Chapter 17: The Furious Tang Xiao and Lin Yu's Interrogation!

[Tang Xiao (angry): It's impossible! How could the Clear Sky Clan be the true culprit? There must be something wrong with this live broadcast; it can't be true!]

After the live broadcast confirmed Lin Yu's answer was correct, Tang Xiao's rage flared up immediately.

He couldn't believe that the Clear Sky Clan could have betrayed Hao Tian and San Mei. They had gained nothing from it and instead suffered massive losses. This answer made no logical sense!

[Huo Yan Zhen (fuming): Yes! I agree, this answer must be wrong. Maybe this live broadcast is up to something!]

[Ning Fengzhi: …]

[Snow Night: …]

[Dai Tianfeng: …]

[Warning! The answers provided in this broadcast are correct and adhere to principles of fairness and justice!]

[Detected visitor Huo Yan Zhen deliberately slandering the fairness of this broadcast. As a result, you are being penalized with a reduction of one level of soul power. If this behavior continues, the penalty will increase tenfold. After three offenses, you will be banned from the broadcast permanently!]

As Huo Yan Zhen continued to echo Tang Xiao's frustrations, a line of blood-red text appeared, followed by a cold, mechanical voice.

[Huo Yan Zhen: I!!!]

[Huo Yan Zhen (angry): Why! Why am I being punished for slandering the broadcast when Tang Xiao did the same? This is unfair!]

In the Clear Sky Clan, Huo Yan Zhen, who had only been penalized for the first question, had joined Tang Xiao in expressing dissatisfaction. He had now been punished alone, with one level of soul power removed.

Feeling the loss of soul power, Huo Yan Zhen was furious.

This is just too unfair! Why am I the only one being targeted?

[This broadcast allows questioning but does not permit deliberate slander!]

The system's cold voice echoed again.

This…

The system's response left Huo Yan Zhen feeling helpless and frustrated.

Mom! I promise not to speak out of turn again!

[Ning Fengzhi (sighing): Although I'm reluctant to say this, despite the initial desire for the broadcast to fulfill its promises, the ability to evolve my martial soul suggests that its power is comparable to legendary gods. I don't see why it would slander the Clear Sky Clan.]

[Tang Xiao (angry): Ning Fengzhi, what are you implying? Are you suggesting that the Clear Sky Clan betrayed Hao Tian?]

[Ning Fengzhi (smiling slightly): Apologies! I'm not suggesting that. I'm merely expressing my view on the broadcast. As for your disbelief in this answer, perhaps you should ask Lin Yu for his perspective.]

Ning Fengzhi passed the issue to Lin Yu.

[Tang Xiao (angry): @Lin Yu, kid, you owe me an explanation. Why do you believe the Clear Sky Clan betrayed Hao Tian? We have suffered significant losses as well. What reason would we have to betray Hao Tian?]

Seeing Tang Xiao's angry messages on the virtual screen, Lin Yu merely stretched and smirked slightly.

[Lin Yu (dismissive): It's quite amusing. Yes, the Clear Sky Clan has suffered severe losses, but why assume you're just victims? Perhaps you're the ones who manipulated things, causing the situation to spiral out of control, resulting in a backlash from your own schemes.]

[Tang Xiao: This…]

Hearing Lin Yu's response, Tang Xiao's rage seemed to cool slightly, as if doused with water.

Indeed, while the Clear Sky Clan had suffered greatly, aside from being victims, there were other possibilities…

Though Lin Yu's explanation could account for the Clear Sky Clan's situation, Tang Xiao was reluctant to believe it.

[Tang Xiao (coldly): Hmph! That's just your opinion and doesn't prove that our clan is the true culprit!]

Seeing Tang Xiao still in denial, Lin Yu's sneer grew wider.

Tang Xiao, you're really a piece of work. Can't you see Hao Tian isn't even speaking up? This clearly shows you have something to hide!

[Lin Yu (scoffing): True, your claim doesn't definitively prove the Clear Sky Clan's guilt. But let me ask you, are you aware that Ah Yin is a ten-thousand-year soul beast in human form?]

[Tang Xiao: Of course, we know that.]

Tang Xiao frowned, not understanding what Lin Yu was getting at.

[Lin Yu (scoffing): Good. Then let me ask you this: If Hao Tian knew Ah Yin was a ten-thousand-year soul beast and understood that she would be recognized by Title Douluo, why didn't he take her into hiding? Why bring her to a big city? Doesn't he understand the risks involved?]

[Tang Xiao (grimly): Ah Yin is different. A ten-thousand-year soul beast in human form goes through stages: infancy, maturity, and divinity. The maturity stage, equivalent to levels 60-90 in humans, would not be detected by Title Douluo. Hao Tian likely thought Ah Yin wouldn't be discovered and took her there believing it was safe.]

Hearing Tang Xiao's explanation, Lin Yu couldn't help but laugh.

That's a somewhat reasonable explanation, but it doesn't fit Ah Yin's character from the original story!

Ah Yin isn't some quirky heroine from a wuxia tale; she's a gentle and kind woman. Pregnant, she would never willingly choose to visit a big city. It's absurd!

[Lin Yu (dismissive): Indeed, a mature ten-thousand-year soul beast might not be recognized by a Title Douluo. But what if the mature soul beast is pregnant? Can she still hide her identity? Probably not!]

[Lin Yu: Enough! It's simple to determine who's right. Just have Ah Yin come out and ask her if she wanted to go to the city prepared by Qianxunji or if Hao Tian took her there. If she was brought by Hao Tian, then Hao Tian's motives for going there are highly questionable.]

Before Tang Xiao could respond, Ah Yin emerged, her expression conflicted.

[Ah Yin: … It was Hao Tian who wanted to take me there.]

After learning from the broadcast that the Clear Sky Clan was the true culprit, Ah Yin reflected on past events and began to harbor doubts.

Since becoming pregnant, she found it increasingly difficult to hide her ten-thousand-year soul beast aura. Hao Tian had always kept her hidden in scenic locations and had never expressed a desire to visit a big city.

As a ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor who had lived in the human world for many years, Ah Yin had lost her curiosity about big cities.

Yet one day, Hao Tian mentioned a surprise and took her to a nearby big city, leading to her discovery by Qianxunji.

Recalling why Hao Tian suddenly wanted to take her to the city, Ah Yin thought the answer was clear: Someone must have informed Hao Tian to go there, and that informant could only be from the Clear Sky Clan!