Chapter 17: The Immortal Alliance’s Plan

“This…” Qi Hu’s brows furrowed even deeper. “We ourselves are unclear about this, which is why we notified the Immortal Alliance to investigate. If the Immortal Envoys do not believe us, they are welcome to explore the ruins of the Forbidden Land.”

“What use is it to go there now?” The scorched-robed Immortal Envoy’s expression grew increasingly sardonic, asserting, “There’s no need for you to put on a show here. Just hand over the Forbidden Land’s artifacts and find the true culprit. As long as you don’t let demonic objects surface and cause trouble in this world, the Immortal Alliance will treat you leniently.”

“Are you implying we stole what we were guarding?” The elders’ anger grew with every word.

Huo Zhentian, Master of Refining Peak, could no longer hold back and cursed, “Bullshit! Everyone knows only your Immortal Alliance likes to meddle with demonic artifacts. When have we of the Xuanyuan Sect ever cared?”

“Exactly!” other elders chimed in. “Envoy, if you want to slander our sect, at least present some evidence. Otherwise, we won’t acknowledge it!”

“Right! No evidence, just baseless accusations—even the Immortal Alliance can’t get away with that!”

“Envoy, be careful. This is the Xuanyuan Sect; we won’t tolerate outsiders speaking nonsense here.”

“We are no pushovers!”

Seeing the crowd’s rising fury, the envoy was momentarily taken aback, evidently unprepared for such defiance, and instinctively took a step back. At that moment, another envoy, blackened from head to toe, stepped forward, releasing a powerful aura.

“What’s this? Do you Xuanyuan Sect truly harbor rebellious intentions?” The heavy pressure startled not only the elders but even Sect Leader Qi Hong.

This was... a half-step Nascent Soul realm!

The assembly fell silent instantly.

Yet the envoy’s expression grew even more mocking.

“I heard that this year, the Xuanyuan Sect admitted two prodigies with extraordinary talent?” His tone shifted.

The elders were momentarily stunned, unsure of his meaning.

He continued, “I heard that one disciple, within merely three months and without any guidance, advanced directly to the sixth level of Qi Refinement. Such talent is unheard of. I wonder if it’s due to extraordinary bloodline aptitude or if there’s something else hidden?”

“What do you mean by that?” Huo Zhentian, as the master of Refining Peak, was the first to lose his temper when it came to his disciples.

“I just find it strange. The Forbidden Land collapsed, and shortly afterward, such a prodigy appeared? Isn’t that a bit too coincidental?”

“My disciple is naturally gifted! Are you trying to accuse him of practicing demonic cultivation?”

“Humph! Whether or not they are demonic cultivators can be tested with a simple trial!” The all-black envoy said coldly. “Across the entire Linyuan Continent, no one has ever reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement in just three months. If they haven’t practiced any special cultivation method, who would believe it?”

“How do you intend to test them?” Feng Ting’s cultivation speed was indeed astonishing. They had their doubts, but Huo Zhentian had personally confirmed that the disciple only practiced the basic Qi Guidance Method and had not learned even a single spell. Though at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, he knew no spells, let alone demonic arts. The same applied to Zhen Yi.

“Naturally, a duel. If that fails, soul-searching wouldn’t be impossible!” The blackened envoy said with conviction.

“What did you say!” Huo Zhentian’s face flushed with anger. “You… you want to destroy them!” After soul-searching, what chance would two young Qi Refinement disciples have? A duel was even more impossible—who knew if the envoy would take the opportunity to strike?

Qi Hong’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. He suddenly understood the Immortal Alliance’s intentions. They were clearly determined to pin this on them, exploiting the Forbidden Land incident. First, they slandered them for possessing demonic artifacts, then implicated two young disciples.

Even if the accusation of colluding with the demons didn’t stick, they could still destroy their gifted disciples. This was an attempt to sever the sect’s roots!

Over the years, the Immortal Alliance’s appetite had grown, subtly suppressing the three great sects to dominate alone. Now they wouldn’t even spare the disciples.

“Two illustrious envoys,” a deep voice suddenly interrupted. A flash of white light appeared, revealing a new figure.

An elder with white hair and beard, his aura restrained yet dignified, smiled with an authority not to be underestimated. A casual glance at the two envoys caused their expressions to change instantly.

In contrast, the elders of the Xuanyuan Sect relaxed and turned respectfully toward the elder, “Congratulations on your emergence from seclusion, Supreme Elder!”

“Calm yourselves, calm yourselves,” the elder said with a smiling squint, nodding at the crowd.

The two envoys had no choice but to step forward and salute, “Greetings, Master Yu Xuan.” Though the blackened envoy was half a step into the Nascent Soul, the difference in cultivation was vast.

“Hmm.” Master Yu Xuan stroked his beard, still smiling as he studied the two envoys. Seeing their scorched appearances, he added with a grin, “Where have you two been… roasting meat?”

The two fell silent.

Before they could answer, Yu Xuan continued, “Why are you just standing there at the entrance? Come, come inside and sit down to talk!” Then he turned and walked into the hall, the others quickly following.

Yu Xuan sat at the head seat, then looked to the right and instructed, “Distinguished guests have arrived. Little Chestnut, why aren’t you brewing some tea?”

Tang Liqing, Master of the Azure Void Peak, paused briefly before quickly responding with a bow, “Yes!” She then turned and swiftly flew toward Refining Peak, needing to inform the two young disciples immediately.

——————

At this moment, Qiu Ci was busily filling in the pits…

She clenched her earth-element incantation while carrying a shovel, filling the numerous craters left by lightning strikes one by one. The more she filled, the angrier and more irritable she became. Especially when she uncovered a few damaged sprouts, she wished she could summon ten more lightning bolts to strike down those two show-offs.

“I’ve been tending this land for over half a month, and now it’s all ruined.”

Qiu Ci felt heartbroken, distressed, and thought…

“Waaah…” Just as her emotions surged, a pink figure rushed over and dove into her arms, sobbing loudly. “Sister Ci, waah, I have to leave the Xuanyuan Sect.”

“Ah?” Qiu Ci was taken aback. “You guys are even faster than me?”

“Sister Ci…” Zhen Yi came running too, carrying a bundle on his back—apparently in such haste he hadn’t stored it away yet. For once, he didn’t call her “little sister Ci” but simply “sister.”

“What’s going on with you two?”

“Our master said the sect is in danger, and someone might harm us, so we have to leave for a while,” Zhen Yi replied anxiously.

“Waaah… Sister Ci, I don’t want to leave you.” Feng Ting held her tightly, crying even harder.

“Then how about we leave together?” Qiu Ci said casually.

“That works!” Feng Ting’s tears vanished instantly.

Qiu Ci and Zhen Yi exchanged silent glances.

So the sect only means “Sister Ci” to you two?