317: Chapter 317 A Battle of Wits

After speaking, he used True Essence to manifest a mirror, displaying descriptions of several fast-track Demonic Techniques from ancient texts that corresponded to 'explosive growth in cultivation and unstable aura'.

"Furthermore," Ling Juexiao pressed on step by step, "aside from Sword Intent and lightning, this Pavilion Master also senses a scorching aura of a remnant soul filled with resentment and grievance on this boy!"

"Though it is hidden extremely deep, it cannot escape this Pavilion Master's perception! This is a characteristic of the Demonic Path's Possession symbiosis or the Demon-Feeding Art! Sect Head Qingxu, this boy is already a Puppet of the Demonic Path and absolutely cannot be allowed to live!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked! Devouring remnant souls? Feeding demons? If this were true, it would be definitive proof of the Demonic Path! Even the gazes of the Grand Elders turned sharp as they scanned Ye Tian.

Pressure, like a collapsing mountain or a tsunami, weighed down on the youth in green robes in the center of the hall. This strike from Ling Juexiao pointed directly at the core of the matter.

The abnormal explosive growth in cultivation and the existence of Venerable Jiehuo's remnant soul! These two points were the hardest to explain; once confirmed, he would be beyond redemption.

Elder Tianshu's expression changed slightly.

Countless sharp and questioning gazes were cast upon Ye Tian.

Ye Tian took a deep breath, meeting all their gazes, and then spoke with faint mockery, "Pavilion Master Ling, after going in such a large circle, it seems you ultimately have to rely on this 'unfounded' perception and conjecture."

He stopped looking at Ling Juexiao and turned toward the Sect Head and Grand Elders, bowing as he said, "Reporting to the Sect Head and Elders."

"My progress in cultivation is by no means caused by practicing Demonic Techniques, nor is it from devouring remnant souls or colluding with evil demons!"

He paused, his tone resonant and powerful: "After I left the Sect, I was repeatedly hunted and faced death several times."

"In those desperate situations, I had only one thought: to find life within death, to seek a sliver of survival amidst slaughter!"

"The Ancient Sword Manor Legacy and the battles in the Land of Flowing Fire were dangerous, but they were also a form of tempering."

"Every enemy I slew, every tribulation I endured, I hovered on the line between life and death, squeezing out every bit of potential at my limits to verify what I had learned and to understand my own Dao!"

"The path of cultivation is like rowing upstream. Some follow the steps and achieve success naturally. Others encounter great disasters and find rebirth through destruction. Some are even blessed by heaven with miraculous encounters."

"I do not dare to claim heaven's favor, but I can say with a clear conscience that every Breakthrough in my cultivation was obtained through risking my life, sustaining myself through battle, and achieving an Epiphany between life and death!"

"Whether my Foundation is solid, my True Essence pure, and my Heart-Nature stable—the Elders' Dharma Eyes are like torches; one test will reveal all!"

He raised his right hand, and True Essence emerged from his palm. He wasn't displaying complex attributes, but the purest golden sword essence.

Within it, Sword Intent soared to the heavens, lightning was contained within, and vitality was hidden, yet it was all perfectly integrated, upright, and peaceful. Its Foundation was so solid that it far exceeded those of the same rank.

"What I Cultivate has always been the Sect's fundamental Cultivation Technique, supplemented by Body Refining techniques and the sword path Legacy."

"There are indeed multiple forces within my body, but that is due to surviving numerous desperate situations, refining various elemental natural treasures, or dealing with special environments."

"However, all these forces are governed by my Sword Intent and harmonized using our Sect's Mind-Cultivation Technique as the Foundation. They coexist without conflict, together strengthening my body."

"This is not the chaotic devouring of the Demonic Path, but rather the gathering of a hundred rivers into a single furnace!"

His gaze swept across the crowd and finally landed on Ling Juexiao, his voice turning cold: "As for the 'remnant soul aura' that Pavilion Master Ling sensed... it is even more nonsensical and maliciously intended!"

"In the Land of Flowing Fire, I once entered the periphery of a place where an ancient Cultivator had passed away. Is it so strange that I became tainted with the scorching Dao Rhyme and the ripples of their lingering grievances before they dissipated?"

"That aura had long since merged with the environment of the Land of Flowing Fire and was gradually refined and absorbed by me to temper my Sword Intent and fire resistance. Now, only a faint trace of lingering charm remains."

"Yet Pavilion Master Ling far-fetchingly associates this with 'feeding demons' and 'Possession.' Is it because the Pavilion Master is so 'knowledgeable' about Demonic Path methods that he is catching at shadows and seeing enemies behind every tree?"

"Or... is he simply looking for an excuse to frame me and fabricate a crime?!"

