Xie Xuanyi calmly said, "Although the Book Tower wants you alive, you are ultimately just a 'minor character'... No one truly cares about your life or death."

The fight had just happened.

But Zong Bi still saw the young man's face clearly.

He struggled to steady himself, his voice hoarse, "You... are Xie Zhen..."

Tonight, the City Lord Mansion held a banquet to welcome the cultivators from the Imperial City.

Only Xie Zhen did not attend.

This news made Zong Bi feel uneasy; Xie Zhen's reputation was too significant, ranked first on the Heavenly Pride List, and the new master of Xuanshui Cave Heaven at Da Sui Sword Palace. Such a figure not attending the banquet itself was a statement. He had purposely consulted Young Valley Master Ye Qinglian from Baihua Valley, who reassured him, telling him that Xie Zhen's absence was simply because he disliked noisy environments.

But regardless.

Zong Bi couldn't put his mind at ease.

This was why he stayed at the City Lord Mansion when such "commotion" happened in the suburbs.

He knew.

The Three Great Sects loathed Xie Xuanyi.

Hatred can transfer... If Xie Xuanyi left nothing behind and died in the North Sea.

Then everything would end.

But Xie Xuanyi taught a disciple.

Even worse, the youth surpassed him, both in cultivation talent and mannerisms; Xie Zhen mirrored the Xuan Yi Sword Immortal!

Clearly.

Xie Zhen would seek revenge on the Three Great Sects.

In this situation, would the Three Great Sects let Xie Zhen live?

Zong Bi suspected the recent assassination was orchestrated by the Hehuan Sect, which is why he quickly sent a message, but unfortunately, he didn't get a reply from the Hehuan Sect.

"It is me."

Xie Xuanyi did not deny it, he slowly spoke, "Do you know why I'm looking for you?"

"I..."

Zong Bi's eyes showed despair, his voice trembling, "Lord Xie, regarding the recent assassination, I... I am unaware!"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi lowered his eyelids.

Interesting.

Zong Bi was clearly panicked; it seemed he didn't understand the situation behind the suburban Yin God's self-destruction.

Although Xie Xuanyi hoped the recent assassin was from the Three Great Sects.

However...

It was evident this assassination was not done by the Three Great Sects.

These evil cultivators were not that impulsive; he was soon going to "enter the borders," they would definitely choose to act within the miasma barrier.

"Not for this matter."

Xie Xuanyi calmly said, "It's about the 'Hehuan Sect'.

Upon hearing this, Zong Bi subconsciously let out a breath.

In the next moment.

He tensed again, "Lord Xie, what are you saying? The Hehuan Sect?"

"Your matters with Master Qian Yuan, the Book Tower already knows."

Xie Xuanyi said expressionlessly, "Will you continue to act?"

Zong Bi sat stunned in the chair.

Blood dripped down his clothes, his mind went blank.

"According to the law, not only you will die..."

Xie Xuanyi paused, then said, "Colluding with the Evil Sect for personal gain, your entire clans will be exterminated."

Despite being a Yin God.

Zong Bi, residing in Lingqu City within the Southern Border, was almost omnipotent.

Under his protection.

The Zong family had become a "reach the heavens" existence in Lingqu City.

"Lord Xie!"

Zong Bi suddenly leaned forward, fell heavily to the ground, then quickly turned around, kowtowing to Xie Xuanyi, "I know I was wrong... Please spare me..."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi frowned, deeply disappointed.

He hadn't expected to see this scene.

Zong Bi had contributed significantly in the Battle of Poison; the dossier mentioned that back then, Zong Bi served as a Colonel in the Northern County Communication Department, leading cavalry into the Northern Territory, fighting numerous Great Demons and ultimately returning victorious, bringing back extremely valuable intelligence. Such a person should be very doughty.

Unexpectedly.

He kneeled to him.

Was it due to practicing Hehuan Sect techniques?

This Lingqu City Lord's weakness surprised Xie Xuanyi.

"I had no choice... I had no choice..."

