Chapter 793: Gou Wuyue, So How Did You Block His Sword Again?

The hall erupted in an uproar.

Chu Lisheng dared to reveal such intelligence in the main hall, which meant it had been verified multiple times and was absolutely accurate.

This implied that Tian Shang Di Yi Lou was a fake Ban Sheng force!

Chu Lisheng stood proudly in the hall, full of conviction.

He was determined to target Tian Shang Di Yi Lou.

This fraudulent force had deceived everyone and was suspected of ties to Sheng Nu.

At a time when Rao Jianxian lacked accomplishments...

If not them, who else would descend into hell?

At that moment, Rao Yaoyao remained silent.

After a long pause, as Chu Lisheng's gaze of surprise turned toward her, she pressed her hand on the wooden table, leaned forward, and asked, "Is what you said truly accurate?"

"Absolutely certain!"

Chu Lisheng lifted his head. "My spies planted near Tian Shang Di Yi Lou reported that Xu Shao traveled recently without even a Zhan Dao guard—perhaps at most a Wang Zuo level. A Ban Sheng force? Utter nonsense!"

No sooner had he spoken than—

With a bang, Rao Yaoyao slammed her delicate hand down, shattering the council table in the great hall. Wood chips and paper scraps flew everywhere, and amid the dust, Rao Jianxian's beautiful face was filled with fury.

Everyone was startled, unsure why Rao Jianxian was so enraged.

Cheng Ji even shrank back, sliding to the other side of his seat like a timid bird, his eyes wide with shock.

Tian Shang Di Yi Lou had deceived the people of the Wang Cheng, but it hadn't deceived Rao Yaoyao herself!

Why such an outburst?

Only Chu Lisheng, looking at Rao Yaoyao's furious glare, could clearly sense that her anger was directed at him, not Tian Shang Di Yi Lou!

What was going on?

Did I make a mistake?

Am I the Sheng Nu?

Before he could think further, Rao Yaoyao stood up, her eyes flashing with intensity. "You claim Tian Shang Di Yi Lou isn't a Ban Sheng force, but my people say Xu Shao has not only Tai Xu guards but also a connection to Mei Siyi, one of the Seven Jianxian. How do you explain that?"

The great hall fell into dead silence.

Everyone's faces showed shock, their mouths agape in disbelief.

Shou Ye sighed, shaking his head wearily.

He had let it go.

From tracking in Tian Sang Cheng to Dong Tian Wang Cheng, it hadn't taken long, but he had truly let it go.

Regardless of whether Xu Shao was Xu Xiaoshou, this matter was no longer something he could pursue.

Because it was too late.

The Xu Xiaoshou he knew had become the notorious "Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou."

All he could do was hand over the evidence and let Senior Rao investigate on her own; there was nothing more for him to do.

The path had diverged.

The next time they met, they would be enemies.

Along this journey, Shou Ye had borne far too much alone.

He had more pressing matters to attend to.

He... couldn't handle any more blows.

On the other side,

Chu Lisheng: ???

He was still in a state of utter confusion.

As soon as Rao Yaoyao finished speaking, he felt his knees go weak, nearly collapsing on the spot.

Tai Xu?

Tai Xu guards?

Even for a Ban Sheng force heir, would they really have Tai Xu guards?

Damn it, which Ban Sheng force could be so extravagant as to assign Tai Xu escorts to their disciples' travels?

What a waste of resources!

The entire Dong Tian Wang Cheng branch of Sheng Shen Dian Tang only had a few Tai Xu experts!

Those old-timers couldn't even move around normally; they were stationed here to guard the branch!

Chu Lisheng's mind turned to mush, and it took him a while to snap out of it. He stammered, "Senior Rao, is this true?"

Rao Yaoyao's brows furrowed. "What do you think?"

Chu Lisheng's scalp tingled as he realized he'd asked a foolish question.

How could Rao Jianxian lie?

He quickly recovered. "Beyond that intelligence, Xu Shao once confronted the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng directly at the Duojin Merchant Guild, mentioning a Ban Sheng birthday celebration. I sent people to check afterward, and in the past hundred years in the Bei Domain, there's been nothing like it. His words were completely fabricated..."

Even as he spoke, without Rao Yaoyao saying a word, Chu Lisheng fell silent.

Of course!

If the identity was fake, how could anything Xu Shao said be trusted?

It was probably just a scare tactic against the Jiang Shi group!

Chu Lisheng's heart sank.

He had failed in his duties.

Even if he wanted to argue that with Tai Xu guards around, not even his own spies could detect them—let alone if he went personally—it wouldn't help.

In a place like Sheng Shen Dian Tang, incompetence was incompetence.

Shifting blame wouldn't earn any favor and might only anger Rao Jianxian further.

"Cheng Ji, punish him afterward!"

Rao Yaoyao, her anger subsiding, sat back in her side seat and waved dismissively, clearly understanding what Chu Lisheng had wanted to say.

It was normal that they couldn't uncover anything with such high-level guards at Tian Shang Di Yi Lou.

