Chapter One: The Murderer

Lin Yi stood atop the Enlightenment Cliff, where the mountain wind briskly reshaped the clouds and mist, creating an ever-changing scene. The Enlightenment Cliff, surrounded by unpredictable mist, seemed like a surreal paradise.

The solitary cliff extended as if floating in mid-air, and distant mountain peaks intermittently appeared and disappeared beneath his feet. The atmosphere exuded a sense of grandeur and audacity.

"No wonder the founder of the Taiyi Sect achieved enlightenment here," Lin Yi mused.

"Lin Junior Brother is quite punctual. Indeed, a man of his word," a voice, unwelcome to Lin Yi, sounded behind him. Although Lin Yi came in response to the owner of that voice's invitation, he couldn't help but dislike it.

"Wenmao Senior Brother is not late either. I wonder why Wenmao Senior Brother asked me to come?" Lin Yi turned to face the owner of the voice.

Zengwen's face changed, and he said, "I called you here precisely to ask why Hong Tiankong wasn't poisoned."

Lin Yi calmly responded, "If Hong Senior Brother wasn't poisoned, you should ask him, not me. I am not Hong Senior Brother."

"One Hong Senior Brother on the left, one on the right. It seems Junior Brother Lin doesn't consider himself an outsider. Have you forgotten your identity?" Zengwen taunted.

"We are all interconnected; why make such clear distinctions?" Lin Yi's tone remained as carefree as ever, as if chatting with an old friend. Unrestrained and easy-going.

Zengwen, the older one, became more agitated, unable to contain his frustration. "Do you know your inaction jeopardized my grand plan?"

Lin Yi chuckled, "Isn't it just the competition for the Chief Disciple of Longyou Peak? Also, this upcoming journey for experience, I believe with Senior Brother Wenmao's cultivation, you will shine brightly. You will undoubtedly secure the position of Chief Disciple. Why resort to such underhanded tactics? Hong Senior Brother, as the Chief Disciple of Qiankun Peak, has always been unparalleled. If he were to be poisoned, the sect would surely investigate thoroughly. As his direct competitor, you would be the prime suspect. In case any evidence surfaces, it would be unfavorable for all of us."

Lin Yi stared into Zengwen's eyes, the intense gaze piercing through. Zengwen avoided Lin Yi's gaze and questioned, "Wasn't that what you said yesterday?"

"I did mention I would seize the opportunity, but later, I found no suitable chance. Moreover, Hong Senior Brother was summoned by the sect leader for guidance, and his return time was uncertain. I couldn't act without him present," Lin Yi explained.

"Is that so? It seems you've grown wings. Since your bones are now sturdy, I assume you don't need the antidote for Bone Marrow Nourishment anymore," Zengwen sneered.

Lin Yi, with a calm expression, said, "Senior Brother Zengwen really plans to take all the antidotes by yourself. Isn't that too ambitious? Are you not afraid of being overwhelmed?"

Zengwen retorted, "Better to die from overindulgence than suffer the pain of poisoning. Lin Junior Brother, what can you do to me now?"

This threat infuriated Lin Yi, who took a step forward and intercepted Zengwen. "Senior Brother Zengwen, a deal is a deal. The Bone Marrow Nourishment was entrusted to you by the sect. It cannot be used as a means to coerce me. If exposed, it will be detrimental to all of us."

Lin Yi's threat made Zengwen halt his steps.

After a brief pause, Zengwen said, "You were quite confident a moment ago. One or two instances of skipping the antidote won't endanger your life. It's a good opportunity for you to cultivate your resilience and endurance. A win-win situation, isn't it?"

A contemptuous tone pervaded Zengwen's words. Bone Marrow Nourishment was a unique poison from the Sword Tomb, and the monthly antidote was necessary to alleviate its effects. During an outbreak, the poison would consume the bones and marrow, causing excruciating pain, though not fatal.

Lin Yi showed no panic on his face. After secretly circulating his inner energy, he said, "Senior Brother Zengwen, are you planning to take all the antidotes by yourself? Your appetite seems excessive. Aren't you afraid of being overwhelmed?"

Zengwen sarcastically remarked, "Dying from indulgence is better than dying in pain. Lin Junior Brother, what can you do to me now?"

Before he could finish, Lin Yi's palm wind came rushing. Following that, Lin Yi drew his sword, launching a series of continuous attacks.

