Fairy, don't be afraid, I, Wang Daqi, am truly an honest man.

Wang Daqi was escorted by several law enforcement disciples through the winding mountain path of Lingyun Peak.

Along the way, many disciples pointed and whispered among themselves, wondering what had happened to this recently prominent outer sect foreman.

Before long, the group stepped into the imposing and cold Hall of Law Enforcement.

In the main hall, two rows of law enforcement disciples stood solemnly, their water and fire sticks gleaming with a cold, eerie light.

Sitting in the armchair directly in front was an old man in a black robe with a stern face and prominent temples.

This person was Elder Xu Huaiyan of the Enforcement Hall, a Golden Core cultivator known for his strictness.

Wang Daqi glanced at the scene and a cold smile crept onto his lips.

On one side of the lobby, he saw an old acquaintance, Zhao Dong.

At this moment, Zhao Dong was staring at him with a face full of resentment.

The look in his eyes was so intense it seemed he wanted to devour him alive.

Beside Zhao Dong sat a young man with hawk-like eyes.

This person looks about 60% like Zhao Dong, but has a colder and more sinister demeanor.

It was clearly Zhao Dong's elder brother, Zhao Feng, an elite disciple of the Enforcement Hall.

To Wang Daqi's surprise, Zhou Yongli was sitting calmly not far away, holding a teacup, his eyes revealing a sense of satisfaction at having avenged his great grudge.

"Daqi the Bold!!"

Before the elder could speak, Zhao Feng stood up and shouted sternly, "The Cold Jade Hall is the Peak Master's place of cultivation. You were in charge of the renovation project, but in order to rush the schedule and cut corners, you shoddy the materials when processing the Cold Jade, causing two hundred pieces of top-grade Cold Jade to be destroyed!! Do you know that delaying the Peak Master's schedule is a capital offense?"

Wang Daqi calmly straightened his sleeves and retorted, "Senior Brother Zhao, you have quite the nerve. You keep accusing me of 'cutting corners,' but what evidence do you have? Are you really going to convict me based solely on your words?"

"Hmph, still trying to deny it!"

Zhao Feng sneered, turned his head to look at Zhou Yongli, "Elder Zhou was in charge of supervising the construction before, so he knows your background best. Elder Zhou, please speak."

Zhou Yongli put down his teacup and said in a sinister tone, "Elder Xu, I can testify. This Wang Daqi was opportunistic when he was working. He doesn't understand the secret methods of processing cold jade at all; he's a complete novice. I observed him at the construction site; he was extremely careless in his work. The damage to that batch of materials must have been caused by his improper handling!"

With the testimony of the former elder, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became solemn.

Zhao Feng turned around, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Elder Xu, and said, "Elder Xu, this boy not only damaged public property but also refuses to confess. If he is not severely punished, it will be difficult to explain to the Peak Master. This disciple suggests that we take him to the Ten Thousand Serpent Cave for rigorous interrogation; he will surely tell the truth!"

Upon hearing the words "Ten Thousand Serpent Cave," the surrounding law enforcement disciples couldn't help but shudder.

That was a place specifically used to punish traitors and serious criminals.

A thousand snakes devoured my body, the pain piercing to the bone.

Even the strongest-willed person would break down after a few days inside.

A glint of greed flashed in Zhao Feng's eyes.

He had long suspected that Wang Daqi, a disciple with a useless spiritual root, could suddenly rise to prominence, and that he must have some extraordinary opportunity.

As long as we lock him up in the Serpent's Den, on our own turf, are we afraid we won't find out this kid's secrets?

"Wang Daqi, if you confess the truth now, this elder may show you leniency. Otherwise, in the Ten Thousand Snake Cave, your life or death is in the hands of fate!" Elder Xu slammed his gavel down heavily, and the oppressive aura of a Golden Core cultivator pressed down on Wang Daqi like a tidal wave.

Despite the pressure, Wang Daqi suddenly laughed, his laughter filled with sarcasm.

"I did nothing wrong, what crime have I committed?" Wang Daqi stared directly at Elder Xu, "Just because of a few words from Zhou Yongli??"

Zhao Feng interrupted him, "Elder Xu, this boy won't learn his lesson until he sees the coffin. I'll take him away right now!"

"Are you in such a hurry to kill someone to cover your tracks?"

Just then, a clear, cold voice boomed in the air above the Hall of Law Enforcement.

Everyone turned around and saw Nangong Ling, wearing a light gold cloud-patterned robe, with her black hair flowing like a waterfall, and her beautiful face covered with a layer of frost, slowly walking in through the gate.

"Peak Master?!"

Xu Huaiyan's expression changed slightly.

Why is it that Peak Master Nangong Ling, who never leaves the Cold Jade Palace, has come here in person?

He quickly stepped forward.

"Greetings, Peak Master!"

As Nangong Ling entered the hall, led by Xu Huaiyan, all the law enforcement disciples bowed in unison, cold sweat involuntarily seeping from their foreheads.

Wang Daqi breathed a long sigh of relief, secretly thinking to himself: This woman has finally arrived. If she hadn't come, I'm afraid I would have really had to go to the Ten Thousand Snake Cave to experience some "exotic scenery".

