Dahuang lay on the ground, narrowing his eyes, and occasionally wagging his tail. The little monkey Xiao Hui was lying on his bed, staring at Zhang Xiaofans pale face with a pair of bright eyes. Zhang Xiaofan glared at him and said gruffly, "What are you looking at?"

  Xiao Hui naturally wouldnt say anything to Zhang Xiaofan, but instead let out two "squeaks", looking at its monkey face, its owner was injured, not only did it not show any worried expression, but on the contrary, it seemed to be gloating.

  "Go, go, go! Go to one side!"

  At this time, footsteps sounded, and before he entered the door, Zhang Xiaofan had already heard it, smiling and saying: "Sixth Master Brother, why are you delivering food so early today?"

  His voice suddenly stopped, and Tian Nayeis short and stout body slowly walked in from the door. Zhang Xiaofan was shocked, as during these days, Su Rou had only let him rest and recover, while other senior brothers including Tian Linger had only visited him once, and for the rest of the time, only Du Bishu came to deliver meals three times a day, and he never expected Tian Nayei to appear suddenly.

  He lay on the bed for a while, suddenly came to his senses, hurriedly got up, and as soon as he got out of bed, he wanted to make a big move. Tian Nayeis thoughts were heavy, his face was cloudy and uncertain, and he waved his hand, saying: "Forget it."

  Zhang Xiaofan responded with a "yes" and stood up, standing aside to watch Tian Buyi walk over and sit down at the table, not daring to breathe a word.

  Tian didnt bother to look at the apprentice again, from his reaction just now, this little apprentice couldnt possibly be a talented genius with inner qualities, and instead seemed even worse than ordinary people, but somehow

  Tian nodded his head and let out a sigh, saying: "Old Seventh, come over and sit down."

  Zhang Xiaofan was shocked again. From coming to Tians house, it had never been easy for him, and today he was kinder to him than usual, which made Zhang Xiaofan somewhat disbelieving his own ears.

  Tian didnt wait for long, but saw Zhang Xiaofan looking at him in surprise and uncertainty, as if he hadnt reacted yet. He felt another wave of anger in his heart and slightly angrily said: "Do I need to invite you to sit down?"

  His scolding was full of momentum, and Zhang Xiaofan immediately found the dignity of his master from before, and surprisingly reacted quickly, obediently sitting down.

  The field did not look at his appearance, but instead suffocated and looked at him again, then smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "How is your body?"

  "Reporting back to Master, after returning from Tongtian Peak, thanks to Master and Mistresss rescue and treatment, as well as the care of all my senior brothers, Ive almost fully recovered."

  Tian Bu Yi looked at him and said calmly, "Its been over a month since the Seven Meridians Conference, it seems youve also recovered quite well. I have a few words to ask you now."

  Zhang Xiaofans heart sank, and he vaguely felt that the thing he had been afraid of all along had finally arrived, but with the situation unfolding before his eyes, he could only say: "Yes, Master, please speak."

  Tian did not slow down and said: "That black stick of yours, where did it come from?"

  Zhang Xiaofans heart skipped a beat, and he involuntarily looked at Tian Buyi, only to see that Tian Buyi was also staring at him. Although his face still had a calm expression, his eyes were piercing and seemed to have a divine light, which was intimidating without being angry.

  At that moment, he turned a thousand thoughts in his mind, and for a time, he couldnt make a sound. Tian Naye slowly sank his face, looking extremely ugly, and said again in a low voice: "Speak!"

  Zhang Xiaofan was urged by him, and in an instant, sweat had already appeared on his forehead. Although he didnt have much experience, the unexpected fusion of the Blood-Drinking Bead and the strange black rod after their fierce battle in the Secluded Valley many years ago was too bizarre. Moreover, it was extremely sinister and had the ability to absorb spiritual energy. He knew that these things would never be tolerated by the righteous path, especially if Tian Naye found out about them, the consequences would be unthinkable.

  In addition, in his heart of hearts, there was still one more thing that had always been a deep taboo, especially since he found out that Pu Zhi and the others were the four great divine monks of Tianyin Temple, and then thought about the mantra they taught him.

  At that moment, he had made up his mind that no matter what, he could not say anything about Pu Zhi, nor even a single word about himself.

  Tian couldnt help but stare at him.

  Zhang Xiaofan stood up in the midst of those piercing gazes, then knelt down again.

  "Master!"

  Tians eyebrows furrowed tightly, and he grunted, saying coldly: "Speak."

