Do you really think you can get me with just a banana?

Jin Yu suddenly realized something, but then fell silent again. Yan Ruchen stared at Guan Shanyu for a moment before slowly saying, "So, the secret technique you received... in addition to those abilities, is also being used by the Purple Sky Spirit Realm to cultivate the Soul Devouring Grass?"

Guyu and Jinyu looked at Guan Shanyu in shock and asked, "What do you mean? Shanyu, are you... are you using your own blood and essence to cultivate the Soul Devouring Grass?"

Guan Shanyu forced a smile and said comfortingly, "I was also shocked at first, because I originally thought that Yuan Chongxiao also had the ability to detect the demons, so why bother wasting his time on me? But I didn't think much about it. It wasn't until Elder Qing pointed it out later that I... paid attention to check it out. Haha, it's not a big deal, I've accepted it."

The atmosphere suddenly became solemn. Yan Ruchen kept staring at Guan Shanyu with complicated eyes. Guan Shanyu's face was still smiling "hahaha", but after a few dry laughs, he couldn't laugh anymore.

Turning his head to the side, Guan Shanyu took a few deep breaths, then turned his head back and asked casually, "I have some more speculations. Do you want to hear them?"

Jin Yu and Gu Yu both had worried expressions on their faces. After exchanging glances, they slowly nodded. Yan Ruchen sat to the side, silent, his gaze fixed on Guan Shanyu.

Guan Shanyu didn't pay attention to Yan Ruchen's reaction. He pointed to the first point on the white paper on the table and said, "Also, Elder Si's death. I've thought about it carefully these past two days and it's very strange."

Yan Ruchen and the other two looked at him quietly, motioning for Guan Shanyu to continue. Guan Shanyu then continued, "Elder Si was killed by lightning after taking a demonic artifact. But the question is, who gave him this artifact? We know it appeared in Tianxuan and Yuchen Palace, but no one else in Tianxuan has seen it. This means it must be Si's personal collection, or someone specially gave it to him."

"Although this item appeared in Yuchen Palace, given the relationship between Tianxuan and Yuchen Palace, Elder Si would definitely not use something sent by Palace Master Li. If this item was presented by the demon clan or someone else, given the sinister reputation that demon clan items have among the world, they would naturally want everyone to verify that it is non-toxic and harmless before daring to use it. It's not like the other elders of Tianxuan have never seen it and are blindly blaming the demon clan."

"So I speculate that this item was most likely given to him by someone the elder is familiar with. The four major sects all participated in the eradication of the demon clan back then, and everyone knows that while they hate the demon clan, they also appreciate demonic possessions, but they're afraid to use them openly for reasons of pride. So, if someone the elder knows well gives this item to him and tells him how to use it, I believe he won't be able to resist using it given the potential to break through his martial arts limits."

Yan Ruchen looked into Guan Shanyu's dark, bright eyes and asked, "Shanyu, do you have any suspicions about someone?"

Guan Shanyu nodded and said, "There's one thing. Do you remember when we were having the trial at the Wuzijian Hunting Ground? Besides Elder Si, was there another person who didn't come?"

Yan Ruchen narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Elder Jin."

Guan Shanyu nodded, turned his head, and passed by the confused expressions of Jin Yu and Gu Yu. He said, "I have no evidence, so I'm just guessing. Now let's talk about Senior Brother Song and Si Hongyin."

Yan Ruchen retracted his gaze and followed Guan Shanyu's finger towards the piece of paper, listening to his continued analysis: "I think the motives behind their being framed are quite obvious. It's mainly due to the incident caused by Elder Si's death. The current unwritten rules of the Immortal Sect dictate that anyone appointed an elder or leader, unless appointed for exceptional martial arts attainments, is hereditary. After Elder Si's accident, Si Hongyin should have taken over, but the Immortal Sect finally lost a competitor in the competition for the leadership of the Hundred Sects, so Si Hongyin must not be allowed to take the lead. However, direct action is too risky and could easily cause panic, and overdoing it is worse than underdoing it. Therefore, creating an affair to ruin her reputation is both convenient and easy."

Jin Yu was puzzled and said, "Then Ruchen's appointment also increases his competition."

Guan Shanyu glanced at Yan Ruchen, who happened to be looking over at him. Their two dark eyes met in mid-air. Guan Shanyu sighed inaudibly and said, "Hmm... In this feudal society, if they can appoint you, they can also find a reason to remove you. All they need to do is accuse you of insufficient ability or prestige. Ruchen, it's not easy to survive in the sect."

After the words fell, Jin Yu and the others fell silent again, feeling that they had asked a question they shouldn't have asked, and looked at Yan Ruchen with some apology. But after Yan Ruchen heard Guan Shanyu's words, he stared at him for a long time and suddenly smiled.

Guan Shanyu saw him laughing and looked up with a confused look on his face: "What are you laughing at?"

Yan Ruchen's smile didn't fade. He tilted his head towards Guan Shanyu and asked curiously, "Shanyu, you and Senior Brother Song aren't very familiar with each other. Why are you so determined? There's no private relationship between them."

Guan Shanyu pursed his lips and looked at him with feigned helplessness. The two stared at each other for a while. Guan Shanyu confirmed that Yan Ruchen seemed to really not understand, then asked: "I've explained it several times, you—really don't understand?"

