"The mountain gate of the Huofu Sect is ahead. Once we arrive, you are not to speak out of turn. Follow my instructions."
True Person Jing Qiu, clad in a plain robe with a simple hairpin adorning her bun, possessed a youthful face yet exuded an air of premature gravitas.
"Yes," Wang Biyun replied, lowering her gaze and offering a respectful bow, concealing the swirling currents of dark energy within her eyes.
When she lifted her head, her complexion appeared ashen, her lips tinged with a deathly pale hue, presenting the image of someone gravely injured and still recovering.
Indeed, this was precisely the case.
Ever since she had been struck by Xu Yi and expelled from the Jian family, a persistent tightness had plagued her chest, a clear indication of internal injuries.
Because of this, Wang Biyun harbored a profound hatred for Xu Yi.
However, the vast disparity in their strength made any thought of revenge impossible. Furthermore, her failure to bring Xiao Yi back upon her return meant she could not account for herself to her master.
Thus, after much deliberation, she altered the events of the Jian family's birthday banquet, depicting Xu Yi as an arrogant and overbearing cultivator, while portraying Xiao Yi as a naughty child who had been misled.
Essentially, she shifted all blame onto the two of them.
Her audacity in doing so stemmed from a solid foundation of support.
Her performance within the sect had always been exemplary; she never mistreated her junior sisters and, coupled with her steady disposition, had earned the deep trust of her master. Consequently, her master had no reason to doubt her narrative and instead harbored considerable displeasure towards Xu Yi and Xiao Yi.
Upon receiving the communication from the Jian family's ancestor, True Person Jing Qiu immediately resolved to bring Wang Biyun along to the Huofu Sect to demand the child's return and seek reparations.
Wang Biyun, meanwhile, was fully prepared for a confrontation with Xu Yi.
Though she had harbored intentions that day at the banquet, she had not acted upon them; Xu Yi's unprovoked assault on her was a transgression on his part.
Wang Biyun let out a cold laugh inwardly, maintaining a submissive demeanor as she followed Jing Qiu.
Jing Qiu had no prior dealings with the Huofu Sect. Her initial plan was to have the gatekeeping disciples announce their arrival once they reached the mountain gate.
However, upon seeing the barren gate, devoid of even the slightest ripple of spiritual energy, a rare expression of bewilderment crossed her face.
Were it not for the three imposing characters, "Huofu Sect," emblazoned upon the gate, she might have assumed she had arrived at the wrong destination.
The Huofu Sect had apparently fallen into such dire straits.
The pent-up frustration that Jing Qiu had been suppressing gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of melancholic solidarity, akin to a rabbit mourning the fate of a fox.
The current state of Mingyue Pavilion was similarly on the decline. Despite her persistent efforts, there had been little improvement.
Perhaps, upon her eventual demise, Mingyue Pavilion would also languish, much like the Huofu Sect.
After a moment of reflection, she produced a paper crane and recited, "Jing Qiu of Mingyue Pavilion requests an audience."
As a spiritual light flickered within the paper crane, she released it. The crane flapped its wings and drifted towards the Huofu Sect's mountain gate.
At the Huofu Sect, with the exception of the sect leader who was in seclusion, everyone had gathered beside the divine wood.
In reality, both Xu Yi and the divine wood were enveloped in flames, allowing them only to perceive hazy silhouettes. Yet, they remained engrossed, discussing the potential fortuitous encounters Xu Yi might gain.
"Do any of you notice a change in the color of this flame?"
"Yes, I've noticed it too. It seems to have turned green!"
"Uncle-Master, what kind of flames are green?"
Uncle-Master Bei stroked his beard, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Green flames..."
Before Uncle-Master Bei could finish speaking, the paper crane, with a fluttering of wings, wobbled and landed before him.
"Hmm?"
After a moment of bewilderment, Uncle-Master Bei looked down at Xiao Yi, who was cradling her face and gazing at Xu Yi, and suddenly understood.
Indeed, the spiritual energy was focused on the paper crane, and Jing Qiu's voice emanated from it.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi immediately jumped up, whispering with joy, "It's Master, Master's here to pick me up."
