He couldn't help but feel fortunate inwardly, glad he had the foresight to prepare a fake letter beforehand, or he wouldn't know how he died.
The moment he saw Nangong Yun, he felt the need to have a backup plan.
As expected, it finally came in handy.
Ancestor Fei’s face turned green and then pale, frozen in place.
Ancestor Shen, fearing he would tear up the letter, stepped forward, took the Nantian Token, and handed it back to Mo Qi.
Nangong Yun, however, panicked. If Mo Qi couldn't be brought down this time, he would be the one to suffer!
No one in the Sun Moon Sect had discovered he was a mole; he had stepped forward himself at the time to expose Mo Qi.
Ancestor Fei had also promised that as long as Mo Qi was overthrown, bygones would be bygones, and he would be allowed to return.
But if Mo Qi couldn't be overthrown, would they still honor their promise?
Now, he had effectively confirmed his status as a mole.
Nangong Yun was on the verge of tears, looking at Mo Qi. "You claim to be an envoy. Then why didn't you contact the Sect Leader or elders first upon arriving at the Sun Moon Sect? Why did you participate in the competition first?"
Ancestor Fei stared at him fiercely as well.
"Because at the time, I didn't understand the Sun Moon Sect's true nature. If I had revealed the token rashly, I might have put myself in danger. Moreover, I wanted to contribute to eradicating demons and upholding righteousness. If we are to unite various sects against the Turtle Ancestor, we must show sincerity. Otherwise, are we to rely on mere words? Or by betraying our comrades?" Mo Qi said passionately.
Nangong Yun's old face turned slightly red, and he then said, "But you contacted me back then, asking about the location where moles in the Southern Continent were held. Then you entered the secret realm to rescue them. How do you explain that?"
"Actually," Mo Qi paused, then immediately put on a look of extreme grief. "The one I wanted to find was merely my beloved Xiao Cong'er. We were deeply in love, our bond stronger than gold. We had shared each other's joys and sorrows, whispered sweet nothings, and sworn eternal vows. One day, the fires of war reached our homeland, and she went to seek refuge with a sect. The sect then sent her to be a mole. From then on, her whereabouts were unknown, and I received no news... I searched for her north and south, high and low, day and night, without rest or food. But in this vast sea of people, where could I find her? I was lost, helpless, I wanted to die, yet I feared she might return to look for me. I picked up my weary body and continued on my journey to find her. I traversed countless mountains and rivers, visited Duoshe Cliff at the southernmost tip of the Southern Continent, the Seven Terraces in the far north, many islands in the Hongmeng South Sea, and even the extremely cold and harsh Barbarian Lands. But, my Cong'er, my Cong'er..."
By the end, he was beating his chest and stamping his feet, his voice choked with sobs, unable to control himself.
Everyone was moved.
Elder Sikong couldn't help but ask, "What happened next?"
Mo Qi wiped his tears. "Later, by chance, I found her at the Divine Dragon Sect. I told Shi Jinchun that I wanted to take her back. What ill intentions could I have had? I simply wanted to take her back. But that accursed Shi Jinchun wouldn't let me take her back, wouldn't let me take her back."
At the end, he collapsed onto the ground, speaking while furiously pounding the earth, tears and snot streaming down his face, his heart about to shatter!
Each pound left a dent in the ground.
"What happened next?" Ancestor Shen couldn't help but ask.
Mo Qi wiped away more tears and stood up. "Later, I applied to the Terraces, requesting to be an envoy to the Hongmeng South Sea. I also used this opportunity to rescue Cong'er. When I found Shi Jinchun again, he said Cong'er had already been sent to the Sun Moon Sect."
He then suddenly knelt before Ancestor Shen. "Master, I did have selfish intentions at the time. I only wanted to rescue her from this pit of fire, to keep her away from the disputes between these sects, and to bring an end to my constant worry. Even if Master wanted to bestow death upon me, I would accept it."
This statement was spoken with genuine emotion and deeply touched everyone.
Ancestor Shen stroked his beard. "The Xiao Cong'er you speak of, is she that Dragon Girl?"
"Yes, Master!" Mo Qi stated decisively.
Ancestor Shen immediately stepped forward and helped him up. "Alas, actually, I knew about this matter. I sent that child to the Southern Continent; it was to help her complete a tribulation. When she was handed over, I intended to release her. While I was contemplating how to do so, you happened to go there, and I conveniently did you a favor..."