Looking at Nangong Ling's majestic and aloof back, Wang Daqi couldn't help but be somewhat lost in thought.

He was once again amazed by the peak master's otherworldly and peerless temperament, but for some reason, he always felt that this back view, this figure... was exactly the same as his junior sister Liu Qingqing, who had been writhing in his arms last night!

Although the two women look completely different, Nangong Ling appears more aloof and holy, while Liu Qingqing is charming and lively.

But the lines, as if carved from a mold, gave him a sense of absurdity.

"However... I guess all stunning beauties have pretty much the same figure."

Wang Daqi shook his head, suppressing this startling thought.

"Peak Master Nangong, why have you come in person?"

Xu Huaiyan was dumbfounded.

He thought that Nangong Ling would at most hear a report about this afterward, but he never expected that she would actually step forward to defend Wang Daqi.

"If I don't come in person, you might wrongly accuse an innocent person."

Nangong Ling glanced at him sideways.

Xu Huaiyan hurriedly bowed: "Please enlighten me, Peak Master!"

Nangong Ling snorted coldly, "Regarding the destruction of the Cold Jade, I received a secret report from my disciples last night. The reason I remained inactive was to see whose hands this little thing that destroyed the Cold Jade and spewed corrosive powder would end up in after it succeeded!"

After saying that, her gaze, sharp as a sword, fixed on Zhao Feng to the side.

Zhao Feng was swept by this terrifying Nascent Soul stage pressure, and his legs felt weak, almost causing him to collapse to the ground.

He was terrified and instinctively reached out to cover the beast-taming pouch at his waist.

The spirit-devouring worm only returned to his hand through the mountain wall at the crack of dawn today.

He thought he had gotten away with it undetected, so how did he get discovered?

"Zhao Feng, take out your beast-taming bag." Nangong Ling's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"Peak Master...it's not my fault! This bag just contains ordinary spirit pets..."

Zhao Feng's face was deathly pale, and he was sweating profusely.

"Since it's none of your business, why don't you dare take it out?"

Wang Daqi stepped forward triumphantly, arms crossed, looking at Zhao Feng with a mocking expression. "Actually, I discovered it last night. There was a Spirit-Devouring Worm causing a lot of trouble. I'm also curious who raised this worm; it's so ill-mannered."

These words caused an uproar in the room!

The disciples whispered amongst themselves, and the way they looked at Zhao Feng instantly changed.

Zhao Dong and Zhou Yongli were struck dumb, especially Zhou Yongli. He had only intended to use someone else to do his dirty work, but he never expected that Zhao Feng, that fool, would leave such a huge flaw and be caught red-handed by the Peak Master himself!

Zhou Yongli, being a seasoned veteran, quickly realized that his survival instincts kicked in.

He jumped up abruptly, pointing at Zhao Feng beside him and shouting, "So, Zhao Feng! It was you, you beast, who did this! I always thought you were acting in the sect's best interests, and I was blinded by your lies. How dare you sabotage the Peak Master's renovation plan! You're utterly depraved! Elder Xu, quick, make him hand over the Beast Taming Bag and clear Wang Daqi's name!!"

This act of betraying one's family for the greater good infuriated Zhao Feng so much that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Zhou Yongli, you..." Zhao Feng's eyes widened.

"What do you mean, 'I'? The evidence is overwhelming, and you still want to deny it?" To protect himself, Zhou Yongli was more ruthless than anyone else at this moment. "With the Peak Master right in front of you, you still won't confess!"

In the main hall, Zhao Feng felt the chill emanating from all around him. Looking at Nangong Ling, who stood with his hands behind his back like a god, he knew that he was completely finished.

However, he still harbored a sliver of hope.

That is, his Soul-Devouring Insects are silent and stealthy; in theory, they should never have been discovered!

Sensing the situation was turning against him, Zhou Yongli displayed exceptional agility.

He rushed forward in one stride, and taking advantage of Zhao Feng's momentary lapse in concentration, his right hand flashed like a blur as he forcefully ripped the beast-taming pouch off Zhao Feng's waist!

"Zhao Feng! You disgrace to the sect! Today, I will cleanse the Enforcement Hall of your ranks!"

While shouting angrily, Zhou Yongli put on an extremely obsequious smile, trotted up to Nangong Ling, held up the beast-taming bag with both hands, and bent over at a ninety-degree angle, looking just like a lackey offering a treasure.

"My lord, the evidence is here! This beast is crying wolf, almost ruining your important plans!!"

Wang Daqi watched in disbelief, cursing inwardly: This old dog Zhou changes his face faster than flipping through a book, he's a real talent!

Nangong Ling glanced at the beast-taming bag indifferently, but instead of reaching out to take it, he slapped it across the face.

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the silent lobby. Zhou Yongli was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop.

He covered his rapidly swelling cheek, scrambled to his feet in terror, and knelt down, pleading, "Master... I... I really don't know anything! I'm a victim too!!"

"You don't know?" Nangong Ling's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a murderous intent. "If you don't know, why did you just now insist on testifying for Zhao Feng? You even wanted Wang Daqi to enter that Ten Thousand Snake Cave?"