Longshou Peak, backyard.
After Cang Song’s overnight treatment, Lin Jingyu had recovered considerably.
The next morning, Lin Jingyu slowly regained consciousness.
No sooner had his mind cleared than a summons arrived—Cang Song ordered him to report immediately to the Discipline Hall to explain the intense battle with Qi Hao the previous day.
In the morning light, Lin Jingyu’s steps carried a weight of solemnity.
He knew well that concealing his cultivation and suddenly clashing with Qi Hao at the back mountain would have certainly aroused Cang Song’s suspicions.
But thinking from another angle, perhaps this exposure was an opportunity.
He had long coveted the position of Top Disciple on Longshou Peak. Only by demonstrating strength could he inherit it smoothly.
Moreover, if he wanted to stand against Qi Hao after Cang Song’s eventual betrayal, building his own loyal followers was an urgent priority.
Upon entering the Discipline Hall, the atmosphere was abnormally tense.
Cang Song sat solemnly in the main seat, Qi Hao stood at the lower side, and there were no other disciples present in the hall.
Clearly, Cang Song did not want the matter of brothers turning against each other to spread.
Lin Jingyu kept his eyes straight, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully to Cang Song.
“Greetings, Master.”
His gaze brushed past Qi Hao—cold as frost.
Because of their identities as transmigrators, their relationship had long since shattered; now, it was a fight to the death.
Cang Song did not rebuke Lin Jingyu for his rudeness toward Qi Hao. What he cared more about was the hidden motive behind the fight.
Looking at the tall, sharp-edged figure of Lin Jingyu below, Cang Song was momentarily dazed, as if he saw the shadow of his old friend Wan Jianyi.
Back then, Wan Jianyi had also been radiantly talented, assisting him many times and profoundly influencing his cultivation path.
And Lin Jingyu, though only having joined Longshou Peak for a few years, had already reached the Seventh Level of Jade Purity Realm—such talent was truly rare.
Yet suspicion still lingered in his heart.
Cang Song said gravely,
“Lin Jingyu, rise, there is no need for formalities.”
Seeing his disciple respectfully comply, his gaze sharpened and cut to the point.
“Yesterday you and Qi Hao fought fiercely at the back mountain—what exactly happened?”
Lin Jingyu did not immediately answer Cang Song’s question but instead raised his eyes to look at Qi Hao.
The latter’s gaze was chillingly cold, with undisguised killing intent—as if he viewed him as a mortal enemy.
Seeing this, Lin Jingyu pretended to be startled and took a step back.
From above, Cang Song noticed this scene and turned to look at Qi Hao.
In Qi Hao’s eyes gleamed a cold light, causing Cang Song’s heart to sink. He barked out sternly.
“Qi Hao! What do you intend? The matter is not yet clear—how can you look at your junior brother like that?”
Qi Hao then came to his senses, realizing his lapse, and quickly bowed.
“Master, forgive me. I just find it hard to accept that Lin Jingyu may be a spy from the Demonic Sect, and I lost control for a moment.”
Cang Song nodded slowly, his tone serious.
“Before the truth is revealed, you must not randomly accuse your fellow disciples.”
Qi Hao had no choice but to restrain his emotions and respectfully replied,
“Yes, Master.”
Then, Cang Song turned his gaze to Lin Jingyu.
“Jingyu, tell me—what happened yesterday?”
Lin Jingyu immediately spoke.
“Master, yesterday I was cultivating in my chamber. Since I hadn’t made progress in my realm for some time, I felt frustrated and went to the back mountain to clear my mind.
Just as I arrived, I saw Senior Brother Qi Hao, pale-faced, hastily flying over from the direction of Xiaozhu Peak.
I feared something had happened to him, so I went up to ask. Who would’ve thought he’d suddenly attack me and try to kill me!
To protect myself, I had no choice but to fight back with all my might. But Senior Brother’s strength far exceeds mine—if not for your timely rescue, I might never have been seen again.”
