The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1441 741: Workshop Search for Evil Objects (Part 2)

The coarse cloth and hemp garment he wore was damp with subtle night dew and dust; his face showed no fatigue from the great battle, only eyes profound as an abyss, calmly sweeping across the crowd.

Having just driven back Heavenly Master Zhang, the aura of power around him had yet to dissipate. Simply standing there, he plunged the entire workshop into an instant silence.

Tao Fengchun noticed Huo Yin as if finding his backbone, and quickly stepped forward, pointing accusingly at Li Yan in a stern voice: "Master Huo! You've arrived at the right time! Young Hero Li... he inexplicably suspects Master Lu Chengye of being a demon informant and intends to forcefully search the workshop!"

"Master Lu is just an honest craftsman, never having left the Academy. The deadlines are already tight, what if progress is delayed?"

Huo Yin's gaze lingered for a moment on both Li Yan and Lu Chengye, without any emotional fluctuation.

He turned to Li Yan: "Li Yan, what evidence do you have?"

Li Yan met Huo Yin's gaze frankly: "Senior, I ask for your insight. Just now in the fierce battle below the mountain, everyone's hearts were unsettled. I sensed a brief disturbance of weak evil energy here, and subsequently noticed Master Lu's panicked expression, his unusual behavior, attempting to hastily leave the core area."

"Based on intuition, it's better to investigate thoroughly than let potential threats linger."

"Intuition?" Tao Fengchun guffawed in anger, slapping the wooden shelf beside him, shaking the unfinished components slightly, "Good! Good intuition! Since Young Hero Li holds such confidence in his intuition, and has brought in Master Huo as witness, I dare to make a bet with you today!"

He surveyed the surroundings, his voice resonating like a bell, addressing the craftsmen across the workshop and the arriving Captain Bureau guards: "With Master Huo present! Everyone listen! I, Tao Fengchun, pledge my honor as a Mo Sect Master as a guarantee!"

"Young Hero Li can conduct a full search inside and outside this workshop, especially all areas and components handled by Master Lu! If he finds any shred of evidence of his so-called 'suspicious' items, I will publicly kowtow and apologize to him and the Twelve Primordial Spirits, resign from my position as an Academy Tribute, and henceforth leave the Mo Sect! If your search finds nothing..."

He fixed his gaze on Li Yan, speaking word by word: "Then please have Young Hero Li take your men and leave Qiankun Academy immediately!"

"Regarding the protection of the Divine Statue, my Mo Sect and the Forbidden Army are more than capable, no need for the Twelve Primordial Spirits to concern themselves!"

Clearly enraged, Tao Fengchun was prepared to turn hostile.

This bet couldn't be heavier, especially for someone like Tao Fengchun, a Mo Sect Master who valued reputation more than life.

The surrounding craftsmen were in an uproar, looking at Li Yan with even more anger.

Li Yan took a deep breath; Tao Fengchun's fierceness exceeded his expectations, but he had no choice and didn't retreat: "Master Tao's words are serious. Li Yan's search is not out of anger, but for peace of mind and safety. If the search yields nothing, I will definitely apologize to several masters."

"But before that, the search must proceed!"

Huo Yin's gaze slightly narrowed, glancing between Li Yan's steadfast eyes and Tao Fengchun's furious expression, finally looking at Lu Chengye with his head bowed, trembling slightly, and he slowly spoke: "Since it's a matter of duty, also a personal honor dispute, permission granted."

"The Twelve Primordial Spirits will accompany me into the workshop for inspection; all others must step aside and not interfere. Master Tao, Master Lu, please calm down and patiently await the results."

Huo Yin's words sealed the deal.

Under the gaze of a Grandmaster who had just driven back Heavenly Master Zhang, no one dared make noise, even though Tao Fengchun's mustache danced in anger, he could only suppress his wrath, retreating coldly to the side.

Lu Chengye, meanwhile, was "politely" but firmly seated aside by two Captain Bureau men.

Li Yan and his crew immediately sprung into action.

With time of the essence, they understood that Tao Fengchun's bet indicated that if nothing were found, they wouldn't be able to stay at the Academy anymore.

While walking, Li Yan whispered instructions, clarifying targets for the group.

The focus of the search was the corner Lu Chengye had just paused in, near his work table, the stacks of components he handled, especially the shelves storing key component waist buckles.

The group's actions were swift and meticulous, employing their individual specialties.

Li Yan wielded the Hook Paper, mobilizing the living Yin messenger's keen senses, not overlooking any remnants of sinister energy.

Wang Daoxuan applied the Mystic Sect Secret Technique, using talismans and mantras simultaneously, probing for spiritual power anomalies or hidden restrictions; Sha Lifei, with his rich pugilistic world experience, visually and tactilely examined every suspect wooden piece's grain, holes, mortise and tenon joints...

