Chapter 2240: Clues

"Young Master! Young Master!"

Someone shouted from outside the crowd, and then two women flew over, landing in front of Chen Yuze, their faces filled with anxiety.

"Young Master, quickly leave! This matter has nothing to do with us! Master clearly instructed you not to meddle in others' affairs. What if something happens to you? How will we explain it to Master?"

The two women were beautiful, both dressed in close-fitting attire, appearing more like martial heroines than maids.

Witnessing this, everyone could roughly guess the situation: the two women were likely his personal bodyguards. This Young Master Chen was indeed from a prominent family, probably on his first journey outside, inexperienced in worldly affairs. Seeing the Source Purification Mountain Immortal Maidens in distress, his blood rushed, and he stepped forward.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Chen Yuze spoke with righteous indignation, "When encountering injustice, one should bravely offer assistance! How can I stand idly by and watch these two Immortal Maidens suffer? My conscience would not be at peace!"

He turned to look at Qinghong and the other woman, a hesitant expression on his face. "Daoist Friend You is right; my intervention would be without proper justification. However, I am not afraid of death; I am only worried about how I would explain this to my sect upon my return. Therefore, I have thought of a solution, though it might cause the Immortal Maiden some discomfort..."

At that moment, the Clear River Sect had already launched their attack. Divine powers and magic artifacts shot forth, forming streams of overwhelming spiritual light.

Qinghong and Shuangluo hurriedly activated the grand formation to resist, guiding their disciples to retreat into the mountain gate. They called out, "Fellow Daoists, please come inside and speak!"

After all, Chen Yuze was on the side of Source Purification Mountain, speaking out on their behalf. Now that the enemy was attacking, it would be too heartless for Source Purification Mountain to keep them outside the gate.

However, Qinghong did not immediately allow Chen Yuze into the mountain. The few of them hid behind a pillar of light, protected by the grand formation. Although the attack outside was fierce, it could not penetrate the light pillar for now, leaving them unharmed.

Hearing Chen Yuze's words, Qinghong and Shuangluo exchanged glances, then frowned and asked, "Young Master, please speak directly. What kind of method do you have in mind?"

Chen Yuze hesitated, then finally mustered his courage. "I am not yet married. May I be so bold as to ask Immortal Maiden Shuangluo, are you betrothed?"

Shuangluo's expression froze.

"Young Master, you're being foolish! Master would never agree!" The two maids stomped their feet in anger. "Master has long been seeking a suitable match for you. Is it worth it for some wild woman?"

"Presumptuous!"

Chen Yuze rebuked angrily, "My own lifelong affairs are for me to decide!"

Then, he sincerely said to Qinghong and Shuangluo, "Only if our two sects enter into a marriage alliance can I legitimately intervene. Immortal Maidens, rest assured, I would never take advantage of your predicament. Once this matter is resolved, I will immediately announce to the world that the engagement with Immortal Maiden Shuangluo is dissolved!"

After speaking, seeing the two women remain silent, Chen Yuze gave a wry smile. "Never mind! It was my thoughtlessness. I am a man of integrity and do not fear gossip, but I would tarnish the Immortal Maiden's reputation."

While these words sounded considerate, they subtly put Shuangluo and Qinghong on the spot. At a time when their sect was in danger, could their personal reputation truly be more important than their sect?

"Senior Sister..."

Shuangluo was just about to speak when Qinghong interrupted her. "Even if it comes to this point, it wouldn't be for Junior Sister to do, especially since Jingchuan caused this trouble. Before Senior Brother arrived, he had already sent a message to Senior Zhou for help. If we can just buy a little more time, there might be a turn for the better."

The two women communicated secretly, but both knew well that hope was slim.

Years ago, they had fled to the Immortal City with the old man named Zhou and others. Since then, fellow countrymen had always watched out for each other. If Source Purification Mountain was in trouble, the old man Zhou and his companions would not shirk their duty. The problem was that the Senior Disciple Brother was stationed not far from Source Purification Mountain to look after the sect, while the old man Zhou and the others were far away in the Immortal City. By the time reinforcements arrived, their Master would probably have already been awakened.

Time passed, and the Clear River Sect's assault continued like a tide. The two women's hearts were filled with torment, each day feeling like a year.

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master. Please allow my junior sister and me to discuss this," Qinghong said with a deep bow.

"Hmph! A bunch of heartless ingrates!"

The maid, indignant on behalf of her young master, couldn't help but curse, "Young Master risked his life to save you, and yet you still keep making excuses!"

Before her words had fully faded, a voice suddenly echoed above their heads.

"Is that so? Is your young master really that kind-hearted? I can't help but feel they're putting on an act."

At first, the voice seemed distant and faint, but by the time the last word was spoken, it felt as though it was right beside their ears.

"Who's there!"

Chen Yuze and the maids felt a chill run down their spines.

At the same time, the Clear River Sect Master and Qibo, who were playing chess in the distance, also sensed something and their expressions drastically changed.

The next moment, Chen Yuze and the two maids found their bodies unable to move. They all looked up into the sky, their faces filled with terror.