At this point, he lowered his head in a gesture of gratitude.
“I beg Master to see clearly.”
Cang Song’s brows furrowed tightly.
This version greatly differed from Qi Hao’s.
Qi Hao had claimed that he was cultivating at the back mountain, when Lin Jingyu falsely asked him about Dao techniques and, taking advantage of his unguarded moment, launched a surprise attack that seriously injured him.
“You're not telling the same story as your senior brother.”
Cang Song’s expression was stern.
“He said you feigned a request for instruction, then launched a surprise attack while he was unguarded—he acted purely in self-defense.”
Lin Jingyu’s face turned cold, but his tone was earnest as he said,
“Master, please see clearly! I’m well aware that my strength doesn’t match Senior Brother’s—how could I possibly dare to launch a sneak attack?
From what I observed, Senior Brother returned from Xiaozhu Peak yesterday with an unusual expression. I suspect he violated your strict order and secretly entered Xiaozhu Peak, clashing with the disciples there and even got injured.
Fearing I would notice something and report it to you, he tried to silence me permanently!”
Cang Song nodded slightly after hearing Lin Jingyu’s words.
In his heart, he also found Lin Jingyu’s account plausible.
After all, it wasn’t the first time Qi Hao had sneaked into Xiaozhu Peak.
There were precedents before—he had only behaved over the past half-year because he was confined in the Black Wind Cave at the back of Longshou Peak.
Now that he was free again, the possibility of sneaking into Xiaozhu Peak once more was very real.
Seeing that Cang Song seemed somewhat convinced, Qi Hao grew anxious and hurriedly argued,
“Master, don’t listen to Lin Jingyu’s nonsense! He’s extremely suspicious himself!
He reached the Seventh Level of Jade Purity Realm at such a young age—it’s an absurd cultivation speed. And his entire village, Caomiao Village, was slaughtered. I suspect he’s a spy planted by the Demonic Sect to infiltrate Qingyun Sect and steal secrets!”
These words stirred doubt in Cang Song’s heart. He turned his gaze to Lin Jingyu and asked gravely,
“Lin Jingyu, why have you advanced 《Tai Chi Profound Purity Dao》 to the seventh layer in just a few years? And why did you hide your realm?”
At this moment, Cang Song no longer fully trusted either Qi Hao or Lin Jingyu.
The act of concealing one’s realm was indeed difficult to fathom.
Was it a lack of trust in him, or was there some deeper motive?
Lin Jingyu’s heart tightened, but he quickly composed himself and bowed, saying,
“Master, it was wrong of me to hide my cultivation.
Since joining Longshou Peak, I have devoted myself wholly to training.
You’ve seen for yourself that I have decent talent, which is why my progress has been a bit fast.
As for concealing my strength, I merely wanted to make a stunning appearance during the Seven Peaks Tournament. I had no other intentions.
I was born in Caomiao Village—my background is clean. How could I possibly be a spy for the Demonic Sect?”
As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.
“What’s more, the slaughter of Caomiao Village is the greatest pain of my life. My parents died in that tragedy. I hate the culprits to the core—how could I ever collude with the Demonic Sect?”
His voice choked with emotion, and he began to sob.
Cang Song, hearing this explanation, felt some of his suspicions ease. He turned to Qi Hao and said,
“Your junior brother’s words make a fair amount of sense.”
Qi Hao immediately realized that Cang Song was beginning to side with Lin Jingyu, and he hurriedly said,
“Master, this is only his side of the story—it cannot be trusted blindly!”
Cang Song’s face darkened. He asked harshly,
“Qi Hao, let me ask you again—did you go to Xiaozhu Peak yesterday?”
Qi Hao’s face instantly turned deathly pale.
He had gone to Xiaozhu Peak, and once Cang Song sent someone to investigate, there’d be no hiding it.
After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said,
“Master, I admit my mistake—I did go to Xiaozhu Peak yesterday.”