"Oh, so that's how it is!"
Turning around, Wan Yunting looked at Zhong Yulong, Master Huikong, and the others, a cold sneer escaping his lips.
Liu Bing and Master Huikong exchanged uneasy glances, their consciences now stirred.
The Demon Cult's treasure was the Demon Pool!
Legend had it that successive Demon Cult leaders, by cultivating in the Demon Pool and practicing their Heaven Demon Art, could reach the realm of "seeing the divine without being harmed"!
In the Demon Cult's prime, the leader of that era practiced the Heaven Demon Art in the Demon Pool, making him the nightmare of all major sects!
However, it was rumored that cultivating in the Demon Pool would allow the demonic essence to devour one's will. That was why that generation's Demon Cult leader sealed off the Demon Pool, preventing subsequent leaders from entering it for cultivation.
That generation's Demon Cult leader was ultimately besieged and killed by the major sects due to the backlash of his demonic arts…
Despite this, the major sects had always coveted the Demon Cult's Demon Pool!
The Demon Cult's Heaven Demon Art was inscribed within the Demon Pool!
It was said that only the Demon Cult leader had the right to know the location of the Demon Pool.
This was precisely why Zhong Yulong and the other major sects refused to compromise with Wan Yunting. They had captured Yin Baisu to force her to reveal the exact location of the Demon Pool!
"Yunting, come with me for a moment…"
Yin Baisu then said to Wan Yunting.
Wan Yunting looked at her, unsure of her intentions, and nodded, following her aside…
Seeing this, Zhong Yulong, Liu Bing, Hu Fei, and the others from the major sects frowned in confusion, wondering what Yin Baisu wanted Wan Yunting to do. They also became wary, ready to capture her if Yin Baisu caused any trouble…
Zhou Ruoxi turned to look at her mother calling her man aside, and saw Yin Baisu whispering something into Wan Yunting's ear!
"Sect Leader Zhong, can you hear what they're saying?"
Liu Bing immediately asked Zhong Yulong. Master Huikong and the others also concentrated their hearing, trying to discern what Yin Baisu was telling Wan Yunting.
However, Yin Baisu spoke so softly that even with Zhong Yulong's excellent hearing, he couldn't make out what she was saying to Wan Yunting.
After listening to her, Wan Yunting's brow furrowed. He stared at Yin Baisu, trying to guess why she was telling him this…
Yin Baisu looked at Wan Yunting and smiled, "I'll have to trouble you to take care of Ruoxi from now on!"
Wan Yunting's heart grew heavy, unsure why she would say such a thing.
Then, Yin Baisu walked over to Zhou Ruoxi, taking her hands and smiling tenderly, "Ruoxi, I was too young back then and made a foolish decision to entrust you to Feng Ling to be brought to Mount Emei."
"But I hope you can understand why I did it. I had no choice back then; I didn't want you to live a life of constant hiding and insecurity with me."
"Now that I can see you, my wish is fulfilled. You must take good care of yourself from now on; Mother can no longer accompany you…"
"You… what are you saying…"
Seeing her mother suddenly say these things, Zhou Ruoxi's expression changed drastically, and she became anxious.
Yin Baisu suddenly showed a pained expression. Black blood flowed from her mouth, and she collapsed onto the ground…
"What's wrong? Yunting…"
Zhou Ruoxi cried out in alarm. Wan Yunting's expression shifted, and he immediately went to check on Yin Baisu's condition…
"What, what is happening?"
The major sects present were all stunned by this sudden turn of events, not understanding what had happened to Yin Baisu.
"Poison that seals the throat upon contact!"
Upon examining Yin Baisu's symptoms, it was clear she had a hidden poisoned fang. This poison, which sealed the throat upon contact, was untreatable.
"What, she's committing suicide…!"
