Chapter 396: Speculation

"Very likely."

Ye Qingxue nodded, "Otherwise, the behavior of Qi Delong and Yang Liu cannot be explained."

"Moreover, Elder Song has been away from the sect for a year now, and still hasn't returned..."

Lin Xian'er frowned deeply, "That shouldn't be, right? After all, Elder Song is a Cultivator on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage. Once she breaks through, she can immediately become a top combat force for the sect; her importance to the sect is self-evident."

"If she had fallen, how could the sect not have reacted at all?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingxue's brows also furrowed tightly.

This point.

She also found it difficult to understand.

"I think you have absolutely no need to worry."

Just then, a cautious, aged voice suddenly drifted over.

Hearing this voice, Lin Xian'er looked up at the aged figure and sneered, "What could a piece of trash like you, at the mere Qi Condensation stage, possibly know?"

Qi Condensation cultivation, with one's lifespan nearing its end.

These two keywords made her think of a certain bastard.

At the mere thought of that bastard.

That unbearable past welled up in her heart.

Her mood instantly soured.

"Senior Sister Xian Er, that is not the case."

"Since Fu Qin wants to speak, we might as well let him say his piece; perhaps he can provide us with some inspiration."

Ye Qingxue smiled.

Hearing Ye Qingxue's words, the coldness on Lin Xian'er's face dissipated slightly.

After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and looked at Wang Jianqiang, "Fu Qin, what are your thoughts? Speak."

"Sigh~ Alright~"

Wang Jianqiang replied.

Lin Xian'er:...

Wang Jianqiang paused, gave a dry cough, and continued, "I think that if Elder Song is truly as important to the sect as you imagine, the sect would certainly not let her take any risks. Your worries are completely unnecessary."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Lin Xian'er and Ye Qingxue shifted simultaneously.

One year ago.

Elder Song suddenly received a mission.

A Spirit Mineral mine belonging to Xuanqing Palace had been attacked by demonic beasts, and reinforcements were needed.

Before executing the mission, Elder Song had met with them.

They had also learned from Elder Song that among the demonic beasts attacking the mine, the strongest was only at the Golden Core Late Stage.

For Elder Song, there was no danger at all.

Originally, that was what they had thought.

But looking at it now, if the mission were truly that simple, why would Elder Song have delayed completing it for so long?

"What, could the sect have sent Elder Song on a dangerous mission? No need to worry; if Elder Song is so important to the sect, the sect would have surely dispatched experts to investigate long ago."

As Wang Jianqiang's words drifted out again.

The worry on the faces of Lin Xian'er and Ye Qingxue instantly grew a few shades deeper.

Investigate?

Elder Song had already been away from the sect for a year.

There had been no news at all for a year.

Thinking about it now, the sect had actually taken no action whatsoever!

This was very wrong.

"It can't be, right?" Wang Jianqiang looked at the two women in surprise, "The sect wouldn't have taken no action at all after learning that Elder Song had failed to return from her mission, would they? If that's the case, there is only one possibility."

"And that is that Elder Song's importance to the sect is far less than you imagine."

A mocking smile flashed across Lin Xian'er's face, and she shook her head, "Your theory simply doesn't hold up."

"Elder Song is, after all, a sect Elder. Even if an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple went missing, the sect wouldn't ignore it like this, let alone the disappearance of a genius Elder?"

"That's true too." Wang Jianqiang smiled, "So, I guess she must have offended some high-ranking person, or rather, someone in a position of power wanted her dead."

"Heh, ridiculous." Lin Xian'er gave a mocking laugh, "Elder Song's master is a Supreme Elder at the Nascent Soul Stage. Even if she really had offended some high-ranking person, the other party would absolutely be unable to suppress this matter."

"That's true too." Wang Jianqiang nodded, "Then is it possible that Elder Song's master also met with danger?"

