Sword Sect.
A talisman burned in the hall.
Yan Zhonghe's face appeared in the main hall, his expression arrogant: "I didn't expect your Sword Sect to have such courage. It's well known that the younger generation of my Overlord Blade Sect has long crushed yours. This time, I won't bully you. I'll only bring three disciples from my sect to challenge you. Also, my daughter was once cared for by Lin Qingling of your Sword Sect. This time, Qingyu will also come, and I will properly thank you on her behalf for your care!"
"Three days later, I will arrive punctually with my disciples. Your little brats from the Sword Sect wouldn't make excuses to leave the sect early, would you? Hahahahaha."
Yan Zhonghe's wild laughter echoed through the hall.
Everyone's faces flashed with anger!
Such arrogance, this Yan Zhonghe was truly going too far.
Meng Yifei's expression, however, was unusually calm. He glanced at Lin Qingling: "How certain are you that Fang Qingyu is Ye Zhaozhao?"
Lin Qingling replied without hesitation: "One hundred percent! Sect Master, why do you think she dared not go to the Heart-Questioning Platform again? Is it really as the Overlord Blade Sect says, that she finds going to the Heart-Questioning Platform an insult? She simply... doesn't dare!"
Meng Yifei nodded calmly: "I naturally trust your judgment. Most of those present also believe it. However, Yan Zhonghe has always regarded the Sword Sect as an enemy. He will only think that we are deliberately slandering Fang Qingyu's reputation."
"If that Fang Qingyu is truly Ye Zhaozhao, leaving a demon in the sect. Where would the future of the Overlord Blade Sect find peace?" Pang Zhixue said mockingly: "Our Sword Sect was plagued by Ye Zhaozhao for ten years. The super genius Li Shuang almost perished because of her, True Master Lingxu is still in seclusion, and those disciples on Lingxu Peak have also become unable to distinguish right from wrong under the demon's influence. Lingxu Peak today is what his Overlord Blade Sect will be tomorrow."
In a sense, this was actually a good thing for the Sword Sect.
However.
Exterminating demons and defending the righteous path was the duty of the righteous.
They never thought of letting the demon wreak havoc in the Overlord Blade Sect, but if Yan Zhonghe stubbornly refused to believe, then they couldn't be blamed.
"I bring this up to tell you." Meng Yifei said in a deep voice: "Fang Qingyu is Ye Zhaozhao; we have already reached a conclusion on this matter. Ye Zhaozhao died under the combined attack of the Sword Sect, so her hatred for the Sword Sect must be immense. Now that she has transformed into Fang Qingyu, her resentment towards the Sword Sect will not change. Her visit to the Sword Sect this time will certainly accelerate the instigation of conflict between the two sects."
"What should we do then?" One person frowned: "Should we try to resolve the misunderstanding with the Overlord Blade Sect?"
"No." Meng Yifei's expression was indifferent: "Ye Zhaozhao is just a catalyst. Yan Zhonghe genuinely cares for her to some extent, but more so, he uses her as an excuse to legitimately become an enemy of the Sword Sect. I want to tell everyone that from now on, do not harbor any侥幸 (lucky chance) mentality! This exchange will absolutely not be a simple exchange. Their goal is to cripple the younger generation of the Sword Sect! After you return, tell your disciples to guard their hearts. If the people of the Overlord Blade Sect utter provocative words, do not be led by the nose."
"A gentleman's revenge is never too late. Today's dormancy is for tomorrow's counterattack." Meng Yifei's voice slowly faded.
After Meng Yifei finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a brief silence.
Everyone's eyes flickered with indignation, and some had already clenched their fists in anger.
But they knew.
Meng Yifei was right.
Even if Yan Zhonghe only brought three disciples this time, after the Overlord Blade Sect obtained those two cultivation methods, the strength of their younger generation had advanced by leaps and bounds.
The Sword Sect disciples... might not be their match.
If the competition was conducted within the rules, that would be better.
At least, they could set the rules to prevent the disciples from suffering real harm.
Even if they lost, they could win it back another day.
But if they were provoked by the Overlord Blade Sect disciples into battles outside the rules, then it might cause irreparable damage.
"Bear with it for now; this is not incompetence. It is accumulating energy." Meng Yifei said: "Go, convey my message."
Everyone assented and dispersed.
Meng Yifei stood alone in the main hall for a long time, then let out a soft sigh.
It was fate.
If they didn't accept this exchange, the Overlord Blade Sect would surely spread rumors that the Sword Sect disciples had surrendered without a fight. From then on, Sword Sect disciples would be unable to hold their heads high outside. These young disciples were proud individuals, and if these rumors were confirmed, it might give rise to inner demons.
Now he had accepted.
This battle would be difficult to win.
However, sometimes one must be pushed to the brink of death to find a way to live.
Failure was not terrifying. If they could draw strength from failure and become courageous after being shamed, then three years later, they might not lose again.
Meng Yifei's eyes were filled with anticipation.
He wasn't afraid of them losing.
He was only afraid of them breaking their Dao heart.
As long as their Dao heart remained intact, this matter, for all the Sword Sect disciples, would instead be an inspiration.
"Yan Zhonghe," Meng Yifei murmured, "Let's see if my Sword Sect disciples can overcome this inner demon."
Yan Zhonghe wanted to cripple the Sword Sect disciples.
Meng Yifei, however, regarded this as a trial.
Who would achieve their goal remained to be seen!
Ruthless Peak.
Lin Qingling summoned her disciples.
Luo Mingyue.
Liu Juncheng.
Sui Jin.
Jiang Yi.
All four were present.
"Is Xiao Shuang still in seclusion?" Lin Qingling couldn't help but ask.
Luo Mingyue nodded: "Junior Sister went to the artifact refining secret chamber, insisting on upgrading Black Abyss to the third rank."
"That's good too." Lin Qingling nodded: "Three days later, Yan Zhonghe will bring his disciples. Xiao Shuang is conveniently in seclusion, so there's no need to let her know about this. By the time she comes out, perhaps these people from the Overlord Blade Sect will have already left."
The strength of Yan Zhonghe's three disciples:
Ren Gu: Mid-stage Soul Transformation.
Wu Lingchuan: Peak Nascent Soul.
Cong Xin: Peak Golden Core.
This clearly showed their intention to wipe out the younger generation of the Sword Sect.
Xiao Shuang appeared cold and aloof, but in reality, she was the most stubborn. If she knew, she would definitely want to fight.
But she had only just entered the Golden Core stage, and Cong Xin had the bonus of the Overlord Blade technique. Xiao Shuang might not be his match.
It would be better to let her cultivate in peace.
"Understood." Luo Mingyue and the others all nodded.
None of them planned to tell Li Shuang about this. Xiao Shuang had just begun her re-cultivation; some things were not for her to bear.
They would bear the provocation from the Overlord Blade Sect.
Lin Qingling looked at the resolute expressions of her disciples. She was silent for a long time, then softly said, "Just do your best. The path ahead is still under your feet."
"Master, don't worry," Luo Mingyue said slowly, "We know what we're doing."
Lin Qingling then nodded: "Mingyue, you have a fiery temper, remember to hold back and don't fall for their provocations. I'm more at ease with the other three. Just treat this as a sparring exchange, don't take it too much to heart."
Luo Mingyue: "...Master!"
Lin Qingling smiled: "Alright, alright, the people from the Overlord Blade Sect will be here in three days. Focus on your preparations."
The disciples respectfully assented.
Night.
Through the cracks in the window, moonlight and starlight spilled in together.
Li Shuang continued to hammer the Black Abyss sword in her hand.