Chapter 1689: Identity Exposure

"What!" Everyone on the scene was astonished. Peng Wuyan had just been found, and now Pei Mianman was missing again?

However, the most shocked person was not someone from the Nine Daoist Sects, but Zu An. He flashed to Grandmistress Huoling's side and anxiously asked, "What? How did she disappear?"

Qiu Honglei was also stunned, never expecting Pei Mianman to go missing. At that moment, she didn't even have time to feel jealous; instead, she looked at her master, wondering what solution she might have.

Yun Jianyue, however, remained expressionless. That brat was sweet-talking her just last night, and now his mind was completely focused on another woman.

People around them also cast sideways glances. Why was this young man so anxious? Could it be that he genuinely fancied Miss Pei?

But considering Pei Mianman's beautiful face and stunning figure, it was quite normal for a young man like him to be attracted to her.

Grandmistress Huoling's face flushed and paled, but at that moment, she had no time for other concerns. She explained in detail, "Last night, I went out for an errand. Everything was normal when I returned. This morning, I saw that it was getting late and Manman still wasn't up, so I went to her room to look for her and discovered she was gone."

"Later, I mobilized the disciples of the Azure Palace to search, but there was no trace of her either. That's why I came here to see if any of you had clues."

Wang Wuxie shook his head, "We just learned about her disappearance, and we have no clues."

Others chimed in, clearly having no idea how she had disappeared.

At this point, the disciples in the arena gradually realized what had happened and erupted in an uproar. Unlike Peng Wuyan, who wasn't known for her striking looks, Pei Mianman was a very beautiful woman with a devilish figure. It wasn't hard to imagine what might happen if she went missing.

Thinking of this, many began to feel pity, lamenting that such a stunning young woman had met such a fate.

Zu An was even more concerned about Pei Mianman's safety and urgently pressed Grandmistress Huoling for details: "Manman's cultivation is not low, and her residence is guarded by two Grandmasters, you and Palace Master Wan. How could she have been abducted without a sound?"

Wan Tongtian, standing nearby, looked a bit uncomfortable. "Ahem, I also went out for a while last night. It's highly possible that's when it happened."

As soon as he spoke, the eyes of those around them grew peculiar. Everyone had heard about the past grievances and affections between Wan Tongtian and Grandmistress Huoling. The fact that both of them went out in the middle of the night made it difficult not to draw connections.

Fortunately, given that Pei Mianman's safety was at stake, no one made any jokes.

At this point, Grandmistress Huoling said, "It's strange, actually. I checked Manman's room, and there were no traces of a struggle."

The others grew puzzled. "Miss Pei's cultivation is not low. Who could abduct her without making a sound?"

Pei Mianman's ability to advance to the finals, while partly due to luck, was largely a result of her genuine skill, leading her group. Furthermore, her Fu Hao Owl Zun was equally miraculous, making her a top-tier expert in the martial world. Even if a Grandmaster were to attack her, unless it was a sneak attack, she wouldn't be left without any means of resistance.

Everyone exchanged opinions, and as they talked, their gazes turned towards Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei.

"Why are you looking at me?" Yun Jianyue retorted irritably.

Yan Xuehen, who had been silent, spoke up, "Miss Pei's disappearance is very similar to Miss Peng's earlier disappearance. Do you know who captured Miss Peng and how she was rescued? Perhaps we can find clues to save Miss Pei from that."

She was well aware of Zu An's relationship with Pei Mianman, and since Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman were also close friends, she naturally couldn't stand by idly.

Guan Chouhai, Wang Wuxie, and others instinctively glanced at her. Wasn't this woman always detached from worldly affairs? Why was she suddenly so concerned about this matter?

However, most people still looked at Yun Jianyue, waiting for her to explain how Peng Wuyan was rescued.

Only Zu An knew that Qiu Honglei's disappearance had been self-orchestrated, so she couldn't possibly provide any useful clues.

At this moment, Yun Jianyue lightly coughed. "Actually, this is a secret of our sect. But since it concerns Junior Niece Pei today, I won't hide it any longer. Our sect left a tracking talisman on Wuyan. It automatically activates if she goes missing for a certain period. I sensed it and followed the trace, eventually finding her in a cave. Surprisingly, she was the only one in the cave at the time; her abductor was nowhere to be found."

Grandmistress Huoling hastily asked, "Where is that cave?"

Yun Jianyue replied somewhat unnaturally, "It's not that coincidental that they'd be in the same place. Once they realized Wuyan was gone, they surely knew the location was compromised. They wouldn't dare hide there anymore."

The people from Azure Palace found this reasonable, and their expressions grew dim.