"Impossible. How precious are Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators to the sect? The fall of one is a huge loss. The sect's higher-ups would never do something that harms the sect's interests, such as murdering a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator."

"The strength of Xuanqing Palace being sufficient is the greatest interest of all the higher-ups." Lin Xian'er continued to shake her head.

"What if I said that Xuanqing Palace is not lacking one or two Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators?" Wang Jianqiang continued.

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingxue's expression was one of shock, and she couldn't help but glance at Wang Jianqiang.

She knew Wang Jianqiang's identity.

Based on her understanding of Wang Jianqiang.

Since Wang Jianqiang could say such a thing, he likely already knew some secrets.

At the same time.

After hearing Wang Jianqiang's speculation, the mocking look on Lin Xian'er's face instantly became even more intense, "Ridiculous. You, a piece of trash at the Qi Condensation stage whose lifespan is nearing its end, how could you possibly understand the power of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator?"

"Looking across the Four Great Powers of the Northern Territory, who would dare say they aren't lacking one or two Nascent Soul Cultivators?"

Hearing Lin Xian'er's rebuke, Wang Jianqiang only smiled and did not continue speaking.

They seem unaware that Xuanqing Palace is secretly colluding with a mysterious force and has been amassing a large number of powerful experts.

It seems that at least an Elder at the Golden Core Stage would need to know something about this.

As for the details.

Even the Heaven Pavilion Elder is not very clear about them.

I fear only the Xuanqing Palace Master and the envoy of that mysterious force could know.

"Qi Delong has already gone to notify Ruan Yuansheng; once they arrive, what should we do?" Just then, Ye Qingxue suddenly said to Lin Xian'er.

Lin Xian'er's expression was a tangle of conflict, "That Ruan Yuansheng is a beast; since he has already set his sights on us, he will certainly not give up easily."

"But his background is extraordinary, and we cannot kill him..."

Hearing this, Ye Qingxue shook her head, "I, however, think we should kill him."

Hearing Ye Qingxue's words, Lin Xian'er's expression was one of shock, "Are you crazy? If we kill Ruan Yuansheng and the sect discovers it, we are dead."

Ye Qingxue shook her head, "As you said, Ruan Yuansheng has a deep background; we will likely find it very difficult to resist his next move."

"If we do not kill him, we will surely fall into his hands."

"Unless you want to be with him, killing him is the only way out."

Lin Xian'er's expression flickered between light and shadow.

A moment later.

She looked at Ye Qingxue, "Qi Delong and Ruan Yuansheng are both at Foundation Establishment Perfection; even if we catch them by surprise, it will likely be very difficult to kill them."

"Not to mention that Yang Liu, who is at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, is also following them..."

"Do you have a plan?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingxue did not speak, but instead looked at the old man behind her.

Seeing this, Lin Xian'er finally realized.

There was a third person among them!

"Qing Xue, the plan between us is of great importance; the fewer people who know, the safer it is. This person..."

Lin Xian'er stared at Wang Jianqiang, killing intent flickering in her eyes.

Ye Qingxue shook her head, "Fu Qin can be trusted."

"Are you that certain?" Lin Xian'er was somewhat puzzled.

Ye Qingxue smiled, "Because he was a friend of one of my elders before I joined Xuanqing Palace; otherwise, why would he risk reporting the news when he heard Yang Liu and Qi Delong were plotting against you and me?"

"So that's how it is."

Hearing Ye Qingxue's words, Lin Xian'er suddenly understood.

But her furrowed brows still did not completely relax.

Seeming to sense the lingering worry in Lin Xian'er's heart, Ye Qingxue said, "Senior Sister Xian Er, you actually need not worry; if we want to kill the three of them—Qi Delong, Ruan Yuansheng, and Yang Liu—we must rely on Fu Qin's help."

Lin Xian'er was stunned for a moment.

Qi Delong, Ruan Yuansheng, and Yang Liu are all Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage; what help could a Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivator with exhausted potential possibly provide?