Chapter 839: Resolving Causal Connections

Seeing Zhang Yiren depart, Fang Xitu and the nine peak masters all breathed a sigh of relief.

If Zhang Yiren had insisted on pestering them to the end today, they would have had no choice but to return to the Profound Cloud Sect to fetch reinforcements.

The ancestors sleeping within the Profound Cloud Sect have little lifespan left; each one is the sect's most precious foundation, and in this Age of Dharma Decline, each one used is one less remaining.

Unless absolutely necessary, Fang Xitu did not want to disturb the old monsters of the Profound Cloud Sect.

"Many thanks to Holy Monk Wuchen for your assistance. My Profound Cloud Sect owes you a favor for this," Fang Xitu said, bowing to the monk Wuchen in gratitude.

"Amitabha."

Monk Wuchen pressed his palms together, his expression serene and sacred.

"There is no need for thanks; this poor monk came here to resolve a causal connection."

Having said this, Monk Wuchen’s gaze fell upon Ye Lin, as if he intended to see right through him.

He spoke with a compassionate smile.

"Benefactor Ye, should this poor monk address you as Ye Lin? Or as Ye Xiehong?"

Ye Lin’s heart tightened, and he hurriedly explained.

"Master Wuchen, what are you talking about? Ye Xiehong was my twin brother; wasn't his body taken back to your Flying Immortal Temple by Fanxin?"

A smile touched the corners of Wuchen’s mouth; he did not press the matter further, but instead shifted the topic.

"On the path of Dao cultivation, the final phase of the Seven Phases of Spirit is called the Heavenly Mandate Realm."

"Cultivators who break through to the Heavenly Mandate Realm are able to barely observe the traces of the operation of the myriad Daos of the heavens; those with exceptional talent can even see the flow of the River of Fate."

"Therefore, cultivators above the Heavenly Mandate Realm can see the traces and imprints carved by the Heavenly Dao upon all living beings. We call these imprints 'Fate Marks'; Fate Marks are unique and indivisible."

"Benefactor Ye, your clone has indeed reached a level where it is difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, but it is a pity that this poor monk examined that corpse, and it bore no Fate Marks."

Monk Wuchen’s tone was very calm, carrying a peace that saw through everything, and those clear eyes seemed to pierce through every secret in the depths of Ye Lin’s heart.

"Without a Fate Mark, one cannot be considered a living being."

"But that is also true; if even a clone had a Fate Mark, it would be too shocking. Creating life out of thin air is something even a Great Emperor cannot do."

Ye Lin’s pupils shrank; in the end, his cultivation realm was too low, and he knew too little about the Longevity Continent, which was why he had revealed a flaw and been caught by this monk Wuchen.

At this moment, even Fang Xitu and the nine peak masters looked at Ye Lin in astonishment, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Because even they had not discovered that Ye Xiehong was merely a clone of Ye Lin.

After all, when a clone is alive, it effectively shares the same Fate Mark as Ye Lin, making it very difficult to see any clues.

It is like how you wouldn't be bored enough to verify if the serial numbers on two hundred-dollar bills are identical, but if a hundred-dollar bill has no serial number at all, that is truly terrifying.

"Ye Lin, you are a ruthless man! You hid deeper than anyone!"

Jun Chuanxiong stared fixedly at Ye Lin, his eyes turning green with rage.

The disciple that the nine of them had worked together to teach had run off to the Joyous Union Sect. What kind of good place could the Joyous Union Sect be? What else could one do there?

Jun Chuanxiong practiced the Haoran Righteousness Sword Art and had lived his whole life in an upright and open manner; to think that in his old age, he had taught a disciple who went to the Joyous Union Sect to indulge in pleasure—this was truly a failure to maintain his integrity in his twilight years!

"Little Jun, why are you being so disrespectful? Call me Dad!" Ye Lin scolded.

Swish!

