Chapter 176 The Grand Competition (Part 5)

Mu Changge's words were logically clear and struck directly at the heart of the matter, instantly reversing the spearhead to point at the trembling "witness."

Indeed, how could a Disciple who was "critically injured and near death" and had "narrowly escaped" manage to survive at the hands of a "murderer" capable of easily defeating a Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator?

And as for his so-called evidence... who said that the residual Sword Qi must belong to Mu Changge?

Even if it did, it proved nothing!

There were countless doubts, and the accusation, which was already not very rigorous, now appeared riddled with holes and utterly feeble when contrasted with the Saintess's "alibi."

The Disciples offstage were not fools.

Previously, they had been intimidated by the accusation of "harming fellow Disciples" and the prestige of the "Saint."

Now, having been calmly enlightened by Mu Changge and with the Saintess personally providing testimony, they were in an uproar.

Whispers broke out again, and the gazes they directed at the accusing Disciple were filled with suspicion and scrutiny, while their gazes toward Jian Wushuang also became complex.

"I... I..." The accusing Disciple's Face was as pale as paper, and bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

He had already been coerced and lured by Jian Wushuang (without any substantial hard evidence), and was severely injured besides; how could he withstand such questioning and the pressure of the entire audience?

His eyes were frantic, his speech incoherent, and his lips trembled as he looked toward Jian Wushuang on the high platform for help, only to see a Face so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water, along with a pair of eyes that were bone-chillingly cold, as if they wanted to swallow him alive.

"Useless trash!" Jian Wushuang cursed inwardly, wishing he could immediately grind these people, who were incapable of success but capable of failure, into dust.

The "irrefutable evidence" he had meticulously prepared was being shaken to the point of collapse by a single light remark from Yun Qingyao and a few questions from Mu Changge!

What made him even more furious was that Yun Qingyao's actions were undoubtedly a slight to his Face, placing her completely on the opposite side of him!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage and jealousy that were about to burst from his chest, knowing that he must not lose his composure at this moment.

He managed to squeeze out a "solemn" expression that looked even worse than crying, and said in a deep voice: "This matter... indeed has many doubts."

"I suspect this Junior Brother has not yet recovered from his severe injuries, and perhaps his memory is skewed, or he may have been deceived by others."

"Since the Saintess has personally provided testimony for Junior Brother Mu, I, as the Saint, naturally trust the Saintess."

"This matter... perhaps there is another hidden story, or someone is deliberately framing others to sow discord!"

He immediately shifted the responsibility, attempting to salvage the situation and maintain his glorious image as a "fair, impartial, and Righteous Path Saint."

He turned to the accusing Disciple, who was already slumped on the ground with a Face ashen like death, and revealed a perfectly measured expression of disappointment and severity, his voice raising a few notches, carrying a tone of reprimand akin to "hating that iron cannot become steel":

"Junior Brother!"

This sharp shout drew everyone's attention back.

Jian Wushuang's gaze was like lightning, his tone heavy and stern: "You spoke with such certainty before. Considering that you have not yet recovered from your severe injuries, perhaps your mind was damaged, leading to memory confusion, and you made this accusation against a fellow Disciple out of momentary muddle-headedness!"

Jian Wushuang spoke with righteous indignation, his voice resounding throughout the arena, "However, our Wandao Sword Sect has strict Sect rules. Slandering a fellow Disciple is a crime punishable by the stripping of cultivation and expulsion from the Sect!"

Once these words were spoken, the trembling Junior Brother was scared to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, kowtowing repeatedly with tears and snot streaming down his Face: "Saint, spare me! Saint, please spare me! This Disciple... this Disciple was blinded by greed, I was... I was muddled! I beg the Saint to show mercy! I beg the Elders to show mercy!"

Mu Changge watched coldly as the Disciple wept and kowtowed like a pestle pounding garlic, a cold sneer deepening in his heart.

'How truly absurd and laughable,' he mused to himself, 'He insisted on accusing me of harming a fellow Disciple, but now that his lie has been exposed and he Faces severe punishment under Sect rules, he doesn't come to me, the victim, to beg for mercy or explain himself.'

'Instead, he fawns over the Saint who intended to use him and is now eager to distance himself, and the high-and-mighty Elders.'

'Does he think my attitude is irrelevant, or does he believe that only the Saint and the Elders can decide his life and death?'

The atmosphere in the arena grew increasingly heavy.

Jian Wushuang's "righteous" reprimand and declaration of "severe punishment under Sect rules" was less about handling the matter impartially and more about performing a drama of eagerly cutting ties and distancing himself before everyone.

And the way the accusing Disciple wept and knew only to beg for mercy from Jian Wushuang and the Elders pushed the absurdity of this farce to its Peak.