These lies flowed out effortlessly, even Mo Qi believed them. He stared fixedly at Ancestor Shen, unable to detect any flaw.
Ancestor Fei watched the master and disciple "acting" and was furious, with nowhere to vent his anger. He slapped Nangong Yun on the head. "You, go and die!"
Nangong Yun's head instantly shattered, blood and flesh splattering everywhere.
His body took a moment to fall to the ground.
Ancestor Shen glanced at Ancestor Fei. "Alas, Junior Brother, that was rash. I had intended to keep him alive to question him about any accomplices. You just killed him like that."
Indeed, it was rash!
Ancestor Fei was so enraged he felt like spitting blood. He had come to demand an explanation, but in the blink of an eye, he had been outmaneuvered.
For a moment, he didn't know how to explain.
"Don't worry, Junior Brother. We've been fellow disciples for so many years; I still trust you. But you really need to curb this impulsive temper. If it were someone who didn't know the situation, they might think you were silencing a witness," Ancestor Shen said.
Ancestor Fei was about to vomit blood. He coughed violently a few times, pointed at Mo Qi in anger, and said, "If you want to ask about accomplices, why don't you ask him?"
Mo Qi immediately shook his head. "I don't know about that. I am truly not a mole. I contacted Nangong Yun simply because I had interacted with him in the Southern Continent."
Ancestor Fei let out a cold snort, killing intent flickering in his eyes. "I don't believe my Senior Brother can protect you forever."
With that, he turned to leave.
Mo Qi suddenly called out, "Uncle-Master, please wait!"
Ancestor Fei turned back. "Do you still want to embarrass yourself?"
A faint smile appeared on Mo Qi's face. "I notice Uncle-Master coughs slightly after using his spiritual power. Besides that, do you also feel your spiritual energy is scattered, your soul sea difficult to gather, do you have many dreams, palpitations, and are prone to irritability and anger?"
Ancestor Fei's expression shifted slightly, then he raised an eyebrow. "I've always been like this, what's wrong? Don't act all mysterious and profound as if no one else has ever experienced this."
Mo Qi shook his head. "Not everyone encounters this situation."
Ancestor Fei felt a pang of unease and turned to look at Elder Liang and Elder Sikong. Elder Sikong shook his head, while Elder Liang said noncommittally, "Master, don't listen to his nonsense. He's trying to scare us. I once experienced these symptoms after an injury, and they resolved on their own. There's no need to worry."
Ancestor Shen also looked at Mo Qi, seeming amused. Let him go if he wants to go. What's the use of these tricks?
Mo Qi, however, said with a serious expression, "Elder Liang encountered this situation before and took Soul Gathering Pills or other elixirs in time. But Uncle-Master probably didn't take it seriously, letting it drag on for too long without taking any medicine, or even without timely recuperation and healing. As a result, this condition will persist until the soul sea is depleted and one's life ends!"
Ancestor Fei was somewhat startled, his face ashen!
"However, while others can't do anything about this situation, it's your good fortune to encounter me. I handle this kind of illness with ease. You've come just in time; any later, and even I would be helpless," Mo Qi continued.
He was being serious, but the way he said it made it sound like he was bragging!
Elder Liang lowered his voice. "Master, this person is cunning and glib-tongued. Look at how he just used his silver tongue to turn being a mole into an envoy. A person like this will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Don't believe his nonsense."
Ancestor Fei glanced at Mo Qi again. Mo Qi had an innocent face, revealing nothing.
Then he let out a cold snort. "Let's go!" He led the other two away into the distance.
Mo Qi watched his retreating back. "Uncle-Master, you have three days to consider. After three days, I will also be unable to help."
Ancestor Fei left without looking back.
The next day was the second round of the Inner Cabinet Elder selection. Mo Qi was to face Elder Zhong.
The difference in strength was too great. He could only try to see if the Sun Chasing Star Plucking Art could secure victory. This was Mo Qi's last resort. If it couldn't win, then there was nothing he could do.
Therefore, he unleashed his ultimate move right from the start!
The Sun Chasing Star Plucking Art was unleashed.
A sky full of fiery light descended, covering everything.
Elder Zhong used the Thousand Thunder Shield to resist. The Thousand Thunder Shield emitted a dazzling radiance, actually supporting the descending red sun!
However, Mo Qi's figure dove downwards, pushing with immense force.
Elder Zhong gradually began to falter, his body bending, then kneeling on the ground, and finally prostrating himself, almost being crushed into a pulp.
At this point, he conceded.