Chapter 894: Is There an Insider?

Above the Yunlun Mountains, at the Yunjing monitoring main position.

“One quarter of an hour!”

Yu Zhiwen was bound by the promise she had made earlier and was determined to seize control of the Yunjing world with all her might within that timeframe. However, the unknown Tianji sorcerer was far too powerful. In the struggle for Tianji and for control of the Yunjing world, even as she exerted her full strength and pushed Zhuji Xingtong to its limits, her opponent effortlessly laid trap after trap. One wrong move, and she would be ensnared, wasting precious time.

The communication bead beeped incessantly. The quarter-hour had passed, and Rao Yao Yao was clearly growing impatient, urging frantically. Yu Zhiwen did not answer; she was already drenched in sweat and dared not lose focus. Despite her best efforts, she was still one crucial step away from regaining control of the Yunjing world.

Just then, the Tianji sorcerer on the other side seemed to vanish abruptly, ceasing all actions and setups. Yu Zhiwen was overjoyed. Even if this might be another trap, she had to press on and delve deeper into the Yunjing world's Tianji structure. To reclaim control, she needed to fully penetrate the main position. To her surprise, this time there was no resistance at all. With a quick hand gesture and seal, she secured control of the Yunjing world.

“Rao Qianbei.”

Picking up the communication bead, Yu Zhiwen replied with evident excitement: “I have not failed in my mission! Control of the Yunjing world is now in our hands, and I've set up multiple layers of protection. From now on, anyone who tries to touch the Yunjing world will be immediately detected, revealing their location.”

No one could have imagined that during the Wangcheng trial, someone would brazenly seize control of the Yunjing world. Previously, it had only been guarded by Rao Yao Yao, not Situ Yongren. Otherwise, the moment Wuji Laozu made his move, it would likely have been noticed. At the very least, control wouldn't have been lost so easily. Unfortunately, there were no "what ifs"...

When Cheng Ji, the hall master of the Dongtian Wangcheng branch of Shengshen Dian Tang, applied for access to the Yunjing world, it was solely for the spirit refiners in the Wangcheng trial. Like Rao Yao Yao, he never considered that someone might use it for cheating. After all, only someone whose Tianji mastery far surpassed everyone in the Dao Department could possibly take control of a Tianji world. What kind of person would that be? How could they coincidentally appear in Dongtian Wangcheng, hide in the Yunlun Mountains, and harbor designs on the Yunjing world?

Yet, it was exactly that coincidental... Due to this twist of fate, for over a quarter of an hour, Shengshen Dian Tang was in complete "darkness," unable to see the scenes in the Yunlun Mountains or know what had transpired.

“Rao Qianbei?”

Yu Zhiwen had felt immense pride upon reclaiming control of the Yunjing world, as if she had solved one of her master's most challenging Tianji problems. But the ongoing silence from Rao Yao Yao on the other end doused her excitement like a bucket of ice water.

Something had gone wrong? As soon as that premonition crossed her mind...

“Yi has fallen!”

After a long pause on the communication bead, Rao Yao Yao's voice rang out, heavy with gravity. Yu Zhiwen's heart skipped a beat. Yi, the head of the Yi Department... A Taixu powerhouse... Dead? In just that brief period of darkness? He was dead?

Yu Zhiwen's scalp tingled. She knew better than anyone how hard it was for a Taixu to die, especially someone like Yi, known for his ever-changing, elusive nature. Yet, because the Yunlun Mountains had been blind for just over a quarter of an hour... He was gone?

“Rao Qianbei, I...”

Yu Zhiwen was flustered. She hadn't cared about the battle before, but now, thinking that a head of one of Shengshen Dian Tang's renowned six departments had been assassinated due to her inability to quickly reclaim control of the Yunjing world, she was filled with dread. She wanted to explain something, but words failed her, and even the hand holding the communication bead began to tremble.

A soft sigh came from the other end, followed by Rao Yao Yao's comforting voice: “Zhiwen, I know you've done your best. Don't blame yourself.”

“I asked Situ Yongren about your efforts during that time.”

“He said that if it were just about 'cracking Tianji techniques,' even he might not have done better than you.”

“In that quarter-hour, I saw how hard you worked.”

“But, as they say, human plans are no match for fate...”

