The main hall of the peak, with wisps of smoke curling upwards, was solemn and imposing.
Qin Si and Xia Xilou stood facing each other, and behind them, the cultivators were divided into two camps, confronting each other from their respective sides.
"Junior Brother, let's set aside the matters of the Alchemist Association for now. Junior Sister Qianying helping Junior Sister snatch the Ghost Moon treasure, you can't just ignore that, can you?"
Xia Xilou, clad in moon-white immortal robes, smiled and spoke in a gentle tone, as if discussing a trivial matter with Qin Si.
"If everyone in the academy learns from Junior Sister Qianying in the future, won't the academy fall into chaos?" Xia Xilou kindly reminded, "You don't want the Dean to come back and manage the academy, do you?"
The last sentence was transmitted telepathically by Xia Xilou, unheard by anyone except Qin Si.
Qin Si: "You are right. To be honest, this is my first time hearing about someone instigating their elder to help them snatch treasures in a secret realm when they couldn't obtain them themselves."
As soon as Qin Si finished speaking, someone chimed in.
"Exactly. If everyone does this in the future, what's the point of going to secret realms for trials? Might as well have your elders snatch the opportunities for you directly!"
Yun Youyue's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she couldn't help but clench the sword in her hand. For a moment, she felt that Venerable Qianying was right and began to doubt if she had done wrong.
However, she quickly regained her composure.
No, she was not wrong. The Great Dao itself was about contending with heaven and men. Xing Luo Di Huan was such a precious item, and she naturally had to fight for it to be in her possession!
Not far away, Qianying, with Bai Shengyi, descended from their flying sword and strode in, joking as they walked, "Senior Brother Xilou, first Yun Ying, then Yun Youyue. Those who don't know might think you've joined the Artifact Refining Peak."
Xia Xilou's smile faltered.
If it weren't for the fact that Junior Brother had won over most of the hearts in Qianxiao Peak over the years, why would he have to put in so much effort?
"Junior Sister, that joke isn't funny at all. If my master heard it, wouldn't it break his heart?" Xia Xilou pursed his lips slightly. "Since Junior Sister is here, it's time to discuss what happened in the Qianyun Secret Realm that day."
Xia Xilou nodded at Yun Kai. Yun Kai stepped forward and recounted the entire incident, from Yun Youyue obtaining Xing Luo Di Huan to Bai Shengyi then snatching it, with Qianying threatening and pursuing her.
As soon as Bai Shengyi entered the hall, she sensed Yun Youyue's gaze upon her.
Yun Youyue stood behind Yun Kai, her chin raised, her eyes red as if she had been crying, staring intently at Bai Shengyi. Her gaze was complex, filled with jealousy, unwillingness, disdain, and determination.
"...This is how it happened. As a father, when my daughter encounters such a situation, naturally I want to seek justice for her. If it were an outsider snatching it, fine, but we are from the same academy. Venerable Qianying and Bai Shengyi doing this, how can the younger generation dare to venture out for trials in the future?"
Although Yun Kai and Yun Ying were siblings, they were worlds apart. Yun Ying was arrogant, impulsive, and brainless, while Yun Kai was also proud, but clearly more sophisticated and worldly.
With just a few sentences, he successfully stirred up the concerns of many, especially those who had disciples under them. Hearing Yun Kai's words, they began to waver.
Bai Shengyi was not surprised, as she had heard this version of the rumor from Luo Chengli earlier. However, this was the first time Qianying had heard it, and she was so enraged that she immediately began to curse.
"Old man Yun Kai, what nonsense are you spouting? I have never helped anyone snatch Yun Youyue's things!"
Qianying's imposing aura radiated, her beautiful eyes filled with anger.
She, a dignified Venerable, being slandered by such a junior, was simply trampling on her dignity!
"Yun Youyue, get out here and tell me, when did I threaten you or try to kill you?" Qianying said sternly.
Yun Youyue seemed frightened, and quickly hid behind Yun Kai, "I have a Recording Stone."
Saying this, she released the image from the Qianyun Secret Realm, showing Qianying striking towards Yun Youyue as if intending to attack.
