"Where do you see the words?" Wei Chuyang hurriedly leaned in.
"On that girl's token at her waist, you can see some characters," Wenjun pointed to the image of Jiang Wanwan in the soul-searching scroll.
Wei Chuyang immediately zoomed in on the image.
But the cultivation level of Yue Ran was far too low. The soul-searching scroll itself was already blurry, and enlarging it only resulted in a flurry of snowflakes.
Wenjun scrutinized the image for a long time, ignoring Yue Ran's plight. She was on the verge of foaming at the mouth.
Soul-searching scrolls were incredibly harmful, especially to one's soul. For someone like Yue Ran, with her low cultivation, even a brief session could turn her into an imbecile. The risk was no longer theoretical. The longer Wenjun examined the image, the worse it would become for Yue Ran. It was certain that the damage was beyond her ability to recover from.
A beautiful, delicate, and now completely dazed woman... The future for her could only be imagined.
"That... That's the character '外,'" Wenjun exclaimed, her eyes widening in realization.
"But which sect has that character in its name?" Wei Chuyang furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
"'外,' '外'..." Wenjun stammered, unable to recall anything immediately.
"Fang Wai Tower," Lin Zhi-Hui's voice was faint, but his words struck like a thunderclap. "Fang Wai Tower, on the Western Flame Continent."
Wei Chuyang's eyes lit up. "Yes, Fang Wai Tower!"
"The name fits, but…" Wenjun frowned. "Is Fang Wai Tower really that powerful?"
Her words silenced Lin Zhi-Hui and Wei Chuyang.
In the Great Wasteland, there were nine Immortal Emperors—these were all located within the three sects, three families, and three holy lands of the Central Continent. The strongest in the other four continents were at most Immortal Saint level, and none would exceed the fifth level of Immortal Saint.
Fang Wai Tower was no exception.
But could this tribulation lightning, which even Immortal Emperors couldn't dismiss, truly be linked to such a sect?
If they had such a person, Fang Wai Tower would have long since claimed dominance over all five continents. How could they still be content on the Western Flame Continent?
The three exchanged a glance.
It was then that the usually silent Song Jue suddenly spoke, "Could it be that Fang Wai Tower has obtained some heaven-defying opportunity, and hasn't yet..."
"Conquered the five continents?" Wei Chuyang, Lin Zhi-Hui, and Wenjun's expressions shifted drastically.
Wenjun stood up, "Wei, this matter is too serious. I must return to my clan immediately."
Wei Chuyang also hurriedly rose. "I must seek out the clan's ancestor right away."
Without another word, both of them rushed off in separate directions.
In an instant, only Lin Zhi-Hui and his disciple, Song Jue, remained in the Sword Pavilion.
And, of course, the already-dazed Yue Ran.
Song Jue looked apologetic. "Master, I'm sorry. If I hadn't gone to the Yue Clan in Heng City, you wouldn't have..."
Lin Zhi-Hui raised his hand, cutting him off. "What's done is done. No need to say any more. Go and rest."
"Master..." Song Jue's heart sank with a heavy sense of unease.
"Don't worry," Lin Zhi-Hui patted Song Jue's shoulder. "I am an Immortal Saint. I'll be fine for now. Let me think."
He would never just sit back and accept defeat.
"Yes, Master." Song Jue wiped his eyes. "I'll take my leave."
As he left, Song Jue grabbed Yue Ran by the collar, dragging her out.
"She may still be useful later, keep her for now," Lin Zhi-Hui instructed.
"Understood." Song Jue nodded.
Originally, he had planned to dispose of her. After all, if this woman hadn't seduced him to go to the Yue Clan in Heng City, his master wouldn't have suffered this calamity.
It was all her fault, and the Yue Clan's fault as well. The people who came after them were clearly targeting the Yue Clan.
Thinking of this, Song Jue's hatred grew so strong his teeth almost ground together.
But since his master had ordered her to be kept, he would hold onto her for now. When she was no longer useful, then he would deal with her.
Meanwhile...
Gu Chen-Yuan had returned to the Miao Sect with the other nine elders. The first thing they did was activate the mountain-protecting array. This array consumed immense energy, and if left open constantly, even the Miao Sect's foundation would not withstand it for long.
Mo Xian had heard the news and wanted to pay a visit, but he hesitated. He was afraid that being too eager would make him seem desperate.
So, he forced himself to hold back.
Gu Chen-Yuan and the elders immediately began an inventory of the sect's disciples with eighth and seventh-grade spiritual roots. There were eleven eighth-grade and thirty-six seventh-grade disciples. Among them, Ling Nai, a direct disciple of Yu Ruyi, had not only eighth-grade spiritual roots but also a renowned Water Spirit Sacred Body ranked forty-third.
Gu Chen-Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "Tomorrow, we will bring these disciples along."
Yu Ruyi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Sect Master, I think it's best to gather them today and give them some stern instructions first."
"After all, they are considered prodigies in the Miao Sect. They are prideful, and what if they cause trouble when they get to the Star-Moon Sect? That might bring us all trouble."
Li Chang-Tian also nodded in agreement. "What Elder Yu says makes sense."
Gu Chen-Yuan agreed with a nod and immediately used the sect's command token to summon all forty-seven disciples to the Sect Master Peak.
Soon enough, all forty-seven were gathered.
Gu Chen-Yuan spoke to them about the magnificence of the Star-Moon Sect, the two legendary figures, Xiao Huohuo and Shi Jingjing, before finally mentioning the task of sending them to the Star-Moon Sect.
The disciples exchanged glances.
The Sect Master was sending away all of their top talents—did that mean the Miao Sect was about to disband?
And was the Star-Moon Sect really that powerful? Why had they never heard of it before?
Despite the questions brewing in their minds, no one dared to speak them aloud.
The nine elders continued to emphasize the need for humility and respect. They recited the same instructions again and again, as if chanting mantras.
By the time night fell, they were all exhausted.
The next morning, Gu Chen-Yuan summoned the entire sect for a gathering.
Mo Xian, dressed in a new ceremonial robe, stood proudly.
This was a treasure he rarely wore, a garment he had been saving for a special occasion.
Fei Zhongyan, another elder, joked, "Mo Xian, looking so grand today—what's the occasion? Could it be you've finally found a partner?"
Fei Zhongyan was just casually teasing.
Usually, the elders shared light-hearted jokes with each other, especially since they were all single and had little personal life to speak of.
But Mo Xian played along, pretending to be surprised. "Fei, how did you know?"
Fei Zhongyan froze, his face full of disbelief. "Wait, are you saying you've secretly found someone?"
"Which one is it?" he asked, eagerly.
"Do I know her?"
"Are you planning the wedding soon?"
"Tell me in secret, I'll help you prepare the gift."
Mo Xian smiled enigmatically. "You'll find out soon enough."
Fei Zhongyan was stunned.
Soon? What did that mean?
But just then, they all realized the Sect Master's meeting was about to start.
Could it be...?
Could Mo Xian have won the heart of the cold and aloof Elder Yu Ruyi?
Fei Zhongyan's eyes widened. No way—was this possible?
He stared at Mo Xian with newfound admiration. This was incredible!
But little did Fei Zhongyan know, his guess was as wrong as it could be.