Chapter 1694: Identity Exposed

"What!" Everyone present was astonished. Peng Wuyan had just been found, and now Pei Mianman was missing?

However, the most shocked individual wasn't someone from the Nine Daoist Sects, but Zuan. He instantly appeared before Abbess Huoling and anxiously asked, "What happened? How did she disappear?"

Qiu Honglei was also startled, having never expected Pei Mianman to go missing. At that moment, she didn't even have time to feel jealous; instead, she looked at her master, wondering what solution she might have.

Yunjian Yue, however, remained expressionless. That brat was sweet-talking her just last night, yet today his entire focus was on another woman.

Others around them also cast curious glances. Why was this young man so anxious? Could it be that he had truly taken a liking to Miss Pei?

However, considering Pei Mianman's lovely face and stunning figure, it was quite normal for someone his age to be attracted to her.

Abbess Huoling's face cycled between green and red. At that moment, however, she couldn't concern herself with anything else and explained in detail, "Last night, I went out for a matter. Everything seemed normal when I returned. This morning, I noticed the time was drawing near, and Manman still wasn't awake. When I went to her room to check on her, I discovered she was gone."

"Later, I mobilized the disciples of Biyuan Palace to search, but they found no trace either. That's why I rushed over here, hoping you might have some clues."

Wang Wuxie shook his head. "We just learned of her disappearance ourselves, so we have no clues."

The others spoke over each other, clearly having no idea how she had disappeared.

At this point, the disciples in the arena gradually realized what had happened and erupted in an uproar. Unlike Peng Wuyan's unassuming looks, Pei Mianman was a very beautiful woman with a captivating figure. If she were to go missing, it was not difficult to imagine what might befall her.

Thinking of this, many began to lament, feeling great pity that such a stunning young woman had met such a fate.

Zuan was even more concerned about Pei Mianman's safety. He quickly pressed Abbess Huoling for more details: "Manman's cultivation level isn't low, and her residence is guarded by both you and Palace Master Wan, two Grandmasters. How could she have been taken without a sound?"

Wan Tongtian, standing nearby, looked a little uncomfortable. "Ahem, I also went out for a short while last night. It's very likely that's when it happened."

As soon as he said this, everyone around them exchanged knowing glances. Everyone had heard of the past grievances and affections between Wan Tongtian and Abbess Huoling. For both of them to have gone out in the middle of the night at the same time, it was difficult not to make certain connections.

Fortunately, with Pei Mianman's safety at stake, no one made any jokes.

Then Abbess Huoling said, "It's strange, but I checked Manman's room, and there wasn't the slightest trace of a struggle."

The others began to wonder, "Miss Pei's cultivation isn't low. Who could possibly abduct her without a sound?"

Pei Mianman's progression to the finals, though partly due to luck, demonstrated genuine skill by emerging first in her group. Furthermore, her Fu Hao Owl Statue was equally remarkable, making her a top-tier expert in the martial world. Even if a Grandmaster were to attack her, she wouldn't be left utterly defenseless, unless it was a surprise assault.

Everyone exchanged opinions, and as they discussed, their gazes turned towards Yunjian Yue and Qiu Honglei.

"What are you looking at me for?" Yunjian Yue asked impatiently.

Yan Xuehen, who had been silent, spoke up: "Miss Pei's disappearance is very similar to Miss Peng's earlier disappearance. Who kidnapped Miss Peng, and how was she rescued? Perhaps we can find clues there to save Miss Pei."

Guan Chouhai, Wang Wuxie, and others instinctively glanced at her. Wasn't this woman always aloof and detached? Why was she suddenly so concerned about this matter?

However, most people still looked at Yunjian Yue, urging her to reveal how Peng Wuyan had been rescued.

Only Zuan knew that Qiu Honglei's disappearance had been staged, and she couldn't possibly provide any useful clues.

At this moment, Yunjian Yue lightly coughed. "Actually, this is a secret of our sect. But since it concerns Martial Niece Pei today, I won't keep it hidden. Our sect placed a tracking talisman on Wuyan. If she goes missing for a certain period, it automatically activates. I sensed its activation and followed the trail, eventually finding her in a mountain cave. Surprisingly, she was the only one in the cave at the time; her kidnapper was nowhere to be found."

Abbess Huoling quickly asked, "Where is that cave?"

Yunjian Yue replied somewhat unnaturally, "How could it be such a coincidence to be in the same place? Once they realized Wuyan was gone, they surely knew the location was compromised. Why would they dare to continue hiding there?"

The disciples of Biyuan Palace found her reasoning sound, and their expressions dimmed with disappointment.

Guan Chouhai looked at Qiu Honglei. "Martial Niece Peng, who exactly kidnapped you? Didn't you sense anything at all?"