But Chu Lisheng's incompetence was the real issue—based on official habits, he had cut corners, done the bare minimum, and never thought to escalate or learn from the incident.

That was what was truly infuriating.

"Mobilize Sheng Shen Dian Tang's people to go door to door, investigating every Ban Sheng force in the Bei Domain, including hidden ones. Question them one by one."

"If there's a connection, report back; if not, expand to the Five Domains and question all Ban Sheng families without holding back."

Rao Yaoyao issued her orders.

The hall erupted in astonished murmurs.

How much time and resources would it take to investigate house by house?

Ban Sheng families weren't easy to approach.

Cheng Ji looked troubled, clearly finding the idea absurd.

But Rao Yaoyao's eyes were stern as she said gravely, "If Tian Shang Di Yi Lou truly has ties to Sheng Nu and we find nothing, you can keep sitting in your positions."

"If we do find something..."

She turned to Cheng Ji: "Even if your merits could cover your faults, your position as branch master might be at its end."

Cheng Ji's mind reeled.

Only then did he realize the gravity and scope of the situation.

Sheng Nu...

After the Bai Ku incident, that name topped the "White Yi" blacklist!

In that light, investigating Tian Shang Di Yi Lou wasn't about resource waste—he could claim reimbursement from White Yi later.

But if the identity was confirmed, it would shake the Five Domains!

After all, Sheng Nu's leader, Ba Zun An, had been a figure who rivaled the Dao Dian master decades ago...

Even Dao Qiong Cang in his prime would have to yield to Ba Zun An!

Rao Yaoyao pinched her brow and waved her hand. "Dismissed."

"Yes."

The White Yi and Hong Yi in the hall vanished in an instant.

Cheng Ji left in a panic, practically dragging Chu Lisheng with him as he hurried off to handle the matter.

Left alone in her side seat, Rao Yaoyao stared at the shattered table, lost in thought.

At first, she hadn't taken Tian Shang Di Yi Lou seriously.

It wasn't until Shou Ye laid out the full growth trajectory of Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou that she began to pay attention.

That was also why she hadn't held Cheng Ji and Chu Lisheng accountable.

True, it wasn't their responsibility.

Anything involving Sheng Nu, a dark force, fell to the White Yi.

But with Tian Shang Di Yi Lou brazenly rooted in Dong Tian Wang Cheng, if it turned out to be a front for Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou...

Then, in retrospect, it would be a blatant slap in the face to Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

And they hadn't detected a thing!

Rao Yaoyao's earlier words were spot on.

If such an absurdity happened in Dong Tian Wang Cheng under Cheng Ji's watch, the White Yi would share the blame, and his position would indeed be untenable.

"Mei Siyi..."

She gazed out the window.

At the distant, ancient Cha Sheng Lou.

Rao Yaoyao furrowed her brows in deep thought.

During the Wang Cheng night battle, one person had caught her attention.

Mei Siyi!

He had entered the scene but never made a move.

What was he thinking?

What did he intend?

The situation had been too chaotic that night, with crises piling up, and Rao Yaoyao had been too occupied to question him.

Now that she had time, she could sort through it.

Mei Siyi was a senior figure from centuries ago.

If the Seven Jianxian were ranked by seniority alone, not strength...

You Tu and Mei Siyi would be in their own category—the elders.

Feng Tingchen of the Nan Domain would be next—the middle-aged group.

These three were from the previous era.

Below them came Hua Changdeng, Gou Wuyue, Rao Yaoyao, and Wen Ting.

As for an eighth member...

Even if Ba Zun An were included, he'd be in this last group.

They were all the younger generation among Jianxian, not even middle-aged yet.

Their seniority was too shallow!

And because of that, Rao Yaoyao understood the stance of these elders.

For hundreds of years, Mei Siyi had been neutral, never acting for any force or individual.

He was dedicated solely to teaching and mentoring, with disciples spread far and wide.

This was completely different from You Tu, who consistently opposed Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

Precisely because of this,

Even though Mei Siyi had entered the battle that night and shown ties to Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou, Rao Yaoyao didn't find it unusual.

Which sword cultivator in the world hadn't been influenced by Mei Siyi?

Among the Seven Jianxian, only his peer, You Tu, had likely never been guided by him.

Even Feng Tingchen on his path to Jianxian must have heard Mei Siyi's legends and possibly indirectly received some of his teachings.

For instance, one of Feng Tingchen's masters might not have realized that his own teacher's teacher had once been mentored by Mei Siyi.

That was why Mei Siyi was revered as "Siyi Mister" by all.

He had always propagated the ancient sword cultivator path.

So, it was entirely possible that Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou achieved success in the ancient sword path because he had encountered Mei Siyi—or even been taught by him directly.

Their connection was normal.

But the key issue was that Mei Siyi had always been neutral.

In teaching and mentoring, he only imparted the sword dao and proper cultivation, never overstepping into his disciples' affiliations—that in itself was a form of neutrality.

