Chapter 99: Invisible Enemy, Most Fatal

Sang Lao hooked his hand hidden in his sleeve and silently absorbed all the invisible flames throughout the area.

Qiao Zhanglao spoke first:

“Xu Xiaoshou, where are the enemies?”

Enemies?

Xu Xiaoshou's mind flashed with confusion. How had enemies suddenly appeared? What was going on?

Ye Xiaotian hovered in the air, level with the others, and shot Qiao Zhanglao a glare. At a time like this, they should obviously let Xu Xiaoshou speak first.

If his information matched what they had, there was no issue. But if it didn't, that would be another story.

Speaking up first would just be covering for him, wouldn't it?

Qiao Zhanglao glared back, unyielding.

His meaning was clear: With so many big shots watching, who could handle that pressure?

Xu Xiaoshou was just a kid, after all!

Seeing Qiao Zhanglao speak up, Zhao Xidong couldn't hold back either:

“Just now, you and I exchanged a signal, right? Wasn't there a kidnapper?”

A signal?

Xu Xiaoshou felt dizzy. Which one are you talking about?

When did I exchange a signal with you?

Xu Xiaoshou wasn't foolish. From these two lines, he could gather a lot of useful information and was tempted to follow their leads in his response to shift the blame.

But was that really feasible?

His gaze darted between Qiao Zhanglao and Zhao Xidong, while his "perception" clearly showed the reactions of all five people.

Xiao Qixiu might look stern, but they were somewhat familiar, and with Qiao Zhanglao there, it would be easy to talk.

Sang Lao was his master, silent but on his side.

The only one was that white-haired Daoist child, Ye Xiaotian—he'd only met him once, and his only impression was of someone silent and shrewd.

Moreover, as the inner court dean, Ye Xiaotian was clearly no ordinary figure.

On top of that, since they weren't acquainted, he couldn't just improvise.

Xu Xiaoshou was a rational person; he knew how to read the room and generally avoided recklessness.

Although he had caused a small explosion in Ling Cang Ge, the damage wasn't much—just a hundred or so bookshelves and a lot of tables and chairs destroyed...

Well, even if they looked quite valuable.

Admitting fault would only mean financial losses, but trying to shift the blame might damage his integrity.

“There are no enemies, and no kidnappers,” Xu Xiaoshou said calmly.

“Under suspicion, passive points +5.”

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

What? I'm being serious!

I'm not lying!

“Are you kidding me?” Zhao Xidong couldn't help it, voicing what everyone was thinking. “If there's no one else, does that mean the explosion was your doing?”

“Mm-hmm.” Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

“Under suspicion, passive points +4.”

Hmm? 4?

Xu Xiaoshou sharply noticed Sang Lao's mouth twitch slightly, as if he knew something, but he lowered his straw hat and remained silent.

Of course.

The method for compressing the fire seeds was something he had provided, so probably only he would believe what Xu Xiaoshou said...

“Nonsense!”

Qiao Zhanglao slapped a hand on Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder. “Xiaoshou, don't be afraid. The top forces of Tian Sang Ling Palace are right here in front of you. If anyone's threatening you, just say it. No need to worry or hold back.”

This...

Xu Xiaoshou vaguely felt this scene was familiar, like he'd seen it somewhere before. He instinctively looked toward Xiao Qixiu.

Xiao Qixiu gave an encouraging expression: “The net of heaven is vast and leaves nothing uncaught. Speak up!”

“Under encouragement, passive points +1.”

Xu Xiaoshou was dumbfounded. What the heck about the net of heaven? He remembered why this felt familiar.

Last time, when he drew “Swordsmanship Mastery,” these two had pressured him the same way to point out where a nonexistent person was.

He was on the verge of tears. In any other situation, he might just point in a random direction to brush it off, but with Ye Xiaotian here, he didn't dare. “Really, there aren't any...”

Before he could finish, Sang Lao interrupted him.

