Chapter 54: No Escape
Beirut's sudden departure made the atmosphere in the great hall somewhat awkward, and the celebratory banquet ended hastily. The four clan leaders, including Gaisrein, greeted Pussero, Bebe, and Linley before they all returned to their residences.
In the great hall, most of the elders began to leave. Only then did Follan stand up.
"Follan." A cold, sharp voice.
Follan looked up. The Grand Elder was walking toward him, her clear, cold gaze fixed on him. She transmitted mentally, "Follan, I ask you. Were the eight enemy elders who went to kill Linley because of you?"
"No!" Follan replied without hesitation. "Mother, I am definitely not a traitor! Mother, you must believe me!"
The Grand Elder scrutinized him for a moment, but if Follan was putting on an act, how could he let her discover it?
The Grand Elder seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Her voice softened slightly. "Alright, I believe you. As long as you are not a traitor, the clan will not allow anyone to kill you." Having said that, the Grand Elder also left.
In the cold, underground hall.
Follan was alone. "Listening to Beirut's meaning, it seems he's truly certain I'm a traitor? Could a Sovereign have actually seen it? Although Sovereigns are noble, they also have human nature and walk the lands. It's possible they know."
Follan's mind churned with thoughts.
"Hmph. Whether a Sovereign discovered it or not, a great Sovereign would not bother interfering in such a trivial matter." Follan made up his mind. "As long as I firmly believe I am not a traitor, then I am not!"
Follan had only one course of action — never admit it!
In the Grand Canyon of the Divine Sacrifice Mountain Range, Beirut did not stay in the residence arranged by the Four Divine Beasts clan. Instead, he lived in the canyon, neighboring Linley and Bebe.
Inside Linley's dwelling, Linley, Bebe, Pussero, and Beirut sat together, while Delia was outside with Wade.
"Grandpa, since you and the Sovereign know about this, and know that Follan is the traitor, why not just kill him directly?" Bebe snorted. "I've disliked that Follan for a long time."
Linley smiled. "Bebe, the clan leaders and elders of the Four Divine Beasts clan all have a deep pride in their hearts. If we killed him without evidence, even if they didn't openly turn against us, they would hold a grudge."
"Right." Beirut nodded with a smile. "Don't be fooled by how respectful those four clan leaders are to me. After all, they are the children of four Sovereigns. They are very proud at heart. We can't go too far."
Linley felt some gratitude toward Beirut.
Did Beirut really care about the Four Divine Beasts clan holding a grudge? He was doing this because he was worried that Linley would be ostracized and have a hard time in the clan.
"Lord Beirut, you said that in a few months, Follan would have nothing to say. What is the method?" Linley asked immediately.
"Yeah, Grandpa. What's your plan?"
"Haha..." Beirut laughed.
Pussero also smiled. "Bebe, do you remember meeting your grandmother in Mier City over a year ago? What did you get that time?"
"The Soul Separation Fragment. What about it?" Bebe asked, puzzled.
Beirut chuckled. "That Soul Separation Fragment was sent over by an old friend of mine. At that time, I asked your grandmother to give it to you because I was accompanying that old friend and didn't have time to find you."
"That Follan is also a member of the Azure Dragon clan and has innate protection. I cannot forcefully use 'soul hypnosis' on him. However, my old friend can." Beirut was full of confidence.
A super-strong expert who could peel away soul fragments?
"If this person steps in," Linley thought with great joy, "Follan definitely won't be able to escape!"
"I rushed over this time because of Delia's matter. I was worried my old friend might have left. But I just contacted him, and he is still in the Youlan Prefecture. He will arrive in a few months." Beirut said with a faint smile.
"Grandpa, are you sure?" Bebe was a bit worried. "That Follan has innate protection, you know."
"Absolutely certain!" Beirut declared.
Linley felt a surge of joy upon hearing this, and also sighed inwardly: "For a super-strong expert like Lord Beirut, the friends he makes are also super-strong experts. Even Follan, protected by innate azure light, can be hypnotized. The level of his soul mastery must be terrifying."
The days of waiting were leisurely. However, the news that the Youlan Prefecture's lord had identified Follan as a traitor spread throughout the Divine Sacrifice Mountain Range. Many clan members were secretly angry, believing the Youlan lord was bullying others.
Several months passed in the blink of an eye. One day, Linley and Delia were playing with Wade in front of their house.
Wade could now walk with a wobble.
Holding her son, Delia suddenly looked up and said, "Linley, the news from last time spread really far. It even reached our Grand Canyon. When I took Wade out for a walk earlier, I heard clan members from other branches saying that the Youlan lord was slandering Elder Follan. Of course, some say Follan's refusal to undergo soul hypnosis is a sign of guilt... but most people seem to support Follan."