Zengwen was taken aback by Lin Yi's sudden aggressiveness. The combat erupted, and the mountain wind carried the sound of clashing swords. The mist around the Enlightenment Cliff seemed to respond to the intensity of their conflict.

Lin Yi had long wanted to find an opportunity to eliminate this self-righteous fool. Unexpectedly, Zengwen had presented himself willingly.

The Nine Forms of Dark Sword consecutively emerged, creating an unrelenting barrage. Sword energy filled the air, and the killing intent grew more palpable. Zengwen found himself unable to counter Lin Yi's assault, left with no room to retaliate.

In a moment of panic, Zengwen opened his mouth to beg for mercy, "Lin Junior Brother, I was just joking earlier. The antidote is with me. I'll give it to you now."

Zengwen's attempt at stalling proved futile. Lin Yi paid no heed to his words and intensified his swordplay.

The pressure mounted on Zengwen, and he desperately tried to defend himself with his sword. However, Lin Yi had long wished to seize the opportunity to remove this stumbling block, and Zengwen had unwittingly walked into his trap.

The Nine Forms of Dark Sword continued relentlessly, sword energy swirling like a torrent. Zengwen, now defenseless, faced the oncoming attacks with no chance of a counteroffensive.

Zengwen, in a state of panic, began to plead, "Lin Junior Brother, I was just joking earlier. The antidote is with me. I'll give it to you now."

Lin Yi paid no heed to his words and continued the onslaught. His sword energy enveloped Zengwen entirely, leaving him powerless.

Zengwen's attempt to manipulate Lin Yi had failed miserably. Lin Yi had already dismantled the ruse, and his swordplay showed no mercy.

Amidst the chaotic swordplay, Lin Yi seamlessly switched to Taiyi Sect's Sword Heart Technique, catching Zengwen off guard. The once-unpredictable Nine Forms of Dark Sword transformed into the Taiyi Sect's Sword Heart Technique.

Before Zengwen could comprehend the change, Lin Yi reverted to the final move of the Nine Forms of Dark Sword — the "Sword's Heartless Strike."

Zengwen, still in a state of bewilderment, was unable to evade the strike. Lin Yi's sword energy pierced through Zengwen's heart.

Lin Yi, with a swift motion, rolled Zengwen's lifeless body and began searching for valuable items. Among the spoils, Lin Yi found the Taiyi Sect's advanced cultivation technique

Shaoyang, given by a senior brother for passing on techniques.

As for why Lin Yi reached the eighth layer of Shaoyang, it was because Zeng Wen, in order to win him over, provided him with the complete set of the Taiyi Spirit Clearing Technique from the first to the tenth layer of the Shaoyang realm.

Unexpectedly, Lin Yi refrained from targeting Hong Tiankong this time to avoid exposing himself.

Lin Yi's defiance angered Zeng Wen, who, in frustration, threatened Lin Yi with the antidote for Bone Marrow Nourishment. However, Lin Yi had already neutralized the Bone Marrow Nourishment poison.

Zeng Wen's threat became the end of his own life. After stripping him of anything useful, Lin Yi used his palm force to push Zeng Wen's body off the Enlightenment Cliff.

Without even looking, Lin Yi left the Enlightenment Cliff. He was well aware that his final strike had already severed Zeng Wen's last thread of life.

Zeng Wen's sword lay on the Enlightenment Cliff, witnessing the recent bloodshed. The ever-changing clouds and mist still enveloped the cliff, slowly regathering after the intense battle.

News spread faster than imagined, and the next day, Lin Yi learned of Zeng Wen's death from other senior brothers. It was said that he was pierced through the heart by a sword and fell off the Enlightenment Cliff. Zeng Wen's body had been carried to the main hall of Qiankun Peak, awaiting the sect leader Shang Yong's decision.

Zeng Wen's death had a significant impact, especially since he and Hong Tiankong were the only two popular contenders for victory in the sect's internal competition.

Zeng Wen had gained fame among the younger generation, with a cultivation level surpassing most disciples. The wounds on his body, however, indicated that he wasn't killed by the sect's techniques, complicating the situation.

Taiyi Sect was located on Copper Bo Mountain, which had five main peaks: Qiankun Peak, Longyou Peak, Baihu Peak, Fengming Peak, and Guiling Peak.

