Chapter 125: The True and False Lin Qiye

Having just finished freshening up, Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow. He pushed the door open—and immediately collided into Xiao Baishi.

Lin Qiye asked, “What’s going on? Why the rush?”

Xiao Baishi took a deep breath, face filled with alarm. “Outside… someone’s looking to cause trouble for you, Brother Ye. They came on aggressively…”

Lin Qiye activated his Divine Perception, scanning carefully. A cold smirk spread across his face. “Just three Peak Diamond cultivators, and they dare stir trouble?”

Were these disguised demons really that foolish?

“Fine, let’s see what their intentions are.”

With that, Lin Qiye strode calmly toward the entrance of Ideal Island.

Xiao Baishi stood timidly behind him, eyeing the three Diamond Peak experts with fierce gazes.

Behind them, Chen Fan descended alongside.

“Brother Ye, what’s happening?”

“Don’t know. Early morning and we’re already getting visitors. Looks like they think I’m an easy target.”

Lin Qiye’s eyes darkened, his features sharp and cold.

Chen Fan sized up their opponents. “Three Peak Diamonds. Brother Ye, you take down two, I’ll handle one—no problem.”

Lin Qiye waved him off. “First, let’s find out what’s really going on. Killing them is easy.”

After exchanging a few words, Lin Qiye hovered up.

“To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

His tone was casual, almost indifferent. This only stoked the anger of the three Peak Diamonds.

Last night, you invaded our territory, killed one of our promising young talents, and walked off so arrogantly—and now you act so nonchalantly? Do you look down on the Seven Families City Militia?

The three took a deep breath, their eyes icy cold.

“So, you’re Lin Qiye?”

“To prevent you from denying it, we brought surveillance footage.”

One of the Peak Diamonds pulled out a compact device.

Soon, a projection appeared before Lin Qiye.

The image showed a figure identical to Lin Qiye, holding an identification token, entering the territory of the Seven Families City Militia.

Because it was Ideal Island and he was the deputy captain, no one dared stop him, nor did anyone suspect such a prominent figure would suddenly commit murder in their domain.

But unexpectedly, outside the auction, this figure directly approached a prodigy from the strongest family of the militia—the Wang family, whose genius was the strongest in three centuries.

Yet, this prodigy was struck down by Lin Qiye’s terrifying thunder strike, severely wounded… and died two hours later.

This incident enraged the militia, who immediately dispatched Diamond cultivators to hunt Lin Qiye.

However, Lin Qiye weaved through the crowd, disappearing without a trace.

The militia sealed the exits, searched everywhere, but found nothing.

When the video ended, both Chen Fan and Lin Qiye exchanged bewildered looks.

“That definitely isn’t you, Brother Ye!”

Lin Qiye: “That’s not me.”

Across from them, the Wang family’s Peak Diamond enforcer sneered, “That’s you! Exactly the same!”

“Your appearance, aura, methods… it’s all you.”

Lin Qiye denied firmly, “It’s not me.”

“Heh, then let the eyewitnesses speak!”

At his signal, a group of onlookers stepped forward, chattering and pointing at Lin Qiye.

“It’s him! It’s definitely him! No mistake.”

At their words, the three enforcers’ faces darkened.

“We’ve got all the proof! Even Ideal Island won’t protect you today!”

“Officer Wen, you’re not going to break the rules, are you?”

Wen Shuhong answered quietly, “…I intend to protect Lin Qiye, because I have proof he was with me last night.”

Their opponents frowned deeply.

“We expected as much. Officer Wen, do you think no one in the Seven Families City Militia dares oppose us? Our Wang family’s strongest prodigy was slain by Lin Qiye—blood for blood, life for life!”

At that moment, the Wang family Peak Diamond cleared his throat.

In the next instant, six Diamond cultivators appeared before them.

“Lin Qiye, come with us willingly. Don’t make Officer Wen’s job difficult. If this turns into a fight, Officer Wen will get hurt too!”

Clearly, threats were being made.

Yet Lin Qiye remained unmoved, quietly shaking his head.

“I said it wasn’t me, so it wasn’t. Go back—don’t force me to tear off the mask.”

Hearing this, the Wang family’s Peak Diamond enforcer’s expression darkened. He was stunned—how did Lin Qiye dare speak so arrogantly?

“Rip off the mask? You think you can say that?”

