Zhu Qingcheng's cold, pure fingertip finally touched the center of Ye Fan's brow.
In that instant, Ye Fan felt an indescribable, soul-freezing chill violently invade his sea of consciousness!
He grunted in pain, his body trembling violently, his face instantly turning as pale as paper, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
The agony of the Soul Search Art far surpassed any physical torture—it was a cruel punishment inflicted directly upon the very origin of the soul.
The great hall fell into deathly silence. Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked on Zhu Qingcheng and Ye Fan.
Qin Ao sat upon the Dragon Throne, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, unwilling to miss a single detail. Zhan Wuji and the others watched coldly, some with anticipation, others with scrutiny.
Deep within Zhu Qingcheng's vacant eyes, countless faint streams of light flashed rapidly—the torrent of Ye Fan's memories was being forcibly rifled through, parsed, and displayed by her.
The first images to surface were from when Ye Fan first descended upon the Spirit Realm—a meteor crashing to earth, the scorched crater behind the Ye family estate, him regarded as a jinx and subjected to endless scorn and humiliation.
These memory fragments played like fast-forwarded footage, flashing by in a blur.
The onlookers watched with indifference, having little interest in these "childhood misfortunes," treating them as nothing more than the backstory of a traitor.
Ye Fan's soul suffered in agony, but what terrified him even more was a different kind of tension—he had bet correctly!
Zhu Qingcheng had indeed not touched the deepest core of his soul, the memories concerning the "upper realm chess game" and his "reincarnation mission." That part had been shielded by a higher-order rule, or perhaps a tacit understanding.
However, a string in his heart remained pulled taut to the absolute limit!
Because he still harbored a secret that could never see the light of day—a memory from several years before he had joined the Holy Dynasty!
That memory had nothing to do with the core of the chess game, but if uncovered, it would be enough to condemn him to eternal damnation! He desperately prayed that this memory would be quickly skimmed over.
Fortunately, everyone's attention was focused on the recent event of the "poisoning."
Zhu Qingcheng's Soul Search seemed to follow some principle of efficiency. For memories that were old and had little bearing on the current accusation, her browsing speed was extremely fast.
He didn't even know if it was his imagination, but he could sense that when approaching that particular memory, Zhu Qingcheng seemed to accelerate even further.
The secret from years ago that made Ye Fan's heart race was like a fallen leaf caught in a rushing current, instantly swept past by the tumbling flood of memories without attracting anyone's notice.
The biggest stone in Ye Fan's heart finally crashed to the ground! The immense relief even temporarily overwhelmed the pain of his soul being torn apart.
The flow of memories began to change. Time advanced to the point where Ye Fan decided to "abandon darkness for light," actively making contact with the Holy Dynasty's forces, until he was finally brought before Qin Ao.
From that moment on, Zhu Qingcheng clearly slowed the "playback" speed.
Scene after scene began to clearly present itself before everyone's "eyes":
How Ye Fan had navigated the Holy Dynasty with extreme caution, gradually revealing his talents.
How he had proposed the astonishing strategy of "turning evil into righteousness," arguing his case in the face of skepticism and hostility.
How he had exhausted himself body and soul, assisting Qin Ao in enacting one harsh but effective law after another.
How he had personally supervised the execution grounds, ruthlessly putting former demonic-path comrades to death, even at the cost of countless curses and assassination threats.
How he had devised strategies for Qin Ao in both domestic and foreign affairs, consolidating rule and suppressing the overly bloated power of the Ten Divine Sons.
How he had handled state affairs alone on countless late nights, working until he collapsed at his desk.
When facing Qin Ao, the reverence and filial devotion that came from the bottom of his heart, and the caution and loyalty in every piece of advice he offered...
Even including what had just happened outside the hall—he had been ambushed by Zhan Wuji and nearly killed, yet he hadn't uttered a single complaint to Qin Ao...
The memory's imagery was clear and coherent, the emotions genuine.
Ye Fan's actions after joining the Holy Dynasty could practically be called the "model subject of the Holy Dynasty," the perfect practitioner of "imperial mind games." His loyalty to Qin Ao was so absolute that calling him the most perfect lapdog wouldn't be an exaggeration!
There wasn't the slightest trace of resentment toward Qin Ao, nor any hint of anything related to the "poisoning"!
"How... how is this possible?!" Ling Guzi was the first to cry out in shock, his face filled with disbelief!
