The assembled sects and noble families nodded in agreement, finding the reasoning sound.
Someone suggested, "Young Master Bai, I heard your Sigil Sect has a talisman called the Soulbinder. Once it's used, you can't lie—why not try it on them?"
Lily Bai smiled, "Soulbinders aren't easy to make, but luckily, our Sigil Sect still has two stashed away. Today, let's use one!"
"Senior Sister!" At this moment, Zane Lin spoke up.
Lily looked at him. "Sixth Junior Brother, what do you think?"
Zane Lin was a disciple of the ancient Stone clan.
Gifted and ranked sixth among the Sigil Sect’s inner disciples, he was one of their top talisman cultivators.
Normally, he hardly spoke and had almost zero presence among the inner disciples.
But today, he was unexpectedly lively.
"Whether we can use the Soulbinder... I'm afraid that's up to Master," Zane Lin said. "After all, he's the Sect Leader!"
Everyone turned to look at Lord Faustin, Immortal Warden of the Sigil Sect.
To their surprise, he was sprawled out in his chair, apparently fast asleep!
His face was pale, lips colorless, mouth half open, and—oh dear—even drool was running down his chin. It was a sight.
Playing dead again!
Every time things get tricky, he fakes illness, weakness, or sleep!
Lily Bai ground her teeth, then smiled sweetly. "Sixth Junior Brother, I never realized you were such a miser! No matter how precious a Soulbinder is, it's just a piece of talisman paper—surely it's not more important than the safety of Evercrest Immortal Mountain or the lives of all these heirs and young masters, right?"
Saying this, she turned to Nine Li. "Besides, this concerns Junior Brother Nine Li—how could Master possibly refuse?"
Nine Li, a clever little rascal, instantly caught her meaning.
"Exactly! I already sent a telepathic message to my dad—he told me to go get it." Nine Li said, then, with practiced ease, fished the talisman vault key off his father and headed out.
The so-called sleeping immortal had his key swiped by his own son—now waking up or staying 'asleep' was equally awkward.
Inside, Lord Faustin was cursing Lily Bai and Nine Li a hundred times over.
Those two were always teaming up to swindle him.
He used to spoil them, just turning a blind eye to their antics.
But today... it looked like they were about to stir up real trouble.
As Nine Li left, Harvey Yule’s eyes darkened, and he shot a glance—deliberate or not—at Leo Li.
Leo Li frowned, then suddenly spoke up: "With so many people gathered here today, it's not suitable for everyone to just stand around waiting. If there's to be a trial, let’s do it back at our place!"
With that, he waved his hand: "Guards—take them away!"
Two divine soldiers stepped out from behind him, ready to escort the prisoners.
"Young Master Drake!" Lily Bai called out loudly. "Where exactly are you taking them?"
"Naturally, to Drake Prison." Leo Li replied coolly, his tone strong and commanding.
"Young Master Drake! I request a public trial right here!" Lily Bai bowed to him. "We're all victims—we all want to know the truth!"
"So you think if I take them back to Drake Abyss, we won't get the truth?" His aura intensified, and every immortal present could feel it—he was not pleased.
Lily Bai could feel it too.
But the more forceful he got, the more suspicious Lily Bai became.
What was really going on here?
Could it really be, as Damian Black said, a frame-up?
She stayed in her bow, neither arrogant nor servile. "Of course that's not what I mean. What I mean is, my junior brother will be back soon! We're all dying to know the truth—why go out of our way?"
"Take them away." To everyone's surprise, Leo Li gave the order without hesitation.