As Zhang Ergou put away the Ice Cold Snow Mountain, the magic array that Lu Tianqi and others had set up to trap it gradually lost its effect.
When the commotion of surrounding peaks collapsing slowed down, and the dust settled, the magic array disappeared.
Everyone then saw a massive abyss appear within a radius of tens of miles.
This was the location where the Ice Cold Snow Mountain had been. However, being trapped within the magic array, the disciples and elders of the Misty Sect had not been able to see its full scope.
Now that the Ice Cold Snow Mountain was gone, this place naturally returned to its original appearance.
The elders who witnessed this scene could only stare with their mouths agape, incredulously watching everything that had unfolded.
What on earth had happened? Why had such a colossal pit appeared out of nowhere?
Several Nascent Soul stage mighty figures cast suspicious glances at Zhang Ergou. They had a feeling that the current situation was heavily related to him.
However, Zhang Ergou's earlier reply to Chi Yu had been heard by them.
If they were to press him further now, they would be seen as bullying a junior.
Considering Jin Yuan's current predicament, the idea of seizing Zhang Ergou for questioning quickly dissipated among the several Nascent Soul mighty figures.
If Zhang Ergou were someone else's disciple, they might not have been so hesitant. But unfortunately, he was Chi Yu's disciple.
They knew that the Sect Master doted on his two younger sisters the most. The thought of the Sect Master finding out they had bullied Chi Yu's disciple sent shivers down their spines.
"Master, why are you looking at me like that? Don't you believe what I said?"
As the mist cleared and the surrounding elders gazed meaningfully at Zhang Ergou, he felt rather uneasy.
"Stinky brat, you really don't know what happened inside? Where did this Ice Cold Snow Mountain go?"
Chi Yu also looked at his prized disciple with suspicion. Although he could rely on his elder brother to protect Zhang Ergou, with so many people present, it was better to clarify the matter to avoid being labeled as relying on power to bully others.
"Master, what do you mean? Didn't I explain it clearly? In a daze, I was shaken by a jolt, followed by an earthquake, and then I was thrown out."
Zhang Ergou continued with a pained expression, "You don't actually think I moved the Ice Cold Snow Mountain, do you?"
Seeing the elders nod slightly, Zhang Ergou became agitated. Even though he had the lowest cultivation among those present, he was the victim.
What were they looking at him like? Could he, a mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator, possess such ability?
Zhang Ergou knew he couldn't endure it any longer. Otherwise, these people would surely mistake him for having moved the Ice Cold Snow Mountain.
"I say, esteemed elders, where are your brains? I am a cultivator who has just broken through from the Foundation Establishment stage to the Golden Core stage. How could you possibly believe I have the ability to move the Ice Cold Snow Mountain?"
"Or are you simply picking on me, Zhang Ergou, and insisting on pinning this on me?"
"Esteemed elders, I respect you as elders, but that does not give you the right to arbitrarily bully the weak!"
The more Zhang Ergou spoke, the angrier he became. He felt immensely wronged, and his words caused the expressions of the surrounding elders to change. Several elders with more straightforward temperaments even blushed.
Not everyone was so thin-skinned, and several among them already disliked Zhang Ergou. If they didn't seize such a golden opportunity, they would be letting themselves down.
"Heh heh, Zhang Ergou, you keep saying you were thrown out by an earthquake, but do you have any proof?"
Zhang Ergou looked up. The speaker was none other than True Man Xiayang, who had disliked him since he first entered the Misty Sect.
Since this old fellow had spoken, it was bound to be with ill intentions. But how could Zhang Ergou let him have his way?
"Uncle-Master Xiayang, what do you mean by that? Should a disciple be trapped inside the Ice Cold Snow Mountain and perish there to be considered reasonable?"
Zhang Ergou feared him not at all, his eyes fixed directly on True Man Xiayang's face.
Upon hearing Zhang Ergou's words, everyone nodded in agreement. True Man Xiayang hadn't expected this brat to be so difficult to handle, or to have become so sharp-tongued.
His expression became somewhat awkward. However, Zhang Ergou had underestimated True Man Xiayang's hatred for him.
"Zhang Ergou, do not change the subject. I asked if you have any proof that you were shaken out by the Ice Cold Snow Mountain's tremors. How does that relate to my expectations of you?"
Everyone nodded again. They also felt that True Man Xiayang had a point. Zhang Ergou's appearance was too suspicious.
Moreover, the magic array had gradually dissipated shortly after Zhang Ergou emerged. There was much room for doubt in between.
Zhang Ergou hadn't expected this old fellow to be so relentless. Fortunately, he and Old Man Xue Shan had already considered such a scenario while inside.
Otherwise, these people would have truly found something amiss.
"Uncle-Master Xiayang, let me ask you, who set up the magic array that trapped the Ice Cold Snow Mountain?"
True Man Xiayang was taken aback. What did this brat mean? What did it have to do with the person who set up the magic array? However, since Zhang Ergou had asked, he had to answer.
As elders of the Misty Sect, everyone present naturally knew that the Ice Cold Snow Mountain had originally been trapped by the sect's founder, Lu Tianqi, in conjunction with several array masters.
"Naturally, it was set up by our sect's founder, Sect Master Lu, and his associates."
This was common knowledge, and True Man Xiayang answered without hesitation.
"Good. Uncle-Master Xiayang, let me ask you again, what was Sect Master Lu's cultivation level at the time?"
Uh! A ripple of surprise went through the crowd. They seemed to have understood Zhang Ergou's meaning, and True Man Xiayang's expression turned even uglier. He had a feeling he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot.
"It is said that Sect Master Lu possessed late-stage Soul Transformation cultivation at the time," True Man Xiayang continued, forcing himself to answer.
"Uncle-Master Xiayang, does controlling this magic array require a special incantation?"
Zhang Ergou's expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp as he looked at True Man Xiayang.
"Naturally, it does!"
"Do you know this incantation, Uncle-Master Xiayang?"
"I do not."
"Uncle-Master Xiayang, without knowing the incantation to control this magic array, do you think you could easily destroy a magic array set up by someone in the late-stage Soul Transformation realm?"
Zhang Ergou's words were now very direct. True Man Xiayang's face turned the color of liver. He hadn't expected this brat to trap him in just a few words.
"Naturally, I cannot!" True Man Xiayang replied truthfully, forcing himself.
"Uncle-Master Xiayang, what is your cultivation level?"
Zhang Ergou smiled slightly. The elders present couldn't help but shiver. This disciple that Chi Yu had taken in was too difficult to deal with.
"Peak Golden Core stage cultivation," True Man Xiayang gritted out.
"What is my cultivation level?" Zhang Ergou continued to ask, looking at True Man Xiayang's nearly spitting-fire eyes.
He wasn't afraid. With several Nascent Soul mighty figures watching from above, and several of his masters present, he doubted True Man Xiayang would dare do anything to him.
"Early-stage Golden Core cultivation!" True Man Xiayang gnashed his teeth so hard he could almost shatter them.