Not long after, the four returned to the attic.
After what had happened, Xue Qi and Bing Yao had lost all interest. They sat on chairs, staring at each other, waiting for their master's summons.
Beside them, Ye Zhenghao hesitated for a long time before finally his gaze fell on Ye Cangtian.
"Hey, Zong Luan really went to find the Peak Master. Aren't you worried about this matter?"
"Look at them. If you have any solutions, speak up. Don't let them worry!"
Ye Zhenghao knew Ye Cangtian's style. Since he didn't stop Zong Luan from lodging a complaint, he must have a solution.
He also saw the state of the two girls and felt a pang of sympathy, which prompted him to ask.
"What's the big deal about a dispute between fellow disciples?"
Ye Cangtian glared at Ye Zhenghao impatiently and continued, "After following me for so long, haven't you realized the real problem?"
Huh?
Ye Zhenghao was stunned by his words and looked at him with confusion.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian said impatiently, "Idiot, think about it. Who was the one truly spreading the rumors? And what was their motive!"
Uh...
With that one sentence, Ye Zhenghao was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized and slapped his forehead heavily.
He looked at Xue Qi and asked, "Besides Zong Luan, do you have any other rivals?"
"No!"
Xue Qi shook her head, then added, "One Zong Luan has suppressed me for so many years. If I had other rivals, how could I possibly survive on Snow Peak!"
Although she was unwilling, at this point, Xue Qi had to admit that she had lost more than she had won against Zong Luan.
Bing Yao quickly chimed in, "I can vouch for that. Senior Sister Xue Qi is well-liked on Snow Peak. Besides Zong Luan, no one is her enemy!"
Hearing the two girls say this, Ye Zhenghao looked at Ye Cangtian and said, "Since it's not aimed at them, then it might be aimed at us. But who could this person be?"
Ye Zhenghao was somewhat helpless. He and Ye Cangtian were both new to Snow Peak and had not offended anyone other than Zong Luan.
Why were they being targeted on their second day here!
Ye Cangtian fell silent. Seeing him deep in thought, Ye Zhenghao and the others dared not disturb him, fearing they would disrupt his train of thought, and could only wait on the side.
After a long time, Ye Cangtian's eyes lit up. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he thought of a possibility!
Feiyun Pavilion!
Yes, it was Feiyun Pavilion. To deal with him and seize the Four Seals, Feiyun Pavilion had followed him all the way to Gale Tower and caused trouble there.
Before leaving Gale Tower, although Gale Tower had made every effort to clear out Feiyun Pavilion, they had only dealt with some minor henchmen, not a single important figure.
This meant that the villains of Feiyun Pavilion had not been completely eradicated.
Ye Cangtian had been traveling north, claiming to be training with Ye Zhenghao, but anyone with discerning eyes should have seen his intentions.
Alternatively, those people might have been following them from a distance, which was not impossible.
The most crucial point was that both incidents, whether at Gale Tower or here at Snow Peak, shared similar methods.
At Gale Tower, Feiyun Pavilion used Wang Ying's death to try and sow discord between him and Gale Tower.
And this time, they were using Zong Luan to try and sow discord between him and Snow Peak.
With such similar tactics, it was likely that both incidents were the work of the same person!
With this thought, Ye Cangtian looked up at Ye Zhenghao and the other two, seeing their gazes fixed on him.
He smiled slightly and said, "Sorry, I haven't come up with any leads either."
There was no other way, Xue Qi and Bing Yao were both present.
Therefore, he couldn't reveal his suspicions. If they heard that they had provoked Feiyun Pavilion, he didn't know what attitude Snow Peak would take.
After all, the strength of Snow Mountain was no match for Feiyun Pavilion.
Who knew if the Peak Master, upon hearing this, would take action against them and offer them up to Feiyun Pavilion for some benefit.
He had to guard against this.
"Alas! I waited all this time for nothing, and I thought you had some ideas!" Bing Yao sighed, saying dejectedly.
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said, "No hurry. Since that person wants to deal with us, if they fail this time, they will definitely make another move. We'll just catch them then!"
"That's all we can do," Bing Yao said helplessly.
Tap, tap, tap...
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard. The expressions of Xue Qi and Bing Yao changed, and they both looked towards the door.
The next moment, a guard pushed the door open and walked in. He bowed respectfully to the four of them.
"Lady Xue Qi, Lady Bing Yao, the Peak Master has asked you to bring the two guests to the main hall."
What was coming has finally arrived. Alas!
Xue Qi sighed inwardly, then agreed. Since the matter had already happened, she could only face it with a brave face.
...
Snow God Hall Main Hall.
Zong Luan stood beside the Peak Master, his heart blooming with joy.
