The Grand Elder, of course, had done nothing to feel guilty about.
Upon hearing the explanation, he even felt a bit bewildered.
He looked towards Shen Muzhi with a confused expression. Shen Muzhi, however, merely sighed and said to the Grand Elder in a low voice, "Grand Elder, you are a good person, and I believe you haven't done anything to anger him. Therefore, I can offer you a piece of advice: what is about to happen may not be something you can accept. This sect will likely cease to exist after today. So, it's probably time to pack your things and find a good place to spend the rest of your life. Guiyi Sect is a good choice; Master Linkong is a kind person, and I can guarantee you that it should be very safe there."
Shen Muzhi's words seemed somewhat inexplicable.
However, the Grand Elder had followed Liu Buli for so long that he was arguably the person within the entire sect who understood Liu Buli's personality the best.
He had a vague awareness of the recent events in the cultivation world. He had harbored some suspicions before, but because he hadn't seen Liu Buli, he had assumed his suspicions were mistaken.
But now, it seemed his bad premonition was indeed true.
Without asking Shen Muzhi any further questions, and not daring to even pack his belongings, the Grand Elder ran down the mountain at the fastest speed possible. It was evident to anyone that he was taking the advice and leaving first.
Witnessing his actions and hearing Shen Muzhi's recent remarks, the other disciples and hall masters began to speculate to varying degrees.
Those who had done something wrong could naturally no longer stay.
They exchanged glances, attempting to leave the sect along with the Grand Elder. However, after taking less than a step forward, a cold glint flashed, and a sword was placed before them.
At some unknown time, Shen Muzhi had leaped out of You Siqi's embrace. The cat had transformed into its human form, holding his long sword, and stood expressionlessly in front of everyone.
Liu Buli had mentioned more than once that there were never a shortage of disloyal individuals in the Dan Sect, and Shen Muzhi was well aware of this.
As for which individuals had committed wrongdoings, Shen Muzhi couldn't quite discern. He could only be certain that the Grand Elder was an innocent party. As for the others, it would indeed be up to Liu Buli himself to judge when he returned.
Raising his long sword, he swung it with force, and the red lotuses ignited by the fierce flames enveloped the entire sect in a brilliant sea of flowers. Shen Muzhi's cultivation was the highest among them, so with this single action, neither the other disciples nor the hall masters could escape.
"I didn't intend to make things difficult for you; I just wanted you to wait a moment," Shen Muzhi said, shielding You Siqi behind him, calmly observing the anxious individuals within the raging flames. His tone remained as peaceful as ever as he slowly explained, "Our Sect Leader will be back soon. Even if his current state is not ideal, he wouldn't be so mad as to kill anyone he sees. So, if you haven't done anything wrong, there's no need to be so nervous. As for those who have done wrong, don't think about running. Unless you believe you can defeat me, it's better to stay put obediently, or if you're too terrified, you can end your own lives."
With these words, Shen Muzhi made it clear that he would not yield.
Those trapped within the fiery confines exchanged glances, each with different thoughts, none of them having decided what to do next.
Conversely, the Grand Elder, whom Shen Muzhi had allowed to leave, saw Liu Buli and Lu Wuming carrying a coffin and ascending the mountain when he reached the mountainside.
Upon seeing the two of them, the Grand Elder was taken aback.
For a moment, he didn't know whether to be astonished by Liu Buli's blood-red eyes or to feel a bit pleased that his disciple was back by his side.
Sensing his approach, Liu Buli also looked up. Their eyes met, and a silent atmosphere spread through the air for a moment. Then, Liu Buli curved his lips into a smile. He said, "Grand Elder, where are you headed? Why didn't you inform me beforehand?"
His tone seemed perfectly normal. The Grand Elder blinked and then, as usual, truthfully replied, "Elder Shen told me to leave. He said... he said for me to go to Guiyi Sect. Sect Leader, this..."
Upon hearing this answer, Liu Buli couldn't help but laugh. This time, his laughter was different from before, carrying a hint of emotion and the carefree abandon of complete surrender.
He nodded gently, as if agreeing with the Grand Elder's statement. Liu Buli said, "Shen Muzhi wasn't wrong; Guiyi Sect is indeed a good choice. If you go there, please give Master Linkong a message for me, thank him, and tell him I have contacted my beloved. Also, apologize to him; I lied to him before. My beloved is from the Ghost Clan, and my disciple's beloved is the Dragon that those outside are looking for. Tell him that Liu Buli has entered the demonic path but does not wish to be his enemy. So, tell Guiyi Sect not to get involved in this matter. Even if we can't be friends, we ultimately don't want to be enemies."
With that, Liu Buli smiled again and continued his ascent.
As they brushed past each other, the Grand Elder opened his mouth and softly called out, "Sect Leader... I..."
Liu Buli stopped and turned to look at him.
The Grand Elder's expression was extremely pained. He said, "I'm sorry. I should have stopped this from happening. But... but my cultivation is insufficient; I haven't lived up to the position you gave me. I... I'm sorry, Sect Leader. I don't know what I want to say, but what I've said before, I feel like you've always lived a very tiring life. I hope you can live a happier life. That's all the truth; I haven't lied..."