This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 190 The True Purpose of the Waters

"Since you say he is deceiving everyone, can you tell us what exactly he has deceived us about?"

"Hehe, demons lurk beneath the ancestral temple, and I assert that this person must have ventured beneath the ancestral temple. Does that count?"

Meng Qianfan spoke with such certainty that it felt as if a heavy stone had fallen from Xiao Xingchen's heart. This man's origins were truly perplexing. He seemed to know many things that others could not. These words also made Ruoxue frown. Even the Martial Emperor was in control of the secrets beneath the ancestral temple, and only a handful of people knew them. Yet, at this moment, this person from the waters had finally revealed them in a single sentence. How could someone from the waters, so far away in a foreign land, have discovered the secrets of the Great Qian Dynasty?

"Is there a demon?"

"That's right. A great demon is suppressed beneath the Great Qian Ancestral Temple. This is his greatest secret. What you are seeking is all beneath the temple."

Meng Qianfan spoke with absolute certainty, and these words stirred up a new wave of controversy.

"So that's how it is. The true secret we've been searching for lies beneath the ancestral temple."

Wu Xie felt as if he had been enlightened, and his face instantly lit up with joy. The faces of the others also blossomed like spring flowers, and they were all excited to have seen through the secrets of the ancestral temple. Only Xiao Xingchen's face was as dark as a storm cloud, extremely gloomy.

If all these people were to storm the ancestral temple, I'm afraid none of them would be able to escape unscathed.

"What are your true intentions? Do you want them to go and die?"

He was completely bewildered, unable to understand what Meng Qianfan was trying to do. The first thing he did after entering the city was to drop such a bombshell, showing his truly malicious intentions.

“I didn’t tell them to go. I just told them that what they were looking for was under the ancestral temple, and whether they could get it depended entirely on their own abilities. I didn’t force them. But you, what did you see there, and what did you get?”

Meng Qianfan showed no fear; every word she spoke pierced Xiao Xingchen like a sharp sword.

“Benefactor Xiao, please tell me what is hidden beneath the ancestral temple. This is of utmost importance to me.”

Miaowu clasped his hands together, and this time his tone was unusually firm, as if he would not give up until he achieved his goal.

"Xiao Xingchen, things have come to this point, is there any need for you to hide anything anymore? Why don't you tell us quickly?"

Wu Xie roared angrily, and Ruoxue also looked up and stared intently. She knew best the secrets hidden beneath the ancestral temple. If they were leaked, it would be difficult to explain to the Martial Emperor. But given the current situation...

"Fine, since you're not afraid of death, then I'll tell you. Beneath the ancestral temple lies the Silent Temple, a Silent Temple that enshrines demons. This temple has nine levels, and each level suppresses a great demon."

"What? There really is a Silent Temple down there?"

Everyone was struck dumb, and they all stood up abruptly. The Silent Temple had nine great demons among them, including native people of the Great Qian Dynasty and royal relatives from various countries. However, they had never heard of any great power suppressing great demons. This news was like a bolt from the blue, making it impossible for them to remain calm.

"Yes, I can also tell you that the true power of the Great Qian Dynasty is like Mount Tai crushing an egg, and it is meant to suppress this Silent Temple. Otherwise, do you really think that a mere desolate land can fight against the Great Qian Dynasty for so long? Do you really think that your affairs in the Northern Region can be hidden from the discerning eyes of the Martial Emperor?"

"Am I right, Prime Minister?"

Upon hearing this, the Left Prime Minister felt extremely uneasy. He immediately stood up and walked out like an arrow released from a bow.

The Crown Prince frowned and followed closely behind. Everyone knew that with this news breaking like a bombshell, the Poetry Festival was destined to be anything but peaceful.

"What exactly does that Silent Temple look like? Why do you say it's for suppression?"

Miaowu was filled with excitement, as if he had discovered a rare treasure. He couldn't wait to go to the ancestral temple immediately.

"The true function of the Silent Temple is like the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda of the Jade Capital Heaven. It also has a world-renowned name: Demon-Suppressing Prison. I advise you not to continue to be curious. The Immortal's Arrival is not something I made up. If anyone dares to attempt to release a great demon, the Immortal's Arrival will descend like a thunderbolt and destroy all calamities to ashes."

Now that things had come to this point, Xiao Xingchen no longer had any reservations. In any case, this matter was brought up by the people of the Water Domain, and had nothing to do with him.

However, he had been secretly observing Meng Qianfan. This body of water seemed to have ill intentions, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.

"Haha, let me tell you something else. The reason each great demon is suppressed is because they are practically immortal and cannot be completely destroyed. However, after countless years of wear and tear, these great demons are like a spent arrow, their life force exhausted. Once you find the place where they are suppressed, you can obtain their inheritance. Great demons are terrifying beings capable of directly contending with the Nine Heavens. Aren't you all drooling over them?"

Meng Qianfan continued to fan the flames. He was very satisfied with what he had done today, and even the way he looked at the people around him became much more amiable.

Even if he didn't say it, there were no fools here who had already figured out the key point.

Great demons only exist in legends. No one in their generation has ever witnessed a real demon. Everyone knows that this matter is of great importance and has exceeded the scope of their decision-making.

