The few cultivators from Qingxiao Pavilion… were dead. If they had gone all out, clashing with Yun Jin for three hundred rounds before finally losing, that would've made sense.
After all, Yun Jin had once defeated every one of them on the dueling platform.
But this time...
Yun Jin hadn't even drawn her sword. She had only glanced at them coldly. And just like that, the cultivators from Qingxiao Pavilion had been shattered by thunder, without the slightest chance to resist.
A chill settled into the hearts of the surrounding cultivators. Their own cultivation levels were about the same as those from Qingxiao Pavilion. Duan Yiwei, in particular, had ranked just below Jin Yu in strength.
And now...
The five of them had been defeated by Yun Jin with a single look.
What did this mean?
It meant that if they had been the ones standing there, the outcome would likely have been the same.
Yun Jin had slaughtered Duan Yiwei and his group like pigs and dogs. If she wanted to kill them, it would be no different.
The crowd fell silent.
They had accepted the reality that they might not match Yun Jin, but now they realized the gap was far wider than they ever imagined. For these favored sons and daughters of the heavens, that realization was devastating.
"These people had demonic energy on them. I'll be holding onto it for now. I trust no one has objections?" Yun Jin asked.
The others shook their heads, their expressions complicated.
Yun Jin was overwhelmingly strong. That wasn't even the biggest concern right now.
The true problem was with Qingxiao Pavilion. Five of its disciples had colluded with the Demon Clan. Even more disturbing, their bodies carried traces of demonic energy.
There was no way this was a coincidence.
The world might soon be flipped on its head.
Yun Jin stored away the porcelain bottle containing the demonic energy. She smiled lightly and continued, "Things were rushed today. I didn't get to properly host everyone. Now that there are matters within the Wushuang Sect that need handling, I won't keep you all here any longer."
"Shan Dian, escort them to the coast later," she added.
Ever since taking over as Sect Master, Yun Jin had formed a strange bond with the giant turtle known as Shan Dian.
At her mental command, Shan Dian responded with a deep, muffled voice that echoed in her mind.
Yun Jin waved her hand, creating a spatial passage. "Once I've handled things inside the sect, I'll invite everyone again."
As a final gesture, she lifted the restrictions on the disciples who had been forced to kneel. They stood, but dared not move recklessly. Wariness filled their expressions as they glanced toward Yun Jin.
"This is an internal matter of your sects. I won't interfere," Yun Jin said. "But I suggest you restrain them before taking them away."
Jin Yu gave a cold glance at a disciple from Kunlun Sword Sect. He pulled out something that Yun Jin couldn't see clearly before it vanished into the disciple's body.
A moment later, all the disciple's spiritual power was sealed. He now appeared no different from an ordinary mortal.
The Beastmaster Sect and Xuandan Gate also used their own methods to restrain their respective disciples.
Yun Jin watched with some curiosity.
As expected, the four Holy Lands were never lacking in rare treasures.
"Junior Sister Yun, thank you for your hospitality," said Jin Yu. "We'll take our leave now."
The others also stepped forward to bid farewell.
Yun Jin nodded in response.
One by one, Jin Yu and the others stepped through the portal.
When they emerged on the other side...
They found themselves on Shan Dian's massive shell.
Shan Dian grinned at them, then began swimming at terrifying speed toward the coast.
Panic quickly spread among the group.
The turtle's speed was simply too extreme, and many of them struggled to remain standing. They were forced to use all their strength just to stay upright and avoid falling into the sea. After safely delivering them to the shoreline, Shan Dian turned without pause and dove back into the endless ocean.
The entrance to the Wushuang Sect disappeared with him, once again drifting along the surface of the sea.
Ye Liuqin couldn't help but sigh. "When it comes to sect locations, Wushuang Sect might just be the safest of them all."
To find Wushuang Sect, one had to first locate Shan Dian.
But Shan Dian roamed freely through the Endless Sea, a place so vast and dangerous that even Wan Dao Saint had never fully explored it.
Even if one did manage to find Shan Dian...
They would still need to locate the dimensional entrance.
And unless Yun Jin willingly opened it, no one could find it.
Even if they somehow did...
With a single thought, Yun Jin could eject them at any time.
Wasn't that practically invincible?
Of course...
If Wushuang Sect wanted to grow, they couldn't remain in this pocket space forever.
Eventually, they would have to step back into the real world.
Anyone looking to move against Yun Jin would have to wait for that moment.
These thoughts flickered through Ye Liuqin's mind, but she quickly pushed them aside.
She had no enmity with Yun Jin. There was no reason to oppose her.
And besides, there were more urgent matters at hand.
"The situation with Qingxiao Pavilion... I imagine the elders back in the sects saw everything through the transmission," Jin Yu said gravely. "But I still need to return and report it in full. There's definitely something wrong with Qingxiao Pavilion. I believe the elders should head there immediately and investigate what's truly going on."
He gestured toward the restrained disciples. "And these traitors need to be taken back right away. Who knows what kind of information they might be hiding."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Yes, this is a serious matter. It must be reported immediately. If ignored, the consequences could be disastrous."
"It'll take time for us to return, but the elders have probably already started taking action."
"No matter what, let's return to our sects first."
"Let's part ways here, then."
"Agreed."
With that, Jin Yu and the others scattered and quickly vanished from sight. Once they left the Wushuang Sect's secret realm, the live broadcast also ended.
An Tong recalled the external command talisman he had sent out. Everything returned to its usual state.
However...
The storm triggered by these few Qingxiao Pavilion disciples had only just begun.
Kunlun Sword Sect.
Ji Wusi rose to his feet.
The others stood with him.
Glancing at the group, Ji Wusi spoke in a calm but heavy tone, "In this world, the Demon Clan has always been humanity's greatest enemy. If we don't eliminate them, and they're allowed to grow, it's only a matter of time before they bring ruin to our race. I've said it before—among all the wrongs one could commit, colluding with the Demon Clan is the one path that guarantees death, no matter how serious or minor the offense."
Ji Wusi had always been an outspoken member of the demon-extermination faction. No one was surprised by his stance.
"Sect Master, the connection between Qingxiao Pavilion and the Demon Clan isn't yet confirmed. What do you intend to do?" one of the disciples asked.
Ji Wusi let out a cold chuckle. "Whether there's a connection or not, we'll have to see it for ourselves. Contact the other two Holy Lands. We'll head for Qingxiao Pavilion immediately."
It had been a long time since he last visited Qingxiao Pavilion.
This time...
He would go there with allies and uncover the truth.
If nothing was wrong, all the better.
But if something truly was...
Then one of the Four Holy Lands would have become a cesspool of corruption.
And that would be a joke none of them could afford.