Chapter 27: Dramatic Changes (Part 5)

Xiao Kuangyun was arrogant, and within the Xiao Sect, he certainly had the standing to be so. It wasn't just that his words were harsh; even if he cursed everyone in the Xiao Sect, calling them dogs, they would all have to listen obediently. No one would dare to retort, and some might even wag their tails in cooperation.

"Before Elder Xiao Zheng passed away, he left a dying wish, out of fatherly affection. He hoped to find you all and bring back the most talented among the younger generation to be cultivated in the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Kuangyun picked up a roster that Xiao Yunhai had prepared overnight, surveyed the surroundings, and declared proudly, "Today, I will personally oversee this. Soon, anyone whose name I call should come forward and demonstrate their profound energy to me. However, the standard for judging talent isn't the strength of your profound energy, but rather your foundation and potential!"

"Before coming here, my father instructed me to bring a Profound Opening Pellet. Those who are chosen will not only be brought back to the Xiao Clan but will also receive this Profound Opening Pellet as a reward! Good elixirs are only fit for those with sufficient talent; using them on trash would be a waste!" At this point, Xiao Kuangyun's gaze shifted to Xiao Yunhai. "Sect Master Xiao, please bring out the Profound Opening Pellet. Although it's a gift for your Xiao Sect, you shouldn't object to it being awarded to the most talented person, right?"

No matter how absurd Xiao Kuangyun's words were, Xiao Yunhai dared not object. However, upon hearing him, Xiao Yunhai's face instantly turned pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Instead of moving to retrieve the Profound Opening Pellet, he stood there, stammering.

"What's going on?" Xiao Kuangyun's face darkened. "Sect Master Xiao, you're not reluctant to part with this Profound Opening Pellet, are you?"

"No, no, of course not," Xiao Yunhai quickly shook his head, looking terrified. "It's just... it's just..."

"Just what?"

*Thud!* Xiao Yunhai immediately dropped to one knee, trembling, and said with a look of fear, "I... I deserve to die... The Profound Opening Pellet that Young Master Xiao gifted yesterday, I placed it in our Xiao Sect's apothecary and instructed the staff there to guard it carefully. But... but this morning, someone from the apothecary suddenly rushed to tell me that the Profound Opening Pellet stored there had... had vanished!"

*Whoosh!* The crowd below instantly erupted into chaos and clamor.

Stealing a treasure brought by the Xiao Clan... Who could be so brazen?!

"Hmm?" Xiao Che slightly frowned, a wave of doubt rising in his heart... Based on his more than a decade of knowing Xiao Yunhai, he was a very cautious person. Given his personality, it was somewhat unreasonable that he would entrust such a precious treasure from the Xiao Clan to the apothecary instead of keeping it close. It was well known that the apothecary was managed solely by Xiao Gu, who focused on medicine and had almost no profound energy, making it the weakest point of defense within the Xiao Sect.

Moreover, the Profound Opening Pellet was brought by the Xiao Clan. Even if someone coveted it, they should at least wait until the Xiao Clan members had left before making a move. Why choose such a dangerous time? Even if they managed to steal it, would they live to use it?

Xiao Lie's entire body stiffened, and he sharply turned to look at Xiao Lingxi, only to find her face also filled with surprise. Feeling Xiao Lie's gaze, Xiao Lingxi quickly and vigorously shook her head, indicating that it had nothing to do with her. Only then did Xiao Lie retract his gaze, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

"Wh... what?!"

Xiao Kuangyun abruptly rose from his seat, his face turning incredibly grim, his aura surging with menacing intent. He glared at Xiao Yunhai and snarled, "Are you saying... someone actually stole that box of Profound Opening Pellets?"

"I failed in my protection, Young Master Xiao. Please punish me," Xiao Yunhai lowered his head, his face flushed with shame and panic.

"Preposterous!" Xiao Kuangyun drew a sharp breath, his chest heaving, his face growing darker and darker, clearly enraged to the extreme. "Someone actually dared to steal a gift from our Xiao Clan... Good! Truly good! I truly underestimated Floating Cloud City! You all are truly... bold!"

Xiao Kuangyun's rage and murderous aura permeated the entire Xiao Sect, sending shivers down everyone's spines and making their hearts twitch. No one dared to breathe, frantically bowing their heads, fearing Xiao Kuangyun's gaze.

Xiao Che squinted, his gaze fixed on Xiao Kuangyun's eyes. A moment later, he poked Xiao Lie and quietly asked, "Grandpa, did the Sect Master offend this Xiao Kuangyun yesterday?"

Xiao Lie paused, then shook his head. "Xiao Yunhai has always been cautious; that shouldn't be the case."

"Then that's strange," Xiao Che tapped his chin and muttered softly, "Xiao Kuangyun's anger is clearly feigned. If the Sect Master had offended him, then staging a theft himself to embarrass the Sect Master would be a good explanation. If not... is this Xiao Kuangyun just putting on a show by himself?"

"...Don't talk nonsense," Xiao Lie, not understanding what he was saying, quietly warned him.

Xiao Kuangyun's gaze was sharp, his face as dark as storm clouds. "When I brought out the Profound Opening Pellet yesterday, only members of the Xiao Sect were present. I doubt anyone in your sect would be foolish enough to spread news of obtaining such a high-grade elixir to outsiders. Furthermore, your Xiao Sect's defenses in Floating Cloud City are not weak; it would be quite difficult to break in... Therefore, it must be an inside job among your Xiao Sect members!"