He had supreme confidence in his own diagnosis. Qin Ao was definitely poisoned with "Life-Sapping Powder," and the poisoner had to be someone close to him! Ye Fan was the most likely candidate!
Yet this Soul Search result... was as clean as a blank slate?!
If it wasn't Ye Fan, then who could it be?!
Ling Guzi's suspicious gaze instinctively swept toward the other Divine Sons beside him.
Could it be... that among his companions from the upper realm, there was actually a traitor? Someone who had secretly defected to the opposing chess player and executed this crippling scheme?
But the moment this thought arose, he almost laughed out loud himself.
How could that be possible?!
An upper realm Immortal Venerable, abandoning a guaranteed winning game, forsaking the future victorious side, to throw in with a down-and-out lower realm Immortal Venerable trapped in a corner? What would be the point? Had they lost their minds?
But if there was no mole, then where did the poison come from? Qin Ao's lifespan depletion was real!
Ling Guzi knitted his brow, thinking hard. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him!
Of course! How could he have forgotten that man!
The opposing player's opening move—Chen Chang'an!
This Spirit Realm had long been under his control! Although he was now restricted by the rules and couldn't directly intervene, planting a few extremely hidden sleeper agents before the game even began—wouldn't that have been effortless?
Perhaps an apparently insignificant servant, perhaps a strange poison that wouldn't activate for decades, perhaps through some unknown channel... For a chess player of that caliber, achieving this was not impossible!
Having figured this out, Ling Guzi suddenly felt a sense of clarity, along with a chill.
The opposing player was indeed no easy opponent! Even when appearing to be at the end of their rope, they still harbored such a vicious hidden card!
He looked again at Ye Fan, who was curled up in agony on the floor, his eyes becoming complicated.
The disgust and contempt had diminished considerably, replaced by a grudging "admiration."
This traitor... though his character was low and despicable, his acting skills, his scheming, and his crystal-clear understanding of his own position were all at the pinnacle!
He had perfectly played the role of a "solitary loyal" subject, even enduring the agony of a Soul Search to prove his innocence. Everything he had done had indeed greatly accelerated the upper realm's path to victory—he had earned his merits many times over.
"Perhaps... once this realm's affairs are concluded and he's entered on the Deification Registry, I could advocate for him and secure a better divine position? Even give him a nominal Heavenly Emperor sinecure as a display of favor, so future generations can see that serving our upper realm will never go unrewarded?" Ling Guzi mused inwardly.
At this moment, Qin Ao upon the Dragon Throne had tears in his tiger eyes, his heart surging with emotion!
What the Soul Search revealed could not be faked! Ye Fan's memories, especially those subtle emotional fluctuations, were impossible to disguise!
Ye Fan's loyalty to him was so steadfast, so painstaking! For the sake of Qin Ao's empire, he had endured such enormous pressure and condemnation!
This reminded him of Earth before his transmigration—where he had been betrayed by the woman he loved most and the subordinate he trusted most! That searing pain of betrayal was a shadow that two lifetimes couldn't erase!
And now, heaven had treated him well!
It had actually granted him such a perfect, such a loyal "son" and subject!
By comparison, the so-called "Life-Sapping Powder" poison seemed far less important.
Overwhelming emotion and relief washed through Qin Ao's heart, making him almost forget his physical weakness.
He looked at Ye Fan on the ground, writhing from the Soul Search, his soul aura visibly withered, and his heart filled with guilt and tenderness.
Zhu Qingcheng slowly withdrew her finger, the pure white light dissipating. She still wore that ice-cold, expressionless look, as if she had just done something utterly trivial.
She turned to Qin Ao and spoke calmly: "The Soul Search is complete. Ye Fan's memories contain nothing related to the poisoning. His loyalty to Your Majesty is also without falsehood."
With those words, she gave a slight nod and retreated back into the ranks of the Divine Sons, as if everything had nothing to do with her.
Ye Fan collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his eyes unfocused, as if he had just returned from the gates of hell.
Qin Ao abruptly rose from the Dragon Throne. Though his figure swayed slightly, his aura was more impassioned than ever before.
He strode over to Ye Fan and personally helped him up, his voice trembling with uncontrollable emotion:
"Fan'er! My good imperial son! Your imperial father wronged you!
To make you suffer such torment!"
He gripped Ye Fan's arm tightly, his gaze sweeping across all the civil and military officials and the Ten Divine Sons, his voice rising sharply, filled with unquestionable resolve and imperial authority:
"Pass down my imperial decree! Ye Fan's loyalty is without equal, witnessed by heaven and earth! All previous suspicions are completely cleared!
