Chapter 111: I Have Been Waiting a Long Time

Nangong Rou laughed without the slightest attempt to hide it, her expression laced with mockery and a clear intent to sow discord.

Around them, many people, including those from the Gu and Dongfang families, began to cast looks of dissatisfaction toward Yan Nantian. His words just now stood in stark contrast to the conditions they had previously agreed upon.

The atmosphere in the arena grew heavy.

Interestingly, despite being subjected to such ridicule and contempt, the initial trace of anger on Yan Nantian’s face gradually faded into indifference. His expression turned as cold as frost, and his eyes revealed a sense of mockery and disdain in return.

"Wait."

Yan Nantian pulled his hands into his sleeves and waved at the arena.

Immediately, nearly a hundred disciples dressed in the robes of the Qingxu Sect appeared along the edges of the circular platform, which stood hundreds of feet in the air. They held spirit swords and surrounded the entire platform, their faces cold and their aura aggressive.

Countless people turned their gaze toward the Qingxu Sect, their faces filled with panic and confusion. The Qingxu Sect held a pivotal position in the entire Qianliu City, not just because of the backing of Broken Blade Mountain, but primarily due to the foundation provided by these hundreds of cultivators.

Yang Yuanhao took a heavy step forward and said in a deep voice, "Sect Master Yan, why this sudden display of force? Is it finally time to make a move?"

"Sect Master Yang, what are you implying? Before this competition proceeds, I must first seek justice for my Qingxu Sect."

Yan Nantian lowered his eyelids slightly and said indifferently, "Several days ago, three members of my sect went to the Sifang Pavilion of the Nangong family and mysteriously vanished. Only today have we confirmed the news of their loss."

After speaking, Yan Nantian looked at Yang Yuanhao with a smile, the implication behind his words clear.

Sensing his gaze, Yang Yuanhao sneered, "Good and evil have their rewards; if one does too many wicked deeds, they will naturally meet their retribution. If Sect Master Yan is trying to forcibly frame my Yang family, the method is a bit too crude."

"Since I dare to say it, I naturally have evidence." Yan Nantian called out, "Yunyu."

Yan Yunyu bowed slightly upon hearing this and flicked his right sleeve. A palm-sized mirror flew out, flashing with green light before instantly expanding to a hundred feet in size.

"This mirror is the Cloud Glow Mirror gifted to me by Elder Li Mofan of Broken Blade Mountain. It is responsible for guarding Qianliu City. Beyond monitoring evil spirits and ghosts, its most important function is to replay scenes that have occurred within a short timeframe."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surface of the mirror rippled. A black figure was seen returning from outside the city, using ruthless techniques to kill two young Qingxu disciples in an instant. After winning a brief skirmish against an old woman, the figure destroyed the three corpses with spirit flames, leaving nothing behind.

The image on the mirror faded, and the crowd fell silent. It was not just because of the cruelty of the act, but because the figure seemed familiar. Countless eyes shifted toward the slightly hunched old servant standing beside Yang Yuanhao.

Yang Pan’er and Yang Yuanhao were also filled with disbelief. The culprit, Zhao Ji, kept her head slightly lowered, ignoring the gazes of the crowd.

Shen Yu first looked at the mirror, then suddenly glanced at Zhao Ji. His expression was strange, but his meaning was clear: he wanted to say that for someone who committed murder, she didn't even bother with a simple disguise—the demon race truly had no brains.

Zhao Ji sensed this gaze and felt a flicker of indignation. She thought to herself, *I didn't know the opponent had such bizarre things, so how is it my fault?*

"Take her!"

Following Yan Nantian’s roar, the surrounding Qingxu Sect disciples surged forward.

"Just you?"

With a whistle filled with intense disdain, Zhao Ji transformed into a streak of rainbow light and dove into the crowd. A series of thunderous explosions followed, and many disciples were sent flying.

"Insolent!"

Yan Nantian’s spiritual energy surged as if he were descending from the sky, his palms radiating light. Zhao Ji spun around and met him with a palm strike of her own. Two vastly different spiritual energies collided with a boom. Yan Nantian landed heavily, the surrounding air trembling, while Zhao Ji was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground.

Watching this, Shen Yu’s expression remained indifferent. Yan Nantian was currently at the mid-stage of the Divine Wandering Realm; without additional fortune, he would likely be stuck there for life.

