C71 A Conspiracy the Truth and Anger!

Chu Yi had previously mentioned that even if a formidable demon were right beside them, it wouldn't detect their presence, provided they remained silent. After all, if a nearby tree suddenly started speaking, it would raise suspicions, even among ghosts.

The pair refrained from speaking, opting instead to hide quietly under the tree. It wasn't long before a figure stumbled into the clearing ahead. The individual collapsed to the ground in an instant, blood gushing out and quickly staining the earth beneath them a deep crimson.

Lee Zi nearly leapt to her feet at the sight of the figure. Had Chu Yi not held her down with force, she might have already dashed out into the open.

"It's Teacher Cang!" she exclaimed.

Indeed, the blood-soaked figure that had fallen was none other than their mentor, Teacher Cang. But the once-vibrant teacher now seemed to be at death's door, his life's flame flickering as if it might snuff out at any moment.

Chu Yi restrained Lee Zi, his demeanor the epitome of calm.

"I know..." he whispered, then fell silent, making no further move.

Lee Zi struggled with the urge to rush to Teacher Cang's aid as he lay motionless on the ground.

"We must save him, or he's surely going to die!" she insisted, recognizing the gravity of Teacher Cang's condition. She believed that if Chu Yi would just take action, he could undoubtedly rescue their teacher.

Yet Chu Yi's gaze remained icy.

"Wait," he commanded, his voice devoid of warmth as he continued to watch Teacher Cang from afar.

Lee Zi was anxious, but she trusted Chu Yi's judgment. Despite the importance of Teacher Cang's life, and her willingness to do everything in her power to save him, Chu Yi's stance was pivotal.

Lee Zi was confident that there was no unresolved conflict between Chu Yi and Teacher Cang, and she knew Chu Yi was not heartless. Chu Yi's inaction had to mean something was amiss.

Lee Zi, a perennial top student renowned for her brilliance in both talent and academics, respected Chu Yi's decision and fell into a contemplative silence.

Meanwhile, Teacher Cang's body occasionally shuddered, yet he clung to life, even as his blood formed a small river on the ground.

However, it seemed that Teacher Cang was teetering on the brink of death, his life hanging by a thread.

Lee Zi was genuinely anxious, yet this time she held her tongue.

She, too, had begun to sense that something was amiss.

Teacher Cang had been here for quite some time, yet no Demonic Beast had made an appearance.

Something was definitely off.

The waiting dragged on, a full half-hour passing by.

Just when Lee Zi felt she could wait no longer, Teacher Cang stirred.

He really moved!

This wasn't just a minor twitch here and there; he rose to his feet.

Blood smeared his face, and his body was riddled with holes through which one could glimpse the writhing of his internal organs.

Yet, there was no trace of the fear one might expect at death's doorstep on Teacher Cang's stoic face. It was devoid of any emotion, as if he were no longer human.

Then, Teacher Cang's voice emerged, slow and deliberate, "It seems there are no more remnants of humanity nearby..."

At his words, Chu Yi and Lee Zi's pupils contracted sharply.

Suddenly, over a dozen silhouettes materialized around Teacher Cang.

Lee Zi's face was etched with fright upon seeing these figures.

Though not particularly large or imposing, the aura they inadvertently revealed was enough for Lee Zi to recognize them as top-tier great demons.

Had they ventured out just moments before...

Even though Chu Yi had vanquished the Gold High Order Zhao Jun, it was clear that Zhao Jun paled in comparison to any of these great demons!

Yet, an even more bizarre occurrence unfolded.

Lee Zi noticed that the great demons merely encircled Teacher Cang without launching an attack.

This was utterly abnormal!

Indeed, it was exceedingly strange.

From the outset, Chu Yi had detected the anomaly. It wasn't just the fact that a gravely wounded Teacher Cang had managed to flee to this place, but also because Chu Yi could feel the space around them teeming with the presence of numerous formidable beings!

An average person might rush in upon seeing Teacher Cang's injuries, but Chu Yi had the insight to know better.

He understood that rushing forward would be a death wish.

"Didn't you hear what he said?"

What he said?

Lee Zi paused, momentarily perplexed, but then it dawned on her.

The remnants of the human race!

The irony of those words hung heavily in the air.

"What are you suggesting?"

Chu Yi gave a slight nod.

"Teacher Cang is problematic, very problematic."

Indeed, the absence of an attack was a clear sign that something was amiss with Teacher Cang.

"Let's hold off on talking and observe the situation for now."

Surrounded by top-tier Demonic Beasts, akin to human Diamond Level Great Generals, Chu Yi couldn't be certain they wouldn't detect his presence.

Lee Zi nodded gravely.

In the center of the grassland, Teacher Cang seemed oblivious to the Demonic Beasts around him, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

Then, a Demonic Beast approached Teacher Cang, its massive face breaking into an eerily human-like smile.

"Cangmu, your act was quite convincing this time."

"I'm sure once the humans find out, they'll trust you even more."

Teacher Cang looked at the Demonic Beast, a sneer playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Indeed, I believe so too."

"I've come to thoroughly understand human nature."

"They have no love for the purely virtuous, nor do they trust those whose loyalty is untainted by personal desire."

