Chapter Thirty-Six: Schemes of the Heart

On the towering cliffs, Jiuxi suddenly sneezed, wondering who might be talking about him. Before he could react, a sudden sound came from behind. Jiuxi spun around and saw an elder with a stern, dark face radiating authority.

Jiuxi’s heart stirred. He spoke, “Third Uncle Master, you’re here as well.”

Master Yunfa looked at the chief disciple of the third generation of the Yuntian Sect and gave a cold laugh. “Jiuxi, you truly are something.”

Jiuxi smiled, “May I ask what you mean by that, Third Uncle Master?”

Yunfa snorted, “Do you not know what I mean? You’re far too impatient. When matters here are settled, I’ll go to the Cliff of Repentance as I ought, and you will naturally inherit the position as Head of the Punishment Hall. Why must you push your Third Uncle Master down when he’s already fallen?”

A chill ran down Jiuxi’s back, but he responded with shock, “Why do you say this, Third Uncle Master? I have never had such intentions.”

Yunfa ignored the question and asked, “Why are you here at the Towering Cliff?”

Jiuxi answered loudly, “This is the crime scene. Recently, we focused only on chasing the culprit and neglected a thorough investigation. I came here to see if I could find any clues.”

Yunfa’s voice was grave, “Did you find anything?”

Jiuxi thought, old fox, aren’t you here for the same reason? Both harbored secrets; Jiuxi was determined to create trouble to drag Yunfa into the matter and achieve his own aims.

Yunfa, on the other hand, regarded this ambitious disciple as a thorn in his side. A sudden thought flickered in his mind—Jiuxi, you want to replace me, but you’re still too inexperienced. No matter what happens this time, you’ll be made the scapegoat.

Just then, a flash of golden light appeared within the cliff. Both men moved at once, rushing toward it. It was a special silver needle, identical to the one used to kill Dong Zixuan. How it appeared here was unknown, but both sensed this was an opportunity. In midair, Jiuxi twisted his body, his hand trembling as he released a stream of spiritual energy, aiming it straight at Yunfa.

Yunfa responded in kind, but his spiritual energy was fiercer, pure Heavenly Dao energy. A thunderous explosion resounded in the air, forcing both men to retreat. Yunfa’s face darkened further, and he spoke with a menacing tone, “Jiuxi, I didn’t expect your Cloudlight energy to have reached such a level.”

Jiuxi laughed coolly. Their actions had already revealed their intentions; both had clear goals, and soon someone would suffer misfortune at the Towering Cliff.

He said little, already prepared—if he defeated Yunfa, he could immediately report to the Vice Sect Leader, Second Uncle Master Yun Kong, claiming he’d found evidence here and Yunfa tried to silence him, thus achieving his ambition.

Yunfa sought the same outcome, hoping to frame Jiuxi.

In the spiritual arts world, the victor rules, and matters had reached a critical point.

Yunfa’s expression was grave. Though he was one of the six sons of Yuntian, he had never pioneered his own spiritual techniques, unlike Jiuxi. Still, with years of cultivation behind him, he did not hesitate. A surge of righteous energy erupted from his hand, forming a massive sword—the Heavenly Dao True Sword—rushing toward Jiuxi.

Jiuxi used his Spirit Leap technique, shifting his stance repeatedly in midair. The Nine Sword Formula did not attack but transformed into a defensive method, changing with his body’s movements. At this moment, the Nine Sword Formula was no longer an offensive move but a shield. Jiuxi dodged the sword’s edge; his fingers grew large and clamped down on the sword’s center.

Yunfa laughed heartily, “Arrogant brat! The Seven Finger Broken Sword technique may be powerful, but it’s not yours to command.” With a flick of his hand, the Heavenly Dao True Sword’s blade surged, its fierce energy fracturing and stabbing toward Jiuxi’s fingers.

Jiuxi observed coldly, thinking Yunfa truly formidable, able to break the sword’s energy into fragments. His fingers withdrew quickly, and the Seven Finger Broken Sword failed, but Jiuxi remained calm. Cloudlight energy became wisps of smoke, enveloping him. The Nine Sword Formula spun continuously, colliding with Yunfa’s scattered short swords—clanging and ringing.

Seeing the dispersed swords unable to breach Jiuxi’s defenses, Yunfa waved his hand, gathering the swords together. At that instant, Jiuxi moved; the nine swords surrounding him shot toward Yunfa like cold flashes—Nine Swords Through the Heart!

Yunfa cursed inwardly, and with a puff, a circle of black spiritual formation enveloped him. The Nine Sword Formula arrived, the swords attacking like a storm. Forced back step by step, Yunfa felt Jiuxi’s prowess. Jiuxi pressed his advantage, and with a gesture, released a brilliant stream of spiritual energy, calling out, “Third Uncle Master, today you’ll stay right here.”

That multicolored light was the strongest move of Cloudlight energy—the Cloudlight Formula.

Suddenly, Yunfa’s black aura vanished; he spun outward, scattering ice blossoms. A hand appeared silently; Jiuxi felt a chilling force. He never imagined Yunfa would escape the Nine Sword Formula’s control and break free. Jiuxi knew his Third Uncle Master possessed deep spiritual power but was not skilled in Spirit Leap, which was why he used the Nine Sword Formula to restrain him before striking. But before he could think further, a coldness enveloped him. Jiuxi cursed inwardly—he had forgotten the old man still wielded the Cold Monk’s Ice Whirl Force!

Ice Whirl Force not only invaded the opponent’s heart with frost, but the “Whirl” also concealed a movement technique. This explained how Yunfa escaped the Nine Sword Formula’s control. The next moment, Yunfa gave Jiuxi no time to think; his body shuddered, the vast black robes billowing despite the still air. A ring of yellow light flashed, and the Heavenly Dao energy surged to its peak. With murderous intent, he raised his hand and unleashed a terrifying spiritual force—Heavenly Dao Sky Dominion!

Jiuxi felt an immense pressure, as if his life was about to end. He regretted his impatience, realizing that although he was the chief disciple of the third generation and his spiritual arts were exceptional, he was still inferior to the Yuntian Six.

Just then, a blue light flickered; a gigantic blue wind sphere spun into view. With a boom, it collided with Yunfa’s Heavenly Dao Sky Dominion, forcing Yunfa back several steps before he regained his balance. He looked up with hatred in his heart and saw, not far away, a man with a gentle smile, dressed in pale blue robes billowing in the wind, gazing at him.

Yunfa shouted angrily, “Mo Bai, what are you up to?”

Jiuxi, suddenly awakened, quickly called out, “Hero Mo, I’ve found evidence. Third Uncle Master wants to kill me to silence the truth!”

Mo Bai moved lightly, arriving before Jiuxi. He spoke calmly, “Brother Jiuxi, I know you are not the real murderer. Rest assured, I will not allow Master Yunfa to kill the innocent.” With this simple statement, he made his stance clear.

Yunfa’s face was twisted with anger, but he dared not say more. Just now, Mo Bai had withstood his Heavenly Dao Sky Dominion, and Yunfa knew that if these two joined forces, he might not fare well. He laughed coldly, “Right and wrong will be judged fairly. Hmph, I won’t waste time here with you.” With that, he turned, vanishing like a cloud of black mist.

As Yunfa departed, Jiuxi steadied himself, bowed to Mo Bai and said, “Thank you, Hero Mo, for saving me.” He drew out a silver needle and spoke slowly, “This is the evidence of Third Uncle Master’s crime!”

Mo Bai smiled faintly at the needle, “Whether it is or not, Master Yunfa has said—justice will be served.”

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