The Breached Gate and a Suspect’s Innocence

The Jade Maiden Hall on Sect Master Peak exuded an air of opulent grandeur.

Shangguan Zhi sat upon the Sect Leader’s throne, her long legs, clad in white stockings, crossed elegantly. Her left hand, propped against the armrest, supported her chin, lending her an air of languid grace.

At that moment, a jade token, glowing with a soft, lamb-fat white luminescence, materialized before her. From within it, the reports of the various peak masters began to stream forth.

With a delicate lift of her fair wrist, a surge of spiritual energy coalesced at her fingertips, channeling into the jade token.

Instantly, a colossal phoenix shadow burst forth from the jade token, shattering the hall’s confines as it soared into the heavens. Its clear, resonant cries echoed across the sky before it transformed into a vast energy barrier, completely enveloping the Jade Maiden Sect.

Shangguan Zhi’s eyes were half-lidded, her fingers idly tapping her cheek as she murmured, ‘A single person…’

‘Could it be Zhang Xiaocha?’

A trace of uncertainty laced her voice. She tilted her head slightly, and an overwhelming wave of divine sense surged forth, swiftly blanketing the entire Jade Maiden Sect in search of Zhang Xiaocha.

Simultaneously, with a graceful flick of her jade finger, the token hovering before her chest drifted into her hand. A light tap sent a distress signal hurtling towards the four other great sects.

A moment passed.

Her expression grew grave as she slowly rose, the silver bells at her ankles chiming crisply. ‘None? How can there be none?’

Her voice faltered.

‘Then again…’

‘Zhang Xiaocha hasn’t been in the sect these past few days, so how could this involve her? It seems their words ring true; a new demonic overlord has truly emerged recently!’ Her fingers curled instinctively, her nails digging into her palm and leaving faint crescent-shaped marks.

‘Our Ancestor entered death seclusion fifteen years ago. Her five senses are sealed; nothing can rouse her unless there are widespread casualties among our disciples.’

Her throat bobbed, her gaze fixed ahead. ‘It seems I, as Sect Leader, must personally go and buy us time. Even if I’m no match, I can use the Sect Leader’s token to return here instantly.’

With that, her figure vanished from the spot.

Above Xuanyue City in the Eastern Region of the Daughter Country.

The bright moon hung high, veiled by swirling mists. Suspended majestically in the sky was the Xuanyue Sect, one of the five most powerful sects in the world.

Within Xuanyue Hall,

A woman stood before a latticed window, one hand resting on the sill, the other supporting her chin. Draped in a pale purple silk gown, her voluminous dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, swaying gently in the evening breeze.

At that moment, the phoenix-emblazoned jade token at her waist flickered softly. Liu Mengyun’s brow furrowed. With a slight curl of her finger, the token floated into her hand. As her divine sense briefly probed its contents, her expression turned grim. ‘The Jade Maiden Sect’s mountain gate has been breached?’

‘How is this possible? Even if the Jade Maiden Sect no longer commands the world-shattering power of ancient times, it remains one of the five strongest sects of this era.’

‘And to think, there’s only a single assailant…’

A sudden realization seemed to strike her, and her pupils constricted. ‘Perhaps it isn’t a nascent demonic overlord at all, but the peerless great demon sealed by the Jade Maiden Sect that has finally broken free…’

She promptly summoned the various peak masters, who quickly gathered within the teleportation array that led directly to the Jade Maiden Sect.

Fortunately, to prevent any unforeseen issues with the seal, each of the other four great sects had established a teleportation array capable of instantly transporting them to the Jade Maiden Sect. ‘I only hope we’re not too late…’

After a sufficient number of spirit stones were inserted, a flash of golden light erupted, and their figures vanished from the teleportation array.

Simultaneously, identical scenes unfolded within the remaining three great sects.

Jade Maiden Sect.

Within Wenhui Residence on Zixia Peak, candlelight flickered softly.

On the bed, Ling Qinxue retrieved a white, flowing cloud immortal dress from her storage ring and donned it, concealing her inadvertently exposed form.

She first cast a cold glance at the unconscious Mo Yi sprawled on the floor, then turned to Luo Bingning with a grave expression. ‘I have already imparted the soul-searching technique to you. Do not venture anywhere now; remain here within my Wenhui Residence.’

‘Master… what’s wrong? Has something happened?’

Luo Bingning’s brows furrowed slightly. In the past, within Wenhui Residence, Master would typically wear only a bellyband unless a truly significant event occurred. Yet today, Master was fully clothed…

Ling Qinxue lightly tapped Luo Bingning’s brow with her index finger, implanting the scenes she had just witnessed with her divine sense across the entire sect into Luo Bingning’s sea of consciousness. ‘The Jade Maiden Sect has very likely fallen…’

‘And the one who attacked you might be an insider for the demonic forces. Regrettably, a restriction has been placed on her divine soul, one that cannot be undone without reaching the Soul Transformation stage. Otherwise, we might have gleaned some of their plans.’

