"That bell sound..." Qing Yun listened for a moment, raising his brows slightly. "This artifact... I suppose it's somewhat interesting."
For most cultivators, the Tianxing Sect's treasured artifact was an object of awe. Yet in Qing Yun's eyes, it only earned a half-hearted compliment.
Still, no one dared question his opinion.
To a mid-tier sect like Tianxing Sect, the artifact was priceless. But to Qing Yun, Shen Yanye, and Cang Li, it was little more than a novelty.
"Does the bell mean something?" Qing Yun asked with curiosity, noticing how Lin Ya and Yue Zhao had grown solemn after hearing it.
Lin Ya narrowed his eyes. "The ringing of the Tianxing Bell marks the start of preparations for the Grand Sect Assembly. For the next two days, it will ring five times daily. On the day of the assembly itself, there will be six chimes. That final day will determine the ten new peak lords—and the duel between Yun Jin and Ruan Jun will also take place."
Now it was getting interesting.
Qing Yun and the others exchanged a glance, each catching a flicker of caution in the other's gaze.
The decisive moment had arrived.
Yun Jin would be leaving seclusion soon. Her choice would finally be revealed.
As for her duel with Ruan Jun, none of them took it seriously. Battles that spanned a full cultivation stage were rare in the outside world, but among Holy Land disciples, defeating someone a realm higher was hardly unusual.
Given Yun Jin's terrifying potential, even without training in a Holy Land, she might still pull it off. And if she didn't? That would only give them the perfect excuse to step in and impress her. With their own plans brewing, the three sat a little farther apart than before.
Qing Yun chuckled. "Junior Brother Lin, with your current cultivation, being a peak lord is beneath you. Why not shoot for Sect Master? If you give me the word, I'll push you to the top. That Zhao Wuji who keeps opposing you? He can pack up and go."
Lin Ya's heart thudded. "Brother Qing Yun, back when my cultivation was intact, I was indeed stronger than Zhao Wuji. But his father is a steward of Qingxiao Pavilion. That kind of background makes his position unshakable, no matter what."
He let out a sigh.
Of course he wanted to bring Zhao Wuji down. But so long as Zhao Wuji's father remained in power, his son's position was untouchable. No amount of talent could change that.
"Just a Qingxiao Pavilion steward," Qing Yun said dismissively. "Say the word, and I'll take care of it."
Lin Ya fell silent.
He had the distinct feeling his brain had been running a little slow lately.
Since when could "Qingxiao Pavilion steward" be paired with the words "just" or "only"?
These people all spoke in such...unusual combinations.
Though he knew Qing Yun's background was extraordinary, he could only shake his head. "Brother, you might help me for a day, but not forever. For now, I'd rather secure my place as peak lord again."
A Qingxiao Pavilion steward was no trivial figure. Even reaching the Tribulation stage was just the beginning. To hold real sway, one had to be the best of the best among them.
Zhao Wuji's father, Zhao Ling, was said to be at the peak of the Tribulation stage and nearing Mahayana. Once he broke through, he'd be among the true upper echelon of Qingxiao Pavilion.
By then, even the Tianxing Sect might no longer be worthy of his attention. He would likely bring Zhao Wuji away with him.
So they would endure—for now. Once Zhao Wuji left, the situation would shift. Lin Ya's reasoning might seem cowardly, but in an era where the Four Great Holy Lands ruled the cultivation world, it was the most practical course.
Seeing Lin Ya firm in his own judgment, Qing Yun didn't push the topic further. Instead, he smoothly changed the subject. "The assembly's about to begin. That means Yun Jin will leave seclusion soon, yes?"
"She should be out by tomorrow night at the latest," Lin Ya said.
The assembly was the day after, but Yun Jin would likely exit early to prepare.
Probably.
Honestly, Lin Ya wasn't sure. That little disciple of his always acted beyond anyone's expectations.
Tomorrow night.
Tomorrow night!
Qing Yun and the others suddenly became restless.
That disciple—they were determined to have her.
Lin Ya's cultivation had fully stabilized under their successive aid, even showing signs of further progress. Now, with the time drawing near, he joined the others at the foot of the mountain to wait. Qing Yun seized the chance to probe Lin Ya and Yue Zhao with a few more questions.
And he confirmed it.
Yun Jin had no secret master. She had reached this level entirely on her own. Yue Zhao even mentioned that Yun Jin could analyze a pill recipe just by glancing at a finished pill. That kind of terrifying talent made Qing Yun's eyes shine. A genius like that was a gift from the heavens to the path of pill refinement. Now that he was here, no one was going to take her from the alchemy world.
Meanwhile, Cang Li quietly stepped away and activated his communication talisman. When he learned that Qing Yun was also planning to recruit Yun Jin, his expression turned serious. The situation had grown too intense to handle alone, so he contacted Ji Wusi immediately.
Truthfully, Cang Li's urgency wasn't just about Yun Jin's talent with the sword. He was more interested in that mysterious ring. As far as swordsmanship went, Yun Jin's potential was undeniably high—but not to the point of being unthinkable.
Still.
Bringing Yun Jin back was a direct order from his master. Now that Qing Yun was involved, his chances of winning her over alone were slim. Which meant... It was time to call for backup. A reply quickly arrived from his master.
[Yun Jin must become a disciple of Kunlun Sword Sect. Stall Qing Yun—I'm coming immediately!]
Cang Li's eyes lit up.
He hadn't expected his master to value Yun Jin this much.
To secure her, he was coming in person.
And when it came to combat power, how could an alchemist match a sword cultivator?
This time, the win was guaranteed.
Watching Qing Yun and Cang Li whisper and scheme, Shen Yanye ground his teeth. He had originally planned to secretly recruit Yun Jin and stun his fellow sect members with the news. But who could have predicted things would escalate to this level? There was no way he could do this alone anymore. Shen Yanye immediately contacted his own master. His master, Liuli Zhēnzūn, was a Mahayana-stage Beastmaster.
With her multitude of spirit beasts and boundless techniques, she held a natural advantage in contests like these.
Of the three of them—
Qing Yun still looked confident and unhurried. But he had no idea that both Cang Li and Shen Yanye had already begun calling in reinforcements.
In the Kunlun Sword Sect, Ji Wusi issued several swift orders, then left the sect's affairs behind and took off immediately. He had once shared friendly ties with Qing Yun. But Yun Jin might be a innate sword body. She was the successor he had been searching for all this time.
And if even a friend tried to take her from him—
Then they would draw swords.
"Qing Yun, you old fox. Just wait."
Ji Wusi vanished into the horizon, brimming with killing intent.
The disciples of Kunlun Sword Sect couldn't help murmuring among themselves.
"Why does the Sect Master look like he's off to kill someone?"
"Maybe he's just going out to slaughter some demons?"
"Probably. What else could put that look on his face, if not the demon race?"
Elsewhere, in the Beastmaster Sect.
Liuli Zhēnzūn received Shen Yanye's message.
Her eyes gleamed with delight.
A once-in-a-generation talent who awakened with countless divine beast phantoms?
And now someone was trying to lure her into alchemy or sword cultivation?
That would never do.
With a flick of her sleeve, a crimson luan bird emerged beside her.
She stepped onto its back.
One woman. One phoenix.
And in the blink of an eye, both vanished into the sky.