"Don't worry about it. When that expert arrives, everything will come to light." Linley said, then crouched down. "Wade, come on, a few more steps. Come to Daddy."
"Ah, ah~"
Wade grinned, showing his pink little mouth, and toddled step by step until he reached Linley's arms.
"Daddy." Wade said sweetly.
"Come on, give me a kiss." Linley said dotingly.
Holding his son, Linley also glanced at Delia beside him. Just a few months ago, he had been in despair. All this change was because of Beirut: "I can never forget this great kindness for the rest of my life."
Just as Linley and his family were enjoying their happiness—
"Beirut!" A hearty voice rang out over the Divine Sacrifice Mountain Range.
"Hmm?" Linley and Delia looked up in surprise.
Beirut, Pussero, and Bebe flew out one after another. Beirut smiled at Linley, "Linley, my good friend has arrived. Let's go. It's time for Follan to show his true colors."
Linley and Delia, carrying the child, also flew up from the Grand Canyon.
Above the Divine Sacrifice Mountain Range, a proud and imposing figure hovered in midair. He was wrapped in a large dark cyan robe, his curly dark cyan hair casually draped, and his thick black eyebrows were like two swords.
He stood there with his hands behind his back, above the Divine Sacrifice Mountain Range.
A large group of patrolling warriors nearby did not dare to approach. Gaisrein led several elders over.
"Clan leader, this strange man flew here, shouted 'Beirut,' and then just stood there without moving. We tried to drive him away... but any brother who got close to him lost consciousness and fell, only to regain consciousness after hitting the ground." The patrol captain reported.
Hearing this, Gaisrein frowned.
Gaisrein immediately flew over and said loudly, "I am Gaisrein, clan leader of the Azure Dragon clan. May I ask who you are?"
The strange man only then opened his eyes and glanced at Gaisrein. Gaisrein felt a shock in his heart. He actually sensed that within the strange man's eyes, there were two illusory snake shadows.
"Gaisrein?" The strange man said indifferently. "I am waiting for Beirut."
Gaisrein frowned. Although he felt the man before him was very powerful, Gaisrein was not afraid... his greatest strength was 'soul defense,' after all, he possessed a complete soul defense Sovereign artifact.
"Then please come to my place to rest while you wait for the Lord Prefect." Gaisrein smiled.
"No need." The strange man said.
"Haha... Dannington, you're a bit slow." A cheerful laugh sounded. Beirut appeared from afar in a blur and arrived. Linley, Bebe, and the others flew over behind him.
"Beirut." The strange man smiled and went to meet him.
Linley and Delia flew over and couldn't help but carefully look at the strange man. But to Linley, the man's curly hair seemed to transform into countless slender green snakes.
"Hmm." Linley was startled. "What a strange feeling."
"Lord Prefect, is this Dannington? The legendary Dannington of the Chaotic Sea?" Gaisrein asked incredulously.
Many legendary figures in the Infernal Realm were known to Gaisrein only by name; he had never seen them. This Dannington was a legendary figure who could rival, or even surpass, Beirut in the Infernal Realm!
"Yes." Beirut smiled. "This good friend of mine is Dannington, the number one expert under the Sovereign of the Chaotic Sea!"
The Infernal Realm was mainly divided into five continents and two seas. Among them, the 'Chaotic Sea' was the largest and had the most experts. Dannington had been famous throughout the Infernal Realm for countless years.
Dannington's greatest strength was the 'Death Edict.'
Because the seven elemental laws had clear, distinct profound mysteries, and fusing several profound mysteries was also very clear. However, the four edicts were different. The four edicts had no clear profound mysteries. Whether one reached the level of a Demigod or a God, the Heavenly Laws would judge.
Whether Dannington had reached the Grand Perfection, no one could say for sure.
But...
If you asked who in the Infernal Realm had the strongest soul achievements, most experts would name 'Dannington.' A figure so powerful he was monstrous. If Beirut's strength was a sudden rise, proven by bloody slaughter, then Dannington's power was recognized through countless years of testing.
Many believed that Dannington had reached the limit of the Death Edict, achieving Grand Perfection. Of course, Dannington himself never said so... and others couldn't be one hundred percent certain.
"Gaisrein, arrange for someone to bring Follan here." Beirut smiled.
Gaisrein already had some understanding, but he still ordered a servant to summon Follan.
Beirut and Dannington flew side by side. Gaisrein, Pussero, Linley, Bebe, and Delia followed.
"Pussero, this Dannington, the number one expert under the Sovereign of the Chaotic Sea, is he very strong?" Linley transmitted mentally. Linley had been cultivating for too short a time and was still unfamiliar with some legendary figures of the Infernal Realm.
"Very strong? No kidding." Pussero transmitted mentally. "This Dannington is probably a Grand Perfection God. What do you think?"
