The Unveiling: A Mastermind Exposed

Qiu Yue’s legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground, the vivid crimson of blood mirroring her desolate figure.

Lin Mo’s words echoed in Qiu Yue’s ears, each phrase, like a heavy iron hammer, striking her soul repeatedly.

No trace of pity resided in Lin Mo’s heart; indeed, a smile almost touched his lips.

Only now did he truly grasp the extent of Qiu Yue’s narcissism.

He turned to Mu Qingli, his gaze laced with inquiry, and murmured, “Master, how far can I push this?”

Mu Qingli’s eyes, which had been tightly closed in listening, now slightly parted, revealing an undeniable sharpness within.

A clear, melodious voice entered Lin Mo’s mind, offering him the utmost support: “Go on, speak your truth. I, your master, will sit right here, supporting you!”

A warmth surged through Lin Mo’s heart.

Never before had he felt such solid backing.

It was as if he leaned against a towering mountain range, sheltered from the raging winds at his back.

He gazed down at the disconsolate Qiu Yue from above, as though observing a soiled rag.

He raised his voice slightly, ensuring every corner of the martial arena could hear.

“Yet, Senior Sister Qiu did speak one truth, didn’t she? As everyone just heard clearly, Qiu Yue and I have no prior grievances. So why would she repeatedly target me?”

Just as everyone held their breath, expecting Lin Mo to verbally confirm Qiu Yue’s malicious plot today—

He sharply shifted his tone, instead posing a question to the crowd.

The fervent discussions on the martial arena receded like a tide, and a deathly silence instantly descended.

The air seemed to solidify into ice, and countless piercing gazes fixed upon Lin Mo, who stood at the center of the stage, clutching the Shadow Stone.

‘Right and wrong — at this moment, they ceased to matter.’

‘This grand drama, born of a reversal, was clearly destined for even greater heights.’

The dull and tedious martial drills had long blunted their senses.

Now, Lin Mo’s words, like silver needles, precisely pierced the numb nerve endings of every spectator, and a long-dormant excitement was abruptly seized by this cold jolt.

Facing the uncertain crowd below the stage, his voice rang out clearly, imbued with remarkable penetrative power: “Fellow disciples, Qiu Yue and I have no prior connection. The schemes she employed are far from as simple as they appear on the surface! Though I am a personal disciple of the Sect Master, my performance has been mediocre. I only qualified as a Yi-Domain disciple in the inner hall assessment, and in my eagerness for quick success, I even transferred to the Bing-Domain, becoming a disciple there. By all accounts, I am merely an insignificant Bing-Domain disciple. What merits do I possess that would compel the esteemed Miss Qiu to meticulously plot and expend such resources to frame me? Does everyone not find this to be an excessive overreaction?”

A murmur began to rise from below the stage, as confusion rippled through the observation stands.

“Furthermore, the matter of bribing the Host of the Bing-Domain to commit malpractices is even more… This is rife with suspicions. We are merely new disciples; even the sect itself has not yet revealed its full intricacies. Even the Elders and Deacons only possess a partial understanding. Before the opening, no one knew anything about the Hall of Clarity. So how could Qiu Yue bribe someone? If, in the Hall of Clarity, each Host disappears immediately after their lesson, how did Qiu Yue manage to contact an inner domain Host? Even before a Host disappears, for a top-tier disciple to brazenly enter the Bing-Domain would undoubtedly draw attention. Yet, no such rumors have spread, so clearly, that’s not the truth either. Therefore, the answer becomes obvious!”

Lin Mo’s gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over the crowd in the observation stands.

“Only her master could have orchestrated this connection, providing Qiu Yue with the means. Or perhaps, Grand Elder Qing You is the true mastermind behind everything! As for the motive, it’s not difficult to guess. Many of you may have already figured it out, but dare not speak it aloud. So today, allow me to explain. It’s not merely about poaching disciples and forcibly seizing them; it’s about coveting my master’s position as Sect Master! To completely take control of the Xuan Nv Sect! And even to utterly sever the inheritance of the Bright Jade Profound Yin!”

