Tonight, the final judgment would begin.

In the Listening Tower, people from the Three Mountains and North Court Moon Palace had gathered early, waiting for East Island Sky Extreme to bring the Three Seals.

In the courtyard of the Listening Tower, Jiang Miao sat with Mu Jingyi and others, facing the hateful glares from Qi Mountain across from them.

Bai Cang sat in the middle, like a wall separating the two sides, yet unable to divide their mutual hatred.

The Holy Maiden of Wu Mountain pressed her brow with her hand, her expression haggard and somewhat uneasy.

The younger generation from South Mountain Snow River sat in the corner, observing this strange atmosphere.

Yu Cang whispered to Feng Tianyao: “Our timing is unfortunate.”

Feng Tianyao let out a soft snort.

The crisp sound of iron chains clanking outside drew everyone’s attention.

Wu Xu was escorting Mu Xujing under restraint, with Yue Liangze accompanying them.

Though Ling Luo had entered Moon Palace, she hadn’t appeared in the Listening Tower.

When Sky Extreme’s people arrived and used the Three Seals, if Ling Luo were present using her Symbiotic Spirit, it might arouse suspicion.

She wasn’t afraid of Yun Shouxi’s arrival, as he would show up regardless, but her useless Senior Brother also coming to join the commotion was truly annoying.

Was he possessed by Senior Brother Zi Xiu?!

At this moment, Mu Xujing, who was entering the Listening Tower, had already connected with Ling Luo’s Symbiotic Spirit.

This was her first time using the Symbiotic Spirit on a living person since her rebirth. Fortunately, Mu Xujing didn’t resist or reject her at all.

Seeing Mu Xujing enter, Qi Mountain’s young master Cui Huowu couldn’t sit still. His hands clenched into fists, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at him, desperate to draw his sword and hack him a hundred times.

Mu Xujing was forced to kneel.

Yue Liangze walked toward Bai Cang.

The people from Qi Mountain couldn’t remain seated. They pointed at Mu Xujing’s nose and began cursing.

“For hundreds of years, my Qi Mountain has protected the order and safety of the mortal realm. Whenever chaos reigned and demons ran rampant, Qi Mountain stepped forward without hesitation. When haven’t we given our all to save the world? Many disciples and sect leaders have been severely wounded or even died for this cause!”

The Qi Mountain Elder exclaimed emotionally: “But our Sect Leader, who dedicated himself to the greater good of the world, was cruelly murdered! Qi Mountain has never had any conflicts with your North Court Moon Palace; we’ve always supported each other. But how have you from Moon Palace treated us?!”

Ling Luo temporarily retreated from controlling Mu Xujing’s consciousness, fearing she would burst into laughter if she continued listening.

The people from Qi Mountain passionately proclaimed how much good their Sect Leader had done, how many people he had saved, and how many demons he had slain.

Others listened with varying expressions.

When they spoke of how Cui Shou had battled the demons of Great Mountain and slain the Snow Demon King, Bai Cang interrupted: “Wasn’t the Snow Demon King killed by Zi Xiu, the disciple of Sky Extreme?”

The Qi Mountain Elder was momentarily choked up.

Across from them, Jiang Miao chuckled softly. The Qi Mountain Elder’s face reddened, and Cui Huowu angrily slapped the table and stood up: “The debt of a father’s murder cannot be settled under the same sky! Today, your Moon Palace must give me an explanation! If you delay any further, today will be his death day!”

Bai Cang said: “Now that everyone is here, let me ask once more. Mu Xujing, did you kill Cui Shou, the Master of Qi Mountain?”

Everyone looked at Mu Xujing, who was kneeling below.

Mu Xujing lowered his head, his expression indifferent. Upon hearing the question, he slowly raised his head and said faintly: “No.”

“You still have the nerve to say no!” Cui Huowu drew his sword, about to step forward, but was blocked by a beam of sword light from Yue Liangze’s finger.

Jiang Miao said: “Young Master Cui, you can draw your sword after the Three Seals interrogation if you wish.”

