“…as Yunzhong Jun mentioned.”
A slightly low voice rang out from among the cultivators, and Shang Can turned her head to see Chu Ming stepping forward.
It had only been a few days since their last parting, yet he appeared much more haggard. Chu Ming did not look in her direction but approached Pei Chen with a serious demeanor and said, “Before… the identity of Shang Can was revealed, I spoke with her for a few moments.”
“With Shang Can’s abilities, if she truly harbored intentions to kill at that time, I would have died ten times over.”
He lowered his eyelids, hesitated to look at Yun Duan, and then restrained his gaze, turning back to the other cultivators to perform a respectful salute.
“I share similar views with Yunzhong Jun. I believe that Shang Can did not lie; the real attackers who invaded the Heavenly Realm and stole the Dao Heart Lotus must be someone else.”
The two leaders of this generation from Qing Yu unexpectedly reached a consensus on this matter, leading to some confusion among the cultivators. Gradually, they split into two factions during a murmur of uncertainty; one side fell silent, waiting for the Heavenly Realm’s stance, while the other still struggled to accept this, hesitating due to the reputations of the two speakers.
After finishing, Chu Ming nodded slightly to Pei Chen and returned to the ranks of the Qing Yu disciples.
Though it was merely a personal opinion, with Yunzhong Jun and the Jade Mountain Sovereign standing on the same side, it could almost be taken as the official stance of Qing Yu.
The previously tense atmosphere shifted instantly, while Shang Can maintained her silence, allowing the situation to unfold, inwardly noting that she owed Chu Ming a favor.
Now, the situation had become unclear. Shang Can understood that much of the ensuing developments depended on Pei Chen’s stance. She wasn’t anxious; instead, she playfully manipulated the flames in her palm into several tiny fire dragons, weaving them nimbly around her fingers, creating a spectacle of shimmering light that looked quite beautiful from a distance.
However, most present had witnessed the devastating power of the heavenly fire during the debate meeting, so they found it hard to appreciate the beauty of this display of firework-like brilliance. Only Yun Duan dared to watch openly, occasionally meeting Shang Can’s cautious glances with her own.
Yun Duan was always astute, and Shang Can knew she would certainly understand her intentions.
Don’t come any closer.
The gesture she displayed was the same technique she had used to stop Yun Duan’s advance earlier.
Chu Ming had just spoken for her but quickly retreated after, returning to the crowd of cultivators. However, Yun Duan, having inserted herself into the conversation without a care, showed no intention of stepping back.
Not too bad, Shang Can thought optimistically, relieved that Yun Duan had no plans to approach further.
Even though Yun Duan had spoken on behalf of the person from the Bitter Falls, with Chu Ming’s involvement, at least others wouldn’t accuse her of acting on her own—Ha, she really was being unreasonable, making those who had opposed her face scrutiny from everyone else…
A self-mocking sentiment arose within Shang Can as Pei Chen finally raised his solemn head, speaking up.
“…Does Shang Can have any evidence for what she just claimed?”
Yun Duan immediately turned her head, and Pei Chen raised his voice before she could speak, saying, “We need more concrete evidence, something that can persuade everyone present, convince the Heavenly Realm, and be enough to believe that Shang Can’s appearance in the Heavenly Realm and the attacks from those beasts were merely a coincidence—”
“It’s not that Pei Chen doesn’t believe,” he maintained his courteous demeanor, his tightly furrowed brows displaying a troubled expression. “It’s just… without solid proof, it’s indeed hard to convince everyone.”
Of course, the situation was expected to unfold this way.
Shang Can chuckled lightly, casually watching a small fire dragon obediently wrap around her wrist, its slightly scorching warmth registering against her skin, yet she did not disperse it.
The situation had escalated to the point where the Heavenly Realm had brought a crowd to demand an explanation; if they were swayed to simply turn and leave by a few of her words, that would be truly extraordinary. It was entirely reasonable for them to seek more convincing evidence from her.
“I understand,” Shang Can nodded, regretfully saying, “But unfortunately, I don’t have any.”
What to do? She had no evidence at all.
Initially, Shang Can did not take the appearance of the false Shang Can seriously. After all, this world had a strong admiration for power, and there were countless imitators among the immortal sects. As the most famous demonic cultivator in the current cultivation world, she had seen her fair share of impersonators, but they had always been minor annoyances that disappeared without a trace. Moreover, having encountered Yun Duan, she temporarily had no energy to spare for this matter.
Now, Shang Can felt she might bear half the responsibility for the current situation, but regardless of how much responsibility she actually held, since she had chosen to face the cultivators demanding an explanation, she resolved to take on the entire burden.
After all, it was merely a matter of fighting, and that was something she excelled at.
Calming her mind, she dissipated the fire dragons that had become chaotic due to the lack of her control, then moved her wrist slightly.
It seemed that Wan Shao had also grasped the unfolding situation outside, as the barrier behind Shang Can was crashing heavily, finally alerting the cultivators, who all retreated a couple of steps warily.
The atmosphere became tense again, and some cultivators had already begun to assume combat stances, despite Pei Chen’s lingering hesitance. It appeared to be only a matter of time. Chu Ming’s expression darkened as he surveyed his surroundings, instinctively tensing his shoulders, yet he shook his head resolutely at the Qing Yu disciples who cast inquiring glances at him.
A clash was imminent, just awaiting a command to act.
“…If you need evidence,”
The cold voice rang out once more, brazenly breaking through the tension.
