He had just been keeping calm.
Suddenly, the entire tea table, along with the teapot and cups, hurtled toward him with violent force.
Ye Mo was struck and sent flying, instantly suffering heavy injuries!
Stunned and at a loss, Ye Mo scrambled and crawled, finally collapsing to his knees before Lin Xiao, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Pavilion Master, I…"
"Fool!" Lin Xiao roared, his entire body shaking with rage. He charged forward and kicked Ye Mo squarely in the chest.
Ye Mo was blasted away again, coughing out several mouthfuls of blood.
Lin Xiao shouted angrily, "Such an important matter, and you only reveal it at the very last moment!"
Ye Mo trembled even more violently.
He—he had wanted to say it right away! But it was Pavilion Master who said everything was within his plan! Aggrieved but not daring to speak, Ye Mo ignored his serious injuries and kowtowed desperately, hoping only to preserve his small life.
Lin Xiao's lips quivered. He pointed at Ye Mo but for a long time could not utter a single word!
The spirit beasts, who should have been at odds with humanity, had suddenly declared war on the Demon race.
And more than that.
Di Xiao had actually obtained evidence!
The parasitic Demon Clan's infiltration was seamless, flawless, without the faintest trace. How had he obtained proof?
Unless they had discovered the parasitic seed.
But how could that be possible?
This was one of the Demon race's highest secrets. How could the human race possibly know? Even if they somehow knew of it, how could they possibly know how to force the seed to reveal itself?
Lin Xiao paced across the grand hall, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Ye Mo. "And what about Yun Jin? Did Di Xiao not strike her down?"
Trembling, Ye Mo replied softly, "According to the information, Di Xiao treated her as an honored guest, giving her the highest respect."
"No, impossible!" Lin Xiao roared in fury.
Even if their scheme against the human race had collapsed. He would never allow failure in the matter of Yun Jin. Could it be that Yun Jin had not mentioned the Tian Zhao Stone and the Xuan Yin Crystal?
No, that was impossible.
Yun Jin had gone to the Spirit Beast Forest precisely for those two stones. She had no reason not to mention them.
The secret behind these two stones, perhaps in this entire world, only he himself knew. Even if Yun Jin had some hesitation at first, she could never guess the true reason! Once she brought it up, then between her and Di Xiao there could only be a life-or-death struggle.
If Yun Jin's talent had been ordinary and her cultivation mediocre, perhaps Di Xiao might have spared her life. But she possessed peerless talent and terrifying speed of growth. Di Xiao had no reason to leave behind such a potential enemy!
"I see now, I see now." Lin Xiao spoke in a half-crazed tone. "That Di Xiao must be wary of Ji Wusi and the others, which is why he has not yet struck at Yun Jin. Now, he deliberately draws close to Yun Jin only to find the right chance to kill her in secret!"
"Yes, yes, that must be it!"
"What a Di Xiao, even learning patience and forbearance!"
Lin Xiao muttered to himself again and again.
This plan, though thwarted, had at least planted a time bomb at Yun Jin's side. That alone meant it was not a complete failure.
"Pavilion Master, what should we do next?" Ming Huo asked nervously, also dropping to his knees.
Lin Xiao's expression turned cold. "If it cannot be done, so be it. When that lord emerges from seclusion, it will be the moment my Demon race launches its grand offensive! Until then, you must remain hidden and wait for the future."
"Yes." The two bowed their heads in unison.
"Get out." Lin Xiao waved his hand irritably.
Once they had left, he could no longer restrain himself.
In a single instant, the entire grand hall was obliterated by his furious spiritual power.
Ming Huo and Ye Mo turned to look back, both of them shivering.
They had followed Lin Xiao for so many years and had never seen him so enraged!
For years, Lin Xiao had always been the image of flawless calculation. When had cracks first begun to appear?
It seemed to be from the very moment Yun Jin suddenly rose to prominence.
Could she truly be his destined nemesis?
No, impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
No matter how much of a genius Yun Jin was, she was still far too young. The foundation of Sect Master Lin was not something a sixteen-year-old child could possibly fathom.
