Ji Wusi struck directly, his words so sharp that Lin Xiao's face turned an ugly shade of green. He could no longer hold back and snapped, "Ji Wusi, do not forget! You and I are both Sect Masters of the Holy Lands. What right do you have to lecture me? What right do you have to accuse Qingxiao Pavilion?"
Ji Wusi let out a cold laugh. "With the demons running rampant and the demonic sects spreading unchecked, Qingxiao Pavilion bears the greatest responsibility! Lin Xiao, I am not only Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect, I am also the Alliance Leader of the Demon-Slaying Alliance. As long as it concerns the demons, I will intervene! If Qingxiao Pavilion proves incompetent, then naturally someone else must take over its management. If you are unconvinced, then let us convene a Holy Land assembly and allow everyone to judge whether this matter can be brushed aside so easily."
His gaze sharpened, unrelenting. "Do you truly believe the upheaval in Canglan Kingdom, the strange behavior of Yuehua Sect, and Qingxiao Pavilion's inaction can simply be passed over like nothing happened?"
Ji Wusi fixed his eyes firmly on Lin Xiao. "I will be watching you. Watching Qingxiao Pavilion."
Lin Xiao's expression wavered. Instinctively, he glanced at the others. But the crowd remained calm, silent, not a single voice rising to defend him. And suddenly, Lin Xiao understood.
This was not Ji Wusi's opinion alone. This must already be the stance shared by the other three Holy Lands. Ever since those five Qingxiao disciples revealed demonic aura upon their deaths, trust in Qingxiao Pavilion had been severed beyond repair.
Now, with this latest incident...
Although there was no concrete evidence to tie it to him, suspicion and wariness had never required proof.
Lin Xiao's face shifted through several colors before he forced his tone to soften. "Sect Master Ji, such harsh words are unnecessary. This time Qingxiao Pavilion indeed overlooked matters. I will take more care in the future. As for Yuehua Sect, I will personally investigate. The Four Holy Lands ought to stand united, shoulder to shoulder, against the demons. If we spend our days doubting each other, would that not only delight our enemies?"
Ji Wusi arched a brow. "And if, at the final decisive battle, someone suddenly betrays us from behind, would that not bring true pain to allies and joy to enemies?"
"Ji Wusi!" Lin Xiao's anger finally broke through. "What is it you want? Do you intend to join with the other Holy Lands and destroy Qingxiao Pavilion outright?"
"There is no need to go so far." Ji Wusi smiled faintly. "Pavilion Master Lin, let us speak properly."
Lin Xiao's chest burned with resentment. Who was it again that had been speaking improperly all along? But he could only grit his teeth and endure as Ji Wusi continued.
If not for the fact that the demons of this world were still too weak, would he really need to keep hiding his true identity for so long? If he revealed himself now and started an open war, the demons would still lose. So Lin Xiao had no choice but to continue enduring.
Ji Wusi said, "Xiao Jin is already Hall Master of Mingxin Hall, and at the same time she is Sect Master of Wushuang Sect. Until now, every previous Hall Master of Mingxin Hall came from Qingxiao Pavilion. But Xiao Jin stands alone, and it may be difficult for her to win over hearts. Therefore, I propose we officially grant Wushuang Sect a recognized sect rank. In this way, disciples of Wushuang Sect may join Mingxin Hall as true members. With Sect Master Yun's uncompromising hatred for evil, the atmosphere there will surely improve greatly. Pavilion Master Lin, I am doing this with your interests in mind."
Lin Xiao's face darkened.
So this was his true aim—forcing Wushuang Sect into the official sect registry.
Once recognized, Wushuang Sect would gain a share of sect Luck and earn the right to participate in the upcoming Sect Ranking Assembly. Step by step, it could rise and eventually threaten Qingxiao Pavilion's standing!
Lin Xiao's gaze flickered coldly.
"Pavilion Master Lin, think carefully. After all, under Qingxiao Pavilion's management these years, both demons and demonic sects have run rampant, unchecked. Without Wushuang Sect and Yun Jin's intervention, could this situation ever be reversed?" Ji Wusi pressed.
Lin Xiao opened his mouth—then swallowed the words back. He had wanted to say that Qingxiao Pavilion would strengthen its management and handle matters on its own. But if he said that, Ji Wusi could immediately ask: if you had the ability, why have you not done so until now? Was it deliberate indulgence?
That would only dig him into a deeper pit.
Lin Xiao cast a frigid glance toward Yun Jin, his mind racing with calculations. If he agreed, then Wushuang Sect would indeed become a recognized sect under Qingxiao Pavilion's jurisdiction.
But surely Wushuang Sect would never truly submit.
Worse yet, for millennia Wushuang Sect had never vied for Luck. If it entered the registry now, it would begin seizing Luck in earnest.
Even when it ignored Luck, Wushuang Sect had been a terrifying existence. If it began contending seriously, would it not become even more dreadful?
Yet, after a pause, Lin Xiao reassessed.
First, Wushuang Sect of today was nothing like its ancient self. Once glorious, now it was little more than an empty shell. To rise back to its former height would be unimaginably difficult.
Second, this region's Luck was suppressed by an immortal artifact under Qingxiao Pavilion's control. In extreme cases, he could simply withdraw the share assigned to Wushuang Sect in an instant.
With that in mind, the danger was not as great as it seemed.
If agreeing here would close the matter and bury recent troubles, perhaps it was worth it.
Lin Xiao relaxed his tone. "Previously, I was too overconfident, and those demonic sects possessed a liquid that masked their aura. That is why they escaped discovery. Since everyone believes Sect Master Yun can contribute in this regard, then I am happy to see it. After all, demon eradication is the most important task."
"Then I must thank Pavilion Master Lin." Yun Jin quickly seized the moment.
She had to secure this matter first.
Lin Xiao looked at Yun Jin's perfunctory thanks, his face dark as water, but it would not do to explode here.
After all, Yun Jin was too young.
When a youth makes mistakes, even immortals must forgive.
To stoop to haggling over such details would only demean him.
"Then let us settle Wushuang Sect's rank first," Ji Wusi said.
Lin Xiao raised a brow. "As far as I know, Wushuang Sect has very few members. Though Sect Master Yun has the strength of Mahayana stage, if other conditions fall short, then it can only start from the lowest rank and climb step by step."
In each Grand Sect Ranking Conclave, a sect could advance at most one tier.
No matter how astounding Wushuang Sect's potential, it would have to climb slowly.
Yun Jin smiled lightly. "Pavilion Master Lin need not worry. For now, Wushuang Sect indeed lacks members. But very soon, many disciples will join us."
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Yun Jin, do you understand who we are? Do you intend for us to simply wait here while you recruit disciples? I do not have time to waste on you."
"It will not take long. Three days. Give me three days." Yun Jin answered with crisp confidence.
Three days—for these supreme experts—was nothing more than the blink of an eye. In their usual seclusion, they often spent far longer.
Ji Wusi arched a brow. "Then three days it is. Three days from now, we will confirm Wushuang Sect's official rank. Yun Jin, you had best be ready."
"Yes." Yun Jin's clear voice rang with determination.
It was time for Wushuang Sect's first large-scale recruitment. And Yun Jin could not help but feel a spark of anticipation.
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Originally the Author write 宗门升阶大会 (Zōngmén Shēngjiè Dàhuì), and I translate it as Sect Appraisal Gathering. But now I decide to change it with Grand Sect Ranking Conclave.