Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. "Xue Daoren, today's battle is already lost for you. Why bother with this desperate struggle?"
Xue Daoren opened his mouth, as if about to speak.
But then, suddenly—
Several powerful auras descended.
A bright, carefree voice echoed out.
"Indeed. Xue Daoren has already lost. Fairy Yun is truly a once-in-a-generation genius. To think that at Unity stage, you could force someone in the Mahayana stage to this extent. What happens next is no longer your concern. Hand Xue Daoren over to us."
Yun Jin lifted her gaze.
In a single glance, she saw Mu Lan, his face beaming with a wide smile.
Three others stood beside him.
Four in total. Every one of them was Mahayana stage.
They were people from the Yuehua Sect.
Strictly speaking, the Yuehua Sect was a righteous sect.
But at this moment, seeing them arrive—
Xue Daoren actually let out a relieved breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
Yun Jin, on the other hand, furrowed her brows tightly.
The irony of the situation was almost laughable.
Gao Jingxuan still couldn't move, but remembering Yun Jin's earlier cryptic words, and relying on his frightening insight, he noticed the shift in emotions between Yun Jin and Xue Daoren. A flicker of dread surfaced in his eyes.
"Reinforcements have arrived!"
"They're from the Yuehua Sect!"
"Hahaha, we're saved for sure this time!"
The people had already started to cheer in excitement.
But Gao Jingxuan's expression grew even more troubled.
Were these people truly here to rescue them?
"Hand over Xue Daoren!"
"The Yuehua Sect will surely interrogate him properly!"
"The Demon-Slaying Alliance won't let him go either!"
"He must be executed by a thousand cuts!"
Voices rose in a chorus of emotion.
Mu Lan's smile only grew brighter. "This is what everyone wants. Fairy Yun, just leave this man to us."
As he spoke, Mu Lan's gaze flickered constantly while looking at Yun Jin. A trace of deeply hidden wariness flashed through his eyes.
He had never expected it.
Yun Jin's cultivation had improved so rapidly.
She could already go head-to-head with someone in the Mahayana stage.
She even had the upper hand.
Yet she was still only at the Unity stage.
What if she advanced to Tribulation, or even Mahayana?
Unthinkable.
By then, the entire human realm might be under her rule.
Mu Lan and Yun Jin had crossed paths before. If she truly rose to power, what good would come to him?
Back in the Wushuang Sect secret realm, so many from Yuehua Sect had gone to intercept her. Yun Jin likely knew the deeper reasons behind that. She must have already marked Yuehua Sect as an enemy.
If Yun Jin wasn't eliminated now, the entire Yuehua Sect might suffer in the future.
So whether for the Sect Master's orders, or for his own sake, Yun Jin had to be removed.
Mu Lan's eyes flickered again as he said, "Also, Sect Master Yun, you may accompany us to the Yuehua Sect to explain what happened here."
Then later…
They would simply claim that on the road, Xue Daoren suddenly lashed out, killing Yun Jin before fleeing.
Even if someone had doubts, as long as there was no evidence, what could they do?
Yun Jin listened to him and suddenly curled her lips into a smile.
"Sect Master Yun, what are you smiling about?" Mu Lan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Yun Jin replied flatly, "Mu Lan, you were already here before this, weren't you?"
She hadn't noticed at first. But once she grasped the Law of Fire and the fire element shattered the formation, she sensed the presence of Mu Lan and the others.
"Back when I was fighting Xue Daoren, none of you had any intention of helping. You even allowed Xue Daoren to take Qin Ping hostage. And now, only when he's lost, do you suddenly appear?" Her words were direct and without courtesy.
Mu Lan's expression shifted slightly.
He forced a smile. "Sect Master Yun must be mistaken. We just arrived. What's the matter, are you worried we'll steal your credit? That's unnecessary. You can come with us, and we'll make sure your contribution is acknowledged."
"And then I'll conveniently die on the way without anyone knowing." Yun Jin let out a cold laugh.
"What do you mean by that?" Mu Lan's tone darkened. "Such accusations are slander. I won't argue with you, but hand Xue Daoren over now and leave with us at once."
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. Her voice, carried by countless flames, spread across the entire capital.
"What do I mean? Do you really not know? Xue Daoren posed as the emperor and slandered Qin Ping. You said nothing. Xue Daoren besieged the city and slaughtered civilians. Still, you did nothing. But the moment he was about to be captured, you showed up. So I ask you: did you come here today for the human race, or for the demons? Is Yuehua Sect loyal to the human race, or to the demons?"
Her words fell like thunder.
The crowd's expressions shifted subtly.
Their lives had been saved by Yun Jin. Naturally, they trusted her completely.
Now that she had said this, many began to look at the members of Yuehua Sect with suspicion.
Mu Lan's face grew colder. "What nonsense. Sect Master Yun, are you accusing us of colluding with demons? Such claims need proof. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to report you to Sect Master Lin Xiao."
Yun Jin sneered, "Lin Xiao? When demon aura repeatedly appeared among Qingxiao Pavilion disciples, when was he ever innocent?"
"Yun Jin! How dare you! You even dare slander Sect Master Lin?" Mu Lan barked sharply.
"What would I not dare?" Yun Jin responded coldly. "But let me ask you one thing. Do you dare to execute Xue Daoren right here in front of everyone?"
Mu Lan narrowed his eyes. "We still have much to interrogate him about. He cannot be killed so lightly."
"Oh? So it's not that you can't kill him yet, but rather you never intended to kill him to begin with." Yun Jin's voice sharpened. "If I go with you, I'm sure it won't be long before news spreads that Xue Daoren escaped and I was killed in the process. That story, I've already read the script."
Mu Lan's expression continued to shift. "There may be some misunderstandings here."
Yun Jin didn't bother with pleasantries. She raised her hand, and a golden page materialized in midair.
"Fine. Let's say there's a misunderstanding. In that case, let's swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao. If you truly came to help me and save the people of this city, I, Yun Jin, am willing to never progress in cultivation again. But if not, then may the same curse fall upon you. Let's make this wager on the golden page. I'm willing. Are you?"
Her fierce gaze locked onto them.
All eyes were now watching.
Yun Jin's wager wasn't excessive.
If they truly came to save lives, the oath would not affect them.
But if not, then Yun Jin was taking a terrible risk by swearing it.
Mu Lan and the others' expressions shifted rapidly.
After a long pause, Mu Lan finally spoke. "Such childish bets serve no purpose."
Yun Jin's face was expressionless. "If you don't dare, then just say so. No need for all this nonsense. Mu Lan, I now suspect your Yuehua Sect of colluding with demons. Once Sect Master Ji returns, I'll be reporting this in full."
Mu Lan gritted his teeth, a flush of anger rising to his face.
He shouted, "So sharp-tongued! Since you won't come with us willingly, I'll have to take you by force!"
Without hesitation, Mu Lan struck out at Yun Jin.