Chapter 84 - 83: Werewolf Without an Insider

Chapter 84: Chapter 83: Werewolf Without an Insider

It made it hard for anyone to believe this organization *didn’t* exist!

But to say they had no influence on the cultivation world?

All their contacts were cultivators. Their influence was so vast they could place people in any sect. How could they possibly be harmless?

Many of the Elders were already casting suspicious glances at the Third Elder.

Sweat poured from the Third Elder. "Sect Leader, this is a frame-up! We’re fellow disciples, brothers of the same sect. You know me! I’ve risked life and limb for our sect. How could I possibly be part of the Wenda Alliance? I’ve never even heard of them!"

Before he could finish, the sound of rushing air came from outside.

A young man flew in, barging inside. He was carrying a Golden Core Stage cultivator, whom he threw to the ground. "Master, I have successfully completed my mission. I’ve captured a member of the Wenda Alliance. He is from Celestial Pine Mountain, and his name is Pan Yun..."

The Sect Leader glanced at Pan Yun. With a wave of his hand, he released the man’s restraints, then enveloped him in the oppressive might of the Unity Stage. "Pan Yun," he asked, "tell us everything you know about the Wenda Alliance."

Pan Yun was merely a Golden Core cultivator. How could he possibly withstand the pressure of a Harmonization Realm expert? He dropped to his knees with a THUD. "Sect Leader, I was just recruited into the Wenda Alliance! I don’t know much about them.

"I only know that they secretly manipulate the cultivation world. Their goal is to gather the world’s geniuses to study the origin of the world and unlock the secrets of Ascension."

At the words "secretly manipulate the cultivation world," the Law Enforcement Hall instantly erupted into a commotion.

Meddling with the order of the Mortal World was one thing, but for them to actually extend their reach into the cultivation world was another.

When they recalled the rich merchant’s claim that the Wenda Alliance could plant its members in any sect, the implications became terrifying!

’Spies planted since childhood, and they aren’t even from the Demon Sect... It would be impossible to find them!’

’The Wenda Alliance has existed for thousands of years. Who knows how many of their people have already infiltrated our sect?’

The Third Elder’s sweat poured down like rain.

One piece of irrefutable evidence after another was piled against him. He suddenly felt that he couldn’t talk his way out of this no matter what he said.

’Who on earth is trying to frame me?’

"Tell us what you know." The Sect Leader frowned, realizing the gravity of the situation. His expression turned exceptionally grim.

’If my disciple hadn’t accidentally heard the Third Elder’s name while traveling and followed the lead to this Wenda Alliance, I would still be completely in the dark!’

"...I only know the Wenda Alliance is secretive and powerful. They have people in every sect." Pan Yun looked like he was about to cry. He had just gotten in with a powerful backer like the Wenda Alliance, but he’d been caught before he could even reap the benefits.

His name was Pan Yun, and the "Yun" in it meant luck. When the Wenda Alliance recruited him, he thought his luck had finally turned. Who knew it would turn out to be such Bad Luck...

"They have people in every sect?" The Sect Leader frowned. "Who do you know of?"

"The members of the Wenda Alliance are a secret. I just joined, so I only know a few people at my level. However, Ji Tianwen said that the Wenda Alliance has been operating for thousands of years, and they even have people in the Three Evil Sects."

Pan Yun said with a mournful face, "Some of them even hold high positions in their sects. That’s why they dare to promise they can place people in any sect."

That one sentence plunged the Law Enforcement Hall into a deathly silence. The Elders exchanged glances, a sense of dread dawning on them. A major crisis was unfolding.

The Third Elder swallowed, moistening his dry throat. His hands and feet felt ice-cold.

’It’s no use. I can’t explain my way out of this!’

’I’m probably just a scapegoat thrown out by the Wenda Alliance! It’s to protect their real high-ranking mole within the sect!’

’Those bastards. Their methods are utterly depraved.’

"Who is Ji Tianwen?" the Sect Leader asked.

"He’s a Direct Disciple of the Sect Leader of the Main Peak at the Cyan Sun Sect," said Pan Yun.

’Even a Main Peak disciple from the Cyan Sun Sect has been compromised!’

’The Wenda Alliance really is everywhere!’

The Sect Leader frowned and asked, "What methods do they use to place people in high positions within the sects?"

