He looked at the gleaming Seal Demon Stone before him, a sense of triumph filling him. Turning to gaze down at Su Xi, he questioned, "Now that the Seal Demon Stone is right here, what else do you have to say?"
Human cultivators have never needed Seal Demon Stones. Not only that, but prolonged contact with them is detrimental to cultivation and can even dull one's spiritual energy perception. Therefore, the appearance of a Seal Demon Stone in Su Xi's room could only mean she was not human, and thus required it.
Facing He Wei's accusation, Su Xi glanced at the stone on the ground and suddenly burst into laughter. These people had gone to great lengths to deal with her, actually procuring a Seal Demon Stone. Seal Demon Stones were rare in the human realm, and this one was of excellent quality, clearly indicating it was not easily obtained even in the demon realm. He Wei must have expended considerable effort to acquire it and stealthily place it in her room.
"You can still laugh?" He Wei looked at Su Xi, confusion clouding his features. The Enforcers' Alliance had always been supreme, and they had never encountered someone as defiant as Su Xi, who could still laugh on the brink of doom. Was she foolish, or did she have something else planned?
Su Xi's laughter subsided, and she looked at He Wei with a hint of pity. "I never expected that at your age, your mind would already be failing." She continued, "You say this Seal Demon Stone belongs to me. Does that make it mine?" She added, "If found in Penglai Mountain, you could still claim it belongs to my master. If you want me to admit guilt, then produce your evidence."
Upon hearing Su Xi's retort, Lin Qing rubbed his nose with a sigh, feeling a sense of resignation. While Su Xi's logic was sound, he couldn't fathom why he himself had been dragged into this. Nevertheless, he knew this was not the time to undermine her, so he remained silent, observing the unfolding events.
He Wei chuckled at Su Xi's words and produced a mirror from his person. The mirror was palm-sized, intricately carved with complex patterns on its back, which faintly pulsed with a soft blue light, giving it a mystical appearance. He had anticipated Su Xi would not easily confess, so he was prepared.
"This is the Demon Sealing Mirror," he declared, looking at Su Xi with a triumphant smirk. "It can detect demonic energy in anyone. A quick glance, and we'll know if you're involved." He Wei knew their opponents would not be defenseless. Su Xi had already been subtly tampered with by them. As soon as the Demon Sealing Mirror was used, the truth would be revealed. Exposing Su Xi would provide them with a pretext to confront the Five Great Immortal Mountains. The destruction of any one of these mountains would ensure the Enforcers' Alliance's perpetual dominance and advance their agenda.
Su Xi, hearing He Wei's words, did not step forward. Instead, she took a step back. "You expect me to be examined just because you say so? What gives you the right?" she challenged. "I am a disciple of the Five Great Immortal Mountains, not a subordinate of your Enforcers' Alliance."
"What right?" He Wei's laughter turned sharp, his tone becoming stern. "As a member of the Enforcement Team, you are obligated to allow me to conduct this inspection."
Su Xi frowned as she looked at He Wei. "I've always wondered, why do you so-called Enforcers have jurisdiction over the Five Great Immortal Mountains?" she questioned. "Do the Five Great Immortal Mountains lack capable individuals, requiring outsiders like yourselves to govern them?"
Her words instantly darkened the expressions of the sect leaders of the Five Great Immortal Mountains. No one relished being subordinate, nor being questioned by a junior. Even though Su Xi spoke the truth, they found it distasteful.
He Wei glanced at the assembled group and declared with feigned nobility, "This is all for the peaceful development of the cultivation world. Are you, a mere junior, qualified to know such matters?" He felt he had already lowered himself by engaging in such lengthy discourse. Thus, He Wei decided not to wait any longer and suddenly moved to expose Su Xi's supposed deception.
"Captain He, what are you doing?" Lin Qing interrupted He Wei with a wave of his hand, his expression displeased. If it weren't for the sake of peace in the human realm, He Wei would have met his end long ago. His arrogance had persisted for too many years; it was time for it to cease.
He Wei sensed Lin Qing's warning and realized that further action would only lead to his own detriment. After a moment of consideration, he quickly regained his composure. "Sect Leader Lin, you misunderstand," he said, feigning innocence. "I was merely seeking to clear Miss Su Xi's name."
"Whether your intentions were good, you know best," Lin Qing retorted, his eyes glinting coldly. "My Penglai Mountain disciples have been unjustly accused by you. If no issues are found, what then will be your recourse?" The pent-up frustration had simmered for too long, and he was no longer willing to suppress it. Calculating the timing, he felt it was opportune to reveal their true strength.
"What compensation does Sect Leader Lin desire?" He Wei asked, his eyes showing no trace of concern. He doubted Lin Qing, alone, could contend with the Enforcers' Alliance. Such a notion was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot. It was this underlying confidence that made him utterly dismissive of Lin Qing's threat. Agreeing now was merely a tactic to placate him temporarily.
"As for compensation, that question should be posed to the involved party," Lin Qing replied, his gaze shifting to Su Xi, inviting her to state her terms.
Su Xi stepped forward immediately, facing He Wei. "The dignity of Penglai Mountain cannot be questioned. If I am found to be innocent, it means your Enforcers have erred. Why not all remain here?"
He Wei understood that "remain here" meant death. Yet, he readily agreed. "Very well. But if you are proven to be connected to the demon race, your Penglai Mountain shall hand over its sacred artifact."
Lin Qing, who was well aware of He Wei's true motives, agreed without hesitation. "Agreed. I accept your terms." He Wei was inwardly overjoyed upon hearing Lin Qing's consent. After much effort, they finally had an opportunity to act against the Five Great Immortal Mountains. Success in this endeavor would undoubtedly lead to future recognition.
With an agreement reached, Su Xi wasted no time and approached He Wei. "Begin the inspection." He Wei glanced at the self-assured Su Xi, picked up the Demon Sealing Mirror, and began to chant. As He Wei's incantation continued, a ripple spread across the mirror's surface, and a beam of white light fell upon Su Xi. Watching Su Xi bathed in the light, He Wei's lips curled into a triumphant smile. He was certain that any individual tainted by demonic energy would cause the white light to turn black, and Su Xi would soon exhibit such a change. However, as the white light lingered on Su Xi, nothing happened.
"???" He Wei's eyes widened in confusion at the unexpected outcome. What had happened? This was not what he had anticipated. Su Xi shook her head within the beam of light and looked at He Wei. "Does this prove my innocence now?"