Linley was startled and couldn't help but look carefully at Dannington. As Dannington flew, his dark cyan curly hair fluttered wildly. But as it fluttered, it often created illusions—sometimes turning into countless long snakes, sometimes into countless cold arrows...
Staring at Dannington made Linley's head feel dizzy.
"Truly terrifying." Linley was secretly shocked.
"Boss, I always feel that Dannington's robe looks like a deep-sea monster. It's so strange." Bebe transmitted mentally. Linley wasn't the only one experiencing illusions.
In the hall of Clan Leader Gaisrein's residence, everyone sat down in order. Linley looked up toward the entrance. The Grand Elder strode in: "Brother, who was it that just called out so loudly for the Lord Prefect?"
Gaisrein stood up and greeted her, "Sister, this is Mr. Dannington of the Chaotic Sea."
The Grand Elder was startled.
"Mr. Dannington." The Grand Elder said amicably. They addressed Beirut as 'Lord Prefect' out of gratitude. As for others, even if they were equal in strength to Beirut, they would at most address them as 'Mister.'
Just as the Grand Elder sat down, footsteps sounded from outside.
"Haha, finally here." Beirut laughed.
"Which one?" Dannington asked indifferently.
"The one with the golden hair." Beirut said. Follan and several other elders were walking in together. When Follan saw Beirut in the hall, his expression turned unpleasant.
"Oh?" Dannington responded.
Suddenly—
Dannington's eyes emitted two illusory, grayish phantom shadows that abruptly enveloped Follan. Follan didn't even have a chance to resist. Linley's eyes lit up: "This Dannington's attack looks simple on the surface, but there must be a fierce struggle going on in Follan's mind."
Follan's facial muscles twitched once, then he calmed down.
"Alright." Dannington smiled and turned to Beirut. "This Azure Dragon clan's innate ability is truly formidable. I had to use my real skill."
Beirut also laughed. "Stop complaining. Help me interrogate him."
"What are you doing?" The Grand Elder said urgently.
"Just a soul hypnosis." Beirut said calmly. "Whether he is innocent or not, you will see for yourselves."
Gaisrein quickly signaled the Grand Elder with his eyes. Since they had already performed the 'soul hypnosis,' they might as well let it happen. "Hmph." The Grand Elder snorted softly but still sat down. "When it's proven that my son is not a traitor, we'll see how you clean up this mess."
"How to clean it up is none of my concern. Beirut is responsible." A smile appeared on Dannington's face.
"Follan, tell me. Was it you who tipped off the eight enemy elders who ambushed Linley? Who informed the eight great clans of Linley's whereabouts?" Dannington said calmly.
Instantly, the hall fell silent. Gaisrein, the Grand Elder, several elders, and even Linley all watched Follan nervously. Linley stared at the numb Follan below: "If it's not him, this will be hard to resolve."
Follan's face was calm, his eyes vacant. He said mechanically, "Yes."
"Yes!"
The sound echoed through the hall. The entire group fell silent. The Grand Elder, though her expression was hidden behind her silver mask, had eyes full of disbelief.
"Did you hear that?" Beirut smiled as he looked at the Grand Elder and Gaisrein.
"How is this possible?" The elders in the hall were all shocked.
"Ask him! Ask him why!" The Grand Elder's body trembled. She didn't want to believe it. She truly couldn't understand why her son had come to this. Under soul hypnosis, one cannot lie. This was an iron law.
Dannington continued: "Why did you tip them off? Why did you want to kill Linley?"
"He deserves to die!"
Follan said mechanically. "He is a junior of the clan. Why should he get the Azure Dragon Ring? The Sovereign artifact of our ancestor!"
"Sovereign artifact?" Dannington looked at Linley in surprise. The other elders also looked at Linley in shock.
Follan continued: "Even if he got the Sovereign artifact, that would be one thing. But my son also indirectly lost his strongest divine clone because of him. And he is only a Demigod... If a Demigod is this powerful, once he becomes a God, he will surely surpass me in the clan. For me, Follan, to live every day looking up to him would be torture. He must die."
"Demigod?" Many elders in the hall looked at Linley in astonishment.
They didn't know that Linley was a Demigod, nor that he possessed a Sovereign artifact.
"So that's how it is. So that's how it is." The Grand Elder stood up, murmuring.
"Whoosh!"
The Grand Elder's figure suddenly flashed to Follan's side. She fiercely struck his head with her palm. With a 'bang,' Follan's head exploded, and two divine sparks burst out.
Linley drew in a sharp breath: "This Grand Elder..."
The entire hall fell silent in an instant. Even Beirut and Dannington looked at the Grand Elder in surprise.
"Betraying the clan, all avatars are to be executed!" The Grand Elder said in a low voice, but her eyes were moist. However, she instantly dried her tears.