A thunderous roar erupted!

The entire arena exploded into chaos!

Yet Lin Mo, at the eye of the storm, remained remarkably calm.

If he wished for a peaceful life in the future, he had to make such a drastic disclosure.

Even without concrete evidence, merely planting the seeds of doubt among these newly inducted disciples would suffice.

With these new disciples continuously spreading the word, then even if he had no proof, Qing You’s alleged scheme to usurp the Sect Master position and eradicate the Bright Jade Profound Yin would slowly permeate the Xuan Nv Sect, stirring ripples in the hearts of some.

These individuals might be obscure now, but in the future, they would inevitably grow, becoming the proteges, favorites, or even successors of various Elders.

And the slanders against Qing You would eventually blossom.

One must understand that the Bright Jade Profound Yin was the spiritual pillar of the Xuan Nv Sect.

A change in Sect Master might not concern these people greatly.

After all, regardless of who held the position, the Xuan Nv Sect would endure.

They might even feel that rather than having Mu Qingli occupy the seat without acting, it would be better to have Qing You, a capable administrator who managed the sect so meticulously, take the helm.

But what if Qing You desired not just the Sect Master’s position, but also sought to destroy the disciples who joined the Xuan Nv Sect out of admiration for Mu Qingli?

Then the situation would be vastly different.

Qing You’s reputation would gradually crumble; her decisions would be questioned.

The effects of her policies would be scrutinized, and increasingly, many would only perceive the drawbacks.

Then, as time passed and they infiltrated the management, they would gradually become Qing You’s staunch opponents.

This was the long-term view.

And in the short term?

It would pull Qing You into the spotlight, and all the hardships Lin Mo had endured would be connected to Qing You, leaving Lin Mo with allies.

Perhaps Qing You would remain inactive, even tolerate Lin Mo.

They would be heartbroken, yet powerless to apprehend the culprits.

But if it involved a personal disciple of the Sect Master, the implications would be entirely different.

As long as suspicion existed, a thorough investigation could be launched.

And if anything came to light, then the reputation Qing You had cultivated would collapse at any moment.

Even if she dared to act, she would be far more cautious, posing less danger, or at least, not directly harm Lin Mo herself.

Had it been anyone else, they might have simply vanished, or perished during an outdoor trial, or been murdered by villains, with fellow disciples powerless to pursue the culprits.

That would be Qing You ruthlessly striking!

A thorough investigation would undoubtedly uncover…

Before and during his ascent, Lin Mo understood that Mu Qingli and Qing You were essentially leaders, but behind them, even more powerful and influential figures existed.

If an investigation by those above them was prompted, it would certainly cause Qing You’s previously accumulated efforts to vanish into thin air.

After all, he could be considered the future star of the Xuan Nv Sect.

Mu Qingli’s forceful claiming of him, compelling him to cultivate the problematic Bright Jade Profound Yin, was only possible because the powerful figures behind them turned a blind eye, wanting to see if he could truly succeed.

If Qing You’s true intentions remained unknown to the public, and Lin Mo was secretly disposed of, then those figures could only remain silent.

But by bringing it into the open, making all the disciples aware, then for the Xuan Nv Sect to continue to exist, it would have to make a stance.

Either staunchly protect Qing You and alienate the lower-ranking disciples, or sacrifice Qing You, earning the trust and cohesion of the disciples.

Lin Mo believed they could discern the greater importance.

Thus, all Qing You could do was engage in direct confrontation, having her own disciples openly defeat Lin Mo, rather than resorting to disgusting petty tricks.

And in a direct confrontation, his chances of victory would be high.

Therefore, Lin Mo had to expose everything!

Outside the Hall of Clarity, the suspended Qing You could no longer maintain her composure.

