Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Dao Xuan Zhenren responded softly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

He slowly turned around, revealing his usually gentle and refined face.

At this moment, however, he seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, his gaze deep and penetrating, directly looking past everyone.

It landed on Zhang Xiaofan, who was standing at the very back and almost shrank into the shadows.

Without a word, the crowd spontaneously parted to the sides, completely exposing Zhang Xiaofan, who was standing in the central aisle, to Dao Xuan Zhenren's gaze.

Zhang Xiaofan felt his whole body stiffen, his head drooped even lower, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He dared not look up, overwhelmed by boundless guilt.

He felt guilty for failing his master and mistress in raising and teaching him, and guilty for implicating his fellow disciples.

He felt even more ashamed that he had no face to face the person above him who had once participated in the Seven Veins Martial Arts Tournament.

He personally praised his senior master.

Dao Xuan Zhenren's gaze lingered on Zhang Xiaofan for a moment.

He then turned to Master Shuiyue, whose expression was aloof.

"Junior Sister Shuiyue," he said, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable power.

"Tell me in detail what exactly happened on Liubo Mountain that day. All the disciples in the hall are witnesses today, and there must be no concealment or omission."

Upon hearing this, Tian Buyi felt a slight surge of joy.

Since the sect leader is still willing to listen to the details instead of directly convicting him.

That means that Xiao Fan might still have a glimmer of hope.

Master Shuiyue nodded expressionlessly, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Tian Buyi and Su Ru, whose eyes were filled with anticipation, as well as the disciples of Dazhu Peak.

She is aloof and upright, and would never show favoritism to anyone in public.

However, some consideration can be given to the wording.

She cleared her throat and began to recount in detail how Zhang Xiaofan, in order to save his senior sister who was in danger at Liubo Mountain, used the Soul-Devouring Staff in a moment of desperation, thus revealing that he possessed an evil magic weapon and the Tianyin Temple's "Great Brahma Prajna" technique.

The Taoist Cangsong, standing to the side, listened quietly with a solemn expression.

As Master Shuiyue's clear, cold voice echoed through the hall, revealing every detail to the sunlight, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

The only sound was the suppressed breathing of the crowd.

After listening, Dao Xuan Zhenren glanced across the entire room and asked calmly, "Does anyone have anything to add to what Junior Sister Shuiyue just said?"

Inside the main hall, no one answered.

Dao Xuan Zhenren sighed softly, a sigh that seemed to contain endless weight, pressing down on the hearts of everyone who knew the truth.

He looked again at the center of the hall, at the boy who was still bowing his head and bending over.

His tone softened slightly, taking on a touch of his usual gentleness:

"child."

The word "child" sent a jolt through Zhang Xiaofan's body, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

In this situation, the sect leader and senior uncle still treated him with such gentle address. How could he not feel heartbroken and grateful for such trust and tolerance?

"You come from Grass Temple Village, have a clean background, and are a disciple personally accepted by my Qingyun Sect."

He is simple, kind, and resilient.

Dao Xuan's voice flowed slowly through the hall, carrying a calming power.

"Whether it was on the Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament arena that day, or this time at Liubo Mountain."

You always risked your own safety to save people.

This exposure was also to save his fellow disciple.

Therefore, your senior master still believes in you and thinks you are not the kind of person with evil intentions or malicious intent.

These words were reasonable and well-founded, highlighting Zhang Xiaofan's merits and character while also giving him a chance to defend himself.

Upon hearing this, many people in the hall looked at Zhang Xiaofan with less of the strangeness in their eyes.

Instead, there was a sense of understanding and sympathy.

"Those here now are all your trusted fellow disciples and mentors."

Dao Xuan's voice carried a subtle hint of guidance.

"You really don't want to talk? Where did that Soul-Devouring Staff come from? And how did you cultivate the 'Great Brahma Wisdom' within you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan could no longer hold back and let out a "thump".

He knelt heavily on the cold floor of the Jade Purity Palace, his forehead pressed tightly against the ground.

Tears flowed like a burst dam, instantly wetting a small patch of the ground in front of her.

This trust, as heavy as a mountain, along with the expectant yet anxious gazes of his master, mistress, and fellow disciples, struck his heart like hammers.

He longed to tell the whole story, to pour out all the secrets he had kept hidden in his heart!

But... that won't do!

That rainy night, the old monk's dying words, the promise made at the cost of his life...

"You swear you won't tell anyone what happened today..."

The aged and desperate voice of Master Puzhi still seemed to echo in my ears.

He agreed!

He swore an oath!

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan in this state, Tian Buyi felt both heartache and anger. Unable to contain himself any longer, he stepped forward, pointed at Zhang Xiaofan, and shouted angrily:

"You wretched child! What are you still hiding?!"

The sect leader and all the masters are here to stand up for you, so hurry up and tell the truth!

Are you trying to drive me crazy?!

The roar contained a mix of anger at the disappointment of his students, but even more so, it revealed an unconcealed concern and anxiety.

How could Zhang Xiaofan not know that his master was confused because he was worried?

But... he could only bury his head even deeper, his shoulders trembling slightly from the suppressed sobs.

Su Ru's eyes were also red, and she turned her head away.

Lin Jingyu clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her flesh.

Zeng Shushu was so anxious that he scratched his head and wished he could speak up for Zhang Xiaofan.

Tian Buyi wanted to curse again, but Dao Xuan Zhenren raised his hand to stop him.

Dao Xuan looked at Zhang Xiaofan, who was kneeling on the ground and refusing to get up, his voice noticeably sterner than before:

"Since you still refuse to be honest, then we'll have to investigate ourselves."

He turned his gaze to Daoist Cangsong: "Junior Brother Cangsong, where is that demon?"

Cangsong immediately took out the dark, unremarkable-looking short stick, Soul Devourer, from his sleeve and presented it to Daoxuan with both hands.

Dao Xuan took the Soul-Devouring Staff and examined it closely for the second time.

His fingertips brushed across the shaft, sensing its restrained yet extremely evil and chilling aura.

"A fragment of the ancient demon 'Soul Stealer' was forged from the 'Bloodthirsty Bead,' a treasure of the Demonic Cult, using a blood-refining method."

Dao Xuan slowly spoke, revealing the astonishing origin of the Soul-Devouring Staff.

"It is indeed an evil object with a rather unusual origin and an extremely malevolent aura."

His gaze, sharp as lightning, shot towards Zhang Xiaofan once more:

"You said back then that this item was unintentionally created through your blood refinement. Do you still say the same thing today?"

"Yes." Zhang Xiaofan answered in a low voice without hesitation this time.

The formation of this Soul-Devouring Staff was indeed an accident.

"So, that means you obtained the 'Soul-Capturing' fragment by chance in the secluded valley behind Dazhu Peak, while the Bloodthirsty Bead... was already on you."

As Dao Xuan spoke, his gaze seemed to glance unintentionally at the Cangsong Daoist beside him.