Yun Jin and the others had only just blended into the outer sect disciples' area when someone from the inner sect arrived.
They announced that a banquet would be held that evening, and a group of outer sect disciples was needed to assist.
Tasks like these never involved inner sect disciples. Within the sect, outer sect disciples were considered half-servants at best, and such duties naturally fell to them.
Thanks to Lin Ya's maneuvering, Yun Jin and her companions were smoothly selected. As night fell, the group followed the other outer sect disciples into the banquet. The gathering was held outdoors atop an enormous pavilion.
The entire pavilion had been meticulously decorated. Each table was adorned with jars of fine wine and dishes crafted by spiritual chefs, filling the air with a mouth-watering aroma the moment they entered.
Every outer sect disciple was assigned someone to serve.
To avoid raising suspicion, Lin Ya did not personally interfere further. Yun Jin and the others were each arranged to serve different guests.
At the head of the seating arrangement were several Grand Elders. Just below them, the seats to the left and right were assigned to Lin Ya and Zhao Wuji respectively. Surprisingly, Lin Ya was given the more prestigious left seat. Traditionally, the left side signified greater honor. This placement subtly pressed Zhao Wuji down a notch.
Despite having organized the banquet himself, Zhao Wuji had been overshadowed. Yet Zhao Wuji showed no sign of anger. On the contrary, he wore a cheerful smile, as if he had truly turned over a new leaf.
Lin Ya, having been forewarned by Yun Jin, was not about to lower his guard. If anything, he was more alert than ever.
Tonight, he had made his own quiet arrangements.
If Zhao Wuji was indeed conspiring with the Demon Clan to attack Tianxing Sect, then the sect's defensive grand array would be the first target.
Tianxing Sect might only be a mid-tier sect, but its protective artifact, the Tianxing Bell, was decent enough. In the event of an attack, a single shake of the bell by any of the Supreme Elders could immediately activate the barrier. Even Mahayana-level cultivators would struggle to breach it without significant effort.
There were only two ways to disable this barrier.
The first was to steal the Tianxing Bell.
Without the bell, the barrier couldn't be activated.
But the bell was always in the care of the three Grand Elders. Zhao Wuji likely had no chance of getting close.
The second method was to destroy the energy formations that powered the barrier.
Besides the Tianxing Bell, the barrier required a massive amount of spiritual power to function. Tianxing Sect maintained three energy formations at hidden locations, each stocked with large amounts of spirit stones.
Only successive sect leaders knew the locations of these three formations. If Zhao Wuji intended to sabotage the barrier, he would need someone to destroy those three places.
Lin Ya still didn't know their precise locations. However, he had already assigned people to monitor Zhao Wuji's disciples closely. If anything suspicious happened, he would be informed immediately.
Lin Ya had a rough idea of what his former disciples had become. But he acted as if he were unaware, making no move to investigate further.
Yun Jin had been assigned to serve Fang Mingyue, the peak master of Mingyue Peak.
Standing behind Fang Mingyue, Yun Jin lowered her gaze, adopting a meek and obedient demeanor.
Fang Mingyue couldn't help but glance sideways at Yun Jin.
This outer sect disciple had an ordinary appearance and nothing remarkable about her. Yet for some reason, she gave off a strangely familiar feeling.
It puzzled Fang Mingyue.
Had she met this girl before?
At her cultivation level, she had long since developed a perfect memory—she never forgot a face.
She was certain she had never interacted with this disciple.
Curious, Fang Mingyue was about to probe Yun Jin's aura—
But just then, Zhao Wuji stood up.
Fang Mingyue immediately withdrew her attention.
Zhao Wuji raised his voice with a bright smile. "Everyone, in the past, I, Zhao Wuji, made quite a few mistakes on behalf of some of my disciples. Recently, I've spent much time in self-reflection. I've realized that my favoritism toward my disciples caused me to lose the fairness a sect leader should possess. To make amends, I've brought out all my best wines to share with everyone. As a show of sincerity, I will drink three cups as self-punishment."
As he spoke, Zhao Wuji poured and downed three cups of wine.
Yun Jin looked up, watching his every move closely.
He did indeed drink the wine. He didn't secretly force it out or use any other tricks.
So…
Could it be that his wine was clean, but everyone else's was not?
Yun Jin was still deep in thought when Lin Ya also rose from his seat.
He smiled and said, "It's not worth going on and on about such a minor matter. Old Zhao, your wine looks tastier than mine. How about we swap?"
Carrying his wine jar, Lin Ya walked straight over.
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened slightly but quickly smoothed over.
Everything was already set in motion.
Let Lin Ya bask in his brief moment of triumph. There was no point getting ruffled.
Under the astonished eyes of the audience, not only did Zhao Wuji remain calm, he even smiled. "I owe Peak Master Lin the most. Since you've made the request, how could I possibly refuse?"
Zhao Wuji exchanged wine jars with Lin Ya without hesitation. Lin Ya chuckled. "Old Zhao, what's wrong with my wine? Drink a cup and give me your opinion."
He grinned shamelessly, clearly not one to play fair. He had forcibly swapped the man's wine and now demanded that he drink it.
The move was undeniably aggressive.
Fortunately, everyone knew that Lin Ya and Zhao Wuji had always been at odds. Ever since Lin Ya had risen again, he'd been openly targeting Zhao Wuji. So his behavior today wasn't really out of character.
In the past, Lin Ya's provocations would have left Zhao Wuji scowling. But this time, Zhao Wuji's temper seemed much improved. Faced with Lin Ya's jibes, he simply gave a bitter laugh and said, "Alright, alright. I'll do as you say."
Fang Mingyue watched all of this unfold, blinking in surprise.
Was that… fondness?
That ridiculous thought had barely formed before she mentally slapped herself. She had to be losing her mind to even consider such a thing. Still, Zhao Wuji was undeniably acting strange tonight.
In full view of everyone, Zhao Wuji sighed, poured himself a cup from Lin Ya's original jar, and drank it all. He held up the empty cup to Lin Ya. "Truly excellent wine."
Lin Ya's gaze sharpened.
Even his wine was clean?
Something was off.
This banquet clearly wasn't simple.
If the issue wasn't in the wine, then it had to be somewhere else.
"Old Zhao, you've got a strong liver!" Lin Ya laughed and clapped Zhao Wuji's shoulder hard. Instead of leaving, he grabbed the man and pulled him down to sit beside him. "Come, let's drink away our old grudges!"
Zhao Wuji frowned and shifted uncomfortably. But Lin Ya gripped his hand tightly and refused to let go. Zhao Wuji gave him a long look, eyes narrowing slightly. So Lin Ya was trying to keep him under watch.
Still…
It didn't matter.
There was nothing wrong with the wine. No matter how Lin Ya tested him, he would find nothing. From her quiet position behind Fang Mingyue, Yun Jin observed everything, frowning slightly at Zhao Wuji's confidence.
If the wine wasn't the problem, then what was?
What could affect everyone all at once?
"Enough already, Lin Ya. You're always the rowdy one." One of the Grand Elders chuckled and raised his cup. "Come, let's all drink together."
Yun Jin bowed her head and politely poured wine for Fang Mingyue, still pondering the source of the threat.
Suddenly, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted to her nose.