A magnificent sword glow ignited, and with astonishing killing intent, it slashed directly toward Ye Lin. Jun Chuanxiong truly could not endure it anymore; he feared that if he didn't strike now, he would suffer internal injuries from Ye Lin’s provocation.

Fortunately, Man Yin and Situ Qi joined forces to hold him back and began to persuade him.

"Forget it, forget it, it's not worth it, forget it."

"That's right, we went to such great lengths to protect this kid; if you hack him to death, wouldn't all our hard work be in vain?"

Jun Chuanxiong was red-faced with anger, his long sword waving incessantly.

"Don't stop me! I must hack him to death today! He actually dared to go to a place like the Joyous Union Sect; keeping him alive is just a scourge!"

"What is wrong with my Joyous Union Sect? You speak as if you sanctimonious righteous sects are any better," Xue Bingxiao snorted.

"Demoness, look at my sword! Haoran Righteousness Sword Art!"

Without another word, Jun Chuanxiong broke free from Situ Qi and Man Yin and slashed directly at Xue Bingxiao with a single strike; the unstoppable sword Qi surged toward her.

Just kidding—he was only reluctant to hack Ye Lin; did any random person think they could mock him? Did they think Jun Chuanxiong had a good temper?

Xue Bingxiao did not expect Jun Chuanxiong to strike without warning; she hurriedly condensed countless threads of emotion to weave before her, barely blocking the sword.

Seeing that Jun Chuanxiong was about to strike again and the other peak masters were also eager to join in, the scene was about to descend into chaos, so Monk Wuchen hurriedly spoke.

"Amitabha, benefactors, please do not be impulsive. Could you wait for this poor monk to finish resolving the causal connection with Benefactor Ye?"

Jun Chuanxiong and the others snorted a few times before finally stopping.

"After Monk Wuchen leaves, I will hack you to death, you demoness who brings disaster to the world!"

In Jun Chuanxiong’s view, Ye Lin going to a place like the Joyous Union Sect must have been due to the seduction of the demoness from that sect.

After all, young people have vigorous blood; it is normal to lose one's reason when seduced by those demonesses. Everyone has a youth.

Monk Wuchen extended a slender palm toward Ye Lin.

"Whether you are Ye Lin or Ye Xiehong, this poor monk does not care. What this poor monk cares about is, where is Fanxin’s IOU?"

"Right here."

Ye Lin very obediently handed over the IOU; he didn't even mention the principal, let alone the interest.

Ye Lin had no other merits, but he was exceptionally good at reading the situation.

Monk Wuchen glanced at the contents of the IOU, and even with his status, the corners of his mouth could not help but twitch slightly.

It was a good thing that he, as her master, had lowered his face to come forward personally; otherwise, Fanxin would probably never have been able to pay off this IOU in her entire life. That little girl had suffered from a lack of education.

Monk Wuchen looked deeply at Ye Lin; this little fellow, who looked harmless to humans and animals on the surface, was truly darker at heart than anyone else.

"Benefactor Ye, may we speak in private?"

"Certainly."

Ye Lin nodded. If this monk Wuchen wanted to harm him, even if Fang Xitu and the others all joined forces and called Zhang Yiren back, it probably wouldn't be enough to fight Monk Wuchen; there was no need to change locations.

This bald donkey must truly have something he wanted to say to him.

Seeing Ye Lin agree, Monk Wuchen slowly closed his five fingers.

In an instant, the world spun, and the space before them shattered like a jigsaw puzzle. When the scene reappeared before Ye Lin’s eyes, he had already arrived at a pavilion atop a high mountain.

Under the pavilion, Monk Wuchen was brewing tea; a faint fragrance of tea drilled into his nostrils, making him feel refreshed.

"Benefactor Ye, please sit."

Monk Wuchen pushed a cup of fragrant tea in front of Ye Lin and asked straight to the point.

"I heard from Fanxin that you have been inquiring about Fanxiu?"