Xiao Kuangyun's words made everyone in the Xiao Sect's expressions change, and the whispering grew louder. Xiao Yunhai also quickly nodded. "Yes! Young Master Xiao is insightful. After learning the Profound Opening Pellet was stolen, I also suspected that it was taken by one of our own. Xiao Gu from the apothecary is nearly sixty, always keeps to himself, and wouldn't have any desire for the Profound Opening Pellet, so it shouldn't be him stealing from his own post. Others, however, might all be suspects."

"Hmph! A mere Xiao Sect is nothing in the eyes of our Xiao Clan! Any servant from our Xiao Clan could single-handedly wipe out your entire sect! This time, we condescended to travel thousands of miles to your Xiao Sect, granting you immense prestige and favor... and yet, you've given me such a 'surprise'! This is practically a slap in the face to our Xiao Clan!"

Slapping the Xiao Clan's face... This incredibly grave accusation instantly turned Xiao Yunhai's face ashen.

Xiao Kuangyun's eyes, like those of a viper, swept over each face. Anyone whose gaze he met instantly lowered their heads, none daring to meet his eyes... However, this wasn't due to the sharpness of Xiao Kuangyun's gaze or the strength of his aura, but simply because he had the colossal Xiao Clan backing him.

Xiao Che's gaze shifted to Xiao Yunhai's face, his expression growing even more somber. He murmured in a voice only he could hear, "Xiao Yunhai's appearance is also feigned... What exactly are they trying to do?"

With memories from two lifetimes, especially his time on the Azure Cloud Continent, Xiao Che had experienced countless ups and downs, good and evil, and walked the edge of life and death innumerable times. From a commoner to a supreme overlord, he had met an immense number of people. His discerning eye was so keen that even powerful profound practitioners who had lived for centuries might not compare.

Xiao Kuangyun scanned the area again, his tone suddenly softening. "Fine, it's pathetic, but I won't bother getting angry with people from such a small place. The person who stole the Profound Opening Pellet, you have 15 seconds to step out obediently and hand over the pellet. I might consider it a first offense and go easy on you this one time! If you remain unrepentant, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Xiao Ba, start the countdown!"

After speaking, Xiao Kuangyun scoffed and sat back in his seat. The young man in black to his left stepped forward and began counting down in a low voice.

Xiao Yunhai quickly turned around and shouted, "You beast who stole the Profound Opening Pellet, did you hear that?! Young Master Xiao is being magnanimous and giving you a chance! Hurry and come back to your senses, step forward, and apologize! Otherwise, not only Young Master Xiao, but everyone in our Xiao Sect will surely not forgive you!!"

"...Twelve... eleven... ten... nine..." The black-clad man named Xiao Ba recited the numbers mechanically.

All the Xiao Sect members turned to look at those around them, speculating on who could be so audacious as to steal something brought by the Xiao Clan. Although Xiao Kuangyun spoke of "going easy," judging by his gaze, no one believed that confessing would actually result in his leniency.

"...Four... three... two... one... Time's up!"

Xiao Ba's voice faded, and he stepped back. Xiao Kuangyun then stood up again, his eyes dark and sinister, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I've given you a chance. Since you still don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being merciless when I catch you! Xiao Jiu!"

"Yes!"

Following Xiao Kuangyun's command, another young man in black stepped forward, immediately raising his palm, a vortex of profound energy rapidly coalescing within his palm.

"Sect Master Xiao, the Profound Opening Pellet was stolen along with its box, correct?"

"Yes, it was stolen together," Xiao Yunhai nodded, a puzzled expression on his face, as if he didn't understand why he was asking.

"Very good... On the box containing the Profound Opening Pellet, there is a unique profound energy imprint from our Xiao Clan—the Heavenly Eagle Seal! As long as we activate our Xiao Clan's unique profound energy, we can quickly sense the location of nearby Heavenly Eagle Seals!"

As soon as Xiao Kuangyun finished speaking, Xiao Jiu suddenly lowered his hand, let out a low growl of "Over there!", and then transformed into a gust of wind, rushing towards the right side like lightning. His speed was incredibly fast, and he vanished from sight in an instant.

"Heh heh, it seems it's been found," Xiao Kuangyun sneered, a flicker of deep satisfaction in his eyes... as if he was very pleased with his own performance.

"Excellent, truly worthy of the Xiao Clan, nothing escapes them," Xiao Yunhai's face also showed joy, then turned grim as he said seriously, "Young Master Xiao, the nature of this incident is too severe. It not only angered you but also made our Xiao Sect lose face. Therefore, no matter who the thief turns out to be later, even if it's my own son, Young Master Xiao, please have no reservations and punish them severely!!"

"Hmph! Of course. Those who offend my Xiao Clan never come to a good end!"

At this moment, a gust of wind swept through, and Xiao Jiu had already returned, holding a wooden box. The Heavenly Eagle Seal on the box was still faintly glowing, and this wooden box was precisely the one Xiao Kuangyun had given Xiao Yunhai yesterday, containing the Profound Opening Pellet.

"Young Master, it's found," Xiao Jiu handed the wooden box to Xiao Kuangyun, then silently stepped back.

All whispering ceased, and the surroundings became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere completely solidified. Everyone stared wide-eyed, holding their breath, waiting to see who was audacious enough to steal the Profound Opening Pellet... They could foresee how tragic that person's fate would be.

"Xiao Jiu, where did you find this box?" Xiao Kuangyun asked with a cold smile.

"Courtyard 66, under the pillow in the main room," Xiao Jiu replied expressionlessly, every word clear.

Courtyard 66...

All gazes instantly converged in one direction, looking incredulously at the girl who seemed to be frozen in shock.

Upon hearing the words "Courtyard 66," Xiao Lingxi froze completely. Seeing the pairs of eyes turning towards her, she stumbled backward, shaking her head frantically in panic, and cried out, "It wasn't me... It wasn't me!"