Chapter 285: The Culprit (1)

Except for Yun Lintian and Tian Jiuyi, who were reacting timely, everyone was swept away by the explosion and rolled on the ground a few times while vomiting blood. The blast was extremely powerful. If they were a little closer to the formation node, they would become paste meat by now.

Yun Lintian stabilized himself on the ground and quickly moved toward Yang Chen and others. After checking there were no major injuries on their bodies, Yun Lintian went to see the formation node.

The moment he saw the destroyed formation node, his expression turned strange because the explosion was obviously coming from inside the formation node. It had nothing to do with the external force. In short, the culprit who made this trap had carefully planted the bomb during the formation set up… The person who could do that couldn't be anyone besides Tian Jiuyi.

Tian Jiuyi arrived before the destroyed formation node, and his expression abruptly changed, as he had the same conclusion as Yun Lintian. He turned to Yun Lintian and said. "If I say it wasn't me, do you believe it?"

Yun Lintian stared into Tian Jiuyi's eyes for a while and nodded his head slowly. "Although you can't be ruled out, I believe you have no reason to do this."

Tian Jiuyi heaved a sigh of relief, but the tension between his eyebrows did not loosen in the slightest. He had obviously rechecked twice and found nothing unusual before he left… How could the enemy achieve this? He did not know at all.

Yang Chen and others stabilized their injuries and arrived behind Yun Lintian and Tian Jiuyi. They didn't say anything and waited for an explanation from the two of them.

Yun Lintian turned around and swept his gaze on everyone briefly. He said. "From the trace left behind, the trap was clearly set inside the formation node. So, the culprit must have a certain understanding of the formation."

Qin Yiran was the first to react upon hearing Yun Lintian's words. She looked at Tian Jiuyi with doubt. "There are only two people who know about the formation diagram. Isn't this mean the culprit is one of you two?" 

She looked at Tian Jiuyi because, to her, Yun Lintian was definitely not the culprit. He wouldn't have to spend so much effort to do this if he was one, as he could simply kill everyone here with his strength. Moreover, Tian Jiuyi was the one who took responsibility for setting up the formation in this place. In any case, it could only be him.

Qin Yiran's words made everyone realize the crux of this matter. They subconsciously looked at Tian Jiuyi with a trace of vigilance in their eyes.

Tian Jiuyi was unperturbed, facing their doubted gazes. What he was concerned about right now was how did the culprit manage to set up the trap here under his nose.

Yun Lintian raised his hand and said. "Calm down, everyone. The culprit could be anyone, but definitely not Brother Tian." Seeing everyone turn to him with confused expressions, he continued. "Think about it. If it was you who set up the trap, would you make it so obvious like this? Not to mention, Brother Tian is proficient in the formation of profound art. He has several ways to conceal his trace. I don't think he is stupid enough to leave behind a trace that connects to him."

Everyone immediately fell into contemplation. What Yun Lintian said was without reason. Indeed, why would Tian Jiuyi leave the trace that could identify him as a culprit behind so obviously?

"But… it could be his act, right? He could do it on purpose to make us think like this." Suddenly, Chu Mi interjected. When she saw everyone turn to look at her, she blushed and lowered her head timidly.

Chu Heng was fully supported his sister's statement. He looked at everyone and said solemnly. "We cannot rule out what Little Mi said."

Yang Chen and others nodded their heads in agreement. It was indeed could be, as Chu Mi said. Tian Jiuyi purposely did this to lead everyone in the wrong direction. It was called a self-victimized strategy.

"Why don't you speak something, Young Master Tian? Except for you and Brother Yun, no one knows the formation diagram. And I think everyone here believes Brother Yun is not a culprit, as this is the first time he came to this area." Qin Yuyan stared at Tian Jiuyi coldly. Although she hadn't wholly judged he was the culprit, it was no harm to be vigilant toward him.

Tian Jiuyi frowned deeper and remained silent. It was useless to say something in this situation. He had to prove himself with evidence.

Yun Lintian eyed everyone's facial expression and finally paused on Chu Mi for a while before turning away and saying. "All of you have overlooked one thing. I was the one who made the formation stones. What if I laid a trap on them beforehand and let Brother Tian take the blame for me?… See? I'm not innocent on this matter."

Everyone's expression changed drastically. They never thought of this possibility before… What's going on now? This question popped up in their minds.

Yun Lintian chuckled slightly and said. "Actually, it's not the two of us who know the formation diagram. There is another person who knows about this."

"Who is it?" Bai Qingyi asked hurriedly.

Yun Lintian tilted his head to look at Chu Mi and said. "It's her."

Everyone followed Yun Lintian's gaze and stopped at Chu Mi, who currently had a dumbfounded expression. They were startled and did not know what to say at the moment.

"Impossible! How could it be Little Mi? She doesn't even know the basics of the formation profound art." Chu Heng regained his sense and blurted out loudly. He subconsciously pulled Chu Mi behind him, looking at everyone vigilantly.

Yun Lintian shook his head and said with a faint smile. "She doesn't have to understand the formation profound art to set the trap. She only needs to remember the formation diagram." He paused for a second and continued. "When I was discussing with Brother Tian, she had approached me in the guise of giving me water. There's no way she didn't see the formation diagram at that time."