Cui Huowu gritted his teeth and heavily sheathed his sword.

As the moon rose high, the people from East Island Sky Extreme arrived.

The Third Sect Leader of Sky Extreme came with a Hall Master Fan.

Yun Shouxi’s appearance shocked many people. As they entered the Listening Tower, everyone present rose to welcome them.

“Third Sect Leader.”

“Immortal Lord San Xi.”

Yun Shouxi’s expression was faint as he nodded slightly to Jiang Miao and Bai Cang.

Chu Yi followed at his side, maintaining his composure as he glanced sideways at Yue Liangze beside Bai Cang. Looking around the room without seeing Ling Luo, he silently cursed that the girl knew to hide rather than face people.

As Yun Shouxi took his seat, he said gently: “On our way here, we already understood the sequence of events. My Sky Extreme deeply regrets Qi Mountain’s misfortune.”

Cui Huowu’s temple throbbed violently. He saw the smile in Yun Shouxi’s eyes as he spoke. Is that regret?!

You’re gloating!

The Qi Mountain Elder pressed down on his young master to prevent him from rising impulsively, and responded: “We request that Hall Master Fan’s Three Seals give us an answer.”

Yun Shouxi looked toward Hall Master Fan.

Hall Master Fan remained seated on his fur rug, with Song Yuanyuan respectfully attending by his side, completely different from her carefree demeanor when she was with Ling Luo and the others.

“Let’s get straight to the point.” Hall Master Fan flashed to Mu Xujing’s front, and as he extended his hand, the black lines directly wound around Mu Xujing’s neck.

Which part of the person’s body the Three Seals would take was entirely up to the Three Seals’ discretion; even Hall Master Fan couldn’t control it.

Now the Three Seals’ intention was obvious: if Mu Xujing lied, it would take this man’s head.

Many people secretly sighed that Mu Xujing was truly unfortunate. If he uttered a single lie, he would lose his life to the Three Seals’ lines today.

The people present now were more numerous than when the Carefree Sect came to demand justice. Six of the Twelve Great Immortal Sects were represented, plus the Sacred Sword Sect and most were above the Life-Death Boundary realm.

Ling Luo’s current strength wasn’t comparable to when she had first undergone demonic transformation, and this was the first time since her rebirth that she had controlled a living person. Yet she wasn’t afraid or worried about facing so many observers.

Yue Liangze, however, was inwardly anxious for her.

Mu Xujing’s perpetually cold expression belied a person who appeared gloomy on the outside but had many thoughts inside.

Due to the Symbiotic Spirit, Ling Luo inevitably sensed some of his mental activities and thoughts.

Mu Xujing: “Will this work?”

“Can’t Mu Jingyi tell? If he can’t tell, can Yun Shouxi?”

“Come to think of it, Yun Shouxi is also Ling Luo’s master. Since Ling Luo taught me this incantation, does that make Yun Shouxi my master too—”

Ling Luo: “…”

What are you thinking? Focus! The incantation I taught you has nothing to do with him! If you’re going to call anyone master, it should be me!

Mu Xujing gathered his thoughts.

Hall Master Fan said: “Do you have any questions for him?”

Cui Huowu stood up: “I’ll ask!”

Mu Jingyi said: “That seems inappropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate? At this point, are you still trying to shield him?” Cui Huowu laughed coldly as he stepped forward. “Today, none of you can stop me! I will personally interrogate him!”

Mu Jingyi had merely voiced his objection but made no move when Cui Huowu stepped forward, only watching coldly.

Bai Cang smiled: “There’s nothing wrong with the concerned party conducting the interrogation.”

Cui Huowu approached Mu Xujing, standing tall and looking down at him. With one hand holding his unsheathed sword, he asked Mu Xujing: “On the day my father was murdered, did you go to his room?”

Mu Xujing raised his head, neither servile nor overbearing, meeting his gaze and answering: “Yes.”

