Chapter 432: Chapter 271: Five Elements Spirit Ointment, Fake Core Inquiry

Xu Maoling’s and Cheng Suling’s hearts both tightened. They knew the most critical question was coming.

Xu Maoling took a deep breath. Following the story he had agreed upon beforehand with Lin and Cheng, he cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Elder Zhen, the attackers’ identities were mysterious. They all wore uniform black robes and masks. Their Cultivation Techniques were vicious and strange, unlike any commonly seen around our Purple Extreme Sect. Their goal seemed to be to rob and kill us, but as for the specific reason, we are still not entirely clear."

He omitted the more likely truth, framing the conflict as a simple robbery and murder.

But in any case, it truly was robbery and murder.

"As for how we repelled them..."

A look of lingering fear and apprehension appeared on Xu Maoling’s face at just the right moment. "It was all thanks to Mr. Lin returning to help at the critical moment, as well as Fairy Cheng’s exquisite Geomancy Skill. Coupled with the three of us fighting for our lives, we were barely able to... kill two of the invading enemies and drive the rest away."

"Oh?" Zhen Xinghe’s gaze focused on Lin Changheng once again, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "For Mr. Lin to play such a key role in a battle of this scale with your Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, your Divine Abilities must be extraordinary."

The few Purple Extreme Sect disciples behind him also turned to look at Lin Changheng, their eyes filled with suspicion and scrutiny.

Lin Changheng’s expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly, "Master Zhen, you praise me too highly. This junior was merely fortunate enough to have obtained some moderately powerful Talismans and Spiritual Artifacts. Furthermore, the attackers were exhausted from a long battle and had already been greatly weakened by Isle Master Xu and Fairy Cheng. I was only able to take advantage of their weakness. It was pure luck, and I dare not take the credit."

He attributed the success to external items and his teammates, distancing himself from the achievement as much as possible to make his story sound more credible.

Zhen Xinghe remained noncommittal. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair, and he fell silent for a moment. The atmosphere in the cave residence instantly grew tense.

Suddenly, he changed the subject. "According to our intelligence, a blast of power no less than a strike from a Fake Core Cultivator erupted here that day. What was the cause? And where is it now?"

This question was extremely critical, as it often involved Core Formation Cultivators.

The hearts of Lin, Cheng, and Xu turned cold. ’How did such information leak out? Are the Purple Extreme Sect’s eyes and ears that pervasive?’

Cheng Suling knew she couldn’t evade the question. She could only stand, give a graceful bow, and reply in a voice tinged with frailty and helplessness, "Reporting to Master, that was a Talisman Treasure... It was a life-saving item my master bestowed upon me before he passed away, called the Mixed Gold Halberd Talisman Treasure. The situation that day was critical, and to protect myself, I had no choice but to use it. It has already... its power is depleted, and it has turned to ash."

Her tone was sincere, carrying a trace of heartache over having used such a precious item.

Zhen Xinghe stared at Cheng Suling for a moment, as if trying to find a flaw in her expression. However, Cheng Suling’s look of sorrowful regret did not seem fake. He retracted his gaze and said lightly, "I see. It seems Fairy Cheng’s master was also an extraordinary figure."

He didn’t press further about the Talisman Treasure. Instead, he said, "The fact that you were able to join forces to resist enemies and protect the peace of this area, while the process was intense and alarmed the Sect, your original intentions are understandable. However, Jade Belt Lake is under the jurisdiction of the Purple Extreme Sect. When such a major incident occurs, the Sect cannot simply ignore it."

He paused, then announced his decision: "From this day forward, you three islands must compile a detailed account of this incident, including any items the attackers may have left behind and the characteristics of their Cultivation Techniques, into a report to be submitted to the Sect for our records. You are to cooperate with us to capture all the Tribulation Cultivators, so we can clear the dark clouds from Jade Belt Lake and restore clarity to the skies!"

Xu Maoling and Cheng Suling exchanged a glance. The Purple Extreme Sect wasn’t just a "landlord" that leased out Spiritual Land; it was the "master" of the region with the power of life and death. Having passed this interrogation so easily, they breathed a sigh of relief and replied in unison with Lin Changheng, "We will obey the Master’s decree."

Only then did Zhen Xinghe nod slightly. He picked up the cup of Spirit Tea he hadn’t touched and took a small sip, a gesture that somewhat eased the tension. His gaze swept over the three of them again, lingering on Lin Changheng for a moment, as he said with unclear meaning, "I hope you will all conduct yourselves well and focus on your Cultivation. The Sect... will be watching this place."

After speaking, he rose to his feet. Without another word, he led his four disciples straight out of the cave residence, boarded a Spiritual Ship, and vanished into the distance as a streak of purple light.

Only after the Spiritual Ship had disappeared over the horizon did Xu Maoling and Cheng Suling let out a long sigh of relief, their backs soaked with cold sweat. The Purple Extreme Sect had an upright way of doing things. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been impossible for them to suspect the trio of colluding with the Tribulation Cultivators, putting on a show just to harass them and extort some benefits.

Lin Changheng also mostly understood. ’This man came here merely to uphold the Sect’s authority and to hint that we shouldn’t cause this kind of trouble again and create problems for the Upper Sect.’

’But it wouldn’t go as far as "punishment." After all, the three of us are Loose Cultivators, not directly subordinate to the Purple Extreme Sect. We’re just leasing a Spiritual Land.’

’Besides, many Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators and the two Sects from the Outer World are watching. If they handle this improperly and cause a backlash, leading to an exodus of Cultivators or people terminating their Spiritual Land leases, it would be a very bad situation.’

’The most important thing is still to find the Tribulation Cultivators who dared to attack our post, hunt them down, and kill a number of them. It would be best to pull them out by the roots.’

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