Chapter 431: Chapter 271: Five Elements Spirit Ointment, Fake Core Inquiry

The Fake Core Elder’s gaze felt tangible as it swept slowly over Lin Changheng, Xu Maoling, and Cheng Suling. It finally rested on Xu Maoling, who had the highest cultivation, and he spoke, his voice flat yet filled with an undeniable authority:

"I am Zhen Xinghe of the Purple Extreme Sect. A month ago, there was a major disturbance in the Jade Belt Lake region. Our sect’s stationed disciple, Chu Lingyu, was killed. Are you aware of this? Now, tell me everything that happened, in detail."

As he finished speaking, an invisible pressure settled over the three of them.

Both Xu Maoling and Cheng Suling’s hearts tightened, but they forced themselves to remain calm. They stared straight ahead, not daring to even glance at Lin Changheng.

They secretly deferred to him, but they couldn’t let it show. Otherwise, all their prior plans and preparations would fall apart.

Meanwhile, Lin Changheng’s heart was pounding in his chest.

It wasn’t just the pressure. The name Zhen Xinghe sounded familiar; he had heard it before.

He was the Fake Core Master of that "Senior Brother Feng" who had died by his hand.

Fortunately, time had passed, and his mental fortitude—bolstered once more by his Fifth Layer Clear Heart—was exceptional. He didn’t betray a hint of anything unusual.

He simply maintained the typical demeanor of a cultivator facing the might of a Fake Core Master.

"So it is an honored Senior from the Upper Sect."

Xu Maoling was the first to step forward. Suppressing the slight discomfort caused by the elder’s oppressive aura, he forced a respectful yet dignified smile, cupped his hands, and said,

"Senior, and our Fellow Daoists from the Upper Sect, you have come a long way. It must have been an arduous journey. This is no place to speak. If you would not be offended, Senior, why not adjourn to my humble abode on Rising Sun Island to rest? Allow us to serve you Spirit Tea, and then we can explain the matter in detail?"

From Lin Changheng and Cheng Suling’s perspective, he was already being quite deferential, his words showing the Purple Extreme Sect ample respect.

Upon hearing this, Fake Core Master Zhen Xinghe glanced indifferently at Rising Sun Island below, which had since returned to normal, but didn’t answer right away. Instead, a stern-faced Late Stage Foundation Establishment disciple behind him frowned and spoke with a hint of impatience:

"Master Zhen’s time is precious! He has no time to waste sipping tea in your crude abode! Tell us what happened, now! And don’t you dare hide a single thing!"

His tone was exceptionally arrogant.

Xu Maoling’s expression stiffened. He was inwardly furious but dared not let it show.

In truth, only True Core Cultivators and Golden Core Cultivators possessed Daoist Titles. For example, Fairy Luo of the Purple Extreme Sect’s title was "Xuan Ji," while the Lord of the Floating Immortal City’s was "Qing Lan"...

Fake Core Cultivators, however, were fundamentally different from True Core and Golden Core Cultivators. Though they could also be addressed as "Master," they lacked a Daoist Title.

Instead, their title was typically prefixed with their surname, as was the case with "Master Zhen" from the Purple Extreme Sect.

...

Just then, Lin Changheng and Cheng Suling, unwilling to let Xu Maoling face the situation alone, flew forward in unison to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Lin Changheng’s expression was calm. He offered a cupped-fist salute to Zhen Xinghe and spoke in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing:

"Master Zhen, please understand. A month ago, a group of villains coveted our livelihood and banded together to attack us. We had no choice but to defend ourselves, and the resulting commotion was indeed quite large. Mr. Chu was simply trying to safeguard the peace of Jade Belt Lake. He only stepped forward to ask a question before being ruthlessly struck down by our assailants. It was truly not something we wished for."

"As for the specifics, the details are rather complicated and inconvenient to discuss out in the open. Isle Master Xu’s invitation was made in good faith. We ask that Master Zhen and our other Fellow Daoists be understanding."

His speech acknowledged the event, framed it as self-defense, and struck the perfect tone. He simultaneously implied that the matter was complex and, since it involved a deceased disciple of their sect, was not suitable for public discussion...

He had answered the stern disciple’s challenge while skillfully placing the final decision back in Zhen Xinghe’s hands.

Zhen Xinghe’s sharp gaze fell squarely on Lin Changheng for the first time. It lingered for a moment on his perfectly placid face, and an imperceptible glint flashed in the elder’s eyes.

’A mere Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who can remain this calm and composed under my Fake Core pressure and a rebuke from a Late Stage Foundation Establishment disciple... whose words are so flawless... that is a rare sight indeed.’

But then he remembered that this man was a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemist, famous in Floating Immortal City for his steady and benevolent character, and that he had innumerable ties to the city’s leadership. ’That explains it,’ he thought.

’It’s obvious this man gathered comprehensive information on the three isle masters before I even arrived.’

’He came prepared.’

Zhen Xinghe mulled it over for a moment before finally speaking, his voice just as flat as before. "Lead the way."

He had tacitly agreed to Xu Maoling and Lin Changheng’s proposal.

After all, if the matter truly involved secrets or a major conflict, interrogating the local isle masters in public was beneath the dignity of the Purple Extreme Sect. Going to their private residence would make it much easier to control the situation.

Xu Maoling breathed a silent sigh of relief and quickly turned to guide them. "Senior, Fellow Daoists, please follow me."

The Spiritual Ship was retracted, and the party from the Purple Extreme Sect followed them onto Rising Sun Island.

Lin Changheng and Cheng Suling exchanged a look and fell in silently behind them.

...

Inside Xu Maoling’s residence, the decor was quaint and elegant. A few well-placed Spirit Plants gave the space the distinct atmosphere of a place for tranquil cultivation.

Once everyone was seated, attendants appeared to serve aromatic Spirit Tea.

Zhen Xinghe sat ramrod straight in the seat of honor. He didn’t touch his cup of Spirit Tea. His gaze was like lightning as it swept over Lin Changheng, Xu Maoling, and Cheng Suling, who were seated below him. He got straight to the point:

"Speak. Exactly what influence attacked you? For what reason? And how did you manage to repel them... let alone wipe them all out?"

He deliberately paused on the last four words, his tone probing, goading them to reveal the truth.

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