Fairy, you call this repaying a debt of gratitude?

Qiu Jue Zhenren's words instantly overturned Shen Wei's previous guesses.

But upon closer examination, it seems suspicious at every turn.

Ye Qingci has already killed several elders of the Shangqing Sect, severely damaging the sect's vitality. It is precisely at this time that the sect leader of the Shangqing Sect needs the support of the elders. Why would the sect leader of the Shangqing Sect still want to kill the few remaining elders?

Either the Qiu Jue Zhenren in front of me is full of lies and deliberately fabricating stories to gain trust, or the Shangqing Sect Master has gone mad.

"But that doesn't seem to be a reason for you to be hiding in the shadows and following us."

"Well, as one of the few elders of the Shangqing Sect, in a sect that is currently lacking in the support of many elders, it seems that the sect master of the Shangqing Sect has no reason to take action against you."

"This young hero has hit the nail on the head." Master Qiujue gently tapped his whisk at Shen Wei, his face still bearing a gentle smile.

"What do you mean?"

"The sect leader has every reason to kill me."

Master Qiu Jue softened his tone and spoke slowly.

"Young hero, you are not from the Shangqing Sect, so you probably don't know who Elder Ye killed that day."

"Don't talk about what will happen next."

Ye Qingci interrupted him.

"Why can't I say it?"

Seeing this, Yu Tu continued to ask:

"I love listening to Master Qiu Jue's stories the most. Master Qiu, please tell me, who exactly did Elder Ye kill?"

Luo Yinghe's brows furrowed coldly, and she turned back to glare fiercely at Yu Tu, her tone filled with impatience and warning: "Shut up. If Master forbids it, then don't ask any more questions."

"Please stop talking, I don't understand anything."

Gu Hao, standing beside Yu Tu, was silently praying.

Seeing Ye Qingci's unusual behavior, Shen Wei's doubts deepened.

What is the connection between the sect leader's desire to kill Qiu Jue Zhenren and Ye Qingci?

Why is she so reluctant to talk about this?

The interrupted Master Qiu Jue wasn't annoyed; instead, he revealed a meaningful smile, as if to say:

It's not that I'm unwilling to tell her, but that she won't let me.

"What's wrong?" Shen Wei turned around, looking at Ye Qingci with some confusion. "What does what he said have to do with you? Why don't you want him to mention it?"

"This matter is quite confidential and involves many aspects, so it cannot be known to others... I will explain it to you later."

He had no objections.

After explaining to Shen Wei, Ye Qingci looked at Qiu Jue Zhenren.

"So, you were involved too?"

"No, no, that's not true at all!"

Master Qiu Jue hurriedly waved his hand, his tone urgent.

"I only provided some theoretical support. At the time, I didn't know what they were really planning. Once I learned the truth about the plan, I immediately withdrew. I, Qiu Jue Zhenren, would never do such a heinous and cruel thing."

Shen Wei expressed his doubts. Judging from the two of them’s cryptic manner, the elders that Ye Qingci had killed must have been involved in some secret plan.

Since Master Qiujue called this plan heinous, it is probably no different from what the Fuyou Sect did before, such as harming mortals and refining demon pills.

If it is such a sinister plan, can it really be as Qiu Jue Zhenren said, that he can easily withdraw from it whenever he wants?

There must be more to the story.

Ye Qingci remained silent for a moment, pondering Qiu Jue Zhenren's words.

This explanation actually aligns with her years of investigation; indeed, Qiu Jue Zhenren's name has never appeared on that list.

"But you still can't explain why you keep following us. Could it be that you feel guilty and have come here specifically to seek death?"

"Of course not."

He pondered for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, then spoke aloud:

"Elder Ye, Young Hero Shen, I know you still have doubts. If it were me, I would never easily believe someone who is secretly watching me like this."

He paused, took a deep breath to suppress his unease, and continued:

"The reason I followed you was not out of malice, nor were I a pursuer; I had no other choice but to seek your protection."

Having said that, he glanced at Ye Qingci, noticing her still cold expression and the slight tightening of her grip on the whisk, and added...

"I know you don't believe me, but I am just like you, a thorn in the side of the Shangqing Sect Master. He wants to kill me simply because he's afraid I'll reveal that heinous plan, and he'll take this opportunity to eliminate me. And you are the one who ruined his plan."

"But what makes you think I can protect you? Besides, you're hiding in the shadows, undetected even by us. Who can threaten you?"

"Uh...this..." Master Qiujue was somewhat speechless. He pondered for a long time but could no longer give a reasonable answer. The gentle smile on his face gradually faded.

"Since the real person cannot provide an answer, then I'm afraid I cannot trust their one-sided account."

As soon as Ye Qingci finished speaking, she and Shen Wei exchanged a glance. The two were of one mind and simultaneously drew their swords forward, their swords fierce and aimed directly at Qiu Jue Zhenren.

Upon seeing this, Master Qiu Jue's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly waved his whisk again to block.

Shen Wei attacked from the left, his sword strikes cunning and aimed straight at his lower body.

Ye Qingci attacked from the right flank, channeling spiritual energy into his sword, creating a powerful and imposing attack that blocked his retreat.

The two worked together seamlessly, forcing Master Qiu Jue to retreat repeatedly and struggle to keep up.

After a brief struggle, Master Qiujue was already at a disadvantage. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He thought to himself that Ye Qingci's swordsmanship was already superb, and this young man in white was also quite skilled. If the fight continued, he would undoubtedly lose.

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he once again swung his whisk, summoning a powerful gale.

After blowing the two away and creating some distance between them, he suddenly hurled his whisk into the sky. In an instant, the whisk transformed into a sky full of white shadows, and the intense light temporarily obscured the two people's vision.

A moment later, when the light and shadow faded, Qiu Jue Zhenren was nowhere to be seen. Only a wisp of white mist remained, which vanished into the air in an instant, leaving not a trace of his presence.

"What a bizarre escape method." Shen Wei sheathed his sword and stood there, his brows furrowed. He spread his divine sense around to search, but still could not find any trace of Qiu Jue Zhenren.

Having found nothing, Shen Wei, having given up the search, turned around and spoke to Ye Qingci, who was deep in thought:

"The motives behind this person's presence here are certainly not as simple as he claims."

"Hmm." Ye Qingci snapped out of her reverie, nodded gently, and slowly turned her gaze to Luo Yinghe, speaking with a hint of guilt:

"Yinghe, I know you've always wanted to stay by your master's side."

As Ye Qingci spoke, a sorrowful smile appeared on her face.

"But now, Master is in dire need of protection himself, and may not even be able to escape unscathed. He has no way of protecting you. Instead, he will drag you into this conflict and put you in danger."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yinghe lowered her eyes, no longer acting as spoiled, willful, or unreasonable as before.

"Alright, Master, I understand. I won't make things difficult for you."