Chapter 74: Chapter 69: Speculation

In the great hall.

More than a dozen corpses were neatly lined up in a row.

True Person Nanfeng stood in the corner, shrinking back and looking rather constrained, even afraid to raise his head and look directly at the few people in front of him.

Fang Lie, the master of the Night Light Pavilion, appeared indifferent as he looked at the corpses before him, showing no response whatsoever.

"Recently, I have received continuous reports that nearly a hundred Sects around the Phantom Spirit Sect have suffered attacks, murders, and plundering."

"Most of these Sects have been wiped out entirely, with only a few disciples who were away managing to escape with their lives."

Gu Chunyang glanced at Fang Lie and then turned to Ling Qi, his voice grave as he began to speak,

"According to the terms of the Battle Pact, I earnestly request a holy judgment to severely punish the Night Light Pavilion."

Upon hearing that nearly a hundred Sects had fallen victim, Fang Lie's brow twitched suddenly, and a hint of alarm flashed in his eyes. In an instant, he regained his composure and looked intently at Gu Chunyang.

Ling Qi's expression showed little change as he slightly lifted his chin, signaling Fang Lie to speak.

"Where's the evidence?" Fang Lie asked curtly, his gaze at Gu Chunyang carrying a trace of contempt, "Based on these dozen or so corpses?"

Gu Chunyang glanced at True Person Nanfeng in the corner and spoke gently, "Who is this Entry Dao Realm cultivator who was beheaded?"

True Person Nanfeng involuntarily bent lower and said softly, "He claimed to be an Outer Sect Elder of the Night Light Pavilion, Lai Baojiang..."

Fang Lie's eyes narrowed slightly, as he asked in a calm tone, "Who had a hand in killing these men?"

At this, True Person Nanfeng hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to tell the truth.

If by doing so he caused the Night Light Pavilion to hold a grudge against Fu Quanliang, it would mean dooming the savior of his own Sect, a sin he could never atone for even with death.

"Just tell the truth, and I, the Phantom Spirit Sect, will ensure his safety."

Gu Chunyang waved his hand, signaling True Person Nanfeng to be at ease.

The long-standing reputation of the Phantom Spirit Sect ultimately had its effect, and after hesitating for a moment, True Person Nanfeng finally spoke up,

"The person who made the move is named Fu Quanliang..."

"Fu Quanliang?!"

Gu Chunyang was momentarily taken aback; he had thought these Night Light Pavilion cultivators had just met with misfortune by chance, but he had not expected it to be related to his own Phantom Spirit Sect.

To confirm if it was a case of mistaken identity, Gu Chunyang immediately raised his hand and, using mana, sketched out the appearance of Fu Quanliang, "Is it this man?"

"That person was indeed present on the day, but as for appearances..."

True Person Nanfeng hesitated, but after realizing something, he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

He had realized that the man had used a pseudonym.

"Again, Fu Quanliang..."

Not waiting for True Person Nanfeng to finish speaking, Fang Lie interrupted him with a snort of laughter, "Is my Night Light Pavilion really so weak, or is your Phantom Spirit Sect truly that powerful?!"

"A mere Outer Sect Disciple at the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Power Realm has killed an Inner Sect Disciple of my pavilion, and now you're telling me he has also killed an Entry Dao Realm cultivator?!"

His voice grew louder and the anger seemed ready to burst from his eyes as he stood up with a slap on the table,

"Do you take everyone else for fools?!"

This news, whether true or false, would be a humiliation for the Night Light Pavilion if it spread.

"No, no, no, the person who made the move... Daoist Friend Fu, is a cultivator of the Spirit Spring Realm."

True Person Nanfeng, somewhat flustered, hastily waved his hands to correct himself, then added, "Indeed, he is at the Early Spirit Spring Realm without a doubt."

"Early Spirit Spring Realm..."

Seeing True Person Nanfeng's earnest expression, Fang Lie restrained his anger, his gaze becoming puzzled as he looked towards Gu Chunyang.

In an instant, many speculations flooded his mind.

