"What a domineering Hall of Justice Grandmaster."
Seeing Si Tianyong destroy the evidence in front of everyone, Yan Qingxuan couldn't help but sneer.
Si Tianyong turned his head toward her, frowning slightly. "Yan Qingxuan, I already gave you face last time at the outer sect. Don't push your luck."
"And what if I do?" Yan Qingxuan's figure flickered, stepping in front of Wang Jianqiang.
"You destroyed the evidence in public. Aren't you afraid the disciples will mock you when word spreads?"
Si Tianyong's eyes flickered coldly. "I've already said—that was fabricated evidence."
Yan Qingxuan let out a short laugh, saying no more, but she stood her ground protectively before Wang Jianqiang.
Seeing this, Si Tianyong's face darkened. "So, you're determined to stand against me for this brat?"
"You could say that," Yan Qingxuan replied solemnly, meeting his gaze.
Si Tianyong shook his head. "You're too arrogant. You have no idea what separates a Core Formation cultivator from a Nascent Soul one."
As he spoke, his palm pressed forward.
Instantly, the space around Yan Qingxuan grew viscous, locking her in place.
"You—can't stop me."
With a sneer, Si Tianyong stepped forward.
Ripples spread beneath his feet like waves, and his figure vanished.
But just as he merged into the void, a new, invisible power descended—
The air trembled violently, forcing Si Tianyong's body back out of the distorted space.
A calm, confident voice followed:
"She may not be able to stop you—but what about me?"
A woman appeared beside Yan Qingxuan, her presence commanding.
Her face was beautiful, her figure elegant and mature, every movement exuding poise and allure.
"Master!"
Yan Qingxuan froze, then quickly bowed.
Wang Jianqiang's eyes widened slightly.
So this was the master of Yan Qingxuan and Dong Yue.
The woman—Shangguan Yurou—nodded gently to Yan Qingxuan before turning her gaze to Wang Jianqiang.
Wang Jianqiang gave a polite smile, not expecting her to respond—
Yet to his surprise, she smiled faintly back, even nodding in acknowledgment.
Her demeanor then cooled as she turned to Si Tianyong.
"How about we end this matter here?"
"End it here?" Si Tianyong barked a laugh. "Shangguan Yurou, that's easy for you to say—he didn't kill your son!"
Shangguan Yurou sighed softly. "Then what will it take to settle this?"
Si Tianyong's eyes cut toward Wang Jianqiang. "Kill him."
The single word fell like an icy verdict.
Before his spiritual pressure even touched, Wang Jianqiang was already pinned by its weight, unable to move.
But in that instant, Shangguan Yurou flashed forward, deflecting the invisible attack with a wave of her hand.
"So, you're determined to make this ugly," she said, her eyes hardening.
Both of them stood at the early Nascent Soul stage—if they truly fought, neither had a guaranteed victory.
And both knew it.
Just as the tension peaked—ready to erupt—
A lilting laugh echoed through the air.
"Hehe, what a lively scene."
"Si Tianyong, mind if I join in? Will you grant me that favor?"
A tall woman in a multicolored gown descended gracefully, her every step radiating confidence and power.
She was stunning—refined features, proud bearing—and though she appeared youthful, her aura was no weaker than Si Tianyong's or Shangguan Yurou's.
"Auntie! You finally made it!"
Mu Lingxi's face lit up with joy.
"You little rascal," the woman said, half-amused, half-exasperated. "If I hadn't come, your messages would've flooded my transmission talisman."
Mu Lingxi stuck out her tongue.
Wang Jianqiang couldn't help but smile. So this was the backer she mentioned.
Indeed, Mu Lingxi's background was far from simple.
"Mu Yutong, you want to meddle too?" Si Tianyong snapped, pointing a finger at Wang Jianqiang. "This boy slaughtered fellow disciples inside the sect—he broke the rules! By shielding him, you two are obstructing sect justice. Shall I report this to the Patriarch?"
The word Patriarch made both Shangguan Yurou and Mu Yutong's eyes flicker slightly.
"Broke the rules?" Mu Yutong chuckled lightly. "Don't try to fool me just because I came late, Si Tianyong."
"This young man already proved his innocence."
"That Si Nantong committed countless crimes. He was scum. The boy merely purged the sect of filth—a righteous act, if anything."
"He should be rewarded, not punished."
Si Tianyong's tone turned icy. "Mu Yutong, words mean nothing without proof. You say Si Nantong was evil—where is your evidence?"
Mu Yutong frowned. "You destroyed Si Nantong's soul remnant yourself."
He smirked. "So what if I did? You can't prove that remnant belonged to him."
Her expression darkened in fury.
It was blatant—he was twisting the truth, shamelessly playing the "no witness, no crime" card.
Shangguan Yurou's brow furrowed as well.
Then, a calm voice broke the silence.
"Um… about that—I actually kept a backup."
All three turned toward Wang Jianqiang.
Shangguan Yurou and Mu Yutong's faces brightened, while Si Tianyong's expression sank like stone.
Wang Jianqiang, unruffled, lifted a clear crystal orb—
Inside, glowing images began to play: Si Nantong's crimes, the evidence projection, and even Si Tianyong destroying the original remnant.
"So you had a Recording Crystal ready," Mu Yutong said with open admiration. "Smart boy." She turned to Si Tianyong. "Well, Si Tianyong? What now?"
Silence.
Then, Si Tianyong's eyes flashed coldly.
In an instant, the Recording Crystal exploded in Wang Jianqiang's hand.
"There," he said with a smirk. "Now the evidence is gone."
He looked from Mu Yutong to Shangguan Yurou, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
"You—!"
"A dignified Nascent Soul cultivator stooping to this?!"
Mu Yutong and Shangguan Yurou both looked livid. They hadn't expected Si Tianyong to act so shamelessly—so underhanded—and before they could react, he'd already done it.
Then, Wang Jianqiang spoke again, calm as ever.
"Uh… sorry to interrupt."
"I've got plenty of those. Ten spirit stones apiece. Not exactly rare. If the Elder wants to keep smashing them, feel free."
The three froze.
Then turned toward him again—
To see another glowing crystal appear in his hand.
This one not only replayed everything from before but also captured Si Tianyong destroying the last crystal—complete with his smug, self-satisfied grin.
The image froze on that exact expression.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Si Tianyong's face darkened to the color of ink.
That proud grin, frozen in the crystal, was like a slap across his face—hard and stinging.
Mu Yutong burst out laughing. "You're a cautious one, boy. I like that!"
Her earlier fury melted into satisfaction. The more she looked at Wang Jianqiang, the more pleasing he seemed.
Shangguan Yurou, meanwhile, remained vigilant, watching Si Tianyong carefully in case he tried anything else.
Her tone was icy as she spoke:
"Si Tianyong—do you have anything left to say for yourself?"