The next day.
Zhao Wuji had received the news in advance, and by now he had completely calmed down.
Upon learning that his father had even invited Sect Master Lin Xiao, Zhao Wuji felt even more at ease.
So what if the Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect was here??
It wasn't as though he himself lacked a backer!
Now that his father had advanced into Mahayana Stage, he must hold considerable influence within Qingxiao Pavilion. Otherwise, why would the Sect Master be willing to personally come here for his sake?
From this day on, Zhao Wuji's life and the lives of the people in Tianxing Sect are worlds apart, two completely different concepts.
Those great figures all wanted to take Yun Jin as their disciple. On the surface, this looked like Yun Jin's fortune, but in truth, it also planted the seed of disaster.
Since they're all great figures, no matter which one she chose, she would inevitably offend the other two. When the time came, instead of finding a firm backer, she might end up adding a few powerful enemies to herself.
But as for himself?
His own backer was his biological father. That blood relationship was far stronger than some illusory and uncertain bond of master and disciple!
Yun Jin's backer might run away, might abandon her, but his father would never leave him behind!
As they were about to arrive at Tianxing Sect, Zhao Ling notified Zhao Wuji in advance.
When Zhao Wuji received the message, he immediately began making arrangements.
This time, not only was his father coming, but also Lin Xiao, the Sect Master of Qingxiao Pavilion.
Qingxiao Pavilion had always placed extreme importance on hierarchy, rules, and appearances.
With Sect Master Lin Xiao himself coming, he must not allow Lin Xiao to lose face.
The fact that his father had sent the message ahead of time was clearly to remind him of this.
Lin Xiao's arrival must not be without fanfare. The proper ceremony had to be given.
If his arrangements could satisfy Lin Xiao, then in the future, by leveraging that connection, he might directly rise to the heavens in one step!
At that time, as his father had said, with one family producing two Mahayana cultivators, it would become a true legend.
Aside from this, Zhao Wuji had not forgotten about his disciple either.
He thought, if he could please Lin Xiao, perhaps Lin Xiao would help smooth things over, and the matter of Ye Danxia could be written off.
Zhao Wuji did not understand the twists and turns between these great figures. He only thought, since they were all of the same level, if Lin Xiao were to speak, the others would have to give him some face. In that case, not only could he himself escape danger, but Ye Danxia's charges could also be dismissed with ease.
After all, Ye Danxia had not actually inflicted any real harm on Yun Jin. If Sect Master Lin Xiao were to intercede, would Yun Jin really dare to cling to past grudges?
Zhao Wuji, scheming in his heart, immediately sought out the three Grand Elders.
When they heard that even the Pavilion Master of Qingxiao Pavilion was personally coming, the three Grand Elders were all startled.
Kunlun Sword Sect.
Qingxiao Pavilion.
Xuandan Sect.
Beast Taming Sect.
The four great Holy Lands had actually all gathered in this tiny Tianxing Sect?
But, was this really a good thing?
The faces of the three Grand Elders all looked grim.
Previously, those three great figures had clearly come for Yun Jin. After going to Heavenly Sword Peak, they had not appeared again. Apart from stirring up some talk, they had not actually caused any real damage.
The only one who had felt the pressure was Zhao Wuji standing before them.
But now, Zhao Wuji had actually even invited Lin Xiao, the Sect Master of Qingxiao Pavilion.
What was he trying to do?
Bring about a direct confrontation?
Who would win or lose, they didn't know. But once such people fought, would Tianxing Sect still exist?
The three Grand Elders immediately realized that this time was probably the greatest crisis since the founding of Tianxing Sect!
"Wuji, what is the purpose of Sect Master Lin Xiao's visit?" one elder cautiously asked.
Zhao Wuji smiled, "By territory, Tianxing Sect has always been under Qingxiao Pavilion's jurisdiction. Isn't it normal for Sect Master Lin Xiao to come for an occasional inspection?"
The elders wanted to press further, but Zhao Wuji sneered and said slowly, "Elders, if I were you, I wouldn't try to probe into the reason for Sect Master Lin's visit! What you should be considering is this, when such a great figure personally arrives, it is both an opportunity and a test. If Tianxing Sect can satisfy Sect Master Lin this time, then rising to become an Upper Sect or even a Super Sect will be within reach. But if we fail to satisfy him… don't forget, we are within Qingxiao Pavilion's jurisdiction!"
His tone carried a hidden threat. The elders' expressions grew uglier, but they understood well that if Qingxiao Pavilion wanted to take action against Tianxing Sect, there were countless ways to do it.
They couldn't afford to offend even an Upper Sect, let alone one of the four holy lands.
"Then Wuji, what do you suggest we do?" one Grand Elder asked.
Zhao Wuji's lips curved in a smile, "Very simple. Nothing else matters, but in receiving them, we must use the highest standard of ceremony! The Tianxing Bell has never been rung nine times, has it? This time, with Sect Master Lin personally coming, if we don't ring it nine times, then what are you waiting for?"
This…
The three elders looked at each other in dismay.
Nine rings of the Tianxing Bell represented the highest-level event for Tianxing Sect.
But ringing it nine times was no simple matter. For them old fellows, ringing it five or six times was manageable. But nine times would leave even all three of them weak for quite a while.
Moreover, nine rings of the Tianxing Bell also had extra effects.
If the defensive function was chosen, then the entire sect would be enveloped in a barrier. As long as the bell's energy was not exhausted, the barrier would not break. At the moment of life and death for the sect, this was the final line of defense.
If the active function was chosen, then the entire mountain would bloom with exotic flowers and grasses, becoming fragrant and beautiful, and even the spiritual fields would become fertile in a short time. This was the highest form of courtesy for welcoming guests.
"Elders, the Tianxing Bell is the only thing in this sect that can truly be presented with pride. If Sect Master Lin were to learn that he personally came, having even notified us in advance, yet you refused to expend the spiritual power to ring the Tianxing Bell, what do you think his impression of Tianxing Sect would be? Would he not forever hold it against us? Whether you do this or not, you may weigh for yourselves." Zhao Wuji spoke with absolute certainty.
He knew the three elders could not afford to gamble.
As expected.
After a short silence, the woman in the middle sighed softly, "Ring the Tianxing Bell."
Previously, when Ji Wusi and the others descended, they had not been informed beforehand, so it was understandable that the bell was not rung.
But this time, Lin Xiao was arriving, Zhao Wuji had informed them in advance, and had even specifically raised the matter of the bell.
Under these circumstances, if they still refused, it would truly offend him.
"Elders, you have made the correct choice." Zhao Wuji smiled faintly, then added, "There is one more matter. Once the Tianxing Bell is rung nine times, every disciple of the sect must gather, everyone. Therefore, my disciple currently imprisoned in He Mountain must also be temporarily released."
The elders exchanged glances. Zhao Wuji's meaning was already obvious, he intended to take this opportunity to release Ye Danxia as well.
But…
Was Yun Jin really someone easy to provoke?
It seemed Lin Xiao's arrival had given Zhao Wuji far too much confidence.
And yet, for some reason, they felt that even Lin Xiao might not walk away unscathed.
But, although they were the Grand Elders here, before such great figures, they were less than newborn infants.
They could not afford to offend either side, and could only struggle to survive in the cracks.
Just like Tianxing Sect itself.
Whether they lived or died, lay entirely in the thoughts of others.
Perhaps, weakness itself was the original sin.