The black-robed figure was stunned. "Why? Don't you know how damaging this would be to Bibi Dong? If the whole continent heard, she'd go mad and start a war, and the Rakshasa God's inheritance could be triggered. I could enter the God Realm for what I want."

"Yue Guan, are you unwilling? Do you still feel grateful to your former master?" the figure questioned.

"Of course not! No one is more important than Old Ghost. You promised me revenge and to resurrect him; I'll always be loyal. But it's useless to act now—please wait!" Yue Guan said, then left to fetch something.

A few minutes later, he brought back a beggar.

"My lord, you can read his memory. You'll understand everything." Yue Guan said.

The black-robed figure did so and learned that the rumors about Spirit Hall, the sects, and the empire had spread across the whole continent—even beggars discussed them.

Now he understood: it was pointless to spread more rumors about Bibi Dong. Everyone would just think it was the work of the top sects and the empire trying to smear the Spirit Hall.

People would only scoff, "Another fabricated scandal? How boring."

Ironically, one of the rumors about Bibi Dong and Qian Xunji was actually true. Bibi Dong was furious when she heard, but she didn't go mad—she knew people wouldn't believe it in this environment.

She also thought her past wasn't really exposed, just mixed with fake rumors and now considered false too.

"Who started all this?" the black-robed figure raged.

These were the continent's top forces—weren't they supposed to be strong and dignified? Now they were acting like quarreling housewives, making up endless gossip and ruining his plan.

"This all started because Tianlin barged into Hu Liena's room, then Yan tried to ruin his reputation, sparking this rumor war," Yue Guan replied.

"Just from such a small matter? My plan is ruined?" The black robe seemed to burn with fury.

Tianlin—a top genius—why would he risk so much for Hu Liena? The black-robed figure sighed. "Didn't expect to lose to a womanizer. Man proposes, heaven disposes."

With the plan ruined, he could only lay low and prepare anew.

…

Outside, all the factions declared the rumors fake and promised to investigate and punish the culprits. But upon checking, they found the rumor-mongers were all their own loyal disciples, controlled by Tianlin's mental skills. They didn't even try hiding their identities—how could they punish them all, especially core disciples?

Eventually, Ning Fengzhi punished Tianlin with three years of seclusion—no going out unless necessary. Tianlin agreed, since he was planning to train anyway. Ning Fengzhi was truly angry this time—he could tolerate most things, but Tianlin even dragged him into a rumor with the Empress, making Emperor Xue Ye look at him strangely.

Bibi Dong similarly punished Yan—though it was Hu Liena's idea, Yan took all the blame as a loyal follower and was also confined for three years.

All forces ordered: anyone starting rumors will be thoroughly investigated. The mastermind's plan was now impossible—any move would be dismissed as fake and draw unwanted attention.

The black-robed figure had to give up on ruining Bibi Dong, letting things cool down and bringing peace for a few years.

Qian Renxue had just finished an Angel God trial and learned of the incident. She didn't care about the rumors, but was shocked the cause was supposedly Tianlin trying to assault Hu Liena.

Nonsense! The Tianlin she knew wasn't like that at all.

Angry, Qian Renxue confronted Hu Liena: "You vixen, why did you slander Tianlin? If you hadn't set him up, none of this would have happened!"

Hu Liena secretly found this amusing—Qian Renxue really trusted Tianlin. Others believed the rumors, but only she never doubted him.

Hu Liena smiled flirtatiously. "Yes, I set him up. In fact, he came looking for you, but you were in seclusion, so I became the scapegoat—at his own request!"