At first, the crowd was silent as still water.

Gradually, this still water began to boil, and the clamor and shouting grew louder. Some were in a state of panic, while others were jeering and booing. People thought there were only two possible outcomes - either Qu Duanyun would win easily, or he would win with difficulty.

No one, not even the craziest person, had considered the possibility of Qu Duanyun losing to "the servant who tends the fire and fetches water for Ku Mountain Sect, not even worthy of being called a disciple"!

Now, it had come down to a contest between the senior disciple of Ku Mountain Sect and a lowly servant of Ku Mountain Sect. Based on their status within the sect alone, the senior disciple should win.

Ku Mountain Sect hadn't even washed off the mud stains on their reputation yet, so how did they suddenly become the sect alliance leader that fell from the sky?

Fortunately, a few people remained clear-headed, loudly calling for "confrontation" and "convincing the crowd". Otherwise, relying solely on the crude martial arts of the Golden Jade Gang members, they definitely wouldn't be able to stop the old gamblers from losing everything.

Monk Zhixing coldly watched the commotion below, his hands clasped together as he silently recited Buddhist scriptures. The two monk warriors behind him were like wooden statues covered in cloth, unmoving, not even seeming to breathe.

Finally, Qu Duanyun came back to his senses.

Contrary to what everyone expected, he did not confront Yan Qing, but turned to look in the direction of Shi Jingzhi. However, Sect Leader Shi continued to feign ignorance with great enthusiasm, not even meeting his gaze.

Qu Duanyun took a deep breath and said loudly, "I, Qu, admit defeat. Next, I request the gang leader to make arrangements."

Arrangements? What arrangements were there to make?

The Golden Jade Gang leader had earned a large sum of money from opening the betting pool, feeling both exhilarated and uneasy, his smile somewhat distorted. He rubbed his plump hands, "Everyone, please calm down and go have lunch first. After the confrontation this afternoon, the competition arrangements will be made--!"

Yan Qing, leaning on the Compassion Stone Sword, staggered down from the arena. He looked around hopefully, still not seeing the figure of his close friend.

"Don't go back to the room, just rest nearby." Yin Ci took Yan Qing's pulse, "The sect master doesn't want to see the injuries, go see the physician over there."

After all, it was a public setting, and Qu Duanyun, who thought highly of himself, did not use poisonous techniques. Yan Qing was covered in wounds, looking quite miserable, but no troublesome ailments were left behind.

"Where's Ah Si?"

"I don't know. He always likes to run around, and his martial arts are not bad. Such a lively person can't be lost."

"But..." But whenever he was injured, Su Si would definitely be the first to appear and scold him. He had just fought an earth-shattering battle with Qu Duanyun, yet Su Si was nowhere to be found. No matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense.

"I'll still go back to the room and take a look."

"No." This time it was Shi Jingzhi who spoke, "Your body is weak, and you've exposed your identity as the Yan family heir. The major sects might let it go, but some of the desperate minor sects might come looking for trouble with you. Just stay here and don't go anywhere."

Yan Qing was a bit dejected but eventually nodded. The two physicians seemed to have caught the scent of blood and came over, already prepared with affordable medicinal ointments. Their treatment methods were quite efficient.

As one of the parties involved in the confrontation, the master and disciple of Ku Mountain Sect naturally couldn't go anywhere. Yin Ci had already stored porridge in a jar and was spoon-feeding it to Sect Leader Shi under the watchful eyes of everyone.

At this point, people believed that this person's life would not last long - the servant had just defeated Qu Duanyun, what great news! Yet Sect Leader Shi showed no sign of joy. His face was deathly pale, his eyes red-rimmed. He listlessly bit the spoon, having great difficulty swallowing.

Unfortunately, they couldn't hear the muttering of this fox.

"This isn't porridge." He mumbled in a low voice, his nose sniffing hard, his eyes unfocused. "This isn't porridge, it's roast chicken... it's meat pie..."

No matter how Yin Ci varied his porridge cooking methods, soup was still soup. And there were stalls all around the arena, with the common people loving the hearty, heavily oiled and salted foods.

When lunchtime arrived, the aroma of roast chicken wafted everywhere, accompanied by the crisp sound of deep-frying. Spices were sprinkled on the roasted meat, and even ordinary people could smell the intoxicating aroma of the sizzling fat. Even though the various sects were worried, their midday meals were still abundant and filling, with an extra touch of home-cooked fragrance.

For a Desire Child, this was perhaps even more terrifying than hell. However, the people from the Immortal Gathering might be hidden among the crowd, carefully observing the situation here. If he couldn't hold it together this time, all previous efforts would be in vain.

