Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 240 - 85: Scapegoat (Part 2)

But this woman is also in the council chamber, and anyone left could potentially pose a problem—so it might be better to not choose anyone, which would be more prudent.

"Hmm..."

True Yang Ancestor pondered for a while, then went to discuss this matter with Three Mountains Ancestor and Dugu Tianyi.

The three Golden Core Ancestors were not comparable to ordinary people, and in just a few words, they clarified the pros and cons, preliminarily settling the matter:

First, select the least experienced manager from Celestial Treasure Tower to refine the array core and first open the council chamber doors;

Second, the three families sit together for negotiation; if worst comes to worst, divide array authority equally, each holding a part, and wait until the Five Elements Secret Realm reopens to decide further.

Soon:

The people from Lingyang Sect, Shanhe sect, and Dugu Family departed, leaving behind a sea of blood.

Many Foundation Establishment masters either returned to their sects or went to various places to guard; only a few high-level managers followed the three Golden Core Ancestors to Qian Province.

......

Several hours later.

Celestial Treasure Tower Headquarters, the three hundred and fifty-first floor.

True Yang Ancestor, Three Mountains Ancestor, and Dugu Tianyi arrived in person, surrounded by dozens of Foundation Establishment masters.

Right in front of everyone was the tightly sealed council chamber door, shut for half a month, and beside it stood a young Foundation Establishment cultivator in a blue shirt.

"Greetings to the three Ancestors."

The slender, trembling young Foundation Establishment cultivator fearfully bowed to the ground.

"Rise."

True Yang Ancestor appeared indifferent, gesturing:

"Go, open the council chamber door."

"Yes."

The young Foundation Establishment cultivator rose, steadied his mind, stepped forward, cast a spell, accessed the array authority, and opened the door.

"Boom..."

As the array dissipated, the door slowly opened, and dozens of powerful Divine Thoughts instantly burst forth, scanning inside.

"This!"

Everyone's expression changed simultaneously.

Despite being mentally prepared, the scene inside the council chamber caused a sinking feeling in everyone's hearts.

The entire council chamber was empty, without living people, no corpses, not even furnishings like tables and chairs remained, leaving only heaps of gray powder, exuding a deathly silence.

"Let's go in and take a look."

Three Mountains Ancestor remained silent for a moment before speaking first, stepping into the council chamber.

The Golden Core Ancestors led, and many Foundation Establishment cultivators entered in sequence, spreading out in the chamber to search for clues.

After a round of searching, the three Golden Core Ancestors first converged, exchanged investigation opinions, and True Yang Ancestor spoke:

"The person acted very cleanly, almost leaving no clues."

"Right."

Three Mountains Ancestor nodded slightly, supplementing:

"From the traces, many died here, but it's unclear if there are any survivors."

"I've also examined the ashes, which contain traces of the flesh and blood of all present, nothing more, nothing less, but the burning is too complete to trace further."

"From this perspective, it's impossible to determine whether the person who acted is among those attending this meeting."

Over twenty people attended the meeting, yet many have no Life Token or Soul Lamp, their lives are uncertain.

"One thing is certain."

Dugu Tianyi calmly analyzed:

"The person who acted definitely has Celestial Treasure Tower array authority, and with an authority level even higher than our combined channels!"

"First, he cut off the Divine Travel Array, then slaughtered the people here, and finally opened a gap to flee silently through the wall, avoiding all monitoring arrays!"

As he spoke:

A name almost simultaneously surfaced in the minds of Three Mountains Ancestor and True Yang Ancestor—Yu Wen Tai!

Only Yu Wen Tai's authority could potentially exceed their combined level!

And he's extremely familiar with Celestial Treasure Tower, cutting off the Divine Travel Array immediately, and then slaughtered everyone with unmatched skill!

Bear in mind, there were over twenty Foundation Establishment masters here, most of them famed top cultivators, even if suppressed by the array and outnumbered, they wouldn't be easy for ordinary Foundation Establishment masters to handle.