Rao Yao Yao didn't seem inclined to spend more time consoling her. Shifting the topic, she said sternly: “Keep an eye on Mu Xiao Gong. Yi died while carrying out an intelligence mission, so this person must be involved!”

Mu Xiao Gong... Yu Zhiwen snapped back to attention, realizing this wasn't the time for anxiety, though Rao Yao Yao's words startled her.

“I know about this person, but she's just a minor Zongshi. How could she possibly kill a Taixu?” Yu Zhiwen found it hard to believe.

Rao Yao Yao's voice was stern: “I don't need your judgment right now! Just send me everything Yi could have seen before he died—all the footage—and after that, every person and scene within a hundred li around.”

“Understood.”

Yu Zhiwen nodded quickly. She manipulated the Yunjing world again. With a hand seal, all the spirit mirrors before her lit up once more.

In Xu Bang, the campfire burned brightly. Inside Xu Bang's main tent, Xu Shao was still inside, dozing off. Outside Xu Bang, the mountain where Yi had last appeared was completely empty.

Yu Zhiwen's heart sank. Yi was dead, yet the site showed no signs of disturbance. How could she present these images? Then she recalled Rao Yao Yao's words. For now, she didn't need to make judgments... Immediately, she used Tianji techniques to transmit all the visible footage to Rao Yao Yao.

The communication bead remained connected. Not long after, Rao Yao Yao's voice came through: “What about Mu Xiao Gong? I want to see her live footage.”

Yu Zhiwen tensed up. Without delay, she formed hand seals. Using the trial jade pendant, she locked onto Mu Xiao Gong's location.

She wasn't in the Xu Bang camp! This young girl was on the other side of the mountain where Yi had last appeared, not far from the Xu Bang camp, idly kicking stones along the mountain path. In her hand, she held a broken leafy twig, her face full of discontent as she swung it back and forth, muttering nonstop.

Yu Zhiwen zoomed in on the scene and amplified the sound, listening carefully.

“Dead Xu Shao, stinky Xu Shao!”

“Is it just about being the Xu Bang leader? I don't even care about it!”

“Do you really think I fancy your group of a thousand or so people? Give me time, and I can build my own team!”

“How annoying...”

On the mountain path, Mu Xiao Gong cursed as she kicked stones wildly. Suddenly overcome with emotion, she swung the twig fiercely, as if slashing at someone with a sword: “So annoying, so annoying, so annoying!”

“Mu Vice Leader...” From behind, the guard Xiao Qing, who had been following at a distance, looked pleading and called out against the wind: “I say, Mu Guniang, it's time to go back! This wilderness is too dangerous. Xu Shao isn't here, and if that fake trial official strikes, we'll be in trouble...”

“What did you say!” Mu Xiao Gong whipped around, glaring angrily.

“Uh...” Xiao Qing was stunned. “I said, it's time to go back?”

“The one before that!”

“Mu Guniang?”

“The one before that!”

“Xu, Xu Vice Leader?”

“That's the one!” Mu Xiao Gong jumped in fury: “What did you call me? Vice Leader? Do you have to add that 'vice'? I was the one who set up the whole ceremony for shouting 'leader' in Xu Bang. Xu Shao hasn't even held the official succession ceremony yet, and you're calling me 'vice leader'?!”

Xiao Qing was sweating profusely, apologizing repeatedly: “Mu Leader, I'm sorry, I was wrong. But really, we should head back. This place is just too dangerous...”

Mu Xiao Gong pouted, a flicker of fear in her eyes, but she stubbornly retorted: “What's there to fear from a trial official? Trial officials are here to protect trial participants. If you haven't done anything wrong, you don't need to fear ghosts knocking at the door!”

Xiao Qing added weakly: “But you said he's a ghost...”

“Ah!” Mu Xiao Gong covered her ears and wailed: “Stop it, I don't want to hear it! Unless Xu Shao comes to apologize in person and gives me back the leader position, otherwise... otherwise, I'm not going back! Hmph!”

Xiao Qing sighed: “Mu Leader, don't you see? The Nine Dragon Veins contest has already started, and everyone's rushing ahead to avoid being outdone... What about Xu Shao?” He spread his hands: “Xu Shao put everything on hold for you, even the Nine Dragon Veins contest. The whole Xu Bang with over a thousand members is waiting in place just for you to return... Mu Leader, can't you see how important you are to Xu Shao?”

