Chapter 291: Rotten Mud Cannot Be Supported on the Wall

There were two Swiftwind Orbs in total. One was given to Liu Qingxian. The other was placed at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's touring auction, where it was bought by Tie Bubai. Later, when Jiang Fan killed him, the orb was accidentally cut into two pieces.

Currently, only one remains, in Liu Qingxian's possession. But why would it appear in Sun Chaozong's hands? Could Liu Qingxian have met with misfortune?

At this moment, Liu Qingxian should be at the Giant Sect's border, fighting the beast horde. The danger she faced was considerable.

Jiang Fan was deeply worried. Staring at the Swiftwind Orb before him, he stated, "This is a Swiftwind Orb. The last time it appeared was at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's touring auction held in Qingyun City. It was ultimately acquired by Tie Bubai, the Great Elder of the Giant Sect."

No one recognized the object at first glance. However, the name "Swiftwind Orb" was instantly recognizable to everyone.

Ouyang Jun, deeply intrigued, asked, "It's said to be a natural high-grade magic artifact. May I examine it?"

Sun Chaozong was eager for Ouyang Jun to appraise it. He was about to hand it over immediately.

Jiang Fan, however, said calmly, "Ouyang Jun, it's better not to touch this item."

Ouyang Jun looked puzzled, his eyes shifting slightly. "Are you interested in this item, Brother?" he asked. "If you insist on having it, I'll yield it to you."

Many elite disciples secretly clicked their tongues in disapproval. This person was incredibly domineering. He wouldn't allow anyone else to claim something he favored?

However, Jiang Fan shook his head slightly. "You've misunderstood," he said. "I have no interest in this item. I merely wish to remind you that Tie Bubai, who purchased the Swiftwind Orb, was killed on his way back to the Giant Sect."

The Great Elder of the Giant Sect had been assassinated by a mysterious powerful individual. This incident had already sent shockwaves across the lands of the Nine Sects. While ordinary disciples might be unaware, the elite disciples present had certainly heard the rumors. They weren't surprised by Jiang Fan revealing this information. However, the implication of his words caused their gazes toward Sun Chaozong to shift.

Ouyang Jun suddenly realized, cupping his hands. "Junior Brother Sun," he said, "I trust there's no issue with the origin of your Swiftwind Orb?" Given that Tie Bubai was ambushed and killed, how could the Swiftwind Orb he possessed still be intact? Surely, the assassin would have plundered it long ago. How could it have fallen into the hands of a mere disciple like Sun Chaozong?

Hearing this, Sun Chaozong became agitated, glaring at Jiang Fan. "Are you implying I murdered my master for his treasure?" he demanded.

Jiang Fan naturally knew this wasn't true, but feigning ignorance to uncover the orb's origin, he said indifferently: "Is it possible there's a second Swiftwind Orb in the world?"

Everyone turned to look at Sun Chaozong, their eyes filled with suspicion.

"Everyone, do not believe this person's nonsense!" Sun Chaozong exclaimed urgently. "Truth be told, the Swiftwind Orb my master acquired was, along with him, cleaved into two by that villain and utterly destroyed. The one in my possession has a different origin."

Jiang Fan's eyes flickered. Calmly, he continued, "I heard you were the only one present when the incident occurred. Whether that Swiftwind Orb was truly destroyed or not is entirely your word against others'."

Upon hearing this, everyone's keen interest in the Swiftwind Orb immediately turned to cautious avoidance. Who would dare purchase an item obtained through matricide and theft? If the Giant Sect were to come knocking later, forcefully reclaiming it, it would lead to immense, unnecessary trouble.

Sun Chaozong was furious. He hadn't wanted to reveal the Swiftwind Orb's origin. But if he continued to conceal it, his reputation for killing his master and stealing treasure would be cemented. He gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Jiang Fan. "What if I told you there truly is a second Swiftwind Orb in the world?" he challenged. Then, turning to the others, he announced, "Everyone, my master's Swiftwind Orb was indeed destroyed. This one belongs to Liu Qingxian, the esteemed daughter of the Qingyun Sect Master!"

Liu Qingxian's? As the foremost immortal maiden of the Nine Sects, her name was naturally familiar to all the disciples present.

Ouyang Jun asked skeptically, "If it's hers, why is it in your possession?"

Sun Chaozong's gaze darted away. "Naturally, she sold it to me," he said.

This was a gift Jiang Fan had given Liu Qingxian, a precious orb she treasured as a keepsake and always carried with her. Why would she sell it? He was lying!

At this moment, Su Qiuning bit her red lip slightly and said, "Senior Sister Liu would never... never sell it to you! A few days ago, Senior Sister Liu sent a letter to the sect, reporting that the chief disciples of the Giant Sect were robbing elite disciples heading to the beast horde front lines. Your Swiftwind Orb must have been stolen!"

