Perhaps it was because Li Ye was unusually cooperative, his expression calm and composed.
Or maybe the three law enforcement disciples had already been briefed beforehand.
They merely surrounded him cautiously as they escorted him to the Disciplinary Hall, rather than shackling him with restraints like a criminal.
Along the way, many more law enforcement disciples could be seen patrolling or escorting individuals some familiar, some unfamiliar to Li Ye toward the Disciplinary Hall as well.
Among the guards, the occasional silhouette of Foundation Establishment elders could be glimpsed!
Other than that, not a single ordinary disciple was seen wandering outside.
With the sect's grand formation fully activated, the entire Purple Profound Sect was essentially under full lockdown heavily fortified and on high alert, with an atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
Seeing this, Li Ye couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
If the Patriarch hadn't been injured, would such drastic measures have been necessary?
This was nearly the level of preparation one would make to fend off a full-blown invasion!
And the timing couldn't have been worse.
His few plots of Blood Grain Rice were just about ready, and the reward feedback was nearly within reach!
Though the current trouble didn't seem too serious, he should still be able to harvest the upcoming experience reward.
But after that... who could say?
Li Ye could only hope the situation would remain stable long enough for those plots of Blood Grain Rice to mature and be harvested.
He was counting on the massive spiritual feedback from that crop to help him break through to the second level of Elephant Armor Strength!
Once his body cultivation advanced further and his combat strength improved, he'd be in a much better position to handle any ensuing chaos.
As his thoughts drifted, the group soon arrived at the Disciplinary Hall.
The palace here was grand and solemn in design, exuding an air of harsh authority. Disciples bustled about with cold, expressionless faces. Just approaching the place gave Li Ye a sense of oppressive cold and majesty.
He even felt a faint, tingling sting on his skin, as if his very soul was being suppressed.
Still, aside from a slight paleness, he remained composed outwardly.
Even the three disciples escorting him were a little surprised thinking that this man either had hidden depths or truly had a clear conscience.
Otherwise, there was no way he could remain calm under such pressure!
Inside the hall, the solemn and frigid atmosphere only grew stronger. Li Ye was led directly to the main chamber.
There, he saw a pale-faced, clean-shaven elder dressed in black robes. His aura was chilling, his gaze sharp as a blade. He sat high upon the dais a Foundation Establishment elder.
On both sides, disciples of the law stood in strict formation, their presence blending seamlessly with the icy tone of the hall, amplifying the feeling of unyielding authority.
At the center of the hall, a few disciples were kneeling with restraints on, heads bowed to the ground.
Among them none other than Li Zongyin!
His hair was disheveled, his robes tattered, and his expression blank and numb. He looked seriously injured and had the air of a convicted criminal.
As someone closely associated with Cai Siwei, he had been one of the first to be arrested!
"Reporting to Elder, Li Ye has been brought in!"
The three disciples announced loudly, leading Li Ye into the hall.
Suddenly, Li Zongyin raised his head, his face contorting with desperation and rage as he shouted,
"It was him! It was Li Ye who introduced me to that traitor Cai Siwei back then!"
"From the moment he joined the sect, he became part of Cai Siwei's inner circle. They were deeply connected... He's the real accomplice here I was framed, Elder!"
Li Zongyin was completely desperate and on the verge of madness.
His gaze toward Li Ye was that of someone grasping at the last straw, and he struggled as if trying to lunge toward him.
Li Ye watched calmly but sneered inwardly.
What gave this guy the illusion that someone I threw under the bus could now drag me down with him?
"Silence!"
The pale-faced elder gave a cold snort, and immediately a wave of spiritual force descended, sealing Li Zongyin's mouth and pinning him firmly in place.
After multiple interrogations and the application of various harsh methods, the elder had already concluded that these disciples who had followed Cai Siwei knew nothing of his true plans. They were merely pawns being used.
But the Patriarch's fury demanded that anyone closely associated with Cai Siwei must be implicated no exceptions.
Still, compared to the rest of these low-level lackeys, Li Ye... was a different case.
The white-faced elder maintained his cold expression as he looked at the calm and composed Li Ye, and asked in a flat tone:
"Li Ye, this man is of your clan. He claims that it was you who introduced him to Cai Siwei. Is there any truth to this?"
Though his voice was calm, it was like steel needles piercing Li Ye's soul, making him instinctively aware that he couldn't afford even a trace of falsehood.
A pained expression flashed across Li Ye's face, but he didn't dare delay. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Disciple Li Ye pays respects to the Enforcement Elder!"
From his demeanor, the elder began to harbor some subtle suspicions.
Suppressing the pain caused by the elder's secret pressure technique, Li Ye spoke calmly and frankly.
"What he said is true but it was nothing more than a transaction!"
He proceeded to explain in full detail how he had distanced himself from Cai Siwei's group after being seriously injured, how rumors spread when Cai Siwei tried to draw him back in later, and how, due to financial hardship, he eventually made a deal with the Li family's third branch when they approached him for connections.
"…After that, I had no further contact with Cai Siwei. As for this clan member, I only happened to run into him once at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the marketplace. He did try to convince me to rejoin Cai Siwei, but I refused him outright."
"I usually spend my time in the fields, focused on cultivation. I rarely socialize and only have a few fellow spirit farmers as friends. I had no involvement in Cai Siwei's schemes…"
"Everything I've said is true without a single word of deception or omission. I'm willing to swear an oath upon my heart-demon. There are also numerous spirit farmer disciples and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion manager who can testify. I ask the elder to see the truth!"
This thorough explanation laid out the full context of events and his past connection with Cai Siwei with clarity and honesty. He even listed multiple potential witnesses.
His account was factual and straightforward, not only establishing his innocence but also highlighting how deeply involved Li Zongyin had been with Cai Siwei, serving him eagerly and forging close ties.
As each word sank in, Li Zongyin, though unable to move, locked his eyes on Li Ye with a deadly gaze.
Especially when Li Ye mentioned rejecting his attempt to recruit him back to Cai Siwei's side, Li Zongyin's eyes flickered with rage and madness, his expression like that of a beast ready to tear flesh.
Yet no matter how hard he struggled, he remained pinned by the elder's suppression. Slowly, the frenzy on his face gave way to despair…
It was too much!
He had done too many things to please Cai Siwei gained too many benefits, and offended too many people. His ties to Cai Siwei could not be erased, and those waiting to strike him while he was down would only increase.
Li Ye was just one of them.
But now, it was Li Ye who was stepping on him to preserve his safety!
Li Ye was just a lowly, untalented mud-stomper who only knew how to farm spirit plants…
And he? He was the Li clan's Foundation Establishment seed their great hope, the next possible elder who could lead the clan to new heights!
So why was he now being used as Li Ye's stepping stone?!
Li Ye…
I hate you!
While Li Zongyin burned with hatred below, nearly driven mad, the white-faced elder simply responded after hearing Li Ye's statement:
"No need to bring in witnesses. What you've said matches the evidence I have on hand exactly even the finer details are consistent. You have not lied…"
"With Ji Qing's testimony on your behalf, you may leave."
"Thank you, Elder!"
Li Ye gave a deep bow, cast a glance at the furious Li Zongyin on the floor, and then turned to walk calmly out of the grand hall.
Ji Qing gave testimony on his behalf…
Did that mean an elder had personally vouched for him?
Since when did Li Ye gain such backing?
Li Zongyin's hatred was now tinged with confusion.
Only now, on this very day, did he realize that the clan brother he once dismissed as nothing but a dirt-covered farmer…
While he had been basking in the benefits of clinging to Cai Siwei's coattails
Li Ye's achievements had already far surpassed his imagination.
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