I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

Chapter 204 Lotus Tower (30)

The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves, dappling onto the forest path, adding a touch of liveliness to the quiet atmosphere.

Li Xiangyi and Qiao Wanwan walked side by side, and a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere lingered around them.

"That kid is quite amusing." Qiao Wanwan couldn't help but chuckle when she thought of Fang Duobing's serious yet somewhat silly look. "Naive, so easy to fool."

Li Xiangyi also raised the corners of his lips and agreed, "Yes, he looks a lot like me when I was just starting out." He turned his head to look at Qiao Wanwan with a gentle look in his eyes, "But he's not as lucky as me to have met you."

Qiao Wanwan felt a little embarrassed by his gaze and gave him a reproachful look: "You're so talkative again."

Li Xiangyi chuckled softly and didn't respond, just quietly watching Qiao Wanwan. She seemed to be in a particularly good mood today, with a smile between her eyebrows and eyes. The sunlight on her face made her skin as white as snow and her eyes bright and charming.

Li Xiangyi's heart moved. It had been a long time since he saw Qiao Wanwan so relaxed and happy. Ever since... He shook his head, throwing those unpleasant memories out of his mind.

"Fanfan, you seem not to have been this happy for a long time." Li Xiangyi said softly.

Qiao Wanwan's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal: "Yes, it's been a rare relaxing time during this period."

She looked up into the distance, a trace of longing in her eyes, "I really hope that the days to come will be as peaceful and tranquil as this."

Li Xiangyi held her hand tightly and said firmly, "Yes, I will."

However, fate always seems to like to play tricks on people. As soon as the two of them walked outside Lingshan Sect, they ran into Fang Duobing again.

He stood in front of the mountain gate, staring at Li Xiangyi and Qiao Wanwan with sharp eyes, obviously still suspicious of them.

"Why are you back again?" Fang Duobing stopped them and asked, "Are you really related to the Lingshan Sect?"

Li Xiangyi sighed helplessly. It seemed that he would not be able to leave today without a clear explanation. "Young Master Fang, we are just passing through here. We have no ill intentions."

"Just passing by?" Fang Duobing sneered, "I think you guys are guilty!"

"Young Master Fang, you misunderstood." Qiao Wanwan said, "We are really just passing by."

"Humph, is it such a coincidence that we passed by?" Fang Duobing was obviously unconvinced. "I think you just want to take this opportunity to escape!"

"Young Master Fang, do you find it interesting to keep pestering me like this?" Li Xiangyi said impatiently, "We have important matters to attend to. We don't have time to waste here with you."

"Important?" Fang Duobing narrowed his eyes. "What's the important thing? Tell me."

Li Xiangyi knew that if he didn't make things clear today, Fang Duobing would not let it go.

He thought for a moment and said, "To be honest, we suspect that Lingshan Sect's leader, Wang Qingshan, did not ascend to immortality, but was murdered."

Fang Duobing was stunned, obviously not expecting Li Xiangyi to say such a thing. "What did you say? Sect Leader Wang was murdered? How is that possible?"

"Nothing is impossible in this world," Li Xiangyi said calmly. "Master Wang Qingshan is known for being stingy. How could he be willing to abandon such a large estate and transform into a golden body? There must be something fishy going on."

Fang Duobing frowned, as if thinking about Li Xiangyi's words.

Li Xiangyi saw this and continued, "Young Master Fang, we have no intention of becoming your enemy. On the contrary, we can help you solve this case and impress your parents."

Fang Duobing's eyes flickered with hesitation when he heard this. He had always longed for his parents' approval, and this case might be his chance.

"Can you really help me?" Fang Duobing asked.

"Of course." Li Xiangyi said confidently, "There is no case that we can't solve when we work together."

Fang Duobing looked at Li Xiangyi and Qiao Wanwan and finally chose to believe them. "Okay, I'll trust you one more time. However, if you dare to play any tricks, I will not let you go!"

"Don't worry, Young Master Fang." Qiao Wanwan smiled slightly, "We are now in the same boat."

The three of them reached an agreement, temporarily put aside their prejudices, and went to Lingshan Sect together to investigate the truth.

At the foot of Lingshan Mountain, colorful flags fluttered and the crowds bustled. The Lingshan School's Children's Recognition Conference was in full swing.

Atop a high platform sat a shimmering golden Buddha statue, the golden body of Wang Qingshan, the head of the Lingshan Sect. Before it, a row of children dressed in brocade robes nervously awaited their fate.

"Fellow villagers, fellow believers, the Lingshan Sect's leader left behind a message when he ascended to heaven. The chosen spiritual child will inherit all of the Lingshan Sect's wealth!" The elder presiding over the ceremony announced loudly, his voice resounding throughout the square.

"The selected spiritual child must strike the jade chime in front of the master's golden statue and kowtow to request his approval!"

Among the crowd, Fang Duobing's attendant Wangfu was also there.

He was wearing a brand new silk dress, his face showing both excitement and anxiety. He held the jade chime tightly in his hand, and his palms were already sweating.

Li Xiangyi, Qiao Wanwan and Fang Duobing stood on the outskirts of the crowd, observing everything quietly.

"This spiritual child identification conference doesn't look simple." Qiao Wanwan said softly. She glanced at the spiritual children waiting to be selected, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

"If one of them is a spiritual child, what will happen to the others?" Li Xiangyi did not answer directly, but asked in return.

Fang Duobing's face changed when he heard this. Although he was usually careless, he was not stupid. After Li Xiangyi said this, he also realized the seriousness of the problem.

"You mean, these children... will all become victims?" Fang Duobing's voice trembled slightly.

Li Xiangyi nodded without saying anything.

At that moment, the ceremony on the stage began. The first child stepped forward, picked up the jade chime, and gently struck it. The clear sound echoed across the square. Immediately afterwards, the child knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times devoutly.

"Nothing happened." Fang Duobing breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Li Xiangyi's brows furrowed even more tightly. He stared at the child intently, as if trying to see through his soul.

The second, the third... one by one, the children came forward, struck the chimes, and kowtowed. Everything went smoothly, without any abnormality.

"It seems that I was worrying too much." Li Xiangyi smiled self-deprecatingly.

At this moment, it was Wangfu's turn. He took a deep breath, walked forward, picked up the jade chime, and struck it hard.

"when--"

The sound of the chimes was clear and melodious, and the lingering sound lingered. Wangfu knelt on the ground and kowtowed devoutly.

"boom--"

Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and everyone was horrified to find that except for Wangfu, the other spirit children were actually on fire!

"Ah - help -"