Qi Xiezi was just an Evil Cultivator. His death was no great loss.

This matter shouldn’t have been a big deal. If not for Song Wanning and the Hundred Ghosts Sect playing tricks, it never would have escalated to this point.

But he had a guilty conscience and didn’t dare return to the Sect to explain, which is why it had dragged on until now.

Now, he had been pushed into a corner with no other choice.

After listening to his account, the aura around Meng Yang grew even colder.

A woman’s figure appeared in his mind’s eye—it was Song Wanning of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect.

Back then, the girl was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage. When she participated in the tournament for prodigies, she was proud and indomitable.

Though still immature, she had left a deep impression.

He hadn’t expected that this business with Liu Yao was truly connected to Song Wanning.

"So... you admit you colluded with an Evil Cultivator?"

’Does he think everything is fine just because he didn’t abuse young boys?’

’Does Liu Yao even know what he’s doing?’

A dignified Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Righteous Path, colluding with an Evil Cultivator to frame Song Wanning!

If word of this got out, the consequences could be even more severe.

Forget the Heavenly Inquiry Sect; even the Song Family wouldn’t let the Mountain Gazing Sect off the hook!

And the gossiping tongues of the world would certainly not spare them!

Personal grudges should be settled personally; no one could say anything about that.

But because Liu Yao was afraid of death, he dragged an Evil Cultivator into it, changing the entire nature of the matter.

Liu Yao must have lost his mind to think of such a malicious trick!

"Martial Uncle, I... I know I was wrong, really... I can apologize to Song Wanning!"

"I’ll make her forgive me... Martial Uncle, you have to believe me!"

Of course, Liu Yao knew the consequences. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been hiding all this time, too afraid to face them.

But he didn’t want to die. He couldn’t die!

"If she were going to forgive you, would these Memory Stones have appeared?"

Meng Yang sighed. Song Wanning’s actions had already made her stance clear.

She didn’t just want Liu Yao dead; she wanted him to be reviled by the world before he died.

’How could she possibly forgive him?’

Meng Yang stared intently at Liu Yao, then suddenly raised his hand. A beam of white light shot toward Liu Yao’s head.

This was his Secret Technique, the Soul Capturing Technique.

This technique was not much different from the Soul Searching Technique, but it didn’t damage a person’s Divine Soul. It could be used at will, though it consumed some of the user’s own spiritual energy.

He had a feeling there was more to this matter with Liu Yao.

As the Soul Capturing Technique took effect, Liu Yao froze completely. His eyes were wide open, and even his pupils stopped moving.

Seeing this, Liu Yiyi’s heart leaped in shock. ’I thought my brother could muddle through by confessing, but who knew Martial Uncle would still use the Soul Capturing Technique! Doesn’t that mean he’ll see all the scenes of me plotting with my brother?’

Liu Yiyi’s face turned pale with anxiety. She could only pray that her Martial Uncle would overlook those scenes.

As time passed, Meng Yang’s expression grew uglier. Before he had even finished viewing all the memories, he couldn’t stop himself from sending Liu Yao flying with a palm strike.

"AH—"

Liu Yao cried out as he slammed heavily into the rocks.

"You bastard! You actually colluded with Evil Cultivators and committed so many evil deeds?!"

Meng Yang’s chest heaved with rage. First Xu Zhiyuan, and now Liu Yao. His perception of the Sect’s disciples was being shattered.

"Martial Uncle..."

Liu Yao spat blood as he spoke, his eyes filled with terror.

Meng Yang had seen everything—what he was supposed to see and what he wasn’t.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but he knew his excuses were pathetic and wouldn’t fool Meng Yang in the slightest.

"Liu Yao, you have disappointed me greatly!"

An icy chill filled Meng Yang’s heart, and an indescribable weariness washed over him.

’The Mountain Gazing Sect is in desperate need of a purge!’

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, only a cold emptiness remained.

"Today, I will cleanse the Sect on behalf of the Mountain Gazing Sect!"

Meng Yang wasted no more words. If the matter of Liu Yao colluding with an Evil Cultivator was exposed by Song Wanning, the Mountain Gazing Sect’s reputation would be utterly ruined.

They could not allow that to happen.

With that said, he attacked Liu Yao.

Liu Yao froze for a moment, then his expression twisted into madness.

He never imagined that the Mountain Gazing Sect, where he had spent his entire life, could be so heartless.

As utter desolation filled his heart, his Heart Demon completely consumed him.

As if possessed, Liu Yao frantically counterattacked Meng Yang.

The two quickly clashed.

No, it would be more accurate to say Meng Yang was completely dominating Liu Yao.

Within two moves, Liu Yao was down for the count, his bones shattered. The pool of blood on the ground was a jarring sight.

Liu Yiyi stood to the side. She wanted to rush forward and help countless times, but her reason held her back.

She repeatedly told herself it wasn’t that she was standing by and watching him die; it was that she was powerless.

’I can’t let the Liu Family’s lineage be completely severed here.’

While she was constantly making excuses for herself, Meng Yang had already struck at Liu Yao again.

The gap between a Peak of Divinity Transformation cultivation and a Peak Nascent Soul Cultivation was a veritable chasm, not to mention Liu Yao already had old injuries.

A long spear unsheathed, shooting toward Liu Yao wrapped in an overwhelming killing intent.

Liu Yao’s expression was crazed. Having completely lost his sanity, he roared like a madman.

But as the long spear pierced his heart, the roaring came to an abrupt stop.

Immediately after, a tiny Nascent Soul figure frantically tried to flee, clinging to its last shred of clarity.

Without a second glance, Meng Yang reached out with a resolute expression and snatched the tiny Nascent Soul into his palm.

Staring into Liu Yao’s terrified eyes, he finally crushed it mercilessly in his hand.

"AH—"

The tiny Nascent Soul transformed into starlight and quickly dissipated.

Only a howl of resentment and unwillingness lingered, echoing for a long time.

Liu Yiyi, standing nearby, was drenched in a cold sweat, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

That was her big brother, the brother who had protected her since they were children, yet she could only watch helplessly as he was killed.

Liu Yiyi could barely stand, her fists clenched tightly.

In the end, Meng Yang still left Liu Yao’s body intact.

Liu Yao had greatly disappointed and pained him, but he was still a junior he had watched grow up.

This was the last bit of dignity he could offer.

He shot a cold glance at Liu Yiyi. He now knew what role she had played in this affair.

But the Mountain Gazing Sect had already lost two Nascent Soul cultivators in succession; it couldn’t afford any more significant losses.

Besides, Liu Yiyi had only incited Liu Yao to deal with Song Wanning. She was unaware of his past dealings with Evil Cultivators. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

A light punishment would therefore suffice.

So he threw out a sentence: "Take care of his body, then get your ass back to the Sect and reflect on what you’ve done!"

Meng Yang stormed off.

Liu Yiyi stared blankly at Liu Yao’s corpse, her body swaying.

Her brother... was dead, just like that.

No miracle had occurred.

Tears streamed down her face. Liu Yiyi finally couldn’t hold back any longer and threw herself onto Liu Yao’s body, wailing in grief.

She cried her heart out, utterly devastated, but never once reflected on her own faults.

Instead, she blamed it all on Song Wanning. ’If she hadn’t made this whole affair public, how would my brother have died?’

"Big Brother, I’ve wronged you!"

"Don’t worry, I will definitely avenge you."

"That bitch Song Wanning will die by my hand!!!"