The footage was short but clear. Qianying had indeed made a move on Yun Youyue at that time.
Yun Kai said angrily, "Qianying! You are going too far! Even if you are the eldest disciple of Azure Mist Venerable, I will not let this matter go!"
"Exactly! Venerable Qianying, Youyue is still just a child! What did she do wrong for you to strike her with such deadly intent?" someone added dramatically.
Suddenly, those behind Xia Xilou began to denounce Qianying.
Qianying instantly realized that they had come prepared.
She remembered very clearly that she had made a move on Yun Youyue because Yun Youyue had spoken disrespectfully. She just didn't know when this young girl had secretly used the Recording Stone; she hadn't even noticed.
"Deadly intent?" Qianying snorted coldly, her red robes fluttering. A long sword instantly appeared in her hand, and she pointed it at the other person, asking, "Do you want to try what it looks like when I truly act with deadly intent?"
This immediately silenced the other person.
Qianying's strength was unfathomable, and that person had no desire to find out.
"Junior Sister, stop making a fuss. Since you made a mistake, apologize properly to Venerable Yun Kai and Youyue. For my sake, they won't hold it against you," Xia Xilou said gently after everyone else had spoken.
As soon as Xia Xilou finished speaking, Yun Kai and the others, who had been furious moments ago, immediately calmed down.
"As long as Bai Shengyi returns Xing Luo Di Huan to Youyue, we will let bygones be bygones," Yun Kai said coldly, acting as if he were making a great concession. "Furthermore, Qianxiao Peak must additionally supply the Artifact Refining Peak with five hundred Spirit Root Purification Pills!"
"Why don't you go rob a bank?" Qianying was so amused by these people that she laughed. "Is your Artifact Refining Peak all this shameless, thinking everything belongs to you?"
"Senior Sister is mistaken. They aren't shameless; they have no shame," Bai Shengyi suddenly interjected.
Yun Kai sternly reprimanded, "Little girl! You have no right to speak here... Pfft!"
Before Yun Kai could finish speaking, he was sent flying by a powerful palm strike!
"Father!" Yun Youyue rushed over quickly.
"Junior Brother, how could you make a move?" Xia Xilou accused.
Qin Si retracted his hand. At the same time, the elusive Xuanjing Tiger appeared in the hall, letting out a resounding roar, its eyes fixed menacingly on everyone.
"Are you done making a scene?" Qin Si asked coldly.
Snowflakes fell, and the icy voice seemed to gain life, like knives pressing against everyone's throats. If they dared to move, they would be cut without hesitation.
The hall immediately fell silent.
Qin Si's cold gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Yun Kai's face, and he let out a scoff.
"Little girl? Yun Kai, have you forgotten that Bai Shengyi is our recognized Junior Sister by both myself and Qianying? Let alone her speaking a word, even if she hit you, with me protecting her, you would have to endure it!"
It was bad enough that they were making a scene, but they also wanted to take this opportunity to belittle Shengyi. This was simply seeking death!
"Vice Dean Qin, aren't you being a bit unreasonable?" Yun Youyue questioned, her neck stiff.
Yun Kai instinctively tried to stop his daughter, but the severe injury slowed him down.
"Reason? You dare to talk about reason when you're spreading baseless rumors?"
Bai Shengyi stopped Qin Si, who was about to resort to force, and stepped forward to retort, "Yun Youyue, are you sure you want to talk reason with me?"
Bai Shengyi had been observing from the side for a long time and finally understood the core of this farce.
The Artifact Refining Peak wanted Spirit Root Purification Pills, Yun Youyue wanted Xing Luo Di Huan, and Xia Xilou wanted to cause trouble for Qin Si. Well, that's why this whole thing happened.
"I, Bai Shengyi, swear that I did not snatch Yun Youyue's Xing Luo Di Huan, nor did I have Senior Sister Qianying threaten or harm Yun Youyue!"
Bai Shengyi immediately made her oath. Once the oath was formed, she looked at Yun Youyue with a cold and stern expression. "Yun Youyue, do you dare to make a Dao Oath, stating that you did not frame me and Senior Sister?"