Deities: Starting From Goblins

Chapter 724: Chapter 437: Weak Buddha Hunting Manual_2

“We started investigating immediately but came up with nothing, not even a trace of a struggle nearby, which indicates that the three of them fell without any time to react. To achieve this, one either has to lay an ambush in advance, or the enemy’s strength is overwhelmingly strong.”

“However, if the enemy’s strength is so overpowering, at the very least they must be from the ninth layer of the Sanctuary. Would such a formidable enemy really resort to secret attacks? They could simply confront us openly. With dozens of us, we all would likely perish, so the former seems more probable.”

After concluding his speech, he then summarized, “The murderer might have intended to steal the materials or simply wanted to kill those three, but since the materials were not lost and there is currently insufficient evidence to support the speculation.”

Logan found the whole situation even more bizarre after hearing this. The three had fallen within less than a mile’s distance? And the remaining seven had not sensed a thing? Once one’s realm reaches that of the Sanctuary, the slightest disturbance within a hundred miles is detectable through their divine senses.

If there were an ambush, didn’t they consider that if it failed, the three would quickly alert the seven guarding the materials, leading all ten Sanctuaries to retaliate together, leaving the murderer, no matter how strong, likely doomed to a bad end?

Or could it be that the murderers were among the seven who were guarding the materials? They killed the three and might have attempted to tamper with the materials, but due to the delay, the bodies were already discovered the next day.

Logan scanned the area and asked, “There were ten of you guarding materials; suddenly, three fell. Do the remaining seven of you truly know nothing, or are you pretending to be fools? You are under significant suspicion!”

“We ten were guarding together, but felt it was overstaffed—would anyone lacking good vision dare to come steal the materials? So typically, there were five people on guard duty while the other five rested, alternating every six hours.”

“At that time, five people were on guard duty. Finding it too boring, three left only two behind and decided to take a stroll in the Demon Beast Mountain Range, and just like that, they never returned, and we didn’t learn about their demise until the next day.”

Seven of them stepped forward and gave a wry smile, “We can vouch for each other among ourselves. Besides, if the two on guard duty were the ones who made a move, how could they possibly overpower three? And any confrontation would surely have alerted the others.”

“These reasons are insufficient for self-exoneration. After all, they died less than a mile away; if you knew nothing at all, wouldn’t that be absurd? Could the one who struck them down be as powerful as a Saint Emperor from the Ancient Secret Realm?”

Logan’s expression grew grave. If it truly wasn’t these seven, then why would the murderer strike so close by, with such high exposure risk? And why would the murderer target these three specifically?

Was it due to a personal conflict with these three, or did the murderer not care about whose life was taken at all, and would they have dared to do the same if all ten were present? This was also worth pondering.

Logan considered a possibility—could it be that the murderer’s goal was not to kill but to take the materials? By taking everything needed to craft the Holy Life Elixir, these dozens of Sanctuaries would no longer be able to extend their lives.

After committing the murder, the murderer intended to lure the remaining seven away, thus finding the opportunity and time to take the materials. However, because there were only two people left on guard who did not notice the absence of the three, the murderer’s plan fell through.

Yet that still didn’t quite add up. Although the hundred materials were rare, the most precious among them was the Immortal Fruit from the Immortal Realm, which Logan had on him. Even if the other materials were lost, it would take just two or three days to gather them again.

“During our time in the Ancient Secret Realm, these three had offended the Wind Flame Daoist; could it be that the Wind Flame Daoist harbored a grudge and seized the opportunity to strike?”

Someone aimed the finger of suspicion at a person, causing an elder to become bewildered and visibly very angry, wronged by the accusation.

“I had a conflict with those three, but with only half a year left of my life, of course, I hope for the Holy Life Elixir to be realized. Moreover, stepping back ten thousand paces, with my capabilities alone, could I dispatch three Sanctuaries?”

The person was indignant, and countered, “I think he’s recklessly slandering others; instead, he’s the real murderer. The murderer wants to muddy the waters, not wanting you to uncover the truth.”

