Chapter 1956: Filing A Complaint

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Even Li An, the Black Turtle Sanctum’s First Silver Flame Elder, did not dare to look down on the severe punishment by the Enforcement Hall. For this reason, at that time, he left the Saint Land Enforcement Hall to personally search for evidence to prove that Duan Ling Tian possessed a yellow Innate Spiritual Root.

He began by investigating the relationship between Duan Ling Tian and Guo Xiong.

As the Enforcement Elder, Guo Xiong’s righteousness was famous in the Black Turtle Sanctum. Otherwise, he would not have been appointed as the Black Turtle Sanctum’s Enforcement Elder by the Saint Land Enforcement Hall.

If Li An did not personally witness Duan Ling Tian tested yellow for his Innate Spiritual Root, he would not have doubted the Guo Xiong’s verdict. Since he had witnessed it for himself, he felt the report Guo Xiong had handed in to the Saint Land Enforcement Hall was fabricated.

He firmly believed that Duan Ling Tian was only a commoner who possessed a yellow Innate Spiritual Root.

There was only one reason for such a fair and just person like Guo Xiong to lie for Duan Ling Tian. Their relationship must not be simple.

For this reason, for almost two months, Li An investigated the relationship between Guo Xiong and Duan Ling Tian’s relationship from every aspect. Even then, he still came up empty-handed.

“Is there a technique to conceal one’s Innate Spiritual Root? By right, it’s impossible for such a technique to exist. Even if it exists, only powerhouses at the Saint Celestial Stage or above will be able to cast it! After all, only a powerhouse at the Saint Celestial Stage or above can detect the presence of their Innate Spiritual Root. Those below the Saint Celestial Stage can’t even detect their Innate Spiritual Roots so how can they possibly master a technique to conceal their Innate Spiritual Root?” Li An muttered to himself. He was certain that Guo Xiong had lied to help Duan Ling Tian escape the death sentence even though he had no idea why Guo Xiong would do so.

“Master!” A voice suddenly rang from outside, causing Li An to regain his senses.

“Enter,” Li An answered before a ghost-like figure entered the vast mansion Li An was residing.

The person was a middle-aged man with a medium build. He had a slightly fierce appearance. His unkempt hair fell around his shoulders, and his eyes shone with a terrifying light. As he stood there, he looked like a vicious wolf. Anyone who saw him would feel chills running up their spines.

This middle-aged man was wearing a long white robe that was embroidered with a bronze flame. However, there was no pattern to the flame. Based on this, one could tell he was Bronze Flame Elder from the Saint Land.

The exclusive uniforms of Saint Land elders and disciples were embroidered with only flames.

Only the uniforms of the Four Symbols Sanctums’ elders and disciples had patterns on them.

“Good day, Master!” After the middle-aged man entered, he bowed at Li An respectfully.

Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Li An sighed. “Wei He, I’m sorry for letting you down. Not only did I cause you to lose a direct disciple, but I’m unable to kill that murderer as well!”

Based on their words, one could easily tell this middle-aged man, Wei He, was the master of the Vermilion Bird Sanctum’s disciple, Yuan Hong, whom Duan Ling Tian killed two months ago!

“Master, Yuan Hong did not die in vain since it’s for your sake!” Wei He shook his head instead. However, his eyes gleamed coldly. “However, I can’t believe his killer has such a trick up his sleeve. He wasn’t even given a death sentence. He only possesses a yellow Innate Spiritual Root, why is he receiving special treatment?!” Wei He sounded emotional when he reached the end of his sentence.

After all, Yuan Hong was his only direct disciple. Although Yuan Hong’s innate talent was only ordinary, he had adored Yuan Hong a lot due to how sensible he was.

Wei He had just come out of his closed-door cultivation yesterday. Since he was feeling bored today, he decided to visit the Vermilion Bird Sanctum to look for his friend. Who knew he would find out that his direct disciple, Yuan Hong, had been killed. Not only that, but his killer remained unpunished.

After he had learned about what happened and the killer was a Black Turtle Sanctum’s disciple called Duan Ling Tian, he immediately came to the Black Turtle Sanctum. He quickly went to look for his master as soon as he arrived in the Black Turtle Sanctum.

From what he knew, when the Black Turtle Sanctum’s Enforcement Elder Guo Xiong announced the verdict, his master was present as well. Not only that, but his master had announced he would go to the Saint Land Enforcement Hall to object to Guo Xiong’s verdict.

However, based on the current situation, it seemed like his master had failed even after going to the Saint Land Enforcement Hall.

“Master! I heard you’ve already gone to the Saint Land Enforcement Hall?” Wei He asked as he looked at Li An.

“Yes,” Li An nodded. It was still fine when Wei He did not mention the Saint Land Enforcement Hall, but as soon as he mentioned it, Li An’s expression turned grim immediately.

“You couldn’t get them to overturn Guo Xiong’s verdict?” Wei He asked again.

“No, I couldn’t.” Li An shook his head again.

