While Xue Daoren was still trying to figure out a way to retreat safely, a cold and sharp voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "How is the task progressing?"
It was the voice of the Demon Sovereign.
Xue Daoren's expression shifted slightly.
Whatever Yun Jin had done, she had clearly provoked the Demon Sovereign's hatred to an extreme degree. Even Ji Wusi, the Demon Sovereign's long-standing nemesis, had been pushed to second place because of her.
Ever since the Demon Sovereign began issuing remote commands, he had checked in nearly every day, afraid Yun Jin might somehow escape his grasp.
To be honest, Xue Daoren thought the Demon Sovereign was blowing things out of proportion.
She was just a cultivator in the Divine Transformation stage. Was she really worth sacrificing the entire Blood Dao Sect's decades of groundwork? Was she worth putting their lives on the line just to take her down?
He grumbled inwardly but dared not show any disrespect.
He quickly responded with a secret art, "Demon Sovereign, we've already located Qin Ping and the others. The capital's grand formation is ready. Yun Jin will be forced to walk right into death."
"Very good. Move faster. Ji Wusi and the others are heading to Qingxiao Pavilion to investigate. That will take at least ten days, maybe half a month. Lin Xiao will find a way to stall them. You must take Yun Jin's life within ten days. If Ji Wusi finishes early, it won't be so easy to kill her anymore," Yang Yun's voice was low and cold.
Xue Daoren immediately replied, "Understood."
He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Even if Ji Wusi and the others don't make it in time, operating this high-profile will still draw attention from the Demon-Slaying Alliance. They could rally support from surrounding sects. Inside the Canglan Kingdom, there's also a super sect—Yuehua Sect. If it comes to open conflict, we may not be able to stand against them."
Yang Yun let out a cold laugh. "No need to be so indirect. You're just afraid of dying. Don't worry. When I sent you to that remote region back then, I had low expectations. But it seems you found your own fortune and obtained that mysterious liquid. I've secluded myself for healing and will question you about it when I recover. Why would I let you die before then?"
Xue Daoren's eyes lit up.
Yang Yun continued analyzing the situation.
"There is only one super sect in the Canglan Kingdom, Yuehua Sect. What you don't know is that Yun Jin deeply offended them once. If you had explained from the start that your actions targeted Yun Jin, Yuehua Sect likely wouldn't intervene. Even if they're pressured by the Demon-Slaying Alliance to participate, they won't put in much effort."
Yuehua Sect won't interfere?
Xue Daoren let out a long breath of relief.
The Demon-Slaying Alliance was essentially a coalition of sects, and most of its presence in this region was made up of disciples from various sects.
If Yuehua Sect held back, the others might not dare step forward either.
Without people willing to act, the Demon-Slaying Alliance would be nothing more than a name.
This dramatically increased his chances of getting out alive.
Even so, Xue Daoren couldn't help but be curious.
What exactly had Yun Jin done?
A cultivator at the Divine Transformation stage had not only offended the Demon Sovereign, but had also angered an entire super sect?
How much trouble could one person cause?
"Go ahead and act. Once Yun Jin is dead, you will be credited with great merit," Yang Yun said coldly.
"Yes," this time, Xue Daoren replied much more willingly.
At the very least, the Demon Sovereign intended to let him live. This wasn't some suicide mission.
"Hurry up," Yang Yun added, and with that, the voice faded from Xue Daoren's mind.
Xue Daoren looked at Qin Ping and the others. His eyes gleamed with eerie intent.
Since the command had been given, there was only one thing left to do—move quickly.
Qingxiao Pavilion.
Ji Wusi and his companions arrived at Qingxiao Pavilion at the fastest possible speed.
Lin Xiao, leading the Qingxiao Pavilion disciples, had already come out to greet them.
Ji Wusi narrowed his eyes and immediately noticed someone kneeling at the front—Zhao Ling, bound and stripped of his cultivation.
Zhao Ling's gaze was vacant, and he mumbled incoherently, looking completely deranged.
"Sect Master Lin, what is the meaning of this?" Ji Wusi asked.
Lin Xiao sighed deeply, his face full of anguish. "There is demonic aura on some Qingxiao Pavilion disciples. This is a grave matter. The three Holy Lands joining forces to investigate is completely justified. Before you arrived, I began an internal inspection. The result? We found traces of corruption in Zhao Ling."
"Oh?" Ji Wusi lifted an eyebrow.
Did Lin Xiao really think sword cultivators were brainless?
Lin Xiao didn't care whether they believed him or not. He continued explaining, "According to my findings, the few disciples who went to Wushuang Sect were all closely connected to Zhao Ling. Some were his disciples, some had received his favor, others were lured by promises of gain. He is the root of all this corruption."
The more Lin Xiao spoke, the more pained he appeared. "I never expected Zhao Ling to be so manipulative. He even seems to have a method to hide the demonic aura. As Sect Master, I failed to see the signs. This is my fault. By the way, Sect Master Ji, I heard you recently dealt with a former Tianxing Sect master, Zhao Wuji, for falling to demonic cultivation? That Zhao Wuji is Zhao Ling's biological son."
Lin Xiao shook his head with a sigh. "Zhao Ling truly destroyed not only himself, but his own family. He fell to the demonic path and dragged his son down with him. Thankfully, their schemes are now being unraveled. They will not be able to stir up any more trouble."
The courtyard fell silent. Only Lin Xiao's voice remained.
The timing was too convenient. They had just dealt with Zhao Wuji, and now Zhao Ling was pinned as the mastermind?
It all felt a little too neat.
Ji Wusi let out a cold chuckle. "Sect Master Lin. I sense that Zhao Ling has only just broken into the Mahayana stage. That suggests he was in seclusion for quite some time before this breakthrough. Tell me, how does someone in seclusion manipulate your disciples into demonic cultivation?"
Lin Xiao gave another deep sigh. "You all may not know this, but while Zhao Ling's combat power was nothing special, his ability to manipulate hearts was exceptional. He'd already gathered loyal followers before going into seclusion. While he was hidden away, they became his mouthpieces, spreading his demonic teachings. As for Zhao Wuji's associates, I've captured them all. You may examine them yourselves."
He waved his hand.
A dozen more people were dragged out.
This time, Lin Xiao clearly didn't hold back.
Anyone who had been close to Zhao Ling, anyone who had shown signs of affiliation, he sent them all forward.
Yet they all shared a single trait.
They looked completely deranged, as if their minds had shattered.
Ji Wusi frowned.
Lin Xiao quickly added, "Their mental states are weak. Once their true natures were exposed, something inside them broke. But their crimes are clear and well documented. Sect Master Ji, you may act as you see fit. Though they are disciples of Qingxiao Pavilion, when it comes to demon-related crimes, I, as their Sect Master, will show no mercy. You have no need to hold back on my account."