Xu Yi felt no guilt about diverting the disaster onto the Qinglian Sect leader.
She was silently trailing behind the Junior Brother Liu, observing his every move.
After half a cup of tea, Junior Brother Liu stopped in a secluded spot. He glanced around, then suddenly crouched down, placing his hand on the ground for a moment before quickly rising and leaving.
Xu Yi noted the location where he had paused, then continued to follow him. Witnessing him return to his own room, she then changed direction and headed back.
Xu Yi returned to the spot where Junior Brother Liu had crouched. She looked around but found nothing unusual, intending to investigate with her divine sense. However, the next moment, she suppressed the impulse.
Junior Brother Liu must have set something up here. If she acted rashly, she might alert the other party.
A cold glint flashed in Xu Yi's eyes.
They had long anticipated that the demonic tribe would not let this opportunity pass. Therefore, the five major sects had joined forces to lay a trap within the Xuanji Sect, waiting for the demonic tribe to take the bait.
And that Junior Brother Liu was not soul-possessed by the demonic tribe only after arriving at the Xuanji Sect, but had fallen into their trap much earlier.
As soon as the five major sects initiated their action, the hidden moves previously laid by the demonic tribe were immediately exposed.
Junior Brother Liu was merely a pawn.
The demonic tribe surely had even more sinister schemes yet to unfold, waiting for the day of the grand ceremony to give Xu Yi, the Xuanji Sect, and indeed all the righteous path across the Nine Provinces Continent a "surprise."
A cold smile played on Xu Yi's lips.
She wondered if the demonic tribe, living in secluded corners, knew that a surprise that has long been seen through is no surprise at all.
The final outcome might, instead, be a great shock to them.
Xu Yi waved her hand, setting up a hidden barrier beneath her feet, and then flickered away.
…
Three days later.
The sky was dimly lit.
The silent mountain gate began to stir with activity.
Whether it was the guests attending the ceremony or the disciples of the Xuanji Sect serving as hosts, everyone was filled with joy.
Today was the day the Xuanji Sect held its grand sect ceremony.
Early in the morning, the Xuanji Sect disciples, according to their assigned tasks, carried out their duties.
Drums and music played in unison, cranes danced and phoenixes cried, exotic fragrances wafted through the air – a scene of great prosperity.
Wang Yang had not dared to close his eyes and rest since the previous night. He sat rigidly in his room, staring wide-eyed, until dawn. Then, he rushed out of his room impatiently.
The other disciples of the Huofu Sect also rushed out of their rooms at the same time.
They looked at each other and spontaneously burst into laughter.
Their laughter was so joyous that it drew Zhan Fei and the Northern and Southern Elders out of their rooms.
"Master, when are we going to attend the ceremony?" Chi Xiaoxi asked, blinking her eyes.
Wang Yang glanced at the sky and said helplessly, "It's still early. Please wait patiently."
"Oh, alright."
Upon hearing this, Chi Xiaoxi and the other disciples' spirits sank.
The waiting time seemed exceptionally long. The disciples of the Huofu Sect waited restlessly in the courtyard, occasionally looking outward, only to withdraw their gazes in disappointment.
Finally.
There was a knock on the outer door.
Wang Yang's eyes lit up. He took two quick steps forward and opened the door.
Outside the door was the young disciple who had guided them to their accommodations that day.
The young disciple's face was full of smiles. "Senior brothers of the Huofu Sect, the ceremony is about to begin. I will guide you to attend the ceremony."
"Good, good!"
Wang Yang replied excitedly, then quickly ran back to his master, taking a deep breath. He tried his best to make his tone sound calmer.
"Master, someone from the Xuanji Sect has arrived."
Zhan Fei nodded slowly, then glanced at the Northern and Southern Elders.
Seeing the two elders nod in response, Zhan Fei then led all the disciples outward.
After the Xuanji Sect disciples greeted Zhan Fei and his group, they respectfully guided Zhan Fei towards the inner peak of the Xuanji Sect.
On the way, the people from the Huofu Sect encountered other teams heading to attend the ceremony.
However, compared to the other teams, the Huofu Sect was undoubtedly at a disadvantage, with the difference in numbers being even more pronounced.
The disciples of the Huofu Sect were already accustomed to such scenes and were not too surprised. Instead, they eagerly struck up conversations with the other party.
The other party was also curious about the Huofu Sect and was friendly. The two sides quickly learned each other's origins.
Coincidentally, after arriving at the plaza where the grand sect ceremony was being held, the seats for the two sects were placed next to each other.
This rare coincidence made the disciples of both sides feel even closer.
"Xiaoxi, come to Liuli Valley to visit me when you have a chance. I'll treat you to the Liuli fruit that only Liuli Valley has," a sweet-looking young female cultivator said, holding Chi Xiaoxi's hand cheerfully.
Chi Xiaoxi nodded repeatedly. "Tiantian, if you come to Ang Province in the future, you can also come to Huofu Sect to find me. Although I don't have Liuli fruit there, I have other delicious spirit fruits."
Tiantian was the youngest daughter of the Valley Master of Liuli Valley. Her given name was Zhao Tian.
She was about the same age as Chi Xiaoxi and they got along well, so the two hit it off immediately and quickly became friends.
As the two chatted and laughed, Chi Xiaoxi suddenly felt a chill inexplicably creep up her back.
She subconsciously looked behind her but found nothing unusual. Puzzled, she turned back.
Was that just an illusion?
"Xiaoxi, what were you looking at just now?" Zhao Tian asked curiously.
"Nothing."
Chi Xiaoxi shook her head, wanting to shake off the uncomfortable feeling.
However, a shadow had already fallen upon her heart.
On the other side.
Zhuzhou, stone cave.
Tian Mo asked in a hoarse voice, "Are all arrangements in place?"
"Flawless," Di Mo replied with certainty.
Although he had not personally gone to the Xuanji Sect, every step had been meticulously planned by him. He had also double-checked, ensuring that there would be no slip-ups.
Seeing his confidence, Tian Mo felt a sense of unease for some reason.
"You mustn't underestimate those righteous cultivators," Tian Mo couldn't help but remind him.
Di Mo looked at him with a hint of surprise. "Tian Mo, you don't trust me?"
"No, I just feel that things might not go so smoothly."
Tian Mo only wanted to use this opportunity to annoy the righteous path, and had not considered causing them any substantial harm.
But of the pawns arranged to infiltrate the Xuanji Sect, not one had been exposed so far. It was inexplicably smooth.
Could it be that he was overthinking this time?
Di Mo was dismissive. "When we planned this, we had already decided to sacrifice those pawns. Even if they are all lost this time, it wouldn't be a significant loss for us. More importantly, we can use this opportunity to show our stance.
When those pawns make their move, the Xuanji Sect will surely be disgraced this time.
Whether the other party has discovered it or not is not important. We only care about the result."
In front of countless cultivators of the Nine Provinces Continent, throwing mud at the Xuanji Sect was such a delightful thing.
Di Mo was already regretting that he couldn't witness that scene firsthand.
Tian Mo thought about it and felt that Di Mo's words were not unreasonable.
Regardless of what the righteous path intended to do, their objective had already been achieved.
Now, all that was needed was for the right moment to arrive, and the grand gift would be delivered.
Tian Mo smiled with a dark expression.