Mu Xiao Gong was taken aback. She clutched her trial jade pendant, as if verifying something. Then, seeming convinced, she replied with less conviction: “I-I just got scared by that guy earlier and forgot to check the jade pendant's notification, that's all!” She held up the pendant, gripping it like a lifeline, and mustered some confidence. “See? I just noticed the alert!”

Xiao Qing didn't press further and gestured: “So, shall we go back?”

“Go back... fine, what's the big deal?” Mu Xiao Gong, who had spent a lot of time with Xu Shao, clearly knew when to prioritize. Though she grumbled, she started following Xiao Qing back.

“Once we're back, don't mention what happened earlier. I'll tell Xu Shao myself.”

“Of course.” Xiao Qing nodded seriously.

“I won't exaggerate it!” Mu Xiao Gong glared at him, suspecting he was feigning sincerity and would talk.

“I know your character, Mu Leader. I trust you.” Xiao Qing smiled.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmph!”

“Hmph right back.”

“You!”

“Alright, I'll stay quiet...” Xiao Qing chuckled bitterly. “So, Mu Leader, what are you planning to say when we get back?”

“What else can I say?” Mu Xiao Gong snorted coldly. “That trial official dared to control me and make me lose my composure. I'm going to report him... So what if he's a Wangzuo? Xu Shao's strength now could definitely take down a Wangzuo!”

“You said you wouldn't exaggerate. He was just suspicious and asking questions.”

“Shut up!”

“Shut up right back.”

“You... Do you believe I'll report you for not protecting me properly?!”

“I'm sorry, I was wrong.”

“Hmph.”

Yu Zhiwen watched the entire scene in the spirit mirror, left only with silence.

Nothing unusual! Mu Xiao Gong and Xiao Qing showed no signs of abnormality! The reason they hadn't returned to the Xu Bang camp was simply because Mu Xiao Gong had demanded the leader position from Xu Shao earlier, and he hadn't given it to her. This matched everything that had happened in Xu Shao's tent before the "darkness." True to her temperament, she was holding a grudge and wouldn't return without Xu Shao coming to soothe her. But Xu Shao was stubborn too, refusing to show up and instead ordering the entire Xu Bang to wait for her. These petty squabbles were entirely in character for the two of them, even if it meant delaying important matters.

The only thing worth questioning was... “Is she really that important?”

The doubt crept into Yu Zhiwen's mind. But quickly, she realized her thoughts were straying and refocused on the key points.

From their conversation, it was clear Yi had interacted with Mu Xiao Gong. But after the questioning, Yi should have left promptly. Otherwise, Mu Xiao Gong and Xiao Qing wouldn't have ended up on the other side of the mountain, wasting time wandering.

Based on these images, the only inference was that after contacting Mu Xiao Gong, Yi might have let his guard down and fallen into some unknown trap. That trap must have been meticulously planned in advance. During that period of darkness, when control of the Yunjing world was seized, even a Taixu like Yi couldn't resist or escape—he was killed on the spot. This operation undoubtedly required massive resources and manpower!

Even if Mu Xiao Gong and Xiao Qing were smugglers and Taixu, they couldn't have pulled it off! Two Taixu trying to eliminate Yi, the head of the department? That would require incredibly powerful Taixu—at least on the level of the six department heads, and even then, success wasn't guaranteed!

Yu Zhiwen dismissed the idea that these two had conspired to kill Yi—it was impossible. If it had been those hypothetical "Taixu smugglers," at minimum, another Taixu with department head-level cultivation or special abilities would have been needed to join forces. Only then could they have succeeded.

Yi, with his thousand transformations and elusive nature, wasn't so easily killed!

After ruling that out, Yu Zhiwen concluded it must have been the work of some major dark force, like the ones that had declared war on Shengshen Dian Tang earlier... The Shengnu!

But if it was an organization like Shengnu... How had they managed it all? How did they know Yi's mission and route, and set up the ambush in advance?

Yu Zhiwen felt a chill run down her spine as a terrifying possibility struck her.

“An insider?”

The thought flashed through her mind, and she dared not dwell on it further. She quickly relayed the footage and conversation she had just seen to Rao Yao Yao.

Whatever Rao Yao Yao could think of, Yu Zhiwen knew she would. If there really was an insider, their position must be...

Extremely high! Shengshen Dian Tang might be facing a major purge soon!