  Zhang Xiaofan bowed his head and said slowly, "That black stick was something I unintentionally obtained when I went to the depths of the rear mountain with my masters sister several years ago."

  Tian didnt easily recover from his slight daze, but then he remembered that two years ago something like this had indeed happened. Tian Linger had gone to that secluded valley and fainted for no reason, Su Rou had gone to investigate but hadnt found anything unusual, and later he himself had also gone to take a look, and it was true. This matter had always been a small mystery, but as time passed he had also forgotten about it. Now it seemed that it was probably because of this black stick.

  But a black stick that no one urged was able to make Tian Linger faint, what kind of evil thing is this? How could Zhang Xiaofan get it? Tian didnt think of this and his doubts in his heart only grew bigger. He said in a low voice: "How did you get it?"

  Zhang Xiaofan didnt dare to raise his head, afraid that Tian Naiyi would see the expression on his face. He was not a quick-witted person to begin with, and at this moment he was extremely anxious, unable to think of any good excuse no matter how hard he tried.

  Tian did not easily see him hesitate, he was so worldly and experienced, immediately shouting: "Speak."

  Zhang Xiaofan was frightened by him, and his sweat dripped down, his heart racing wildly, he didnt dare to hide it anymore, and finally told the general situation of that day. However, when he got to the point, he still forced himself to hold back the matter about the Blood-Drinking Pearl, only saying that on that day in the valley, he saw a black stick, and out of curiosity, picked it up, resulting in the black stick sucking out his vital energy (actually due to the Blood-Drinking Pearl). He felt nauseous and dizzy, and then fainted. Before losing consciousness, he vaguely saw the black stick absorbing his vital energy into its body.

  After he finished speaking, he didnt dare to lift his head and didnt dare to look at Tian Naiyi again. Tian Naiyi, on the other hand, furrowed his brow and fell into deep thought: Looking at this little disciple, it doesnt seem like hes lying, and those various magical treasures and abilities are definitely not something he could make up. But such a strange and unusual treasure, even he had never heard of it before in his life. If it were to be compared to the black rod, perhaps the only thing that comes close is the "Blood-Drinking Pearl", a great evil object from the demonic sect a thousand years ago.

  But its clear that this black rod is utterly different from that Blood Devouring Bead.

  Tian did not easily get up from his seat, pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, lost in thought for a while. He turned his head to look at Zhang Xiaofan and said, "You go first."

  Zhang Xiaofan responded in a low voice and stood up, but still kept his head down, standing aside.

  "But even so, that treasure is connected to you by blood and qi, its a product of blood refinement"

  "Master," Zhang Xiaofan asked in surprise, "what is a Blood Refining Object?"

  Tian didnt hesitate for a moment, and then impatiently said: "You dont know thats fine, Im asking you so just listen."

  Zhang Xiaofan immediately lowered his head and said in a low voice: "Yes."

  Tian Bu Yi looked at him and said, "Even if that black rod is an extraordinary treasure, you must at least cultivate to the fourth layer of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao Yuqing realm before you can use it."

  Zhang Xiaofans face changed color.

  Tian Bu Yi slowly said: "That day on Tongtian Peak, I asked you, today I ask you again, who secretly passed the manual to you?"

  Zhang Xiaofans body shook, he knew that at this moment, for the sake of this unknown black stick, he had already gotten into big trouble. If he added to it the fact that he was secretly practicing a forbidden technique, he feared that the punishment awaiting him would be unimaginable.

  At this moment, however, Tian Lingers appearance seemed to float before his eyes: the figure of her taking him up the mountain to cut bamboo when they were young, the gentle face beside the solitary lamp on a rainy night, and the laughter and shouts as she ran at the top of the Great Bamboo Peak in the past. Even the faint, ethereal scent of her body that lingered in his memory was now so clear.

  Bit by bit, it floats up in mind!

  He knelt down again and kowtowed heavily, but didnt say another word.

  He lay prostrate on the ground, motionless, his slightly emaciated body after initial recovery had gained a hint of strength, yet seemed to carry a hint of desolation.

  Tian did not easily gaze deeply at him, after a while, suddenly let out a breath and said: "Get up, follow me to Tongtian Peak, as for whether you have a life to return, thats up to your fate."

  ※※※

  Deep in the white clouds, the fairy air is lingering, everything is as peaceful and tranquil as peoples dreamlike paradise.

  Qingyun Mountain, Tongtian Peak, Yuqing Palace.

