It was one thing for Cang Li to be here, Li Heng could still barely make sense of that.
Zhao Wuji had told him that Yun Jin showed considerable talent in swordsmanship, even managing to begin cultivating the Azure Lotus Sword Technique. Tianxing Sect also had a resident Sword Elder stationed there long-term.
So, perhaps through the Sword Elder's connections, Cang Li happened to be nearby and just came to check in.
That was barely plausible.
But Qing Yun?
He hadn't had the honor of meeting this senior, but he knew very well that this was one of the three ninth-rank alchemists of Xuandan Sect!
A man who stood at the true pinnacle in the world of cultivation.
Why would someone like that appear at Tianxing Sect and look like he was here to expose him?
He…
What could he possibly gain from this?!
Li Heng tried to reassure himself that it probably wasn't that Qing Yun. He was likely just mistaken.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, Li Heng cautiously asked, "Senior Qing Yun? Could it be Qing Yun from Xuandan Sect?"
His face was full of anticipation, hoping desperately for a denial.
But Qing Yun simply gave him a mocking glance, then nodded, "Indeed, that is this old man."
Li Heng's face turned pale on the spot!
Qing Yun of the Xuandan Sect could only be that Qing Yun.
In this world, no one, absolutely no one, would dare impersonate a cultivator of such level.
Not to mention, Cang Li was standing right there.
If he hadn't denied it, then Qing Yun's identity must absolutely be real.
Li Heng staggered backward with a misstep.
He had only wanted to earn a bit of easy money and maybe secure a favor from his senior brother in the process.
What is going on right now?
He tried to kill someone in Fusion Stage, and ended up dragging out legendary figures like these?
"Qing Yun?"
In the crowd, murmurs began to spread.
Qing Yun's name was famous among top-tier cultivators.
But.
To the ordinary disciples here, it felt a little unfamiliar.
Yun Jin, on the other hand, looked a bit surprised.
She'd heard that name before.
In the novel, Ye Danxia had remarkable talent in alchemy. Although she joined Qingxiao Pavilion, she still earned the appreciation of a senior from Xuandan Sect and later, through various fortuitous encounters, became a ninth-rank alchemist herself.
And Qing Yun was one of the established ninth-rank alchemists of Xuandan Sect.
He and Ye Danxia didn't interact much because when Ye Danxia finally reached the ninth-rank, Qing Yun had already perished from overexerting himself while trying to refine pills beyond his limits to resist the Demon Clan.
The pill succeeded, but Qing Yun died from backlash.
That pill was personally given to his friend, Ji Wusi.
Ji Wusi took the pill and stormed into the Demon Realm, killing the Demon Lord in a single move.
Unfortunately.
That Demon Lord was the male lead. Having cultivated the Nirvana Technique, he later revived, rendering all of Qing Yun and Ji Wusi's efforts meaningless.
As Yun Jin looked at the elder before her, she couldn't help but feel a deep respect.
No matter what, someone who was willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good was worthy of admiration.
Qing Yun's perception was incredibly sharp. The moment Yun Jin's gaze changed, he sensed it and became pleased with himself.
Seems like even though he's old, his name still carried weight.
He was going to take this disciple for sure!
Seeing the look in Yun Jin's eyes, both Shen Yanye and Cang Li silently cursed.
Shen Yanye immediately said, "Li Heng, do you dare let me ask you a few questions before the Truth-Seeking Beast?"
A small white beast instantly appeared in front of him.
It was tiny, resembling a cat, except its amber eyes seemed to pierce right into people's hearts.
This Truth-Seeking Beast was already at a very high level.
With Li Heng's cultivation, there was no way he could lie in front of it.
Li Heng's expression shifted slightly.
Of course he knew what a Truth-Seeking Beast was.
A spirit beast that could distinguish all lies from truth.
His actions simply couldn't withstand questioning. How could he possibly allow Shen Yanye to interrogate him?
Li Heng responded directly, "Apologies. That is an interrogation technique used on criminals. I have no obligation to submit to your questioning."
He actually directly refused.
Shen Yanye was stunned.
What the hell?! You can directly refuse like that?
Then didn't he summon the Truth-Seeking Beast for nothing?
Off to the side, Qing Yun burst into laughter.
With some schadenfreude, he said, "Ah, Xiao Shen. You're being too idealistic. Why should he agree to your terms, hmm? I think you'd better just put your Truth-Seeking Beast away."
Shen Yanye was visibly unwilling, about to argue further.
Suddenly, a gentle female voice sounded.
"Qing Yun, what you said isn't quite right."
Qing Yun's face immediately changed.
He looked in that direction, and saw a stunning woman gracefully step forward.
Qing Yun couldn't help ground his teeth, "Liuli!"
When did this woman arrive?
He didn't notice her presence at all!
Liuli smiled faintly and raised her palm, a puddle of crystal-clear mud appeared, then it stood up and sprouted facial features.
Qing Yun gritted his teeth even more.
Crystal Beast!
Its greatest ability is concealing spiritual presence!
Liuli had pulled out all the stops just to snatch a disciple from him!
Li Heng didn't recognize Liuli, but from Qing Yun's reaction, he immediately understood. This was another peerless cultivator, on the same level as Qing Yun.
Judging by the situation, she was likely a senior from Beast Taming Sect!
"Yanye." Liuli Zhenren smiled gently, "If he refuses, does that mean there's no other way? Your cultivation still needs improvement."
Shen Yanye's face lit up with joy and he immediately bowed, "Disciple accepts your guidance. I will strive even harder in the future."
Liuli gave Yun Jin a friendly smile.
Yun Jin: "???"
She blinked.
This senior is Shen Yanye's master?
But Shen Yanye is already in Tribulation Crossing Stage…
Then this senior must be…
"Eldest Senior Brother, what's going on today? Why are there so many major figures showing up?" Yun Jin whispered.
Yue Zhao looked at her with a complicated expression, "Take a guess."
"Guess?" Yun Jin joked. "Don't tell me, they're all here because of me?"
Yue Zhao didn't respond.
Yun Jin: "???"
No way. They're really here for her?
For a moment, she couldn't make heads or tails of the situation.
"Li Heng," Liuli suddenly looked at him, her gaze glimmering.
In the next instant, Li Heng's eyes went dull. He replied numbly, "Present."
Qing Yun immediately mocked her, "Your control of mental force has truly reached perfection."
These beast tamers had soul power far superior to those of the same rank. Their strength came not only from their spirit beasts, but also from terrifying soul power. And when soul power is materialized, it becomes mental force. Beast Taming Sect had many secret techniques for cultivating and applying mental force and they had researched this field more deeply than any other sect.
Even Zhao Wuji's heart gave a jolt.
Just a single look from that woman, and Li Heng, someone in Tribulation Crossing Stage, was instantly controlled?
What terrifying strength.
Zhao Wuji tried to protest, but Liuli merely glanced at him. Immediately, he stood rooted in place, unable to move even a finger.
"Yanye, ask your question," Liuli said calmly.
Shen Yanye perked up and asked, "Li Heng, tell me. Did Lin Ya truly cultivate any demonic techniques?"
Li Heng answered in a daze, "He did not."
A white light flashed from the Truth-Seeking Beast's body.
Proof that it was the truth.
The atmosphere in the arena instantly changed.
Lin Ya had really been framed.
Zhao Wuji was beside himself with anxiety. He desperately wanted to signal Li Heng, but he couldn't move or speak. He could only stew in helplessness.
"I'll ask again." Shen Yanye raised an eyebrow. "The sinister aura detected during the inspection, what was that about?"