Only then did she have the chance to sweep her gaze over the crowd. Seeing that apart from the disciples of Hermit Immortal Palace, the disciples of the other major sects were no longer resisting, she laughed long and satisfiedly: “This old Daoist has lived for nearly fifty thousand years and has witnessed the changes of an entire era in the spirit realm. Usually when people praise me as upright, I feel ashamed. I certainly wouldn’t make baseless accusations without evidence or call a deer a horse after hearing rumors.”

After saying this, she glanced at the other elders.

Tianjing and the others now cupped their hands and agreed, giving her due respect.

Qiu Runyu was at the late stage of Tribulation Transcendence. Even though her lifespan was not long, she was still one of the top powerful cultivators in the entire spirit realm.

With her words to this point, this face and favor still needed to be given. Seeing that no one else spoke up, Qiu Runyu imperceptibly glanced at Mu Yun.

Mu Yun narrowed her small eyes, understanding tacitly.

She quickly reacted, bowing to Qiu Runyu and saying: “Reporting to Master, since the elders of all the major sects are here today, why don’t we let them see the information we uncovered a few days ago in advance.

“Now that the demon race has reappeared, the prophecy Elder Yun spoke of years ago seems to be coming true. This concerns the life and death of the cultivation world. Telling everyone a day earlier can prevent the demon race from exploiting loopholes and infiltrating our righteous path as spies.”

After Mu Yun finished speaking, she looked meaningfully at Liu Changning.

The white-robed female cultivator in the distance met her gaze calmly, a fierce glint flashing through her tea-colored eyes.

Their eyes met and quickly separated.

No one knew that the little black bird shook its wings, seeing hidden calculation on the face of the withered old Daoist.

“If something happens later, you escape first.”

Pei Ziyuan was no longer bristling now. He hung his head, his expression unreadable, but transmitted mentally as if he had already guessed what was about to happen, advising.

Liu Changning did not respond immediately. She looked up at the dark clouds gathering again, then bit her finger once more, skillfully prying open Pei Ziyuan’s long beak.

She said in a deep voice: “Trust me. If Ah Shao is tired, you might as well close your eyes and rest for a moment.”

“You don’t understand… they want to…”

“Could it be that the ancestor really thinks I’m just a coward? I am a powerful cultivator reincarnated. In my previous life, my cultivation had already reached the late stage of Tribulation Transcendence. With this, is Ah Shao still worried?”

The white-robed, black-haired woman lowered her head, her waterfall-like black hair sliding down from her shoulders, brushing against the little black bird’s face.

The scent of mint grass wafted over. Pei Ziyuan held her finger in his mouth, his eyes showing a trace of obsessive confusion.

This abnormality quickly disappeared without a trace. He turned his gaze away, sneering in a low voice: “Oh? Now you admit it. Calling yourself ‘junior’ all day long. Pretending to be kind and bashful. So it turns out you’re an old monster who has lived for who knows how many years.”

From their interactions in recent days, Elder Pei naturally knew that Liu Cangyu was not simple, and had also guessed that she might be a reincarnated cultivator. But hearing her confess with his own ears, he was still shocked in his heart.

He hadn’t actually thought her cultivation would be so high. Usually seeing her meek and obedient, foolish and clumsy, occasionally even blushing shyly.

How could he have guessed such a silly female cultivator was an old monster who had lived for tens of thousands of years?

Liu Changning’s tightly pressed lips cracked open with an almost imperceptible smile. She raised her hand to stroke the little black bird’s wings.