Cui Huowu’s eyes reddened at the response, the veins on the back of his sword-wielding hand bulging: “I knew it was you. We don’t need any Sacred Sword Sect’s Three Seals judgment! Tell me, you went to my father’s room to kill him, didn’t you? Wasn’t it you who killed him?!”

Hall Master Fan said: “Young Master Cui, don’t get excited. Questions must be simple and clear.”

Cui Huowu asked again: “Was it you who killed my father, Cui Shou?!”

Mu Xujing’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes showing no ripple. But only he knew that at this moment, his body and consciousness, everything, was under Ling Luo’s control.

“It wasn’t me.”

He spoke decisively, and the Three Seals showed no reaction under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Cui Huowu’s raised sword halted. The others wore various expressions, most showing some surprise.

Hall Master Fan raised an eyebrow slightly, then heard Mu Xujing say: “Your father wasn’t killed by me.”

Cui Huowu was stunned at first, then exploded in fury: “You’re lying!”

Bai Cang reminded him: “If he were lying, the Three Seals would have taken his head by now.”

“Impossible! It must be you! What method did you use to evade the Three Seals’ questions?!” Cui Huowu turned angrily to Yun Shouxi. “Or perhaps your Moon Palace and Sky Extreme are colluding to shield him!”

“Young Master Cui, trouble comes from the mouth,” Yun Shouxi smiled as he looked at him.

“You admit you went to the Sect Leader’s room, and the Holy Maiden of Wu Mountain saw you!” The Qi Mountain Elder stood up to question.

Mu Xujing, expressionless, said: “I did go to his room because I wanted to stop him.”

The Qi Mountain Elder was stunned by this answer. “Stop? Stop what?!”

Mu Xujing’s gaze was somber as he swept a glance at everyone present, then said in a deep voice: “Cui Shou, Master of Qi Mountain, despite being a leader of the Twelve Great Immortal Sects, had a fondness for molesting young girls. That night, I learned he had set his eyes on a young girl from Moon Palace and intended to bring her back to his room—”

The expressions of the people from the Three Mountains and other immortal sects were quite remarkable as they heard this.

“You’re talking nonsense! How can I allow you to insult my father like this? To insult my Qi Mountain!” Cui Huowu swung his sword at Mu Xujing, but this time was blocked by someone from Moon Palace.

Wu Xu’s long sword clashed with Cui Huowu’s, producing a harsh sound as sparks flew.

“Young Master Cui, don’t be hasty. Look, the Three Seals show no reaction, proving he’s not lying,” Wu Xu mocked coldly. “I just never expected the esteemed Master of Qi Mountain to be such a person.”

The people from Qi Mountain all rose in shock and anger: “Accusations require evidence! Our Sect Leader has passed away; how can we allow you to insult the deceased?!”

“Your Moon Palace goes too far!”

“This Three Seals is completely useless! This must be prearranged between your two sects!” Cui Huowu raged.

Ling Luo, looking through Mu Xujing’s eyes at all this, laughed maliciously.

The Symbiotic Spirit was the perfect counter to the Three Seals’ ability to discern truth.

When the Three Seals wrapped around Mu Xujing, its questions were designated for this person. When all questions were answered by someone else, full of lies, the Three Seals would show no reaction because its target wasn’t the one speaking.

“You want evidence? We have that too.” Wu Xu looked toward Mu Jingyi, and seeing him lift his head slightly, beckoned: “Bring in the people who have been conducting dirty business with Qi Mountain.”

Wu Xu challenged Cui Huowu: “Young Master Cui, let the Three Seals examine these people as well.”

Cui Huowu thought it absurd, but when he saw the people brought in by Moon Palace were all familiar faces, his expression sank.

Although Mu Jingyi was annoyed that Mu Xujing had caused trouble, he had to save him.

Because he valued his family and its honor, and the Mu family already had few members—they couldn’t easily abandon any Mu family member.

They had been prepared to pay a heavy price to save him, but in the afternoon they received a mysterious letter revealing the Three Mountains’ weaknesses, and even the witnesses had been bound and thrown into Moon Palace.

