Chương 104: Chapter 105: The Truth Revealed

"Reporting to the Sect Master, the events transpired as follows." Reyn's expression remained a mask of stoic composure. After a brief moment of calculated deliberation, he began to recount the ordeal. With practiced subtlety, he omitted every detail regarding Chu Dian, ensuring the omission was so seamless that it drew not a single suspicious glance from the gathered elders.

"Utter nonsense! My grandson has already been slaughtered by your hand, and now you dare to defile his reputation in this hall?" Mo Yu knew in his heart that the boy's words likely carried the sting of truth, yet his tongue remained a weapon of denial.

"This is nothing more than your one-sided fabrication! You have conjured this tale out of thin air to save your own skin. It cannot serve as evidence!" Reyn's brow twitched with a flicker of cold disdain. Without a word, he reached into his robes and produced a crystalline Image Stone.

"This stone recorded the reality of that day. Whether it was right or wrong, the truth shall speak for itself." With a sharp flick of his wrist, Reyn channeled a surge of True Essence into the artifact. As the mana saturated the crystal, the Image Stone erupted in an ethereal fluorescence. A shimmering screen of light projected into the air, displaying the grim scenes from the back mountains of the Xuanxiao Sect.

The gathered crowd watched in silence as the projection revealed Mo Tiancheng's treacherous ambush against his own sect mate, his ruthless assault on Reyn, and finally, his inevitable demise. Every detail was captured with visceral clarity; there was no room for ambiguity.

"Mo Yu, what remains for you to say now?" Qingxiaozi exhaled, a weight lifting from his chest. He turned his gaze toward Mo Yu, his eyes hardening into icy shards of authority. Mo Yu's face drained of color, beads of cold sweat erupting across his forehead. Yet, like a cornered beast, he continued to snarl through gritted teeth.

"The markets are filled with master craftsmen who can forge the contents of an Image Stone! Such trickery is not uncommon. This single stone is insufficient to condemn my lineage!" Qingxiaozi's frown deepened. While Mo Yu's argument was desperate, the possibility of forgery was a known variable in the cultivation world. He turned back to Reyn, his voice heavy.

"Elder Reyn, do you possess any other means to corroborate this? If not, I must ask you to remain within the sect's confines until a full investigation is concluded." A shadow of gloom crossed Reyn's face, and he fell into a tense silence. But just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, a soft, trembling voice rose from the ranks of the Xuanxiao disciples.

"Reporting to the Sect Master... Disciple Ling Jue'er can testify. The situation is exactly as Elder Reyn described." A young woman clad in a verdant green dress stepped forward, her knees hitting the stone floor as she prostrated herself with profound respect.

"Oh? You claim you can bear witness for Elder Reyn?" A flash of relief sparked in Qingxiaozi's eyes. He gestured for her to rise.

"Speak. Relate the events in full. But mark my words: if there is a single lie in your testimony, this Seat shall show no mercy!"

"Yes, Sect Master!" Ling Jue'er's shoulders quivered, her face pale with nerves. After a shaky breath, she recounted her experience at the sect's trade fair, the subsequent pursuit by assassins, and her narrow rescue by Reyn. Her narrative, while told from a different perspective, aligned perfectly with the events shown in the Image Stone. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"I did not realize that my savior that day was Elder Reyn until I saw the projection just now," she added, her voice gaining strength.

"I, Ling Jue'er, swear upon a Demon Heart Oath: every word I have spoken is the absolute truth. If I lie, may my cultivation never progress, and may my soul forever rot in the depths of Samsara!"

"Very well. You may step back." Qingxiaozi's face was now a mask of frigid fury. His gaze fell upon Mo Yu like a physical weight.

"So, this is your precious grandson? The one you begged me to exhaust my strength to avenge? A parasite who hunted his own kin—a disgrace to the path of cultivation! He deserved a thousand deaths! Your failure to discipline your house is matched only by your blind arrogance today. From this moment forth, your title of Elder is stripped. You are sentenced to one year of secluded reflection. You shall not take a single step outside your quarters without my express command!" Mo Yu's jaw twitched convulsively.

His aura, once overbearing, withered instantly, and the wrinkles on his aged face seemed to multiply in the span of a heartbeat.

"I... obey the Sect Master's decree." Casting a look of pure, unadulterated venom at Reyn, Mo Yu transformed into a streak of light and fled toward the exit of the Ascension Terrace.

"I thank the Sect Master for upholding justice," Reyn said, bowing deeply. He then turned his gaze toward Dan Chenzi, finding a look of quiet pride in his master's eyes.

"I remained silent today to avoid accusations of bias," Dan Chenzi explained, his voice calm yet firm.

"You are my disciple; had I intervened, it would have left a stain on the verdict. But know this: so long as your heart is clear and your actions just, your master will move heaven and earth to ensure you receive your due."

"Disciple understands. Master's considerations are always for my benefit," Reyn replied with genuine respect. Dan Chenzi nodded, his expression softening.

"It gladdens me to see you so level-headed. Prepare your affairs and choose your companions for your journey home. The Sect Master and I must continue our search for a solution to the current crisis. By the time you return, we should have made some progress."

"We respectfully see off the Sect Master and Master!" As Reyn and the others bowed, the two old powerhouses vanished into the horizon in a blur of light.

"Damn that Reyn! Do not think this is over!" Flying through the clouds, Mo Yu's face was distorted with rage. He gnashed his teeth, the hatred in his heart festering like a dark plague.

"Once I successfully condense my Golden Core, I will grind your bones to dust and scatter your ashes to the winds to avenge my grandson!" Suddenly, a streak of light approached from behind. Mo Yu clamped his mouth shut, intending to ignore the newcomer and continue his sullen flight.

"Disciple Duan Zhonghua pays his respects to Elder Mo Yu." The light dissipated, revealing Duan Zhonghua, who bowed with exaggerated formality. Mo Yu let out a cold snort, turning slowly with a sneer.

"What? Have you come to mock this old man in his moment of disgrace?" A powerful ripple of mana erupted from Mo Yu's body. Duan Zhonghua's face paled instantly, and he retreated several paces, waving his hands frantically.

"Elder Mo Yu, you misunderstand! I have no such intent. You must have heard that I, too, share a bitter history with that Reyn. I have come today to discuss how we might deal with him together!"

"Oh?" Mo Yu's expression eased slightly, but after a moment of hesitation, he shook his head.

"My grandson acted out of turn and sought to harm a fellow disciple. Even if Reyn hadn't killed him, I would have dealt with him myself to uphold justice. I harbor no resentment toward Elder Reyn. If you seek to plot against a fellow sect member, find someone else. Farewell!" He turned to leave.

"Elder, please reconsider!" Duan Zhonghua cried out, panic flaring in his eyes.

"I have crossed Reyn many times. If he rises to power, I will be crushed! I come to you with total sincerity! There is a perfect opportunity right now. With just a small nudge, we can ensure Reyn is buried in a place where no one will ever find him. Please, Elder, think of the future!" Mo Yu's face flushed with feigned indignation. He turned and roared, "To conspire in secret against a brother of the sect—how despicable! Even if I am currently under punishment, I must teach you a lesson for such thoughts!"

With a violent wave of his sleeve, Mo Yu unleashed a punishing bolt of True Essence that sent Duan Zhonghua spiraling backward. Without looking back, Mo Yu accelerated into the distance, leaving the gasping disciple behind.