On the ground, Zhao Ji’s eyes were cold. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her spiritual energy roiling as she prepared to ascend into the sky. Yet, the next moment, she froze. Yan Yunyu had appeared beside Yang Yuanhao and his daughter, his hands resting on Yang Pan’er’s shoulders with a sinister smile.

Zhao Ji said coldly, "Are you seeking death?"

Yan Nantian stood before his son and said slowly, "No rush. I just think the Yang family needs to give me an explanation."

Yang Yuanhao’s expression was complex. Yang Pan’er shook off the man’s hand and shouted angrily, "Give you an explanation, you big-headed ghost!"

*Slap!*

Yan Yunyu wore a savage smile as he slapped Yang Pan’er across the face with such force that she collapsed to the ground. Yang Yuanhao moved to intervene but was kicked to the ground by another Qingxu disciple.

"A young lady needs to be taught manners. When you marry into my Yan family later, I will teach you properly," Yan Yunyu said with a playful smirk.

Shen Yu stood on the high platform, looking down at everyone without speaking. He had once told Zhao Ji that this matter would inevitably implicate the Yang family, but she hadn't believed him.

Zhao Ji said coldly, "This has nothing to do with them."

Compared to the immature Yan Yunyu, Yan Nantian was clearly an old fox. He smiled slowly, "I naturally believe Patriarch Yang is not such a malicious person, but this matter requires a thorough investigation. If you continue to resist, I’m afraid my patience will run thin."

Yan Nantian weighed every word as he spoke, though he felt a hint of regret. One or two disciples and an elder were of no consequence to the Qingxu Sect. He had originally intended to use this small leverage to drive the Yang family out of Qianliu City and then finish them off, but because of this mysterious boy, he had been forced to reveal it early.

Zhao Ji clenched her fists tightly, a flash of crimson light flickering in her eyes before she forcibly suppressed it. Seeing this, Shen Yu thought that this little fox wasn't entirely stupid. If others discovered that the Yang family’s old servant was a demon spirit, the Yang family would truly have no place left in Qianliu City.

Yan Nantian said, "Yunyu."

Yan Yunyu formed a strange mudra with his hands and shouted, "Suppress!"

The mirror, still floating in the air, emitted a brilliant light that instantly enveloped Zhao Ji, who had ceased her resistance.

"Ah!"

With a shrill scream, Zhao Ji’s entire body was pinned to the ground. Her fingers curled like hooks as if she were being crushed by a great mountain. Within moments, Zhao Ji, trapped by the brilliant mirror light, began to wail, her face contorted in agony as blood seeped from her body.

Yan Yunyu watched this with a cold sneer, silently manipulating his spiritual power to torment her at will. The onlookers felt their scalps tingle. Zhao Ji’s brief display of power earlier had made it clear to everyone how formidable her cultivation was. Yet, for a cultivator of that strength to be in such agonizing pain—how cruel must it be?

Yang Pan’er’s eyes were blurred with tears. She wiped them away with her small hands and suddenly looked up, staring tearfully at the elegant figure on the high platform.

Yang Yuanhao also seemed to find a lifeline, calling out with uncertainty, "Master Shen?"

Countless people on the circular platform began to look up with hopeful eyes.

Shen Yu, however, seemed not to notice their gazes and merely shook his head slightly at Yang Pan’er. Seeing this, everyone fell into a somber silence. Yang Pan’er lowered her head and sniffled, looking very heartbroken. For some reason, Nangong Rou’s expression also appeared somewhat disappointed.

Shen Yu’s expression remained as usual; he merely looked into the distance, as if waiting for something. In his view, the three Qingxu Sect disciples had not committed crimes worthy of death. While he lacked the patience to actively help the Qingxu Sect, he would not go out of his way to shield them either.

"For killing my Qingxu Sect disciples without authorization and destroying the evidence, the crime is unforgivable. It will be handed over to the Linshang Kingdom Academy for severe punishment. As for whether there are other accomplices, my Qingxu Sect will naturally investigate slowly."

After saying this, Yan Nantian looked at Shen Yu and added with a deliberate, smiling tone, "I wonder if this little brother has any objections?"

Shen Yu asked calmly, "Are you finished?"

Yan Nantian was stunned.

"Since you are finished, tell your son to get on the stage." Shen Yu lifted his foot slightly, looking somewhat impatient. "I recall I should have been waiting here for a long time."