Central Plains. Tianyan Sect.
Xu Jin had long since taken his seat within the main hall of Tianyan Peak.
Yan Yun's seclusion had not yet concluded, so Lü Xuan currently served as host.
Lü Xuan's expression remained natural. Eyes closed, he calculated—the flow of heavenly secrets transformed into silk threads coiling around his body.
Xu Jin's gaze kept drifting toward the main hall. When he repeated this action once more—
Lü Xuan spoke in a teasing manner:
"Youngsters are always impatient after all. It hasn't even been that long, has it?"
Xu Jin turned his gaze back. He watched as the threads coiling around Lü Xuan slowly dissipated. The latter opened his eyes, wearing an expression that seemed to ask: Why are young people so incapable of composure?
It hasn't been that long?
Xu Jin wanted to ask Lü Xuan the same question. The man had been sitting in this hall for over a month now.
The two had progressed from initially animated conversations about world affairs to their current state—not a single topic remaining, sitting in awkward silence within the hall.
After all, Lü Xuan had covered everything from the Tianyan Sect's founders' establishment to the sect's current operational philosophy.
He had even discussed his retirement plans—letting Yan Yun succeed as Sect Master, so she might understand the hardships of leadership.
If they continued chatting, they'd probably end up discussing whom Xu Jin should select as his own successor.
In the end, Lü Xuan had simply started calculating heavenly fate on the spot.
Unknown whether this was because sitting in silence made both uncomfortable.
Xu Jin, meanwhile, sat alone in the hall for days, watching sun and moon rise.
Although Tianyan Peak's main hall provided excellent spiritual energy supply, cultivating here would be somewhat rude.
Fortunately, Xu Jin had long experienced certain people's "training," so Lü Xuan's words held little power to disturb him.
Xu Jin did not respond to this remark. Instead, he asked:
"I once heard my Master say that Tianyan Sect's Heavenly Derivation Numbers can calculate past and future clearly. How has Uncle Lü's calculation proceeded?"
Lü Xuan replied with perfect composure:
"Do you want to hear the truth or a pleasant lie?"
"There's a distinction between the two?"
"Naturally. After all, few enjoy hearing truth, while many prefer comfortable falsehoods."
Xu Jin paused briefly, then said:
"Let me hear the lie first."
A smile appeared on Lü Xuan's face: "Smooth sailing. All endeavors favorable. Instant success."
Hearing this, Xu Jin's brows furrowed deeply. If this was the lie, then the actual events to come must be catastrophically bad.
Xu Jin pressed his lips together, then asked:
"And the truth?"
Lü Xuan's expression grew serious: "I couldn't calculate it clearly."
Xu Jin drew in a heavy breath upon hearing this. His mindset had remained stable despite being kept waiting so long, but now that stability wavered.
"If heavenly fate were so easily calculated, the Great Calamity back then shouldn't have driven people to such despair."
Lü Xuan's gaze shifted toward outside the hall as he continued:
"Being unable to see clearly isn't necessarily bad. Only when things become clear do people grow anxious."
"Good news makes people blind, causing them to lose their steadiness."
"Bad news makes people timid, robbing them of courageous resolve."
"Only in confusion does one maintain both steadiness and determination—simply acting without hesitation."
Xu Jin did not respond. Instead, he too directed his gaze outside the hall.
Several figures were walking in from beyond.
Chu Xingchen led the way, with Bai Xuanling and Xie Lingyu at his side. Behind them walked his disciples.
Xu Jin rose to his feet. The person he had awaited for so long had finally arrived.
Ever since encountering Xu Linglong at Pusaman and detecting the aura of secret realm rules within her, Chu Xingchen had made his decision.
He shifted from targeting the Buddhist Sect first to pursuing Xu Linglong relentlessly.
Xu Linglong's strange behavior resembled that of a fool betraying allies.
But clearly, Xu Linglong wasn't that foolish.
Thus, betraying allies must be her intention.
Chu Xingchen surmised that only uncertainty regarding whether the Buddhist Sect's Demon had truly defected could explain her choices.
