Given Lianshan Xin's record of taking down Thousand Faces single-handedly, most people immediately believed him when he declared that Kong Yujia was a demonic infiltrator, sudden though the accusation was.
"Master Kong is actually a demonic infiltrator?"
"It has to be true. His Heavenly Eye saw right through even Thousand Faces, let alone an ordinary Grandmaster."
"Truly, you can never judge a book by its cover."
"Thousand Faces served as the academy's Vice Headmaster for so long, after all. If Master Kong is in league with the Demon Cult, that actually makes sense."
Many in the crowd even began inventing justifications for how Kong Yujia had colluded with the demons on Lianshan Xin's behalf.
As for questioning Lianshan Xin?
Thousand Faces had just fled in terror.
Who could doubt the Heavenly Eye?
Did you think you were stronger than Thousand Faces?
Lianshan Xin spoke along the very same lines.
Pointing to his own eyes, he said in a heavy voice, "My eyes are the evidence. Master Kong, do you intend to resist to the death, or surrender and confess your crimes?"
"I am innocent."
Kong Yujia naturally refused to confess.
"Resisting to the death it is, then."
Killing intent flared in Lianshan Xin on the spot.
He then glanced at Zhang Aniu.
Qi Shiyun could slay a Grandmaster in the Qi Condensation realm, and Lianshan Xin believed he could do the same.
Yet there was no need.
His opponent was the Great Grandmaster Thousand Faces. Why should a mere Grandmaster warrant his personal attention?
It was better to let Zhang Aniu handle it.
However, Zhang Aniu kicked the ball right back.
"Little Xin, kill her."
Lianshan Xin heard Zhang Aniu's voice transmission by his ear and fell utterly speechless.
*Even though I feel I can fight above my realm, I have way more experience fighting Thousand Faces.*
*Is it really appropriate to send me against a Grandmaster?*
Still, with orders handed down by his superior, Lianshan Xin resolved to carry them out to the letter.
"Since you insist on resisting to the death, I will grant your wish."
Blade in hand, Lianshan Xin slashed straight toward Kong Yujia's head.
The two academy masters restraining Kong Yujia hesitated, unsure whether to dodge or stop Lianshan Xin.
In that brief moment of indecision, Kong Yujia let out a low roar and broke free of their grasp. Instead of retreating from Lianshan Xin's blade, she lunged forward.
"Lianshan Xin, you're courting death!"
A vast, surging aura erupted from Kong Yujia—the true might and momentum of the Grandmaster realm.
In the blink of an eye, her hands were nearly locked around Lianshan Xin's throat.
Yet she was still a step too slow.
Lianshan Xin's blade had already pierced deep into her lower abdomen.
Disbelief flooded Kong Yujia's eyes, quickly giving way to venomous malice. "You all deserve to die! If I'm going down, you're coming with me!"
*Boom!*
An aura far surpassing the Grandmaster realm erupted once more from the dying Kong Yujia, its sheer intensity leading onlookers to wonder if she had touched the Domain realm.
"No, that's not right. Master Kong couldn't possibly be this strong!"
"Could this be—"
"The Heavenly Demon Disintegration Art!"
*Bang!*
Kong Yujia detonated herself on the spot.
Nothing remained of her body.
Yet a mere instant before the explosion, Zhang Aniu moved, hauling Lianshan Xin back to his side.
Then he stepped forward.
As Zhang Aniu took that stride, the blast radius shrank at incredible speed.
In the end, it was reduced to nothing more than a sky full of dust.
It was an overwhelming strike from a Great Grandmaster.
No one was surprised that Zhang Aniu possessed such power.
What surprised everyone was that Lianshan Xin had managed to gravely wound Kong Yujia with a single strike, forcing her to resort to the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Art.
Even more shocking was that Kong Yujia had truly practiced demonic arts.
Zhang Aniu looked at Lianshan Xin with undisguised admiration.
"Little Xin, your Void Penetration True Intent is extraordinary indeed. To think you could even see through Kong Yujia's demonic cultivation."