Qiankun Peak was positioned at the center, with the other four peaks distributed to the east, south, west, and north, guarding Qiankun Peak.

Shang Yong, the sect leader, was also the peak master of Qiankun Peak. He, along with the peak masters of the other four peaks, entered the main hall of Qiankun Peak, known as Wu Ya Ju, followed by the victorious disciple of this competition, Hong Tiankong, and some disciples from Longyou Peak.

Seated beneath the plaque with the character "Dao," Shang Yong gestured for the other peak masters to take their seats after a brief exchange of greetings.

Wu Ya Ju was grand and majestic, located in the widest and flattest area of Qiankun Peak. Serving as a place for important discussions in Taiyi Sect, the hall was incredibly spacious.

Besides those stationed outside, only around a dozen people were inside the hall. Due to its unique construction, Shang Yong, sitting in the central position under the plaque, could speak without raising his voice too loudly, making it audible to everyone.

"Who discovered Zeng Wen's body?" Shang Yong inquired.

"Reporting to the sect leader, it was a disciple on patrol who found it. When we examined the body and the scene, we discovered that Senior Brother Zeng was already killed when found.

According to our investigation on the body and the traces at the scene, Senior Brother Zeng was pierced through the heart by a sword and fell off the Enlightenment Cliff last night. We also found Senior Brother Zeng's usual sword on the Enlightenment Cliff.

There were also traces of Senior Brother Zeng's blood on the Enlightenment Cliff, with no signs of anyone else's blood. Senior Brother Zeng died from the last move of the Sword's Heart Technique, named 'Sword's Heartless Strike.' Furthermore, all valuable items on Senior Brother Zeng's body had been looted."

This report was given by Xing Kun, a senior disciple and deputy peak master of Qiankun Peak, whose disciple had discovered Zeng Wen's body.

"Senior Brother, please rest assured. No matter who killed Senior Brother Zeng, I will make sure to bring the culprit to justice. To dare commit murder within our Taiyi Sect is to disrespect our sect," said Fuyuan Zhou with indignation.

"Fuyuan Junior Brother, please be assured. Whoever killed Senior Brother Zeng, I will definitely not let them off. To dare commit murder within our Taiyi Sect is indeed underestimating us," replied Shang Yong.

This was the first time such a shocking incident had occurred in Taiyi Sect in the hundreds of years under Shang Yong's leadership.

"I examined the body just now and found that the person who killed Senior Brother Zeng has a considerably high cultivation level. There was only one sword wound on Senior Brother Zeng's body, the fatal wound that pierced through his heart," said Lin Fengmo.

"Could it be someone from the Sword Tomb? After all, the Sword's Heart Technique is their technique," Xing Kun speculated.

"The sword technique used is precisely the Sword's Heart Technique, which indicates that it wasn't someone from the Sword Tomb. Moreover, there's no news of any skilled individuals from the Sword Tomb going out recently. The only possibilities are either a sneak attack, which seems unlikely given that Senior Brother Zeng was pierced through the front, or someone familiar who caught him off guard. The second possibility is that the person who killed Senior Brother Zeng has an exceptionally high cultivation level, leaving Senior Brother Zeng with no chance to resist," analyzed Li Haojun, the peak master of Guiling Peak.

Li Haojun's analysis was correct, but he couldn't fathom that it was Lin Yi, disguised as a weak cultivator, who committed the act.

"It shouldn't be done by a top-notch expert. I checked the Enlightenment Cliff, and there are signs of a struggle. If it were a top-notch expert, there wouldn't be any signs of a fight. So, it's more likely that it was done by someone familiar," Xing Kun suggested.

"All of you, who were familiar with Senior Brother Zeng, living in the same room as him, did you notice anything last night?" Fuyuan Zhou inquired of his disciples.

"We were together all of yesterday. Besides occasionally going out to relieve ourselves for a short time, we never separated. Especially after dinner, we were together until we hurried to Master's residence this morning upon hearing about Senior Brother Zeng's incident," one of Fuyuan Zhou's disciples spoke on behalf of the others.

Fuyuan Zhou's other disciple also confirmed the alibi.

Qiankun Peak is divided into a total of forty rooms allocated to the remaining four peaks, with each peak having ten rooms. The peak master has one room, the deputy peak master or elder has one room, and each peak has thirty-two disciples, with four disciples sharing one room.