Lin Mo’s words, like a red-hot dagger, fiercely plunged into her heart.

“‘Impudence! How dare you frame an Elder without any proof!'” Qing You’s shrill curses could no longer be suppressed, erupting suddenly!

Filled with exasperation and unconcealable panic, her voice instantly drowned out the arena’s chatter.

“‘Mu Qingli, look at the fine disciple you’ve taught! Such disrespect for a Senior, his crime is punishable by death!'” She attempted to forcefully charge towards the martial stage, her entire body radiating spiritual energy as cold as ten thousand years of profound ice.

With just a glance, Qing You, who had intended to rush into the Hall of Clarity, was suddenly met by an invisible, crushing pressure.

Like a colossal mountain, it descended upon her, pinning her firmly in place, her face turning ghastly pale.

“‘Grand Elder Qing You, when this Venerable One tells you to watch, you can only watch. Behave yourself. The Rules are merciless!'” Qing You trembled with rage, yet she couldn’t break through Xian Chengyue’s restriction, only able to stare venomously at the stage, as if Lin Mo had already been sliced into a thousand pieces.

Qing You, however, was not one to simply await her fate.

Suppressing the indignation and panic in her heart, she directly addressed Lin Mo on the ground, “‘Very well, Lin Wan’er! Originally, considering your exceptional cultivation aptitude, I had intended to resolve this misunderstanding privately, allowing… But now, it seems unnecessary!'”

“‘You keep claiming that Qiu Yue plotted against you, ambushed you, and that you have no grievances. But I ask you, if you truly are a cheater, a base and despicable person who would resort to such means, then using underhanded tactics to strike you down is hardly reprehensible!'”

“‘Rather, it was my disciple Qiu Yue who, to protect the dignity of the Hall of Clarity, resorted to this desperate measure, silently preventing such a person from defiling it!'”

“‘Grand Elder Qing You, what are you saying?'”

Lin Mo froze, a flicker of alarm instantly appearing on his face, which Qing You swiftly caught.

“‘What am I saying? Lin Wan’er, you know perfectly well! Your foundation is currently injured, yet it has already healed! And you’ve already advanced to Foundation Establishment! Why have you been concealing your cultivation all this time? If not to catch my disciple off guard and steal her top spot, then what else could it be?'”

At these words, the entire arena erupted into an uproar once more!

Allowing Lin Mo no chance to react, Qing You immediately turned to Xian Chengyue and questioned, “‘Pavilion Master Xian, this Lin Wan’er has an injury! Is she attempting to conceal her cultivation?'”

Xian Chengyue said little, simply rising.

In what seemed like mere moments, she appeared before Lin Mo.

Lin Mo was seen retreating repeatedly upon seeing Xian Chengyue, even displaying a hint of terror.

Yet, how could a dignified Foundation Establishment realm cultivator escape Xian Chengyue’s grasp?

Seeing Lin Mo’s demeanor, Qing You smiled.

Qing You then sneered, “‘Lin Wan’er, now let’s see how you, the villain, can accuse first! Slanderous—'”

“‘He is injured, his foundation damaged, and his strength is only at the eighth level of Qi Condensation. Compared to his cultivation during the earlier competition, his realm has actually regressed somewhat. Now, for him to still be standing is truly remarkable.'”

“‘Wh—'”

These words instantly caused Qing You’s mind to crash, leaving it utterly blank.

“‘No… that’s impossible…'”

“‘Clearly… clearly, when I checked before… he was still at Foundation Establishment!'”

“‘When confronting Qiu Yue, I could still sense his cultivation! How could it possibly be—'”

Suddenly, a chilling thought flashed through her mind.

“‘This girl… did he just sever his own meridians… damaging his cultivation?!'”

“‘Enduring such intense pain… acting as if nothing was wrong… was it all… for this moment…?'”

“‘This girl… he accounted for everyone outside…?'”

“‘His panic just now… was it all an act?'”