"Brother Tuoba, back then I indeed entered the Tianxu Forbidden Land with your sister, Tuoba Chunyan. As you know, the Tianxu Forbidden Land is extremely dangerous," said Chu Yunxiao.
"Inside, we encountered a teleportation array that transported us into a mysterious palace. The palace was akin to a Xumi space, spanning tens of thousands of miles. Inside, we saw three celestial corpses. When your sister, Tuoba Chunyan, attempted to retrieve one of the corpses, she was unexpectedly possessed by a remnant soul from the corpse and disappeared. I barely escaped with my life; I did not harm your sister or turn her into a puppet as that mysterious person claims!" Chu Yunxiao continued.
"I have recounted this many times over the years, Brother Tuoba. Your sister wasn't killed by me; she was possessed by the celestial corpse's remnant soul!" Chu Yunxiao looked at Tuoba Xiongfeng with a face full of helplessness.
"Then, take me to see that mysterious palace!" Tuoba Xiongfeng said after a moment of silence.
"Brother Tuoba, the only reason we could enter that mysterious palace was due to an accidental activation of the teleportation array in the Tianxu Forbidden Land. I went back to check after I escaped, but the array had vanished," explained Chu Yunxiao, his expression earnest and sincere. "This slander against the Tianchu Dynasty is the work of someone with ulterior motives who wants to see a war between the Tianchu Dynasty, the Tuoba family, and the Fengyao Holy Land."
Chu Yunxiao's impassioned speech, portraying himself as utterly innocent, did not sway the seasoned veterans before him.
"Chu Yunxiao, news has surfaced that your Tianchu Emperor, Chu Wuya, killed our Holy Land's 18th Saintess, Lan Phoenix, and the previous Saint Son, Jing Tianyun. This led to a war between our Fengyao Holy Land and the Kunxu Holy Land, causing great losses. Years of investigation point to your Tianchu Chu Wuya. Today, you must give our Fengyao Holy Land an explanation!" demanded Liu Fengchun, the Grand Elder of the Fengyao Holy Land, his voice full of rage.
A powerful aura of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator erupted from Liu Fengchun.
"Elder Liu, this accusation is extremely unjust!" cried Chu Yunxiao, his face a picture of despair. "To claim our Emperor harmed your Saintess—where is the eyewitness? We cannot shoulder this blame!"
"Liu Fengchun, the death of your Holy Land's Saintess and Saint Son is deeply regrettable, but we are not responsible. Someone is using this to incite conflict between the Tianchu Dynasty and your Holy Land," he argued passionately.
"Why are all recent allegations aimed at the Tianchu Dynasty? It is clear someone wants a war between us!" Chu Yunxiao pleaded. "I implore you both to give me some time, and we will find the true culprit behind these rumors."
Tuoba Xiongfeng and Liu Fengchun fell silent, contemplating his words.
"Brother Chu, rumors say you acquired the Deity Transformation inheritance of Patriarch Tianxiao from three thousand years ago. Is this true?" asked a tall, thin Nascent Soul cultivator from the Tuoba family.
"If you share this inheritance with us for mutual study, our Tuoba family will help you track down the source of these rumors," the cultivator proposed.
"Indeed, if you share it, our Fengyao Holy Land will also assist in investigating the spreader of these rumors," added another Nascent Soul cultivator from the Fengyao Holy Land.
"You are all grossly mistaken!" cried Chu Yunxiao, desperation in his voice. "If I truly had Patriarch Tianxiao's inheritance, wouldn't I have reached the Deity Transformation stage by now instead of being stuck at the late Nascent Soul stage?"
"This slanderous person is causing me endless trouble!" He declared, "I swear, I will not rest until I find the slanderer!"
Chu Yunxiao's voice resonated far and wide.
Inwardly, Chu Yunxiao was seething. He knew the information about Patriarch Tianxiao was accurate, but how did this leak? Who could possibly know?
His only option was to deny everything staunchly. Even if they demanded to search his storage bag, they wouldn't find anything. He had hidden the inheritance and the puppet of Tuoba Chunyan well.
Meanwhile, in Tiannan City, within the luxurious main hall of the Tianmu Trading Company, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe sat cross-legged. Facing him, a young man respectfully reported.
"Master, Murong Qianye has fallen."
"What? Who dares kill someone on our Murong family's turf?" roared Murong Changtian, his face dark with rage.
"Find out who did this immediately! Focus on our competitors!" he ordered.
"Yes, Master!" Murong Ke bowed and left.
Elsewhere, in the Yunlai Spirit Tavern in Wanling Market, a tall, long-haired young man sat in a corner, listening to the surrounding discussions.
"Have you heard about the bounty the Tianchu Dynasty placed on Qin Tiedan? Capturing him brings Nascent Soul insights and opportunities; providing information brings Golden Core rewards and treasures!"
"Indeed, but considering how Qin Tiedan troubles the Tianchu Dynasty, he must be formidable. We may not stand a chance."
"They say the 18th Prince was slain by Qin Tiedan, showing how terrifying he is. He could be on the Talented Dragons list!"
"Given the power he showed, possibly even the Heavenly Heroes list!"
"The Tianchu Dynasty is currently in chaos. Rumors about Patriarch Tianxiao's inheritance, the ambush of Tuoba Chunyan, the killing of the Holy Land's Saintess and Saint Son—it's a disaster!"
"Strong figures from various families, dynasties, and sects are flocking to Tianchu. This mess is enormous!"
Yan Honghao, the tall young man, was deeply shocked by the news. "Qin, I never imagined you were so formidable! Challenging the Tianchu Dynasty itself! I bow to you in admiration!"
Yan Honghao was utterly astounded. The bounty offered by the Tianchu Dynasty for Qin Tiedan's capture was immense—Nascent Soul and Golden Core opportunities! Faced with this colossal power, he admired Qin Tiedan's audacity and strength.