A useless person with five spiritual roots? I sacrificed the proud daughter of heaven.

Sheng He raised her head and looked at Tian Yu with clear eyes: "Master, I have been with Fellow Daoist Song and the two senior sisters in the secret realm and have not seen Senior Sister Xu."

After hearing this, Tianyu breathed a sigh of relief, released Shenghe, and seemed to relax from her tense state: "That's good, that's good."

"Uncle-Master, what exactly happened?"

"Xu Qingqing is dead. The sect leader is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation into her death."

Tianyu turned around and said loudly to all the Qingyun Sect disciples, "This matter is of great importance. The sect leader suspects that other sects have come to seek revenge. Therefore, all Qingyun Sect disciples, after returning to the sect, please come with me to the Discipline Department to explain the situation in the secret realm in detail!"

As soon as Tianyu finished speaking, the disciples erupted in an uproar, with many whispering among themselves.

"Senior Sister Xu is the sect leader's personal disciple, with the cultivation of the Golden Core stage. Who could possibly kill her?"

"Yes, we both just reached the Foundation Establishment stage and managed to come out of the secret realm safely, so how come Senior Sister Xu got into trouble?"

"Didn't you hear what Elder Tianyu just said? It was another sect coming to seek revenge! Xu Qingqing is the sect leader's personal disciple, so naturally they'd come after her first!"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Zhao Yanran glanced at Sheng He and whispered to the person next to her, "That's not necessarily true. I personally saw Senior Sister Sheng chasing after Sister Qingqing with a sword!"

"I thought that the two of them had always been at odds, so I thought I would step in to mediate their fight, but who knew?"

As Zhao Yanran spoke, her eyes showed a hint of melancholy. Urged by her disciples, she slowly pulled up the sleeve of her right arm.

A gruesome sword wound stretched across Zhao Yanran's arm. She sighed helplessly, "As you all know, Senior Sister Sheng has never liked me, and this time it's even worse..."

The surrounding disciples gasped, and their gazes toward Sheng He changed.

Harming fellow disciples is a major taboo. If discovered by the discipline elders of the Discipline Department, one's cultivation will be abolished and one will be expelled from the Qingyun Sect.

Sheng He had noticed Zhao Yanran's subtle movements long ago and had been keeping a close eye on her.

It wasn't until Zhao Yanran revealed the sword wound on her arm that she finally understood Zhao Yanran's intention.

Zhao Yanran probably wanted to pin the blame for Xu Qingqing's death and her and Chu Heng's injuries on herself.

Sheng He rolled her eyes, not paying much attention.

The reason is simple: the elders of Qingyun Sect are not like these disciples who lack their own opinions. They are not so easily fooled. Unless Zhao Yanran can produce solid evidence, they can easily say that Zhao Yanran is making a false accusation.

As for evidence... Sheng He didn't believe Zhao Yanran could fabricate evidence out of thin air.

Zhao Yanran has the protection of the Immortal Venerable Xuanxiao, but she also has her own master and will never again be at the mercy of others like she did in her previous life.

As Sheng He was thinking, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

Song Jinzhi bowed to Tianyu and said, "Elder Tianyu, I shouldn't be meddling in your sect's affairs, but I haven't seen my third uncle for a long time. I wonder if I could take this opportunity to visit the Qingyun Sect?"

Sheng He turned around in shock, only to see Mu Yao and Yun Qianshan with equally shocked expressions.

Sheng He winked at the two of them: "Why is he still here? Didn't he leave as soon as we left the secret realm?"

Mu Yao and Yun Qianshan simultaneously shrugged and shook their heads blankly: "We don't know either, how did he get on the flying boat with us?"

"It's Jinzhi."

Tianyu helped Song Jinzhi up, her eyes full of admiration. Just as she was about to say something, Shenghe pulled her away. Tianyu waved to Song Jinzhi and said loudly, "If you're alright, come back with us. Your third uncle mentioned you to me not long ago!"

Song Jinzhi smiled as she watched the two figures disappear into the distance: "Alright, thank you, Elder Tianyu!"

"What a sensible child."

Tianyu patted his clothes with satisfaction, then looked at Shenghe, who was covered in dust from mining crystals, and sighed silently in his heart.

Sigh, it's a pity that it's someone else's child.

Sheng He pulled Tian Yu to the elders' resting room, furtively looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then slammed the door shut before letting Tian Yu go.

"Master, there's something I need to tell you beforehand."

"I've met Xu Qingqing. She died on the third day after we entered the secret realm, right?"

Tianyu was terrified, her face turning pale: "Did you really kill her? Weren't you supposed to kill Zhao Yanran? How come it was Xu Qingqing who died?"

Sheng He shook his head and recounted everything that had happened in the swamp over the past few days, finally letting out a helpless sigh.

“I previously said that I was with Song Jinzhi and the two senior sisters in the secret realm, but in fact I met Song Jinzhi half a month later, and reunited with the two senior sisters half a year later. The senior sisters naturally sided with me, but Song Jinzhi did not necessarily do so.”

"Moreover, Zhao Yanran is determined to pin the blame for Xu Qingqing's death on me, so... the best course of action now is to prevent Song Jin from going to the Qingyun Sect."

Tianyu finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this and gently patted Shenghe's head: "What are you thinking about? I know Jinzhi. He is the kindest and most respectful child. He would never do such a thing as framing someone."

Seeing Sheng He's puzzled expression, Tian Yu explained, "His third uncle is the vice sect leader of the Qingyun Sect. I've practically watched him grow up. Since you saved him, he must be afraid that this matter will implicate you, so he specifically wants to go to the Qingyun Sect with us to prove your innocence."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

Sheng He walked out of the room with some doubt. There was no one on the deck. The disciples had all gone to their rooms to rest. Only Song Jinzhi was leaning against the ship's railing with his eyes closed, enjoying the breeze.

"you……"

Song Jinzhi opened her eyes and saw Sheng He. She smiled gently and said, "Fairy Sheng."

Sheng He thought for a moment, then decided to ask directly: "Why did you suddenly go to the Qingyun Sect? Was it because you heard Zhao Yanran's slanderous words about me, and you went to testify for me?"

Song Jinzhi smiled gently and readily admitted, "Yes, Fairy Sheng, have you forgotten? I still owe you a favor."

"but I……"

"Junior Sister Sheng!"

Sheng He turned around and saw Chu Heng standing stiffly behind her. There seemed to be a faint fragrance in the air. Sheng He frowned and turned around.

"Senior Brother Chu, is there something you need?"

"I have something to ask you," Chu Heng said, looking up at Song Jinzhi. "Come closer."

Sheng He frowned even more. She and Chu Heng had never really interacted, and the few times they had spoken were all about Zhao Yanran. What could he possibly want to ask her?

Besides, she always felt that Chu Heng was a bit strange.

Chu Heng's limbs were stiff, his eyes were empty, and his tone of voice was completely flat.