Chapter 1110: Collusion in Chaos

Chapter 1110: Collusion in Chaos

Tianling Mountain was such a small place; it wasn’t easy for him to hide the Demon Qi anywhere. He couldn’t just carry it around, like a taunt skill, announcing, “I’m the demon, come fight me.”

Lin Nuo chose to temporarily hide the compressed Demon Qi in a remote area where few went, waiting for it to dissipate gradually.

He decided to bury it in an empty plot about five miles behind the male disciples’ dormitory. During the day, everyone was busy training, and hardly anyone ventured there, so he dug a hole to bury it.

But it was still discovered.

This discovery wasn’t that surprising, considering the opponent was prepared.

It was Qin Shili’s designated target, Master Cong, who came while Lin Nuo was away.

Of course, Master Cong didn’t come alone; he brought some disciples along.

It was like a sightseeing tour with a group inspecting the site, and Master Cong played the role of the tour guide.

That bundled-up Demon Qi was brought out by Master Cong.

The crowd sighed, amazed that such nefarious Demon Qi was hidden within the sanctity of Tianling Mountain, filled with righteous spirit energy.

Now, seeing Lin Nuo and Qin Shili approach, their feelings were complicated.

After all, Qin Shili was their ideal of the perfect heroine, with no flaws, who should not be entangled with darkness.

Yet, she was now associated with the demonic path.

Earlier, someone had witnessed her harboring Demon Qi, but once their frost was cleared, it disappeared—there might be a clue there.

And this Demon Qi was right where they had seen it before.

The ability to compress Demon Qi like this indicated a certain level of skill.

It could very well be attributed to Qin Shili.

Otherwise, could it really be from Lin Nuo? Did he have that kind of capability?

Wait, how did he come with Qin Shili?

Lin Nuo looked at the group, remaining silent, consciously making space for Qin Shili.

He considered himself an outsider; his words would hold little weight. It was better for Qin Shili to confront this fat guy and give him a good scolding.

That fat guy was just like his master, Zhang Yuanxu—always up to no good, constantly scheming.

In the past, he had aimed to deal with Lin Nuo, but he lacked the ability and ultimately stumbled himself.

Let’s just observe for now.

At this moment, Master Cong took charge, pointing at the bundle of Demon Qi and questioning Qin Shili:

“Shi Li, a disciple encountered you at the Ruyue Palace and noted that you were harboring this Demon Qi, is that correct?”

“Senior, oh no, I shouldn’t address you that way. Master Cong, you need not ask me about this. When I entered the Ruyue Palace with you, you released this onto me. You should be old enough to not have such a poor memory.”

Qin Shili replied coldly. Her seemingly calm words were laced with condemnation for this so-called master.

However, only the two of them knew the truth; the others could only guess based on superficial appearances.

“Haha, I say, Qin Shili, about your training in the cave, we’re all aware. Even if your heart is usually as calm as a still lake, it still exposes your true mindset. Your obsession with the demonic path is no secret. It’s hard to guarantee that you haven’t secretly practiced Demon Power. Your lack of understanding of Demon Power could lead you astray, causing Demon Qi to leak, and even your Spirit Technique could spiral out of control and injure fellow disciples. That’s the only conclusion. As for the origin of this Demon Qi, we will investigate. However, your contact with the demonic path is a fact that many have witnessed, and you shall face punishment.”

“Even if I am to be punished, it should be determined by the Leader or my master, not you!”

Qin Shili retorted. She firmly believed that the Xuanyun Sect would provide her with justice, and that Master Cong, the villain, would finally face his consequences.

Lin Nuo continued to listen quietly from the side, not speaking.

He felt that if he didn’t intervene, given the current trend, Qin Shili would likely be wronged.

After all, Master Cong was not alone.

In the Xuanyun Sect, Leader Zhao held authority, but other elders also wielded power, and they could have private ties, with some colluding with Master Cong.

So, with this cooperation, framing Qin Shili would be quite easy.

Could he rely on Han Fairy to exonerate her?

Please, what power does Han Fairy have? If these scheming villains collude, what can she do?

Maybe, to distance herself, she would even resort to a grand act of justice, personally dealing with Qin Shili to lessen her own culpability, or even clear herself entirely.

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, someone approached.

Lin Nuo glanced over and saw that other elders were arriving, and from the looks of it, they came from the Ruyue Palace.

Let’s see what kind of show they’re putting on.

“Old Liu, how did you see things from your position?”

Master Cong asked an elder surnamed Liu, who nodded in reply:

“I went to the Ruyue Palace. There was a Demon Stone there; since the Demon Qi inside was difficult to purify immediately, we had sealed it, casting spells for gradual purification. Given time, the Demon Qi would naturally dissipate, and the stone could transform into a Spirit Stone for our use. Originally, the remaining Demon Qi was minimal; waiting another month would suffice. But now, the stone has no Demon Qi left; someone must have taken it out.”

“Oh, then it’s clear—the one who brought it out was Qin Shili,” Master Cong immediately chimed in.

“You led me there, misleading me into contact with it! I’m merely an ordinary disciple. As Elder Liu said, it should be a forbidden area. How could I have the ability to enter?”

Qin Shili shot back again, fuming at Master Cong’s shamelessness for claiming she was the one who brought it out.

“Elder Liu, I wasn’t involved in your actions back then. I had no knowledge of it at all, and I couldn’t possibly take her in. I’ve heard that some Demon Stones can sense people’s state of mind. If someone harbors thoughts of darkness, the Demon Qi can latch onto them. Even when so many disciples went to cleanse the Ruyue Palace, nothing like this occurred. Only Qin Shili, she was the first to go and experienced it. It must be a problem with her mindset, resulting from her dark thoughts.”

Master Cong stroked his beard, appearing to speculate, but in truth, he was fabricating lies to slander Qin Shili.

The elder surnamed Liu agreed:

“Indeed, that Demon Stone has such characteristics. Xuanyun Sect disciples are generally righteous, which is why we let the disciples cleanse it themselves. Qin Shili wasn’t initially assigned to clean it, yet she appeared there. It’s probably because of the Demon Stone.”

“When did you start colluding with him, Elder Liu?”

Qin Shili said, somewhat infuriated.

“Please summon the Leader to make a decision.”

“The Leader is out and not within the sect. But since you acted in this way, we cannot turn a blind eye; we mustn’t let you run amok. Now, please go to the inner hall for reflection until the Leader returns to make a decision.”

The elder surnamed Liu immediately said. They had orchestrated it all, making sure the Leader had temporarily left Tianling Mountain, giving them a chance to confine Qin Shili first.

“I refuse.” Qin Shili responded firmly.

“The Leader is absent; I have the authority to make temporary decisions. Will you go against the orders?” Elder Liu shouted.

“Sigh, two old geezers ganging up on a young lady.”

Lin Nuo shook his head, unable to stifle his sarcastic remark, loud enough for everyone to hear.