Jiang Chen denied it, but Hai Xunyi didn’t believe him in the slightest.
He already harbored some resentment toward Jiang Chen, and now, with Tang Yuan ambushed, Jiang Chen was the last person to appear on the scene.
If not Jiang Chen, who else was there to suspect?
"Jiang Chen, was it you?"
Ao Xi also questioned him.
In fact, Ao Xi was already half-convinced it was Jiang Chen.
When she had given chase earlier, the assailant had unleashed a flash of sword light. While any of them could use a sword, Jiang Chen used one more than anyone else. He even possessed Sword Intent.
Although the man in black hadn’t used Sword Intent, Ao Xi felt it couldn’t be anyone but Jiang Chen.
After all, only the five of them had entered Cannibal Valley.
Moreover, Jiang Chen had arrived late. Thinking it over, the time between the man in black’s departure and Jiang Chen’s arrival was just enough for him to change clothes and return.
And so, her gaze was now incredibly cold.
Jiang Chen shook his head. "It wasn’t me. I swear."
Hai Xunyi barked, "Shut up."
"There are only the five of us in Cannibal Valley. If you didn’t do it, who did?"
"How long are you going to keep up this act?"
"The height of shamelessness. You’re even more shameless than I am."
Jiang Chen realized that everyone now suspected him.
His explanations were clearly useless.
Still, he had to defend himself.
"There are more than just the five of us here. Someone else is present."
"I was nearby just now and saw a man in black kill an Orange-Feathered Eagle."
"If you don’t believe me, you can come with me and see for yourselves."
Though skeptical, they all followed Jiang Chen to the place he had mentioned.
Tang Yuan followed behind them, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He had a feeling that Jiang Chen had figured something out.
With Jiang Chen around, his plot might be exposed.
For now, however, he said nothing, simply clutching his severed arm as he trailed behind the group.
Jiang Chen led them to the spot where the Orange-Feathered Eagle had been killed.
Sure enough, they saw the carcass of an Orange-Feathered Eagle lying in the forest.
Upon seeing it, Hai Xunyi scoffed, "A dead Orange-Feathered Eagle? What does that prove?"
"I suspect you killed this eagle yourself."
"And the ’man in black’ you mentioned was just you. Are you still trying to make excuses? You think we’ll believe you?"
Ao Xi and Tian Ci both stared at Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen’s voice grew heavy. "None of you believe me?"
The look in their eyes was all the answer he needed.
Tian Ci remained silent.
Hai Xunyi snarled, "From this moment on, you are no longer a representative of our Five Nations Alliance."
"And you will not travel with us. I’m afraid you’ll try to kill me."
Tang Yuan had long wanted to kill Jiang Chen.
He shouted, "Get lost! But I will have my revenge for this."
Under their collective gaze, Jiang Chen stood in silence, his eyes moving from one face to the next.
Tian Ci was expressionless, Ao Xi’s face was cold and proud, Hai Xunyi glared at him with fury, and Tang Yuan’s eyes were filled with undisguised hatred.
He realized he could no longer travel with these people.
In their eyes, he was the attacker.
"Please leave."
Ao Xi spoke as well.
Her tone was icy. She no longer believed Jiang Chen—in truth, she had never really trusted him to begin with.
"Heh..."
Jiang Chen let out a small laugh, finding the whole situation ridiculous.
It was obvious that one of them had brought the man in black into the valley, yet that person was still playing the victim.
For the moment, Jiang Chen couldn’t figure out who it was.
Without another word, he walked off into the forest alone.
Once Jiang Chen had disappeared, the remaining four gathered together.
Hai Xunyi continued, "I suspect Jiang Chen might come after all of us."
"From now on, everyone be on your guard."
No one spoke, each privately weighing the situation.
The injured Tang Yuan suddenly spoke again.
"The Angel is very likely here."
"If we all stick together and find the Angel, who gets to claim it?"
At his words, Ao Xi and Hai Xunyi both grew wary.
They were all geniuses; none were willing to share their prize.
Tang Yuan’s words had clearly hit home.
It was now impossible for them to stay together.
Tian Ci turned and left without a single word.
And Ao Xi, ever the proud one, followed right after him.
Only Tang Yuan and Hai Xunyi remained.
Watching the other two depart, Hai Xunyi said to Tang Yuan, "Brother Tang, since you’re injured, you must be extra careful here."
"If you run into Jiang Chen, be sure to send a signal. We’ll come to your rescue immediately."
"Besides, your Cultivation is the weakest. You’re in the most danger this time."
He offered this seemingly kind reminder before turning to leave.
Only Tang Yuan was left.
After everyone was gone, a cold sneer spread across Tang Yuan’s face.
"Die. I’ll make sure all of you die here."
"Heh heh. You’ve all fallen for my scheme. Now, you can just wait to die."
He clutched his severed arm. To execute his plan, one could say he had paid a hefty price.
Jiang Chen walked through the forest, mulling over what had just happened.
As for who had brought an expert into the valley, he didn’t have proof, but he had a hunch.
’Tian Ci is an extremely proud person. He would never resort to such despicable tactics. It’s not him.’
’Ao Xi is a possibility, but it doesn’t seem like her style, either.’
’Then... could it be Hai Xunyi?’
Jiang Chen settled on Hai Xunyi.
Right now, he was the most likely suspect.
Having reached this conclusion, he suddenly made a decision.
’Ten Directions Calculation, deduce Hai Xunyi’s destination.’
This time, Jiang Chen decisively used Ten Directions Calculation to begin his divination.
He wanted to follow Hai Xunyi and see what he was up to.
No sooner had he thought of it than the Compass materialized by his Ten Directions Calculation began to spin.
Finally, the needle pointed southeast.
Expressionless and silent, Jiang Chen followed the direction indicated by the needle.
The Compass was clearly pointing toward Hai Xunyi.
As he advanced, Jiang Chen remained as cautious as possible.
If his suspicion was right, Hai Xunyi would definitely be meeting up with the man in black.
Determined to find evidence and clear his name, Jiang Chen felt himself drawing closer and closer to Hai Xunyi.
Finally, Jiang Chen peeked out from behind a large tree and saw Hai Xunyi standing in a clearing ahead.
Suddenly, Hai Xunyi shouted, "Who’s there? Show yourself!"
Jiang Chen frowned slightly.
’Was I discovered?’
He looked at Hai Xunyi, but Hai Xunyi wasn’t looking in his direction.
’This is strange. I’m using the Nine Heavens Spirit-Seizing Technique to hide my presence. It should be nearly impossible for anyone to find me.’
But in the next moment, Jiang Chen knew he was wrong.
SWISH!
A black shadow suddenly emerged from the forest.