Chapter 4054: The Incident That Led To The Fall Of Lightless Hall

The Grand Elder’s mouth twitched upon hearing Zhenyu’s words. "Senior..."

"What? Am I wrong?" Zhenyu asked.

The old man sighed. "My grandfather was never implicated in the crimes that led to the Hall’s destruction."

"Good for him." Zhenyu paused before adding, "Though joining an organization shortly before it gets destroyed is rather unfortunate timing."

The Clarity Peak Head lowered her gaze, seemingly suppressing a reaction.

The Grand Elder continued, "My grandfather had inherited certain connections from his father, who had also studied under the Great Ancestor. Through those relationships, he eventually became associated with the surviving members of the Hopeful Star Pavilion."

"And that led him to the Lightless Hall?"

"Yes. By that point, the two organizations had developed several overlapping relationships."

Zhenyu nodded slowly. "Now we’re getting somewhere."

The Grand Elder’s expression became more solemn. "However, the true downfall of the Lightless Hall began with the death of a single disciple."

Zhenyu raised an eyebrow. "A disciple?"

"Yes. His name was Wen Wu." The Grand Elder stated.

Lin Mu searched his memories as the name seemed familiar. He had encountered it in the historical records concerning the Core Court, though the information had been relatively limited.

Wen Wu had been an exceptionally talented Core Disciple who perished during an excursion outside the sect.

The Grand Elder continued, "Wen Wu was among the most promising disciples of his generation. His cultivation aptitude was extraordinary, his temperament was considered excellent, and he had accumulated considerable merit through his contributions to the sect."

Zhenyu stroked his beard. "Sounds like a promising youngster."

"He was much more than that, Senior. Wen Wu had already been selected for grooming as the next Patriarch."

Zhenyu’s expression changed slightly. "The next Patriarch?"

"Indeed."

The selection of a Patriarch was an extremely important matter for any major sect.

Different organizations employed different methods. Some followed strict bloodline succession, ensuring that leadership remained within a particular family. Others relied upon the influence of powerful factions, while certain sects selected their leaders through competitions or direct appointments.

The Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect primarily relied upon merit. Cultivation talent, aptitude, temperament, leadership ability, and contributions to the sect were all considered. If a particularly promising disciple emerged, the sect might begin grooming them for leadership long before the current Patriarch retired. And Wen Wu had been one such individual.

"In fact," the Grand Elder continued, "his succession was considered almost certain. The Patriarch of that generation personally supervised much of his development and treated him with exceptional favor."

"Then what happened?" Zhenyu asked.

"He died." The Grand Elder’s voice grew heavier.

"Wen Wu had left the sect on what was supposed to be an ordinary excursion. During that journey, he reportedly discovered traces of an ancient inheritance ground. Believing that it might contain valuable opportunities, he decided to investigate."

Zhenyu frowned. "Alone?"

"According to the initial reports, yes." The Grand Elder replied.

"And he never returned?" Zhenyu’s frown deepened.

The Grand Elder shook his head. "The inheritance ground disappeared shortly afterward. When the sect sent people to investigate, they could find neither the entrance, nor any trace of Wen Wu."

Lin Mu recalled reading something similar. The records had described Wen Wu’s death as a tragic accident resulting from an unstable inheritance realm. At the time, there had been little reason to doubt the explanation.

"His disappearance devastated the Patriarch," the Grand Elder continued. "By then, he had come to regard Wen Wu almost as his own son. He personally ordered several investigations, but none produced useful results."

The old man paused. "For several years, the matter remained unresolved."

Zhenyu narrowed his eyes. "Several years?"

"Yes. Then a group of independent cultivators discovered the inheritance ground again." The Grand Elder suddenly said and Lin Mu’s attention sharpened.

The Grand Elder continued, "They entered the place and found the remains of a cultivator. Alongside the skeleton were several personal belongings, including an identity token bearing the mark of the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect."

"Wen Wu."

"Indeed." The Grand Elder nodded. "The cultivators contacted the sect, hoping to receive a reward for returning the remains of one of our disciples. What they found, however, was far more important than the body itself."

Zhenyu leaned forward slightly. "What was it?"

"A record." The Grand Elder’s eyes grew distant. "Wen Wu had survived long enough to document what happened to him. He recorded the circumstances of his arrival, the events that followed, and the identities of those responsible for his death."

Lin Mu felt his thoughts accelerate. ’So it was murder.’

The Grand Elder continued in a grave voice.

"Wen Wu stated that he had made a terrible mistake by trusting certain individuals associated with the Hopeful Star Pavilion. They had informed him about the inheritance ground and encouraged him to investigate it."

Zhenyu’s expression hardened. "And they were waiting for him?"

"Yes." The Grand Elder nodded. "He was ambushed inside the inheritance ground. The attackers had prepared formations to suppress his cultivation and prevent his escape. Although Wen Wu fought desperately, he was eventually overwhelmed."

The Clarity Peak Head lowered her gaze. "Wen Wu recognized several of his attackers," she added quietly. "He recorded their names before his death."

Zhenyu’s eyes narrowed. "Then the culprits were known."

"Indeed," the Grand Elder answered. "When the records were returned to the sect, the Patriarch was utterly furious."

The old man’s voice grew increasingly solemn. "The Patriarch had already suffered greatly from Wen Wu’s death. Discovering that the disciple he had raised and trusted had been deliberately murdered by members of his own sect nearly drove him into forming a Heart Demon."

Zhenyu gave a low grunt. "Understandable."

"The Patriarch immediately ordered the named individuals to be apprehended. When the investigation began, it was discovered that the attackers belonged to the Lightless Hall." The Grand elder revealed.

Lin Mu’s eyes sharpened as the connection had finally become clear.

"Let me guess," Zhenyu said. "They claimed they were following orders."

The Grand Elder looked surprised. "Senior is correct."

Zhenyu snorted. "Of course."

The Grand Elder continued, "The captured members stated that they had been informed Wen Wu was secretly working for an unorthodox power. According to their superiors, he had been planted within the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect to eventually seize the Patriarch’s position and undermine the sect from within."