"You are presumptuous!" Ling Juexiao roared in fury, his pressure erupting violently.

"Pavilion Master Ling!" Perfected Qingxu gave a light shout, once again smoothing out the pressure.

His gaze was warm and profound as he looked at the solid True Essence in Ye Tian's palm and carefully sensed the aura around Ye Tian's body.

It was exactly as Ye Tian had said. Although there were traces of various forces and a sliver of ancient, scorching lingering charm, they were coordinated with each other. His Foundation was stable, and his Divine Soul was clear, with no signs of being eroded or controlled.

It was completely different from the quick-fix, sinister, and violent nature of Demonic Techniques.

"Ye Tian, you say your progress in cultivation was due to life-and-death battles and Epiphanies in desperate situations, and that you have refined various elemental treasures and environmental forces. Such experiences do explain it."

"As for that wisp of ancient, scorching lingering charm, it indeed seems like the residual Dao Rhyme from an ancient Cultivator's place of passing, which is vastly different from the sinister malice of a Demonic Path remnant soul."

Perfected Qingxu spoke slowly, his eyes thoughtful, "However, you have admitted to killing Elder Yin Li of the Wanren Sword Pavilion; this is a fact."

"Although the evidence for Pavilion Master Ling's accusations is incomplete, the doubts have not been dispelled. Both sides have their own stories, and it is difficult to make an immediate determination."

Ling Juexiao's face was grim. He hadn't expected Ye Tian to cleverly explain away the 'remnant soul aura' as being tainted by the residual Dao Rhyme of an ancient place of passing, and it even sounded reasonable.

Even more unexpected was Ye Tian's exquisite control over his own power, demonstrating a Foundation of True Essence that was beyond reproach.

But how could he let it go?

"Sect Head Qingxu! This boy is glib-tongued; he clearly came prepared to cover up the truth!"

"His explosive growth in cultivation is a fact, and the doubts surrounding him are facts! I suggest we take him down immediately and perform a Soul Search or a Heart-Questioning technique; then everything will naturally come to light!" Ling Juexiao said sharply, revealing his ultimate intent.

"Ling Juexiao! You dare!" Elder Tianshu's hair and beard bristled as he glared with fury.

"Soul Search and Heart-Questioning harm the natural harmony of heaven and should not be lightly used unless dealing with a confirmed major Demonic Path criminal." Xing Tiexin frowned and spoke in a deep voice.

Perfected Qingxu's gaze swept over both sides, and he had already reached a decision.

"Silence." His voice echoed through the hall. "Although Ye Tian's progress in cultivation has reasons like miraculous encounters and life-and-death battles, doubts still remain. Regarding Yin Li's death, he has already admitted to it. As for Pavilion Master Ling's accusations, both sides lack sufficient evidence."

"However, to distinguish right from wrong and to give an account to the Wanren Sword Pavilion and our Fellow Daoists of the Northern Region..."

He looked at Ye Tian and said slowly, "Five days from now, at the Sect's Sword Testing Platform, we shall set up a Heart-Questioning Arena. It will be presided over by our Sect's Elders, and we invite Pavilion Master Ling and our various Fellow Daoists to witness it."

"Ye Tian, you will need to undergo the Sect's questioning on the Heart-Questioning Arena and take on three challenges from Cultivators of the same generation."

"If you can pass the Heart-Questioning and prove in the three challenges that your strength has a solid Foundation and that your words are true, then the Sect can accept your testimony, and the matter of Yin Li will be discussed further as appropriate."

"If you cannot, or if you reveal flaws of Demonic Techniques during the challenges, then your multiple crimes will be punished together, and you will be severely dealt with!"

"Does anyone have any objections to this proposal?"

The Heart-Questioning Arena! Three challenges! A public verification of the truth and a defense of one's strength!

Elder Tianshu frowned, but he knew this was the best possible outcome for now; at least it avoided torture. He looked toward Ye Tian.

Ling Juexiao's eyes flickered. Although he hadn't achieved his goal of a Soul Search, the Heart-Questioning Arena and the three challenges were also opportunities.

He snorted coldly, "This Pavilion Master has no objections! I want to see how this scoundrel intends to keep up his disguise!"

"Disciple Ye Tian obeys the Sect Head's command!" Ye Tian bowed, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible confidence.

"In that case, dismiss. Five days from now, at the Sword Testing Platform, the Heart-Questioning Arena shall begin." Perfected Qingxu made the final decision.

After the gathering at Wendao Hall dispersed, discussions about the 'Heart-Questioning Arena' and Ye Tian's 'Demonic Path suspicion' spread like wildfire among the Outer Sect Disciples and inner Disciples across the Seven Peaks.

Supporters and doubters each held their own views; whether during meals or in the intervals between cultivation, this matter was the sole topic of conversation.