing with him, and a spark reignited in his dim eyes.
So, he wasn’t fighting alone.
Xu Yi’s thoughts at this moment were similar to Wang Yang’s.
She had initially believed she was fighting alone, but the sudden appearance of two allies filled her with joy.
She looked forward to the developments even more.