Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Final Exam

"This matter could indeed be asked of Shui Yan. Perhaps we’ll uncover who told the evil cultivators about the draining practices," Ling Qi said hesitantly, glancing at You You. When she showed no objection, he ordered someone to summon Shui Yan.

Shui Yan arrived promptly, appearing fully recovered from past traumas. She answered bluntly, "I don’t know specifics. Even before we were taken to the den of evil, this had occurred for years. They first targeted noble ladies from the Mortal Realm, then female cultivators. Countless women suffered."

"Women…" You You froze, then abruptly stood as realization struck. "The female ratio! Didn’t you notice most resentful souls Feng Rong guided were women?"

Nie Zheng and Yuan Qi stiffened. They’d witnessed the sea of vanishing souls but only now recalled over half had been female.

As an outsider, You You initially hadn’t questioned this. But in this World where women were rare—especially in remote areas like the border city—such disproportionate deaths made no sense. Natural disasters wouldn’t selectively kill women.

Unless… someone targeted them deliberately.

The room darkened with tension. Nie Zheng growled, "Whoever orchestrated this must be eradicated. Continuing unchecked will destabilize the entire Immortal Realm."

"Sect Master, should we alert other sects?" Ling Qi suggested. This threat extended beyond their Sect.

"We must warn them," You You said, "but without proof, who’ll believe us?" Her jaw tightened, remembering how some sects had shielded evil cultivators despite evidence during Shui Yan’s ordeal.

After pondering, she ordered, "Spread the information discreetly. Investigate all female disappearances—including sect members. Such schemers wouldn’t stop at three incidents."

"Understood." Ling Qi left urgently.

Within days, he returned with reports. Over the past Hundred Years, thousands of noble ladies had vanished from Fengtian Kingdom alone—alarming given the realm’s skewed gender ratio. Most cases remained unsolved.

Female cultivator disappearances had also spiked before the den of evil’s exposure.

Ling Qi hesitantly added another document. "Five celestial maidens from minor sects have fallen this century. Two died prematurely without reaching lifespan limits."

You You shot up, gripping the paper. "They attacked celestial maidens too?!"

"Possibly." Ling Qi nodded. "It requires deeper investigation."

"Proceed," You You ordered. As he turned to leave, he added, "Today’s the Sect’s training culmination. Disciples are ranking at Four Peaks’ arena. The final match nears its end."

"Today?!" You You exclaimed. She’d instituted the five-year final exam system but nearly forgot amidst the chaos. "Let’s go!"

"Where?" Feng Rong blocked the doorway, bundled in thick white robes despite summer heat. Only his face peeked out, gender obscured.

"Final exam viewing," she answered, eyeing his absurd outfit. "Weren’t you meditating?"

"Two weeks in seclusion suffocates anyone!" He grabbed her hand. "I’m coming."

You You sighed, tolerating his antics. His snowy attire made their group resemble rolling snowballs as they hurried to Four Peaks.

The arena buzzed with disciples. Onstage, Shui Yan’s sword clashed against Lin Feng’s techniques. Judges Feng Yu, Qiu Zhang, Kui Bi, and Nie Zheng observed from the platform.

"Shui Yan will likely retain her Golden Core division title," Feng Yu remarked. "That combat prowess justifies her ‘peak fighter’ reputation."

"Naturally," Qiu Zhang beamed. "She’s mastered my Qiu Zhang Technique best."

"Her Nascent Soul Stage challenge record proves it," Kui Bi added, rubbing old bruises.

You You arrived just as Shui Yan roundhouse-kicked Lin Feng offstage. A wind spell caught him midair, depositing him near the entrance.

Spotting You You, Lin Feng brightened and rushed to bow. "Sect Mast—"

Feng Rong’s foot suddenly lashed out, sending the disciple crashing back onto the stage.

You You: "…"

Shui Yan: "…"

Lin Feng (twice-kicked): "…"

Crowd: "…"

Silence blanketed the arena.