"This..."
Everyone, including Lei Ying, was dumbfounded. The Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade that Yan Jin presented was also fake? What in the world was happening?
They remained frozen in place, unable to find the words to describe their shock. It was indescribable!
Fake?
The Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade that Yan Jin had taken out was also fake? The realization slowly sank in, and they all turned their questioning gaze towards Yan Jin.
Yan Jin calmly stated, "There's no need to speculate. This Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade is indeed the one owned by my Yan Clan."
"But I don't know why... why it has become fake."
Yan Jin was well aware that he hadn't played any tricks. The Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade he took out from his Yan Clan's shrine was supposed to be genuine, truly authentic.
Yet... why did it become fake in his hands?
This shouldn't be the case.
...
Upon hearing Yan Jin's words, Lei Ying and the others fell into silence. None of them doubted Yan Jin's statement.
After all, Yan Jin himself had offered to present the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade from his Yan Clan to invite the Gu Clan to join the Soul Annihilation Alliance.
It was impossible... for Yan Jin to deceive them.
As the leaders of their respective clans, keeping their word was crucial. Otherwise, breaking their promises wouldn't just damage their individual reputations, but tarnish the reputation of their entire clans.
That's why they had no doubt about Yan Jin's words.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed in Yan Jin's mind. He had an idea and looked at Lei Ying and Yao Dan. He spoke, "Brother Lei Ying, Brother Yao Dan, can you go back to your respective clans and bring out the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade from your clans?"
"I now suspect that the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade in your clans is also fake."
"Huh?"
Lei Ying and Yao Dan were momentarily stunned upon hearing Yan Jin's words, but they quickly regained their composure. They both split into separate avatars and left to retrieve the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade from their clans.
...
When Lei Ying and Yao Dan returned, they each held a piece of jade in their hands. It was none other than the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade, emanating a terrifying aura.
The aura of a Dou Di.
Yan Jin didn't ask Lei Ying and Yao Dan to hand over the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade to him. Instead, he slowly spoke, "Brother Lei Ying, Brother Yao Dan, try applying a little force to the jade."
"Alright!"
Although they didn't know what Yan Jin was trying to prove, they followed his request. They exerted a slight pressure on the jade in their palms, and with a crisp sound, they released their grip.
The Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade has turned into powder.
"What the hell..."
Lei Ying and Yao Dan were dumbfounded. They had taken the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade from their clan's shrine, so how did it break and turn into powder?
The current situation could only indicate one reason: the jade was fake!
But both Lei Ying and Yao Dan could vouch for the authenticity of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade they brought. How could it have turned fake? What was going on?
"Brother Yan Jin, what is happening?" Lei Ying snapped out of his shock and looked at Yan Jin.
Yan Jin stroked his chin and said, "Just as I suspected."
"Our Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade has all been switched from real to fake!"
Yao Dan looked at Yan Jin and asked, "Brother Yan Jin, what do you mean by this?"
Yan Jin explained, "Our Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade was originally genuine, but someone swapped them with fakes without our knowledge."
"These fake Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades bear a striking resemblance to the real ones. Without careful examination or firm grip, it is impossible to tell that they have been replaced."
"It is precisely because the fakes are so similar to the real ones that if we don't scrutinize them closely, we would mistake the fakes for the real ones."
"We've been deceived?"
Upon hearing Yan Jin's analysis, Lei Ying and the others found it reasonable and nodded slightly.
It was indeed a possibility, and it might really be the truth. Otherwise, how could all their Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades turn out to be fake?
They were originally genuine. How did they suddenly become fake?
This... shouldn't be the case.
...
Lei Ying spoke up, "Brother Yan Jin, who do you think could have swapped our Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades?"
Yan Jin stroked his chin, deep in thought, and said, "Only someone from our own ranks could have skillfully replaced our Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades without us noticing."
"We must have a spy within our own clans. Excuse me for now. Let's put the alliance on hold. I need to go back and find the mole."
"Perhaps the real Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades are still in their possession." A flash of insight sparked in Yan Jin's mind, and he quickly spoke before tearing open the space and leaving.
"I bid you farewell as well!"
Lei Ying also clasped his fists and agreed with Yan Jin's reasoning. Tearing open the space, he left as well. He hoped that they could expose the spy and recover the real Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades.
Only Yao Dan, Shi Po Tian, and Ling Zhi Zun remained, utterly bewildered. They exchanged glances and also bid their farewells.
After the five of them left, the temporary spatial hall instantly collapsed and dissipated into nothingness.
...
Upon their return, they all obtained similar results. There indeed was a mole within their respective clans. After successfully swapping the jades, the mole used seclusion as an excuse and left.
As for the identity of the mole?
They hadn't discovered it yet. But all suspicions were directed towards two clans!
The Soul Clan!
And the Gu Clan!
After all...
Only these two clans had the strength and capability to plant a spy among them without being detected. Who else would dare to target and scheme against their ancient races?
Of course...
The Soul Clan is even more capable and more inclined to do such a thing than the Gu Clan. The entire Dou Qi continent knows of the ambitions of the Soul Clan, but they have no evidence!
Without evidence pointing to the Soul Clan being responsible for the jade swap, and even if there were evidence, what could they do? They don't have the strength to challenge them!
The depth of power displayed by the Soul Clan far exceeds their expectations.
One peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng is already daunting.
But five Eight-Star Dou Shengs!
And in addition to the Four Demon Saints, there are three Seven-Star Dou Shengs.
And this is just the visible power of the Soul Clan. Who knows if they have any hidden tricks up their sleeves? Who knows what other reserves they possess?
The Soul Clan is known for its mystery and impenetrability!
In such a situation, what chance do their five clans have against the Soul Clan?
Unless the Gu Clan joins them?
Only then would they have a fighting chance.
Otherwise...
It would be like a moth flying into a flame, no chance of turning back, and it would be no different from suicide.
Several days later, the leaders of the five clans gathered once again.
Without the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jades, having offended the Soul Clan, and without the Gu Clan joining their alliance to annihilate the Soul Clan, what could they do?
Despite the current silence from the Soul Clan, they must be aware of this alliance against them. The Soul Clan might be planning something sinister. By the time they realize it, the Soul Clan will likely already be at their doorstep.
Or perhaps... their clans would be destroyed, their people wiped out.
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Total 212 chapters: p@treon.com/gfdsa