Lianshan Xin replied earnestly, "Her cultivation falls short of Thousand Faces, so her exposure was far more glaring. I intended to grant her a chance to repent, but I never expected her to be so deeply corrupted."
Trading glances with Zhang Aniu, Lianshan Xin bowed his head and graciously accepted the praise.
Old Niu had really pulled through, briefly immobilizing Kong Yujia for him just now.
In a clash between masters, a hair's breadth made all the difference.
With a Great Grandmaster covertly tilting the scales, Kong Yujia's defeat was hardly unjust.
Before dying, Kong Yujia had realized that the only reason Lianshan Xin could impale her belly was that an unnamed Great Grandmaster had ambushed her from the shadows.
That was why her dying words had been, "You all deserve to die."
Unfortunately, she lacked even the qualifications to perish alongside Zhang Aniu.
All she could fantasize about was dragging Lianshan Xin down with her.
Thankfully, Zhang Aniu had a conscience and pulled Lianshan Xin out in time.
Kong Yujia was left with nothing behind, her body obliterated.
Still, Lianshan Xin had not expected that wretched woman to know the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Art.
Of course, he would never admit that aloud.
He calmly accepted the wave of praise flowing from all directions.
Once he had soaked it in to his heart's content, he pressed the attack once more: "First Lin Xiangwen, now Kong Yujia. My lord, Thousand Faces' infiltration of the academy is far more severe than we imagined. We must conduct a thorough investigation."
"We shall consider this from a broader perspective," Zhang Aniu said. "The academy is a place of learning and cultivation, after all; we cannot plunge everyone into paranoia."
Many let out a sigh of relief.
Even though they could tell Lianshan Xin and Zhang Aniu were playing a double act, the current outcome favored them, leaving them nothing but grateful.
"Naturally, I grant you the authority to act as you see fit. If you encounter any demonic infiltrators committing evil, apprehend them immediately," Zhang Aniu added.
Lianshan Xin's expression turned solemn. "Understood, my lord. The Kong clan has been entangled with Thousand Faces twice now. I fear they must be investigated as well."
"An investigation is indeed warranted. Since you are already handling the matter, I leave it in your charge for now," Zhang Aniu said. "If the Kong clan is proven clean of any ties to Thousand Faces, do not make things difficult for them. From where we stand, they may well be victims as well."
After all, Kong Ningyue was dead, and so was Kong Ningze.
As for Kong Yujia, her death was well-deserved.
"Very well. There is nothing else for the moment, so disperse and resume your regular studies. Little Xin, take Envoy Nie to Physician Xu to have her injuries tended to."
"Right away. Envoy Nie, follow me."
Nie Youzhu hurriedly followed behind him.
Fifteen minutes later.
Xu Shangyi shook his head at Nie Youzhu.
Nie Youzhu's heart sank. "Physician Xu, am I beyond saving?"
"It isn't quite that dire. You've merely lost half your life. Beyond that, the injuries are far too severe. Can you procure a Thousand-Year Snow Lotus?" Xu Shangyi asked.
Nie Youzhu could only smile bitterly. "I fear I lack such good fortune."
"In that case, your cultivation will likely plummet back to the Grandmaster realm," Xu Shangyi stated plainly. "Thousand Faces dealt a lethal blow this time. You are fortunate simply to have survived."
A wave of lingering fear washed over Lianshan Xin.
To think the man he had defeated was so fierce.
It seemed Thousand Faces had indeed held back deliberately against Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu earlier.
When confronted with an unattached bystander like Nie Youzhu, who lacked heavenly second-generation backing, Thousand Faces had gone all out.
Hearing Xu Shangyi's diagnosis, Nie Youzhu remained surprisingly calm. "To preserve my life at the hands of a Great Grandmaster is already a heaven-sent stroke of luck. How could I dare ask for more?"
"It is good that you maintain such a mindset." Xu Shangyi nodded. "Focus on recuperating. An injury like this will take months to mend."
"Thank you, Physician Xu."
