Chapter 30: Dramatic Changes (Part 8)

The Xiao Sect comprised over 230 courtyards of varying sizes, arranged very irregularly. A large number of these courtyards looked virtually identical. Even someone who had lived there for ten or twenty days, let alone members of the Xiao Sect who had only arrived yesterday, might not be able to identify the location of all the courtyards and their occupants. Therefore, Yun Che was certain that Xiao Jiu had never actually been to Xiao Lingxi's courtyard. Even if he had deliberately scouted it yesterday, he wouldn't have been able to find it quickly today. He had merely walked a superficial circle before returning with the box containing the Profound Opening Powder.

Xiao Jiu's silence and the sudden darkening expressions of Xiao Kuangyun and Xiao Yunhai made it clear to even the most foolish person what was happening.

Xiao Yunhai's answer to Yun Che's first question was flawless... but little did he know that the question was merely a bait. The second question that followed immediately left them speechless, and the third question... was a resounding slap across their faces.

"Little Che..." Xiao Lingxi covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes misting over. When she was at her most helpless and all hope seemed lost, with everyone shunning, doubting, and falsely accusing her, he still stood in front of her, fearlessly shielding her with his body, just as he always had... even though he was facing people the entire Xiao Sect could not afford to offend.

This figure, already deeply etched in her heart, became even clearer at this moment, so clear that it would never fade or disappear from her memory.

Xia Qingyue's eyes also shone with a strange brilliance. This frame-up, which could have been described as flawless and was fully believed by everyone, was completely dismantled by his few simple questions. She realized more and more that she had never truly understood him. No, it was more accurate to say that he had deceived everyone... No one knew about his astonishing medical skills. And now, he had revealed a level of cunning that was truly moving.

Everyone's expressions quietly shifted...

Xiao Lie's face, however, showed no signs of relaxation; instead, it became even more ashen, and his hands quietly clenched into fists.

This was a frame-up; he had known it from the start. The reason Xiao Lingxi was framed... became clear to him in his anger when he noticed Xiao Kuangyun's gaze on Xiao Lingxi. However, he had remained silent and was simply unable to speak. Now, Yun Che's few words had laid bare their ugly, malicious intentions before everyone...

What would happen next? Would they be mortified? Filled with shame? Offer apologies? Or declare it a misunderstanding? Haha... absolutely not!

This would only infuriate them further, making the situation even more uncontrollable and the consequences more severe. And those present, even if they knew the truth, would absolutely not expose the frame-up. Instead, under the wrath of the other party, they would sway to that side like grass in the wind...

Because the other party was the son of the Xiao Sect Master! A single finger could crush everyone in the Xiao Sect! Without sufficient power, even if one spoke eloquently and every word was justified, what good would it do? In the face of absolute power, so-called truth was not even worth a joke.

"Yun Che!! You rebellious son of the Xiao Sect, stop talking at once!!" The Great Elder pointed at Yun Che, roaring furiously: "Time and again you've sought ridiculous reasons to slander the Clan Master and the esteemed guest from the Xiao Sect! What are your true intentions?! What kind of existence is the Xiao Sect, that it would frame a mere Xiao Lingxi? The name of the Xiao Sect is known throughout the world; their word is always absolute! If the Profound Opening Powder was found in Xiao Lingxi's room, then it was found in Xiao Lingxi's room! No one in this entire Floating Cloud City has the right to question it!"

"This is truly outrageous, to question the esteemed guest from the Xiao Sect! The Clan Master and Young Master Xiao have repeatedly shown forbearance, yet he keeps pushing his luck. This is simply intolerable... Young Master Xiao, Clan Master, I, this old man, request to quickly apprehend the thief Xiao Lingxi and Yun Che, who is spouting nonsense here!" Second Elder Xiao Bo shouted, his face contorted with rage.

Everyone essentially knew the truth of the matter, but no one dared to voice it. The shameless roars of the Great Elder and Second Elder were met with silence; not a single person stepped forward to say a word in defense of Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi. Instead, they all looked at them with pity... After all, they were up against the Xiao Sect. Even if they had all the reason on their side, even if they completely uncovered the intention and truth, what good would it do?

Xiao Kuangyun's face was already as black as charcoal. He hadn't expected his "perfect" plan to be thoroughly humiliated, and in front of so many people... Although these people still looked at him with awe and not one dared to utter a sound, he knew full well that they must have been inwardly mocking him like a dog!

And all of this was because of Yun Che!

Enraged, Xiao Kuangyun felt a murderous intent towards Yun Che, this insignificant figure he had originally paid no mind to. He said in a low voice: "My esteemed Xiao Sect has no obligation to answer questions from a Xiao Sect waste. Furthermore, the affairs of my Xiao Sect are not something I'm obligated to explain to anyone! Which one of you is the Xiao Sect's enforcement elder? Immediately apprehend this thief and the waste who attempted to shield her!"

"As Young Master Xiao commands!!" Fourth Elder Xiao Cheng, who was also the Xiao Sect's enforcement elder, finally seized his chance to show his loyalty. He roared his assent, turned his head, his eyes flashing fiercely, and lunged fiercely towards Xiao Lingxi, shouting at the same time: "Xiao Lingxi, Yun Che! You have committed a grave error. Now, come with me to the Enforcement Hall to await your punishment!!"