"Resource exchange," Pan Yun said, trembling. "The most recent war between the righteous and evil paths was secretly manipulated by the Wenda Alliance. During the war, members of the Wenda Alliance on both sides exchanged intelligence, allowing them to earn merits and successfully infiltrate the upper echelons of various sects.

"In times of peace, discovering ruins during expeditions can also be used as capital to earn merit. When Ji Tianwen recruited me into the alliance, he promised that he could secretly help me during the Five Sects’ Grand Tournament, and that the resources under his command would be at my disposal..."

"Sect Leader, the Wenda Alliance is an immense threat. With the slightest misstep, the Dao Sect’s ten-thousand-year foundation could crumble. I implore the Sect Leader to strictly investigate the Wenda Alliance spies hidden within our sect." The Law Enforcement Hall Elder stepped forward, his expression grim.

"Third Elder, what do you have to say?" The Sect Leader looked at the Third Elder and asked.

"Sect Leader, I am truly not a spy for the Wenda Alliance," the Third Elder said. "I know nothing about them. The real spy is framing me!

"Many of the other Elders could do the things I’m accused of. By pushing me out as a scapegoat, the real spy can continue to lie low.

"The Wenda Alliance is cautious, having hidden for thousands of years. How could they brazenly use my name to recruit people? It’s illogical! Who here hasn’t been through the war between the righteous and evil? Sect Leader, if you believe them, you’re falling into their trap. I beg you to see the truth..."

’Make the real seem false, and the false seem real.’

This tenet of the art of war inexplicably entered the Sect Leader’s mind. He frowned and scanned the Elders in the Law Enforcement Hall:

’The Law Enforcement Hall Elder is so eager to convict the Third Elder... could he be the real culprit trying to deflect suspicion?’

’The Instructor Hall Elder’s eyes are shifty. He can’t meet my gaze, then he forces himself to, looking guilty...’

’The Spirit Medicine Hall Elder has his eyes closed, pretending to be calm...’

...

’On any other day, they all seemed perfectly normal. But now... every single one of them looks like a spy!’

’A conspiracy thousands of years in the making!’

At this moment, the Sect Leader suddenly didn’t know who to trust.

’It’s not just the Elders. The sect’s mid-level ranks have probably been heavily infiltrated too. And what about my own Direct Disciples? Could one of them have been planted by the Wenda Alliance?’

’Who can I trust?’

’Who should I distrust?’

’If word of this gets out, it might force the Wenda Alliance into a corner. Would they resort to desperate measures?’

A series of questions flashed through his mind. The Sect Leader took a deep breath and said, "Elders, for the next few days, you will all remain with me here in the Law Enforcement Hall to study the scriptures and discuss the Dao. Once we have uncovered the truth about the Wenda Alliance, we will then decide how to proceed..."

"Yes, as the Sect Leader commands."

The Elders let out a collective sigh of relief and quickly agreed.

Each of them believed in their own innocence and was eager for a chance to prove it. To avoid arousing suspicion, none dared to object or make any other plans.

"Qu Hao, you will make a trip to the Cyan Sun Sect and investigate Ji Tianwen." The Sect Leader looked at his youngest disciple and ordered, "The Wenda Alliance has a detailed division of labor. Use him to investigate your way up the chain, layer by layer. Find out as much information as you can.

"At the Cyan Sun Sect, you can reveal the news of the Wenda Alliance to their Sect Leader and have him assist in the investigation. The Sect Leader of a sect couldn’t possibly be a spy for the Wenda Alliance. The Sect Leader of the Celestial Pine Sect can also be used..."

’This disciple was the one who discovered the Wenda Alliance; he couldn’t possibly be a spy.’

’Right now, he was the only one the Sect Leader felt he could trust.’

Fortunately, the Cyan Sun Sect was a small sect. Even its Sect Leader was only at the Divinity Transformation Realm. Qu Hao’s cultivation level was more than enough to handle it.

Ordinarily, the matter of the Wenda Alliance was so important that it would have been more appropriate for him to investigate personally.

But the Sect Leader was worried that if he left, the news would leak and the Dao Sect would descend into chaos. Therefore, he had to remain and contain the situation within the Law Enforcement Hall...

...

Similar scenes were also playing out in the Buddhist Sect, the Sword Sect, and even among the Demon Sects...

In that moment, a sense of peril swept through the entire cultivation world.

All clues pointed directly toward the Cyan Sun Sect and the Five-Sect Alliance...