  The seven meridians of the Qingyun Gate are all here, and everyones eyes are on the young man kneeling in the hall.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren gazed at Zhang Xiao Fan, who was kneeling there, and his mind involuntarily recalled the images of the two children he had rescued five years ago. The white clouds and the passage of time seemed to have transformed them into grown-ups in the blink of an eye.

  He let out a low sigh in his heart and shifted his gaze away from Zhang Xiaofan, asking the other Taoist priests: "Everyone, what do you think of what Zhang Xiaofan just said?"

  The crowd fell silent for a moment, then suddenly an old man with a hoary beard spoke up and said decisively: "This childs words are absolutely untrustworthy."

  Zhang Xiaofans body shook as he knelt on the ground, but he didnt lift his head.

  Dào Xuán Zhēnrén furrowed his brow and said: "Why is Master Cāng Sōng so certain?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren glanced at Zhang Xiao Fan and said, "The Blood Refining Technique is an evil and poisonous method of the dark side. If he didnt have a demonic cult expert guiding him, how could he possess such insight and magical power to refine such a treasure? Therefore, this person must be a demonic cult spy, his life cannot be spared."

  Cang Song took charge of the Qingyunmens punishment, with a high position and great power. His tone was firm and unyielding as he spoke, causing Zhang Xiaofan to lose all color in his face and almost suffocate.

  Everyone was silent, but Tian Bu Yis face sank, and he said slowly: "If he really is as you said, carefully planning to sneak into my Qingyun Gate, how could he deliberately display his magic treasure in front of everyone?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren hummed and said, "The demonic cults wicked people are inherently unpredictable in their actions, with unfathomable intentions. Its not surprising that they would do some strange things."

  Tian Furiously said: "Isnt this forcing the issue and seizing on fallacious reasoning?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren coldly said: "Im being unreasonable? Please ask, Brother Tian, does this Blood Refining Technique belong to the Orthodox Sect?"

  Tian Bu Yis face turned red, and at this moment anyone could see that Tian Bu Yi was still standing on his apprentices side. Just as the awkwardness reached its peak, a cold voice suddenly came out, and upon hearing it, one would know it was Shui Yue Dashi from Xiao Zhu Feng:

  "May I ask, Senior Brother Cang Song, you repeatedly say that the Blood Refining Technique is sinister and evil. May I ask, in what way is it sinister and how is it evil?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but suddenly choked back and could only say: "The demonic sects evil magic, do we need to say more?"

  "Then to say, Master Cang Song is also completely ignorant of the Blood Refining Technique. How can he think that this technique is evil and poisonous, and want to kill this young man?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren looked at Shui Yue Da Shi with piercing eyes, his aura was overwhelming, and he said: "Oh, Shui Yue Shi Mei, what do you mean?"

  "Everyone, this matter is twofold. Firstly, we dont know much about the Blood Refining Method, and what little weve heard is mostly speculation. If by chance the so-called Blood Refining Method really exists, wouldnt we be wrongly killing an innocent person? Secondly, this young man is only sixteen years old, and his background is clear and straightforward. To insist that hes a member of the demonic cult would be unreasonable."

  Cang Song Daoren narrowed his eyes, but a sharp glint flashed through the gap between them. He said, "Why did Shui Yue Shimei deviate from her usual behavior today and strongly defend this young man? Its truly puzzling."

  Suishous face flashed with anger, and he immediately said: "I am just discussing the matter at hand, I will not be like some people who cannot bear to see others from the same school but different factions produce talented individuals, fearing that they will threaten their own status, so they seize on minor matters to utterly destroy them, completely devoid of humanity!"

  If one were to discuss sharp tongues, among the seven people present, six men couldnt compare to Shuǐ Yuè Dàshī. Cāng Sōng Dào Réns face turned white with anger and he abruptly stood up.

  Daoxuan Zhenren hastily intervened and said: "Alright, alright, whats going on that youre arguing again? Sit down, sit down."

  Cang Song Dao people did not dare to ignore the words of Zhuo Men, and had to reluctantly sit back in their seats. On the other hand, Shui Yue was calm and collected, sitting properly in her own chair as if nothing had happened.

  Daoxuan Zhenren shook his head and turned to the others, saying: "Everyone, what do you mean?"

  The other peaks fell silent for a moment, and Feng Hui Peaks Zeng Shu Chang spoke up first: "Master, I think Water Moon has a point. This young mans background is clean, and after entering the sect, he never left the mountain. Its possible that it was indeed a coincidence that he obtained this treasure, and in fact, it might be a blessing in disguise for Qing Yun."

