Lou Yi listened, and merely sneered inwardly.

Such a flimsy excuse, Elder Wang didn't even bother to pretend.

If he went, it would truly be a lamb entering a tiger's den.

"I wonder what kind of Taoist methods the elder wishes to impart to me?" Lou Yi asked.

Unexpectedly, hearing this question from Lou Yi, Yan Zechen was visibly taken aback.

However, he quickly regained his composure and replied immediately: "I heard that Junior Brother has been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Third Level for quite some time, but breaking through is not something that can be achieved overnight.

My master has unique insights in this regard and can guide Junior Brother."

If Lou Yi were an ordinary disciple, he might have been tempted.

But unfortunately, he's the one who killed the other party's grandson, so he wouldn't go easily.

Upon hearing this, he gently declined: "Elder Wang's great kindness to a disciple like me is deeply appreciated.

However, regarding the various barriers to advancing to the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, I've thought it through and really don't want to bother the elder anymore."

It was unexpected that Lou Yi was so impervious to persuasion, Yan Zechen frowned, then whispered: "Would you mind stepping into the cave for a chat?"

"Senior Brother Yan, please." Seeing Lou Yi so easily allowing himself to be led into the cave, seemingly not at all afraid of what a later-stage cultivator might intend, made a trace of astonishment flash in Yan Zechen's heart.

Little did he know, with Lou Yi's current unmatched Qi-Blood and strength coupled with such close proximity,

If he dared harbor ill intentions, he'd likely end up with his head twisted off by Lou Yi to be kicked around like a ball.

Once inside the cave, Yan Zechen had no more reservations and got straight to the point.

"Junior Brother Lou should know that my master has always been resentful over Junior Brother Wang's death, having previously used the Heart Inquiry Mirror to question most people.

However, there were still over a dozen individuals missed, and this time he wants to ask each one thoroughly.

Junior Brother Lou, you don't want to be continually suspected by the Foundation Establishment Elder, do you? If your conscience is truly clear, why fear meeting my master?"

"Senior Brother Yan jests. I am merely at the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, how could I be involved in Wang Wenbai's death?" Lou Yi showed a momentary look of difficulty,

"However, Elder Bi previously mentioned to me that if Elder Wang wants to see me, I must inform him first and not act on my own accord...

Why don't I first seek Elder Bi's opinion?"

"Did Elder Bi really say that to you?" Yan Zechen's expression changed upon hearing this.

As a True Disciple, he had frequent interactions with elders at the sect.

Elder Bi was acknowledged as one of the strongest Foundation Establishments in the Corpse-Driving Sect, possessing more than one life of other sects of the same rank, which his master couldn't even compare to.

And this Lou Yi seemed to have a good relationship with Elder Bi's daughter.

Given the circumstances, Yan Zechen couldn't even bother with pleasantries and directly turned to leave.

Watching Yan Zechen's retreating back, Lou Yi's eyes became a bit profound.

This was the same trick Bi Yaoyao had taught him, to use her father's name as a deterrent, assuring him she would handle any fallout herself.

However, this method couldn't be used indefinitely.

Lou Yi walked out of the cave and noticed Yan Zechen heading toward another fellow disciple's cave entrance, roughly a hundred zhang from where Lou Yi resided.

Among those who weren't questioned by Elder Wang this time, aside from Lou Yi, most lived on Wendao Peak.

Three others lived on the Disciple Peak, although they were at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, they had not taken a master.

One was named Liu Jun, another Ding Yan, and the third Shen Shan.

Yan Zechen visited these three fellow disciples one after another, but judging by his departing expressions, he seemed to have gained nothing?

Lou Yi saw this and felt momentarily relieved, moving forward to inquire.

"This Yan Zechen, does he really think we're fools!" Liu Jun fumed indignantly, "Everyone knows, Elder Wang returned the Heart Inquiry Mirror, how can he judge if we're telling the truth?

What if the emotions run high and he accidentally kills us? Would the sect really impose any severe punishments on an elder?"

"Even if they did, if we're gone, it doesn't matter." Ding Yan sighed, "Moreover, we can't even recall the situation on the last level very well."

For Elder Wang, consumed by the grief of losing a grandson, any disciple emerging from the last level of the cave could be his grandson's murderer.