"Think nothing of it. Young Xin, you must be careful from now on as well. Judging by her wounds, Thousand Faces despises you to the bone," Xu Shangyi cautioned.
Lianshan Xin nodded in earnest agreement, though his tone remained nonchalant. "Uncle Xu, Thousand Faces may hate me, but he can do nothing against me. Having lost to me twice in a row, I imagine I have already become his inner demon."
"You truly are gifted with extraordinary talent," Xu Shangyi remarked in sincere admiration.
He himself had never been able to see through Thousand Faces' disguises.
"I will prepare her medicine. The two of you may talk."
After Xu Shangyi left the room, Nie Youzhu solemnly apologized to Lianshan Xin once more. "Young Master Xin, what occurred today was indeed a misunderstanding. Fortunately, you discovered it in time, preventing a catastrophe."
Lianshan Xin reminded her, "Your good sister Kong Yujia is dead, you know."
"Our Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion has always remained neutral. We would never participate in jianghu vendettas over personal grievances," Nie Youzhu replied solemnly. "Though Yujia was a friend, I never took part in her affairs, nor will I in the future."
Lianshan Xin nodded; he was adept at reading between the lines. What Nie Youzhu meant was that Kong Yujia lacked the weight to drag the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion into taking sides.
"Then let us discuss my position on the Hidden Dragon Rankings."
Lianshan Xin placed great value on the Hidden Dragon Rankings.
After all, he had confirmed that activating Heavenly Eye Search consumed prestige points.
Appearing on the Hidden Dragon Rankings would undoubtedly bring him immense renown.
The higher his rank, the greater the boost.
His failed attempt to scrutinize Thousand Faces had drained all his accumulated prestige, sending Heavenly Eye Search back into dormancy.
Fortunately, Lianshan Xin kept a sound mindset. Even though the inspection had failed, he had brains in addition to his innate talent.
He had locked onto Thousand Faces' identity directly.
It was practically the same as a successful inspection.
A modest win!
"I have defeated Thousand Faces twice in succession. Surely such a record qualifies me to claim the top spot on the Hidden Dragon Rankings?" Lianshan Xin asked with confidence.
Once he reached the summit of the Hidden Dragon Rankings, his name would truly shake the world.
When that day came, Heavenly Eye Search would surely be able to pierce through Thousand Faces' secrets.
Confronted with Lianshan Xin's confidence, Nie Youzhu's expression was difficult to describe. "Young Master Xin, how much do you know of our Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion?"
Lianshan Xin answered honestly, "Not very much."
Nie Youzhu said, "In truth, an immortal once walked among the ancestors of our Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion."
Lianshan Xin instantly laughed.
Every major faction in the realm claimed descent from immortals.
Yet aside from the Great Yu imperial clan, which had been verified as genuine, the immortals revered by other great factions had never once manifested.
To that, Lianshan Xin regarded it all as hoisting a grand banner to bluff the world.
Seeing right through Lianshan Xin's skepticism, Nie Youzhu said solemnly, "Not only that, but our Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion enshrines an immortal artifact, which serves as the very foundation of our existence."
"Oh?" Lianshan Xin's curiosity was piqued. "What do you enshrine?"
"The Eye of the Torch Dragon!"
"The Eye of the Torch Dragon?"
"The Torch Dragon is an ancient divine beast. When it opens its eyes, day arrives; when it closes them, night falls. Nothing can elude its vision. Our Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion enshrines one such Eye of the Torch Dragon, which is how we took the name Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion."
Lianshan Xin expressed doubt. "If it truly were the Eye of the Torch Dragon, could your Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion hold onto it?"
Nie Youzhu offered a confident smile. "We have always remained neutral, and our Pavilion Masters across generations have generally reached the Great Grandmaster realm."
"That isn't enough," Lianshan Xin countered, shaking his head.
Were he Emperor Yu, he would certainly feel that such a treasure shared a destined affinity with him.
A mere Great Grandmaster held little deterrent power.
Thousand Faces was a Great Grandmaster too, yet hadn't he been defeated just the same?