"Thank you for telling me. Until we meet again."

Li Jinxian was the first to leave, like a bird taking flight. Today's harvest was like a full granary of rice, a truly bountiful harvest. It was time to go back and strategize.

Having achieved their goal, Miaowu naturally wouldn't linger. The group scattered like birds and beasts, except for Meng Qianfan, who, as he left, gave Xiao Xingchen a fierce glare like a venomous snake, then revealed a disdainful expression.

"Useless trash, next time we meet, I will take your life."

That undisguised contempt was like a sharp blade, deeply piercing Xiao Xingchen, causing him to sneer repeatedly.

This person was even more detestable than the man in black robes. He didn't mind striking first. The man in black robes was currently conserving his strength, and it was time to find him a worthy opponent. A plan to let the two fight and the man reap the benefits gradually took shape in his mind.

In the end, only Huangfu Lingxue and Yan Yi remained. Huangfu Lingxue naturally wanted to get to the bottom of things, while Xiao Xingchen didn't want to pay any attention to Yan Yi at all.

"Why don't you leave?"

"Why should I leave? This isn't your territory. What right do you have to tell me what to do?"

Yan Yi retorted angrily.

"Fine, if you're not leaving, then we'll leave."

Xiao Xingchen turned and walked straight out, but Yan Yi followed him like a shadow, causing him to frown.

"What exactly do you want?"

"It's nothing. You go your way, I'll go my way, it's not bothering you."

"Okay, then you can go first."

Yan Yi, however, seemed not to hear, standing still with an innocent expression. Then, like a cheerful little bird, she flew directly to Ruoxue's side and said in a sweet, coquettish voice,

"Sister, don't you think this man is annoying?"

"Pfft," Ruoxue couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head and saying with a wry smile.

"Alright, most people have left. Now that things have been brought to light, I don't see any need to hide anything anymore. Since Yan Yi has stayed, there's no need to send her away."

"You may stay, but quickly reveal your true purpose for being here."

The eldest princess then interjected,

"Didn't I make it clear that I came here to find the Heavenly Sword? Now that I have found it, I naturally want to ask where the Heavenly Sword is?"

Yan Yi blinked her large, star-like eyes, her face full of innocence.

"It's one thing for you to fool them, but why go to such lengths for a useless Heavenly Sword? Speak up, or don't blame me for kicking you out."

"How boring. Has trust between people completely disappeared?"

Yan Yi pouted her little mouth.

"Speak quickly," Xiao Xingchen's expression suddenly turned cold. As this news spread like wildfire, chaos would surely ensue outside. He needed to devise a countermeasure as soon as possible; he had no time to waste here.

"Very well, then I'll just tell you all then?"

"If I told you I came for the water, would you believe me?"

Yan Yi said with a sincere expression,

“I don’t believe it,” the eldest princess immediately denied.

For some reason, she had a feeling that the Great Yan was targeting her, and this inexplicable intuition made her feel uneasy and unable to eat or sleep.

“Indeed, the Water Domain is definitely planning something big this time. The Great Yan is adjacent to the Water Domain and has always been curious about them. What exactly are they planning? Moreover, you can investigate the people from the Water Domain who came this time. Behind Meng Qianfan, there are many old monsters following closely behind.”

"I can testify to this. Just as Meng Qianfan was acting arrogantly here, I vaguely smelled a stench of decay. Accompanying him were the protectors,"

When Ruoxue spoke, her expression was as heavy as lead.

"Protectors of the Way? What do you mean?"

Xiao Xingchen was taken aback, his face full of confusion.

"As the name suggests, the protectors are those who safeguard their young prodigies and ensure their smooth growth. These people are all unfathomable. I didn't expect them to show up. What exactly do they want?"

Huangfu Lingxue was becoming increasingly impatient. Such a large-scale mobilization in the waters must indicate something significant was going on.

"Tell me, what exactly do the people in the water want to do?"

Xiao Xingchen looked at Yan Yi.

“I may not have understood before, but now I am almost certain that their target is the Silent Temple under the Zongmiao.”

"The Silent Temple? Why?"

“Think about it. We knew nothing about such a secret before, but Meng Qianfan revealed the most secret secret of the Great Qian Dynasty as soon as he arrived. Isn’t that suspicious?”

"Think about it again. Do you really need to send protectors to attend a poetry gathering?"

"Still confused? Then let me tell you another secret: the waters were created by a great demon. Now, do you have any ideas?"

"What? You're telling the truth?"

Yan Yi's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Huangfu Lingxue's ears and leaving her utterly shocked.

"Indeed, this information was obtained by the Great Yan and the Water Domain after a long battle, and it is absolutely true! Therefore, I have every reason to believe that the Water Domain intends to release the great demon in the Silent Temple, and its forces must be numerous. Only in this way can Meng Qianfan be so fearless."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xingchen finally understood why Meng Qianfan wanted people from him, why he looked down on him so much, and why they knew about Daji.

Now, everything is clear. From the power of the swords within them, they have deduced their relationship with Daji. It turns out that Daji is a demon empress, and the waters were created by a great demon.

In this era where heaven and earth cannot tolerate demons, they are like grasshoppers on a rope, interdependent and inseparable; they are of the same kind.