"Saint, you speak too severely. This Junior Brother... presumably was also deceived and used by villains, acting out of temporary muddle-headedness, which led to this act of false accusation."

Mu Changge paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping unintentionally over Jian Wushuang, whose expression was shifting uncertainly, and the curve of his mouth deepened slightly.

Immediately after, not knowing what he had thought of, he lightly said "Oh," his tone carrying a touch of playfulness: "However, this Junior Brother suddenly remembered an interesting piece of Sect gossip, or rather... a strange event."

"I wonder if any of you Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, or the Saint have heard of it and could enlighten this Junior Brother?"

Interesting gossip, a strange event? Many Disciples were slightly taken aback, not knowing what he wanted to say.

Mu Changge seemed not to see the varied expressions of the crowd, continuing on his own in a voice that was neither high nor low, just enough for the entire arena to hear clearly: "A few days ago, this Junior Brother heard a few Senior Brothers who had just returned from training in the 'Twilight Forest' chatting about a strange event, which was quite interesting."

As soon as the words "Twilight Forest" were spoken, Jian Wushuang's hands hidden in his sleeves tightened almost imperceptibly.

Although he tried his best to keep his Face calm, a trace of hard-to-conceal panic flashed deep in his eyes.

Mu Changge seemed not to notice, and continued: "It is said that recently, in the outer perimeter of the Twilight Forest, the corpses of some Yao Beasts have often been found."

"The strange thing is that the fellow Disciple who killed these Yao Beasts seems to have... quite a peculiar hobby."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the curious Disciples, a faint, imperceptible smile curling at the corner of his mouth, "He does not take the Yao Beast core, does not peel the fur, and does not want valuable Materials like sharp claws and fangs..."

"Then what does he want?" an impatient Disciple couldn't help asking.

Mu Changge lightly spat out a few words, his tone as flat as if he were discussing the weather: "He, it seems, is particularly fond of those... male Yao Beasts."

"And, he doesn't take anything else, only... the object between their legs where the Yang Essence resides."

"Pfft—!"

"This... what kind of hobby is that?"

"Is there really such a thing? I have also trained in the Twilight Forest, and it seems... I have heard similar rumors..."

"Specifically taking that thing? This... what could that be used for?"

After a brief silence, a wave of suppressed exclamations and whispers erupted in the square.

Many female Disciples flushed slightly and turned their Faces away.

Many male Disciples had strange expressions, wanting to laugh but feeling the occasion was inappropriate.

This rumor was strange enough on its own, but what was even stranger was why Mu Changge would bring up such... unrefined, bizarre talk at this moment, in such a serious setting?

Mu Changge seemed not to see the crowd's reaction.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze "happily" landing on Jian Wushuang, whose Face was already somewhat unnatural on the high platform.

He wore a perfectly measured expression of humble confusion, as if seeking guidance, and his voice raised a few notches as he asked clearly: "The Saint is knowledgeable and experienced, and must be well-informed."

"I wonder if you have heard of this matter? And do you know who on earth this person is, who specializes in doing such... um... unique things, taking that object from male beasts?"

"Being so obsessed with this, could it be that they are practicing some... evil, underworld Cultivation Technique?"

He asked "sincerely," his eyes "clear," as if he were truly just curious and wanted to ask the learned Saint about an interesting piece of Sect gossip.

However, to Jian Wushuang's ears, these words were nothing less than bolts of thunder!

Every word was like a poisoned knife, ruthlessly carving into his heart!

Twilight Forest! Male beasts! The object of Yang Essence! Underworld Cultivation Technique! Damaging to the harmony of heaven!

With a "boom," Jian Wushuang felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head, his vision turning black in waves, and his ears buzzing.

The fist hidden in his sleeve clenched instantly, his nails digging deeply into his palm, the piercing pain barely allowing him to maintain his composure and not lose control on the spot.

But the little color that had been on his Face had faded completely, his barely maintained expression cracked, the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably, and his eyes were filled with shock, rage, and a trace of fear at having his most secret scar ripped open in front of everyone!

He opened his mouth, his throat feeling as if something were stuck in it, and the sound he emitted was dry and shrill: "How... how would I know! Mu Changge, stop spouting nonsense!"

His reaction, in the eyes of those who cared, was already a confession without being forced.

Especially those Core Disciples who had been puzzled by the Saint's slight change in temperament in recent days and the occasional hint of effeminacy in his Aura; the looks they directed at Jian Wushuang now carried hard-to-conceal suspicion and a trace of... realization.

Facing Jian Wushuang's sharp reprimand, Mu Changge was not only not afraid, but instead gave a light scoff.

The laughter was very soft, but carried undisguised mockery.