Upon leaving the palace, Shi Jingzhi had imagined countless difficulties and dangers, but he hadn't anticipated this.

Seeing that Sect Leader Shi was on the verge of tears, Yin Ci truly felt distressed. He lowered his head, seemingly whispering, but actually kissed Shi Jingzhi's earlobe.

"Endure a little longer. Once this matter is over, I can make everything you see today for you."

Indeed, how could these crude foods compare to the culinary skills of his beloved? Sect Leader Shi sniffled and finally calmed down a lot, obediently eating another spoonful of porridge.

Yin Ci himself did not have plain porridge and light vegetables. He openly showed his face and bought some clean and filling food, sharing it with Yan Qing. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Yin Ci even made a few extra rounds.

The effect of this skin was astounding. Even knowing that Ku Mountain Sect had a notorious reputation, seeing this person's gentle and polite demeanor, few people could show an unpleasant face.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the confrontation.

The arena had been heavily damaged by Yan Qing and could not be repaired in time. The Golden Jade Gang leader set up a wooden frame on the broken stone platform and covered it with a clean cloth rug. Monk Zhixing, accompanied by two monk warriors, stood quietly on one side. Yin Ci pushed Shi Jingzhi's wooden chair, and the two stood on the other side. Qu Duanyun, along with his sect members, stood in the middle, a pensive look on his face, nobody knew what he was thinking.

A few disciples from the Yueshui Bureau brought brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, sitting on the edge of the arena. Their brushes were already saturated with ink, and several pairs of eyes were fixed on the field, not daring to blink.

"Is it true that Ku Mountain Sect forcibly broke into the Huilian Mountain Buddha's Heart Formation to obtain information about Yan Budu?"

Fortunately, although Qu Duanyun was distracted, he did not forget to ask the questions.

Monk Zhixing calmly replied, "It is true."

Yin Ci smiled slightly, "It is true."

Qu Duanyun let out an "hmm" sound, "After Ku Mountain Sect broke the Buddha's Heart Formation and defeated the three masters of greed, anger, and ignorance, upon reaching the mountain, Jianchen Temple treated them with courtesy and did not neglect them. Is this true?"

The two remained expressionless, "It is true."

"At the request of Ku Mountain Sect, Abbot Juefei of Jianchen Temple agreed to let Ku Mountain Sect visit the underground palace. In the underground palace, Ku Mountain Sect saw the Compassion Stone Sword, and their servant picked up the sword. Is this true?"

Thinking of Abbot Juefei's demeanor at that time, Monk Zhixing's face twitched, revealing a trace of grief.

"It is true." Monk Zhixing's voice was hoarse, and he added, "Benefactor Yan picked up the Compassion Stone Sword with his own strength and did not use any evil methods."

"Indeed, that is the case." Yin Ci calmly concurred.

There was a buzz of discussion from the crowd below. Up to this point, the situation sounded quite normal. No matter how one thought about it, it shouldn't have turned into a situation where two eminent monks were murdered.

Qu Duanyun paused for a moment, then continued, "Shi Jingzhi of the Ku Mountain Sect was obsessed with the Shi Rou, and upon seeing the situation, he had improper thoughts. He ordered his subordinates to steal the Compassion Stone Sword, but the matter was later exposed. As monks, they were compassionate and did not make things difficult for the Ku Mountain Sect. At that time, the sect leader was only asked to meet with Abbot Juefei and Abbot Juehui."

"Monk Zhixing happened to be accompanying Juehui as his disciple. Shi Jingzhi was desperate for the sword, so he took the opportunity to use the art of Yang fire to murder the two eminent monks, and then fled in panic. Can this matter be considered true?"

The discussion from the crowd below grew even louder. This was truly a tragedy of pitying the wolf. However, seeing Shi Jingzhi's appearance of not having many days left, he must have been capable of committing such a desperate evil deed.

On the stage, neither Yin Ci nor Zhixing spoke. Just as Qu Duanyun was about to urge them, a dry voice rang out on the stage—

"Not true."

A monk standing behind Zhixing stepped forward and removed his hood. The monk was tall and thin, about forty years old, with a very recognizable bitter melon face. At this moment, he joined his palms together, revealing the Buddha beads of immeasurable quantity on his wrists—

It was none other than Juehui, the monk who was "killed in the tragedy".

The crowd below instantly exploded. People pushed and shoved each other, eager to get closer to the stage to take a good look at this eminent monk who had turned the scene upside down. The situation was sudden, and Qu Duanyun's expression instantly froze, his empty hands immediately tightening.