Making up a story with a straight face: “The ancestor misunderstands, Cangyu had no intention of concealing anything. I was originally a reclusive cultivator in the deep mountains. Before my master died, he said I was pure-hearted and foolish, but had constant peach blossom calamities and was easily deceived by men. Only the number one handsome man in the spirit realm could help me ward off future peach blossom calamities. Five hundred years ago, I reached the late stage of Tribulation Transcendence and entered a bottleneck in cultivation, so I followed my master’s orders to come down the mountain and experience tribulations. I was searching for the number one handsome man Pei Ziyuan, but unexpectedly, when the Sect Master Pei of the Ten Directions Sea flew over on an immortal crane that year, because I was too foolish and dazed, I triggered the heavenly tribulation, actually bringing forth the ascension tribulation clouds in advance. As a result…”

The little black bird pursed its beak, its face initially angry, then quickly turning placating. It looked at her disdainfully, sneering lightly: “Oh, as a result you were struck dead by lightning! Tsk tsk tsk, so you were a country bumpkin from the mountains! No wonder you’re like this… Fine, with my abilities I can indeed call you ‘senior’. But why do you say Pei Zi… my master can ward off your peach blossom calamities?”

“Because he is this junior’s future husband.”

Words that don’t shock, don’t die. The little black bird’s eyes widened, staring at the matter-of-fact expression on the female cultivator’s face before him.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly: “Fool!”

If he could regain his human form, he would definitely whip her a hundred times to vent his anger.

“Wishful thinking. Chirp chirp chirp.” The little black bird angrily spat out her finger, pretending to retch a couple times, but not a trace of blood came out.

The female cultivator’s casual laughter came from above his head: “Is Ah Shao hungry? Look at this little mouth, licking all the blood from this junior’s hand without leaving a drop.”

Little black bird: …

After a bout of bickering, Elder Pei glared angrily at Liu Changning, but failed to notice that the gloomy aura surrounding him earlier had completely dissipated.

Seeing this, Liu Changning finally set her mind at ease and raised her eyes to continue watching the farce of deliberate framing happening in front.

Elder Daoist Qiu clasped her hands behind her back, silver hair brushing her face. Seeing no one objecting, she instructed Mu Yun: “Take out the Concealment Stone.”

Mu Yun reacted quickly, taking out a milky white jade tablet from her bosom and channeling spiritual energy from her palm into the Concealment Stone.

Soon, an image appeared in midair.

It was a deep forest, extremely dark all around, gloomy and overcast.

Below was a vast, deep pool. Around the pool grew many red spider lilies, the flowers in full bloom, extraordinarily bewitching.

When the image appeared to this point, the cultivators present were already holding their breath, because red spider lilies could only bloom in the demon realm, so the scene ahead was undoubtedly the demon realm.

Then the image shifted, and a vermilion bird jumped out of a void transmission array. The vermilion bird’s glass-like eyes surveyed the surroundings, quickly transforming into a man.

As soon as this person’s human form appeared, all ten Nascent Soul stage elders present widened their eyes.

Especially Juqu, who was now drenched in cold sweat. She naturally recognized the man in the image – it was the previous Sect Master who had passed away a hundred years ago, Fengyu.

Juqu covered her mouth in disbelief, as the image in the Concealment Stone continued.

Fengyu flew above the black demon pool.

A completely black infant’s body appeared in the demon pool. Almost all the demonic energy in the pool poured into its body, the black water boiling and emitting bursts of black mist.

“So it was you, this beast, devouring the seven emotions and six desires of my wife-master and son, using them as nourishment in an attempt to condense a demon body.”

Chapter 100 The Female-Dominant Cultivation World (Twenty-One) [Continued]

Everyone looked shocked, still unable to process the information they had just received.

The Concealment Stone changed scenes again.

This was an ancient-style chamber. A male cultivator lay on the bed, a trace of blood at the corner of his lips, his breath feeble. It seemed he was taking more breaths in than out.

He held a pair of hands with distinct bony knuckles, speaking intermittently: “Ziyuan, remember this: until the moment of death and dao destruction, you must not speak of the Emotion Demon matter. You have the ancient bloodline of the Vermilion Bird, with three chances of rebirth through nirvana. Only at the moment of your final fall can you make this matter public. Remember this.”

“Alright.”

Although the owner of the hands didn’t appear in the scene, just from this deep “alright”, those familiar with Pei Ziyuan could recognize it as his voice.

Qiu Runyu withdrew the Concealment Stone, sweeping her gaze over the elders of the major sects. Seeing their solemn expressions, a glint of calculation flashed in her keen and bright eyes.