“Why?!” Wei He was puzzled. “As far as I know, not only did Duan Ling Tian kill my disciple, but he also killed my disciple’s younger brother. He can claim self-defense for killing my disciple since he made the first move, but it’s obvious he had intentionally killed my disciple’s younger brother, Yuan Kuang! Moreover, there are many Vermilion Bird Sanctum’s disciples who can attest to that. Don’t tell me the Saint Land Enforcement Hall really agrees with Guo Xiong’s verdict?” A hint of dissatisfaction could be heard when he spoke.

“In the report that was submitted by Guo Xiong, it’s stated that Duan Ling Tian is a martial genius who possesses a blue Innate Spiritual Root! It was because of this the Saint Land Enforcement Hall did not bother to investigate the matter of Duan Ling Tian intentionally killing a fellow disciple,” Li An answered in his deep voice.

Li An was extremely frustrated and baffled by this matter as well.

“Blue Spiritual Root?” Wei He was momentarily stunned before he said, “Master, as far as I know, Duan Ling Tian possesses a yellow Innate Spiritual Root, right? Weren’t you one of the moderators when he took part in the Black Turtle Sanctum’s disciples’ assessment?”

“That’s right!” Li An nodded. “At that time, we used two Spiritual Pearls to determine his Innate Spiritual Root level. Both confirmed that he had a yellow Innate Spiritual Root. I’m 100% certain of this.”

“Then, does this mean the report Guo Xiong handed in has been falsified? Did he lie about Duan Ling Tian possessing a blue Innate Spiritual Root?” Wei He’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“I thought so too in the beginning. I even wanted to file a complaint against that old geezer Guo Xiong. However, the person in charge in the Saint Land Enforcement Hall told me that if I insist on filing a complaint against Guo Xiong, the Enforcement Hall will accept and investigate the matter. However, if it’s proven that my accusations against Guo Xiong are false, I’d be punished by the Enforcement Hall instead!” A hint of fear could be seen in Li An’s eyes when he spoke. “Guo Xiong is a member of the Enforcement Hall after all. Slandering an Enforcement Elder is not a minor crime!”

“Then does this mean you’re not certain if Duan Ling Tian really has a blue Innate Spiritual Root, Master?” Wei He asked with a frown, “Master, didn’t you witness with your own eyes and confirmed it during the innate talent assessment that he only possesses a yellow Innate Spiritual Root?”

“This is because Duan Ling Tian knows some technique to conceal his cultivation base. When I thought of this, I can’t be certain he doesn’t know another technique to conceal his Innate Spiritual Root. However, based on the situation, I don’t think it’s possible!” Li An continued to say, “After all, only a powerhouse at the Saint Celestial Stage or above can sense his own Innate Spiritual Root. Duan Ling Tian is only an Exemplary Saint Stage Martial Cultivator, it’s completely impossible for him to sense his Innate Spiritual Root. If he can’t sense his Innate Spiritual Root, how can he possibly conceal his Innate Spiritual Root?”

“Indeed!” Wei He’s eyes brightened when he heard Li An’s words. It was obvious he agreed with Li An. “If that’s the case, it’s obvious that the Black Turtle Sanctum’s Enforcement Elder Guo Xiong is playing favoritism and has falsified his report!”

“That’s what I suspect as well. However, in these past two months, I’ve repeatedly investigated the relationship between Guo Xiong and Duan Ling Tian, but I couldn’t find anything fishy at all. As the Black Turtle Sanctum’s Enforcement Elder, Guo Xiong has always been just and fair. There’s no reason for him to favor a new disciple who has just entered the Black Turtle Sanctum and lie for his sake!” Li An said as he shook his head. This was what puzzled him the most.

This was why he felt slightly hesitant to lodge a complaint against Guo Xiong!

“Master, there must be some relationship between Guo Xiong and that Duan Ling Tian! They must have hidden it really well that’s why you couldn’t find anything. It’s just as you said, with Duan Ling Tian’s cultivation base, it’s impossible for him to conceal his Innate Spiritual Root.” Unlike Li An who felt hesitant, Wei He was very confident. “Not only that, but you personally witnessed he possesses a yellow Innate Spiritual Root during the innate talent assessment twice. Moreover, he was tested twice with two different Spiritual Pearls. From this alone, we can confirm that Duan Ling Tian only has a yellow Innate Spiritual Root. Guo Xiong must have falsified his report!”

Wei He continued saying, “Master, after taking everything into consideration, I’ve decided I’m going to head to the Saint Land Enforcement Hall and file a complaint against the Black Turtle Sanctum’s Enforcement Elder Guo Xiong for favoritism and falsifying his report about Duan Ling Tian possessing a blue Innate Spiritual Root! Once Guo Xiong is found guilty, Duan Ling Tian will, naturally, also lose his privilege and be sentenced to death. Guo Xiong will be punished as well, and he might even lose his position as an Enforcement Elder!” Wei He’s tone brooked no argument.

As soon as Wei He finished speaking, he bade farewell to Li An who was in a daze. When Li An finally regained his senses, Wei He had already left.

“I’ve really turned into a coward as I age… Even my disciple is more courageous than I am,” Li An mocked himself with a smile.