Both Uncle-Masters Bei and Nan rose simultaneously, calling over a few disciples, and led Xiao Yi to greet their arrival.
"Master, Master!"
Spotting her master from afar, Xiao Yi immediately released Wang Yang's hand and, like a fledgling returning to its nest, darted towards Jing Qiu.
However, just as she was about to reach Jing Qiu, the latter produced a whisk and held it before her, blocking Xiao Yi's approach.
"Master?"
Xiao Yi looked up with a wronged expression, confused as to why her master was acting so aloof.
"You didn't listen to your senior sister while you were out, did you?"
Jing Qiu's composed voice emanated from above Xiao Yi's head. It was then that Xiao Yi noticed Senior Sister Wang standing beside her master.
What frightened her even more was that Senior Sister Wang actually curved her lips into a smile upon seeing her.
"I... I listened to Senior Sister,"
Xiao Yi lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers, and replied with a hint of guilt.
Jing Qiu frowned, about to say something. Remembering that members of the Huofu Sect were present, she decided against it.
"I am Jing Qiu of Mingyue Pavilion."
"Elder Bei Shang of Huofu Sect."
"Elder Nan Xia of Huofu Sect."
After the three exchanged pleasantries, the Uncle-Masters Bei and Nan briefly explained that the sect leader was in seclusion and unable to host them, thus they were in charge of sect affairs.
Jing Qiu had not come to see the Huofu Sect leader anyway, so she expressed no dissatisfaction. Under the guidance of the two elders, they entered the Huofu Sect.
This time, however, they did not lead Jing Qiu down the path lined with blooming flowers. Instead, they took the rarely used main road, allowing Jing Qiu to see not the beautiful scenery Xu Yi had witnessed, but a desolate avenue covered in withered leaves.
Jing Qiu's mood grew increasingly heavy.
She seemed to have foreseen the future of Mingyue Pavilion.
Wang Biyun, following behind her, could barely conceal the contempt in her eyes.
She had previously been apprehensive about Xu Yi's title as an esteemed guest elder of the Huofu Sect. Yet, who could have imagined that the Huofu Sect would be in such a dilapidated state, not even one-tenth as prosperous as Mingyue Pavilion?
Esteemed guest elder?
What a mockery.
The other disciples of the Huofu Sect lowered their heads, their gazes meeting, all revealing a similar thought.
They did not like the people from Mingyue Pavilion, especially Wang Biyun.
They had spent considerable time with Xiao Yi recently and had all grown fond of the spirited and quirky young girl.
They had also heard from Wang Yang that Wang Biyun had previously mistreated Xiao Yi, which was why Senior Xu had taken Xiao Yi under his wing.
They had initially assumed that their visitors had come with genuine intent to retrieve Xiao Yi. To their surprise, not only was their demeanor cold, but they had also brought Wang Biyun with them.
The members of the Huofu Sect now wished they could drive the two from Mingyue Pavilion away and keep Xiao Yi at the Huofu Sect.
Those who do not cherish her will have her cherished by others.
Uncle-Masters Nan and Bei invited Jing Qiu into the main hall, leaving only Wang Yang behind, and dismissed the other disciples.
They could perceive that the visitors from Mingyue Pavilion harbored ill intentions, and a dispute was likely to ensue. It was best to keep other disciples out of the discussion.
"Sect Leader Jing Qiu, you have come to retrieve Xiao Yi, haven't you?" Uncle-Master Bei inquired softly.
"That is correct." Elder Jing Qiu nodded slightly, then shifted the conversation, "In addition, I have some questions for your sect's Elder Xu Yi. May I know where she is currently located?"
Upon hearing the name Elder Xu Yi, both Uncle-Masters Bei and Nan paused for a moment. They then recalled Wang Yang mentioning that Xu Yi had attended the Jian family ancestor's birthday banquet under the guise of being an esteemed guest elder of the Huofu Sect.
The two mused that it would be fortunate if Fellow Daoist Xu were indeed an esteemed guest elder of the Huofu Sect.
Jing Qiu observed their hesitation.
"What? Does this Elder Xu Yi know she has committed a wrongdoing and is hiding, afraid to face us?"