Sikong Yan continued to ask, "A battle at the Divinity Transformation Realm level creates movements that shake the heavens and earth. Even if separated by a thousand miles, it can be clearly felt. How far were you from the location of the battle when you discovered it?"
Wu Sha recalled for a moment and answered, "About six hundred miles."
"Six hundred miles, at such a distance, you should have been able to receive the distress signal, right?" Sikong Yan’s gaze was sharp as if trying to pierce through Wu Sha’s thoughts.
Wu Sha nodded hurriedly, "Absolutely."
Sikong Yan continued, "So, the opponent controlled the battle fluctuations within a certain range and also prevented Elder Yan Chuan from sending out a distress signal. How do you think the opponent achieved this?"
Wu Sha’s eyes lit up as if grasping a key clue and blurted out, "They must have prepared in advance before taking action."
Sikong Yan shook his head slightly, saying, "But Elder Yan Chuan’s Soul Lamp extinguished in less than half an hour. A single Divinity Transformation Realm Great Perfection alone couldn’t achieve this."
"The Palace Master’s meaning is that there were at least two experts?" Wu Sha asked tentatively.
Sikong Yan looked at Wu Sha as if he were an imbecile and said, "Elder Yan Chuan was only half a step away from Perfection of the Divinity Transformation Realm. To fulfill the conditions mentioned, there’s another possibility—to strike when he was utterly unprepared, just like with Qu Shen."
Upon hearing this, Wu Sha suddenly awoke as if from a dream, his face full of shock, "The Palace Master’s meaning is... Cang Lang? How could he dare?"
Sikong Yan’s expression was icy, "Qu Shen, Gu Tao, and now Yan Chuan—all three late-stage Divinity Transformation experts from Cangyan Daoist Palace have fallen within a short period. The common point between them all is interaction with Cang Lang. Don’t you think that’s too coincidental?"
"Indeed very coincidental, but it doesn’t make sense. What’s his purpose in doing this? And how did he achieve it?" Wu Sha frowned, full of confusion.
Sikong Yan spoke slowly, "Of course, this is merely my suspicion. After all, some people have been out of sight for too long and are thus easy to lose control over. Remember, Cang Lang should not be trusted too readily. Perhaps some are awaiting me to think exactly this."
Wu Sha hurriedly responded, "The Palace Master speaks most wisely. If someone indeed secretly set this up and then let Cang Lang know about it, would it not chill his loyal heart that has been dormant for so many years? If the Palace Master is not assured, perhaps probing him a bit would be prudent..."
Before Wu Sha could finish his words, Sikong Yan suddenly frowned. He quickly took out a Jade Talisman, and his face instantly turned extremely grim.
"I was originally planning a ’grand gift’ for Taiqing Sect, but it has unexpectedly emerged at Phecda Sect. This was meant for single use, yet they did not inspect it and chose a location precisely to activate it. Interesting, truly interesting! However, in such a manner, it becomes even more intriguing!"
At this moment, Sikong Yan’s face showed a hint of manic expression, with an aura of unpredictability in his eyes.
When Tong Min and others hurriedly returned to Taiqing Sect, they were surprised to find the Mansion Master and the Prince already present.
Of course, they immediately reported the matters of Phecda Sect to the Sect Leader.
Cao Zhengyang pondered deeply upon hearing the news while Mansion Master Xiao Ji also appeared to have learned the relevant information and was preparing to take his leave.
"Phecda Sect now has generously opened its doors, inviting those who harbor doubts to enter and inspect." Xiao Ji said slowly.
Cao Zhengyang couldn’t help but smile slightly, "Phecda Sect indeed appears quite honest."
It should be noted that among the five great sects, Phecda Sect ranks the weakest. Perhaps they deliberately created such an Enchantment Array to instill doubt in others.
Thus, if someone planned to make a move against them in the future, they would have to think carefully about the possible retribution from Phecda Sect’s Spirit Severing Realm experts.
"Such are the true and false affairs of this world. When you have time, do visit Lingyun Mansion." Xiao Ji smiled as he bade farewell to everyone, then left with Xiao Cancan and Li Shitao.
Soon after, Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen and Ninth Princess Xuanyuan Muqian also stood up to take their leave.
"It’s truly regrettable not to meet Brother Zhou this time. Once he calms his emotions, I will trouble you again." Xuanyuan Yichen said regretfully and then left with Xuanyuan Muqian.