The sudden voice of the Skysoar Sect Master startled the middle-aged man. He spun around at once and said, "Sect Master, what are you talking about? How could I possibly be a traitor!"
"If you're not a traitor, then what are you? I saw you using a jade pendant to transmit a message just now. Are you really going to deny what I saw with my own eyes?" the Skysoar Sect Master said sternly, his tone sharp and severe.
"Sect Master, you've wronged me—truly, you've wronged me! I did send a message just now, but it wasn't to Rainbow Court. You know how long I've served Skysoar Sect, and you know my loyalty. If I were a traitor, why would I send a message here of all places? Besides, what information could I possibly transmit?" the middle-aged man replied, trying to sound calm and collected.
"Still trying to deny it? Of course you were transmitting news about my wife preparing to refine an unparalleled poison. I already felt something off about you back in the main hall, but I didn't expose you then. Even so, I started to suspect you and quietly had someone keep an eye on you.
It didn't take long before someone spotted your suspicious behavior. For me to become the Skysoar Sect Master, I've weathered countless storms. If you think I can't see through such petty tricks, then you've truly underestimated me," the Skysoar Sect Master said.
"If Sect Master insists on seeing me this way, there's nothing I can do. My loyalty to Skysoar Sect is clear to heaven and earth, and my dedication is plain for all to see. You gave me a chance in life—how could I ever betray Skysoar Sect?" the middle-aged man replied earnestly.
He knew that a single wrong word today could cost him his life. Escape was out of the question—the Skysoar Sect Master was a late-stage God-Venerable powerhouse, and in front of him, he was nothing but an ant.
The Skysoar Sect Master looked at the middle-aged man in puzzlement and said, "If you're truly innocent, I'll give you a chance. Tell me exactly what you transmitted and to whom. Answer honestly, and I won't hold it against you. Otherwise, you know what happens next."
At this, sweat broke out on the middle-aged man's forehead. He looked at the Skysoar Sect Master and said, "Sect Master, I just sent a message to my own sister. You know she's in Rainbow Court. Now that Madam is refining an unparalleled poison, I only asked her to come to Skysoar Sect if she has time. As for the poison, I didn't mention a single word about it."
"Do you really expect me to believe that nonsense? So you're saying you asked your sister to secretly leave Rainbow Court and come to Skysoar Sect? You think she'd just leave so easily? If you didn't tell her how serious things were, would she go? Even if you didn't tell that bitch Elena directly, do you really think your sister wouldn't?" The Skysoar Sect Master laughed coldly.
The middle-aged man panicked inside—he really was digging his own grave, coming up with such a terrible excuse. He hurried to argue, "Sect Master, I'm telling the truth! If you don't believe me, wait until my sister arrives—you'll see. She'll be here in at most half a month. If you still doubt me, lock me in the water dungeon. If she doesn't show, you can deal with me however you want."
"Well said! Well said! No need for the water dungeon—just take this pill from me instead." Poison Maiden Tia Thorn's voice rang out for the two to hear.
As soon as she finished speaking, Tia Thorn appeared. In her palm was a white pill, faintly fragrant, clearly a potent elixir. But everyone knew that any 'elixir' from Poison Maiden Tia was bound to be a deadly poison.
"Madam, there's no need to waste a pill. I'd rather wait in the water dungeon for my sister to arrive," the middle-aged man said at once—no way was he about to swallow a pill from Poison Maiden Tia, which was certain death.
"No need to argue with him, Madam. Better to kill by mistake than let one slip through. Even if he hasn't betrayed us, he's already broken sect rules—and at a time like this, we have to be ruthless," said the Skysoar Sect Master.
"Husband, I couldn't agree more. This pill isn't anything special—once you swallow it, you'll suffer agonizing pain for three days, like being eaten alive by ten thousand ants. In the end, your whole body will rot into a puddle of pus and blood. Worst of all, the medicine attacks the God Infant first," Tia Thorn said with a cold, mocking smile.
The middle-aged man knew there was no escaping disaster today. He laughed bitterly and said, "I've risked my life for Skysoar Sect for years—if not for merit, at least for hard work. Yet neither of you will even give me a chance to defend myself. So heartless! Dying at your hands today, I must've been blind. It's a shame I didn't tell my sister your secret earlier—if I had, Rainbow Court's mistress would at least be warned.
You two are God-Venerable powerhouses, and in your eyes I'm nothing but an ant. Go ahead—maybe in another life I'll stand tall again. But with Skysoar Sect killing the innocent so recklessly, you might just bring ruin on the whole sect."
With those words, the middle-aged man was utterly hopeless. It was all thanks to Poison Maiden Tia's arrival—her reputation for cruelty was infamous, and no one knew how many had died at her hands.
"You really do talk too much. Even if that bitch Elena at Rainbow Court learns about my God-Chasing Powder, what can she do? Dream on! The Primordial Dragon has already fallen, the Divine Roc is extinct, and while the Divine Phoenix still exists, Phoenix Valley has been sealed since the War of the Gods—no one can enter. Since you're so eager to die, I might as well grant your wish," Tia Thorn sneered wickedly.
Her laughter was harsh, almost demonic. The middle-aged man tried to run, but found himself completely unable to move—one of the two God-Venerables had locked him down with a Space Domain.
As the sound of bones breaking rang out, the middle-aged man couldn't help but open his mouth and cry out in pain. At that moment, Tia Thorn seized the chance to toss the pill into his mouth.
The pill dissolved instantly, sliding down his throat and into his body. A wave of burning heat surged up, followed by excruciating pain at the location of his God Infant, making the middle-aged man howl like a wild beast.
"Let's go back, husband. This traitor can die slowly—let everyone see what happens to those who betray us!" Tia Thorn laughed.
"Tia, will he really not escape? What if someone comes to rescue him?" the Skysoar Sect Master asked, looking at her with suspicion.
"Don't worry, husband. After taking that pill, he won't have any strength left, and the pain will keep him from going anywhere. Let's head back—I'm in such a good mood today, I want to spend some quality time with you!" Tia Thorn laughed.