Zong Bi cried painfully, "Ten years ago, when I came to Lingqu City, I wanted to accomplish great things. Initially, I led the cavalry south to clear surrounding evil cultivators, but the Imperial City Department severely punished me, saying I didn't manage my subordinates properly; it was already a troublesome time; holding the peace of one city should suffice, why provoke evil cultivators, causing more chaos. I could only guard the city, but still got punished. Finally, I met Master Qian Yuan and realized everything was Ren Shou Palace's intention."

Xie Xuanyi's expression turned grim.

The truth behind Lingqu City seemed darker than the Book Tower's investigation.

"What are you saying?"

Xie Xuanyi squatted, looking at the man in front of him.

Zong Bi hesitated. Realizing the Book Tower might not be clear about this, he quickly said, "Master Qian Yuan has an extraordinary relationship with Yuan Jimo, the Imperial City Chief. Evil cultivators from the Hehuan Sect can move freely in Lingqu City, seeking human vessels because Hehuan Sect regularly offers tributes to Ren Shou Palace."

"Ridiculous!"

Xie Xuanyi's forehead veins bulged.

He never imagined there was such a connection between the Hehuan Sect and Ren Shou Palace!

Xie Xuanyi took a deep breath.

He suppressed his anger, forcing himself to ask, "What is the tribute?"

"Lord Xie..."

Zong Bi's eyes were full of fear, "If I answer, can you spare my innocent family members?"

He knew.

Some things were best kept secret.

If revealed... The consequences were unbearable; thus, he no longer hoped to escape with his life.

"Bang!"

His answer was an unexpected punch!

Xie Xuanyi expressionlessly grabbed Zong Bi's hair, dragging him like a dead dog to the corner of the mansion's attic, smashing him heavily against a stone pillar!

"Ah..."

Just one impact.

Zong Bi's forehead bled profusely.

This strike seemed vicious but wasn't life-threatening; Xie Xuanyi did not use Tao Realm power. He was not worried about Zong Bi dying, nor concerned about Zong Bi launching a desperate counterattack.

His Martial Arts Divine Embryo had already suppressed the entire attic.

Moreover...

From Zong Bi's reaction, it seemed this Lingqu City Lord's resolve and backbone had been completely erased.

"You had no choice."

Xie Xuanyi said indifferently, "I now change my mind; I don't care if you survive. If you don't want to speak, I will use the 'Soul Searching Technique'. By the way... the suburban assassin, his realm is higher than yours."

"Spirit Marrow Fruit!"

Zong Bi, panting, hoarsely said, "The tribute the Hehuan Sect offers to Ren Shou Palace... is the Spirit Marrow Fruit!"

"What is that?"

Xie Xuanyi's expression darkened.

This was the first time he heard of this fruit.

Da Sui Sword Palace's Lotus Peak Daoist Collection did not record such an unusual fruit.

"Using living humans as vessels, using children's brain marrow as raw material..."

Zong Bi's face was covered in blood, his voice terrified, "I had no choice, Lord Xie, Master Qian Yuan also demanded I offer tributes. With my power alone, how could I oppose Ren Shou Palace?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi fell into a long silence.

Standing in the dark, looking at the man kneeling and trembling before him.

The Book Tower dossier mentioned Zong Bi colluding with Master Qian Yuan, capturing children periodically to extract their brain marrow for consumption.

He thought.

This was anger-inducing enough.

But the truth was darker.

Xie Xuanyi lightly asked, "So, what use does the Spirit Marrow Fruit have?"

"None."

Zong Bi laughed bitterly, "Heard it can preserve one's appearance... But with that one's cultivation realm, why would they need such a thing to preserve their youth?"

Click.

In the City Lord Mansion, something shattered.

In the shadows, sword qi permeated.

Zong Bi watched his right arm being crushed, closing his eyes, ready for death.

"Hu..."

Then.

He heard heavy breathing.

"I want you alive."

In the darkness, Xie Xuanyi reached out two fingers, suppressing his urge to kill Zong Bi, placing his fingertips on Zong Bi's forehead.

"If I killed you now, it would be too easy for you."

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