‘However, the Sect Leader has already contacted the leaders of the four other great sects, and I’m certain they will arrive to assist us shortly. You simply remain here, at ease; I must now go and oversee the peak protection array!’

With that, her figure vanished.

Gazing at the vivid, spring-like scene within her sea of consciousness, Luo Bingning stumbled back. ‘This… this is…’

For some inexplicable reason, a powerful intuition told her that Zhang Xiaocha was responsible for everything.

A complex emotion swirled within her. If Zhang Xiaocha truly was behind this, then it implied that without her intervention, Luo Bingning herself might have already met her end.

Yet, the sect was now in such a tragic state…

Luo Bingning drew a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and forced herself to calm. ‘To prevent Xiaocha from leaving, I already placed a restriction at the stone cave entrance, reinforced with the formation Master bestowed upon me! How could Xiaocha possibly have gotten out?’

‘And how could her sixth-layer Qi Refinement cultivation possibly subdue so many elders and peak masters within the sect?’

Suddenly, her expression grew cool. ‘But… didn’t Xiaocha also, using some unknown magical artifact, consistently disrupt our junior sisters’ cultivation for twelve years?’

‘Even when multiple peak masters collaborated to erect the Sound-Suppressing Grand Formation, they still couldn’t block the incessant sound of her gong and drum! Even if those artifacts were confiscated, the very next day, they would mysteriously reappear in Xiaocha’s hands!’

The thought intensified the feeling in her heart. ‘If Xiaocha truly did this, then where would she be now?’

Her voice paused, then abruptly!

She suddenly lifted her head, her breath catching. ‘Is she trying to gain my Disgust Value?’

‘Mu Xi’s residence?!’

‘It’s Lanzhi Residence on Misty Peak!’

Misty Peak.

Before Lanzhi Residence,

Zhang Xiaocha materialized, her small face paling as she gazed at the four colossal pillars of teleportation light in the sky. [No… no… Chacha just picked up the wrong bell… How did that manage to draw the other four great sects to the Jade Maiden Sect?]

Her calves trembled, her soft, sweet voice laced with a tremor.

[Forget it… if things truly go south, Chacha will just run… Disgust Value can be gained anytime, but the most pressing matter now is…]

Her large, dark eyes darted about. With a quick sidelong glance, she spotted Mu Xi, clad in a pale yellow silk dress, emerging from Lanzhi Residence with a grave expression.

Beneath her dainty nose, the corners of her mouth curved slightly, revealing a row of pristine, pearly teeth. Zhang Xiaocha rubbed her small hands together, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. [Of course, it’s to gain Disgust Value!]

She immediately scampered forward with tiny, hurried steps, rushing towards Mu Xi. Her small face wore a perfectly calibrated expression of fright and urgency. “Mmm~”

“Second Senior Sister, this is terrible! Truly terrible! Demonic forces have breached the Jade Maiden Sect’s mountain gate, and Misty Peak’s protection array is far too weak! Senior Sister told me to quickly escort you away from here, Second Senior Sister! To the place where she and Chacha live~”

Hearing the voice, Mu Xi instinctively looked forward, spotting Zhang Xiaocha eagerly waving her small hand nearby. Her brows drew together in a tight frown. With a swift movement, she appeared beside Zhang Xiaocha. “What did you say? To the place where you and Bingning live?”

Indeed, Bingning hadn’t been in the sect these past few days. When questioned via sound transmission jade token, she had always been evasive, merely stating she was busy. But why was she now with their Junior Sister? A wave of suspicion bloomed in Mu Xi’s heart. Was there some unspeakable secret that even she was not privy to?

“Yes~ Ningning… ah, no… didn’t Senior Sister tell you?” Zhang Xiaocha blinked her wide, innocent eyes, her long lashes fluttering as she gazed at Mu Xi with a bewildered expression. “Chacha and she have been living together recently~” She even tilted her small head, radiating an air of pure innocence.

Mu Xi’s chest visibly heaved. Zhang Xiaocha asked with feigned concern, “Mmm… Second Senior Sister, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you speaking?”

Seemingly oblivious to Mu Xi’s odd demeanor, she pressed on. “Did Chacha say something wrong… and make you angry, Second Senior Sister?” Zhang Xiaocha lowered her head, her expression one of coy awkwardness, her small hands unconsciously tugging at her sleeve. A faint blush crept across her face. “Mmm… Second Senior Sister, please don’t misunderstand, we truly didn’t do anything, honestly~ You must believe me…”

Her voice was soft, sweet, and inherently captivating, like the subtle fragrance of tea.

“Otherwise… when we return, Ningning… Senior Sister will punish me again…” Zhang Xiaocha’s eyes welled up, and she gently bit her lower lip, looking on the verge of tears. “Mmm… it truly hurts…”

As if remembering something else, her small face flushed crimson. She lowered her head, stammering something in a voice barely above a whisper. “She almost broke me…”

Just then, an exceptionally cold voice resonated right beside Zhang Xiaocha’s ear. “Is that so?”

She whipped her head around, her expression frozen. “Hm?!”

“Se… Senior Sister?”