Ji Wusi's efforts to coordinate with the other Holy Lands went smoothly. Both the Beastmaster Sect and Xuandan Gate had also grown uneasy about the situation in Qingxiao Pavilion.
Ji Wusi merely raised the matter, and the others immediately agreed without hesitation.
Soon after, they made an agreement.
Each Holy Land would dispatch a team of twenty to investigate Qingxiao Pavilion. They would conduct a full, thorough inspection—inside and out, top to bottom. If they discovered anything suspicious, it would be dealt with immediately.
However, Qingxiao Pavilion was still one of the four Holy Lands. Its combat power remained formidable. Thus, a second wave of elite cultivators would depart soon after the first. Should any conflict erupt, they would be able to act without delay. After all, investigating a Holy Land came with significant risks. They could end up facing fierce resistance.
Fortunately, Ji Wusi himself would lead the first wave. Even if something went wrong, he could hold out until reinforcements arrived. Once the three Holy Lands finalized their plans, they sent formal notice to Qingxiao Pavilion. A long-range voice-transmission talisman ignited within the main hall.
The entire Qingxiao Pavilion heard Ji Wusi's voice.
"As the Alliance Leader of the Demon-Slaying Alliance, I hereby issue a formal suspicion that members of Qingxiao Pavilion have colluded with the Demon Clan. To uncover the truth, I am assembling an investigation team that will arrive shortly. Sect Master Lin, please make preparations."
Ji Wusi wasn't requesting permission. He was giving a command. He had no fear of Lin Xiao destroying evidence in advance. If Lin Xiao intended to do that, he would have already taken action without waiting for Ji Wusi to speak.
But...
Some things, once they happened, would always leave traces. No matter how one tried to erase them, those remnants could not simply vanish. This time, the team would include experts skilled in investigative techniques. If Qingxiao Pavilion truly harbored secrets, then no matter how well hidden, they would uncover a clue.
As the talisman burned out, Ji Wusi's voice faded away.
Silence fell across Qingxiao Pavilion.
Some among them had already grown visibly anxious.
What now?
If they were truly exposed...
There would be no escape. Every single one of them would be doomed.
Yet Lin Xiao remained composed. He spoke coldly, "What are you all panicking for? Didn't we already anticipate this? We knew they'd send people to investigate. So let them come. No matter how thoroughly they search, they won't find anything."
As long as that thing remained in place...
No one would be able to discover any anomalies.
Not even Ji Wusi.
At the thought of that object, the rest of Qingxiao Pavilion gradually calmed down.
Lin Xiao's tone remained icy. "Carry on as usual. Do what you always do. They didn't find anything before. They won't find anything now. And they certainly won't find anything in the future."
"Yes," they responded in unison.
"Dismissed." Lin Xiao waved his hand.
Everyone quietly took their leave.
A flicker of calculation flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes.
This time...
Yun Jin's actions had indeed caught him off guard.
The investigation from the other three Holy Lands might cause him some trouble.
But only that—some trouble.
In the end, they would find nothing.
As long as there was no evidence...
Qingxiao Pavilion would remain as it was. Nothing would change.
Seated high above, thick demonic energy slowly gathered in Lin Xiao's gaze.
Wushuang Sect.
Yun Jin also received messages from several of her masters. They each informed her that they would be part of the first investigative team heading to Qingxiao Pavilion. It seemed the three Holy Lands had acted swiftly and decisively.
Yun Jin let out a breath of relief.
Her greatest concern had been that the three Holy Lands would simply turn a blind eye. But now that they had organized a formal investigation, she believed the truth would be brought to light.
Whatever secrets Qingxiao Pavilion held, the results would soon surface.
She, however, had matters of her own to handle.
"Junior Sister Yun…" Feng Linglong started to speak, then hesitated and gave a sheepish look. Finally, she straightened up and said seriously, "Sect Master Yun, I would like to join Wushuang Sect. May I ask... do I qualify?"
A smile touched Yun Jin's lips. She replied calmly, "Wushuang Sect is still in its infancy, and many things remain unestablished. For now, we'll draft a rough outline."
After a moment's thought, Yun Jin continued, "In the future, Wushuang Sect will be divided into several peaks. If you join us, Linglong, you'll be part of Jishi Peak. Once your master joins, the peak will be under their management."
Jishi Peak.
Feng Linglong quietly repeated the name to herself, then gave a small nod.
"As for the other peaks, we'll form them once more people arrive. All peak members will be formal disciples of Wushuang Sect. Outside of them, we'll also accept ordinary disciples. If these disciples pass their peak's trial, they'll be promoted to full disciples and enjoy the same privileges," Yun Jin explained.
Right now, everything was still being rebuilt from the ground up. They barely had enough people, so it was too early to set things in stone.
They would establish proper rules once the sect grew larger.
"Little Sister... I—" Yue Zhao started to speak.
"Senior Brother," Yun Jin interrupted with a cheerful smile, "let's not get ahead of ourselves. Now that Wushuang Sect matters are settled, let's return to Tianxing Sect first."
In Yun Jin's mind, it was already a given that Yue Zhao and the others would eventually join Wushuang Sect.
They likely shared the same idea.
After all, Tianxing Sect had never treated them kindly. If not for Yun Jin's rise, they would have been pushed out long ago. Back when Yun Jin proposed rebuilding Tianxing Sect, they chose to follow her lead. Now that she had founded Wushuang Sect, it only made sense for them to follow once again. There was no doubt about it.
Still, out of respect, they needed to speak to their master first.
Returning to Tianxing Sect was necessary.
"Shan Dian, head toward the Tianxing Sect region. Stop at the closest coastal area," Yun Jin commanded.
Shan Dian immediately began to move.
If they had flown themselves, it would have taken ten days or more to reach Tianxing Sect.
But with Shan Dian, things were different. His speed in the sea was fearsome. And since the entire Canglan Kingdom bordered the ocean, he could carry them to almost any location in the kingdom.
At Shan Dian's pace, it would take only one day to reach Tianxing Sect.
Tianxing Sect.
Yun Jin's projection finally faded away.
A few Grand Elders had been watching alongside Lin Ya. As the image disappeared, uncertainty flickered across their faces. Qingxiao Pavilion was one of the great Holy Lands.
Yet its disciples had been killed by a mere glance from Yun Jin?
How powerful had Lin Ya's little disciple become?
They couldn't help but glance over at Lin Ya.
Lin Ya, though equally shocked, maintained a composed expression. "You all know it. My little disciple was always extraordinarily gifted. She once said she wouldn't join the Holy Lands. She wanted to forge her own path. And now, it seems she has succeeded."
The room fell silent.
To forge one's own path.
Such words were easy to say.
But who had ever truly done it?
Back then, no one believed Yun Jin.
Everyone thought she would eventually regret her choice.
Who could have imagined...
That by today...
Even elite disciples of the Four Holy Lands would be like ants before her.
She truly was... a terrifying person.