The situation changed too quickly. Even though they had just proven their case, the other party shamelessly attacked directly. Yun Che was indeed somewhat flustered. He stepped back and whispered to Xia Qingyue, "Hey! Qingyue, where's your master?!"

"I don't know," Xia Qingyue replied calmly.

"I!#￥..." The reason Yun Che dared to mercilessly slap the Xiao Sect's face was absolutely not due to reckless impulse, but because he knew Xiao Lingxi's master was nearby... Last night, he had even specifically reminded Xia Qingyue to inform her master.

As a result, Xia Qingyue now replied with "I don't know." What the heck...

Xiao Cheng's profound strength ranked among the top five in the Xiao Sect; Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi would have absolutely no ability to resist him. Just then, a tall figure suddenly flashed, blocking Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi. His profound energy surged, and he thrust violently forward...

With a resounding bang, dust billowed everywhere. Xiao Cheng, who had been charging, was directly sent flying. Upon landing, he staggered backward seven or eight steps before barely managing to regain his footing.

In the Xiao Sect... or rather, in all of Floating Cloud City, the only one who could make him look so disheveled with a single blow was Xiao Lie, at the peak of the Tenth Level of the Spirit Profound Realm!

"Xiao Lie! What do you mean by this? Are you openly trying to protect them?" In the past, Xiao Cheng would have definitely been intimidated in front of Xiao Lie, but now, his roar was full of confidence.

Although he knew that at this point, any further struggle or defense would be useless, how could Xiao Lie simply stand by and watch Xiao Lingxi and Yun Che be wronged? Ignoring Xiao Cheng, he faced the high platform and said, "Clan Master, regarding today's matter, I have something to say! My daughter, Xiao Lingxi, absolutely could not be the one who stole the Profound Opening Powder!"

"Hehe, Xiao Lingxi is your daughter, so of course you'd say that!" Xiao Li said with a cold laugh: "But the facts are already incredibly clear; no amount of sophistry from you will help! If you dare to obstruct or shield them again, don't blame us for disregarding our fellowship and apprehending you along with them!"

Standing with Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Li, even when telling blatant lies in broad daylight, spoke with righteous indignation, displaying an extraordinary level of shamelessness.

Xiao Lie's expression was utterly composed. He looked at Xiao Yunhai and said calmly: "The Profound Opening Powder has the effect of repairing profound veins. I told Lingxi about this. But after I told her, I regretted it, because I understood her personality and feared she might impulsively try to steal the Profound Opening Powder. So, I guarded her courtyard entrance all night until dawn! She absolutely did not take a single step out of her courtyard!"

"Hmph!" Xiao Li sneered disdainfully: "To exonerate your daughter, you truly come up with the most ridiculous excuses! Do you think anyone would believe your words? Friends present, does anyone here believe him?"

Faced with the grim stares of the four Xiao Sect members, no one dared to speak.

Xiao Lie's gaze was firm and resolute. He declared loudly: "Although I, Xiao Lie, have achieved little in this life, I have lived openly and honestly! Though not a gentleman, I have always disdained villainy! I harm no one, nor do I ever deceive! If there is a single false word in what I just said, may heaven and earth strike me down, and may I die a terrible death!"

Xiao Lie's words were forceful and struck at the heart, each laden with deep integrity and spirit. Not only was Xiao Lie the strongest in Floating Cloud City, but his upright character was also widely known! He didn't even need to swear by "heaven and earth strike me down and a terrible death" for people to completely believe his words... However, he didn't actually need to say all this. Yun Che's previous statements had already thoroughly laid out the truth before everyone, but under the absolute power of the Xiao Sect, there was simply no way to change the situation of Xiao Lingxi being framed. No matter how many more pieces of evidence Xiao Lie presented, it would be useless, only further infuriating Xiao Kuangyun.

"Hehehehe..." A scornful laugh suddenly rang out. From the front rows of the Xiao Sect members, Xiao Yulong, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward, faced Xiao Lie, and looked at him with a faint smile: "I, Xiao Yulong, originally have no right to speak or interfere in this matter, but upon hearing Fifth Elder's grand words, I simply couldn't restrain myself... A person who has deceived the entire Xiao Sect for over a decade actually dares to claim to be 'open and honest, never deceiving anyone'! What a colossal joke!"

Deceived the entire Xiao Sect for over a decade... These few words instantly stunned everyone.

Listening to Xiao Yulong's words and observing his expression, Yun Che's brows suddenly furrowed deeply. A bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.

"Xiao Yulong, what do you mean by that!" Xiao Lie suddenly frowned and demanded in a low voice.

Xiao Yunhai also spoke up at this moment, saying sternly: "Yulong! Fifth Elder has always been highly respected. With the esteemed guests from the Xiao Sect, members of the Xiao Sect, and friends from Floating Cloud City all here, you must not speak carelessly!"

Xiao Yulong bowed slightly and said, "Please rest assured, Father. Your son would naturally not speak carelessly in broad daylight." He looked at Xiao Lie, narrowed his eyes, and smiled faintly, "Fifth Elder, you claim to be open and honest, never deceiving anyone. In that case, do you dare to swear upon all the honor your son, Xiao Ying, accumulated in his life... that Yun Che is your biological grandson?!"