After carefully sensing the power of his newly enhanced cultivation, Geng Shiqiu felt deeply satisfied.
However, after leaving secluded cultivation, he soon heard about the conflict between Lin Ye and the Murong family.
"A Tianxiang Realm expert? Lin Ye was nothing but a crippled waste. If he could truly reach the Tianxiang Realm, he wouldn't have fled the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect in disgrace in the first place."
Geng Shiqiu was highly suspicious. He simply did not believe it.
"There must be something hidden behind all this."
In his eyes, it was nothing more than a deliberate bluff.
"Smoke and mirrors!"
Geng Shiqiu sneered with disdain.
Inside Pei Shaoyi's courtyard, news arrived that "Big Fool Zhu" had been killed.
The moment Pei Shaoyi heard it, his heart sank, and a cold shadow wrapped around his thoughts.
Was Lin Ye already aware of something?
Who exactly had killed that man?
Then came another shocking report—Lin Ye had allegedly crippled the Murong family.
Pei Shaoyi was stunned.
"That Lin Ye… can actually cripple the Murong family?"
He walked to the window as his subordinate continued reporting, his brows tightening.
"A mere Lin Ye is already this troublesome… he never should have been allowed to live peacefully!"
Pei Shaoyi could not understand what had happened. Lin Ye's strength seemed to have skyrocketed overnight.
But now, Pei Shaoyi knew he could no longer make a move himself.
He had exhausted his methods and lacked usable manpower.
Even the Murong family had failed to destroy Lin Ye.
At this point, all he could do was wait for Elder Geng Shiqiu to act.
"Once the seven days pass and Lin Ye is placed on the Black List, everything will be settled."
Pei Shaoyi decided to stay quiet and do nothing.
When Wen Lang heard about Lin Ye's battle achievements, he hurried to see him again.
He expected Lin Ye to refuse.
Instead, Lin Ye said calmly:
"The day after tomorrow? Fine. I will go to the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect."
Wen Lang was shocked.
It seemed Lin Ye still could not let go of the sect.
"If you truly intend to return… then I will do everything in my power to protect you. I will never allow you to suffer even the slightest harm. Whatever the consequences, I will bear them with you!"
Wen Lang spoke with absolute sincerity, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
Seeing Wen Lang like this gave Lin Ye an idea.
Since Wen Lang was willing to stand with him so firmly, then perhaps Wen Lang could be the one to take control of the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect later.
Lin Ye's purpose in returning was simple:
To wipe out every person who had schemed against him.
As for the rest, there was no need for pointless slaughter.
Two days later, Wen Lang brought Lin Ye back to the sect.
At that moment, in the main hall atop the primary peak, the sect's highest figures were all present:
Seven peak masters.
Sixteen elders.
And the heads of every major division.
Geng Shiqiu sat among the elders and did not appear especially conspicuous at first glance.
But those who had already heard rumors knew that his cultivation had advanced.
Many approached him in hopes of currying favor.
Geng Shiqiu dismissed every one of them.
He was not in the mood.
Wen Lang had sent word that he would return with Lin Ye and explain everything.
This made Geng Shiqiu suspicious—yet also curious.
He almost looked forward to whatever scene would unfold.
At Tingxuan Peak, many disciples gathered.
Zhang Wenxu's injuries from being beaten by Lin Ye had not yet recovered.
He had also heard that Lin Ye had stirred up chaos across Leihe City recently, making the entire region restless.
"So Lin Ye actually dares to come back!"
"He killed the affairs hall manager, and he slaughtered so many from the enforcement division. Even if he returns, there's only one outcome—death!"
The crowd buzzed with heated discussion.
Among them, Tao Lang looked grim and worried.
He even felt regretful about Lin Ye's fate.
If Lin Ye had simply cultivated properly, his talent might have carried him to high status within the sect.
But now, everything was ruined.
The case was full of suspicious details, yet Lin Ye killing Xu Liang was an undeniable fact.
Tao Lang shook his head.
"What a pity… such a promising young man."
At the Wind-Thunder Profound Energy Tower, Liu Qingyu had been waiting early in the morning.
