Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Elder Ming didn't feel he was being biased. He only felt heartache. For a child as calm and composed as Yun Jin to be forced into this situation, what did that say about the Sect Master? Zhao Wuji had long since stopped acting like a true leader.

Back in the library pavilion, Elder Ming had already seen through him. Zhao Wuji had clearly intended to promote his own little disciple and was openly displeased that Elder Ming favored Yun Jin.

He was the Sect Master of a great sect, yet just because someone valued a disciple, he couldn't even hide his resentment?

Yun Jin was mature, composed, obedient, and thoughtful. And even a child like her had been pushed to the point of confronting authority in public.

"Just how much had Xiao Jin suffered?"

Zhao Wuji looked at Elder Ming, who was clearly distressed, and thought bitterly that he was the one being wronged here.

Then he turned to Ling Fei. "Senior Ling, Senior Baiyu has always remained uninvolved in worldly matters. Aren't you worried you're dragging him into unnecessary karma by bringing him into this?"

It sounded like concern, but there was a thinly veiled threat underneath.

Ling Fei narrowed his eyes but hadn't yet responded when Baiyu spoke.

"Entering the world or leaving it is all part of cultivation. Today, I am simply here to observe. The Hall of Enforcement need only ensure justice. I have no bias."

The key word was justice.

Ling Fei smiled and added calmly, "Exactly. If, after a retrial, Yun Jin is truly guilty of such misdeeds, she must face the punishment of sect law. We will not interfere."

Zhao Wuji clenched his teeth and looked to Elder Jian.

Elder Jian shrugged casually. "I'm just here to watch. What happens in Tianxing Sect should be decided by Tianxing Sect. But as an outsider, if I see injustice, I might talk about it outside. Let others judge for themselves."

His tone was light, but Zhao Wuji felt a chill deep in his chest.

He held dominion over Tianxing Sect not because of his own strength, but because of his father in Qingxiao Pavilion. His father was now at the peak of the Tribulation stage, just a step away from Mahayana. If he succeeded, his standing in Qingxiao Pavilion would soar.

But if Elder Jian stirred up trouble and the matter reached the level of the Four Holy Lands, even his father might be implicated. He still didn't think Yun Jin had that much influence.

But what if?

This was a critical time for his father. He could not become a liability.

Zhao Wuji glanced at Ye Danxia, who was still kneeling, her face pale. A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes. But after a long silence, his voice turned hoarse. "Then... let there be a retrial. Yun Jin, you're accusing Ye Danxia of framing you. You need to present evidence. Your earlier claims aren't sufficient."

Zhao Wuji already had a good sense of what had happened.

But what about proof?

Could speculation alone determine guilt?

Without evidence, it all meant nothing.

Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. "Then will the Sect Master personally preside over the trial? Is that even allowed by sect law?"

Zhao Wuji froze, his expression turning ugly. "I merely asked a question. Hall Master Yue will, of course, preside."

Yun Jin nodded and turned to Yue Lin. "Hall Master Yue, may I begin?"

Yue Lin felt like he was sitting on needles. But at this point, he had no excuse to refuse.

His voice trembled. "You... may begin."

Yun Jin spoke calmly. "Last night, Ye Danxia used a voice transmission talisman to contact Gu Jinghong and asked him to meet. Once there, she tried to convince him to betray me. When that failed, she injured herself and tried to frame him. That is the truth."

Zhao Wuji instinctively wanted to interject.

But then he remembered Yun Jin's earlier question: is that in line with sect law?

He swallowed his words, grinding his teeth.

"Xiao Jin!" Ye Danxia cried, her voice shaking. "That's a lie! It was Senior Brother Gu who asked to meet. He was the one who hurt me. I even handed the dagger over to Hall Master Yue, and he confirmed it was Gu Jinghong's weapon!"

The situation could be summed up in one phrase: the storm was about to break.

Ye Danxia understood clearly. If the truth was revealed today, even her master might not be able to protect her. She had to save herself. If Yun Jin had no evidence, there was nothing she could do.

As for the dagger, Yue Lin had indeed examined it. His eyes lit up as he quickly said, "The weapon was confirmed to belong to Gu Jinghong. That is beyond dispute. And the Sect Master saw with his own eyes how Gu Jinghong lost control and attacked the barrier. How do you explain that?"

Gu Jinghong frowned and was just about to speak.

But Yun Jin spoke first, her tone light. "Blood Qi Art. Hall Master Yue, are you familiar with it?"

Yue Lin froze and shook his head in confusion.

Zhao Wuji's expression changed instantly.

Yun Jin!

How did she know?

Even Gu Jinghong looked surprised. This was a cultivation method Zhao Wuji had personally found for him. Had he ever mentioned it to Yun Jin?

Yun Jin continued with composure. "You may not know, but Blood Qi Art is a high-grade Mystic-level technique. Its progress is astonishing. It was personally chosen by the Sect Master for Gu Jinghong."

Zhao Wuji stared at her, his face growing darker.

What else did this woman know?

"But," Yun Jin said, her voice slow and steady, "this technique has two major flaws."

Even Gu Jinghong turned serious at this.

Two flaws?

He only knew it made him crave blood. Nothing more.

Yun Jin explained, "First, Blood Qi Art requires regular blood intake. The higher one's cultivation, the purer the blood must be. Second, it gradually affects the mind. Long-term cultivation leads to obsession, then madness. Eventually, the cultivator is consumed by bloodlust and becomes a monster that knows only slaughter."

Consumed by blood.

Turned into a monster.

Gu Jinghong's lips trembled.

He looked up sharply at Zhao Wuji.

Master?

Did his master know?

Zhao Wuji kept his expression calm. "I found the Blood Qi Art by chance. I wasn't aware of these hidden risks. But tell me, how did you learn of them?"

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "An elder of my clan once saved a cultivator. He left behind some items. One of them happened to mention this technique."

In truth, she hadn't even opened that ring yet. But that didn't stop her from using it as a convenient excuse.

Ye Danxia's eyes burned with jealousy as she stared at Yun Jin.

So it was that ring.

Yun Jin must have discovered its secret long ago. Her sudden growth in cultivation was clearly thanks to what was inside. If she had gotten that ring instead, she would have already formed her foundation.

"Blood Qi Art..." Elder Ming's expression darkened.

He stepped forward and grabbed Gu Jinghong's wrist.

Gu Jinghong had no time to resist. Elder Ming had already examined him thoroughly.

After a long moment, Elder Ming finally spoke, voice cold. "It is indeed Blood Qi Art. Though technically a legitimate method, it is no different from demonic techniques. All who reach its end become mindless devils. Gu Jinghong is already at the fourth level. If he stops now, he will die from an internal explosion. If he continues, he will become a monster. He cannot be allowed to remain."

Blood Qi Art.

A technique that would eventually turn its user into a killing machine.

The hall broke into hushed murmurs.

No wonder Senior Brother Gu had become so strange.

Now, it made sense.