If it weren’t for Ideal Island’s influence, they wouldn’t be so polite.

The militia’s Diamond cultivators were furious.

At this moment, they saw Wen Shuhong slowly retreating, arms crossed, watching silently.

Before stepping back, Wen Shuhong gave Lin Qiye’s shoulder a pat, expression strange.

“Don’t go all out. Something’s fishy; we shouldn’t make an enemy of them completely.”

Lin Qiye nodded slightly.

Seeing Wen Shuhong retreat, everyone’s eyes lit up.

“Heh, looks like your protector isn’t going to shield you, idiot!”

“Attack! Capture him and bring him back for questioning!”

No sooner said than done, the seven moved in.

Their overwhelming aura swept across the sky.

But the next moment, Lin Qiye’s Thunder Deity Manifestation descended from above.

A terrifying pressure surged from it, like a mountain crushing down on them, infused with mighty divine spiritual power.

Instantly, all seven Diamond experts were forced to their knees.

“How is this possible?!”

The seven looked at Lin Qiye in horror, cold sweat pouring.

“You… you’re a Peak Diamond cultivator?”

Lin Qiye’s expression was calm.

“That’s right. That so-called genius you have is nothing to me. Why would I bother assassinating him?”

“Does he deserve it?”

“Even if it were you Diamond cultivators, I wouldn’t stoop to personally kill him!”

“Understand?”

The seven shuddered.

“But… who was it that appeared in our territory last night?”

Lin Qiye swept them coldly.

“Anyway, it wasn’t me.”

“That person’s techniques are only at Platinum level. Obviously, they can mimic my appearance but don’t know I’m already a Peak Diamond cultivator. So whether it’s real or fake is obvious.”

“Besides… do you think I’d leave traces if I killed someone? Some petty video can catch me?”

With that, Lin Qiye vanished.

The next instant, he appeared behind the seven cultivators, finger forming a blade, lightly flicking.

A blade of light struck behind them.

They instinctively resisted but were still sent tumbling, blood spilling from their mouths and noses.

“Go back. I held back out of respect for Captain Wen’s early warning. Otherwise, you’d all be corpses.”

Their faces darkened, utterly helpless before such power.

They scrambled up, bowing respectfully.

The situation was overwhelming.

From the moment Lin Qiye struck, they felt the vast gulf between them.

First, the terrifying Thunder Deity Manifestation, then the overwhelming spiritual pressure forcing them to their knees, and finally, his instant teleportation strikes!

Any of these alone proved Lin Qiye had no need to stoop to killing a Wang family prodigy.

Because that prodigy wasn’t worthy of his attention.

“Sorry, Mister Lin, we acted rashly. Thank you for your mercy. We’ll find the real culprit and clear your name.”

Lin Qiye waved off further words.

The aggressive Diamond cultivators left in disgrace.

However, shortly after their departure, the Wang family’s Peak Diamond enforcer received another video.

This time, the murderer appeared to be Chen Fan.

The seven cultivators exchanged glances.

“Should we seek justice?”

“Justice?”

“Are you going or am I? Do you dare?”

“No.”

“Then let’s hold a meeting.”

Frustrated, the Wang family enforcer refused to risk another embarrassment before Lin Qiye and left quietly.

…

“Let’s go.”

Chen Fan shook his head. “That video is strange. Who can perfectly imitate your appearance, Brother Ye? If I didn’t know your power, I might have been fooled.”

Lin Qiye’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“There are two possibilities: some kind of shape-shifting mask, or some demon.”

“I lean toward demon.”

“After all, I’ve offended plenty of demons.”

Lin Qiye’s expression was calm.

But beside him, Wen Shuhong appeared unsettled.

He had just received another video.

In it, Chen Fan was committing a murder in the Technological Cult, killing a forging prodigy before disappearing.

The methods matched Chen Fan’s moves exactly.

The similarity was one hundred percent.

Wen Shuhong was speechless, projecting the video.

Lin Qiye and Chen Fan watched intently.

Afterwards, Chen Fan exhaled sharply.

“They even impersonate me now?”

“This is turning interesting.”

His eyes grew cold.

“No doubt someone’s framing us both…”

Wen Shuhong speculated decisively.

“This must be related to demons. I’ll gather more experts from Ideal Island to handle this.”

“Trying to sully Ideal Island’s name? We won’t let that go unpunished!”