The houses on Qiankun Peak are built halfway up the mountain, and the Enlightenment Cliff is located on the upper part of the mountain. No one knows when Zeng Wen arrived at the Enlightenment Cliff.

As soon as the competition ended, Zeng Wen left with a solemn face, walking away alone. The others thought he was upset about losing the competition and wanted some time alone.

Considering Zeng Wen's usual arrogance and the distant relationships he had with fellow disciples, no one followed him.

The peak masters of the other three peaks also stated that their disciples did not go out, and disciples could vouch for each other. Now, it was only the people from Qiankun Peak in question.

Shang Yong instructed Xing Kun to gather all the elders and disciples of Qiankun Peak. Lin Yi followed his senior brothers to stand in formation on the square in front of Wuya Residence.

Xing Kun said, "Everyone form groups according to your living quarters." With this command, the people of Qiankun Peak split into small groups, with larger groups of six people and smaller ones of two or three.

However, Hong Tiankong, as he shared a residence with his elder brother Hong Tianlin, who was away on a mission, was now alone. Hong Tiankong became the center of attention in the courtyard.

Disciples who shared living quarters with companions quickly proved their innocence and left the square. Only Hong Tiankong, Lin Yi, the three people in their courtyard, and all the elders and Shang Yong remained on the square.

Lin Yi, Hong Tiankong, and the others vouched for each other, claiming they did not see or hear anything suspicious from each other. After a brief examination, Fuyuan Zhou eliminated them.

Among the three, only Lin Yi had some strength, but luck played a significant role. Although he stood out in this competition, entering the final thirty-two at the age of fifteen, he was the weakest among them. Since he had no contact with Zeng Wen, he was excluded.

Despite Lin Yi living alone, he shared a courtyard with other senior brothers, and no one saw him leaving.

After the senior brothers left the square, Hong Tiankong also presented proof of his absence. After winning the championship last night and receiving the Qiankun Bag reward, he stayed by Shang Yong's side, learning how to use the Qiankun Bag until late at night before leaving.

Other elders easily proved their innocence. Except for the sect leader Shang Yong, the deputy peak masters, and elders all had families who could vouch for their whereabouts last night.

Now Zeng Wen's murder had become a mystery, with no clues or suspects. Fuyuan Zhou was frustrated and helpless.

Finally, Fuyuan Zhou requested a search of all houses on Qiankun Peak, intending to find any missing items from Zeng Wen's body.

However, Lin Yi had anticipated this move. After searching through Zeng Wen's belongings, he had already buried the items in an uninhabited forest.

He would be leaving Qiankun Peak for adventures in a few days. After retrieving the items, he would leave the peak, and all would be well.

Fuyuan Zhou's intentions were in vain. Despite a thorough search of Qiankun Peak, no useful clues were found. Helpless, they had to give up.

After returning to his small room, Lin Yi's lips curled into a smile. His careful actions had successfully concealed the truth of him killing Zeng Wen.

Zeng Wen was indeed foolish to think that he could use the antidote for Bone Marrow Nourishment to threaten Lin Yi. Lin Yi had already refined the Bone Marrow Nourishment upon ingestion.

Not only did Bone Marrow Nourishment not harm him, but it also became a tonic, enhancing his cultivation. Although Lin Yi appeared to be a fifteen-year-old boy, his soul came from a seasoned private detective in Yunlong Country.

During an undercover operation, he unexpectedly encountered a criminal organization, and their exposure led to both him and the criminals meeting their demise.

After death, his soul crossed into the body of Lin yi, who had died at the bottom of the Tianmo Pool.

In this new life, Lin yi gained the favor of the head of Jianzong and was assigned to continue his undercover profession within Taiyi Sect.

Having lived two lives and worked undercover twice, Lin yi couldn't help but be cautious. It was this caution that allowed him to escape unscathed in this investigation.

He had long wanted to leave Jianzong but never had the chance until he was assigned to Taiyi Sect. Now within Taiyi Sect, he finally had the opportunity to break free from the sect.

Lin Yi possessed two cultivation techniques, the Sword Ming Hui Yuan Art and the Taiyi Spirit Clearing Technique. Being a free cultivator sounded delightful to him.

This world had yet to provide him with people or things he couldn't part with. Living freely without constraints was something he looked forward to. Thinking about the upcoming life of freedom, Lin Yi smiled and fell asleep.

(End of this chapter)