Chapter 66: An Audience in the Great Hall

Lin Yun locked eyes with Jiang Zhengqing.

"Is this how the Beast Taming Sect treats its guests?" he asked, his voice ringing with defiance.

Meng Ketuo's face flushed with anger. This insolent brat! I failed to finish him with one blow, and now he dares to talk back? I'll skin him alive today!

Just as Meng Ketuo was about to lunge forward again, Jiang Zhengqing's hand clamped down on his shoulder.

"That is enough. I have questions for him."

The impulsive Meng Ketuo frowned. "Sect Master, this boy murdered our elder! The entire cultivation world knows it, and Junior Brother Li can testify to it. What more is there to say?"

A flicker of annoyance crossed Jiang Zhengqing's face. Who are you to question my decision?

"Stand down," he commanded, his voice low but firm.

Only then did Meng Ketuo step aside, his face a mask of bitter reluctance.

Jiang Zhengqing turned his attention back to Lin Yun. "They have made their accusations. What is your explanation?"

Lin Yun let out a cold laugh.

"You already know the truth in your heart, Sect Master. Why bother asking me?" If Jiang Zhengqing had truly believed the official story, he would never have stopped Meng Ketuo. "I may have some talent, but I am not yet so capable that I can easily eliminate a Myriad Law Realm elder."

Meng Ketuo started to retort, but a single glare from Jiang Zhengqing silenced him.

"Indeed," the Sect Master conceded. "I knew Elder Li's strength better than anyone. It would not have been simple for you to kill him. Therefore, there must be more to this than meets the eye."

He said this loud enough for the other disciples to hear, then gestured for Lin Yun to follow him up the mountain. If they continued to dally at the gate, they might well be assassinated by unseen forces.

On the way, Jiang Zhengqing explained the situation. The Flowing Cloud Sect's reputation was immense, and by seizing the initiative and using Li Wuze as a witness, they had all but cemented Lin Yun's guilt in the eyes of the world.

Soon, they arrived at the Great Hall. While the Beast Taming Sect's headquarters lacked the sheer opulence of the Flowing Cloud Sect, its main hall was impressive in its own right.

As Lin Yun stepped inside, he felt the weight of six pairs of eyes. Three men stood on either side of the hall—the elders of the Beast Taming Sect. Their gazes, sharp as daggers, fixed on him, scrutinizing his every detail.

Jiang Zhengqing ascended to the high seat and flicked his sleeve.

"Junior Brothers," he announced. "This is Lin Yun."

His words had barely settled when one of the elders stepped forward. "Sect Master, the matter has already been investigated. Why bring this boy up the mountain?"

Another elder chimed in, "The Flowing Cloud Sect has issued a wanted notice across the entire cultivation world. By doing this, are we not openly opposing them?"

Stared down by so many powerful figures, Lin Yun felt not a shred of fear. Instead, his gaze swept over each of them, and his inner sight revealed their secrets.

[Name]: Wu Boyan

[Realm]: Myriad Law - Stage 7

[Destiny Template]: Supreme Ego (Blue)

[Attributes]: Vengeful (White), Profit Above All (Green), Faithless and Treacherous (Blue)

[Supreme Ego]: A refined egoist who prioritizes self-interest in all matters.

[Vengeful]: Believes revenge is a dish best served immediately. Offend him today, die by midnight. [Profit Above All]: For the right price, any grudge can be forgiven, any alliance made.

[Faithless and Treacherous]: This man possesses a cold heart, devoid of loyalty or honor. [Fate]: Expelled from the sect for selling core secrets, he dies a miserable death while on the run. [Recent Turning Point]: Is currently corresponding with the Flowing Cloud Sect to frame Lin Yun for Elder Li's murder. In three days, he will hand over a stolen geological map to them.

[Name]: Zhao Fa

[Realm]: Myriad Law - Stage 3

[Destiny Template]: Innate Spiritualist (Purple)

[Attributes]: Cowardly as a Mouse (Gray), Conservative (Green)

[Cowardly as a Mouse]: Possesses very little courage, but is capable of a desperate struggle when cornered.

[Conservative]: Cautious in all things; unwilling to involve himself in troublesome matters. [Fate]: His life ends at the Myriad Law Realm, having achieved nothing of note.

[Recent Turning Point]: Is being threatened into stealing sect secrets.

A faint smile touched Lin Yun's lips as he processed the information. Of the six elders present, one was an outright traitor, and another a cowardly snake. Of the remaining four, two were neutral, and two were clearly allied with Wu Boyan.

No wonder the Beast Taming Sect has been losing ground to the Flowing Cloud Sect for so many years, he thought. The rot is coming from within. With no loyal ministers, even the most brilliant lord cannot win.

Lin Yun let out a soft sigh.

"What is the meaning of that sigh?" demanded the Fourth Elder, Fang Yan, who was clearly one of Wu Boyan's staunchest supporters.

"How dare you be so insolent in the Great Hall!" he barked. "Sect Master, I recommend we apprehend this boy at once and punish him severely."

The Sixth Elder, Cao Yuke, nodded in agreement.

Jiang Zhengqing simply smiled. "Why are you two in such a hurry? No matter how grave the issue, we must first allow the accused to speak."

Seeing this, Lin Yun understood. Being the Sect Master here was no easy task. Jiang Zhengqing could see with perfect clarity who was a traitor and who was a dissenter. But alas, even the most skilled housewife can't cook a meal without rice.

"Lin Yun," Jiang Zhengqing said, his tone turning serious. "You claim you have been wronged. Then I ask you, why would the Flowing Cloud Sect go to such lengths to frame you?"

He asked the question calmly, then leaned back, observing Lin Yun with keen curiosity as he awaited the answer.

Lin Yun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"I do not know for certain," he replied. "Perhaps Gu Xiande saw that my talent was exceptional and that I was not under his control, and he feared that I would one day threaten his position."

Before he could finish, Wu Boyan eagerly interrupted. "A load of nonsense! Who do you think you are? Why would the master of a great sect fear a mere inner disciple?"

Fang Yan added with a sneer, "Indeed. For a boy in the Origin Sea Realm, you certainly have a big mouth."

Lin Yun had expected this reaction. He continued calmly, "Sect Master Jiang should know that both Elder Li and Fang Chengqian were aware of the Crimson-Mane Flame Lion's whereabouts and knew Weiyang Mountain well. Why, then, did the Flowing Cloud Sect insist on sending me and Bai Zhuqing along?"

Jiang Zhengqing remained silent, a faint smile on his face. He yielded the floor to the others.

As expected, Wu Boyan snatched the chance to answer. "The Flowing Cloud Sect and our Beast Taming Sect have long been allies. It is only natural that they would offer their assistance when we required it."

Watching Wu Boyan's smug expression, Lin Yun sighed internally. Elder Li… you sought to turn the tide with your own strength, but how could it have been so easy?

He now understood why Li Wuze had been so eager to challenge the Flowing Cloud Sect's disciples. The law of the cultivation world was the law of the jungle; if you weren't strong, how could you ever hope to claim your share? Unfortunately, the number of turncoats within the Beast Taming Sect was simply too great.

"It seems that no matter what I say today, you will find an excuse to refute it," Lin Yun stated, his voice even. "If that is the case, is there any point in me saying more?"

His gaze shifted back to Jiang Zhengqing. The Sect Master's true thoughts were the one thing he couldn't figure out. Since he knew the state of his sect, how did he, as its leader, intend to handle this situation? Would he truly just sit on the sidelines and let things unfold?