"Fighting me, you'd just get beaten up. But fighting our Sect Master…" Bai Yiran muttered under her breath.
Unfortunately, her voice was just loud enough for Elder Jin Guang to hear clearly.
Elder Jin Guang nearly spat blood. At this point, he was beginning to doubt his entire life. Just what kind of cultivation realm had Yun Jin reached?
This didn't feel like the Tribulation stage at all. Suddenly, a flicker of fear flashed across his eyes. "You… have you stepped into Mahayana?"
Yun Jin gazed at him coldly. She no longer bothered concealing her aura. In that instant, the oppressive might of a late Mahayana cultivator descended, enveloping every member of Qingxiao Pavilion.
It took only a breath.
Apart from Elder Jin Guang and Xuan Kong, every other Qingxiao Pavilion cultivator was crushed unconscious under Yun Jin's aura. Even Elder Jin Guang and Xuan Kong were in terrible shape, their eyes filled with horror as they looked upon Yun Jin.
Yun Jin carelessly withdrew the chains, then asked with complete sincerity, "Still want to fight?"
Still want to fight?
Both Elder Jin Guang and Xuan Kong looked utterly grim.
Fight? At this point? That would be nothing but self-humiliation!
Inside Xuan Kong's mind—
Lin Xiao's remnant soul was screaming madly. "No! Impossible! How could she have grown stronger again!"
The powerful hatred within that remnant soul surged wildly, even suppressing Xuan Kong's main soul for a moment.
Through Xuan Kong's mouth, Lin Xiao spat venomously, "Sect Master Yun, you actually advanced through heavenly tribulation without anyone noticing! With this level of strength, you might even surpass Ji Wusi! Not long ago, our Qingxiao Pavilion's Sect Master died mysteriously.
Sect Master Lin Xiao's cultivation was extraordinary, yet he perished in silence. Everyone said not even Ji Wusi could accomplish such a feat. But now it is clear—Ji Wusi could not, but you could!
Sect Master Yun, you butchered a fellow human. You are no different from the demon race! Everyone, unite and seize this fiend!" Xuan Kong screamed hysterically.
Yet—
On the vast plaza, not a single soul moved. Even Liu Hua and the others only drew farther away from Yun Jin, their faces tight with fear. As for raising a hand against her?
Had they not just seen how her aura alone nearly wiped out all of Qingxiao Pavilion?
How could they possibly fight Yun Jin?
Xuan Kong's expression turned ashen.
Yun Jin smiled faintly, her voice gentle. "It seems the new Pavilion Master of Qingxiao has taken ill. Hong Ye, deal with this matter."
This was always meant to be handed to Hong Ye. Now it was even more natural.
Hong Ye answered immediately, striding forward.
The moment Xuan Kong saw her, his emotions twisted violently.
At last—
A flicker of joy appeared on his face. "Hong Ye, I…"
Hong Ye's face was expressionless as she raised her hand and slapped him viciously.
Xuan Kong froze, staring at her in disbelief.
The next instant—
His face contorted with rage. "Wretch, what are you trying to do? You really think I—"
Another slap cut him off.
Xuan Kong tried to fight back, but found his body bound by a strange force, unable to move. He turned a dark look toward Yun Jin. It had to be her. She must have done something.
"These two slaps, I've long wanted to give you." Hong Ye sighed softly. "Today, I finally had the chance."
Xuan Kong blinked, a flicker of confusion passing through his eyes.
The next second, his expression twisted again.
And then back to confusion.
Seizing the moment, Hong Ye, under Yun Jin's subtle cover, slipped a Saint Spirit Pill into Xuan Kong's mouth.
What is this?
Could it be poison?
Xuan Kong began to struggle.
Hong Ye's voice sounded in his mind: "If you trust me, swallow this pill."
Lin Xiao's remnant soul fought desperately to spit it out. But Xuan Kong's main soul, after a brief hesitation, swallowed it without a second thought.
For a while, the two souls wrestled fiercely. In the end, the pill was swallowed whole.
Hong Ye smiled faintly and turned to leave.
"Hong Ye…" Xuan Kong called out instinctively.
In the next heartbeat—
He discovered Lin Xiao's remnant soul had been crushed into a corner, leaving him with full control over his body once more. Staring at the soul-golden core spinning within his sea of consciousness, Xuan Kong's mind wavered.
Hong Ye's voice rang in his ears.
"This is a Saint Spirit Pill personally refined by the Sect Master. It will allow you to suppress Lin Xiao's remnant soul. Its other wonders you will discover yourself."
"Why… are you helping me?" Xuan Kong asked, his emotions stirring.
"I am not the one helping you," Hong Ye said calmly. "You simply happen to be part of the Sect Master's plan. This Saint-grade pill comes with a price. The Sect Master demands that, as Pavilion Master of Qingxiao, you submit to her. If you refuse, she will personally destroy this pill."
Xuan Kong's face shifted drastically.
A Saint-grade pill!
Such a thing could not be found anywhere in this world.
And it was the only chance to keep Lin Xiao's remnant soul suppressed.
The cost—
Was complete submission to Yun Jin. And with him, Qingxiao Pavilion itself would have to submit.
Xuan Kong stood silent for a long moment. Then his lips curved into a faint, cold smile. He had been an orphan, taken in by his master, raised only to cultivate the Void Spirit Art. At first, he was grateful, believing it proof of his master's love.
But once his master's "accidental" death came and Senior Brother Lin Xiao became Pavilion Master, he uncovered the truth. His master had never died. He killed Senior Brother Lin Xiao, took his body, and continued ruling Qingxiao Pavilion.
And Xuan Kong himself… was nothing but another vessel his master had prepared.
The dignity of Qingxiao Pavilion?
Heh. What worth was that?
This sect was merely his master's long-nurtured domain. To destroy Qingxiao Pavilion would bring him nothing but joy. A twisted smile tugged at his lips. Moments ago, he had shouted accusations, blaming Yun Jin for Lin Xiao's death.
Now—
He suddenly softened his tone, speaking with surprising gentleness. "Sect Master Yun, forgive me. A moment ago, I lost control of my emotions and spoke recklessly. Sect Master Yun has slain countless demons to protect our people. There is no way you would ever harm humanity."
Everyone was stunned.
So fast? Xuan Kong changed sides this quickly?
"Xuan Kong, have you lost your mind?" Elder Jin Guang stared at him in disbelief. Their whole scheme was built on using Lin Xiao's death to frame Yun Jin. Now Xuan Kong had… defected?
Xuan Kong looked properly ashamed. "I was blinded by jealousy and hatred. But thinking carefully, with Sect Master Yun's character, harming her own kin would be impossible."
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "So Pavilion Master Xuan means your accusations just now were… a misunderstanding?"
"Naturally, a misunderstanding," Xuan Kong said without hesitation.
"Good," Yun Jin nodded lightly.
This Xuan Kong was more sensible than she expected.
No—
Perhaps the Saint Spirit Pill wasn't the only reason. It was likely that Xuan Kong himself already loathed Qingxiao Pavilion to its very core.
"Pavilion Master Xuan, since the misunderstanding is cleared, that is well. The final points battle will soon begin. Pavilion Master Xuan, please announce the proceedings." Yun Jin said calmly.
Xuan Kong shook his head. "Such an important matter should be announced by Sect Master Yun herself. We will simply listen."
The moment those words fell—
The entire audience froze in shock. Liu Hua and the others were trembling in fear. What Xuan Kong meant was clear—
Qingxiao Pavilion had yielded to Yun Jin!
From this day forward—
The overlord of the Qingxiao region had changed hands!