Chapter 10: The Truth Comes to Light and the Countermeasure Against the Conspiracy
Lin Yu was trapped in the Law Enforcement Hall, extremely anxious in his heart, yet he knew deeply that he must remain calm at this moment. He continuously recalled his various experiences in the Myriad Poison Abyss, attempting to find the key clues that could prove his innocence.
At the same time, the investigators of the Law Enforcement Hall began to bustle with activity. First, they found the elders and disciples who had entered the ruins together with Lin Yu, questioning them in detail about Lin Yu's performance within the ruins and the situation prior to heading to the Myriad Poison Abyss. These people all stepped forward to testify for Lin Yu, stating that Lin Yu had always possessed upright character and conduct, without ever showing any signs of colluding with the Demonic Path.
Subsequently, the investigators headed to the Myriad Poison Abyss. Following the route Lin Yu had walked, they searched meticulously and indeed discovered many traces of battle, along with the corpses of slain venomous creatures and fierce beasts. From these traces and corpses, it could be seen that the Cultivation Method practiced and exhibited by Lin Yu was entirely orthodox to the Qingxuan Sect, with no traces of any Demonic Path Cultivation Methods whatsoever.
However, Great Elder Zhou Yuan was unwilling to accept failure. Secretly, he instructed his confidants to forge evidence in an attempt to substantiate the crime of Lin Yu colluding with the Demonic Path. Just as the investigation was about to fall into a deadlock, an inner disciple who had once received help from Lin Yu accidentally discovered the suspicious actions of Zhou Yuan's confidant.
Knowing full well the gravity of the matter, this disciple immediately reported the discovered situation to the Law Enforcement Hall. The Law Enforcement Hall attached great importance to this and launched a covert investigation. After a period of thorough tracking, they finally uncovered the conspiracy of Zhou Yuan instructing his confidants to spread rumors and forge evidence.
With the truth brought to light, the Law Enforcement Hall immediately reported Zhou Yuan's actions to the Sect Master. Upon learning of this, the Sect Master was consumed by thunderous rage. He instantly summoned all the elders and disciples of the sect, announcing the investigation results in the sect's grand plaza.
"As an elder, Zhou Yuan has failed to think of seeking welfare for the sect; instead, for his own selfish desires, he maliciously framed a disciple, spread rumors, and forged evidence. His heart deserves to be executed!" The Sect Master's voice echoed through the plaza, and upon hearing this, the assembled disciples erupted into an uproar.
Zhou Yuan's face turned pale as he attempted to defend himself, but the evidence was ironclad and he had nothing to say. Right then and there, the Sect Master publicly announced the stripping of Zhou Yuan's position as an elder and ordered him to be imprisoned at the Cliff of Reflection in the Back Mountain of the sect, commanding him to undergo seclusion and reflect upon his faults.
As for Lin Yu, his grievances were finally washed clean. Amidst the respectful gazes of the crowd, he walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall. Following this incident, Lin Yu's reputation within the Qingxuan Sect reached an unprecedented height. Deeply admiring his resilience and innocence, the disciples all took him as their role model.
Lin Yu knew well that being able to turn danger into safety this time was not only his own good fortune, but even more so the support and trust of numerous fellow apprentices. He decided to seize this opportunity to counter the conspiracy of Zhou Yuan and his faction, completely purging this corrupt force from within the sect.
Finding the Sect Master, Lin Yu put forward his own thoughts: "Sect Master, although Zhou Yuan has already been imprisoned, he has operated within the sect for many years and has numerous faction members. If these hidden dangers are not thoroughly rooted out, I fear trouble may arise again in the future."
The Sect Master nodded, approving of Lin Yu's proposal: "What you say is entirely correct. This matter shall be left to you to handle, and I will grant you all necessary support."
Having accepted the order, Lin Yu began setting about to investigate Zhou Yuan's faction members. Relying on his own reputation and network within the sect, as well as the assistance of the Law Enforcement Hall, he gradually ferreted out Zhou Yuan's confidants and supporters. Some of these individuals were expelled from the sect, while others received corresponding punishments.
Following a round of reorganization, the atmosphere within the Qingxuan Sect took on a completely new look, becoming much more united and pure. Lin Yu consequently became a pivotal figure within the Qingxuan Sect, and his path of Immortality Cultivation seemed to have become much smoother after experiencing this storm. Yet he understood that the Immortality Cultivation World was ever-changing, and more challenges would await him in the future. As for himself, he had already made thorough preparations to welcome new challenges, to guard the Qingxuan Sect, and to guard his own path of Immortality Cultivation.