Big Data Cultivation
Chapter 1291: Secret War

Chapter 1291: Chapter 1291: Secret War

Upon hearing Feng Jun’s words, Fang Wenping was instantly enraged, "Mountain Master Feng, I admit there was some oversight on our part before, but the decision to nourish the Spirit Gathering Array was made long ago in the estate. Is it appropriate for you to gloat like this now?"

"I don’t see anything wrong with it," Feng Jun replied confidently, his face full of righteous conviction, "This is just the kind of person I am. I seek to be true to myself, and joy is joy. I won’t lie against my conscience."

In fact, he wasn’t intentionally provoking the other party, but Kong Ziyi’s demeanor reminded him: Everyone’s actions should align with their own character; Daoist Friend Ziyi has always done this perfectly.

So he felt there was nothing wrong with how he acted—if he appeared more concerned and agreeable, it would instead be illogical.

Fang Wenping, caught between disbelief and amusement at his words, could only speak with a stern face, "I’m curious, Mountain Master Feng, how did you know that the inner treasury was in the tower where the Spirit Gathering Array of the Nascent Soul Realm is located?"

"I don’t know," Feng Jun’s answer was unexpected, but he quickly added, "But my Divine Sense isn’t just for show. The place with the most commotion is the tower, isn’t it?"

Seeing that his answers were flawless, Fang Wenping turned to Kong Ziyi, "Daoist Friend Kong, could you speak fairly? Are Mountain Master Feng’s words and actions inappropriate?"

Such a question posed no difficulty for Kong Ziyi. She smiled slightly, "Mountain Master Feng’s words may be harsh, but this childlike sincerity is something to be encouraged."

Fang Wenping could hardly believe his ears—could a disciple of Taiqing also twist the truth like this?

But he quickly realized, the Taiqing Sect boasts fairness, but it’s just that—a boast. When defending their own, wouldn’t they act like this?

So, he directly asked, "I want to ask Daoist Friend Kong a question: Did your people leave at night? This question shouldn’t offend the Taiqing Sect, right?"

He had a fair understanding of Kong Ziyi’s character and also knew that a gentleman could be misled with lies.

But he hadn’t expected, people could change, or Kong Ziyi changed too quickly. She answered clearly, "It’s not strange to leave at night. If you’re asking about before anything happened at your place, then no...everyone was in the abode."

As soon as she spoke, even the two Qi Refining Disciples behind her were slightly taken aback, feeling a bit of an idol falling—Uncle Kong had learned to lie, and without hesitation.

After a pause, Fang Wenping softly asked again, "Daoist Friend Kong, are you certain?"

"How bold!" Kong Ziyi slapped the table, speaking coldly, "If you don’t believe me, why ask...or did you come here just to insult me?"

In a flash, Fang Wenping understood that this woman was looking for an excuse to make her move.

To think I once believed you were sincere, he felt shame and anger inside, yet maintained a calm demeanor, standing up and speaking loudly, "Of course, I trust the Taiqing’s reputation. It’s just that this matter is significant, so I asked an extra question. Since this is the case, I’ll take my leave."

After saying this, he left without looking back—not because he couldn’t entangle with the other, but because he hadn’t the qualifications.

However, no matter what, when leaving, he didn’t forget to mock them a little. If clues were really found later, even the Taiqing disciples would have to pay for their reckless protection.

However, finding out the thief’s origins is not that simple, is it?

Firstly, that Golden Core Level defensive formation is impossible for an average person to infiltrate silently—in fact, most Golden Core Masters can’t do it, otherwise, the Golden Core Demon Beast would have destroyed the Wen Family last time.

The Wen Family checked the list of outsiders coming and going and found that those who came in were still present; no one vanished without a trace. As a result, they even began to suspect their family members—could someone really have developed ulterior motives?

The investigation among family members is ongoing, but for now, it seems unlikely to yield results.

This "how to get in" problem alone is nearly unsolvable, otherwise, Feng Jun and company wouldn’t have passed so easily.

Then there was Feng Jun’s very methodical departure, first using the Flash Star Boat to fly out of the Bewildering Soul Forest, then stealthily flying back with his physical body, and managing his aura, making verification work quite difficult.

Nevertheless, the Wen Family continues their frantic investigation, even offering a huge reward externally, along with warnings: Until this matter is resolved, the Wen Family’s Spirit Gathering Array and Energy of Wooden Fiends will temporarily be unavailable to outsiders.

This kind of threat does hurt both sides immensely. Although outsider cultivators would be furious, the Wen Family would lose considerable revenue as well, as many would say—it’s like a grudge against Spirit Stones.

However, this time the Wen Family is truly scared; the enhanced defensive formation was quietly breached after its level was increased—if it wasn’t, that’s simply terrifying.

If this issue isn’t clarified, the Wen Family members might have to sleep with one eye open in the future.

Furthermore, the Wen Family already discovered someone took something from under the Wutong tree, and even worse, the torn trapping formation left the scene in ruins. Wanting to investigate clearly is almost impossible now.