She coughed lightly, speaking righteously: “Some days ago when the demon race reappeared, I specially ordered Mu Yun to investigate this matter thoroughly. We unintentionally obtained this item, and originally planned to go to Qiyuan Island to inquire with Elder Pei in person. Who knew Elder Pei would suddenly appear here to protect a demon race member.”

Qiu Runyu paused meaningfully, seeing Juqu about to speak up in rebuttal, she interrupted, saying sternly: “This old Daoist has never been one to spread baseless rumors. Three days ago, a disciple’s soul lamp was extinguished. I accidentally discovered obvious demonic energy residue on the soul lamp.”

She gave Mu Yun a look, and Mu Yun quickly took out the soul lamp again. Qiu Runyu cast a spell from afar, and green light enveloped the soul lamp. Black demonic energy actually appeared on the soul lamp.

“Do you still have any doubts about this?”

“According to Sect Leader Qiu, the previous Sect Master Pei was involved with the Emotion Demon clan and concealed this matter?” Tianjing stepped forward. Although it was a question, her face already showed 80% belief.

Qiu Runyu stroked her chin, nodding and shaking her head: “It might have been even earlier. The Sect Master before that, Elder Pei’s birth mother, also seemed to have connections with the Emotion Demons.”

She swept her gaze ambiguously over everyone, smiling leisurely: “Of course, this is merely this old Daoist’s speculation. It would be more appropriate for fellow Daoists to question Elder Pei face to face.”

Suddenly learning of such a secret, Tianjing and the others were so shocked they couldn’t close their mouths. Though not showing on their faces, their hearts were churning. If Hermit Immortal Palace was involved with the demon race, the power structure of the cultivation world would likely be reshuffled.

Juqu hung her head, the silver hair at her temples seeming to have gained more strands in an instant. The disciples behind her didn’t dare to breathe a word, their hearts full of indignation, yet powerless to refute.

Elder Daoist Qiu acted very smoothly, not directly confirming Pei Ziyuan’s involvement with the demonic path.

But with what was seen in the Concealment Stone, and his protection of the demon spy Liu Changning, it was clear as day.

Everyone’s hearts were already 80% convinced. As long as Pei Ziyuan fell, Hermit Immortal Palace’s power would greatly diminish. Then they could take the opportunity to divide its sect resources.

The crisis of Li Gate falling to the bottom of the top ten sects would be resolved. This was also the reason she was willing to make a deal with the person behind the scenes.

He promised Li Gate wouldn’t fall for ten thousand years! Such a tempting condition, she had to accept.

As everyone was still in a daze, Liu Changning’s expression had completely cooled.

Accusing her of being from the demon race was false. This old woman Qiu spoke honeyed words, every sentence aimed at sowing discord.

This was to confirm Pei Ziyuan’s collusion with the demon race!

Slandering her didn’t matter, but slandering that phoenix… Thinking of when she first met him in her previous life, when he was imprisoned in the Cangming Immortal Sword for tens of thousands of years, his eyes lonely to the point of deathly stillness.

These people had forced him step by step into endless despair.

Thinking of this, Liu Changning fully extended her divine sense. Dense spiritual energy surrounded her body, her long hair flying as she rose into the air.

“Heh? What a fine Li Gate, what a fine righteous and unworldly Elder Daoist Qiu!”

Her clothes fluttered loudly in the wind, the white-robed female cultivator’s thin lips pressed into a straight line.

She said sternly: “When you want to condemn someone, you’ll never lack for words. Why should I admit to things I haven’t done? But you said one thing right, Elder Pei wouldn’t have come from so far away to defend me. That person just now was merely my impersonation. You certainly have many schemes and tricks. At your age, with such a clever mind, you’re quite skilled at distorting the truth! Since you’ve ruined my plans today, heh…”

She snorted coldly, her immense divine sense fully entering the top of Qiu Runyu’s head. The hemp-robed old Daoist was caught off guard and retreated several steps.

Her hands trembled as she pointed at Liu Changning: “You… Tribulation Transcendence stage!”