A massive hand appeared above their heads, casting a shadow that enveloped their entire bodies. It descended towards them with terrifying pressure, attempting to seize them.

'Crack!'

The jade pendant at Chen Yuze's waist automatically flew up. This artifact, capable of protecting its owner, shattered with a crisp sound.

A beastly silhouette burst forth from the shattered jade pieces. Unfortunately, before anyone could get a clear look, the silhouette dispersed under the immense pressure, its roar abruptly cut short. It was completely unable to hinder the massive hand in the slightest.

"Stop!"

Another furious roar came from the sky, shaking the heavens and earth.

This was another unfamiliar voice, accompanied by a streak of white light, faster than lightning. It seemed capable of tearing through space, instantly arriving above Source Purification Mountain, transforming into a long saber that slashed through the air towards the massive hand.

'Boom!'

A thunderous crash reverberated, shaking the earth.

The aftermath of the collision between the palm and the long saber actually formed clusters of grey storms, engulfing the sky. They lingered for a long time, dimming the light around Source Purification Mountain.

Everyone felt a surge of fear. They vaguely saw two figures confronting each other high within the storm, undoubtedly both top-tier experts. The storm itself was a result of their clash.

"Who are you?"

Qibo's expression was a mixture of surprise and suspicion.

In his perception, the opponent's cultivation was clearly inferior to his own. Yet, for some unknown reason, he felt a strange sense of threat from the other party, which greatly perplexed him and made him wary.

"Junior Brother!"

Qinghong and Shuangluo clearly saw the newcomer's appearance and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

They hadn't expected the reinforcements to be their junior disciple brother, and that his cultivation had reached such a level!

Shuangluo gazed blankly at the figure in the sky, then a hint of sadness flickered across her face. The gap between them was growing ever wider.

Qinghong was also both surprised and delighted. Noticing Shuangluo's expression, she sighed inwardly, suppressed the turbulent thoughts in her heart, and gently embraced her.

'Whoosh! Whoosh!'

With the massive hand blocked by Qibo, Chen Yuze and the two others narrowly escaped death. They quickly fled behind Qibo, glaring resentfully at Qin Sang.

"Are you a disciple of Source Purification Mountain?"

Qibo's face showed surprise.

It was said that this young disciple of Grandmaster Tongshend was not old, had a wild nature, and was constantly away from the sect. Yet, he possessed such cultivation. Indeed, rumors were not to be trusted!

A dangerous glint flashed in Qin Sang's eyes. He first pinned a large accusation on him: "It seems you are the mastermind behind this!"

"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I was merely ordered to protect the young master. I don't know what you're talking about."

Qibo's expression remained calm as he looked at Chen Yuze. "Young Master, you aren't injured, are you?"

Chen Yuze shook his head slightly, his face grim, and secretly transmitted, "Qibo, can you kill him?"

"This young man is not simple! Moreover, if we kill him, Grandmaster Tongshend will surely pursue us relentlessly, and we might not be able to escape," Qibo replied.

Chen Yuze grunted. With this person's unexpected appearance and the Source Purification Mountain's protective formation now fortified by him, their plans were likely to be thwarted.

As Qin Sang's identity was revealed, it also caused a stir among the crowd.

The Clear River Sect's offensive suddenly slowed.

You Chen had heard of Qin Sang before, but only knew his name, never having met him. Upon their first encounter, he was shocked to find Qin Sang to be an expert of the same caliber as his master, leaving him feeling bewildered and at a loss.

"Misunderstanding?"

Qin Sang gave a cold laugh, his gaze sweeping over You Chen before finally settling on the coffin. "The trickery with the corpse might fool everyone else, but it cannot escape my eyes!"

You Chen's heart skipped a beat, and his aggressive demeanor involuntarily weakened. "What are you talking about? What trickery?"

Qin Sang raised his right hand and pointed a finger at the corpse from a distance.

The corpse actually sat up on its own, causing a wave of gasps.

"What do you want to do!"

You Chen roared angrily.

Qin Sang scoffed, "These petty villains attempt to frame us, deliberately mimicking our Source Purification Mountain cultivation methods to incriminate us. Little do they know that our Source Purification Mountain's lineage is profound and would never be without flaws! Look at this!"

'Whoosh!'

A ball of fiery energy rose from the left side of the corpse, while misty, chilly air emanated from the right.

The fiery and chilly energies initially clung tightly together, yet remained distinct. They then intertwined, transforming into red and blue smoke that spread outwards.

Everyone could see that this smoke was emerging from within the corpse. Qin Sang had merely used a technique to draw them out; it was no illusion.

When the smoke appeared, Chen Yuze's expression grew even more grim.

"What is that?"

Beside the coffin, a Clear River Sect disciple reached out and grabbed a wisp of the smoke.

The next moment, the disciple let out a scream. Three-foot-high flames erupted from his hand, while below the flames, the other half of his palm was frozen solid by ice. Water and fire swiftly spread up his arm and into his body.

Fortunately, his fellow disciples reacted quickly, severing his arm with a single strike.

'Thwack!'

