A single sentence caused Ye Cangtian's expression to turn equally grim.
Though he didn't particularly like Fang Liang, he absolutely did not wish for anything to happen to him.
Especially not around Dragon City, within the territory of the Hidden Group, as that would mean the Half-Moon Hall would never let the matter rest.
A moment later, Ye Cangtian looked at the other person and asked, "Sister Mingyue, have the culprits been found?"
"Fang Liang and his group of 21 people were all silenced. They were all killed with a single blow, leaving no trace whatsoever. The culprits have not yet been found."
Dongfang Mingyue sighed and slowly recounted the results of the scene investigation.
"I doubt we need to search for the culprit. Apart from that traitor within our Hidden Group, I don't think it could be anyone else."
Ye Cangtian said faintly upon hearing this.
To kill Fang Liang and his group with a single blow without leaving a trace, one would need to be at least a Earth-level expert.
Considering the approximate time of Fang Liang's demise, there were only a few individuals who had the opportunity and capability to act.
These were himself, Dongfang Mingyue, Elder Long, Yin Tao, Chen Yi, and Hao Tian.
Among them, excluding those on his side, only Chen Yi and Hao Tian remained.
Therefore, the perpetrator was undoubtedly the traitor, aiming to incite hatred between the Half-Moon Hall and the Hidden Group, thereby putting the Hidden Group in a precarious position.
"Yes, you are correct."
Dongfang Mingyue nodded; she had also come to this conclusion.
What frustrated her was the complete lack of clues at the scene. If the true traitor could be identified, Ye Cangtian and Elder Long wouldn't have to take such risks.
With that thought, Dongfang Mingyue glanced at Ye Cangtian and said, "Apart from this incident, I must remind you that your journey to the Medicine King Valley will pass through Jinling.
The Half-Moon Hall is located in the towns surrounding Jinling."
It went without saying that if the Hidden Group here received the news, the Half-Moon Hall over there would also receive it.
After all, the traitor intended to stir up conflict between the two factions, so he would definitely disseminate the information to the Half-Moon Hall.
"It's nothing, a mere Half-Moon Hall is not much of a concern."
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, saying playfully.
Although the Half-Moon Hall possessed some strength, its Hall Master Fang Boyan was merely an Earth-level expert, and the rest of its members were all at the Profound level. Ye Cangtian did not take such strength seriously.
"You'd best not be careless."
"Perhaps the Half-Moon Hall is insignificant, but what if the Half-Moon Hall acts in conjunction with that traitor?"
"Moreover, I must remind you again that the Yuwen family is stationed in Jinling City, and you haven't forgotten your previous conflict, have you?"
Dongfang Mingyue gave Ye Cangtian a reproachful look, speaking rather displeasedly.
"This..."
Upon mentioning the Yuwen family, Ye Cangtian was immediately stunned, and then a bitter smile appeared on his face.
Is the world really this small?
What a coincidence, enemies often cross paths!
Having killed Yuwen Hao in the capital, Ye Cangtian had indeed made an enemy of the Yuwen family.
Although Yuwen Chengji was later taken away by Yuwen Guangxu, his enmity with the Yuwen family had not been resolved.
Now, on this journey to the Medicine King Valley, they were bound to pass through Jinling City, and it was unlikely the Yuwen family would treat him kindly.
With this in mind, Ye Cangtian glanced at Dongfang Mingyue and asked, "Sister Mingyue, if the Yuwen family truly colludes with the Half-Moon Hall, what should I do?"
"If there is solid evidence, you may kill!"
Dongfang Mingyue's expression turned cold as she replied.
Currently, the status and importance of both Ye Cangtian and Elder Long within the Hidden Group were irreplaceable.
If the Yuwen family were to make a move against them, Dongfang Mingyue would absolutely not tolerate it.
She paused and continued, "However, I estimate that such a situation will not arise. The Yuwen family should not have the guts..."
...
The sun rose again.
Ye Cangtian and Elder Long had already boarded a carriage and were heading towards Jinling City.
At the same time.
From the four city gates of Dragon City – east, west, south, and north – a total of 31 men, riding fast horses, dispersed towards various cities within the ruins.
This, of course, was all part of Ye Cangtian's plan.
He was uneasy about these 31 people leaving later, fearing that the traitor might act then.
However, if they dispersed simultaneously, he and Elder Long would attract the traitor's attention, thus ensuring the safety of the others' journey.
As for Dongfang Mingyue, Ye Cangtian was not overly worried.