Many elite disciples immediately frowned. They had indeed heard rumors about this matter. It was known that some Giant Sect disciples, lacking in moral conduct, were opportunistically seizing valuables from disciples of other sects. To complete their missions, many external sect disciples had endured the injustice in silence. Now, it seemed the situation was not only true but also more severe than the rumors suggested. Even a renowned disciple like Liu Qingxian had her valuable personal belongings stolen. What more could ordinary disciples expect?

Ouyang Jun frowned. "Junior Brother Sun," he said, "I will not accept such a treasure. I also advise you to return it to Junior Sister Liu Qingxian. Do not harm the harmony between our sects, and certainly do not dampen the enthusiasm of other sects supporting the Giant Sect."

The other disciples also frowned in unison. External sect disciples were assisting the Giant Sect in battling the beast horde, yet the Giant Sect showed no gratitude. Instead, they took the opportunity to rob them? And even brazenly brought these items to the exchange convention to sell? This behavior was utterly shameless!

Sun Chaozong never imagined that the origin he had been so desperate to conceal would be exposed by this female disciple from the Qingyun Sect! Because of this, he was met with contempt from everyone present!

Sun Chaozong, already seething with suppressed anger, immediately unleashed his fury upon Su Qiuning. "You harlot, how dare you slander me?" he snarled. "Kneel, and smash your vile mouth to bits! Otherwise, I guarantee you won't even have a chance to beg for mercy!"

The chilling threat sent shivers down everyone's spines. Sun Chaozong might have been morally corrupt, but no one questioned his strength. Even with one arm severed, his robust physique remained a formidable presence that most of his peers dared not confront!

Ouyang Jun's brow furrowed. "Sun Chaozong, what is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "Are you bullying a guest I invited, right in front of me?"

Sun Chaozong didn't turn his head, letting out a cold snort. "Ouyang Jun, I advise you not to meddle! You have no say in the affairs of my Giant Sect!" Earlier, for the sake of the exchange convention, he might have shown Ouyang Jun some deference. But now that the pretense was dropped, why should he endure it any longer?

Ouyang Jun was enraged. He clenched his fists tightly but refrained from acting rashly. Firstly, it would be irrational to antagonize the terrifyingly strong Sun Chaozong over a Qingyun Sect female disciple he had never even met. Secondly, he still had to escort the Black-backed Blood-eyed Ape to the Spirit Beast Sect, making it unwise to engage in a major confrontation. Thus, with a grim expression, he began to weigh his options.

Su Qiuning's heart trembled; being stared down by Sun Chaozong filled her with dread. She felt like a small frog being fixated on by a venomous snake. She called out to Tang Tianlong, who was not far away, for help. "Senior Brother Tang," she pleaded.

Tang Tianlong's scalp tingled. How could he possibly afford to provoke Sun Chaozong? Yet, to simply watch a female disciple from his own sect be bullied; if he stood by indifferently, not only would the Qingyun Sect disciples look down on him, even disciples from other sects would despise him. So, he steeled himself and approached Sun Chaozong, pleading on Su Qiuning's behalf: "Senior Brother Sun, my junior sister is naive. Please, as a man of stature, overlook her minor transgression and be magnanimous enough to spare her."

Sun Chaozong lowered his gaze, casting a contemptuous look at him. With a casual swing, he delivered a slap.

Tang Tianlong was aghast, not expecting Sun Chaozong to be so unreasonable and ready to strike at a moment's notice! He frantically raised both arms to block in front of him. But what sort of physique did Sun Chaozong possess? His strength was comparable to someone at the first layer of Core Formation! How could Tang Tianlong possibly withstand it?

With a loud bang, Tang Tianlong was sent flying, crashing through a wall, and landed in a pile of bricks, coughing up blood incessantly.

Sun Chaozong said indifferently, "So, any cat or dog now qualifies to plead before me? Disappear from my sight. Otherwise, you'll smash your own mouth like this harlot."

"Senior Brother!" Su Qiuning cried out in alarm, hurrying forward to help him up.

Tang Tianlong, however, roughly shook off her hand, saying in a mix of shame and anger, "Get away! Why did you have to open your mouth when it wasn't your business? Did you want to show off your supposed competence? The trouble you caused, you solve it yourself!" He had originally intended to make a good impression on Su Qiuning, but what was the outcome? He had only ended up humiliated in front of disciples from various sects, losing great face. Daring not to blame Sun Chaozong, he unleashed all his pent-up fury on Su Qiuning!

Su Qiuning pursed her red lips, her face turning slightly pale. She hadn't wanted to come to the exchange convention; Tang Tianlong had insisted. Now that she was being bullied, Tang Tianlong had abandoned her again.

Just as she felt utterly helpless, a faint voice drifted across the entire hall.

"Tang Tianlong, you truly are hopeless."