Seeing that she could not bluff Lianshan Xin, Nie Youzhu had no choice but to reveal more inside information. "The Eye of the Torch Dragon we enshrine has long lost its miraculous wonders. However, by drawing upon this immortal artifact, our founding Pavilion Master created the Heaven-tier cultivation method, the Torch Dragon Thousand-Mechanism Sensing Scripture, which discerns the strength of others. This is also why the great factions recognize the rankings we compile."
Understanding dawned on Lianshan Xin.
That made sense.
A true Eye of the Torch Dragon was certainly beyond the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion's ability to protect.
Yet a degraded, pauper's version held far less value.
The Pavilion Master had also been clever enough to carve out a niche in the realm.
Compiling rankings was a lucrative pursuit.
"Therefore, I can sense that Young Master Xin's strength... is likely not yet sufficient to enter the Hidden Dragon Rankings," Nie Youzhu murmured.
Lianshan Xin immediately frowned. "Envoy Nie, is your intuition more accurate, or is Thousand Faces' flight more convincing? Are you stronger than Thousand Faces?"
Nie Youzhu could only offer a bitter smile. "Young Master Xin, that you frightened Thousand Faces away was due to your peerless Heavenly Eye and extraordinary insight, but your raw strength—"
"I just struck down Kong Yujia as well," Lianshan Xin interrupted. "Kong Yujia was a seasoned Grandmaster."
Nie Youzhu's bitter smile deepened. "Forgive my candor, Young Master Xin, but when Kong Yujia fought you, her state was compromised. You merely stabbed her once."
Lianshan Xin's face darkened. "Envoy Nie, wasn't it you who brought Kong Ningze to the academy?"
Nie Youzhu was speechless.
*Hadn't this matter already been put behind us?*
*How can you flip your temper faster than turning a page?*
Under someone else's roof, one had no choice but to bow one's head. Nie Youzhu was forced to seek a compromise with Lianshan Xin. "Young Master Xin, what would you say to being ranked seventy-fifth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings?"
Lianshan Xin frowned. "Doesn't the Hidden Dragon Rankings only list fifty individuals under thirty years of age?"
Nie Youzhu explained, "In recent years, prodigies have emerged in great numbers, so the Hidden Dragon Rankings has begun expanding its roster. The next edition will feature seventy-five hidden dragons."
*Talk about inflation.*
Lianshan Xin could understand diluting the pool, but he had no desire to sit at the very tail end.
Nie Youzhu naturally sensed his displeasure.
Yet the credibility of the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion could not be so easily compromised.
Placing Lianshan Xin in the final spot was already the absolute limit of her backroom maneuvering.
Gritting her teeth, Nie Youzhu said, "Young Master Xin, I will give you another secret free of charge. I guarantee its value is in no way inferior to a spot on the Hidden Dragon Rankings—especially to someone like you."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"Having joined the lineage of Heaven's Chosen, Young Master Xin must surely support the dragon. I wonder how much you know about the imperial scions?" Nie Youzhu asked.
Lianshan Xin smiled. "A fair bit, I'd say."
*Tell you, and it would scare you to death.*
*So I'll keep it to myself.*
"What insights do you have?"
Nie Youzhu said in a low voice, "Before His Majesty ascended the throne, he traveled extensively throughout the jianghu and accumulated a wealth of experiences."
Lianshan Xin nodded. "I know that. Tell me something I don't know."
Nie Youzhu delivered a genuine surprise: "When His Majesty roamed the jianghu all those years ago, he met a close friend named Tian Jing. They shared identical spirits and hit it off immediately, swiftly becoming sworn confidants. Later, however, they fell in love with the same woman."
Lianshan Xin's interest stirred. "Continue."
"In the end, His Majesty chose to step aside, allowing Tian Jing to be with her. Tian Jing married the woman shortly thereafter. Nine months after their wedding, a baby boy was born—named Tian Ji."
Lianshan Xin grasped the immense implications packed within those few brief sentences.
His expression turned utterly magnificent.
*I slay dragons to prove my dao, while Tian Ji slays his sister to prove his?*
Chapter 83