  Daoxuan Zhenren stroked his beard and nodded slightly, then turned to look at Tianyun Daoren of Luoxia Peak. Tianyun glanced at Cangsong and said, "I agree with Elder Brother Cangsongs approach."

  Cang Song Dao Ren gained an ally and nodded towards Tian Yun Dao Ren.

  In the end, only the Zhāo Yáng Fēngs Shàng Shāng Zhèng Liáng was left, he looked at Tián Bù Yì and others, then looked at Cāng Sōng Dào Rén and Tiān Yún Dào Rén, finally his eyes glanced carefully at Dào Xuán Zhēn Rén again, hesitated for a moment, and said: "I think Shuǐ Yuè Shī Mèi is right."

  The field did not easily show a relaxed expression, but the green pine Taoist hummed and nodded: "Everyone has said that, so I wont be polite either." He then turned to Zhang Xiaofan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said, "Xiaofan, get up first."

  Zhang Xiaofans body shook slightly, he looked up at his elders and slowly stood up.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren looked at him a few more times, as if he wanted to see him clearly, then turned to the other seats and said: "Everyone, I also thought that Zhang Xiao Fan didnt seem like someone from the demonic sect. This black rod has an aura of evil, but its contained within, not like the usual demonic creatures weve seen before, with their killing intent and ferocity on full display."

  Cang Song Dao Ren couldnt help but shout, "Headmaster Shixiong, the demonic cults evil people are vicious and poisonous, its better to kill by mistake than to let them go!"

  Daoxuan Zhenrens face changed color, he looked at him and shouted: "Cangsong Shidi, do you know what you are talking about?"

  Cang Song knew he had misspoken and lowered his head in silence.

  Dao Xuans expression turned serious, but his tone became low and gentle as he slowly said: "Brother Cang Song, you have been in charge of the punishment department of our sect for over 200 years, and your fairness and severity are truly admirable. However, Ive noticed that over the past decade or so, your aura has grown increasingly fierce, and your killing intent has become even stronger. As your brother, I am deeply worried about this. Are you aware of it?"

  Cang Song Dao Ren said in a low voice: "Yes, Shixiong."

  "Rather kill by mistake than let one go, that is what the people of the demonic path do. Our Qingyun Gate has always been on the right path, and we have always been open and honest. If we encounter something, we should either let it go or not kill by mistake. Otherwise, how are we different from the people of the demonic path? Master Cangsong, your Taoist practice is deep, but you still need to cultivate your Taoist virtues and contemplate the Taoist laws."

  Cang Song raised his single palm and said: "Thank you, senior brother, for your guidance. Cang Song has learned from it."

  Daoxuan Zhenrens face relaxed, and he said, "You know what to do." He turned to the crowd and glanced at them. Everyone nodded in agreement, saying, "Whatever the Master says is fine."

  Daoxuan Zhenren nodded and said to Zhang Xiaofan: "You heard everything?"

  Zhang Xiaofan was moved in his heart, and hurriedly said: "Yes, thank you, thank you all the masters," and then turned to Tian Buyi, with a choked voice, saying: "Thank you, Master."

  Tian waved his hand, but didnt say a word.

  Dao Xuan Zhen Ren picked up the black short rod on the tea table beside him and threw it to Zhang Xiao Fan, smiling: "This thing cant be driven by anyone else, you take it back."

  Zhang Xiaofan reached out to catch it, and as soon as he did, he felt the familiar yet icy aura surge up, spreading throughout his body, as if it was a spiritual connection that brought unspeakable joy. He bowed deeply to Dao Xuanzhen and said, "Thank you, Master."

  Dao Xuan Zhenren smiled slightly, clapped his hands three times, and immediately a Dao Tong walked over from the back hall. Dao Xuan Zhenren gave some instructions, and the Dao Tong nodded in response before walking out. Not long after, he led three people in. Zhang Xiaofan looked over and found that they were all familiar faces: Qi Hua and Zeng Shu Shu walked at the front, with Zeng Shu Shu making a mischievous face at Zhang Xiaofan when her father, Zeng Shu Chang, wasnt paying attention. As for the one walking in the back, it was the elegant and beautiful woman, Xue Qi from Xiao Zhu Feng.

  These three people plus Zhang Xiaofan are exactly the top four disciples of this Qingyunmen Qibaihuiwu.