The intense arguing captured by spiritual sense, like, let Tang Xiao Qi instantly Situ clan internal complex situation. This ancient family had long, under demonic aura's long-term infiltration and ambition's expansion, split into clear-cut, two factions.
One faction, led by current clan head Situ Yuan and Elder Situ Ming (that voice's owner), maintained ancestral oath participating in sealing demons and last thread of conscience. They deeply understood cooperating with demons was tantamount to, would ultimately, even demon's revival sacrifice. Therefore, they advocated using clan's formation knowledge, find opportunity strengthen seal, attempt to pull family back to correct path, at least. avoid.
The other faction, led by clan head's son, young lord Situ Ming (extremely likely the black-cloaked person or his mastermind behind), united most radical elders and young generation. They had long been tempted by pure demonic aura and demon's promised "supreme demonic power" and "glorious future," believing ancient sacrifices were foolish, clan's patience was cowardly. They firmly believed only by thoroughly joining demon, using its power, could Situ clan escape current predicament, restore ancient glory,. They viewed the Demon-Suppressing Nail and seal fragment as keys to pry seal, demon lord, disdainfully viewed Elder faction's "strengthen seal" stance as, ruining family prospects.
Two faction contradictions, completely erupted on how to handle northwestern demonic disaster and newly obtained seal items. Clearly, Situ Ming's radical faction held, not only controlling most clan power and military but using some means to imprison advocates of strengthening seal, Elder Situ Ming and his core followers! The arguing was the imprisoned Elder arguing with radical faction members who came to "" or ""!
"No wonder the black-cloaked person directly brought me to this Black Water Prison. So this place became where dissenters are imprisoned." Xiao Qi understood in his heart. For him, this was both crisis and heaven-sent opportunity! The imprisoned Elder faction was precisely the ally he could!
Just as he considered how to contact the Elder, footsteps outside the cell sounded, and that black-cloaked person's voice.
".That mysterious cultivator is here, spiritual power already sealed, cannot. You all guard strictly. Without my orders, anyone cannot approach! Wait for me to father and elders, then dispose."
"Yes, young lord!" Guards respectfully responded.
Young lord! As expected, Situ Ming!
Footsteps gradually faded, seemingly Situ Ming left. But guards outside the cell obviously increased.
Xiao Qi knew could no longer wait. He must quickly contact the imprisoned Elder.
He, Azure Lotus spiritual sense to the extreme, like, avoided the cell's restrictions and outside guards' perception, toward the direction of arguing, deeper areas.
The Black Water Prison interior was complex, holding many people. His spiritual sense carefully passed through several also restriction-covered cells. Those imprisoned cultivators mostly had aura, gazes, clearly imprisoned for quite some time.
Finally, at the prison's deepest area, a cell, restriction light, he "saw" a white-haired, yet still elder. The elder wore a washed-out old Situ clan robe. He sat cross-legged on cold stone bed, eyes tightly closed, brow deeply furrowed, surrounding restriction talisman characters faintly circulating, restrictions' erosion and demonic aura infiltration. His aura was suppressed but that cultivator's foundation and (though already demonic aura) could not be completely concealed.
Precisely Elder Situ Ming!
In the neighboring several cells, several also, not weak aura cultivators were imprisoned. These were likely his followers.
Xiao Qi's spiritual sense dared not to avoid triggering restrictions or causing Elder himself alertness. He, decided to.
He an extremely, only containing pure Azure Lotus purification meaning spiritual sense thread, like spring wind, gently touch toward Elder Situ Ming's cell restriction, attempting to thought:
"Elder Situ Ming, this junior is not from Situ clan, nor demonic path. By chance learned of clan's internal differences. Deeply admire Elder's adherence to ancestral teachings, intent to strengthen seal. This junior may assist Elder. I wonder if Elder?"
This thought extremely carefully, barely perceptible.
However, the moment thought touched restriction, the stone bed's Situ Ming abruptly opened eyes! Those eyes though yet sharp, instantly locked onto where Xiao Qi's thought came from. Eyes full of and!
"Who?!" A spiritual thought like arrow, carrying and inviolable.
Xiao Qi's heart. Not surprising, a elder, even imprisoned, perception!
He dared not neglect. He immediately withdrew that thread of thought, while sending next thought containing more pure peaceful Azure Lotus aura,:
"Elder please calm anger. This junior has no malice. This junior is outside cultivator, pursuing northwestern demonic disaster and Shadow Snake Pavilion remnants, accidentally involved. At auction obtained the 'Demon-Suppressing Nail' and a seal fragment also sought by your clan. Then was captured by Situ Ming, imprisoned here. Heard Elder advocates strengthening seal, same purpose as this junior. Therefore, hope to, demonic tribulation!"
He his partial background and purpose, and pointed out he possessed the two key items the clan desperately wanted, and hostile standing with Situ Ming. These were important for gaining trust.
Indeed, hearing "Demon-Suppressing Nail,""seal fragment,""Situ Ming,""strengthen seal" keywords, Situ Ming's eyes', replaced by deep and emotion.
He was silent for a moment,. After a long while, a thought carrying yet finally came:
"Little friend. you know what this place is? Situ Ming, has controlled most clan strength, plus demon's thought support behind. you, how can assist me?"