Mu Jingyi didn’t know who was helping the Mu family, but he had to take this gamble.

Yue Liangze wanted to help Mu Xujing, but absolutely couldn’t have any connection to Sacred Sword Sect.

“Hall Master Fan, please have the Three Seals interrogate once more.” Wu Xu looked at the three people who had been brought in.

Hall Master Fan was about to withdraw the Three Seals to switch subjects when Yun Shouxi said: “Wait.”

Yun Shouxi rose and approached Mu Xujing. His expression was gentle, but his aura carried oppression.

Mu Jingyi frowned slightly.

Cui Huowu, already enraged, said: “Yun Shouxi! You want to interfere too?!”

Yun Shouxi didn’t even look at him, only walking to Mu Xujing’s front, lowering his head to look at him, and saying softly: “Answer again, did you kill Cui Shou?”

The room fell silent once more, everyone strangely awaiting this answer.

Ling Luo, looking through Mu Xujing’s eyes at Yun Shouxi, replied coldly: “No.”

I didn’t kill Cui Shou; I killed Cui Huowu.

Yun Shouxi narrowed his eyes slightly, finally chuckling softly and turning to sit back down: “Release him. There’s nothing more to question about this person.”

He looked at the furious Cui Huowu and smiled: “However, the matter of Qi Mountain’s Master molesting young girls certainly needs to be thoroughly investigated.”

Jiang Miao raised her hand, and Jiang Jun beside her stepped forward to unlock Mu Xujing.

Everyone heard Jiang Miao say: “You have all witnessed the Three Seals’ interrogation of truth and falsehood. The death of Cui Shou, Master of Qi Mountain, has nothing to do with our Moon Palace’s Mu Xujing.”

The Three Seals then wrapped around a kneeling, mustached man. His attire suggested he was a wealthy merchant, but now he was sweating profusely in panic.

The black lines coiled around his right wrist.

Wu Xu distributed jade tablets to people from various immortal sects, saying: “These contain records of this man’s life events. His name is Song Bian, a middleman for human traffickers who runs a rouge business in the southern alley of Qi Mountain City, the largest rouge merchant in the area. He not only sells young girls to mortal powers but has also been supplying them to Qi Mountain’s Master Cui Shou for years. Cui Shou used incantations to help him sell rouge and expand his sources, sharing the profits.”

Bai Cang’s eye twitched slightly as he looked at the jade tablet in his hand.

This habit of arranging events in such a manner—wasn’t this the work of his raccoon dog disciple?

The biggest winner in this affair was none other than the big raccoon dog, who could eliminate a business competitor while counting money at home.

Wu Xu looked at the increasingly uncomfortable faces of the Qi Mountain contingent: “The Lady of Qi Mountain is a regular customer of his rouge, and Young Master Cui should recognize him too. According to the Jade tablet’s records, you’re also a frequent customer. When Young Master Cui is romantic with ladies, he likes to buy rouge from this shop as gifts.”

“Young Master Cui can surely testify that this man’s relationship with Qi Mountain is real, right?”

Cui Huowu could no longer contain himself and swung his sword again: “Shut up! Stop spreading such nonsense!”

While blocking the sword, Wu Xu turned his head to ask Song Bian: “Did Qi Mountain’s Master Cui Shou regularly molest young girls?!”

Song Bian shrank his shoulders in fear.

Wu Xu: “Speak!”

Cui Huowu shouted angrily: “Song Bian!”

Song Bian trembled and said: “No—ah!”

As soon as he spoke, the Three Seals severed one of his hands.

Song Bian’s painful scream made the people from Qi Mountain feel cold inside.

People from the other two mountains began to give Qi Mountain strange looks, and whispers arose.

The Three Seals wrapped around Song Bian again, this time around his neck.

While fighting with Cui Huowu, Wu Xu asked again: “Did Cui Shou require you to regularly supply him with young girls?!”

