Reborn Divine Doctor: The Abandoned Girl's Legend-Chapter 888 - 757: Tragedy

The explosion finally ceased after a quarter of an hour, and the Forging Field was completely destroyed, with the audience seats in ruins.

Many bluestones had shattered, dozens of Artifact Refining Cauldrons were completely broken, and many people were severely injured or killed in the explosion.

Sobbing sounds filled the air, and Ye Lingyue saw Mu Shuang among the Mu Family siblings; her brother Mu Wu had been right behind Ye Lingyue when the Artifact Refining Cauldron exploded.

His cauldron had also exploded. Unlike Ye Lingyue, he wasn’t as lucky and was pierced through the heart by a blade-like Cauldron Piece, dying instantly in a bloodbath.

Mu Shuang’s condition was somewhat better, but her beautiful face was scarred by shards of the Spiritual Artifact she was refining, ruining her looks—a devastating blow for a young and beautiful woman.

"Brother—" Mu Shuang fainted in Mu Ying’s arms, crying.

Neither of the aunt and niece could have imagined that after enduring countless trials and tribulations, they would meet misfortune in the final contest.

Many contestants shared the same fate as the Mu Family siblings, and at that time, their family and friends rushed into the Forging Field to rescue the severely injured.

Witnessing these scenes, the Sifang City Lord frowned.

He was also an Artifact Refiner, and it was impossible for these Artifact Refining Cauldrons to explode without reason, especially not all at once.

The World’s First Forging Competition has experienced explosion incidents before.

In memory, over the past few hundred years, there had been four or five explosion incidents during the competition, but most of them were due to the Artifact Refiner’s own operational mistakes, and never had there been such heavy casualties.

With so many people encountering accidents during the World’s First Forging Competition, he had to give the victims’ families an explanation.

"Indeed, we cannot let anyone go. I suspect that the mastermind behind the explosion is among these people. Sifang City Lord, you must give us an explanation," Mu Ying said as he handed his unconscious niece to a doctor who came to treat the injured and walked over angrily.

Not only Mu Ying, but other victims’ families were also furious, surrounding the Sifang City Lord and the three judges.

"Everyone, please calm down. The City Lord will investigate this matter thoroughly. Sifang City will provide an explanation to everyone," several Four Directions Envoys strived to maintain order, but the enraged crowd could not be easily controlled.

"Quiet, close the gates of the City Lord’s Mansion, and allow no one to enter or leave. I will absolutely provide everyone with an explanation today," the Sifang City Lord, a formidable figure who had overseen the Demon Awakening Gate for many years, quickly regained his composure.

Seeing the Sifang City Lord truly determined to investigate the matter, Lie Xuyang, mingling among the injured, anxiously glanced at Hong Mingyue.

The latter gave him a warning look, signaling him not to act rashly.

Hong Mingyue... Ye Lingyue glanced at Hong Mingyue, filled with anger in her eyes.

Indeed, this matter could not be unrelated to her.

After the explosion subsided, Ye Lingyue assessed the surroundings and noticed that most of the exploding Artifact Refining Cauldrons were concentrated around her.

Lie Xuyang’s cauldron, though also exploded, had not fully detonated and retained a large portion of its body.

Lie Xuyang was injured, but only slightly, with superficial wounds on his arm—clearly a ruse of self-harm.

Hong Mingyue was indeed despicable beyond redemption.

Recalling Feng Xun’s injuries and Mu Wu’s shattered form, Ye Lingyue’s anger flared further; Hong Mingyue conspired with Lie Xuyang to kill her, resulting in the deaths of so many people.

Though she already had a conclusion in mind, Ye Lingyue did not immediately accuse Hong Mingyue. First, everything was her speculation without concrete evidence; second, the people from Three-Life Valley were honored guests invited by the Sifang City Lord. Without conclusive evidence, neither the Sifang City Lord nor Luo Sansheng would believe Hong Mingyue to be the perpetrator.

Ye Lingyue turned in thought, contemplating how to expose Hong Mingyue’s true colors.

The Sifang City Lord, decisive in his actions, immediately closed the City Lord’s Mansion.

Night fell; the Forging Field was cleared, illuminated brightly by Pine Oil Lamps, making everyone clearly visible.

Everyone, except those seriously injured and needing treatment, was summoned to the Forging Field.

The Sifang City Lord and several Four Directions Envoys interrogated each person separately.

All night long, everyone remained vigilant, undergoing questioning, eliminating suspicions.

Until the third crow of the rooster, everyone had been interrogated, yet no clues related to the explosion were found.

"City Lord, this is not a solution. The explosion just occurred, the injured need treatment, and others are frightened and exhausted; it would be better to let everyone rest first," Housekeeper Qin advised the Sifang City Lord worriedly.

The Sifang City Lord was indeed troubled, with no leads.

But he couldn’t release people; if he did, the clues would vanish further.

At a loss, the Sifang City Lord heard Ye Lingyue suddenly speak up.

"City Lord, I have an idea that might find the real culprit."

Hearing Ye Lingyue, both Housekeeper Qin and Lie Xuyang grew tense, inadvertently glancing at Hong Mingyue.

Hong Mingyue remained composed, knowing Ye Lingyue well—cunning and crafty, no less than herself.

Only Long Sixuan knew of her collaboration with Housekeeper Qin, and Long Sixuan would never betray them.

As for Lie Xuyang’s manipulations, only she, Housekeeper Qin, and Lie Xuyang knew. Ye Lingyue wasn’t even in the Forging Field at the time, so how could she know?

Seeing Hong Mingyue calm and collected, Lie Xuyang and Housekeeper Qin felt somewhat relieved, yet still watched Ye Lingyue warily, fearing she might think of a clever plan.

"What idea? Speak freely. If it leads to the true culprit, I will bear all responsibility," the Sifang City Lord, eager for a resolution, replied.

"It’s simple. I heard that Master Nan Jiu from Namo Mountain has a Divine Worm unparalleled in identifying various scents. The culprit must have tampered with each exploding Artifact Refining Cauldron, leaving a scent behind. Let the Divine Worm sniff the destroyed Artifact Refining Cauldrons, and based on the remaining scent, we should be able to identify the culprit," Ye Lingyue explained, pointing towards the wine gourd on Monk Nan Jiu’s waist.

Divine Worm?

Indeed, there it was—clinging lazily to Monk Nan Jiu’s gourd.

What a capricious World’s First Forging Competition, thirty-six hours, and Chong Treasure had dozed off multiple times.

It was dreaming of a large vat of fine wine.

Suddenly, it sensed something amiss and, opening its eyes, found everyone’s gaze fixed upon it.