"Just wait. Pavilion Master will surely have his next plan," Ming Huo said.
Ye Mo coughed violently, forcing the blood back down his throat before rasping out, "Indeed. At the very least, Yun Jin has now gained Di Xiao as a powerful enemy."
"Yes, yes, from this angle, we have not lost at all."
"Lose? Impossible. We never lose!"
The two of them grew more and more convinced as they spoke.
Yes, they had not lost anything at all.
-
Spirit Beast Forest.
Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn and the others had already been released. When he learned the truth, a trace of sorrow flickered across his face.
Among those who had been parasitized, there were his disciples, even his friends. Now, all of them had perished without a trace of soul left behind.
"The parasitic seed can only infect those whose will is weak. They were influenced, but their own failings were also to blame." Liu Li Zhēnzūn sighed, offering comfort. "Now that all of them have been rooted out, our Beastmaster Sect is finally like an iron fortress. This is a blessing. You should feel relief, not grief."
Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn gave a bitter smile. "I know, but I cannot help feeling some sorrow."
He steadied his emotions, then bowed slightly to Yun Jin. "This time, our Beastmaster Sect was able to preserve its strength only because Sect Master Yun intervened again and again. Our entire sect will remember this debt of grace. Whatever Sect Master Yun desires, my Beastmaster Sect will comply without question."
"It was merely coincidence." Yun Jin chuckled. "The one you should thank is none other than Lin Xiao, Sect Master Lin. Had he not provided critical information that drew me here, no matter how great my ability, I could not have acted from afar."
Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn and Liu Li Zhēnzūn exchanged a look and both smiled.
"Indeed, we must thank Sect Master Lin properly," Liu Li said with a laugh. "Once we return to the Beastmaster Sect, we shall formally extend our gratitude in the name of the sect."
The group all chuckled.
Thank him?
Lin Xiao would be lucky not to spit blood in anger.
"Xiao Jin, there is still much to be dealt with inside the Beastmaster Sect. I cannot stay here any longer," Liu Li Zhēnzūn said. "Once the four great cities merge in the final phase, we shall meet again."
"Business first," Yun Jin quickly replied.
Liu Li nodded, and the group from the Beastmaster Sect soon departed from the Spirit Beast Forest.
Yun Jin remained in the forest for several more days.
At noon one day.
Di Xiao suddenly sensed something and vanished from the divine hall.
On the boundless wasteland.
Yun Jin was already waiting at the agreed location.
"Senior Di, the secret realm you mentioned, is it here?" Yun Jin had already probed the surroundings but found no unusual fluctuations.
"This secret realm can only be entered by spirit beasts, and only they can sense it. Every few days, the spatial barrier will show a fleeting weakness. If we find that point, we can enter successfully."
Gun Gun, Huan Huan, and Dan Dan were already waiting nervously.
Their master had already told them about the secret realm. Their cultivation was far too weak compared to their master's. Following her in battle, they could not be of much help. So when this adventure was proposed, they had accepted without hesitation.
"The weak point has appeared. I will now pinpoint its location. Prepare yourselves. Within the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, you must enter the secret realm."
As Di Xiao spoke, he released his spiritual power, probing carefully.
The three little ones grew excited, anticipating the adventure. Yet at the same time, the thought of parting from their master for who knew how long filled them with reluctance.
All three rushed to Yun Jin's side, clinging tightly to her.
Yun Jin ruffled their heads. "The three of you must act together. If you ever have disagreements, listen to Huan Huan's instructions first."
Huan Huan immediately raised her head proudly.
Gun Gun and Dan Dan looked unwilling, but since Yun Jin had said so, they had no choice but to agree.
"Huan Huan's skill lets her listen from afar. Following her will be safer." Yun Jin added with reassurance.
Gun Gun and Dan Dan's expressions softened a little. So that was the reason—not favoritism, but skill.
"Found it!" Di Xiao's voice rang out suddenly. "Prepare yourselves quickly."