"Respect to Sect Master Lin!" the Tianxing Sect disciples called out in unison.
Sect Master Lin.
Zhao Wuji stepped forward, bent at the waist, wearing an expression far too eager to please. No one found it strange that the usually arrogant Zhao Wuji was suddenly groveling. After all, the one standing before them was none other than the master of Qingxiao Pavilion. No matter how humble he acted, it was only right.
The three Grand Elders, still pale from ringing the Tianxing Bell earlier, could barely stay on their feet. Yet here they stood, awaiting orders like everyone else. The disparity in both status and strength made Lin Xiao's arrival feel like a crushing blow from a higher realm.
Lin Xiao's gaze swept lightly over the gathered crowd. A moment later, as if sensing something, he turned his eyes to Ye Danxia. To be noticed by someone of his caliber, Ye Danxia didn't feel nervous. In fact, she felt a flicker of excitement. She had always believed she was meant to soar among the clouds.
Zhao Wuji could no longer help her rise. But the Sect Master of Qingxiao Pavilion? If she could become his disciple, would Yun Jin still dare act so arrogant in front of her?
Ye Danxia couldn't hide the anticipation in her expression as she looked at Lin Xiao. But Lin Xiao only found her somewhat agreeable at a glance. He was here for a purpose, and a passing impression wasn't enough for him to act on.
He looked away almost immediately, eyes settling on Zhao Wuji.
Raising an eyebrow, he said, "I heard a distinguished guest has arrived at Tianxing Sect. Where is this honored guest?"
Zhao Wuji quickly replied, "They should be at Tianjian Peak."
He gave a bitter smile. "Please forgive me, Sect Master. That place has long been beyond my control. Even though they didn't come to greet you, I... I dared not say a word."
Lin Xiao gave him a cold glance.
He saw through Zhao Wuji's little schemes with perfect clarity.
But it didn't matter.
This time, their goals were aligned.
With a slight raise of his brows, Lin Xiao said coolly, "Since they are a guest of honor, how could they possibly be summoned by anyone else? I shall invite them myself."
He rose into the air. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried through the entire Tianxing Sect with startling clarity.
"The Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect is here. Why not come out and greet me?"
"The Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect is here. Why not come out and greet me?"
"The Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect is here. Why not come out and greet me?"
Three times he called, and each time, he addressed only Ji Wusi.
The message was clear.
This visit was for Ji Wusi, and Ji Wusi alone.
Just as the final words faded—
A flash of sword light tore through the sky, shooting straight at Lin Xiao.
His expression changed instantly.
What the hell is Ji Wusi trying to do?
He hurried to dodge, but Ji Wusi's sword was not so easy to avoid. The blade passed by with a hiss, slicing off a lock of his hair.
Lin Xiao's face darkened.
In terms of strength, he wasn't even the strongest within Qingxiao Pavilion. Ji Wusi, however, was widely acknowledged as the number one cultivator of their generation. Lin Xiao had no way to match him.
Still—
He hadn't even done anything yet.
Wasn't this a bit too aggressive?
He cursed inwardly. Sword cultivators, not a single one of them is normal.
"Master Lin," Ji Wusi's voice rang from afar, cold and direct, "there's nothing between us worth discussing. Let's skip the formalities. If you have something to say, say it."
He had no intention of showing himself.
Lin Xiao's expression grew increasingly sour.
He had come in person, extended the invitation himself, and this was how Ji Wusi responded?
Truly uncivilized. So typical of sword cultivators.
Raising an eyebrow, Lin Xiao said slowly, "If I'm not mistaken, this region where Tianxing Sect resides still falls under Qingxiao Pavilion's jurisdiction. If anything happens here, it should be judged by Qingxiao Pavilion. I heard that Sect Master Ji made quite the entrance, killing one of our disciples on sight. What's the matter? Do you think there's no one left in Qingxiao Pavilion?"
A sharp glint flickered in Lin Xiao's eyes.
Ji Wusi had slain Li Heng in front of witnesses. That had already crossed the line. This time, Lin Xiao had summoned several sect masters from major powers within their domain. He was going to show everyone just how arrogant and lawless Ji Wusi truly was. Li Heng's death would not go unanswered. Anyone who dared meddle in Qingxiao Pavilion's affairs would pay the price.
"Oh?" Ji Wusi's voice drifted in, calm and mocking. "You mean Li Heng? That man colluded with demonic cultivators. As the leader of the Demon-Slaying Alliance, I executed him on the spot. What fault is there in that?"
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes.
If the case involved demons or demonic sects, the Demon-Slaying Alliance did have priority.
However—
Just because Ji Wusi said Li Heng was a traitor, did that make it true?
He gave a cold laugh. "Li Heng was a hall master of the Demon-Slaying Alliance. Over the years, he's killed countless demons. You claim he betrayed the alliance. Do you have proof? Or were you trying to protect someone else—someone named Lin Ya—whom Li Heng had accused of being a traitor himself? Did you silence him just to bury the truth?"
Ji Wusi scoffed. "If there's one thing Qingxiao Pavilion excels at, it's making baseless accusations. No wonder your first instinct is to assume others do the same. Unfortunately for you, I've always been upright and honest. If I say Li Heng deserved death, then he had his reasons."
"Oh, really?" Lin Xiao's voice grew darker. "No proof, no trial, and you kill at will. Now you say he deserved it and expect everyone to just accept that? As the master of Qingxiao Pavilion, I came here today to demand justice for my innocent disciple. So many sect masters are watching. Ji Wusi, come out. Face me directly."
The matter of Li Heng's death could be minor or it could be made into a major affair.
Lin Xiao had already decided.
He was going to escalate this to the highest level.
He wanted to see how a man like Ji Wusi, who ignored justice and accountability, could continue leading the Demon-Slaying Alliance.
Even if he couldn't unseat him, he would ensure his reputation was shattered.
Ji Wusi, however, remained calm. "There's no need for a confrontation. I have no interest in seeing you. But... who says I don't have proof?"
What?
Lin Xiao frowned and glanced instinctively at Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ling immediately turned to Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji leaned in and whispered, "At the time, Sect Master Ji did not conduct any questioning or trial. He struck without warning. Afterward, he even destroyed my uncle's Nascent Soul."
Lin Xiao's face stayed impassive. "Are you referring to what Li Heng said while under possession? If his mind was compromised, nothing he said can be trusted. Killing him over such claims won't convince anyone."
"Don't worry, Sect Master Lin," Ji Wusi replied, voice calm and confident. "I said I had evidence, and I do."
Lin Xiao's brows knit tighter.
What did he mean? Did Ji Wusi actually have something?
Impossible. He never conducted a trial. What evidence could he have?
While he hesitated—
A pale white mist appeared overhead. Within the fog, a newborn infant cried out as it came into the world.
Lin Xiao's pupils shrank.
This was... memory resurfacing.
Using a secret art to extract memories from a Nascent Soul, then replaying them through a special technique.
So these memories...
His pupils narrowed even further.
How could a muscle-headed sword cultivator like Ji Wusi possibly know such a refined technique?
It was unthinkable.