Saint Who Lay Low

As the night passed, dawn brought more and more outer sect disciples into the city. Disciples from the Demon-Suppressing Hall and the Law Enforcement Hall took up positions at the city gates, checking the identification tokens of every disciple entering the city.

Many disciples were already sitting in meditation, waiting atop Heaven Mending Platform. Su Han and Zhen Qin stood at the edge of the platform, their brows furrowed as they surveyed the scene.

"Senior Brother, something feels wrong. Maybe we should leave," Zhen Qin whispered.

She had cultivated a technique passed down by Jiang Qiong, heightening her sensitivity to her surroundings. The presence of the Demon-Suppressing Hall disciples stationed around Heaven Mending Platform made her uneasy, filling her with an instinctual urge to flee.

Su Han also sensed that something was amiss and nodded. He and Zhen Qin turned to leave.

As they moved against the crowd, they noticed other disciples who, like them, were also trying to leave. However, many more chose to trust Tai Xuan Sect and stayed.

When they reached the city gate, Su Han and Zhen Qin were stopped by disciples from the Demon-Suppressing Hall. Today, entry was allowed, but no one was permitted to leave.

Su Han glanced up at the city walls, noticing the large flags now flying there. These flags hadn't been there the day before.

"Junior Sister, I'll create a distraction, and you make a run for it," Su Han transmitted telepathically to Zhen Qin.

Zhen Qin instinctively looked at him.

Suddenly, Su Han drew his sword and charged toward the gate with lightning speed.

"How dare you!" one of the gate-guarding disciples shouted in fury. Without waiting for further orders, the surrounding Demon-Suppressing Hall disciples immediately moved to stop him.

Zhen Qin wanted to help Su Han, but seeing him quickly surrounded, she knew that if she intervened now, she'd only end up captured alongside him, wasting his effort. So, she turned and dashed toward the least-guarded section of the gate. At the same time, other disciples who were also trying to leave made their move, causing chaos in front of the gate.

The disciples of the Demon-Suppressing Hall, all at least at the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment, quickly overpowered Su Han, pinning him to the ground.

As Su Han struggled to lift his head, he saw Zhen Qin being struck down, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. His eyes turned red with rage.

The one who injured Zhen Qin was a woman dressed in the black uniform of the Demon-Suppressing Hall. She had just arrived from outside the city and now stood at the gate, coldly scanning the scene.

"Today, we are conducting a thorough investigation to root out demonic spies. Anyone attempting to leave will be deemed a demonic cultivator!" she declared in an icy tone.

Upon hearing this, the uneasy disciples breathed a sigh of relief.

So it was just a check for demonic spies—no wonder the atmosphere was so tense.

Now that they knew the situation, those who had nothing to hide felt more at ease. Some even sat down to cultivate on the platform.

Su Han, Zhen Qin, and the other disciples who had tried to flee were restrained with talismans that sealed their spiritual power. They were then escorted back to Heaven Mending Platform.

By midday, the gates to the outer sect city were shut.

A loud bell rang out, and a voice filled with authority resounded across the city:

"All disciples are to report to Heaven Mending Platform immediately!"

Disciples from every street began making their way toward the platform, which was already crowded with tens of thousands of people.

The news that the outer sect was conducting an investigation into demonic spies had spread, and many disciples who weren't involved felt reassured. Some even began cultivating atop the platform as they waited.

Ye Lan arrived at the edge of Heaven Mending Platform with the other Law Enforcement Hall disciples. Just as she was about to ascend the steps, she noticed a row of disciples kneeling on the ground, bound and battered. Among them were Su Han and Zhen Qin, their hair disheveled and blood at the corners of their mouths, clearly fresh from battle.

Ye Lan frowned but didn't act rashly. She withdrew her gaze, pondering how to help her two junior martial siblings.

After thinking it over, she realized that the only person she could turn to was Lu Jiujia.

The Law Enforcement Hall had been completely overshadowed by the Demon-Suppressing Hall. Even their Hall Master wouldn't be able to intervene now.

Ye Lan couldn't help but worry about Gu An, hoping he hadn't entered the city.

She felt that today's events weren't just about catching demonic cultivators.

As a member of the Law Enforcement Hall, she couldn't flee based on mere suspicion. Deep down, she still held some trust in Tai Xuan Sect, believing that the Demon-Suppressing Hall's questionable actions were confined to the shadows.

In the distance, Jiang Qiong and the hunchbacked old man stood by a window in a tall pavilion, watching the proceedings. They weren't the only ones. Several inner sect disciples who happened to be passing through the outer sect city were also observing from afar, curious about what was happening on Heaven Mending Platform.

"Last night, a powerful divine sense swept through the city. The one responsible must have a cultivation level beyond Divine Transformation," the old man said gravely.

Beyond Divine Transformation?

Jiang Qiong narrowed her eyes.

The old man glanced at her and asked, "Miss, isn't it time you told me why we're really here?"

Jiang Qiong stared off toward Heaven Mending Platform and replied, "I came to kill a traitor."

A traitor?

The old man looked puzzled.

Time passed.

As more and more disciples arrived, the number on Heaven Mending Platform swelled to over a hundred thousand, yet the platform still didn't feel crowded.

Lu Jiujia stood at the edge of the platform, surveying the gathered disciples. His eyes carried a palpable killing intent, making him seem even more dangerous than usual.

Ye Lan approached, and Lu Jiujia frowned upon seeing her.

"Su Han and Zhen Qin were captured by your people. Can you let them go?" Ye Lan asked in a low voice.