He no longer looked at Jian Wushuang's twisted Face, but instead, as if he had truly been reminded of something, lightly patted his forehead, appearing to have a sudden realization: "Oh, yes, yes, yes, everything you say is correct!"

[part:deepseek-chat]

He then shifted his tone once more, his voice becoming casual, as if he had suddenly remembered some trivial, unimportant matter: 'However... a few days ago, while I was comprehending Sword Intent within the 'Sword Burial Abyss', I carelessly lost a 'top-grade' Cultivation Technique I had unintentionally obtained. That technique is quite bizarre; its opening lines are filled with mad words like 'To practice this art, one must first sever their root.' and such nonsense. I felt it wasn't suitable for me, so I simply discarded it. I heard the Saint later went there, I wonder... did you happen to see it?'

'Sword Burial Abyss'... 'sever their root'...

These four words were like four heavy hammers, smashing fiercely against Jian Wushuang's mental defenses! The last shred of composure he had been forcing was completely shattered! The expression on his Face instantly stiffened. That faint, barely-maintained smile, like a sandcastle swept away by a gale, collapsed with a crash, instantly replaced by a twisted look mixed with extreme pain, fury, shame, and fear! His complexion first turned deathly pale, then flushed red, and finally became a terrifying, iron-gray hue, dark as the bottom of a pot!

His body swayed violently, as if he were unsteady on his feet. Beneath his wide sleeves, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, the veins on the back of his hands bulging and writhing like earthworms. He stared fixedly at the black-robed youth below the stage, whose expression was calm, even carrying a hint of innocent curiosity. The murderous intent churning in his eyes almost condensed into something tangible, ready to erupt! His chest heaved violently, as if it might explode the next second.

Only after several long breaths did he manage to squeeze out a few broken syllables from between his nearly-gritted teeth: 'I... don't... know!'

Each word seemed to have used up all his strength, filled with rage suppressed to its absolute limit.

Mu Changge acted as if he didn't sense the venomous gaze that almost wanted to pierce through him at all. Hearing the reply, he merely let out a slightly regretful 'Oh,' gave a faint cupped-hand salute, and said in a relaxed tone, 'Didn't see it, huh? Well, forget it then. Since it's a shady technique, losing it is for the best.'

After speaking, he truly paid no further attention to Jian Wushuang on the high platform, who seemed on the verge of transforming into a Vicious Beast that would devour anyone in sight. Instead, he turned and bowed once more to the Law Enforcement Elder and the other high-ranking members.

On the high platform, the expressions of the several Elders varied. The Law Enforcement Elder gave Mu Changge a deep look, his gaze complex. This young man's depth of thought, sharpness of words, and precise timing were simply unlike someone his age. The two seemingly offhand 'trivial matters' he mentioned were like two precisely aimed poisoned daggers, viciously stabbing the Saint in his most painful, most taboo spots. Although there was no concrete evidence, the combination of the 'Twilight Forest eccentricity' and the 'shady Cultivation Technique lost in the Sword Burial Abyss,' coupled with the Saint's currently savage reaction, was enough to plant seeds of suspicion in everyone's hearts.

As for the matter of Wang Meng... after this commotion, who couldn't see that the accusation was full of holes, more like a frame-up targeting Mu Changge? And as for who was behind it, although Mu Changge hadn't explicitly said, Jian Wushuang's reaction made it almost self-evident.

'Silence!' The Law Enforcement Elder's beard and hair seemed to bristle slightly as his voice, imbued with authority, suppressed all the whispering. His stern gaze swept across the entire assembly, finally landing on the Disciple who had collapsed like mud. 'Framing a fellow Disciple, your intentions are despicable! Temporarily detain him in the Law Enforcement Hall. We must thoroughly investigate the matter of Wang Meng!'

He then looked at Jian Wushuang, his tone grave: 'Saint, your lax oversight, poor judgment of character, and failure to properly investigate matters nearly led to a miscarriage of justice. Your cultivation resources are docked for three months, and you are confined to your quarters for three days as a minor punishment and a warning!'

'Elder! I...' Jian Wushuang's eyes nearly split with rage, eager to argue.

'Hmm?' Elder Tianjian only emitted a cold snort. A sliver of his Peak Soul Transformation Stage Aura leaked out, which was enough to restore a bit of clarity to Jian Wushuang. The words that followed were all choked back. His Face alternated between red and white, his chest heaving violently. He clenched his teeth so hard it seemed blood might spurt out. The look he directed at Mu Changge was no longer simple resentment, but bone-deep hatred and madness.

'This matter ends here. The Disciples who have obtained the slots will depart on time in five days.' The Law Enforcement Elder's declaration was final, allowing no further Opportunity for anyone to speak.

