Chapter 487: Uncovering the Truth
At the same time, Zhou Jinyun's gaze quietly shifted toward Shang Ao.
She met the eyes of this peak Divine Ability Realm great power, then gave a solemn nod.
This gesture silently yet clearly conveyed her stance.
She acknowledged the young man in plain white robes before her, signaling that Imperial Law Elder Shang could engage him in conversation.
Shang Ao slowly withdrew his gaze from Zhou Jinyun and refocused it on Chen Yan.
"May I ask, sir, what is your esteemed name?"
The Imperial Law Elder's voice was steady, as calm as an ancient well without ripples.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan simply curled the corner of his mouth slightly:
"Rather than probing my name, Imperial Law Elder Shang, don't you have more pressing concerns right now?"
As he spoke, Chen Yan shifted his gaze, first landing on the charred remains of Jing Bai beneath his feet—burned to cinders by the crimson flame—and then on Chu Fan, who lay on the ground with a somewhat dazed expression.After that, Chen Yan raised his head, his eyes turning to Li Xudong and Yang Fan, who were still suspended in midair:
"Besides, I've said it before—I will only speak with Imperial Law Elder Shang."
"... "
Li Xudong and Yang Fan, floating in the sky, did not speak. Instead, they both directed their gazes at the white-haired elder standing on the ground. These two Grand Elders, one from the Supreme Martial Pacification Court and the other from the Supreme Surveillance Court, were waiting for Shang Ao's command.
Though Shang Ao had not looked up, everything remained under the envelopment of his spiritual sense.
The range of a Divine Ability Realm cultivator's spiritual sense expanded dozens of times beyond that of a Unity Realm cultivator.
For instance, back during the Heavenly Summit Mountain Cataclysm, when Mo Zheng—hiding within Ye Xiu's ring—had his remnant soul nourished by that ring, it still retained the level of the Divine Ability Realm. Its spiritual sense range could cover the entire Heavenly Summit Mountain.
No, it wasn't right to say it was back during the Heavenly Summit Mountain Cataclysm.
Because from the current point in time, none of the people who were on Heavenly Summit Mountain back then had even been born yet.
Shang Ao simply raised his hand slowly, signaling Li Xudong and Yang Fan to leave this place.
Receiving the order, Li Xudong and Yang Fan immediately bowed respectfully toward Shang Ao, then vanished from between heaven and earth in an instant.
"So, sir, what exactly does Shang Ao need to discuss with you?"
the Imperial Law Elder asked.
Chen Yan did not speak immediately. He casually extended his left hand—the one not holding the rusted iron ancient lamp—and aimed it at Chu Fan, who was lying on the ground.
In the next instant, Chu Fan's entire body floated up out of nowhere and landed precisely in Chen Yan's grasp.
Chen Yan grabbed Chu Fan by the collar and propped him upright before himself.
"... "
Chen Yan fixed his gaze on Chu Fan's face.
Trance. Confusion. As if caught in a dream.
Though Shang Ao had not looked up, everything remained under the blanket of his spiritual sense.
Chen Yan released his grip on Chu Fan's collar and gently pushed him back, making him stand straight before him.
"Come on, introduce yourself to me. What's your name?"
Hearing Chen Yan's words, Chu Fan first thought for a moment, then seemed to snap back to reality:
"This junior is named Chu Fan, a disciple of the Xuanqi Cult, apprenticed to the Xuanqi Cult's sect leader, Li Quan!"
"You say... you're Chu Fan?"
Chen Yan asked.
"Yes, Senior!"
Chu Fan replied loudly before him.
"Then who is Kang Zongdan?"
Chen Yan continued.
The expression on Chu Fan's face, standing before Chen Yan, visibly began to stiffen and grow vacant.
Then he slowly raised his head, his gaze landing on Chen Yan:
"Senior Chen... "
Though the timbre was exactly the same as before, his voice had completely lost the vitality of moments ago, sounding more like a man teetering on the brink of old age.
Following that, Chu Fan lowered his head, his eyes falling on Grand Elder Jing's remains on the ground—charred to cinders, the outer layer cracking to reveal crimson remnants beneath.
"Ah!"
Chu Fan cried out in shock, then collapsed to the ground. It seemed as though he had retrieved from his own mind everything that had just happened here:
"Senior Jing! Senior Jing!"
In the next instant, Chen Yan planted his foot on Chu Fan, pinning him to the ground and rendering him immobile.
"Once more. Introduce yourself to me. What's your name?"
"Senior Chen... I am... Chu Fan!"
"Then who is Kang Keyang?"
"Kang Keyang... "
A flicker of hesitation crossed Chu Fan's eyes again, then he shook his head:
"This junior does not know!"
Chen Yan removed his foot from where it had been pressing on Chu Fan's body.
It seemed that the current fusion after his possession was primarily based on the two existences of Kang Zongdan and Chu Fan. As for the other souls that had been possessed or sacrificed, they had some influence here and there, but they could not form the main body.
After that, Chen Yan raised his head and looked toward the Mirage Palace's Supreme Imperial Law Elder, who was about seven or eight zhang away from him.
"Well, Imperial Law Elder Shang?"
he asked.
Shang Ao, as a Divine Ability Realm great power and a master of the Weaving Dreams Tower's illusion techniques, had already discerned the clues from Chu Fan's current state.
This white-haired elder's brows furrowed tightly, his expression dark as though it could erupt at any moment:
"... Weaving Dreams Tower illusions. Shen Chuan. Jing Bai!"
The subtle, reality-blending aura around Shang Ao suddenly solidified.
In the next instant, an indescribably terrifying pressure exploded from within the Imperial Law Elder's seemingly aged body.
Shang Ao was furious.
Even though he had lived for over four thousand years and weathered countless storms, in this current situation, Shang Ao still could not control his emotions, could not remain as calm as a placid lake while thunder roared in his chest.
Someone was trying to destroy Mirage Palace!
But Shang Ao was still holding back.
Otherwise, the terrifying pressure at this level would instantly crush Chu Fan, Zhou Jinyun, and Su Hongzhen—these three juniors who had not even stepped into the Middle Three Realms.
Clearly, Shang Ao had already figured out the reason behind all of this.
"Good. Very good."
With that, Shang Ao's gaze once again fell on Chen Yan, who was standing before him. At this moment, Shang Ao began to believe that this "young man" in plain white daoist robes was most likely not an enemy of Mirage Palace.
Because if he had taken Chu Fan away and announced this to the world, then Mirage Palace's scandal would be exposed.
From then on, Mirage Palace would become a rat crossing the street, beaten by everyone!
Thinking this, Shang Ao raised his hands, and then this Supreme Imperial Law Elder of Mirage Palace solemnly bowed toward Chen Yan:
"Thank you for your help, sir. However, the current situation is urgent. Once I have cleaned house within Mirage Palace, you are welcome to visit as a guest at any time. If you have any needs, Mirage Palace will do everything in its power to fulfill them. Today, Mirage Palace owes you a great favor!"