Translator: CinderTL
Thanks to Zhao Taiyi's habit of occasionally bringing interesting items to Elder Bai Yang over the years, his ascent up the mountain was remarkably smooth.
Before long, a man who appeared to be in his thirties or forties emerged.
"Senior Brother Xing Yang."
Zhao Taiyi hurried forward.
"Junior Brother Zhao, what urgent matter brings you here? Tell me first, let's not disturb our Master over trivial matters," Xing Yang said lazily.
"It's related to the Chiyang Dao Academy at the foot of the mountain," Zhao Taiyi replied, carefully presenting a piece of Spirit Jade. "I beg Senior Brother to report this to our Master."
"An issue at the foot of the mountain? That requires our Master's attention?" Xing Yang glanced at the Spirit Jade Zhao Taiyi handed over and finally said, "Alright, I'll mention it to our Master. Whether he decides to see you is up to him."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Zhao Taiyi inwardly seethed at Xing Yang's opportunism but dared not show it, instead putting on a grateful expression.
Fortunately, a few minutes later, Xing Yang re-emerged from the courtyard. "You're in luck. Our Master happens to be free. Go on in."
Zhao Taiyi repeatedly expressed his thanks and quickly entered the inner courtyard.
In the study of the inner courtyard, Elder Bai Yang reclined in a chair, his eyes slightly narrowed. Beside him, a female disciple played the zither while another burned incense, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.
"Elder."
Zhao Taiyi bowed respectfully.
"You people from Blue Star sure know how to have fun. Xiao Zhao, what new trinket have you brought me this time?" Bai Yang opened his eyes slightly.
Zhao Taiyi dared not say much, bowing again as he presented a document.
Seeing this, Bai Yang gestured, and the document floated into his hand.
He flipped through it casually.
In less than ten seconds, the reclining elder suddenly sat up as if startled.
"What is this!?"
Meanwhile, Zhao Taiyi…
His head sank even lower.
"Leave us," Bai Yang immediately waved his hand.
The two female disciples quickly exited the study.
Bai Yang straightened up and began examining the documents.
A few minutes later, he waved his hand again, and the study doors closed. He then cast a spell, isolating the room's sounds and images from the outside world.
"The Flaming Phoenix Blood!" Bai Yang couldn't help but exclaim.
"It's said that even when not activated, the Flaming Phoenix Blood possesses mysteries comparable to the top fire-attribute Spirit Roots. Once activated, it becomes the perfect bloodline for Sword Cultivators. The Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy from thirty years ago, who dominated the world and remained undefeated across nine sects, is the best example."
The Core Formation Realm elder took a deep breath before turning his gaze to Zhao Taiyi. "Did you truly transfer the Flaming Phoenix Blood from one person to another?"
"Yes," Zhao Taiyi dared not hide anything. "There's a corpse at the academy at the foot of the mountain, killed by Profound Phoenix Sword Qi."
Bai Yang picked up a Message Jade Talisman. "Kuang Feng, go to the Chiyang Dao Academy and bring a corpse up here. I want to examine it personally."
After giving the order, he continued to review the documents Zhao Taiyi had presented.
When he finished reading the details about the blood transfer technique, he couldn't help but smile. "Quite creative."
Zhao Taiyi quickly bowed his head, embarrassed.
"However, it's impossible to succeed," Bai Yang stated calmly.
"Impossible to succeed?" Zhao Taiyi was stunned, then hurriedly added, "But from my observations, Li Chunjun has clearly succeeded in the transfer and exchange of Flaming Phoenix Blood!"
He quickly continued, "I've brought this technique here to contribute it to the sect, hoping to do my small part for the sect's development."
His purpose in approaching Elder Bai Yang was twofold: first, to use Bai Yang's power to capture Li Chunjun and extract the Flaming Phoenix Blood from him; second, to exchange the technique he possessed for some benefits.
Although the rewards would never match those of becoming a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator, this technique should still fetch considerable resources, allowing him to advance further.
Unfortunately…
His words did not elicit a response from Elder Bai Yang.
The elder didn't even bother to explain.
Their levels were different, and so was the information they could access.
Zhao Taiyi grew anxious, but with Bai Yang silent, he dared not press further.
Before long, Kuang Feng, the elder's eldest disciple of barbarian origin who had followed him from the cultivation world, arrived outside the courtyard.
"Master, there are several corpses. I've brought them all," Kuang Feng said gravely.
Bai Yang flashed outside the courtyard.
Hearing this, Zhao Taiyi quickly followed.
When he saw the lifeless body of An Yuan, his pupils constricted sharply.
Dead!?
Not long ago, he had been sitting with Dean An, chatting and laughing, watching him order the pursuit of Li Chunjun.
And now, dead!?
Could Li Chunjun's desire for revenge be so strong!?
If Li Chunjun knew the role Zhao Taiyi had played in this event, would he spare him?
As Zhao Taiyi's heart raced with fear, Bai Yang began carefully examining the wounds on the bodies, including An Yuan's.
After a while, he took out a jade talisman with a grave expression. "Elder Tianjian, come quickly!"
Then he turned to Kuang Feng. "I need all the information on the killer."
"Yes," Kuang Feng quickly retreated.
Shortly after Bai Yang sent his message, a streak of light shot through the sky.
A man who appeared to be in his fifties, with slightly graying temples but a vigorous demeanor, descended in a beam of light and landed in the courtyard.
"Bai Yang? What's the matter?"
"See for yourself," Elder Bai Yang pointed to the corpses.
Elder Tianjian stepped forward and began examining them. In just a moment, his expression changed. "Profound Phoenix Sword Qi!? Who!? Jiang Wanyu? Or Jiang Yuqiu?"
His eyes flashed with anger. "We've already ceded Yandang Mountain to them. Is the Taixu Sword Sect still not satisfied, constantly finding excuses to push further!? Such arrogance—do they not fear that we'll unite with the other seven sects and rise against them?"
"Are you certain it's Profound Phoenix Sword Qi?" Bai Yang asked cautiously.
"Of course. I've dealt with the Flaming Phoenix lineage for most of my life. Thirteen of my disciples have died directly or indirectly at the hands of Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigies. How could I mistake it?" Tianjian snorted.
But out of caution, he examined the bodies again.
When he confirmed it without doubt, he continued, "These are our academy's people? The academy is right at the foot of the mountain, isn't it? Who dares to be so bold as to come to our academy and kill?"
"It's neither Jiang Wanyu nor Jiang Yuqiu!" Bai Yang said gravely. "It's a new Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator!"
"A new Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator!?" Elder Tianjian was puzzled. "Jiang Yuqiu's cultivation has basically reached its limit. It's questionable whether he can achieve the Golden Core in the future. As for Jiang Wanyu, her temperament doesn't align with that of a Sword Cultivator. In theory, it's difficult for her to become a Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy…"
His expression darkened. "With the war over and Jiang Lingyun gone, I thought the Flaming Phoenix lineage would quiet down for the next few decades. How is it that a new Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator has appeared now?"
At that moment, Kuang Feng hurriedly presented a document.
Bai Yang glanced at it and turned to Tianjian. "If you're certain that the cultivator who killed these people is indeed a Flaming Phoenix Sword Cultivator… then there's good news and bad news."
(End of the Chapter)
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