That day.
Another batch of spiritual plants matured.
As usual, Zhao Wuji went to each peak to collect the spiritual plants.
Originally, the spiritual plants of all ten peaks were collected and distributed by him. Because of his previous conflict with Yun Jin, most peak masters had seized the opportunity to reclaim ownership of their fields.
Only Huo Lie and the other two peak masters still remained tied to Zhao Wuji.
Originally.
This collection work was done by Ma Hongyu.
This time.
Just as Ma Hongyu was about to go, Ye Danxia came looking for him.
"Uncle Ma," Ye Danxia said with a sweet smile, "you're so busy. Why don't I help you collect the spiritual plants this time?"
Ma Hongyu looked at Ye Danxia strangely.
Only one thought crossed his mind.
Could Yun Jin actually predict the future?
Before Ye Danxia came, Yun Jin had just transmitted a message to him, saying that Ye Danxia might come, and sure enough, she came.
Yun Jin had said Ye Danxia would volunteer to take over the job of collecting spiritual plants, and Ye Danxia had repeated those exact words.
If this wasn't a prophecy, then what was it?
In the cultivation world, predicting the future wasn't impossible.
But cultivation itself was the act of defying heaven, of breaking away from fate's trajectory.
For someone to still make accurate predictions in such a situation.
That person was anything but ordinary.
In that moment, Yun Jin's image instantly rose immeasurably in Ma Hongyu's heart.
Letting Ye Cheng go to Yun Jin had indeed been the right choice.
At the Grand Sect Tournament, Heavenly Sword Peak had become the biggest winner, and he no longer had to worry about Ye Cheng's safety.
Ma Hongyu thought that Yun Jin must be giving him advance warning.
Could it be that Ye Danxia was about to cause trouble through this matter?
Yun Jin hadn't explained clearly, but Ma Hongyu had lived for hundreds of years, he could understand instantly.
He smiled and said, "Niece Ye, the sect's affairs are all personally arranged by the Sect Leader. Since the Sect Leader assigned me this task, I wouldn't dare hand it off to someone else. If anything went wrong, I'd be held responsible."
Ma Hongyu didn't know that Yun Jin had warned him because the same thing had happened in the previous life.
Back then, all ten peaks' spiritual plants were still being collected. Yang Yun needed enormous amounts of herbs to restore his power. Even as the sect's favorite, Ye Danxia couldn't produce enough. So she volunteered to take on the task of collecting all the spiritual plants, and after gathering them, she secretly picked out the ones useful to Yang Yun to aid his recovery.
The matter was quickly discovered.
Since Ma Hongyu was the one responsible, Zhao Wuji naturally came to question him.
Ma Hongyu honestly told the truth.
Then Zhao Wuji questioned Ye Danxia.
Ye Danxia, however, acted innocent, saying that after collecting everything, she had already handed them to Ma Hongyu, how could she know why so many were missing?
Ma Hongyu was stunned.
Ye Danxia had handed the plants to him, but it had been right at Zhao Wuji's final deadline, she had cut it very close.
Back then, Ye Danxia had a sterling reputation, she was the darling of the entire sect. Ma Hongyu hadn't suspected her, he only gave the collection a cursory glance and then submitted it.
As a result.
The many missing spiritual plants became his fault alone.
Ma Hongyu was furious, insisting that it was Ye Danxia who had taken the initiative for the task, so she must be involved.
But Ye Danxia's reputation was too good.
She didn't even need to defend herself. Just standing there with a few tears was enough for countless people to rush forward to speak on her behalf.
In the end.
Ye Danxia was declared innocent.
And Ma Hongyu was accused of embezzlement, punished to repay double the amount.
Ye Danxia had even felt a flicker of guilt, secretly resolving that once she overcame her hardship, she'd repay him for it.
Later, after Ye Danxia achieved fame and power, she really did think of Ma Hongyu. She even went to visit him, bringing some herbs and saying a few false words of comfort.
And Ma Hongyu?
What could he do?
To pay that debt, he had worked himself half to death for years. Though he had reached the Nascent Soul Stage, he had aged into a frail mortal.
He was angry! He was unwilling!
But by then, Ye Danxia had become a lofty figure. He could only smile and accept her charity, even saying, "It's fine. Don't worry about it."
Ma Hongyu didn't know any of this, but Yun Jin's warning had made him more cautious.
So Ma Hongyu refused?
Ye Danxia's face stiffened. She forced a smile, "Uncle Master, I'm just bored and wanted to find something to do. You don't have to be so rigid. It's such a simple task, surely I can handle it?"
Now Ma Hongyu was even more certain that Ye Danxia was up to something.
He gave her a long look, then suddenly smiled, "The task is simple, but rules are rules. Without the Sect Leader's command, I can't let you help. How about this, if you get his approval and bring the Sect Leader's token as proof, I'll let you take over."
Ye Danxia's face became uglier and uglier, "Does it really have to be so troublesome?"
Ma Hongyu remained stern, "Without rules, nothing can stand."
Thinking of the Black Demon Drill in her dantian, Ye Danxia clenched her teeth, "Then, Uncle Master, please wait for me."
She hurried off.
She didn't go to Zhao Wuji, instead, she went to find Han Xiaoyu and casually mentioned that she'd always been curious about the Sect Leader's Token, saying she'd heard it never left their Master's side and wondered if she might have the honor of seeing it once.
Han Xiaoyu, probably eager to show off his favor, readily agreed to borrow it for her.
No one knew how he managed it, but he really did get his hands on the Sect Leader's Token.
Using an excuse, Ye Danxia took the token and went straight back to Ma Hongyu.
This time, Ma Hongyu didn't refuse.
But he secretly used a Recording Stone to document the entire process.
He was merely following orders, as for how she obtained the token, that wasn't his concern.
Ye Danxia, not daring to waste time, took the token and headed to the other three peaks.
Originally, she only planned to collect the usual share.
But.
She couldn't shake the feeling that these herbs still wouldn't be enough for Yang Yun.
And if it's not enough, her life would be forfeit.
Ye Danxia gritted her teeth and directly added thirty percent more to the quota.
When the peak masters questioned it, Ye Danxia immediately produced the Sect Leader's Token.
That token was Zhao Wuji's personal item, seeing the token was the same as seeing the Sect Leader himself.
How could she have obtained it if it weren't by Zhao Wuji's order?
Though their expressions soured, the peak masters still obeyed.
Ye Danxia, seeing things go so smoothly, breathed a sigh of relief.
But she didn't notice the looks those peak masters gave her back, each one dark and grim.
After the Grand Sect Tournament, Heavenly Sword Peak's great victory had all but made it clear that Zhao Wuji would soon be replaced.
Those still following Zhao Wuji were already having a hard time.
Just a few days ago, Zhao Wuji had offered them small benefits to calm them.
As a result! He had taken it all back through the spiritual plants.
How was this sincerely appeasing them? This was planning to squeeze out their last bit of value!
They had originally still been hoping for a turnaround.
But now, it seemed they would have to seek another path.
Could it be that they'd have to surrender to Heavenly Sword Peak?
But given how they had treated Lin Ya before, would he even accept them now? For a moment, the few of them were left deeply troubled.