After confirming everyone's condition, Yun Jin spoke up. "I'm already in peak condition. Rather than let unexpected problems arise, why don't we head out now?"
The expressions on Yue Zhao and the others' faces grew serious.
"Then let's go," Yue Zhao said. "I've been curious for a long time. I want to see with my own eyes what this legendary Wushuang Sect looks like."
Si Wanning and the others nodded in agreement.
How could Yun Jin not feel the same anticipation?
Now that her senior brothers had all arrived, and everything that needed doing had been done, Yun Jin had no intention of delaying further. She used her transmission talisman to notify Feng Linglong, asking her to wait at the city gate.
As for the others, she didn't need to inform them directly.
Jin Yu and the others held the divided keys and could sense the main key's location. Once they sensed she was headed for the city gate, they would naturally follow.
After one final check of the storage pouches on her person, making sure nothing had been overlooked, the group made their way toward the city gate.
Feng Linglong arrived as soon as she received the message. The cultivators from the Four Holy Lands and Yuehua Sect reached the city gate nearly at the same time as Yun Jin.
"You're setting off already?" Duan Yiwei raised an eyebrow.
These past few days had been stifling for him.
Fortunately, the hidden vault was about to open.
After that, Yun Jin would be of no further use.
Getting rid of her would not only vent his anger, but also prove his competence to the sect leader. Once he returned to Qingxiao Pavilion, his rise would be inevitable.
From that perspective, he even felt he owed Yun Jin a word of thanks.
"Junior Sister Yun, you just finished your breakthrough, didn't you?" Ye Liuqin said kindly. "Wouldn't it be better to spend a little more time consolidating your cultivation? We aren't in any rush. We can wait a few more days."
Duan Yiwei immediately frowned.
Yun Jin smiled. "Thank you, Sister Ye. But I've already stabilized my cultivation. All of you came here for the sake of rebuilding Wushuang Sect, and I've already made you wait long enough. Today, it's time to set out."
As she spoke, Yun Jin brought out the main key.
It floated up, hovering in the air.
Jin Yu and the others exchanged a glance before each took out their own divided keys.
With the main key in the center and the four divided keys positioned at the cardinal directions, a faint hum filled the air.
Moments later, all five keys released a radiant light.
When the light faded, the five keys had fused into a single massive arrow.
The arrow wavered briefly, then pointed toward the east.
"Let's go. Follow the direction of the arrow," Yun Jin said.
The group soared into the air and followed the arrow's lead.
With such a spectacle, and after the recent sword tomb gathering and Yun Jin's public declaration of Wushuang Sect's return, this humble city had become the center of attention. Especially with disciples from the Four Holy Lands all gathered here, cultivators from all over had come to gawk.
Some kept their distance out of caution, but the bolder ones took off in pursuit.
Qin Ping watched as Feng Linglong and the others took to the skies. After a moment's thought, he followed as well. He had a strong feeling that this secret realm opening would not go smoothly.
Especially considering Yuehua Sect had dispatched nearly all their top combat strength.
What exactly were they planning?
Yun Jin, however, didn't seem to care. She brought them all along without hesitation.
Qin Ping couldn't tell if Yun Jin was simply too inexperienced to sense the danger, or if she had already made thorough preparations.
If it was the latter...
Then what kind of preparations would give her the confidence to face off against so many powerful cultivators without fear?
Qin Ping was genuinely curious.
If it turned out Yun Jin hadn't made any preparations, he could always step in to stop the others.
Duan Yiwei noticed the growing number of tailing cultivators behind them. His expression darkened.
"The opening of a secret realm is an extremely confidential matter," he said coldly. "Let me deal with those tailing us."
He was already preparing to act.
Yun Jin gave him a calm look. "Senior Brother Duan, if you're going to deal with the tails, wouldn't the senior cultivators of Yuehua Sect be your first target? Are you planning to fight all of them by yourself? I admit, I'm rather curious to see how that plays out."
She gestured politely, as if inviting him to go ahead.
Duan Yiwei's expression shifted.
He glanced at Yun Jin, uncertain whether she had seen through something or was simply speaking casually.
Yue Zhao chuckled. "Senior Brother Duan, everyone's just here to see the excitement. The reappearance of Wushuang Sect is a major event. There's no need for bloodshed."
It gave Duan Yiwei a way to save face.
He snorted and fell silent.
Yun Jin paid him no further mind and continued flying in the direction of the arrow.
"Tian Po, how far is the hidden vault?" she asked.
The Tian Po Sword's tone was puzzled. "I'm not sure. After my master placed me in the sword tomb, he went off to set up the secret realm. But since Lin City holds the main sword tomb, the secret realm should be nearby."
Yun Jin nodded.
Then they would simply follow the arrow.
Tian Po Sword's guess was correct.
The secret realm wasn't far. The group flew eastward for roughly three days and nights before the arrow finally led them to an endless stretch of sea. At the edge of the coast, it came to a stop.
During those three days and nights, the glowing arrow remained highly conspicuous. Coupled with the recognizable uniforms of the Four Holy Lands, more and more curious onlookers joined the chase. The number of tails behind them kept growing.
This clearly annoyed Duan Yiwei.
They were planning to make their move on Yun Jin soon.
If the matter could be handled in secret, all would be well. But if too many eyes witnessed it, the act might be seen as dishonorable.
So be it.
They were just a bunch of low-level cultivators. When the time came, he might as well get rid of them all.
Now, the arrow stopped, and Yun Jin halted as well. All the followers trailing behind came to a stop too. The once-quiet coastline now seemed unnaturally silent.
"The arrow's stopped here. What does that mean?" Duan Yiwei frowned.
"What's the rush?" Yun Jin rolled her eyes.
The arrow began to sway wildly like a pendulum clock, trembling erratically as if unsure of its direction.
After a while...
The arrow abruptly transformed into a whistle and dropped into Yun Jin's hand.
A whistle?
Yun Jin blinked in surprise. She lifted it and gave it a hard blow. She blew with considerable force, yet the whistle made no sound.
"What's going on? Let me try," Duan Yiwei reached for the whistle.
But before he could touch it, a burst of scorching light flared from the whistle. A tongue of flame landed squarely in his palm and began to burn.
Duan Yiwei let out a scream, frantically trying to douse the fire with spiritual energy. It had no effect.
The others rushed forward to help, trying every method they could think of, but the flame refused to go out.
Only after the time it takes for a cup of tea did the fire finally extinguish on its own.
Duan Yiwei's hand was left a charred mess.
He cast a dark look at Yun Jin.
The whistle sat quietly in her hand, docile and harmless. The flames had not harmed her in the slightest. But if anyone else tried to touch it... they would likely suffer the same fate he had.
So this was...
The method of Wan Dao Saint?
Duan Yiwei felt a sudden fear rise in his heart. He dared not say another word. He silently pulled out a pill and began healing his hand.
Now that he was injured, once the secret realm opened and Yun Jin was dealt with, his main competitors would be Jin Yu and the others.
If he remained in this state, he might not be able to compete with them at all.