"News from the Beastmaster Sect." The man's voice trembled. "For some reason, our operation was exposed early. When our people moved, the Beastmaster Sect was already prepared. After the battle, the Beastmaster Sect has completely seized control. All our people are under their control."
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Lin Xiao's lips. He slowly lifted his tea cup and took a gentle sip.
"Such a minor issue? Is it worth panicking like this?" Lin Xiao said calmly. "I entrusted you with the spy plan because I trusted your steadiness. Now, seeing you like this, I am deeply disappointed."
The man froze for a moment at Lin Xiao's calm demeanor but then relaxed slightly.
"What does the Pavilion Master mean?" he asked cautiously.
Lin Xiao let out a cold laugh. "Although we planted many hidden threats, the people of the Beastmaster Sect are not incompetent. In this internal struggle, our people were destined to lose. Losing is fine. Our goal was simply to weaken the Beastmaster Sect. The real decisive move is not ours to make."
The man blinked, then suddenly looked enlightened. "The Pavilion Master means…"
Lin Xiao's face hardened into a sinister expression. "Strike while they are weakened! The Beastmaster Sect has stabilized the internal conflict, but their vitality is greatly depleted. Now, if the spiritual beast army arrives, how will they resist? Even if some agreement is reluctantly reached later, the Beastmaster Sect will not regain its peak strength for hundreds of years. One of the Four Great Holy Lands will be ruined forever!"
Lin Xiao spoke calmly.
The man looked at him with admiration. "The Pavilion Master truly strategizes with foresight! The Holy Lands, humans, spiritual beasts, and the spirit beast kings—all are within your plan!"
Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. "You still have much to learn from such methods."
The man agreed with deep respect, then could not help asking, "Pavilion Master, what if the spiritual beasts do not fall for it? There is news that Fairy Liu Li Zhēnzūn and the others immediately set out for the Spirit Beast Forest to explain to the spiritual beast king. If they succeed in explaining…"
Lin Xiao smiled. "Explaining? How could they explain it clearly!"
The parasitic demons were the demon clan's deepest hidden trump card.
Even in the Demon Realm, few demons knew of their existence.
How could humans possibly know?
Even if Di Xiao had doubts, they were destined to gain nothing. As long as there was no concrete evidence linking this to the Beastmaster Sect, nothing would change.
To provide an explanation to the countless spiritual beasts, and considering Di Xiao's prideful nature, this battle was inevitable.
The man finally smiled knowingly and relaxed completely.
Indeed.
The Pavilion Master was a figure of unparalleled foresight. There was no reason to panic over these matters.
"Sit and have a cup of tea. Good news should arrive soon," Lin Xiao said, pointing to a seat.
"Yes," the man replied respectfully.
Lin Xiao toyed with his tea cup, a faint smile on his lips.
Some changes had occurred in the Spirit Beast Forest. The entire forest had been sealed by Di Xiao's spiritual energy.
In the past few days, the only ones to enter were Liu Li Zhēnzūn and the others.
Lin Xiao guessed this was deliberate, giving them entry for a specific reason.
The purpose? To settle accounts with the Beastmaster Sect.
Due to the forest's seal, he did not receive immediate news.
But Liu Li and the others had been inside for several days. They should have met Di Xiao by now.
The outcome of the situation should soon be known.
Di Xiao was proud and extremely concerned about appearances. By now, he likely could not contain his fury.
With his abilities,
Yun Jin,
Liu Li Zhēnzūn,
and the people of the Beastmaster Sect, survival seemed unlikely.
A deeper, darker smile appeared in Lin Xiao's eyes. He even began to consider: if Yun Jin were to perish, his life tree branch would be wasted.
Ah. Since that item had fallen into that existence's hands, retrieving it was impossible. Perhaps he could request something else instead…
Lin Xiao was pondering this when sudden, rapid footsteps sounded.
Someone came tumbling to Lin Xiao's side.
"Pavilion Master, something has happened!" The man's body shook violently. "A major event!"
Lin Xiao snorted coldly and placed his tea cup heavily on the table.
He glanced at the man nearby. "Ming Huo! Look at yourself. Another one like you, careless and unstable! My teachings mean nothing to you!"
Ming Huo blushed slightly. "Ye Mo, all is under the Pavilion Master's control. There is no need to worry. Sit down, have some tea, and explain slowly."
All under the Pavilion Master's control?
Ye Mo froze.
Could it be that the Pavilion Master had already prepared countermeasures?
He sat down as well, imitating Lin Xiao and Ming Huo, sipping tea slowly.
Seeing Ye Mo calm, Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. "You two are my left and right arms. You should maintain composure even in the face of catastrophe."
"Now, speak of the events at hand," Lin Xiao said.
His calm demeanor reassured Ye Mo, who began, "The Spirit Beast Forest seal has been lifted. Our people infiltrated and obtained some news."
Good news was on the horizon.
A subtle curve appeared on Lin Xiao's lips. He sipped his tea.
This tea! Truly fragrant!
"Di Xiao issued the Call of All Beasts twice in succession. The first call enraged the beasts, and they intended to attack humans."
Lin Xiao's smile deepened. "As expected."
"However, Yun Jin suddenly appeared. By some method, she broke the master-servant contract between the offspring of Tongtian Hou and our people."
Lin Xiao's hand twitched slightly, his brow furrowed. "Master-servant contract? How could it be broken? Could that Tong Tian Hou offspring still be alive?"
Ye Mo nodded. "Not only alive, it has advanced since. Our people attempted to investigate but have found no leads yet."
Lin Xiao's expression grew colder. "Yun Jin is truly capable!"
Unfortunately, this mission meant she was now destined to become Di Xiao's mortal enemy.
"Di Xiao agreed to give Yun Jin seven days to investigate. Afterwards, Di Xiao and Yun Jin entered the temple and spoke privately for a long time. The contents of their discussion remain unknown."
Lin Xiao's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
The last time, Yun Jin was given seven days.
Before seven days passed, Di Xiao summoned all beasts again. This was a total breakdown in talks. It must be!
"Di Xiao displayed the images on-site, proving that the spirit beasts' attack was a demon clan plot. He then announced that the spiritual beast tribe will participate in the human-demon war, joining humans to fight the demon clan."
Hearing this initially, Ye Mo had panicked.
Now, however, he was utterly calm.
All of this had been within the Pavilion Master's calculation. The Pavilion Master surely had further contingencies.