Eliminating variables—especially deadly variables.
Chu Xingchen felt that blindly following the enemy's train of thought was undoubtedly foolish.
Especially when it allowed enemies to obtain intelligence they desired.
Thus, he decided to act contrarily.
Set aside the Buddhist Sect temporarily and continue pursuing Xu Linglong.
If Xu Linglong truly intended to betray allies, then that wisp of rule aura would still affect the Buddhist Sect's Demon regardless.
Both were meat in the bowl—one should eat the one capable of running first.
Even if the Buddhist Sect harbored Demons internally, dealing with them would consume considerable time. The Buddhist Sect wouldn't sell out a Buddha over mere words.
Continuing to pursue Xu Linglong—if they could kill her, excellent. If not, it would likely deepen her suspicions.
Most importantly, eliminating Demons remained a righteous cause of paramount importance—one that couldn't be easily obstructed.
To this end, the Three Great Sects had swiftly laid their groundwork.
The Three Great Sects' available Tribulation Transcendence experts numbered more than just those few. Rather, those who could be mobilized hadn't been deployed to West Niu He Continent.
On Pudu River that day, only Bai Xuanling and Huang Miao had been present.
If Ru Nan truly wished to cross, nothing could stop him.
But if Ru Nan didn't come, sufficient attention wouldn't be drawn.
Guangming Fotuo's Mahayana Doctrine became the absolute focal point, drawing everyone's gaze tightly.
Four of the Eighteen Immortal Gates' sects engaged in open rivalry.
Only, Ru Nan probably hadn't anticipated Chu Xingchen acting so boldly.
From this point forward, West Niu He Continent transformed from bait cast by Xu Linglong into bait recast and thrown by Chu Xingchen.
While everyone—including Xu Linglong—observed the situation in West Niu He Continent.
They would launch a surprise operation.
West Niu He Continent still had Daoist Yu Yang present. The remainder wouldn't cause excessive turmoil.
Chu Xingchen stepped into the hall, a relaxed smile on his face:
"Long time no see, everyone. Has the intelligence been confirmed?"
Lü Xuan nodded gently: "Combined intelligence from the Three Great Sects—we've clarified everything except the Heavenly Demon's final location."
"The Evil Spirit Sect and other evil cults are where Demons especially love to hide."
"After all, those who crave power without considering consequences are most easily corrupted by it."
Chu Xingchen smiled upon hearing this: "In that case, I've also thought of an operation codename."
Xu Jin hurriedly interjected:
"For the operation codename... perhaps we should let someone else decide?"
Chu Xingchen's naming style needed only one reference—"Mutual Love Family Peak"—to understand.
Serious names rarely emerged from Chu Xingchen's mouth.
Bai Xuanling spoke with calm composure:
"Given that this is Chu Xingchen's plan, letting him name it seems reasonable."
Seeing a major figure speak up, Xu Jin couldn't object further. He mentally prepared himself—the operation name would most likely be something like "Cleaning Up Dog Shit."
Lü Xuan's gaze swept over Bai Xuanling's utterly ordinary expression. He naturally understood she wanted to join the amusement.
However... Bai Xuanling still underestimated her own Sect Master.
Lü Xuan's gaze settled calmly on Xie Lingyu beside Chu Xingchen:
"It's rare for Lingyu to participate. Why not let her choose the name this time?"
Xie Lingyu looked up at Lü Xuan. She was no longer as blunt as before—after all, she occasionally needed to interact properly with Chu Xinghen.
But seeing her Master's gaze turn toward her, signaling her to fan the flames...
Just as Xie Lingyu was about to speak—
Chu Xingchen suddenly preempted her:
"Operation codename—Heaven's Will."
All eyes turned toward Chu Xingchen, expressions varying widely.
Even Bai Xuanling's gaze held surprise.
This plan's name...
Was this still Chu Xingchen?
Chu Xuen clasped his hands together:
"I invite you all—to fulfill Heaven's Will!"
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