A storm thus concluded in this manner. Mu Changge emerged unscathed. Jian Wushuang's prestige suffered a blow, and he was punished with confinement. And the rumors of the 'Twilight Forest' and the 'evil technique from the Sword Burial Abyss' took root like two poisonous seeds, quietly sprouting in the hearts of countless Disciples.

Five days later, the Sect's main square was filled with a hundred gathered Disciples. The atmosphere was vastly different from five days prior; there was less clamor, replaced by a more solemn and subtly excited air. Tianshu Sword Sovereign (a Void Refining Stage Grand Elder) leading the group swept his gaze over the crowd. It lingered briefly on Mu Changge, giving a slight nod without further comment.

Immediately after, his expression turned solemn. He formed a seal with one hand, while his other wide sleeve gently swept towards the empty space ahead.

'Hum——!'

A clear, long, and melodious sword hum, as if from beyond the Nine Heavens, instantly resounded throughout the entire Sect square, suppressing all minor noise. Immediately after, everyone felt their vision blur as an Aura of unparalleled sharpness, yet vast and profound, abruptly descended.

In the space several zhang in front of Tianshu Sword Sovereign, ripples appeared as if on water's surface. At the center of the ripples, a point of silver light flashed into existence and rapidly expanded.

Within one breath, a colossal vessel materialized out of thin air, slowly descending to the ground. Its hull made contact with the bluestone of the square without making the slightest sound, as if weightless.

This, was the [void-breaking sword boat]!

Its form was not that of a conventional multi-storied ship or painted pleasure boat, but rather resembled an immensely magnified giant sword capable of cleaving heaven and earth! Its entire body displayed a deep, restrained dark silver color, not the cold sheen of metal, but rather as if infused with stardust and the essence of moonlight, flowing with a warm yet resilient halo.

The prow was the most striking—the razor-sharp tip of this 'giant sword,' shaped like a perfect streamlined armor-piercing cone. At its very tip, a point of cold light condensed without dispersing, faintly stirring with fine spatial ripples, as if a casual thrust could pierce the Void Realm. From the prow backward stretched a narrow, elongated hull nearly a hundred zhang long and over twenty zhang wide. Its lines were smooth yet sharp. The sides of the hull tapered slightly inward, like the sharpened edges of a blade, gleaming with a cold light under the sun. The hull was not smooth; it was covered in countless intricate and profound patterns. These patterns were not carved but seemed naturally formed, faintly constituting miniature Formation diagrams. At this moment, they flickered with the flow of spiritual light, emitting a heart-palpitating sharpness.

The 'crossguard' area transformed into the main body of the flying vessel, divided into three levels. The uppermost level was an open deck, flat as a mirror, paved with a peculiar bluish-jade colored wood, also engraved with reinforcing and spirit-gathering Formations. At the center of the deck stood a three-story main pavilion, shaped like a sword hilt guard. It had flying eaves and bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters, yet its lines were hard and angular, conveying the simplicity and sense of power unique to swords. Atop the pavilion, a large black-and-white banner embroidered with the Wandao Sword Sect's emblematic 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Ancestor' pattern fluttered without wind, snapping loudly. On either side of the main pavilion extended several slightly smaller watchtowers and cabins, like protective wings on either side of the crossguard.

Most eye-catching was the nearly transparent, pale silver light barrier enveloping the entire sword boat. Upon this barrier, countless tiny silver runes flowed incessantly like swimming fish, sometimes condensing into Sword Qi phantoms, other times scattering into points of starlight, emitting a dual Dao charm of immense sturdiness and the ability to cut through anything. This served as both a powerful defensive barrier and seemed capable of cleaving through obstacles ahead, reducing flight resistance.

In the square, the hundred Disciples held their breath, gazing up at this majestic sword-shaped flying vessel. Without exception, their eyes revealed shock, yearning, and excitement. Being able to ride such a Magic Treasure to the Yunmiao Holy Trace was an honor and an Opportunity in itself.

'Board the vessel.' Tianshu Sword Sovereign's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

He took the lead, transforming into a streak of silver sword light that landed at the highest command position on the prow. Not daring to delay, the hundred Disciples suppressed their inner excitement and transformed into streaks of light in various colors, flying in an orderly manner onto the broad deck.

Once the last person was steady, Tianshu Sword Sovereign pointed his fingers like a sword towards the direction of the main pavilion.

'Clang——!'

An even more impassioned and clear sword hum arose from within the vessel's hull. The entire [void-breaking sword boat] trembled slightly. All the runes on its surface suddenly brightened. The pale silver light barrier glowed intensely, becoming more solid. The point of cold light at the prow erupted with dazzling silver radiance, as if a sharp sword had been unsheathed!

'Whoosh——!'

The [void-breaking sword boat] tore through the sky, speeding towards that distant, mysterious region shrouded in misty Spiritual Qi and resplendent rays of light. A new journey had already begun.