"It's only those like me, driven by greed but ready to sacrifice at a pivotal moment, whom they truly favor!"

Chu Yi and Lee Zi shuddered at these words.

It was true.

That's how humans were.

Those willing to make sacrifices for the greater good were respected and even revered, but not by those in power.

Their lofty ideals were such that they could challenge their authority for the sake of a cause.

But the greedy were different.

Willing to sacrifice, yet driven by their own desires.

These were the people who were seen as truly human, truly great, but certainly not saints!

Greed indicated a chance to exert control.

Willingness to sacrifice showed deep loyalty, a readiness to give everything for a cause, even life itself.

These were the people favored by both the masses and the elite!

If Teacher Cang had chosen to sacrifice himself just to facilitate his students' retreat, the authorities would be appreciative, but his prospects would be nonexistent.

Teacher Cang's recent actions had certainly swayed the opinions of the top brass.

The entire fiasco was a result of the greed in his heart.

He was at fault and driven by his own desires, making him a much more pliable tool for the human elite to wield.

Chu Yi understood the intricacies of such situations; the novels he'd read in the past had taught him well.

It was likely that Teacher Cang would face punishment upon his return, as he was the catalyst for the entire debacle.

Punishment at the outset was inevitable.

But Chu Yi was confident that after lying low for a while, once the dust settled, the higher-ups would surely reinstate Teacher Cang, swiftly elevating him to a pivotal role within humanity.

"When that happens, I'll have Yanran set up a few rebellious Demonic Beasts as your claim to military fame."

"Soon enough, you should be able to join the ranks of the human elite!"

Chu Yi's mouth twitched at the thought.

Yanran...

He was all too familiar with that name.

To date, Chu Yi had two individuals he yearned to retaliate against.

One was the foolish Zhen Ye, whom Chu Yi was currently plotting against.

The other was none other than Mrs. Yanran!

She had, after all, intended to devour him!

If he didn't avenge such a grave threat, Chu Yi's life would have been lived in vain.

Yet, given Mrs. Yanran's overwhelming power, he was in no position to confront her, so he had chosen to bide his time.

But to his surprise, he encountered information about Mrs. Yanran once again here...

"Remember, don't kill all the humans; otherwise, my grand deeds will go unnoticed."

At Teacher Cang's command, a fox Demonic Beast grinned wickedly, "Naturally, we only eliminated half, the others have been set free."

"Regrettably, we failed to take down Lee Zi this time."

"To have slain a human prodigy of such caliber would have surely devastated them."

If they could, they would have spared all the human talents just to capture Lee Zi.

After all, Lee Zi's potential was simply too staggering.

"Don't worry, Lee Zi won't survive this. And neither will that human prodigy, Chu Yi. They won't make it out alive," came the assurance.

Upon hearing this news, the Demonic Beasts were momentarily taken aback, but soon their faces lit up with joy.

"Did you employ some sort of tactic?" one asked.

Teacher Cang shook his head. "I did not. But if I don't take action, others certainly will."

A sardonic smile flickered across Teacher Cang's eyes. "That fool Zhao Jun actually believes he's concealed himself effectively."

"Isn't he just one of those beasts from the so-called 'only truth'?"

"Do you really think they would pass up such an opportunity?"

With those words, the rest of the Demonic Beasts came to a realization. Teacher Cang had known Zhao Jun's identity all along. If Zhao Jun were still alive, he'd probably be seething with rage. He saw Teacher Cang as a naive fool, someone he could easily manipulate, but in truth, Teacher Cang was the mastermind behind it all.

"Still, this is quite the fortuitous coincidence," Teacher Cang mused.

"I never anticipated the emergence of a secret realm here."

"Given the surge of Spiritual Qi, this secret realm promises to be anything but ordinary."

He then addressed the Demonic Beasts with a stern tone, "Before the human elites arrive, let's scour the area. Eliminate any humans who haven't escaped. I cannot afford to have my identity revealed due to any oversight."

The Demonic Beasts nodded in agreement. Cangmu was a piece they had painstakingly positioned, and they would tolerate no mishaps.

Shortly thereafter, the Demonic Beasts vanished, leaving Teacher Cang alone. After a brief pause, he too disappeared.

Chu Yi observed Lee Zi, who was now shaking uncontrollably. Lee Zi, mostly a solitary cultivator, had nonetheless formed bonds with several students—some of whom she considered friends. It was no small feat to be counted among Lee Zi's friends; they were undoubtedly individuals of exceptional character.

But now, if they were to perish in the conflict with the Demonic Race or amidst its turmoil, Lee Zi would grieve deeply, yet she would not allow herself to be consumed by anger.

But now...

These innocent students had clearly fallen victim to the demonic conspiracy. How could Lee Zi possibly find peace in that?

Chu Yi extended his hand and firmly grasped Lee Zi's trembling, icy hand.

"Don't worry, I've taken note of this debt."

"We will claim vengeance!"

A chilling resolve to kill also filled Chu Yi's eyes.

Had it not been for their schemes, Lee Zi and he wouldn't have suffered such grave injuries or been thrust into such peril.

It could all be traced back to their malevolent plotting!