Despite being released, Ye Danxia was still full of questions.
If Yun Jin had won, and Lin Ya had also emerged victorious, then clearly Tianjian Peak should be the one in control now. So why had her master set her free?
And what did "Tianxing Nine Rings" mean?
But after pressing twice without receiving a clear answer, she could tell her master was losing patience. Ye Danxia dared not ask more. She decided to observe quietly and figure it out on her own.
After bringing Ye Danxia down from the mountain, Zhao Wuji began issuing orders across the sect—avoiding Tianjian Peak entirely, but mobilizing the other peaks.
The directive was clear: the highest standard of reception must be prepared for Lin Xiao.
The Tianxing Sect was immediately thrown into bustling activity.
At Tianjian Peak, Lin Ya had gone out to gather information and returned looking visibly shaken. He rushed to report to Ji Wusi and the others.
"Senior Elders, I just confirmed that Zhao Wuji gave word across the sect. Lin Xiao, the Qingxiao Pavilion Master, is on his way. Everyone's expected to prepare a grand welcome. But he didn't notify us at Tianjian Peak. Should we still go greet him?"
Lin Ya was unsure.
Logically, someone of Lin Xiao's stature should be welcomed properly. But Lin Ya wasn't stupid. Right now, the real power at Tianjian Peak was these visiting cultivators. Lin Xiao's visit might mean good things for Zhao Wuji, but it definitely didn't bode well for him. Whether to greet or ignore the incoming sect master depended entirely on these seniors.
Lin Ya understood very well: when you choose a powerful ally, you must hold on tight. Waffling between sides would only lead to disaster.
"You're not bad, for once," Qing Yun chuckled. "Let Lin Xiao come. If we go to greet him, we'd be giving him too much face. Stay here. He'll come to us."
Qing Yun was calm as always.
Ji Wusi let out a scoff, his contempt not even masked.
Liu Li, sitting at a distance, stayed out of the conversation entirely, maintaining a neutral posture.
Lin Ya didn't fully grasp the dynamics, but Yue Zhao, watching closely, picked up on the undertones.
It seemed Ji Wusi, the Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect, had some personal enmity with Lin Xiao of Qingxiao Pavilion.
Qing Yun appeared to be an old acquaintance of Ji Wusi. He bore no direct grudge against Lin Xiao, but his stance clearly leaned toward Ji Wusi's side.
Liu Li didn't seem to have close ties to either, maintaining a relatively neutral position.
Through these subtle dynamics, Yue Zhao began to glimpse the political landscape among the four Holy Lands.
After all, the attitude of a sect master often reflected that of the entire Holy Land.
Kunlun Sword Sect and Qingxiao Pavilion likely had some irreconcilable conflict.
Qing Yun's stance seemed personal. Xuandan Gate itself probably remained neutral.
So Xuandan Gate and the Beastmaster Sect were likely to stay on the sidelines.
Yue Zhao's eyes narrowed in thought.
Among the four Holy Lands, Tianxing Sect was technically within Qingxiao Pavilion's jurisdiction. Promotion or demotion of its sect status rested entirely in their hands. That was the main reason the other peak lords didn't dare oppose Zhao Wuji.
With Qingxiao's backing, Zhao Wuji's position as sect master was untouchable, no matter what he did.
The arrival of Ji Wusi and the others had disrupted that balance—but that was an anomaly, not the norm. If they left, the sect would likely face backlash from Qingxiao Pavilion.
Yet from Ji Wusi's attitude now, it seemed he had anticipated Lin Xiao's arrival. In fact, he was waiting for it. A direct confrontation between Ji Wusi and Lin Xiao was inevitable.
What outcome would that clash bring for Tianxing Sect?
These thoughts flashed through Yue Zhao's mind in an instant. He lowered his head, revealing nothing.
Liu Li, with her sharp spiritual perception, glanced at him briefly.
This one was Tianjian Peak's lead disciple, wasn't he? His mental fluctuations were quite lively.
Still, she didn't dig deeper.
In the world of cultivation, who didn't have secrets? If she probed into everyone's thoughts, she'd never find peace.
While they chatted idly, a deep voice suddenly echoed from the skies.
"Qingxiao Pavilion Master arrives. Where are the elders of Tianxing Sect?"
Ji Wusi sneered, his tone mocking. "Not much ability, but loves a grand entrance."
Qing Yun and Liu Li smiled faintly but remained silent.
As the voice faded, the sound of a bell rang through the sect.
The Tianxing Bell.
At first, Lin Ya only listened casually.
For important guests, ringing the Tianxing Bell was standard protocol.
It rang six times. That was normal. It usually ended there.
But then it rang a seventh time.
Lin Ya's expression changed.
Six rings placed little strain on the three Supreme Elders. They could manage it easily.
But seven? Even one extra toll required a price.
Then came the eighth.
Lin Ya abruptly stood.
As the eighth ring echoed out, a green glow spread across the mountain. Spirit plants and rare flora began to sprout in abundance, even on Tianjian Peak.
Some trees bore century-old spirit fruits in mere moments.
And still it wasn't over.
The ninth ring struck.
The heavens seemed to tremble.
Spiritual energy surged. Blossoms bloomed across the mountains, their fragrance washing over the entire sect.
Lin Ya's face darkened.
Nine tolls of the Tianxing Bell.
The three Supreme Elders would need years of secluded cultivation just to recover a portion of their vitality. There was no way they had done this willingly.
This was Zhao Wuji's doing. He had used the arrival of Qingxiao Pavilion's master to force their hand.
Lin Ya clenched his fists.
The Holy Lands.
To the common sects, the four Holy Lands were untouchable forces—gods walking among mortals. A single sentence from Lin Xiao could demand not only the nine tolls of the Tianxing Bell, but even lives. And no one could refuse.
Right now, Tianjian Peak could only stand firm thanks to Ji Wusi and the others.
But what if they weren't here?
This was the true power of the Holy Lands.
Only someone from a Holy Land could resist another.
Everyone else? Just ants.
A surge of frustration boiled in Lin Ya's chest. But that was all it could be—frustration.
What could he do?
Not far away, Yun Jin listened quietly to the nine tolls, her gaze drifting toward the sky painted with colorful clouds.
She smiled.
So this was the Qingxiao Pavilion Master. He arrived just once, and Tianxing Sect scrambled, draining itself for the sake of appearances.
But this was Tianxing Sect.
Not Zhao Wuji's sect. Not Qingxiao's sect. Just Tianxing Sect.
Did the four Holy Lands truly deserve to stand forever above all others?
Yun Jin dared to dream bigger than Lin Ya.
In that moment, a wild thought bloomed in her heart.
Who said there could only be four Holy Lands?
Why not five?
Why couldn't the fifth be Tianxing Sect?
High above, Lin Xiao descended on colorful clouds. Behind him trailed Zhao Ling, practically fawning over him. And alongside them were more than a dozen cultivators, their robes unfamiliar—clearly summoned by Lin Xiao from other sects.