Chapter 19: Unraveling the Threads, Tensions Rising

Li Qingshan felt a slight heaviness in his heart as he glanced at Elder Mu.

"Within the last two months, has any elder at the Spirit Molding Realm left the sect?"

Elder Mu pondered for a moment, then frowned. "No one has left."

Li Qingshan immediately understood the situation and offered a smile to the beautiful young woman. "Sect Master Luo, none of the Spirit Molding Realm elders of the Chuyun Sword Sect have left the mountains in the past two months. I wonder who exactly it is that has offended your esteemed sect?"

Luo Li did not respond, instead glancing at her junior brother, Jun Moxiao.

Jun Moxiao stepped forward. The youth’s face was as handsome as polished jade, his eyes bright as the morning stars. He stood as straight as a sword, radiating heroic vigor. He looked at Li Qingshan calmly and spoke in a deep voice.

"Sect Master Li, you may summon all members below the Spirit Molding Realm who have left the sect in the last two months. I will identify the culprit one by one."

Li Qingshan paused slightly. Although this youth was a minor realm lower than himself, he exerted tremendous pressure. The youth’s vitality was as surging and vigorous as a dragon; with every breath, the void seemed to tremble. He was truly a rare and gifted prodigy.

Above all, both the youth and the girl were wearing Imperial-grade robes, exuding an air of extreme nobility that made Li Qingshan wary of acting rashly. After some thought, he decided that harmony was the best policy.

He turned to Elder Mu and said, "Go, bring all the disciples who have left the sect in the last two months to the plaza."

"Understood, Sect Master." Elder Mu acknowledged the order and hurried away. He understood the Sect Master's predicament; these two noble, Spirit Molding Realm youths were clearly no ordinary figures, and the Chuyun Sword Sect could likely not afford to offend them.

Li Qingshan smiled gently at Luo Li again. "Please follow me, the two of you."

Luo Li looked at Jun Moxiao, who caught her meaning instantly. With a flicker of his body, he appeared near the head of the black carriage, taking up the reins and guiding it slowly through the mountain gates.

A flash of light passed through Li Qingshan’s eyes. He was perplexed as to why they insisted on bringing the carriage along. However, despite his confusion, he merely cast a faint glance at the black carriage and, saying nothing, continued to lead the way. Luo Li followed behind.

Soon, the group arrived at the plaza. Disciples began to arrive in a steady stream, and before long, the crowd grew dense.

Jun Moxiao jumped down from the carriage. Standing in the plaza, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s, he scanned the arriving disciples, searching for the person from that day. However, none of the Chuyun Sword Sect disciples appearing in the plaza matched the carriage driver he had encountered.

Jun Moxiao remained patient, continuing his slow search. The crowd swelled to several thousand people. Many disciples, confused and unaware of the situation, began whispering to one another, creating a noisy, buzzing atmosphere.

"Sect Master, everyone is here," Elder Mu reported after checking the count.

Li Qingshan nodded and looked toward Jun Moxiao.

Jun Moxiao’s brows furrowed; he had not found the driver. "Is everyone truly here?" he asked coldly, staring at Elder Mu.

"For the most part, yes," Elder Mu said, nodding hurriedly, his body shivering slightly under Jun Moxiao’s piercing gaze.

"Impossible. I saw a Chuyun Sword Sect disciple that day, and he is not among them," Jun Moxiao stated firmly.

Li Qingshan looked at Elder Mu and asked, "Elder Mu, think carefully. See if anyone was left out."

Elder Mu pondered, then suddenly slapped his forehead. "There are two disciples serving at the place where our ancestor is in seclusion in the back mountains. They have left the mountain before."

"Then what are you waiting for? Bring them here," Jun Moxiao said coldly.

Elder Mu wore a troubled expression and looked at Li Qingshan. "Sect Master, those two certainly could not be the ones; they have only left once."

