Chapter 377 - 36: Six Peaks Tribunal
Tantai Mingyue’s voice was gentle, and her gaze was clear as she looked steadily at Xia Qinglian.
Xia Qinglian raised her head, her voice timid, her gaze dull:
"Peak Master, I am Ruo Mei."
Tantai Mingyue looked at her for a moment, then suddenly sighed:
"Ruo Mei, have you suffered a lot at Danxia Peak?"
Xia Qinglian blinked, her gaze even duller:
"Peak Master, what are you talking about?"
Tantai Mingyue said gently: "Every year during the Outer Sect competition selection, Su Xin sends up her list, and I personally learn about each candidate. Ruo Mei, you’ve only been here for three months, stuck at Foundation Establishment Second-Layer, and you’re often bullied by others."
"But starting half a month ago, your cultivation has progressed rapidly, which is why Qing Chou put you in the preliminary selection list, right?"
Xia Qinglian met Tantai Mingyue’s probing gaze, looking completely clueless:
"So it was Senior Sister Lin who selected me? I must thank Senior Sister Lin."
Tantai Mingyue looked at her and gently asked:
"Ruo Mei, how did your cultivation improve so quickly?"
Xia Qinglian blinked innocently: "I don’t know either, one day I was beaten by the senior sisters and fainted, when I woke up I felt it was easier to practice."
Tantai Mingyue watched her for a long time, seemingly unable to discern anything, then slowly extended her hand:
"It seems it’s my fault for letting the bullying happen at Danxia Peak. Ruo Mei, can you let me see your Spirit Root?"
With cultivation reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one could use Spiritual Power to probe others’ Spirit Roots.
Upon hearing Tantai Mingyue’s words, Xia Qinglian did not move.
She had the Innate Top-grade Spirit Root, if Tantai Mingyue probed it, she’d be exposed instantly.
Moreover, having fought the opponent, her Spirit Root would reveal her identity as Xia Qinglian.
"Ruo Mei?"
Tantai Mingyue called her once, her tone still gentle, yet the Spiritual Energy on her body was quietly circulating.
Similarly, Xia Qinglian’s Spiritual Power gradually gathered.
One had a gentle smile, the other naive and pure, yet the atmosphere quietly solidified.
"Master!"
At this moment, Su Xin’s voice broke the tense atmosphere from not far away, prompting Tantai Mingyue to withdraw her hand and respond:
"Su Xin, what is the matter?"
The First Disciple Su Xin, in a plain dress, hurried over, glancing at Xia Qinglian with a slightly peculiar expression.
Tantai Mingyue gently said to Xia Qinglian: "Ruo Mei, you may go back now, focus on your cultivation."
Xia Qinglian clasped her hands: "Yes."
Having said that, she turned and left the woods.
Only then did Tantai Mingyue ask Su Xin: "Su Xin, you are usually calm, what is causing such a panic?"
Su Xin hastily said: "Master, we just received a transmission from the Peak Master Xiyue, Si Minglan is suspected of assassinating the Eldest Prince of the West Imperial Dynasty and is being escorted by the Golden Snake Guard to our Zhenyang Sect, plus..."
She looked at Tantai Mingyue, paused, then continued:
"The Western Empress Lin Yuan has also captured an outer sect disciple, Fang Xue, from Xiyue Peak, and is coming to Zhenyang Sect from Yunling Town."
Hearing the name "Lin Yuan", Tantai Mingyue was slightly taken aback, murmuring:
"She actually left the Western Emperor Palace?"
Immediately regaining her senses, she sighed: "Minglan’s Heart Demon is ultimately hard to resolve, this incident poses another trial for her, but... why is Fang Xue involved?"
Su Xin handed the transmission from Ye Xiyue to Tantai Mingyue, it detailed the circumstances, Si Minglan and Fang Xue were close, she had stayed in Yunling Town for over a month, disappearing for several days during that time.
When Si Minglan returned to Yunling Town, she was already severely injured but sought out Fang Xue.
Now the West Imperial Dynasty has captured both, sending them to Zhenyang Sect to conduct a joint trial between the Zhenyang Six Peaks and the West Imperial Dynasty to determine if Si Minglan is guilty.
If the evidence is solid, Zhenyang Sect naturally has no words, and the West Imperial Dynasty could rightfully escort Si Minglan back to the Land of the Western Emperor for execution.
Su Xin said: "Master, Peak Master Xiyue has already sent transmissions to the other four peaks, according to sect rules, Junior Martial Uncle Leng Jing will preside over the trial."
Leng Jing is the Peak Master of Sword Tomb Peak, responsible for Zhenyang Sect’s punishments, dealing with disciples who violate sect rules.
Zhenyang Sect rules include: disciples must maintain the Eastern Cultivator and West Imperial alliance, not causing disruption, violators are expelled or obliterated.
Si Minglan is accused of assassinating the Eldest Prince of the West Imperial Dynasty, a gravely weighty matter.
Having the Peak Master of Sword Tomb Peak preside over the trial is appropriate.
Su Xin hesitated, then whispered: "Master, if Junior Sister Minglan truly killed the Eldest Prince, will we really hand her over to the West Imperial Dynasty?"
Tantai Mingyue calmly said: "According to sect rules and righteousness, there is nothing inappropriate about it."
"However, the Western Empress personally comes this time, intending to show you dominance? Years ago..."
"Su Xin." Tantai Mingyue said: "Cultivators should focus on the Dao, not be caught up in appearances."
"Yes... Master."
Tantai Mingyue and Su Xin quickly left, shortly after, a small figure gradually appeared, muttering:
"Si Minglan... at this time, husband, Liu Su, you must not act impulsively."
...
Night.
Xiyue Peak.
Liu Su and Yun Wu were using Sound Transmission Talismans to contact Qin Gengyun.
"Young Lord, the Fox Spirit has indeed been captured, within half a month she’ll be escorted to Zhenyang Sect."
Qin Gengyun: "Divinity Transformation Peak Master also received Xiyue Peak’s transmission, Fang Xue was also captured, this time it’s the Six Peaks and West Imperial Dynasty jointly trying Si Minglan, we cannot act in Zhenyang Sect."
Yun Wu: "Brother Qin, you mean to rescue Sister Minglan en route to the West Imperial Dynasty?"
Qin Gengyun: "The Western Empress Lin Yuan is also present, acting forcefully won’t succeed, what about Xiaolan?"
Liu Su: "Young Lord, did you forget? I mentioned having Mo Xiaolan employ a charm strategy, he went to gather information from a certain princess."
Xiyue Peak.
Qingyou Valley.
This place is picturesque but remote, few visit at night.
Currently, a pair of a man and woman stand beside a small stream.
The man is handsome, and the woman is beautiful and willful, pointing at the man:
"Rogue, what do you want from me?!"
Mo Xiaolan displayed a gentle, modest smile on his handsome face, with immense sincerity:
"Junior Sister Wu, I’m here to apologize to you."
"Apologize for what?" Wu Yiren sneered, but her voice lacked sharpness.
Mo Xiaolan said: "Junior Sister Wu, on the day of the competition, I didn’t intend to tear your clothes, if not for Second Sister stopping, I would’ve lost that day, Junior Sister Wu’s talent and cultivation are exceptional, I feel far inferior."
Having said that, he bowed deeply with hands clasped.
Mo Xiaolan had run stalls and post house duties in Yunling Town, having faced countless hardships, apologizing was something he was extremely practiced at.
This tone, this attitude, was sincere to the point it felt flawless.
Additionally with his handsome face, it left the originally indignant Wu Yiren dumbfounded.