When the people from the major sects heard Wan Yunting's words, they realized Yin Baisu was taking her own life…
"Wuwu, no…"
At that moment, Zhou Ruoxi broke down in tears, collapsing into Yin Baisu's arms, her heart filled with immense pain…
She had never expected that her mother, whom she had only just reunited with, would die before her eyes…
"Ugh… Ruoxi, Mother… I'm sorry…"
Yin Baisu's face gradually turned purple, and she continued to spit out large amounts of black blood. With her trembling hand, she used her last ounce of strength to caress Zhou Ruoxi's cheek. As her words faded, her hand fell limply, and she was gone…
"Mom…"
Finally, Zhou Ruoxi cried out her mother's name with heart-wrenching anguish. This was the first time she had ever called Yin Baisu "Mom," but now, she could no longer hear her…
"See if she's dead!"
Chen Jing said, motioning for a disciple to check if Yin Baisu was breathing her last…
"Get lost!"
Wan Yunting acted, sending the ignorant disciple from the Hua Shan sect flying with a palm strike…
"Wan Yunting, how could you…"
Chen Jing roared with anger, but upon seeing Wan Yunting's grim face and his fierce, terrifying eyes, Chen Jing was so frightened that he swallowed the rest of his words…
"You forced her to her death!"
Wan Yunting's eyes widened in fury. He pointed at Zhong Yulong, Liu Bing, Master Huikong, and the others from the major sects, gritting his teeth and roaring.
"Wan Yunting, you can't say that. We didn't do anything…" Liu Bing's guilty conscience made him quickly try to explain.
"Hmph."
Wan Yunting glared at him, let out a heavy, cold snort, turned, and squatted down, embracing the sorrowful and weeping Zhou Ruoxi, comforting her ceaselessly…
This scene made the major sects present frown and exchange glances. They had never expected Yin Baisu to commit suicide directly…
"Ruoxi, I'll take you down the mountain…"
Wan Yunting then picked up Yin Baisu's body, preparing to take Zhou Ruoxi away…
"Sect Master Wan, wait…"
Zhong Yulong called out to him. Wan Yunting's face was grim, and he glared at Zhong Yulong coldly, saying, "Sect Leader Zhong, rest assured, I will fulfill my promise to you. Have your people go to the capital to retrieve the Snow Mountain Sect's martial arts manuals."
"But let me tell you, this is not over. I will settle the score with you!"
"Sect Master Wan, please don't be like this. We truly didn't do anything…" Liu Bing was the first to cower upon hearing Wan Yunting's threat.
But Zhong Yulong, his face solemn, asked, "Were her words to you just now about their Demon Cult's Demon Pool?"
Seeing the old man ask this question, Wan Yunting's face became even more grim and furious. His gaze lost its politeness as he glared at Zhong Yulong, his voice cold and angry, "Sect Leader Zhong, I respected you as a senior in the past, but I never expected you to be so shameless."
"Wan Yunting, how dare you speak like that?"
Qi Xiu, Qin Yuan, and other disciples expressed their displeasure, pointing at Wan Yunting and shouting.
"Silence, you have no right to speak!"
Wan Yunting unleashed his internal energy to amplify his voice, roaring at them. The force of his shout made Qi Xiu and Qin Yuan's faces change, and they involuntarily retreated a few steps, no longer daring to speak.
The other sects present also changed their expressions. Looking at Wan Yunting, whose face was filled with anger and whose eyes seemed ready to kill, no one dared to provoke him further.
Wan Yunting's widened eyes shifted back to Zhong Yulong, and he said furiously, "She didn't tell me anything. She just asked me to take good care of her daughter."
Saying this, Wan Yunting gritted his teeth and spoke word by word, "Sect Leader Zhong, are you satisfied with my answer?"
Zhong Yulong's brow furrowed. Facing the terrifying aura emanating from Wan Yunting, he showed no significant expression beyond shock…
Even though he knew Yin Baisu had surely told Wan Yunting about their Demon Cult's Demon Pool, if Wan Yunting was unwilling to speak now, Zhong Yulong couldn't force him.