Although she had cut ties with Lu Jiujia, she had to lower her pride for the sake of the two juniors.

If it had been her in danger, she could have accepted her fate. But those two were Gu An's disciples, and she couldn't simply abandon them.

Lu Jiujia frowned deeper but gave a slight nod.

"Thank you," Ye Lan said before turning to leave.

Lu Jiujia watched her go, feeling conflicted. He hesitated for a moment before sighing and heading to find Su Han and Zhen Qin.

Half a stick of incense later, he returned with Su Han and Zhen Qin.

Zhen Qin, still shaken, asked timidly, "Uncle Master Lu, are we really only here to catch demonic spies?"

Lu Jiujia nodded slightly but remained silent.

Zhen Qin relaxed, no longer questioning him, while Su Han kept a close eye on Lu Jiujia. Something about him felt off.

Suddenly, from behind a large building to the east of Heaven Mending Platform, a crimson umbrella rose into the sky, quickly flying to the center of the platform, drawing the attention of everyone present.

The umbrella opened, releasing strings of white jade beads. These beads, strung together on silk cords, clinked softly as they swayed in the air.

With a loud bang, the umbrella erupted with powerful spiritual energy, sending a golden wave rippling outwards, connecting with the flags on the city walls.

Everyone in the city looked up. Some were filled with awe, others with fear.

A figure appeared beneath the crimson umbrella—none other than the black-robed man.

"I am Chu Xian, an elder of Tai Xuan Sect's main sect. I have come here today to rid the outer sect of demonic spies," the black-robed man announced.

As his words echoed across the city, the vast, overwhelming aura of a Void Crossing cultivator blanketed the outer sect, making everyone acutely aware of his immense power.

In the crowd, Ye Lan stared up at the figure of Chu Xian, her eyes wide with shock.

What kind of cultivation could produce such a terrifying aura?

Not only Ye Lan but also Lu Jiujia, Su Han, and Zhen Qin were awestruck. The majority of the outer sect disciples looked up at Chu Xian as if he were a god.

"The Demon-Suppressing Hall has been operating for many years, capturing countless demonic spies. Yet demonic cultivators still roam free. So, let us begin by investigating the Demon-Suppressing Hall itself!" Chu Xian's cold voice rang out.

The red umbrella above him trembled, producing a strange sound that resonated across the entire city.

Lu Jiujia's face paled. Clutching his chest, he fell to his knees with a heavy thud.

He wasn't alone. The other Demon-Suppressing Hall disciples also collapsed, some even screaming in agony.

"Uncle Master Lu, what's happening to you?" Zhen Qin asked in panic.

Lu Jiujia was in too much pain to respond, his body wracked with what felt like thousands of insects gnawing at him from the inside. All he could do was gesture for Zhen Qin and Su Han to stay away.

The disciples atop the platform began whispering and staring at the Demon-Suppressing Hall members, confused and alarmed.

"The artifact above me is the Demon-Subduing Umbrella. Under its light, all demonic energy will be purged. Anyone practicing demonic arts will turn to blood!" Chu Xian declared.

Heaven Mending Platform erupted in chaos.

The Demon-Suppressing Hall disciples were demonic cultivators?

For years, the Demon-Suppressing Hall had captured people with impunity, earning the disdain of many. Now, learning that they were the ones practicing demonic arts was too much for the crowd to bear.

Curses and accusations flew from all directions.

Lu Jiujia's forehead pressed against the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Damn it… I knew it…"

His face twisted in agony as black blood spewed from his mouth. Demonic energy surged from his body, swirling up toward the Demon-Subduing Umbrella.

Ye Lan pushed through the crowd and rushed to Lu Jiujia's side, pulling out a pill from her storage pouch and trying to help him swallow it.

The other disciples began cursing her, but she paid them no mind.

Yet, despite her efforts, the pill had no effect.

"Junior… Junior Sister… Run…" Lu Jiujia rasped, each word costing him great effort.

"Run? What's really going on?" Ye Lan demanded.

She paused for a moment before quickly saying, "I can't run now. Not unless the truth comes out and the entire sect rises in rebellion. That's our only chance."

Lu Jiujia, too weak to respond, shakily raised his hand and pointed to the sky.

Ye Lan turned her gaze upward to see Chu Xian floating above the platform.

"The next step is to investigate the demonic spies hiding among you."

Chu Xian's voice silenced the crowd, sending a wave of fear through even the most confident disciples.

The Demon-Subduing Umbrella trembled again, its eerie sound filling everyone with dread.

Ye Lan sensed something was wrong. She looked down and saw strange, bloody markings appearing on the ground beneath her feet, resembling ancient, sinister runes. The moment she stepped on them, an evil force invaded her body, sealing her spiritual energy and rendering her immobile.

Her body trembled, and the White Spirit Sword at her waist began to hum in response.

All the disciples on the platform knelt in unison, their postures resembling waves. Beneath their feet, similar blood patterns had emerged.

"I never imagined demonic corruption ran this deep. If that's the case, then there's no need for this outer sect to exist any longer."

Chu Xian's cold voice descended from the sky, plunging everyone into despair.

…

In the pavilion at Xuan Valley, Gu An was sitting at his desk, writing. Suddenly, the table trembled, causing him to pause.

He glanced over at the Azure Swan Sword resting on the desk. The sword was vibrating violently, as if trying to leap from its sheath, and faintly, a bird-like cry could be heard.

Looking at the sword, Gu An's eyes flashed with understanding.