Yet that night, Mei Siyi had shown unusual interest in Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou.

"Was it simply because Xu Xiaoshou is Ba Zun An's heir, a new upholder of You Tu's path, with exceptional talent?"

Rao Yaoyao hesitated.

Xu Xiaoshou's aptitude was impressive—enough to make any teacher proud—and Mei Siyi's extra attention wasn't unwarranted.

But if he knew Xu Xiaoshou's stance, he shouldn't have crossed that line.

The consequences, Mei Siyi would understand better than she did.

Rao Yaoyao didn't even consider the possibility that "Mei Siyi wanted to join the fight but wasn't needed because Xu Xiaoshou was too strong, so he just observed."

That was too ridiculous!

The only thing that puzzled her was that Mei Siyi had seemed particularly focused on Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou that night, and now he was also a guest elder at Tian Shang Di Yi Lou.

This came from Shou Ye's intelligence.

Rao Yaoyao trusted her subordinates.

Even though Shou Ye was convinced that Xu Shao wasn't Sheng Nu Xu Xiaoshou and that his earlier judgment had been wrong, so he planned to drop it...

Rao Yaoyao knew more and thought deeper.

The secrets of the Seven Jianxian, the various factions, could be traced back centuries.

These weren't things a low-level Hong Yi like Shou Ye would know.

So, Shou Ye could let it go.

Rao Yaoyao had to stay vigilant.

Under the premise that Tian Shang Di Yi Lou was likely a Sheng Nu front, speculating from there made Mei Siyi's motives seem suspicious.

Even though, based on history, Mei Siyi couldn't possibly have a stance.

But regardless, it was a possibility.

If the investigation found no connection, Rao Yaoyao could dismiss it as her own needless worry, wasting resources in vain.

But if there was a link and she failed to notice it first...

The situation would be serious.

Involving Seven Jianxian Mei Siyi, it would be an event catastrophic enough to shake the Tian Ti, drawing major figures into the fray!

Biting her lip, Rao Yaoyao suddenly sighed.

She remembered that tomorrow was the alchemy and Ling Zhen trial, and she'd have to pull people for extra security.

Who knew what other troubles might arise?

And after that, the Wang Cheng trial plus Sheng Mi Xu Kong Dao might descend simultaneously.

"What a turbulent time..."

The evening breeze rustled, and no moon was visible from the window.

The streets below were brightly lit, bustling with people, noisy and lively, in stark contrast to the quiet council hall.

Leaning by the window, Rao Yaoyao gently stroked her divine sword Xuan Cang. The wind tousled her hair, wiping away half her worried expression.

Rao Yaoyao suddenly recalled the lingering Mi Tian sword intent in the Yun Lun Mountains, lost in thought.

How had that person, under a martial ban, with his cultivation fallen to the depths, still managed to summon Xu Kong Dao?

Even Sheng Di couldn't do that...

Was it just because he was Ba Zun An?

"Gou Wuyue, how did you block his sword?"

Rao Yaoyao's eyes held memories, as if seeing Gou Wuyue after the Ba Gong incident, carrying Sheng Nu Sang Qiye back to Gui Zhe Sheng Shan for punishment.

"Sheng Shen Dian Tang's thirty years of planning and scheming drove the flock into a corner. You went from Zhong Domain to Dong, leading seven hundred White Yi and countless boundary crossers."

"In the end, you didn't even touch the storyteller's hem, only capturing Sheng Nu Sang Qiye with his former Sheng Gong background, and lost seven hundred White Yi in the process."

"Sever an arm, enter Sheng Yu, reflect for three months, and resume duties next year!"

Rao Yaoyao had been present at that Sheng Dian trial.

She even felt...

Everyone there thought Gou Wuyue would cite "lack of support" as an excuse.

Rao Yaoyao had already anticipated the judges' rebuttal: "Support? With Ling Bu head Yu Ling Di and Tian Ji puppets, was that not enough?"

Unexpectedly,

Gou Wuyue said nothing, accepted the punishment, and harbored no complaints.

Everyone was surprised.

Rao Yaoyao was surprised too.

Now, assigned to Dong and witnessing that lingering sword intent in Yun Lun Mountains, Rao Yaoyao fell silent.

"Outsiders are like that, and I brought five department heads plus divine sword Xuan Cang here, yet I couldn't even produce a decent result..."

Rao Yaoyao stroked the sword in her hand and smiled bitterly.

If not for her surname Rao, she might have been finished too.

She looked up at the ancient giant city in the sky. Part of its wall had been pulled away, vaguely revealing shadowy Tian Dao Xu Kong chains extending from the spatial fragments, restraining Xu Kong Dao's movement.

But Xu Kong Dao's advance was like the river of fate—someone might delay it temporarily, but it couldn't be stopped.

Rao Yaoyao stopped dwelling on it.

With a whoosh, she drew her sword and leaped from the window.

Some things, though she didn't want to face them, someone had to step up.

This time, her target was Tian Shang Di Yi Lou!