Shanxun’s gaze burned with excitent.
His grand plan was about to be realized—his contribution would be undeniable!
Tonight, Shanxun was on night watch, so the courtyard was silent.
Occasionally, a cold autumn breeze swept through, rustling the trees on the mountain.
Yun Yubai followed Shanxun closely, his mind in turmoil.
Who would have thought that a disciple of Zen Master Cinian would turn out to be from the Demon Clan?
Because of this, everyone slept soundly, unsuspecting and unguarded.
But as they stepped out of the courtyard, a gust of wind struck Yun Yubai’s face, clearing his thoughts.
He suddenly halted.
Shanxun turned sharply, already sensing Yun Yubai’s intent.
He rushed to stop him, but—
"Chu Yang!!"
Yun Yubai used what little spiritual power he had regained and shouted.
The call echoed across Jialan Celestial Mountain.
Shanxun gritted his teeth in fury. "You’re insane!"
If the gap widened, the mountain’s protective barrier would react, and Chu Yang would notice.
He had witnessed Chu Yang’s swordsmanship and knew he couldn’t match him. That was why he hadn’t knocked Yun Yubai unconscious—he needed him to wield the sword.
He had believed threatening Yun Jianchu would ensure victory, but Yun Yubai didn’t even hesitate to risk his own mother.
What a filial son!
But Shanxun couldn’t waste ti. He subdued Yun Yubai and carried him toward the rear mountain gate.
The disturbance was loud, but it no longer mattered.
Chu Yang surely knew by now.
Reaching the gap, Shanxun struck with his palm. The opening tore wider, enough for two people to pass through.
Jialan Celestial Mountain trembled, its barrier beginning to collapse.
Thinking he was about to succeed, Shanxun prepared to escape with Yun Yubai.
But then, a flash of firelight streaked across the side—
It ca too fast!
Shanxun tried to react, but before he could gather his spiritual power, the firelight pierced his left shoulder!
Pain seared through him as the burning sensation spread.
He was pinned to a tree and coughed up blood.
Yun Yubai fell to the ground, Shanxun’s grip lost.
He struggled to move, but a string of prayer beads fell, binding him tightly and sealing his Dantian.
His limbs were immobilized.
The sudden turn left Shanxun stunned.
He finally looked up.
The rear mountain had been shrouded in darkness under the dim moonlight, but now, flas brightened the night sky.
Chu Yang stood there, Crimson Nine Lands sword in hand.
Shanxun lay on the ground, his posture disheveled, but his stubborn gaze remained.
He looked up to see not just Zen Master Cinian but also the eleven Shans, Xin Chuan, and Bai Hao.
Panic flashed in Shanxun’s eyes as he cried out, "Master!"
Cinian’s expression was complicated, but with a wave of spiritual power, he steadied Shanxun.
"Hey! Cinian, really?" Bai Hao exclaid. "Still feeling that master-disciple bond?"
"No," Cinian replied calmly. "I just wanted to confirm if it was really Shanxun."
His eyelids drooped slightly, but he forced himself to look carefully.
Yes, it was his disciple—Shanxun.
But Cinian said nothing.
The eleven Shans exchanged uneasy glances.
It was Shandu who finally spoke, "Master, your prayer beads reveal all evil forms and negate all talismans. He hasn’t used any talisman or technique—he really is Shanxun."
Cinian sighed deeply, his gaze darkening.
"So, you’ve been with the Demon Clan all along?"
Everyone waited for Shanxun’s answer.
But he pressed his lips tight, refusing to speak.
Yun Yubai struggled to his feet, brushing dirt from his clothes, gasping.
"It’s not what you think. He claims to be from the Demon Clan because he removed his Demon Bone. That’s why his body changed."
"He is the second guardian—Ni Zhan!"
Shock rippled through the crowd.
Bai Hao gasped, "There really are Demon Clan mbers who survive after removing their Demon Bone?"
Xin Chuan said with so admiration, "It’s not easy to survive that, but unfortunately, despite all his planning, he’s fallen into our hands."
Chu Yang shot him a look, "What’s it to you? It was my sixth sister who warned . If I hadn’t told you, you’d still be clueless."
Xin Chuan’s face darkened. "She trusts you, huh? Why didn’t she tell ?" His tone was sour.
Chu Yang snorted, "Who are you? I’m her real brother."
Xin Chuan, visibly frustrated, muttered, "I call her good sister, she calls Little Brother Xin. What does that make ?"
Chu Yang chuckled, "That makes you pathetic. My sixth sister’s favor isn’t sothing you can earn easily."
The tension thickened, but Cinian ignored them. His focus remained on Shanxun.
"Shanxun," he said with pain, "you removed your Demon Bone and survived. You should have cultivated righteously!"
Shanxun let out a mocking laugh.
"I removed the Demon Bone to join you, to cultivate. But not for the sake of the people or becoming an immortal..."
"I did it to hide my identity, to act freely, and to strike when the ti was right!"
Cinian trembled, his breath hitching.
Sensing his weakness, Shanxun pressed on.
"Master, do you know why I chose you?"
"It’s because you were the kindest! I let others bully , knowing you’d step in. After checking my body, you took in, teaching many techniques."
"If it were another sect leader, would they have been so generous?"
Cinian’s face turned pale.
He had treated all his disciples as his own, caring for them equally.
But this kindness had been manipulated.
He clutched his chest, his breath shallow.
Shandu rushed forward, feeding him a heart-protecting pill.
"Master, don’t let his words shake you!"
The eleven Shans were furious, wishing they could kill Shanxun on the spot.
Shanyang suddenly thought of sothing, his face darkening.
"So the ’Boundless Dharma’ scroll being tainted by demonic energy—that was you too?!"
Cinian’s gaze sharpened, fixed on Shanxun.
"Was it really you?!"
Shanxun laughed wildly, eyes cold.
"Of course, it was !"
Cinian was crushed.
He hadn’t realized that his kindness years ago had led to this disaster—his own sect’s downfall.
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