Elder Wang has never had a good reputation, so his residence was no less than a dragon's lair or tiger's den, and no disciple dared to recklessly risk their life.

"Indeed." Lou Yi nodded in agreement.

The more who refused to go, the less conspicuous he would appear, and the less pressure he would feel.

However, before leaving, he noticed Shen Shan, who had been silent, looked somewhat despondent, sweating profusely.

Clearly, rejecting an elder's invitation brought him tremendous pressure.

In the following days, Elder Wang's other True Disciples continued visiting the Disciple Peak to persuade them.

First, they tried enticing with benefits, claiming that Elder Wang would teach them Taoist methods or bestow elixirs.

Then they resorted to threats, though vague, subtly hinting that Elder Wang might become the chief examiner at the year-end disciples' evaluation, having the power to arrange which opponents to face.

The Qi Cultivation Middle Stage assessment included a practical combat section that carried significant weight for the score.

And the results of this assessment would affect subsequent resources and contributions, something no one could afford to disregard.

About a week passed in this manner.

Eventually, Shen Shan, unable to withstand the pressure, was the first to go to Elder Wang's cave.

Upon his return, Shen Shan wore a mournful expression, anyone could see his foul mood.

"What happened, what did Elder Wang do to you?" Liu Jun asked anxiously.

"Tell us quickly, so we can be prepared." Ding Yan urged.

Including those disciples on Wendao Peak who had taken a master but hadn't been questioned by Elder Wang, all came to the Disciple Peak, deeply concerned with this matter.

"I... I can't say." Shen Shan shook his head with a bitter smile, his expression dark to the utmost degree.

"Can't say? Did he force you to take a heart oath?!" a disciple from Wendao Peak exclaimed in shock.

Seeing Shen Shan suddenly fall silent, everyone's expressions changed.

Heart oaths, also known as heart demon oaths, are profoundly mysterious yet genuinely effective.

Failure to abide could lead to a heart demon attacking during a breakthrough.

Carelessness could cause a cultivator to experience a Qi deviation, or worse, entail life-threatening situations, potentially haunting them for life, risking it every time they break through.

Corpse-Driving Sect disciples were not unfamiliar with heart oaths.

They often made such oaths during zombie betting, ensuring they wouldn't 'throw a fake match'.

However, taking an oath willingly and being forced to take one were intrinsically different."

"Damn it, Elder Wang has gone too far, I need to report him to the Law Enforcement Hall!" Liu Jun furiously exclaimed, a hot-tempered guy, even daring to report sect elders.

"No, doing so would only harm Shen Shan." someone stopped him.

"You have no evidence; this is merely our speculation since Shen Shan said nothing."

"Given this, we should all hold our ground and not go!" Ding Yan said coldly, "Who knows if today's coerced heart oath won't become tomorrow's heart demon for you and me?"

"That's right, being forced to make an oath today might as well become a lifelong heart demon!" Upon hearing this, others were suddenly alarmed.

Cultivators each had their considerations, and Elder Wang's excessive acts only served to strengthen the disciples' resolute resistance.

This granted Lou Yi significant breathing space.

Until one day, Liu Jun was carried back to the Disciple Peak on a stretcher, both legs broken, face sallow, with his body severely damaged; his chances for Foundation Establishment now seemed nonexistent for this life.

"What happened, what happened?" Ding Yan exclaimed in shock.

"I went on a mission outside the sect and was ambushed on the only path available, ending up like this..." Liu Jun said with a sour voice.

Disciples' task acceptance details were typically confidential, how could anyone else know?

Unless held by someone in a highly ranked position, capable of acquiring such information.

Afterward, the other related disciples fell silent.

Unless they never left the sect for tasks, their bodies risked permanent crippling, severing their Foundation Establishment prospects forever.

No one dared gamble their immortal path.

Consequently, not only Ding Yan on the Disciple Peak but also several elder's disciples on Wendao Peak submitted.

They willingly went to Elder Wang's cave and humiliatingly made heart oaths declaring their innocence regarding Wang Wenbai's death.

Only three held firm.

One was You Qingyi, who had long announced her seclusion; another was Bi Yaoyao, with a powerful background, and finally, the real culprit, Lou Yi.

Seeing Lou Yi still unwilling to visit Elder Wang's cave, Yan Zechen came seeking him again.

...

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