“Judging from the force of the explosion, it affected the third floor of Ling Cang Ge, but the losses are minimal. I've checked the Ling Ji, and none are lost or damaged—only some miscellaneous items are missing.”

“Based on a preliminary estimate, the intruder was likely at the Zongshi level, with fire attributes. But it's also possible they suppressed their cultivation to confuse us, so let's treat it as Wangzuo level for now!”

Ye Xiaotian furrowed his brow. The matter wasn't settled yet, and Sang Lao had already drawn a conclusion, which was unusual.

But he didn't object, considering Sang Lao had just reattached his arm.

Xu Xiaoshou listened in astonishment.

Intruder?

Wangzuo level?

His mind raced, and he quickly realized Sang Lao was giving him a way out.

Sure enough, the straw-hatted elder said seriously: “Where did the person go?”

Xu Xiaoshou trembled slightly and extended a finger, pointing in a random direction...

Why?

Why does someone always force me to lie?

Sang Lao issued orders decisively: “Zhao Xidong, gather your people and search everywhere; Qiao Qianzhi and Xiao Qixiu, track them immediately and follow the trail; Ye Xiaotian...”

He glanced at the white-haired Daoist child, and Ye Xiaotian looked back at him with suspicion.

“You go too, team up with Xiao Qixiu!” Sang Lao decided firmly, his face showing no trace of anything. “It might be a Sheng Nu backup plan, so don't let your guard down!”

At the mention of “Sheng Nu,” Ye Xiaotian dismissed his doubts and became serious.

“It's also possible this is a diversion to lure us away. I'll stay and guard Ling Palace. You all search outward—move out now!” Sang Lao's commands were swift and authoritative, leaving no room for question.

“Yes!”

The group responded and dispersed.

Xu Xiaoshou stared blankly at the straw-hatted elder in front of him, feeling a surge of admiration.

Impressive!

With just a few words, he'd wrapped up the whole matter neatly, without a single flaw that anyone could challenge.

Amazing!

He shot Sang Lao a fawning and worshipful look.

Sang Lao took a deep breath, his face darkening as he fixed a stern gaze on him: “I was only gone for a bit, and I told you to focus on refining pills. Look at what you've done!”

Of course, this old man had seen through everything...

Xu Xiaoshou awkwardly scratched his head, at a loss for words.

I'm helpless too!

I wanted to refine pills properly, so how did all these accidents happen?

Sang Lao glared at him fiercely, but thankfully, there wasn't much real damage—the Ling Ji was fine, or else the trouble would have been huge.

“I've sent the others away for you, but if you don't give me an explanation for today, heh...”

Xu Xiaoshou's hair stood on end, as if he were being stalked by a fierce beast, feeling a chill run through him.

He forced an awkward smile, knowing that flattery wouldn't help now.

“I have an explanation, but I'm not sure if I should say it...”

Sang Lao grabbed him and whisked them both to the third floor.

As the array activated, it blocked out everything from the outside. Only then did the old man lift his straw hat, but upon seeing everything before him, he nearly spat out blood.

The large bathtub lay overturned nearby, as if it had been struck hard, even denting the wall.

The bottles and jars that had been neatly arranged around were now scattered everywhere, as if swept by a storm.

Some of the dan bottles were shattered, with the pills lying exposed and pitiful, like helpless, naked maidens huddled on the ground.

The windows on both sides had vanished without a trace, letting in a refreshing breeze.

Have I taken on a disciple?

This is more like bringing home a destructive beast!

Sang Lao was furious, his sparse brows and eyes twitching as he stared at Xu Xiaoshou, his gaze like that of death itself—if it were anyone else, they'd already be a corpse.

Xu Xiaoshou shuddered, his voice weak as a mosquito: “I was putting out the fire earlier, and I haven't had time to clean up here yet...”

“Clean up my foot! Where's your explanation?” Sang Lao roared. “Spit it out!”