Besides Yu Wen Tai, who else within Da Li Twenty-four provinces possesses such ability?!

"Currently, Yu Wen Tai holds the highest suspicion..."

Three Mountains Ancestor hesitated slightly:

"But is there a possibility that someone else acted?"

"After all, Yu Wen Tai's target should only be to break through Golden Core, no need to risk tearing against us like this."

True Yang Ancestor's expression darkened, coldly snorting:

"How could it be someone else?"

"Even if someone truly killed Yu Wen Tai, they couldn't be so familiar with Celestial Treasure Tower's array to seize authority instantly, opposite manipulation."

"Besides, who could kill him? Even if we act personally, we wouldn't guarantee his demise…"

At this point, he paused, his voice even colder:

"In my view, this is Yu Wen Tai's secret plotting!"

"With Realm Breaker on the brink of success, yet he inexplicably disappears at this critical juncture, already highly suspicious."

"Perhaps, he noticed the discord between our families and Fuhai Sect, purposely disappearing, creating a false appearance, which could trigger internal conflict among us."

Dugu Tianyi frowned, unable to resist saying:

"This is indeed possible, but many points don't make sense."

"If it truly was Yu Wen Tai's doing, then why act during the Celestial Treasure Conference, slaughtered everyone here? What benefit for him?"

"Given his cunning nature, he'd more likely hide until the very end and act only after the Five Elements Secret Realm reopens."

"Besides, even if he ignited the situation, using our hands to eliminate Fuhai Sect, he didn't gain significantly…"

He spoke, deliberated for a moment, then slowly said:

"In my opinion, possibly Yu Wen Tai truly encountered a mishap." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Perhaps a powerful external Golden Core cultivator killed Yu Wen Tai, took his Token, and simultaneously performed a Soul Search."

"This would explain many points, and moreover…"

Three Mountains Ancestor shook his head, rebutting:

"I think it unlikely, especially considering the limited number of Golden Core cultivators in Southwest Land…"

Familiar with Celestial Treasure Tower's array and capable of killing Yu Wen Tai, there couldn't be many replacements.

After some arguments, the three weren't unified in opinion either.

But generally, they locked suspicion onto Yu Wen Tai or possibly a hidden Golden Core cultivator.

This sparked vigilance and caution in True Yang Ancestor and others, deciding to rotate stationed Celestial Treasure Tower, strictly guarding the Realm Breaker in the coming time.

......

Thunder Continent, in a deep valley.

"Huff, huff..."

Peng Yue Xian collapsed on the ground, hair disheveled, gasping heavily.

His clothes were tattered, stained with blood, his face was somewhat pale, looking extremely haggard.

"It's all over now..."

Reflecting on his experiences over the past half month still filled him with fear.

Half a month ago, just the second day after Lord Qingxu left, the Cangjiang Water Mansion faced a massive siege, with over thirty Foundation Establishment masters attacking together.

The only fortunate news was that the Foundation Establishment masters had no Third grade Secret Treasure, didn't immediately breach the array, giving them time to respond.

Yet thirty Foundation Establishment masters attacking together, they were clearly defenseless, remaining in the Water Mansion was merely waiting for death.

Thus:

Under Peng Yue Xian's decision, everyone scattered through the Water Mansion's secret paths, critical moments each flying individually.

Peng Yue Xian himself was chased by several Foundation Establishment masters, relying on hidden means and good luck, encountering chaotic Foundation Establishment battles midway to escape by chance.

"Fuhai Sect is likely finished, Lord Haihe, Lord Qingxu, are probably also doomed!"

Peng Yue Xian's mood was terrible, sighing heavily:

"Ah... don't know how others fared, if anyone managed to escape."

"The Fuhai Sect mark on me is likely indelible, even wanting to defect, no one will take me… looks like I can't stay within Da Li Territory any longer."

Peng Yue Xian quickly made a decision to secretly leave Da Li amidst the turmoil, heading east to Dayu Kingdom.

Despite uncertain prospects, better than perishing here.