If a Nourishing Power Realm killing a Spirit Spring Realm could still be grudgingly accepted, then someone just entering the Spirit Spring Realm cutting down an Entry Dao Realm cultivator was almost impossible.

To kill an enemy a whole major realm higher, one either has to have a special physique, monstrous talent, possess a Superior Immortal Bone, or have a treasured object in hand.

Fu Quanliang, a mere Outer Sect Disciple with a Lower Quality Immortal Bone, could not have possibly advanced through several realms in just a few short months, not even if he had a Middle Quality Immortal Bone.

The only explanation was that when Fu Quanliang was at the Song Residence, he was already a Cultivator at the Spirit Spring Realm.

The Phantom Spirit Sect clearly did not intend to intervene too much in the previous affairs of the Song Residence, and Fu Quanliang's going there was obviously a sacrificial move...

Yet, the final outcome was that Song Lingqing suddenly reported being crippled, while Fu Quanliang returned to the Phantom Spirit Sect unscathed.

What was Gu Chunyang thinking by making such a move?

The more Fang Lie thought about it, the more he felt that these events were filled with inconsistencies. seaʀᴄh thё nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Song Lingqing's crippling was shrouded in mystery; the Night Light Pavilion was clearly out for blood, and the force capable of shattering an Immortal Bone was enough to blow her head off.

Just breaking the Immortal Bone while her head remained intact was way too lucky.

And now, with such an incident arising...

Recalling True Person Nanfeng's earlier response, Fang Lie suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Appearance...

Darkness beneath the light...

Could it be that this Fu Quanliang… was not the real Fu Quanliang? Was someone else at the Song Residence?

Or could it be that a High Quality Immortal Bone belonged to someone else or perhaps… it was indeed this 'Fu Quanliang'?!

The more he thought about it, the more certain Fang Lie became of his speculations.

In any case, this seemingly inconspicuous Fu Quanliang must be hiding a great secret.

Looking at Gu Chunyang's puzzled face, Fang Lie could not help but sneer to himself:

Putting on an act...

"If there's no evidence, then let's put these matters aside for now."

During a pause of silence, Ling Qi tapped lightly on the desk with his fingertips, his tone slightly cold:

"Now that the hundred-day deadline has passed for quite some time, and your two Sects are still hesitant to act, will this battle be fought or not? I don't have that much time to waste here with you!"

He clearly lost his patience, with no inclination to allow this battle to drag on.

Ling Qi glanced at Gu Chunyang, "I give you ten days to prepare for battle. I will designate an area for the battlefield. The loser will cede territory of five countries. Regardless of the outcome, another battle will be fought after a year to determine the victor, with ten countries at stake."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chunyang's expression subtly changed. Ling Qi was clearly showing favor to the Night Light Pavilion and suppressing the Phantom Spirit Sect, which bred resentment in his heart.

If the Sect lost both battles, the Phantom Spirit Sect would lose all its territories overnight, including having to relinquish the Sect's base, and even owe the Night Light Pavilion territories from one country.

"Emissary, this..."

Gu Chunyang wanted to speak, but Ling Qi interrupted him with a wave of his hand:

"If you wish to see the Holy Land punish the Night Light Pavilion, first bring out the evidence."

After speaking, he lowered his eyelids, and the look he gave Gu Chunyang grew colder:

"I do have some other evidence at hand, but you probably don't want to see it."

Gu Chunyang's heart trembled, and he said no more.

......

......

The news of the ten-day decisive battle spread quickly.

True Person Nanfeng was not very strong, but he was well-liked among the various countries, had many friends, and carried a fair amount of weight in his words among Loose Cultivators and many smaller Sects.

His words were not doubted by many, and the news of the Night Light Pavilion's murderous rampage against Sects and Loose Cultivators had spread far and wide.

People's hearts were unsettled, and even the Sects that originally had no intention of getting involved hesitated, gradually leaning towards the Phantom Spirit Sect.

At the same time, the name Fu Quanliang became increasingly well-known.