The arm fell to the ground, half charred black, half ghastly pale—a horrific sight, identical to the state of Steward Xia's corpse.

"This is..."

Witnessing this scene, everyone was terrified, desperately avoiding the smoke.

"It's poison!"

Qin Sang softly uttered a single word, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping towards a certain point in the void, then he declared, "You Chen, quickly take the corpse back to your mountain gate! Your master will understand the truth when he sees this smoke! The true culprit meticulously plotted, finding this type of poison to frame my Source Purification Mountain and disrupt the relationship between Source Purification Mountain and the Clear River Sect. How laughable that you fail to recognize the real villain, and instead willingly serve them!"

After a pause, Qin Sang continued, "To perfectly control this poison and disguise it as a divine ability of my Source Purification Mountain is no easy feat. The cultivation of the poisoner is probably no weaker than mine. In the Clear Tuo River basin, such experts are few and far between. Your master surely wouldn't poison his own disciples, so who then is the culprit?"

As he spoke these words, Qin Sang stared intently at Qibo. The gaze of everyone else also followed Qin Sang's, turning towards Qibo.

Guided by Qin Sang, everyone's thoughts broadened, and they began to notice various suspicious details.

"Hmph! I couldn't bear to see these two Immortal Maidens being bullied, so I stepped forward. Yet, Daoist Friend, you actually suspect me? That's truly disheartening! Is this how Source Purification Mountain treats its benefactors? No wonder my father always told me how treacherous human hearts are and sent me down the mountain for experience! Consider me blind, having misjudged you all. Let's go!"

Knowing that further explanations would only make him look worse, Chen Yuze immediately flicked his sleeves and left.

"This only proves that Steward Xia was poisoned, and it's also a fact that Lan Jingchuan injured him. Moreover, the poisoner might well be someone from your Source Purification Mountain. My Clear River Sect will uncover the truth, sooner or later!"

You Chen also uttered a few harsh words. The Clear River Sect cultivators then carried the corpse and shamefully descended the mountain.

The commotion dissipated invisibly. After sending all outsiders beyond the mountain, Qin Sang and the others went to the Sect Master's Hall to discuss matters.

"It's a good thing Junior Brother arrived in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable," Qinghong said with lingering fear.

"Senior Disciple Brother, do you know the true nature of the Sky Purity Sect? Do they have any grievances with our Source Purification Mountain?"

Qin Sang looked at Qingyan.

Qingyan took a medicinal pill, and his complexion slightly improved, though he was still very weak. He roused his spirits and said, "I've heard a little about the Sky Purity Sect. Their main gate is in Qilin Kingdom to the north, and we have no interactions with them. I don't know if Master has any grudges with them. I heard that some people from the Sky Purity Sect also serve as immortal guards in Immortal City, so they might have had conflicts with Master."

"That Young Master Chen looked so distinguished, yet he was so sinister! Fortunately, Junior Brother exposed his scheme; he almost managed to deceive our junior sister!"

As she spoke, Qinghong thought of something and exclaimed in surprise, "His true intention wasn't to make Junior Sister fall for him, was it? Could it really be that beauty brings trouble?"

Shuangluo's small face instantly turned crimson.

Qinghong patted Shuangluo's cheek and giggled, "You truly are a beauty that even I find captivating. With so many people eyeing Junior Sister, Junior Brother, you'll have to keep a close watch, lest someone snatches her away one day."

"Senior Sister, what are you saying!" Shuangluo exclaimed, both shy and annoyed.

"If he really came for Senior Sister Shuang, then he's quite the philanderer! But it seems more likely that he was simply lustful and changed his plans on the spot, feigning goodness in front of Senior Sister."

Qin Sang said calmly, "Once Senior Zhou arrives, I'll ask him to guard the mountain gate. I'll go out for a trip to investigate the Sky Purity Sect's background."

"Junior Brother, why didn't you keep that Chen fellow for interrogation?" Qinghong asked.

At that time, Chen Yuze and they were hiding inside the grand formation. If Qin Sang had wished, by coordinating with the mountain protection formation, he could have easily stopped the old man and detained Chen Yuze.

"Detaining this person would give the Sky Purity Sect a reason to launch a full-scale invasion, which would disturb Master's cultivation. Furthermore, I suspect they have other motives, and I don't want to alert them for now." As Qin Sang grew stronger, Source Purification Mountain couldn't help him much anymore. However, if he needed to develop his own forces in the future, Source Purification Mountain could serve as his foundation.

If Grandmaster Tongshend had no past grievances with the Sky Purity Sect, then the Sky Purity Sect's targeting of Source Purification Mountain was quite intriguing. Either the Sky Purity Sect wanted to expand, leading to a conflict of interests, or...

Qin Sang looked at the distant mountains outside the hall, thinking about the poison on Steward Xia's body. That poison, combining both water and fire elements, was extremely ingenious and not something one could easily refine.

Could it be that Source Purification Mountain's unique heritage had attracted the attention of interested parties?

Could it be related to the "Treatise on Yin and Yang and Their Correspondences to Phenomena," a clue he had sought for years without success, now presenting itself?