The Wen Family unanimously concludes that to tear apart that trapping formation, it would take, at least, a top figure in the Nascent Soul Realm.

Then here comes the question: What kind of item would make such a high-level cultivator take action?

In fact, they’ve already analyzed it: The existence of this item likely predates the founding of the Wen Family Estate, otherwise it wouldn’t make sense for the Wutong tree to grow so large, and for something to emerge from its roots.

Anyway, leaving aside their sense of safety, the more they think about it, the more envious and dissatisfied they become.

Thus, their external propaganda is—when the Wen Family Estate was established, a secret treasure left by the ancestors was stolen.

Regardless of how the Wen Family publicized it, the morning after the incident, Feng Jun discussed with Kong Ziyi the plan to leave and asked her opinion.

Kong Ziyi was puzzled and asked, "The Wen Family Estate had an incident yesterday, and we’re leaving today. Doesn’t that seem a bit suspicious?"

Feng Jun smiled, "We’re only leaving the Wen Family Estate, not the Bewildering Soul Forest. Don’t you want to explore further?"

Kong Ziyi tilted her head, understood his meaning, and nodded with a smile.

As expected, just when Feng Jun was preparing to hit the road, he received a message that Fang Wenping hurried over. Although his wording was cautious, his meaning was clear: Leaving now might not be appropriate.

Kong Ziyi replied: We come freely, and we leave freely. As for the timing being off... sorry, it’s because this kind of unexplainable event happened at your Wen Family Estate that bothers us, so we choose to leave.

This answer... is very Taiqing Sect-like.

Even Fang Wenping was speechless, so he took a step back and asked, "Won’t you continue to explore the Bewildering Soul Forest? If you need a guide, I can introduce some good ones."

This suggestion contained traps. If Feng Jun and the others refused to continue exploring, he could arrange for people to secretly track them—after all, since their suspicion wasn’t fully cleared, we ought to be a bit suspicious, right?

Kong Ziyi also guessed his malicious intent, so she explicitly stated, "We’ll be around for a few more days, but we already have a guide, two disciples of Taiqing and a member of the Yuan Family."

This kind of answer appeared even more straightforward—we’re leaving because of inconvenience, not because we’re fleeing.

Fang Wenping thought it over and still issued orders, instructing spies nearby to assist in tracking.

However, just like Feng Jun and Kong Ziyi said, they roamed the Bewildering Soul Forest for seven or eight more days.

This day, after coming out of the Bewildering Soul Forest, Kong Ziyi and Feng Jun arrived at Yuan’s family clan. However, the two did not enter Yuan’s manor but released the traveling carriage nearby—they would return to White Pebble Beach tomorrow at dawn.

Although they passed by without entering Yuan’s estate, three high-ranking members of Yuan’s clan still came out to pay their respects. By this point, they had understood Kong Ziyi’s background, and for the Yuan family, meeting such high-level individuals was unquestionably beneficial.

Yuan’s family even brought over twenty outstanding disciples; even if they didn’t gain any opportunity, gaining insight was worthwhile.

After wine and dine, everyone chatted leisurely for a while before dispersing, leaving behind a cultivator to provide security for the last night.

Outside of their traveling carriage, ten Qi Refinement Realm disciples were left patrolling, ensuring the esteemed guests’ safety.

No one knew that in the woods ten miles away, a person was watching the bright lights of the traveling carriage with gritted teeth.

Fang Wenping spoke through clenched teeth, "That person just left like this, which is really frustrating. Go find someone to notify ’One Less Block,’ saying there are two fat sheep here... but two high-level cultivators, a bit tricky."

"One Less Block" is a gang of daredevils notorious in Bewildering Soul Forest, accustomed to the trick, "You gave me one less block of Spirit Stone." Although they have switched to other forms of troublemaking, their infamy remains.

Beside him was a cultivator at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, who hesitated before speaking, "Ping, why not just let it go? They’re all leaving, and the Wen Family hasn’t said they want to continue pursuing them."

The Wen Family indeed abandoned the pursuit of these two individuals, as they’ve already left the Wen Family Estate for several days. Initially, there wasn’t enough courage to search them, let alone now, moreover so many days have passed, even if someone supports justice and wants the Wen Family to search them, it wouldn’t be practical—if it’s true that they did it, the stolen goods would definitely have been transferred earlier.

"Can’t just let it go," Fang Wenping categorically stated, "That Feng knows my roots, I can’t pin my family’s safety on his whim..."

At that moment, his voice slightly froze, then he casually said, "Hmm, maybe let’s leave it be, anyway Kong Ziyi treated me well."

"Haha," a light laugh sounded from behind him, "You realize you’re poisoned? The kid’s alertness isn’t bad, though there’s no need to use Kong Ziyi to threaten—don’t mention you two aren’t that close, even if you were, she’d dare stop me, I would dare kill her."

(Interesting things won’t be mentioned, we’re not messers, alas... can’t say anything recklessly nowadays. Alright, let’s update to, summon guaranteed monthly votes.)