The situation had indeed deviated from what the Immortal Gathering had predicted, and this deviation was like a mountain collapsing. Not only was Jiang Youyue unaware, even he could not control it. He couldn't help but look at Shi Jingzhi, who was silent with his head lowered, a chill running down his back.

When exactly did this person start laying out this plan?

When the incident at Jianchen Temple occurred, this person had just left the Ghost Tomb not long ago and had no way of knowing about the Immortal Gathering's plan. Selfish by nature, he had no compassion in his heart and would not possibly bear a bad reputation for monks unrelated to him.

With just one hidden attack, this person dared to gamble his path to survival on a move that heaven knows whether it could be used or not.

This level of boldness could be considered terrifying.

...And according to the Immortal Gathering's design, Abbot Juehui would definitely die in the golden fire in order to save his senior fellow apprentice. To save Abbot Juehui, not only would one's cultivation need to be stronger than that of the head monk of Jianchen Temple, but also profound experience, instant reaction, and decisiveness were all indispensable.

The Shi Jingzhi at that time was far from being this powerful. And those two subordinates were novices, even more lacking in such abilities.

Could it be...

As if sensing Qu Duanyun's thoughts, Yin Ci's gaze swept over. When that gaze stopped on Shi Jingzhi, it was still as light as a butterfly, but when it turned and projected over, it instantly turned into a poisoned needle, making one's spine go cold.

Yin Ci's gaze was fleeting, and that was probably the coldest gaze Qu Duanyun had ever seen.

Who exactly was that person? When did such a figure appear in the jianghu? Thinking carefully, they seemed to have never seen this person use his full strength...

Unfortunately, the current situation did not allow Qu Duanyun to ponder slowly.

"My senior fellow apprentice was harmed by evil techniques. I saw it clearly. This matter has nothing to do with the Ku Mountain Sect and is purely a case of villains framing and slandering, wanting to put Jianchen Temple and the Ku Mountain Sect in a deadly conflict."

Abbot Juehui let out a long sigh.

"As for that Compassion Stone Sword... The Compassion Stone Sword has a karmic connection with Benefactor Yan, and it was personally gifted to him by my senior fellow apprentice Juefei. Now that I am the abbot of Jianchen Temple, I can vouch for it in name."

The crowd below was not happy, and voices of doubt arose one after another—

"They say that monks don't lie, but you said before that the Ku Mountain Sect harmed you, and now you say it has nothing to do with the Ku Mountain Sect. You expect us to believe you just because you say so?"

"That Yan Qing is a descendant of Yan Budu! Yan Budu and Jianchen Temple have a deep hatred. How can the Compassion Stone Sword be given away just like that?"

"They say Jianchen Temple has been sealed. Could it be that these monks are being controlled by the Ku Mountain Sect's demonic techniques..."

Monk Zhixing took a deep breath, glanced at Shi Jingzhi on the wooden chair, and actually lifted his monk robe and knelt down in front of the crowd below.

"This is a scheme of the Ku Mountain Sect. If it weren't for Benefactor Yin's intervention, Abbot Juehui would have also died that day. Sect Leader Shi was afraid that the villains, having failed in their hidden attack, would target Jianchen Temple again, so he discussed with me and spread false information."

Monk Zhixing smiled. He bowed down without any semblance of a monk, his forehead hitting the wooden stage with a thud.

"I have indeed broken the precepts. I have already requested to leave Jianchen Temple and will wander and cultivate for ten years to temper my mind. Everyone present today is a witness."

Juehui lowered his gaze, his lips moving slightly, sighing "Amitabha".

Then he raised his head and said frankly, "This matter is not Zhixing's fault alone. As his master, I should also be punished. However, every word I have spoken today is true. If anyone doesn't believe it, they can freely verify it."

"As for the Compassion Stone Sword, Benefactor Yan's obsession is not deep, and he possesses great wisdom. If anyone has any objections to my senior fellow apprentice's decision, please try this Compassion Stone Sword yourself. See if it's Grandmaster Kongshi's technique that's accurate, my senior fellow apprentice Juefei's judgment that's accurate, or your judgment based solely on a bit of bloodline that's accurate?"

Below the stage, Yan Qing was still bandaging and changing his dressing. Hearing this, he slowly lowered his head, burying his face between his arms.

The doctor applying medicine for him seemed to sense something and gently patted his shoulder.

However, at this moment, no one was arguing about the matter of the Ghost Eyes anymore—they were all crazy, completely crazy. The Ku Mountain Sect's subordinates had just defeated the sect leader of the Taiheng Sect, and now the notorious Ku Mountain Sect suddenly became a sect of forbearance and righteousness.