Li Qingshan sighed. Things had reached this point, and he had no choice but to let Elder Mu make another trip. He did not want to become enemies with these two. Once these two Spirit Molding Realm experts turned against the Chuyun Sword Sect, even if they could win, the price would be catastrophic. Li Qingshan did not want the sect to suffer heavy losses over a trivial matter.

Elder Mu received the order and left. Before long, he returned with two people. Both were young men, roughly thirty years old.

Jun Moxiao examined them for a few moments. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He pointed a finger at one of the youths and said, "It is this one."

Li Qingshan took a look and realized this disciple only had cultivation at the first level of the Origin Sea Realm. "Sect Master Luo, my disciple here has very shallow cultivation. How could he possibly have become an enemy of yours?"

Jun Moxiao suddenly reached out, grabbing the disciple—who had been keeping his head down—from across the distance. "Do you still recognize me?" Jun Moxiao sneered at him.

The disciple raised his head and scrutinized Jun Moxiao’s face. The more he looked, the more alarmed he became, until he began to tremble uncontrollably. He blurted out, "How can it be you? Didn't you die at the Ridge of Ten Thousand Ghosts?"

"Thanks to you, I didn't," Jun Moxiao sneered repeatedly. He grabbed the disciple and strode toward Li Qingshan.

The disciple struggled, crying out, "That's not right! You were only at the Qi Gathering Realm back then! How have you become a great cultivator at the fourth level of the Spirit Molding Realm after only half a month?"

Jun Moxiao sneered, offering no answer.

Li Qingshan and the others nearby felt their hearts skip a beat. Half a month to advance from the Qi Gathering Realm to the Spirit Molding Realm? How was that possible? For a moment, they even wondered if this disciple of their own sect had lost his mind.

Just then, a thunderous sound erupted in the air.

"Where did these two brats come from? How dare they come to my Chuyun Sword Sect to cause trouble and seize my disciple!"

The voice boomed. A flash of sword light descended, revealing an old man in black robes with a long sword strapped to his back. The old man’s aura was powerful, emanating the presence of the ninth level of the Spirit Molding Realm.

"Greetings, Supreme Elder." Upon seeing this man, Li Qingshan was startled and quickly bowed in respect. The other disciples in the plaza followed suit.

Suddenly, a rumbling sound enveloped the entire Chuyun Sword Sect. *Swish, swish, swish...* Figures dropped from all directions. Every one of them was at the Spirit Molding Realm. These were the other elders, who had emerged alongside the Supreme Elder.

"Li Qingshan, you are a spineless Sect Master! Others are bullying us to this extent in the Chuyun Sword Sect, and you just stand there? Are you even human?" The Supreme Elder glared at him, pointing his finger and berating him loudly.

Li Qingshan’s face turned crimson, his whole body trembling. He had wanted to prevent the sect from suffering losses, but he had not expected to be labeled a coward by the Supreme Elder.

"No need to explain. Draw your sword and kill these two immediately," the Supreme Elder coldly commanded.

Seeing the Supreme Elder’s fury, Li Qingshan took a deep breath and drew his sword. The other Spirit Molding Realm elders of the Chuyun Sword Sect lowered their heads and drew their blades as well, pointing them at Luo Li and Jun Moxiao.

In an instant, the entire Chuyun Sword Sect was bristling with swords and murderous intent.

Inside the carriage, Ye Yun saw this scene and smiled slightly. Although the Supreme Elder looked like the mastermind, it was likely not that simple. However, the carriage driver was indeed the same one who had taken Jun Moxiao to the Ridge of Ten Thousand Ghosts. As for whether this Supreme Elder was the masked man, it was too early to draw a conclusion.

The mastermind was hidden too deeply; it was unlikely that a small sect like the Chuyun Sword Sect could be behind it. Furthermore, the Chuyun Sword Sect had no connection to the Shenlong Sect, and the Supreme Elder had no reason to attack them directly. Behind him, there must be an even greater power.