Otherwise, if he pushed Wan Yunting too far, Wan Yunting was capable of doing anything.
"Get out…"
Wan Yunting, holding Yin Baisu and the grief-stricken Zhou Ruoxi, roared at the major sects blocking his path.
Liu Bing and the others, seeing that Zhong Yulong remained silent, naturally did not dare to stop Wan Yunting anymore. They waved their hands, letting them leave…
"Sect Leader Zhong, are you just letting them go like this?" Guo Yu of the Emei Sect asked, seeing Wan Yunting carrying Yin Baisu's corpse and Zhou Ruoxi heading directly towards their Emei Sect, his anxiety rising.
"Elder Guo, the person is dead, what more do you want?" Liu Bing shot Guo Yu an displeased glance and said, "Besides, Wan Yunting has already promised to hand over the Snow Mountain Sect's martial arts manuals to our Martial Arts Association. As an exchange, do you have any complaints?"
"But Zhou Ruoxi is a traitor to our Emei Sect…" Guo Yu exclaimed indignantly.
"Hmph, if you have the guts, go and stop Wan Yunting and try to take her back." Liu Bing retorted with displeasure.
These words silenced Guo Yu. He glared, opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word, as he truly lacked the ability to challenge Wan Yunting…
"Sect Leader Zhong, that Yin Baisu must have told Wan Yunting the location of their Demon Pool!" Chen Jing approached Zhong Yulong and said, "What should we do now?"
Master Huikong, Hu Fei, and the others also looked at Zhong Yulong. He indeed shook his head and said, "First, send someone to secretly follow Wan Yunting and see where he goes next."
"As for whether Yin Baisu told him the location of the Demon Pool, that's just our speculation. If Wan Yunting doesn't say, we can't do anything to him."
These words caused everyone present to nod.
Indeed, they dared not come into direct conflict with Wan Yunting; it would only bring them no benefits.
"Fortunately, Wan Yunting promised to hand over the Snow Mountain Sect's martial arts manuals. That's good news," Liu Bing said with a smile.
Master Huikong and the others also nodded. At least this trip wasn't in vain…
"Senior Sister…"
Jiang Tingxia, Lu Shuang, and the other senior and junior sisters saw Wan Yunting carrying Yin Baisu's corpse and Zhou Ruoxi, her autumn eyes red with sorrow, walking back from the back mountain. They stepped forward to meet them, but didn't quite know what to say…
Abbess Yunbai, her face haggard, watched Wan Yunting carrying Yin Baisu's body and Zhou Ruoxi preparing to descend the mountain. She couldn't help but ask, "Ruoxi, are you really leaving?"
Zhou Ruoxi paused, looked up at Abbess Yunbai, then suddenly knelt down with a thud, lowering her head and saying, "Uncle-Master, I apologize. This is the Sect Leader's Sword. I am no longer an Emei Sect disciple…"
Saying this, Zhou Ruoxi placed the Sect Leader's Sword on the ground with both hands. After speaking, she stood up and resolutely left with Wan Yunting…
"Senior Sister…"
Jiang Tingxia, tears streaming down her face, reluctantly chased after her, grabbing Zhou Ruoxi's arm and crying sadly…
Lu Shuang and He Shanyue, along with other senior and junior sisters, also had red eyes, watching Zhou Ruoxi, who was about to leave, with reluctance…
"Junior Sister, stay well with Uncle-Master. I'm leaving…"
Zhou Ruoxi didn't look back. She removed Jiang Tingxia's hand from her arm, followed Wan Yunting, and descended the mountain with her mother's body…
"Wuwu…"
Jiang Tingxia immediately knelt on the ground and wept…
Abbess Yunbai, sitting cross-legged on a rock over there, also looked grief-stricken, a tear sliding down her cheek…
It was unclear whether she was reluctant to see Zhou Ruoxi leave or was shedding tears for the uncertain future of the Emei Sect…