Chapter 81: The Ancestor’s Belated Rebellious Phase (8)

This beast was not the one they had initially pursued; it had appeared out of nowhere, muddling their senses and distracting them.

At that moment, the beast lying on the ground stirred suddenly.

Its enormous form shrank, gradually transforming into a human shape.

The transformation was swift; soon, only a young man remained, sprawled on the earth, his hands probing the ground as he struggled to rise.

The disciples of the Sky Purity Sect rushed forward, roughly pinning the beast to the ground.

From the youth’s throat came a guttural roar, beast-like and fierce, as he lifted his head to glare at them.

His gaze swept over everyone within sight, but when he saw Ling Qiong, his eyes froze.

Ling Qiong, suddenly under his scrutiny, looked around in confusion; there was no one else standing beside her.

She moved a step to the side, and the youth’s gaze followed her.

Ling Qiong: “…”

What is he doing!!

Even if her father recovered his hand, it was still the youth who attacked first!

The young man’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice dry and hoarse: “Yue Luozhu, you’re still alive!”

Ling Qiong: “…”

Jiang He: “…”

This is a disaster!

…

Though Yue Luozhu had been forced to inherit the position of clan chief, she was still the clan chief and had been sealed away—a figure written into history. Thus, many knew her name.

The beast’s words struck like thunder, leaving many present in a daze.

Ling Qiong herself was stunned—how had her identity been exposed?

Jiang He had assured her no one would recognize her, for nobody from a thousand years ago remained on the continent.

But…

She had overlooked the beasts.

Those locked within the Demon Suppression Tower—they were all ancient beings, and knowing Yue Luozhu was only natural.

“Who is Yue Luozhu?” Some of the younger ones hadn’t heard the name and asked their elders.

No one answered.

The crowd shifted from initial confusion to wary vigilance.

Not long ago, they’d heard rumors of anomalies at the site where Yue Luozhu had been sealed, prompting them to investigate together.

Some places had collapsed, but the seal remained intact.

That incident had led to the disciple of Immortal Weishan…

But now, Yue Luozhu had actually escaped?

What in the world was going on?

The young man turned to the others, mocking them collectively, “Have you sunk so low as to collude with the Yue clan now?”

Everyone: “…”

Believe it or not, we don’t know anything!!

“You… You really are Yue Luozhu!” someone shouted from the crowd.

Ling Qiong shrugged, innocent: “If I say I’m not, will you believe me?”

“…”

Of course they wouldn’t.

Ling Qiong sighed softly. “Since you won’t believe anything I say, what’s the point of asking?”

“So you admit you’re Yue Luozhu!”

Ling Qiong exclaimed, “Don’t speak nonsense! Which word of mine was an admission?”

“If you aren’t Yue Luozhu, how will you prove it?”

Her brows arched as she laughed, “You’re the ones claiming I’m Yue Luozhu, so you should prove it to me. It’s not my job to prove I am who you say I am. Don’t confuse cause and effect.”

Everyone: “…”

Unable to out-argue Ling Qiong, they switched targets, “Jiang He, who is she really?”

“She’s our young mistress,” Jiang He replied, still calm. “Certainly not Yue Luozhu.”

The beast felt insulted, furious: “I’d know her even if she turned to ash—she is Yue Luozhu!”

Jiang He was anxious inside but kept a calm face. “Everyone, beasts are cunning and may be trying to sow discord and escape—don’t fall for its tricks.”

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances.

If the beast wanted to escape, there was no need to mention Yue Luozhu…

Moreover, the seal had indeed shown signs of trouble recently.

What if she truly was Yue Luozhu?

But how could they prove it…

Only the beast had seen the real Yue Luozhu.

Everyone else only knew the name…

The Third Elder and Yan Weishan whispered together, then ordered their disciples, “Bring the jade shadow stone from the library.”

“What’s that?” Ling Qiong asked Jiang He quietly, sensing something amiss.

Jiang He’s expression was grim, “The Sky Purity Sect likely has a recording of you, Ancestor. If things turn violent, you must escape first.”

Ling Qiong: “…”

So impressive!

Preserved for a thousand years? Hmm… rather tempting.

…

This jade shadow stone had been left by Sky Purity Sect a millennium ago, containing an image of Yue Luozhu’s sealing.

Though the stone could preserve images indefinitely, it could only be viewed once.

After this viewing, it would never show the scene again.

Ling Qiong: “…”

So it’s a single-use item?

The jade shadow stone was quickly brought, along with more elders and elite disciples of the sect.

The space, already small, became even more crowded.

“Ancestor, what are you planning?” Jiang He blocked Ling Qiong.

Ling Qiong: “Shouldn’t I snatch it now? If it shows me, I’ll be done for!”

Now or never!

“Ancestor, with so many people…” Stealing it now would be as good as admitting it.

Better to wait—they might buy some time.

And… what if the image isn’t there?

Jiang He held onto this slim hope and shook her head at Ling Qiong.

Ling Qiong: “…”

Ling Qiong fanned herself.

…

The jade shadow stone was infused with spiritual energy, and an image appeared in the air.

At first, it flickered like an old film—unstable, colors dull and blurry.

But as more spiritual energy was poured in, the image became crystal clear—clearer than any theater, as if the scene unfolded before their eyes.

The scene began with many people.

Several in attendance recognized their own ancestors in the image.

But Yue Luozhu was nowhere to be seen.

Until the view shifted to a giant pit, where a slender girl was chained by iron links as thick as her wrist to a jade-carved pillar.

As the image drew closer, her face became clear.

That face was identical to the woman standing before them.

“She is Yue Luozhu!”

“Yue Luozhu, what do you have to say for yourself now!”

Ling Qiong considered, then feigned fear to cooperate, “Ah, you’ve discovered me.”

Everyone: “…”

Jiang He: “…”

Ling Qiong spoke too quickly for Jiang He to stop her.

His heart twisted in pain.

Couldn’t the Ancestor just stay silent?

Could she be more steady?

“Yue Luozhu,” Yan Weishan intoned, his dark eyes flashing, “Did you kill Jian Ci?”

The figure in the cave was indeed her!

Ling Qiong retorted, “I did not.”

Yan Weishan seemed not to hear her, murderous intent rising. “Since you dare return, today you’ll join Jian Ci in death.”

Ling Qiong: “…”

No!

Are you listening to what I say or not?

Yan Weishan clearly wasn’t; he continued, “Since you dare come, today you will be buried with Jian Ci.”

Ling Qiong: “…”

Honestly, have you considered this: back then, so many could only seal Yue Luozhu, not kill her.

It wasn’t an era of depleted spiritual energy and hindered cultivation.

Your predecessors couldn’t kill Yue Luozhu, and you think you can now?

What a fool’s dream you’re chasing!

———Words from the Fairy———
Today is the Dragon Boat Festival; remember to eat zongzi~
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