They checked the tools Lu Chengye used, inspected every piece of wood he touched, not even forsaking the wood shavings on the ground.

Throughout this process, Li Yan also intermittently observed Lu Chengye from afar, watching for any covert use of secret techniques or strange fluctuations.

Inside the workshop, the atmosphere was deadly silent, broken only by the faint sounds of scrutiny and occasional whispered exchanges, countless eyes fixated on the Twelve Primordial Spirits.

Yet, nothing suspicious was found.

This was also within expectations, given Tao Fengchun was a seasoned Mo Sect Master, combined with various restrictions within the Academy. If there were any obvious anomaly, it would've been discovered long ago.

But as time steadily passed, the Twelve Primordial Spirits' expressions turned increasingly grave.

Sha Lifei fingered the Taotie Auspicious Cloud waist buckle carved by Lu Chengye, repeatedly examining it under the lamp light, using his nail to scratch the wood grain, even leaning in to sniff the scent of wood lacquer, "The grain is natural, the lacquer smooth, spiritual energy reserved, without any trace of attached evil energy."

"Brother Yan, could you be mistaken?"

"There's definitely an issue..."

Li Yan was full of doubt, yet still believed his own intuition.

His fingertips glided over the cold wood pieces, spiritual sense spreading like a tide, concentrating with utmost focus, deploying various techniques simultaneously.

However, no matter how he investigated, the cold aura he had encountered on the components touched by Lu Chengye seemed to have never appeared.

In front of him were only the naturally formed textures of the objects carved by the master, and the faint flow of natural Spirituality on them.

His brow furrowed tighter and his expression turned somber.

No anomalies…

Really no anomalies?

Could it be… that he was merely too tense and made a wrong judgment?

"Hmph!"

Tao Fengchun glanced at the distant hourglass, his eyes full of anxiety, and spoke with increasing dissatisfaction: "Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue with you, the construction schedule is tight, quickly leave the workshop, do not waste time here!"

"Wait!"

Li Yan was still unwilling, casually waved his hand, then took yellow paper incense and candles from the basket behind Wu Ba, and began to set up a simple magic platform.

"What are you doing?!"

Tao Fengchun became even more furious when he saw this.

"Master Tao, don't worry."

Grandmaster Huo Yin said calmly: "Things have come to this point, let him proceed, if he finds nothing, I will render justice for you myself."

His support was also due to his understanding of Li Yan's intelligence.

The matters of Zhao Changsheng and Jianmu were almost uncovered by Li Yan alone, which could not be simply attributed to luck.

As he spoke, Li Yan had already lit the candle, spat water from his mouth, stepped the Astral Step, pinched the Jade Seal with his left hand, and the electric light crackled at his fingertips.

As if holding a Thunder Talisman, commanding the Ghost God.

At the same time, his right hand held the vermillion pen, drawing talismans and chanting: "Qian Jade Antitoxic, Vibrate and Adapt Luo Spirit. Eight Immortals Holding the God of Heaven… I wear the Thunder Seal, commanding ten thousand spirits, posthaste as the law dictates!"

This spell was the North Emperor's Divine Control Technique.

It is a kind of Thunder Technique, harnessing the power of Thunder Technique and North Yin Fengdu to drive Ghost Gods.

He had used this technique to communicate with the Han River Goddess, and had used it to invoke the numerous Mortal Gods of Beimang Mountain, breaking the Evil Technique of Ghost Emperor Xuan Mo.

This technique is reputed to be the best for perceiving Ghost Gods.

However, it is difficult to control after casting, so he uses it sparingly.

And now, it seemed to be the only way.

As the spell was performed, Li Yan once again entered the hazy, dreamlike state, his steps light, and everything around him was shrouded.

He looked around, the workshop was deserted, ancient and dilapidated.

Yet those spiritual materials remained intact, with colorful mist escaping from them, appearing very dazzling.

The steam engine core, fixed by an iron frame, had a vortex, wrapped in incense and candle aura, and black and white aura swirling continuously.

It is indeed a Divine Artifact of human dao transformation, far more mystical than other Spiritual Objects.

At this moment, Li Yan finally discovered an anomaly.

Many spiritual materials and components had faint black aura the size of a baby's palm under the spilling Spiritual Energy.

Upon closer inspection, these black aura vaguely formed the shape of a coin.

There is indeed a problem!

Li Yan looked again at the center of several components with black spots.

There, the belt buckle made of spirit wood also had Spiritual Energy spilling out, with no apparent issue inside, but it was especially evident in troubled components.

Moreover, in the Divine Control Skill, this object finally revealed its full appearance.

The color of the spirit wood had become like darkened dirty blood, with many pits and scorch marks from Thunder Fire.

This thing, Li Yan was all too familiar with.

It was the bizarre Peach Tree seen at the Nine Gates Yin Ruins!