Qiu Honglei shook her head. "I was cultivating at the time, and then I was suddenly knocked unconscious. When I next awoke, I was confined in that mountain cave. The other party's motive was unclear, and they didn't interrogate me or anything. Later, I was rescued."

These lines had been taught to her by Yunjian Yue long ago, so she wasn't worried about any inconsistencies.

"To be able to knock you unconscious without a sound, they must at least be a Grandmaster. But what Grandmaster in this world would disregard their status to sneak attack a junior like that?" Grandmaster Jian Huang mused.

Li Changsheng spoke up, "Most likely Yunjian Yue of the Demonic Sect."

Yunjian Yue raised an eyebrow at that. "Couldn't those Night Elves also be capable of such a feat?"

Night Elves are masters of sneak attacks and assassinations. Even without Grandmaster cultivation, they could indeed accomplish such a feat.

"The Shadowy Pavilion?" Everyone's expressions changed. This mysterious assassin organization was feared by all.

Li Changsheng shook his head. "With all nine of our Daoist Sects gathered here, the Shadowy Pavilion has no reason to provoke us. They never engage in unprofitable ventures."

The group analyzed the situation repeatedly but couldn't reach any definitive conclusion.

Abbess Huoling couldn't wait any longer. After getting information about the mountain cave from Yunjian Yue, she hastily departed to begin her search.

Zuan was also about to leave when Yunjian Yue secretly transmitted a message: "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

Zuan paused, realizing she seemed to be hinting at something. Just as he was about to question her, he heard her declare loudly, "The grand competition has already been delayed for so many days. Now that my disciple has returned, shouldn't we continue?"

As soon as she said this, the entire venue erupted in an uproar. Wan Tongtian glared at her, displeased. "When your disciple went missing before, we postponed the competition and waited for her return. Now our Biyuan Palace disciple is missing, yet you're clamoring to continue the competition. What is the meaning of this?"

Others also turned their gaze towards Yunjian Yue, especially the younger disciples, who possessed the strongest sense of justice and showed anger in their eyes.

It wasn't just them; even Qiu Honglei didn't understand. Her master clearly knew about Pei Mianman and A'zu's relationship, so how could she make such an unreasonable request at this moment?

Zuan frowned at this moment, convinced that there must be a reason for Yunjian Yue's behavior. He couldn't help but begin to ponder what was truly happening.

Facing everyone's questions, Yunjian Yue showed no hesitation. "All our Daoist sects have traveled thousands of miles to Zishan to participate in this grand competition. It's impossible for us to remain here indefinitely, and we have already been away for quite some time."

"After the champion is decided, various disciples still need to enter the Daoist Secret Realm, and there are a series of related matters to attend to. We've already been delayed long enough. If we keep waiting, who knows when it will finally conclude?"

"In my opinion, the mysterious individual hidden in the shadows probably aims to disrupt our grand competition. Even if Miss Pei is found, they will likely cause other troubles, and this final round will never be able to proceed. As soon as the competition concludes with a result, I believe that mysterious person will stop their antics."

Hearing her analysis, everyone initially felt some anger, but gradually they began to find it quite reasonable.

After all, that person kidnapped Peng Wuyan without demanding anything, and now they've kidnapped Pei Mianman. From any perspective, it appeared to be intentional disruption.

Feng Wuchang, the Peak Master of Guanshin Peak, then spoke up: "What Elder Peng said is not without reason. However, with Miss Pei currently missing, it's impossible to hold the finals."

Zuan gave him a curious glance. Shouldn't Wang Wuxie be the one speaking in a situation like this? Come to think of it, Wang Wuxie seemed unusually quiet today, not even sneaking glances at Yan Xuehen.

Yunjian Yue proudly declared, "You all witnessed Wuyan's continuous victories against formidable opponents. As for Miss Pei of Biyuan Palace, her success was likely more a matter of luck. If the two truly fought, who would emerge victorious, I believe you all have your own judgment. Given that, why not simply declare Wuyan the champion?"

The others exchanged glances. However, they had to admit that Peng Wuyan's previously demonstrated cultivation was indeed superior.

At this moment, Yan Xuehen suddenly spoke up: "Many times, without a direct confrontation, it's not always possible to determine who is stronger or weaker. If we were to judge solely on past performance, then Miss Pei probably wouldn't have even qualified from her group. And as for Miss Peng, she wouldn't have overcome formidable opponents all the way to reach the finals."

Several sect masters had initially been swayed, but her words caused them to hesitate once more.

Yunjian Yue secretly gritted her teeth. This 'ice-stone woman' truly was her lifelong adversary; even with her identity changed, she still found a way to oppose her.

Just then, a piercing shriek suddenly rang out: "This Elder Peng is a fake! She's Yunjian Yue, the Demonic Sect Leader, in disguise!"