Several days later, Lu Yang confirmed that there were no issues with True Person Xiuxin.
The talent [Puppet on Strings] was indeed domineering. As long as Lu Yang activated this talent, regardless of True Person Xiuxin's previous attitude, she would ultimately submit.
As for Yun Miaoqing, Lu Yang did not forcibly manipulate her using [Puppet on Strings].
This was primarily because it wasn't necessary. Since discovering that Lu Yang could help accelerate her cultivation progress, Yun Miaoqing had devoted herself entirely to closed-door cultivation.
Especially after Yun Miaozhen suggested "temporarily staying at the Hidden Sword Villa," she became even more reclusive, rarely stepping outside.
However, this suited Lu Yang's intentions perfectly.
The only discomfort he felt was that, since True Person Xiuxin also practiced the 『Heartless Ice Sword Technique』, she had no friends within the Sword Pavilion.
After all, it was well-known that this technique emphasized supreme detachment and a sword as cold as ice. Except for a few who favored this style, no one was interested in warming up to such coldness. The only person True Person Xiuxin could summon was a mid-Foundation Establishment sword cultivator.
"Currently, [Puppet on Strings] can only control early Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators might require my Immortal Spirit Body to reach that realm before attempting control. It's best not to take that risk."
Everything should prioritize stability!
As for entering the Sword Pavilion to control those early Foundation Establishment cultivators? That would be akin to defecating under the nose of a Golden Core True Lord—Lu Yang wouldn't dare.
Therefore, the immediate priority was to quickly elevate his own cultivation realm.
Currently, Lu Yang's Immortal Spirit Body was still at the early Foundation Establishment stage. To advance, he needed to consume a sufficient amount of Geng Metal spiritual materials. Fortunately, this wasn't too difficult.
"Boom!"
Within the Hidden Sword Villa, Yun Miaozhen appeared with a cold expression, her vast spiritual consciousness enveloping the villa. She then released the powerful aura of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
Lu Yang had ultimately rewarded Yun Miaozhen once, allowing her to break through the bottleneck from mid-stage to late-stage Qi Refining. This made her even more devoted to Lu Yang. However, after leaving the room, she immediately forgot about Lu Yang's existence, remembering only his instructions.
'Find an excuse to plunder the Hidden Sword Villa!'
As an affiliated sect under the Sword Pavilion, the Hidden Sword Villa was filled with Geng Metal spiritual materials. If not for the fear of alerting the Sword Pavilion, Lu Yang would have seized them long ago. 𝔯𝐚𝐍ó𝐛Ëʂ
But having Yun Miaozhen handle it posed no trouble.
After all, the Hidden Sword Villa wasn't even a Foundation Establishment sect; its strongest member was merely at the peak of Qi Refining and wouldn't dare oppose Yun Miaozhen, who was at the late stage of Qi Refining.
Not to mention the presence of True Person Xiuxin.
Soon, Yun Miaozhen's cold voice echoed throughout the Hidden Sword Villa: "Effective immediately, the Hidden Sword Villa is sealed. No one is allowed to enter or exit without authorization!"
As her words fell, True Person Xiuxin acted in a timely manner, directly taking out a handkerchief and offering it in the air. Although it was just an ordinary magical treasure, under the blessing of a Foundation Establishment True Person's status, it now covered the sky, acting like an impenetrable wall, enveloping the entire Hidden Sword Villa.
"Which senior is casting spells to seal our villa!?"
Soon, a figure soared from the center of the Hidden Sword Villa, his voice filled with fear as he flew over almost immediately.
The newcomer was an elderly man in a dark robe.
Although he possessed peak Qi Refining cultivation, it was evident he hadn't practiced any great divine abilities. His cultivation was average, and his appearance showed signs of aging.
"You are..."
Upon seeing Yun Miaozhen, the old man was slightly stunned. Soon, his expression turned solemn as he recognized her as a disciple from the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion who had come to select sword embryos.
"Yun Miaozhen of the Jade Pivot."
Yun Miaozhen stood with her hands behind her back, smiling coldly: "I received a tip-off that the Hidden Sword Villa is colluding with the Jiangbei Demonic Path, intending to plunder disciples of our Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion!"
"What!?"
Upon hearing this, the old man in the dark robe nearly popped his eyes out.
Colluding with the Jiangbei Demonic Path!?