“How could it be me? I’ve had no quarrel with those three, and these past two days I’ve been with four or five others, able to vouch for each other, and I’ve stayed in the Wexler Clan’s City in the sight of tens of thousands.”

The person who had just spoken curled his lips and said, “You’re a suspect, so is it wrong for me to speak out? I never said you were definitely the murderer.”

“I think it’s the Fire Apricot Daoist. Among the dozens of us, he always keeps to himself and has poor relations with everyone else, even constantly bullied by us. Such a person is undoubtedly the most terrifying.”

Another person pointed at someone, and the suspected Fire Apricot Daoist waved his hands repeatedly, with a pale face under everyone’s gaze, not knowing how to defend himself. He knew that he had always been an outcast among the dozens, but he never thought about taking someone’s life.

The reason for his character was simply that he had seen too much in his cultivation journey, which left his heart weary. There was not much in the world that could move him anymore, which led to his current demeanor.

“It shouldn’t be the Fire Apricot Daoist. Firstly, his strength isn’t strong among the Sanctuary Powerhouses, only considered below average, and besides, he is already conspicuous. If he had acted, how come nobody noticed?”

The Holy Daoist shook his head, explaining on behalf of the Fire Apricot Daoist. Having been in the Ancient Secret Realm for ten years, he was quite familiar with the Fire Apricot Daoist, who had always been low-key but had a good character—someone absolutely trustworthy.

“Investigating will get us nowhere, just endless arguing. Now that we have gathered a hundred ingredients, why not refine the Holy Life Elixir and consider the missing three as having perished in the Ancient Secret Realm?”

Seeing the deadlock, someone discontentedly said, “It’s all fate. The death of those three can only be blamed on themselves. If they had just guarded the ingredients honestly without wandering around, how could they have given others the chance to strike?”

Though the words were harsh, it was indeed what everyone was thinking. There was no need to argue over three dead people; it all lost meaning. And even if they did find out, would they really seek revenge?

After all, we are not a tight-knit group, only working together temporarily for the Holy Life Elixir. We might even be at war with each other under normal circumstances. Continuing to pursue the murderer like this does not fit with our way of doing things.

The path of cultivation is such that if you are not careful, you’ll fall. It’s no one’s fault but your own if you get killed. With dozens of Sanctuaries together, it’s expected to undergo a great battle, leaving only a few outstanding survivors.

“I’m not any great paragon of virtue. The reason I’m pursuing the murderer is for the sake of safety in the future. If the murderer strikes next time and another three die, who can be sure they won’t be one of them?”

Logan furrowed his brows and let out a cold laugh, “Everyone is self-serving; such is the norm for cultivators. Naturally, I wouldn’t bother, but in refining the Holy Life Elixir, I fear someone might seize the opportunity to launch a sneak attack.”

While refining elixirs, because one must concentrate fully, even if Logan is powerful, he would become as vulnerable as any ordinary person. If someone chose that moment to strike, Logan’s life would be worthless, even if he had ten.

Only if he can trust these dozens of people can Logan refine with peace of mind, as it’s a matter of his own protection. Otherwise, he would definitely not proceed with the refining, preferring to see the others perish rather than take the risk.

“You needn’t worry. The dozens of us will always stand by your side. If anyone dares to make a move, they’ll be going against us. We need the elixir to extend our lives; why would we do anything untoward?”

The dozens of people spoke in unison. If Logan didn’t refine, what would become of the Holy Life Elixir? Could they only wait for their lives to ebb away? Thinking of the murderer behind the scenes, everyone was filled with towering rage.

If the culprit hadn’t caused trouble, how would it have come to this? Logan would probably already be refining. If they found out who was interfering, they would surely suppress that person in the deepest levels of Hell.

Faced with Logan’s concerns, everyone was at a loss. It seemed they had to find the murderer to ease Logan’s worries.

And until now, nobody could comprehend the murderer’s motives. Was the killing of the three intentional, or just a part of some larger scheme?