Guan Chouhai looked at Qiu Honglei, "Junior Niece Peng, who exactly captured you? Did you not notice anything at all?"

Qiu Honglei shook her head. "I was cultivating at the time when I was suddenly knocked unconscious. When I woke up later, I was confined in that cave. The other party didn't seem to have any particular purpose and didn't interrogate me or anything. Eventually, I was rescued."

These talking points had been given to her by Yun Jianyue long ago, so there was no fear of any flaws.

"Anyone who could knock you out without a sound must be at least a Grandmaster. But which Grandmaster in this world would stoop so low as to sneak attack a junior?" Grandmaster Jianhuang pondered.

Li Changsheng spoke up, "Most likely it was Yun Jianyue from the Demonic Sect."

Upon hearing this, Yun Jianyue raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't those Dark Elves also accomplish it?"

Dark Elves were masters of sneak attacks and assassinations. Even without Grandmaster cultivation, they could indeed achieve such a feat.

"Phantom Tower?" Everyone's expressions changed. No one was unafraid of this mysterious assassin organization.

Li Changsheng shook his head, "With our Nine Daoist Sects gathered here, Phantom Tower has no reason to provoke us. They never engage in unprofitable business."

The group analyzed the situation back and forth but came to no conclusion.

Grandmistress Huoling, unable to wait any longer, asked Yun Jianyue for information about the cave, then hurried off to search.

Zu An was also about to leave, but Yun Jianyue secretly sent him a telepathic message: "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

Zu An paused, sensing that she seemed to imply something. Just as he was about to question her, he heard her declare loudly, "The grand competition has been delayed for so many days already. Now that my disciple has returned, shouldn't we continue?"

At her words, the entire arena erupted in an uproar. Wan Tongtian glared at her with displeasure, "When your disciple went missing, we postponed the grand competition and waited for her return. Now our Azure Palace disciple is missing, yet you're clamoring to continue the competition. What is the meaning of this?"

Others also turned their gaze toward Yun Jianyue, especially the younger disciples, who, being the most righteous, had anger in their eyes.

Not just them, even Qiu Honglei didn't understand. How could her master make such an impolite request at this time, knowing the relationship between Pei Mianman and Ah Zu?

Zu An frowned at this moment. He knew there had to be a reason for Yun Jianyue's actions and began to ponder what was truly happening.

Facing the crowd's questioning, Yun Jianyue showed no hesitation. "All our Daoist sects have traveled thousands of miles to Purple Mountain for this grand competition. It's impossible for us to stay here forever, and we've been out long enough this time."

"After deciding the champion, the disciples also need to enter the Daoist secret realm, and there's a series of related tasks to complete. We've already been delayed long enough. If we wait any longer, when will it ever end?"

"In my opinion, the mysterious person hiding in the dark intends to sabotage our grand competition. Even if Miss Pei is found, they will likely cause other problems, and the finals will never be held. Once the grand competition has a clear winner, I believe the mysterious person will stop their mischief."

Hearing her analysis, everyone initially felt some anger, but gradually, they began to find some sense in it.

After all, that person captured Peng Wuyan without demanding anything, and now Pei Mianman was taken. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a deliberate act of disruption.

At this moment, Feng Wuchang, the Peak Master of Guansin Peak, spoke up, "Elder Peng's words are not without reason. However, with Miss Pei currently missing, it's impossible to hold the finals."

Zu An looked at him with some surprise. Shouldn't Wang Wuxie be the one speaking in such a situation? Come to think of it, Wang Wuxie seemed more reserved than usual today, not even secretly glancing at Yan Xuehen.

Yun Jianyue declared proudly, "You all witnessed Wuyan's continuous victories against powerful opponents. As for Miss Pei from Azure Palace, her success was likely more due to luck. If the two truly fought, you all surely have your own judgment on who would win. Therefore, why not just let Wuyan be declared the champion directly?"

The others exchanged glances. However, they had to admit that Peng Wuyan had indeed displayed higher cultivation previously.

At this moment, Yan Xuehen suddenly spoke up, "Many times, without a direct fight, it's difficult to determine who is stronger or weaker. If we were to judge based on past performance, Miss Pei might not even have advanced from her group. As for Miss Peng, she wouldn't have consistently overcome strong opponents to reach the finals either."

The sect leaders, who had initially been swayed, hesitated once more after her words.

Yun Jianyue secretly gritted her teeth. This Ice Stone Woman was truly her lifelong rival; she would oppose her even if she changed her identity.

Just then, a shrill cry suddenly rang out: "That Elder Peng is a fake! She's the Demonic Sect Master, Yun Jianyue, in disguise!"