If this continued... if this continued, could it be that the position of alliance leader would really fall into the hands of a disciple of the Ku Mountain Sect?

The opposing sides suddenly became united against a common enemy, so the confrontation could not continue. The leader of the Golden Jade Gang was about to step forward to smooth things over, but unexpectedly, Qu Duanyun clenched his fists tightly, furrowed his brows slightly, and took the lead in stepping forward.

He was originally standing in the position of judgment, and with this step forward, he directly inserted himself between the Ku Mountain Sect and Jianchen Temple. Qu Duanyun turned around neatly, directly facing the master and disciple of the Ku Mountain Sect. With one hand lightly pressing on the Guanwu Sword, his aura faintly emanated from his body.

"What about the case of Chen Qianfan in the northern lands, the case of the destruction of the Ling Sect, and the unrest of the Red Hook Sect? How will the Ku Mountain Sect answer for those?"

"Let's not even mention the case of Chen Qianfan in the northern lands... The destruction of the Ling Sect and the unrest of the Red Hook Sect, since when did those become bad things? If I remember correctly, this is a martial arts assembly of righteous sects. What, does Sect Leader Qu want to beat the drums and cry injustice for two major evil sects?"

Yin Ci responded with a smile.

"In the case of the massacre at Mount Zongwu's Ling Sect, the casualties were not limited to those from the demonic sect. Many small sects and factions did not have time to retreat and died under the evil formation. This matter has not been investigated clearly to this day, and if we are to select the leader of the martial arts world, we must make it clear."

Qu Duanyun said solemnly.

...This was the moment of true competition.

Shi Jingzhi had previously been imprisoned in the palace, his external martial arts skills were in a miserable state, and he had no understanding of the warmth or coldness of human emotions. This person had left the palace for less than a year and could not possibly stir up such a storm.

Qu Duanyun was naturally weaker than Desire Children, but he had the full advantage of location and people, and there was no way he could lose to this person.

"The change of leadership in the Red Hook Sect is an internal matter for the Red Hook Sect. We righteous sects should abide by the rules of the jianghu. The Ku Mountain Sect openly interfered in their sect's internal affairs in front of everyone, which is really not the way of the righteous path."

The main altar of the Ling Sect was destroyed, and the whereabouts of the sect leader were unknown. Yu Zikuan, who made the move, was dead without a trace, so there was no way to confront him. The Red Hook Sect had suffered heavy losses in the previous turmoil, and this time they had not even chosen a successor.

The demonic sect was not like the Jianchen Temple; even if they benefited, they would not speak out for the sake of righteousness. At this time, the Red Hook Sect was in no position to wade into this muddy water.

The situation was still under control. As long as the Ku Mountain Sect could not shake off all the blame, there was no way they could touch the position of the leader of the alliance. His plan to intercept the Shi Rou from the "Heavenly Dao'" should still be able to proceed.

Thinking of his own righteousness and ideals, Qu Duanyun's energy increased a few points.

"In light of all this, I would like to ask Sect Leader Shi for an explanation."

While Qu Duanyun was making an impassioned speech, Sect Leader Shi seized the opportunity to cough violently and vomited a mouthful of blood. He smoothed his long hair, revealing his extremely bewitching face.

However, at this time, Sect Leader Shi's face was painted white with powder, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth, making him look weak and helpless. The rather aggressive demonic aura was dissipated by the sickness, making him seem quite harmless.

"Cough, Sect Master Qu is absolutely right."

Sect Leader Shi wiped the blood with a cloth and answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, very gently.

"Even if it's the demonic sect on the other side, these things need to be clarified properly. Otherwise, if everyone has doubts, how can they be stable as the leader?"

After saying that, Shi Jingzhi coughed a few times and covered his face with the bloodstained cloth. At an angle that only Qu Duanyun could see, he revealed a very twisted smile. Although this person was sitting on a wooden chair, Qu Duanyun had a vague feeling of being looked down upon.

Although the appearance of Abbot Juehui was unexpected, it could not make Qu Duanyun lose his composure. At this moment, however, the feeling of falling with one foot off the ground suddenly seized him.

"However, these matters are related to the demonic sect, so it would be more credible to have the parties involved speak for themselves... Sect Leader Yan, Protector Hua, please."

After saying that, Shi Jingzhi tried to raise his voice and looked at Qu Duanyun with a smile.

"Oh, and the great hero Yu Zikuan from Taiheng. Please come up on stage, everyone."