Yun Duan seemed oblivious to the stares from everyone as she stepped forward, ignoring Shang Can’s warning gaze. When the fire dragon reappeared beneath her feet, she drew Wuyou with a swift motion; the mist-like sword light flashed, breaking through the constraints Shang Can attempted to impose on her.
She walked straight to Shang Can’s side, turning to face the stunned cultivators, and finally looked at Pei Chen.
“Just go and find it.”
Yun Duan’s tone was calm, yet it carried an incredible persuasive force as she continued, “This matter has many suspicious points and cannot be taken as certain.”
“If what I witnessed does not constitute evidence, then on the day of the beast tide attack, everyone present at the debate meeting bore witness to Shang Can breaking the spiritual barrier and slaughtering thousands of beasts without harming a single person.”
“If those beasts truly came from the Bitter Falls, what benefit would Shang Can gain from her actions?”
“Moreover, the Dao Heart Lotus was only discovered missing after Shang Can had left—” Yun Duan paused, coldly stating, “From the time the beast tide attacked until Shang Can’s departure from the Heavenly Realm, she was with me the entire time. When would she have had the opportunity to sneak away and steal the Dao Heart Lotus from Jun Kunya?”
Yun Duan was not one to speak much, and having said so much was enough to astonish those present. Shang Can gritted her teeth inwardly, regretting not having stopped her more seriously, but a small flicker of secret delight arose in her heart, which Shang Can hurriedly suppressed.
The expressions of the cultivators present turned strange and complex, inevitably recalling the moment when Yun Duan’s flawless immortal body had been exposed, and it seemed Yun Duan sensed their thoughts, speaking again.
“Though Shang Can may be a demonic cultivator, on that day when I was injured, she was the only one who thought to protect me.”
Her voice trailed off slightly, and Yun Duan slowly swept her gaze across the crowd of cultivators. Those she met with her ethereal gaze involuntarily shivered, as if they felt exposed.
“It has only been two days since my true nature was revealed.” Her voice was calm, but the content stirred a great uproar. “During my solitary travels, I have been ambushed five times, and not once were any of the attackers demons.”
This statement was quite implicit but sufficient for others to understand it meant she had been attacked by immortal sect cultivators.
Immediately, the crowd erupted, the most intense reactions coming from behind Yun Duan.
“Who… who did this? Are you hurt?”
Shang Can immediately panicked, momentarily forgetting the circumstances. She hastily grasped Yun Duan’s wrist, and after confirming her pulse was steady, she finally felt a bit relieved, yet a wave of fear surged in her heart, realizing what could have happened.
“…Who did it?”
Her tone dipped dangerously, the rising anger too intense and blazing, making Shang Can unaware that she hadn’t yet released Yun Duan’s wrist.
Yun Duan didn’t offer any reminders, allowing Shang Can to lead her. The coldness in her eyes faded slightly at some point, and a faint smile curved her lips.
“Weren’t you just saying I couldn’t come over?”
Shang Can was momentarily speechless, feeling a mix of absurdity at Yun Duan holding a grudge and being captivated by her sudden beauty, like a moonlit goddess. For a moment, she found herself unable to respond.
However, Yun Duan’s mood seemed to improve significantly. Her eyes, like night springs, gently swept over Shang Can before returning to the cultivators, her voice taking on a serious tone once more.
“Rather than what I’ve heard, I trust what I’ve seen with my own eyes.”
“At this moment, we should not quarrel with Shang Can,” Yun Duan said, looking at Pei Chen with a slight frown. “If Shang Can cannot produce substantial evidence proving that the Bitter Falls did not attack the Heavenly Realm, then aside from what was heard from the invaders that day, does the Heavenly Realm have any solid evidence to prove otherwise?”
As her words fell, apart from the stubborn old guard like Elder Huang from the Heavenly Realm, who still vehemently claimed it must be the Bitter Falls, most people fell silent, likely still in shock over the attack on Yun Duan by the cultivators.
After a while, Pei Chen let out a soft sigh and cupped his hands in response. “Yunzhong Jun means we should first investigate this matter?”
Yun Duan nodded slightly, returning to her previous taciturn state. “That should be the case.”
“Then Yunzhong Jun implies…”
Pei Chen looked towards the silent Shang Can standing behind Yun Duan, who seemed entirely focused on her. His gaze lingered on where Shang Can held Yun Duan’s wrist for a moment, and a flicker of realization crossed his brow.
“…that we should have Shang Can investigate?”
His voice suddenly grew louder for some reason, startling even Shang Can, who had been secretly observing Yun Duan for signs of injury. She frowned, lifting her head and taking a moment to process what he was saying.
To be fair, the idea wasn’t bad. After all, even for the stolen Dao Heart Lotus, she intended to seek out the fake Shang Can for a reckoning, conveniently bringing back the fake’s “remnants” to use as evidence for the Heavenly Realm.
However, what she thought was acceptable might not be easily accepted by the cultivators. Sure enough, Elder Huang’s disapproving shout rang out soon after: “How can this be! If we let this demon cultivator go today, aren’t we just giving her time to escape? What if she forges some evidence to deal with us? How will we differentiate?”
Pei Chen’s expression grew troubled, but before he could speak, Yun Duan interjected.
“No need to worry.”
Her brows remained light and unruffled in the face of the crowd’s questioning gazes as she subtly tightened her grip on Shang Can’s hand. It was only then that Shang Can realized she had been holding Yun Duan’s wrist all this time, causing her to freeze in embarrassment.
Still unclear about the meaning behind Yun Duan’s action, Shang Can hesitated, contemplating whether to release Yun Duan’s hand, when she heard the other speak again, her tone suddenly softening.
“I will go with her.”
Comment