Chapter 86 A New Conspiracy

"Look, someone’s coming out!"

The crowd murmured in excitement, pointing at the figure about to emerge.

It was none other than Mo Chen, the sole survivor. Mo Chen kept his head lowered, hands clenched tightly, but could not hide the fury blazing in his eyes.

“It’s the senior disciple from Fire Dance Academy! Why does he look so wretched?”

Enduring the pointing fingers and whispered comments, Mo Chen gritted his teeth in anger, his face twisted with rage, but he walked forward in silence.

“Mo Chen! What happened? Why are you the only one who made it out? Where are the others? Where is Yao Ye?”

Mo Chen lifted his head to look at the speaker, a mocking smile flickering across his face before he dropped his gaze again.

“What happened to my brother?”

“How is my grandson?”

“And my—”

“If you don’t speak up today, don’t even think of leaving!”

Mo Chen, unwilling to recall the humiliation he had suffered, found himself besieged by their persistent demands. With a sneer, he glanced around at them all.

“There’s no point waiting! They won’t be coming out! They’re all dead! Hahaha!”

The crowd gasped in shock, then, their fury rising, they surged forward, intent on seizing Mo Chen. Xing Tian arrived at that moment and blocked their path.

“Everyone, please, let me say a word! Mo Chen is gravely wounded, his emotions unstable. I promise you, I will give everyone a satisfactory explanation shortly. For now, please, clear the way.”

“Fine! We’ll give your Fire Dance Academy this courtesy.”

“All right! Disperse, everyone!”

The crowd gradually dispersed. Xing Tian supported Mo Chen back to the command tent. Mo Chen sat on a bench, fists clenched, silent.

Chu Changfeng produced a jade vial and tossed it to him. Mo Chen caught it, fixing his gaze on Chu Changfeng.

“Now tell us—what exactly happened?”

Mo Chen gritted his teeth and forced out the words. “We were ambushed last night. I’m the only one left alive. He let me go on purpose!”

Speaking of it, Mo Chen—pride of heaven—could not bear the shame. His hands slammed down on the table, splitting it clean in two.

Chu Changfeng waved his hand impatiently. “Go tend your wounds. I’ve already contacted the sect. No one is to enter that place and throw their lives away.”

Meanwhile, Yao Ye, anxious and desperate, had searched the entire northern forest but found no trace of a teleportation array. If he continued searching to the south or west, he risked running into demons.

No, something’s wrong. With such commotion, if the demons haven’t noticed, what about the beastfolk? Could it be intentional? What are they really plotting?

The more he thought, the graver Yao Ye’s expression became. He decided to press on; it would be best to leave this place quickly. Without delay, he set off at speed.

Far away, Chi Lian sat high atop the grand hall, sipping wine and humming to himself. “If I can get my hands on the Creation Cauldron, won’t I be able to join the imperial clan?”

At this thought, Chi Lian could not help but burst into raucous laughter. He crossed his legs, humming some tuneless melody, thoroughly delighted.

At that moment, Xiong Batian strode in. Normally, Chi Lian could not stand the sight of him, but today he called out with rare enthusiasm.

“Come, Batian! Join me for a drink and some celebration!”

Seeing Chi Lian’s uncharacteristic warmth, Xiong Batian curled his lip, his expression awkward and uneasy.

Chi Lian set down his wine cup and asked carelessly, “What’s happened? You look jumpy—if there’s something, just say it.”

Xiong Batian gave an embarrassed smile. “Elder Chi, Yao Ye killed everyone who entered the forest! He’s now fleeing deeper inside!”

Chi Lian shot to his feet and smashed the cup to the floor.

“Useless! A pack of incompetents!”

Xiong Batian cupped his fists, awkward and at a loss for words.

Chi Lian paced back and forth, then suddenly spun around to glare at Xiong Batian.

“Xiong Batian! Go spread the word—say that Yao Ye was ambushed and is gravely wounded! Use the deaths caused by Yao Ye and those from the towns as evidence—slander him viciously, and rally more people to the hunt!”

“But those people—I'm afraid they pose little threat to Yao Ye!”

Xiong Batian looked at Chi Lian in confusion. Chi Lian’s eyes glinted, and he burst out laughing.

“Just go and do as I say! Leave Yao Ye to me! We need to drive him into a corner if we’re to truly subdue him!”

“Yes! I’ll do it at once!”

Chi Lian clapped Xiong Batian on the shoulder. “Do your job well! The demon clan won’t treat you poorly!”

Xiong Batian nodded and left.

“Yao Ye, I truly underestimated you. No matter. It changes nothing. This time I’ll handle you myself—let’s see how you escape!”

With a booming laugh, Chi Lian strode out of the hall and shot into the sky.