He had already calculated everything.
Firstly, if he and Elder Long left, the traitor would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to try and eliminate them.
Secondly, even if the traitor remained unmoving for the moment, it was known that Chen Yi and Hao Tian would keep each other in check.
In other words, it would not be easy for the traitor to make a move against Dongfang Mingyue; someone else would surely intervene.
This was precisely why Ye Cangtian dared to leave Dongfang Mingyue and Yao Bao'er behind.
...
On the road.
Ye Cangtian continuously cultivated his spiritual power within the carriage, snatching any available moments of rest.
After all, his only means of confrontation against Sky-level experts was his spiritual power. Therefore, the more he cultivated, the greater his chance of victory.
Elder Long watched Ye Cangtian's earnest cultivation without disturbing him, his gaze sweeping out the window, admiring the scenery.
However, it was indeed quite dull this way.
When Ye Cangtian finally took a break, Elder Long quickly asked, "You brat, shall we make a bet? When do you think that traitor will make their move?"
Uh...
Having just finished cultivating, Ye Cangtian was clearly a little dazed.
After a moment, he regained his senses and slowly said, "We've already been away from Dragon City for two days, and the other party hasn't made a move yet. I estimate the journey will be relatively smooth, and the culprit should make their move after we pass through Jinling City..."
From here to Jinling City, the journey is considered smooth, with no secret realms or dangerous places.
Currently, there were only him and Elder Long in the carriage, presenting an opportunity for the culprit to act, yet they had not appeared.
Thus, in Ye Cangtian's view, the traitor was not in a hurry to act.
They would likely wait for the Half-Moon Hall or the Yuwen family to make a move before striking again.
This way, it would create a conflict between the Hidden Group and the Yuwen family.
"Alright, since you predict they will act after Jinling City, I will bet that they will act before Jinling City."
Elder Long readily agreed and continued, "As for the stakes, let's keep it simple. How about two Ruin Sturgeon?"
"Old man, you're just greedy!"
Ye Cangtian glared at Elder Long vexedly and continued, "But you know Nami isn't with me, so where am I supposed to get Ruin Sturgeon for you?"
"That's right, this old man is indeed greedy!"
"I've been a bodyguard for the Hidden Group for so long, and I've even been used as bait by you. Can't I even propose a slightly selfish bet?"
"As for the Ruin Sturgeon, with your current cultivation, obtaining a few Ruin Sturgeon, while troublesome, poses no danger."
Elder Long glared at Ye Cangtian and snorted.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian was instantly rendered speechless. Who could blame him for owing Elder Long so many favors recently?
If he refused now, it wouldn't seem right.
With no other choice, Ye Cangtian had to brace himself and agree.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian suddenly remembered something. He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Elder Long, my Dragon Soul Saber was damaged during the previous battle with the Lord of Darkness..."
That's right, Ye Cangtian remembered the matter of the Dragon Soul Saber.
The Dragon Soul Saber had always been Ye Cangtian's signature weapon, possessing immense power and being very easy to use.
Although he now possessed the more formidable Death Scythe, subjectively, Ye Cangtian wanted to keep the Death Scythe as a trump card.
After all, the cultivation technique of the Thirteen Styles of the Death Scythe was extremely powerful, completely surpassing the Yin-Yang Heaven-Breaking Saber.
Therefore, he wished to repair the Dragon Soul Saber.
"Brat, take out the Dragon Soul Saber and let me see it."
Hearing Elder Long's voice, Ye Cangtian didn't hesitate and quickly took out the Dragon Soul Saber, handing it over.
Elder Long took the Dragon Soul Saber, infused a trace of spiritual energy into it, and began to examine it carefully.
The next moment, as the examination continued, Elder Long's brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
Not long after, Elder Long returned the Dragon Soul Saber to Ye Cangtian.
He remained silent for a moment before stating in a deep voice, "The situation is more serious than it appears on the surface..."
On the surface, the Dragon Soul Saber only had a nick, and the nick was not large, seeming to cause no significant damage.
However, this was not the case. Through spiritual energy detection, countless fine cracks had spread from that nick.
These cracks were extremely difficult to detect but were nonetheless real.
If Ye Cangtian continued to fight with the Dragon Soul Saber, it was possible that at some point, the Dragon Soul Saber might shatter due to these cracks.
While a single nick might have been repairable by the blacksmiths under the Hidden Group,
the Dragon Soul Saber in its current state was likely beyond their capabilities. Perhaps only refining sects or powers could restore it.