This was a grave accusation! In the Jiangnan region, colluding with the Demonic Path was absolutely unacceptable. Once discovered, it would undoubtedly lead to execution!
Seeing True Person Xiuxin beside Yun Miaozhen, the old man dared not harbor any dissent. He immediately bowed and said loudly: "We are innocent! Our Hidden Sword Villa has served the upper sect for generations, never harboring any improper intentions. How could we possibly collude with the Demonic Path? I implore the upper sect to investigate thoroughly!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Miaozhen narrowed her beautiful eyes: "Are you implying that I have wronged you?"
"I wouldn't dare..."
Before the old man could explain, Yun Miaozhen waved her hand: "No need to say more. Since I'm here, I naturally have the confidence to find the demon."
'By now, they should have arrived.'
Soon, a loud explosion was heard within the Hidden Sword Villa, and demonic energy soared into the sky. The previously composed old man turned pale with fright.
There really was a demon!?
Yun Miaozhen, however, was not surprised.
After all, the demon within the Hidden Sword Villa had been lured there by True Person Xiuxin, who had secretly manipulated cause and effect to attract them, intending for them to abduct Yun Miaoqing.
"Damn! How could this happen?"
In the midst of the soaring demonic energy, a disciple of the Sacred Sect looked around with a grim expression. At first glance, he appeared menacing, but his eyes were filled with fear.
'No, why am I so greedy?'
'I originally only planned to rob a few low-level disciples of the Sword Pavilion at the edge of Jiangnan. How did I inexplicably end up at the Hidden Sword Villa?'
'...Not good!'
Realizing this, the Sacred Sect disciple's face changed drastically: "It's a puppet..."
"Clang clang!"
In the next moment, True Person Xiuxin flicked her finger, sending out a sword light that instantly took the lives of all the Sacred Sect disciples present.
"Jiangbei demons, everyone has the right to kill them."
Yun Miaozhen's expression remained calm as she looked at the old man in the dark robe, who hurriedly explained: "Upper sect, please understand, we truly had no prior knowledge..."
"So what?" Yun Miaozhen shook her head: "Even if you were unaware beforehand, it's still a dereliction of duty. This time, I discovered it, so it's fine. But if these demonic cultivators had successfully abducted our Sword Pavilion disciples, and it was investigated afterward, you would still be held accountable."
"This..."
The old man's expression grew increasingly bitter upon hearing this. However, after Yun Miaozhen finished speaking, she fell silent and stared at him with wide, beautiful eyes.
Hmm?
After a moment of silence, the old man lowered his voice and said: "Since the demon has been eliminated, is there a possibility of not pursuing this matter further?"
"That depends on you."
Yun Miaozhen said indifferently: "Harboring a demon is a significant crime. To prove your innocence, you must identify the most critical issue."
Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes shifted:
"Reporting to the upper sect, recently, our villa acquired a batch of spiritual materials and sword embryos for refining swords. These demons might have been after them. They may have tampered with those materials... Could the upper sect take them away and examine them thoroughly on our behalf?"
After he spoke, Yun Miaozhen finally nodded slightly: "That is indeed a crucial issue."
Inside a quiet room in the Hidden Sword Villa.
Yun Miaozhen entered the room carrying a heavy storage bag and immediately saw Lu Yang at the desk.
"Who's there!?"
Yun Miaozhen was initially startled, but upon seeing Lu Yang's appearance and meeting his gaze, her eyes filled with confusion, and she quickly understood everything.
In the next moment, she bent down cautiously, approached, and presented the storage bag to Lu Yang: "Master, I've already inspected the Hidden Sword Villa. All the Geng Metal spiritual materials are here. There are no more. To find more, we might have to search the surrounding sects."
"Ah!"
Lu Yang then stood up and took the storage bag.
"Well done."
After counting the Geng Metal spiritual materials in the storage bag, Lu Yang nodded in satisfaction. With a thought, he sent them all into his Immortal Spirit Body.
However, this was still not enough.
A mere Hidden Sword Villa, without even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had accumulated Geng Metal spiritual materials that only accelerated his progress by about ten percent. He needed more.
"Did you complete the task I assigned you earlier?"
"Yes, Master."
Yun Miaozhen replied softly: "I've already sent a message to the patriarch. I'm currently the most valued disciple of the Yun family. Once the patriarch receives the message, he will surely come."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang smiled.
The first fish had taken the bait.