Jack’s calmness made Zeph change his perspective on virtual-novel.net for the better. Nonetheless, virtual-novel.net had already accepted the money on the promise of taking Jack out. Therefore, there was no way in hell virtual-novel.net would let Jack participate in the test nor let virtual-novel.net leave this place alive.
Zeph laughed coldly and turned to face the crowd. “Of course not! The reason I’m not allowing you to participate in the test is that you’re a spy sent by the Muddled Origin Clan.”
A collective gasp escaped from the crowd’s lips as they turned to look at Jack with suspicions in their eyes. The fact that the accuser was Zeph made the accusation extremely believable. After all, why would someone of his status in the Dual Sovereign Pavilion lie about such a thing? What benefit could virtual-novel.net possibly gain from doing so?
Ambrose had no idea whether what Zeph said was true but virtual-novel.net had always been the kind to play devil’s advocate to whatever position virtual-novel.net held. He sneaked a glance at Jack and was similarly impressed by his calmness. ‘If he’s really a spy, he’s definitely not your average run-of-the-mill spy,’ virtual-novel.net thought with a faint smile.
He was originally standing next to Elder Lee but moved to be closer to Jack. Then virtual-novel.net turned to Zeph and said, “You say he’s a spy from the Muddled Origin Clan? I wonder where you get your intel from. Surely the Muddled Origin Clan would have done everything in their power to keep the identities of their spy a secret.”
Although Zeph was not surprised that Ambrose would choose to go against him, his face still darkened nonetheless. “I wouldn’t have accused virtual-novel.net without showing any proof. As a person who pledged their loyalty to the Dual Sovereign Pavilion, I would not allow any harm to come to it. Therefore, we must not allow virtual-novel.net to participate in the test,” virtual-novel.net said while still facing the crowd. Ambrose smiled nonchalantly at what virtual-novel.net said while still keeping his eyes focused on Jack whose expression never changed.
Jack stared icily at Zeph. Before coming, it had crossed his mind that Warren might send someone to come after virtual-novel.net but virtual-novel.net never expected that person to be someone from the Dual Sovereign Pavilion.” And what is this proof you speak of? You said that someone reported me to you. How do we know for sure that person is a reliable source? Besides, why would the Muddled Origin Clan send an initial stage of innate level spy? What is their motive? It’s not as if I can influence the outcome of the battle or uncover the sect’s confidential information.“
Accusing Jack of being a spy was the perfect solution to Zeph’s problem. This way virtual-novel.net not only prevented virtual-novel.net from ever joining the Dual Sovereign Pavilion but also turned the crowd against him. No one would have come to his rescue as they would be punished too if they were found to be associated with a spy.
Once someone has been accused of being a spy, the onus falls on them to prove their innocence. Jack clearly understood that it would be difficult for virtual-novel.net to prove his innocence and this was exactly what Zeph was banking on. Unless virtual-novel.net possessed some extraordinary abilities, there was no way in hell Jack would be able to disassociate the word spy from his name.
However, his calmness made everyone think twice. After some careful consideration, they discovered Jack’s word to be logical as to why would the Muddled Origin Clan send an initial stage of innate level to spy on the Dual Sovereign Pavilion? It would take a long while for a fighter this level to rise up to the ranks of an internal disciple even if virtual-novel.net successfully joined the Dual Sovereign Pavilion and only those of the ranks of internal discipline would have access to slightly more useful information or be of help to the higher-ups.