"Who is that person from Wuji City?" the Xuanji Sect Master asked seriously.
"Disciple does not know who you are referring to," Zefang instinctively wanted to conceal Xiao Man's identity and prevent anyone from noticing her.
"You brat, many people are watching you. If I can find out, others can too. Do you think you can still hide?" The Xuanji Sect Master spoke with a tone of disappointment, "If it weren't for your peace of mind in cultivation, do you think I would care about her?"
"Master, I... I don't want anyone to notice her."
The Xuanji Sect Master immediately understood. His recent divine soul departure was likely to search for this person: "Tell me honestly, who exactly is she, and why are you so fixated on her?"
Zefang remained silent for a long time, not answering the Xuanji Sect Master.
The Xuanji Sect Master sighed, "Fine, if you don't want to say, I won't force you. To prevent her from affecting you and endangering Tianxuan Sect, I will have to kill her."
"Master, she, cannot be harmed," Zefang raised his head and looked at the Xuanji Sect Master, "Not only can you not harm her, but you must also protect her."
"Don't try to fool me with the excuse that she is the one destined for calamity and can save your life. I've seen that girl too. Her aptitude is extraordinary, truly a genius, but she is not worth you risking everything, even the entire Tianxuan Sect," the Xuanji Elder raised his voice, "I cannot allow you to continue this reckless behavior."
"Master, in your eyes, am I such a willful and reckless person?" Zefang asked softly, "My cultivation plummeted because I spied on heavenly secrets and attempted to defy fate."
The Xuanji Sect Master's expression changed drastically. He looked at Zefang in disbelief. Defying fate was far more than simply spying on heavenly secrets; it was acting against heaven itself. Their clan, due to their nine orifices constitution, had short lifespans. To engage in such a rebellious act would be akin to seeking their own demise!
"You... you... are you insane?"
Zefang gave a bitter smile, "I wish I were insane. Master, do you know that the Yu Beast Sect was not originally among the Four Great Sects? The original Four Great Sects were Tianxuan Sect, Tianling Sect, Tianjian Sect, and Tiandun Sect."
"I know about Tiandun Sect. They violated a taboo and were struck by divine punishment, perishing as a sect."
"Did they truly violate a taboo, or was there something else?" Zefang stared intently at the Xuanji Sect Master, "Two of the four great legacies are gone. Is this merely a coincidence?"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Master, Tiandun Sect was destroyed, and Tianling Sect has usurped their position. Of the ancient Four Great Sects, only Tianxuan Sect and Tianjian Sect remain," Zefang's voice was ethereal and distant, making it difficult to hear clearly, "Who will be struck by divine punishment next? Tianjian Sect, or our Tianxuan Sect?"
The Xuanji Sect Master felt a chill rise from his feet to his head, his back drenched in cold sweat. Tianxuan Sect excelled at divination, yet they could not foresee their own fate. At the same time, they could not foresee Zefang's fate!
"What exactly did you spy on?" the Xuanji Sect Master asked, his voice trembling.
"The secret of the gods," Zefang pointed to the sky and said in a very soft voice, "A secret that cannot be spoken."
The Xuanji Sect Master paced restlessly in his chamber. Zefang's words echoed in his mind. Could the secret of the gods be related to Tianxuan Sect's secrets?
"Sect Master, the Great Elder requests an audience."
The Xuanji Sect Master suppressed his worry, "Invite the Great Elder in."
The Great Elder arrived with hurried steps, "Sect Master."
"You are in such a hurry; it's not like your usual demeanor," the Xuanji Sect Master glanced at the Great Elder, who then quickly slowed his pace.
"Sect Master, Tianjian Sect has sent an invitation for Zefang to attend their Gathering of Heroes," the Great Elder's expression was filled with worry, "But given Zefang's current state, he likely cannot participate in Tianjian Sect's Gathering of Heroes."
The Xuanji Sect Master took the invitation and read it, then let out a cold laugh, "Yue Xun is always showing off his superiority here, as if he's afraid others won't know he has an outstanding son."
"Sect Master, regarding the Tianjian Sect's Gathering of Heroes..."
"We are not going," Xuanji said indifferently, "Tianjian Sect's Gathering of Heroes has nothing to do with us. Zefang needs to go into seclusion for cultivation; he doesn't have time."
"Should we send some inner disciples to attend?" the Great Elder hesitated, "Tianjian Sect extended an invitation to us. If we don't send anyone, Tianjian Sect might harbor resentment."
"Does our Tianxuan Sect fear them?"
"Sect Master, the Four Great Sects are united. If there is discord..."
"When were the Four Great Sects ever united?" Xuanji scoffed, "Now Tianjian Sect considers itself the leader of the Four Great Sects, barely acknowledging others. If we go, we will only be supporting players. It's best not to go."
"Sect Master, Tianjian Sect is powerful."
"What, is Tianjian Sect powerful, and my Tianxuan Sect will fear them?" Xuanji retorted irritably, "Although that precious son of his has some talent, he is far inferior to Zefang. Yet, Yue Xun dotes on him like a treasure. What kind of achievement can he have?"
The Great Elder pursed his lips. Yue Ran has no achievements, so does Zefang have achievements? He disappears every few days, staying gone for years, and when he returns, he's not only covered in wounds but also has his cultivation completely crippled. He's not even as good as that Yue Ran! However, the Great Elder dared not say it.
"So, we will ignore this matter?"
"Ignoring it entirely is not appropriate. How about this: have Sang Xian take a few disciples. They are not to provoke trouble, but if anyone bullies them, they are to fight back fiercely. If they cannot win, they are to report back to me, and I will go myself!" the Xuanji Sect Master grumbled.
The Great Elder acknowledged with a "Yes," and couldn't help but wipe sweat from his brow. If the disciples are bullied, the Sect Master himself will go to bully them back, without feeling any shame!
"Alright, go and make the arrangements."
"There is one more matter," the Great Elder said hesitantly, "It concerns Zefang."
"Speak."
"Disciples of the sect accompanied Zefang on a treasure hunt. Zefang once found a phoenix egg, but later threw it away and it disappeared. According to the disciples, this phoenix egg might have..."
"Might have been hidden by Zefang," the Xuanji Sect Master finished his sentence, "Even if he hid it, what are you going to do? Take it back?"
The Great Elder's face stiffened, "Sect Master, Zefang has already formed a contract with the White Dragon. This phoenix egg is useless to him. Why not leave it for other disciples to enhance the strength of the sect's disciples, so they are not looked down upon?"
The Xuanji Sect Master glanced at the Great Elder, "A few days ago, Zefang's cultivation has already recovered to the Nascent Soul stage. Great Elder, why don't you go spar with him?"
The Great Elder immediately stepped back. This was a joke. Zefang was a weirdo. Now that his cultivation has returned to the Nascent Soul stage, Zefang has no rivals at the same level. If he went, he would only be humiliating himself!