The tower doors opened.
A woman in white slowly stepped out.
Her face was pale, yet her beauty was overwhelming.
Her figure looked slightly fragile, but her eyes held a fierce, unyielding will.
A blue-green patterned jade pendant hung at her waist.
A faint purple bracelet rested on her wrist.
Aside from that, she wore no ornamentation.
This was Chu Mengxi.
"Senior Sister! Something terrible has happened!"
Chu Mengxi's gaze remained calm, as if nothing in the world could shake her.
She looked at the green-robed girl in front of her.
"You are an inner disciple, aren't you? Why are you panicking like this?"
Chu Mengxi was the senior sister among core disciples.
If an inner disciple encountered trouble, they should have sought the inner disciples' senior brother—why come to her?
But since the girl had clearly been waiting for a long time, Chu Mengxi decided to hear her out.
"Lin Ye… Lin Ye, he—"
Liu Qingyu was frantic, barely able to speak.
"Lin Ye!"
The moment Chu Mengxi heard that name, her calm eyes wavered.
A flicker of panic flashed through her gaze.
"Where is Lin Ye?!"
"He is… in the main hall right now."
Main Peak — Council Hall.
When Lin Ye entered alongside Wen Lang, the entire hall erupted into a wave of commotion.
Some saw Lin Ye for the first time.
Some had heard of his deeds and were deeply curious.
And some hated him to the bone.
Geng Shiqiu's eyes locked onto Lin Ye instantly.
He tried to probe Lin Ye's cultivation depth, but Lin Ye's presence was sealed so completely that not even the faintest trace could be detected.
"Playing tricks."
Geng Shiqiu was certain Wen Lang had helped conceal Lin Ye's aura.
Just from the atmosphere in the hall, it was clear:
The overall strength of the Wind-Thunder Profound Sect was several levels above the Murong family.
The Murong family was merely a newly risen wealthy clan with shallow foundations.
They survived only by relying on a few Tianxiang experts.
The Wind-Thunder Profound Sect was different.
Its foundation was deep.
Its structure was complete.
Its forces were unified.
Each peak could stand alone.
Facing the countless eyes focused on him, Lin Ye showed not a hint of fear.
He calmly swept his gaze across the hall, searching for his targets.
"Lin Ye! You have violated sect law—kneel immediately!"
The Fifth Elder, Chen He, shouted first.
His roar echoed through the hall, and everyone's gaze sharpened.
More than thirty powerful figures released their pressure at once, combining it into an overwhelming force and crushing it toward Lin Ye.
If this were an ordinary disciple, they would have collapsed instantly and suffered severe internal injury.
But Lin Ye stood in place, unmoving.
Then he raised his hand and pointed at the Fifth Elder.
"You. One of them."
Chen He froze.
What was this brat doing?
Counting heads?
He had already returned to the sect and still dared to act this arrogantly?
Elder Geng Shiqiu spoke slowly.
"Acting Sect Master, since the criminal has been brought here, can the trial begin?"
Wen Lang sat in the highest seat, his expression heavy.
He sighed.
"Lin Ye. Speak the truth of what happened. The Wind-Thunder Profound Sect will not favor anyone, and it will not spare anyone."
Then—
"Wait."
A cold, clear female voice came from outside the hall.
Chu Mengxi stepped forward swiftly.
She moved directly to Lin Ye's side, stood in front of him, and then dropped to her knees before the hall.
"All elders and officials—Lin Ye is my junior. I personally guided him. If he has committed any wrongdoing, then the blame is mine."
"I, Chu Mengxi, am willing to bear every consequence alone!"
From Liu Qingyu's rushed explanation, she already understood the general situation.
It seemed unbelievable.
But Chu Mengxi did not care about logic.
She only cared about one thing—
Lin Ye's life.
"Chu Mengxi…"
Lin Ye stared at the woman in front of him.
She felt both familiar and strangely distant.
Chu Mengxi turned her head and looked at him.
"Little Ye, don't be afraid."
"As long as Senior Sister is here, nothing will happen to you."
Her eyes were gentle…
Yet unshakably firm.