He had just recounted how Bing Yao and the others had caused trouble and robbed him of a Nine Heavens Life-Extending Pill.
Han Chengze was so furious that he was blowing his beard and glaring, almost exploding his lungs.
Coupled with the humiliation he suffered from Ye Cangtian yesterday, Xue Qi would likely be implicated this time, and the Supreme Master's favor towards her would be greatly reduced.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel proud.
Now, he truly wished he could see the dispirited face of Xue Qi.
"They're here, they're here..."
Constantly anticipating, he finally saw the figures of Xue Qi and the others in his sight.
"Xue Qi, Bing Yao, greetings, Master!"
After Xue Qi and Bing Yao arrived at the hall, they quickly paid their respects. Ye Cangtian and Ye Zhenghao, on the side, cupped their fists at the Peak Master, as a form of greeting.
"Xue Qi, what is going on today?"
The Peak Master nodded to Ye Cangtian and Ye Zhenghao, then looked at Xue Qi and questioned her directly.
Upon hearing this, Xue Qi stepped forward.
She explained the day's events truthfully. Facing the Peak Master's questioning, she dared not conceal anything.
Hmph!
Listening to Xue Qi's words, the Peak Master snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, "I asked you to take care of the two young friends. Is this how you take care of them?"
Xue Qi immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Master, Xue Qi admits her mistake. I beg Master to punish me!"
Thud!
As Xue Qi knelt, Bing Yao also knelt and quickly said, "Master, it was all Bing Yao's recklessness, and it has nothing to do with Senior Sister. I beg Master not to blame Senior Sister. Yao'er is willing to accept punishment..."
Hmph!
The Peak Master snorted coldly and glared fiercely at them, saying angrily, "It's not your turn yet. If your Senior Sister hadn't supported you, would you have dared to cause trouble for your Third Senior Brother?"
"This..."
Seeing the Peak Master's anger, Bing Yao instantly deflated.
Seeing this, the Peak Master's gaze swept towards Xue Qi and said, "You saw your junior sister causing trouble but did not intervene. How can you be a Senior Sister! I sentence you to five years of solitary confinement. Are you willing to accept this!"
"Xue Qi is willing."
Hearing the Peak Master's words, Xue Qi did not offer any explanation and readily agreed.
Seeing this scene, Zong Luan couldn't help but laugh inwardly with pride.
After competing with Xue Qi for so many years, today she had finally been brought down from her pedestal.
"Wait!"
Just as Xue Qi was about to turn and leave, Ye Zhenghao could not stand it any longer and called out to her.
Then, he looked at the Peak Master and said calmly, "Peak Master, the incident was entirely my doing, and it has nothing to do with Miss Xue Qi!"
Hmph!
As Ye Zhenghao's voice fell, the Peak Master snorted coldly again.
"Don't rush. One by one. In my Snow Peak, injuring my disciple is not something that can be dismissed lightly!"
Speaking, the Peak Master looked at Bing Yao and continued, "Bing Yao, return that Nine Heavens Life-Extending Pill to your Senior Brother, and then accompany your Senior Sister in five years of secluded cultivation!"
"During the five years, you two shall not see each other!" the Peak Master added.
"Yes!"
Bing Yao weakly replied, then took out the pill and walked towards Zong Luan.
Seeing this, Ye Zhenghao felt a pang of anxiety.
Even for cultivators, how many five-year periods were there in a lifetime?
Such a punishment was too severe for the two girls.
However, facing the current situation, he didn't know how to resolve it.
In desperation, he could only look at Ye Cangtian, desperately signaling him to act quickly.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian said calmly, "What Zhenghao gives away, unless he agrees, no one has the right to ask Bing Yao to return it!"
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Bing Yao and Xue Qi were both shocked. Was Yin Long's tone not clearly indicating that he was going to tear the facade with the Peak Master?
If that were really the case, how could they ever leave Snow Peak!
Thinking this, Xue Qi quickly said, "Brother Yin Long, it is indeed our fault, and we deserve the punishment."
Bing Yao also quickly chimed in, "Brother Yin Long, thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept this pill..."
Zong Luan, who also heard Ye Cangtian's words, was so happy he almost burst into laughter.
The more arrogant Yin Long was, the angrier the Peak Master would become. And what good would come to Yin Long then?
"Hmph! Yin Long, can I consider you to be challenging the authority of my Snow Peak?"
The Peak Master's expression instantly turned cold.
Originally, he had been wary of the forces behind the two and intended to impose a light punishment, only to regain some face for Snow Peak.
But now, Yin Long was clearly challenging his authority. How could he tolerate this?
If he truly tolerated this, and the matter spread, how would Snow Peak ever establish itself in the ruins?
Would any cat or dog dare to ride on top of Snow Peak?