Yan Ruchen shrugged, a curious expression on his face, and said, "Really."

Guan Shanyu lowered his head and circled the names of Yan Ruchen and Song Ziye with a pen. He said, "It's obvious. If they like each other, it would be a powerful alliance. Elder Si and Sect Leader Yuan would immediately force them to marry and have two children in three years. What's your turn?"

Yan Ruchen paused, not responding immediately, but staring at him intently. Jin Yu and Gu Yu glanced at each other cautiously, not daring to speak. Guan Shanyu secretly glanced at Yan Ruchen, and seeing his reaction, he whispered, "You were the one who insisted on asking me, and I've confirmed it. You can't be angry..."

Jin Yu and Gu Yu glanced at Yan Ruchen again, only to see him suddenly turn his head away, half his face hidden in the darkness. It was unclear what he was doing, but his shoulders were trembling slightly. Just as they were wondering, Guan Shanyu, who was standing nearby, also noticed his unusual behavior. He looked at Yan Ruchen for a moment, then turned his head away and smiled.

Jin Yu and Gu Yu looked at each other, and Jin Yu asked quietly with her mouth: "What are they laughing at?" Gu Yu also answered with her mouth: "I don't know?" So they looked at the two people laughing with a confused look on their faces.

Yan Ruchen was the first to stop smiling. Turning back, his face regained its gentle and calm demeanor. Guan Shanyu looked at his serious expression and couldn't help but burst out laughing again.

Seeing him like this, Yan Ruchen turned around and hid in the dark again. Guan Shanyu stopped laughing and said, "If you want to laugh, just laugh. Why are you turning your head away?"

Yan Ruchen turned back, his expression still serious: "I'm not laughing. Do you have any other theories?"

Guan Shanyu snorted disdainfully, shook his head, and said, "That's all, I just made this up. What are you going to do? Continue investigating these things, or follow the elders' lead? If you want to back off, it's not too late."

Before Yan Ruchen could speak, Jin Yu became anxious and asked, "How can we stop? When you went to Songpi County to investigate the disappearance of the disciples, you were hunted down and killed. If you return to the sect, won't you be in trouble?"

Yan Ruchen replied, "It's possible that nothing's wrong. Those who were chasing us might just be local guards, not directly assigned by the Immortal Sect. After I killed them, I went to Wuzi Peak and deliberately ran into Elder Yue. He didn't show any abnormality and didn't take any action, which means that this matter hasn't yet reached the sect."

Jin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Guan Shanyu looked at Yan Ruchen, giving him the choice, and asked, "So, should we continue investigating, or stop here?"

Yan Ruchen replied almost immediately, "Continue. I already have this suspicion. If I can't verify its authenticity, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue my cultivation in the sect with peace of mind in the future."

Guan Shanyu was silent for a long time, and finally nodded: "Okay, but this matter is serious, and it will be troublesome and dangerous to investigate. Jin Yu, Gu Yu, do you still want to continue to follow us?"

Yan Ruchen also looked at them, and Jin Yu and Gu Yu immediately expressed their support, "Of course! Shanyu, you forgot that you saved our lives. Master taught us to be grateful and repay kindness, so let alone investigating the case, even if it means going through fire and water, we are willing to lend a hand!"

Guan Shanyu laughed and said, "Thank you, but it's not that serious. Even if it's a frying pan, I definitely won't let you get in."

Yan Ruchen also pursed his lips slightly and smiled softly. Guan Shanyu looked at him again and asked, "What are your plans for the next step?"

Yan Ruchen pondered for a moment, then picked up the paper Guan Shanyu had marked on the table. After carefully examining it, he said, "The target of our investigation is someone within the sect. If we want to avoid alerting them, we must find a way to divert their attention. Ideally, we can get them to temporarily leave the sect to buy us time. Since they're wary of the demon extermination they undertook years ago, we can spread some false information to confuse them."

Guan Shanyu nodded in agreement. After a moment's thought, he suggested, "Why don't you have Miss Li tell Palace Master Li that she overheard that the man in the portrait had said he lived in Linshui Town, in addition to returning to the north? Palace Master Li will definitely tell the other immortal sects to clear himself of suspicion."

Guyu was a little puzzled and asked, "Why did you lie and say you went to Linshui Town?"

Yan Ruchen smiled and answered for Guan Shanyu: "Because Linshui Town is a long way away, the round trip will take at least four or five days. In this way, we have successfully diverted them."

Guyu suddenly realized and asked, "Then what should Jinyu and I do?"

Yan Ruchen replied, "You can spread false news secretly, such as discovering traces of demons along the river or on the riverbank. Just attract the attention of the immortal sect and send out to investigate. Leave the rest to me and Shanyu."

Jin Yu readily agreed, "This is a simple matter. Guyu and I can handle it." But then she became concerned, "But will Miss Li be willing to help us lie?"

Guan Shanyu turned around after hearing this, looked at the motionless Li Suyin, then turned his head to Jin Yu and the others with a sly smile and said, "She will definitely help us."

A moment later, Li Suyin, whose acupoints had been released, fell to the ground, rubbing her stiff arms and lumbar spine. Looking at the four people standing neatly in front of her, she moved back in fear and asked, "What...what are you doing?"