“Don’t worry, no one will lay a finger on you.”

Lin Qiye nodded.

“We understand, but can’t help but worry with those guys stirring trouble.”

He and Chen Fan glanced toward a nearby spot.

There, a group rushed to the entrance of Ideal Island, furious and imposing.

“Chen Fan! Come out and confess!”

“Chen Fan! Confess!”

Their booming voices thundered.

They were from the Technology Association—one of the main powers in the central world, arrogant and self-important.

Everyone fiercely protective of their own.

Thus, their tone was rude and aggressive this time.

Chen Fan frowned.

“Heh. I’m not as strong as Brother Ye, who can suppress seven Diamond cultivators alone, but if you want to act up before me… even the Technology Association can’t get away with that.”

With that, Chen Fan turned, his aura surging.

Purple-golden scales shimmered on his body, the ancestral dragon armor swelling his height to three meters.

A golden scale shield floated behind, ready to block fatal blows.

Fully powered up, Chen Fan stood silently at the entrance, eyes cold as he faced the Technology Association enforcers.

“Where’s Chen Fan?!”

“Make him come out and confess!”

“I am Chen Fan.”

“You’re Chen Fan? Fine then, seize him! You killed a prodigy of our Technology Association! We want your life!”

The enforcers raised their hands, surrounding Chen Fan.

Just as Chen Fan prepared to strike, a giant psychic palm shot out from behind, sending several of the Diamond cultivators flying hundreds of meters.

Then, Lin Qiye slowly floated beside Chen Fan.

His cold gaze swept across the Technology Association’s experts.

“You dare defy our Technology Association?”

“You…”

Someone’s face flushed red but was suddenly silenced by a Peak Diamond cultivator covering their mouth.

“May I ask who you are?”

“Lin Qiye.”

“Go back. Xiao Fan and I are Diamond cultivators. We have no interest in killing insignificant bugs like you.”

The Technology Association’s experts turned pale.

“You say it’s not you, so it isn’t?”

Lin Qiye nodded.

“Yes, I say it isn’t, so it isn’t. Leave now or I’ll kill you all. Believe it or not?”

Faced with this, the Technology Association’s experts hesitated.

Chen Fan alone rivaled a Peak Diamond cultivator.

Add Lin Qiye to the mix…

They couldn’t win.

Though arrogant, the Technology Association’s experts knew when to bend before true power.

After all, Lin Qiye’s murderous intent was palpable.

Just one look from him was enough to chill the soul.

They feared he might really kill someone.

That would be a disaster.

So, after a few harsh words, the Technology Association left in shame.

Thus, the farce finally quieted.

Wen Shuhong, Chen Fan, and Lin Qiye exchanged glances.

“There’s definitely something wrong. Someone’s using us as pawns to have the Seven Families City Militia and Technology Association attack us simultaneously.”

“If we didn’t have the Divine Transformation realm strength, Brother Ye and I would be dead already.”

“Even so, we’ve offended both the militia and the association. The militia isn’t too worrying; it’s the Technology Association that’s troublesome!”

Chen Fan gritted his teeth, analyzing furiously.

The enemy’s scheme to use others to do their dirty work was masterful.

Wen Shuhong nodded.

“Yes, the militia is powerful but not a major threat.”

“The Technology Association… that’s the real headache. Their formations, refining, alchemy—all need their resources. Offending them means trouble in other cities too.”

Lin Qiye smiled faintly.

“No worries. This probably involves demons.”

“As long as we find the real culprit… not only will we avoid offending the Technology Association, they might even compete to curry favor with us. Then we can demand compensation and benefits…”

Chen Fan and Wen Shuhong looked puzzled.

“What are you saying, Brother Ye?”

“The situation’s critical. Aren’t you being too optimistic?”

Lin Qiye shook his head confidently.

“There’s an old saying: fortune hides within misfortune, misfortune hides within fortune. This might not be a bad thing.”

Wen Shuhong and Chen Fan were speechless.

“So what do you suggest?”

“First, study those videos carefully. Find the flaws.”

“Anything forged will have defects.”

“Once we find the flaw, we’ll find the solution.”

With that, Lin Qiye headed toward the villa.

Today, he’d spend some time dealing with these demons.

Whether disguised demons or others, since they made the first move, they should prepare for annihilation.

His gaze grew colder and colder.