I, with my golden word, hereby formally appoint Ye Fan as Crown Prince of the Holy Dynasty, heir to the nation! To treat the Crown Prince with disrespect is to commit treason!"
The resounding voice echoed through the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, declaring that this heart-stopping crisis had concluded in a manner no one could have predicted.
Ye Fan, this betrayer who walked upon the edge of a blade, relying on an earth-shattering gamble and the tacit cooperation of his "teammates," had not only cleared himself of suspicion but had taken a step further, truly reaching the core of supreme power.
...
Soon after, Qin Ao and Ye Fan departed one after the other.
Inside the hall, the Ten Divine Sons remained standing in place, the atmosphere sinking into silence.
It was Zhan Wuji who broke the silence first.
"I still think there's something wrong with Ye Fan! Soul Search can reveal memories, but it's not infallible! That loyal dog act of his was so over the top it made me sick!"
Zhu Qingcheng slowly turned her head, her vacant, indifferent eyes fixing on Zhan Wuji: "Zhan Wuji, are you doubting me... of showing favoritism? Or are you doubting that my Soul Search Art is inadequately cultivated?"
Doubting Zhu Qingcheng's fairness was essentially questioning the foundation of her Great Dao! For any top-tier cultivator, that was a provocation that could only end in death!
Under normal circumstances, the other Divine Sons might have enjoyed the spectacle, even secretly egging it on.
But the situation now was entirely different.
Before Zhan Wuji could retort, a calm yet unyielding voice spoke up—it was Ling Guzi:
"Wuji, enough." Ling Guzi frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure on his face. "Immortal Venerable Qingcheng performed the Soul Search through the Emotionless Dao—her impartiality is beyond question. The Soul Search results clearly show that Ye Fan had nothing to do with this matter.
By saying this, aren't you just questioning Qingcheng, and more importantly, questioning His Majesty's final decision?"
He paused, his tone turning stern, his gaze sweeping over Zhan Wuji with a cautionary edge: "We face a powerful enemy, the Spirit Realm is not yet stable, and the southern remnants have not been eliminated! Now is precisely the time when talent is needed. Though Ye Fan has a checkered past, his abilities and 'loyalty' are genuinely beneficial to our ultimate victory!
You repeatedly want him eliminated over personal grievances—is that acting for the greater good?"
Then, the usually easygoing Han Junru also sighed and spoke up: "Brother Zhan, Fellow Daoist Ling Guzi speaks the truth. Though Ye Fan's origins are disgraceful, his strategy of 'turning evil into righteousness' has been remarkably effective at stabilizing the Spirit Realm and winning over the people.
Now that he has proven his 'innocence' and earned His Majesty's trust, even if we don't like him, we should prioritize the bigger picture. Set aside personal grievances for now. Or do you truly want to push the Holy Dynasty to internal fracture and let Xiao Chen in the Yunmeng Marshes laugh at us?"
Two Divine Sons in succession—and not ones who were particularly close, Ling Guzi and Han Junru—had actually spoken up to defend Ye Fan, directly accusing Zhan Wuji of disregarding the bigger picture and fixating on personal grudges. This turn of events was completely beyond Zhan Wuji's expectations.
His face alternated between flushes of red and white, his chest heaving violently. He felt as if he'd been reduced to an isolated, rebuked brute.
An overwhelming sense of humiliation and fury nearly shattered his reason.
He wanted to argue back, but looking at Ling Guzi's profound gaze and Han Junru's seemingly conciliatory but actually firm attitude, then at Zhu Qingcheng's frozen profile and the other Divine Sons' expressions ranging from indifference to contemplation, he knew that pressing the argument today would only bring further disgrace.
"Fine! Very well!" Zhan Wuji laughed in fury, his gaze dark and venomous sweeping over Ling Guzi and Han Junru, before glaring fiercely at Zhu Qingcheng. "Each and every one of you is so righteous!
So concerned with the greater good! I just hope that in the future, you won't be bitten by this venomous snake!"
With that, unable to bear the stifling atmosphere any longer, he gave a violent flick of his sleeve, let out a heavy cold snort, and strode toward the hall's exit.
The heavy doors opened and closed once more, and Zhan Wuji's figure disappeared into the blinding light outside.
Inside the hall, the remaining nine Divine Sons stood in silence. The atmosphere didn't ease with his departure—if anything, it grew more inscrutable and complicated.
An invisible fissure had already formed.
...
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