Song Bian finally understood the fear and meaning of the black lines coiling around him. Disregarding offending Cui Huowu, he hastily confessed everything: “Yes! Yes! That was the Sect Leader’s preference…, he just liked young girls and had me keep it secret from his wife and young master. For years, I’ve been sending a young girl to Qi Mountain almost every month!”

Wu Xu pushed back the enraged but chaotic Cui Huowu, sneering: “The dignified Master of Qi Mountain turned out to be such a despicable and shameless person. With his actions, more people in this world wanted to kill him than not, but it has nothing to do with our Moon Palace.”

“If he hadn’t died at the Blooming Flower Banquet, he would have died now when his filthy deeds were exposed!”

By now, no one cared whether Mu Xujing had truly killed Cui Shou.

They were all busy denouncing Cui Shou.

The people from Qi Mountain protected Cui Huowu, somewhat bewildered by this turn of events.

Jiang Miao stood up: “Cui Sect Leader’s corpse is in the next room. Please, Qi Mountain representatives, take him back as soon as possible.”

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it reached everyone in the hall, ensuring all heard clearly.

The Qi Mountain Elders sighed as they escorted the still shouting and screaming Cui Huowu away.

This time, they had truly lost face in a big way.

The great doors of the Listening Tower opened, and everyone inside came out to watch the Qi Mountain representatives retrieve the body.

Yue Liangze fell behind the crowd, spotting a small white fox elegantly perched on a flower branch in the courtyard.

Taking advantage of others’ inattention, he walked over and scooped the white fox into his arms.

Qi Mountain was in a miserable state, and Cloud Mountain and Wu Mountain didn’t want to get too involved; these two sects still had some sense.

Jiang Miao thanked Yun Shouxi and the others: “Such a farce has troubled Sky Extreme and Sacred Sword Sect to make this journey, causing inconvenience to everyone.”

A matter of life and death, described by her as a mere farce.

Chu Yi observed her discreetly.

After several months without seeing her, she had changed quite a bit.

Bai Cang smiled: “I’m embarrassed; I didn’t help much by coming here, just invited Hall Master Fan, right, Junior Brother?”

He turned to look for Yue Liangze, only to find him holding a gesticulating white fox in his arms, which confused him.

Where did you get a fox?

Yue Liangze pressed down on the fox’s head in his arms and made an affirmative sound.

When he raised his head, he met Yun Shouxi’s gaze, and said softly: “This matter could be resolved thanks to the timely arrival of Sky Extreme’s Third Sect Leader and Hall Master Fan.”

Yun Shouxi smiled: “Without Sacred Sword Sect’s deployment, how could we have reached this outcome?”

He glanced at the fox in Yue Liangze’s arms. It was lifelike—one would never realize it was a skin spirit unless it spoke.

Ling Luo felt Yun Shouxi’s scrutiny and turned to burrow deeper into Yue Liangze’s arms.

The white fox actively sought his embrace, but Yue Liangze didn’t refuse. Not only did he not refuse, but he also supported it upward, forcing the white fox to climb onto his neck, its furry head buried in his neck and shoulder.

Yun Shouxi’s expression was inscrutable, his pleasure or anger indiscernible, as he asked casually: “Immortal Lord Danshui keeps foxes?”

Yue Liangze lowered his head, casually kissing the fox’s ear at his neck and shoulder before looking up to answer: “Yes.”

Feng Tianyao brought the South Mountain Snow River people over to confront Moon Palace: “Now that Moon Palace’s judgment has concluded, should the Palace Master discuss the matter of that Bone Demon with us?”

Wu Xu, who had just returned after sending off the Qi Mountain people, was about to step forward to dismiss the South Mountain Snow River people as well when he spotted the white fox in Yue Liangze’s arms. His eye twitched, anger rising, and he immediately demanded: “Whose fox is this?!”

Because Wu Xu’s reaction was so strong, everyone’s attention was drawn to Yue Liangze and the fox.

Without even blinking, Yue Liangze replied: “Mine.”