The strange, tense atmosphere didn't last long. Soon, the spatial passage began to ripple once more.
Jin Yu instinctively shielded Yun Jin behind him, his gaze sharpening as he watched the portal.
Before coming here, the Sect Master had warned him that the intentions of the other three sects were still unclear. The one who held the main key might be in danger.
Their Kunlun Sword Sect might very well face a one-against-three situation.
But the Sect Master had also said something else. Many claimed that sword cultivators were all brawn and no brain. To them, though, whether they were considered clever didn't matter. What mattered was staying true to their path.
They might seem foolish at times for sticking to their principles, but since they had chosen the way of the sword, they had to be worthy of the sword in their hand.
If their principles could be bent or discarded whenever it was convenient, then they would no longer be pure sword cultivators. The sword itself would no longer be pure.
That was why, despite the abundance of sword cultivators across all four Holy Lands, only those from Kunlun Sword Sect consistently ranked as the most formidable in battle.
For cultivators of Kunlun Sword Sect, tempering the heart often mattered more than refining the sword.
No matter what others thought, if they received kindness, they would repay it.
Wushuang Sect had once saved the common people of the world. As sword cultivators, they naturally owed a debt of gratitude. Even though a thousand years had passed, that debt had not diminished in the slightest.
This time, even if the world stood against them, he would protect this Junior Sister Yun Jin.
Come to think of it...
The Sect Master should have seen Junior Sister's appearance by now. He wondered if the Sect Master or the sect had come up with a follow-up plan.
Otherwise, judging by Duan Yiwei's attitude, the other two sects likely wouldn't kick them while they were down, but they probably wouldn't lend a hand either.
If it was left to just them, it would be a difficult fight.
"The clever ones have arrived," Duan Yiwei said, smirking as he glanced at Jin Yu.
These brainless sword cultivators could just sink into the abyss with Yun Jin.
Jin Yu tensed, readying himself.
The other five sword cultivators quickly moved into position, forming a protective circle around Yun Jin.
Yun Jin froze, momentarily overwhelmed by emotion.
Her master likely knew her identity by now, but when Jin Yu and the others came here, they hadn't known. Their actions were based solely on a sense of honor.
The Tian Po Sword was muttering inside Yun Jin's mind.
"These Qingxiao Pavilion bastards are barely human! Just wait. When Wushuang Sect is rebuilt, they'll be the first we cut down. Young Master, the Kunlun Sword Sect's Sect Master was friends with my master a thousand years ago. And now, even after all this time, it seems he hasn't forgotten that bond. We should ally with Kunlun Sword Sect."
Yun Jin gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
She didn't rush to speak and instead looked toward the portal.
This time...
From within the passage...
Disciples from Xuandan Gate and Beastmaster Sect appeared nearly at the same moment.
A smile crept across Duan Yiwei's face.
His allies had arrived.
The lead disciple from Xuandan Gate was a girl with a childlike face. Though she looked young and innocent, no one dared treat her lightly.
She was Ye Liuqin, personal disciple of Xuandan Gate's Supreme Elder, Feng Yu.
The lead disciple from Beastmaster Sect was also a woman. Though her lips often held a gentle smile, her entire presence gave off an aura of unapproachability.
She was Cheng Su, personal disciple of Beastmaster Sect's Sect Master, Xuan Feng.
As soon as the two arrived, they sensed the change in the sub-keys.
With unspoken understanding, they each took out their keys. The four sub-keys gathered, hovering around Yun Jin.
So this was the holder of the main key?
Ye Liuqin and Cheng Su looked at Yun Jin with curiosity.
They both recalled how their sect masters had suddenly shifted attitudes.
Originally...
Their masters had simply told them to play it by ear and not exert too much effort.
But after Elder Qing Yun and Elder Liu Li said something, their sect masters abruptly changed their stance.
Not only did they order full support for the one holding the main key, they even seemed... joyful about it.
As if helping Wushuang Sect would bring immense benefits.
Ye Liuqin and Cheng Su didn't fully understand, but as disciples, they had no choice but to follow orders precisely.
"Fairy Ye, Fairy Cheng." Duan Yiwei smiled, stepping forward to say, "Now that we've found the main key, once the Wushuang Sect's treasure realm is unlocked, there'll be no need to keep Yun Jin around. Don't you think so?"
As he spoke, he threw a provocative glance at Jin Yu.
Once they used Yun Jin to open the treasure realm, eliminating her in secret would make all the spoils theirs.
The sword cultivators might be dumb, but the disciples of Beastmaster Sect and Xuandan Gate couldn't be that foolish.
Jin Yu frowned, his guard rising even further.
If things went south, he might have to use the trump card the Sect Master had given him.
Ye Liuqin stared at Duan Yiwei, then snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting? Wushuang Sect sacrificed itself for the world. Now that it is being rebuilt, of course we must give our full support. Saying something like that makes you a petty and vile man!"
Duan Yiwei's smile froze.
What was going on?
Even Xuandan Gate was siding with those sword idiots?
Cheng Su glanced at Ye Liuqin, the smile on her lips deepening.
Her Sect Master had told her to coax the other sects into helping. She'd been wondering how to pull that off, but it looked like Ye Liuqin had already taken the lead.
That saved her a great deal of trouble.
Ye Liuqin was a little nervous too.
She had taken the initiative to bring up righteous duty. Surely the other sects wouldn't go against that, would they?
She was doing her utmost to carry out the Sect Master's instructions.
"Fairy Cheng, do you feel the same?" Duan Yiwei asked, his face darkening as he looked at Cheng Su.
He didn't believe everyone could be so naïve.
Even if it came down to two versus two, he wouldn't be afraid.
Cheng Su immediately replied, "Senior Sister Ye is right. In the face of righteousness, what do personal gains matter?"
She looked warmly at Yun Jin. "Junior Sister Yun, rest assured. Beastmaster Sect stands firmly with you."
"Xuandan Gate will not shy away either," Ye Liuqin echoed.
Duan Yiwei: "…"
What the hell?
He had just been mocking Jin Yu for going up against three sects, and now Qingxiao Pavilion was the one isolated against all three?
Did everyone suddenly grow a brain?
Seeing the stances of Beastmaster Sect and Xuandan Gate, Jin Yu was briefly stunned, then let out a long breath.
Junior Sister Yun's cultivation was still too low. He had been worried he might not be able to protect her. Now, it looked like things were much less dire.
"As sword cultivators, we too will not shrink from this duty," Jin Yu quickly added.
Ye Liuqin and Cheng Su both smiled in satisfaction.
Perfect. Everything was falling into place.
They had successfully completed their masters' instructions.
Task complete, like two unassuming little geniuses.
Yun Jin also smiled, but she knew in her heart...
Beastmaster Sect and Xuandan Gate had clearly been influenced by her other two masters.
However...
Her masters were likely concealed something. Otherwise, how could they have persuaded their sects to lend such wholehearted support?
She couldn't ask for better masters.
Duan Yiwei's face was grim. The current situation left him no room to argue. He could only grit his teeth and say, "That's not what I meant. Since everyone's agreed, then Qingxiao Pavilion naturally won't fall behind either."
The Pavilion Master had suggested that it would be best to eliminate the one holding the main key in secret. Now Duan Yiwei finally understood why.
Wushuang Sect stood at the center of righteous cause.
Going against them in the open would look bad.
For all he knew, the other three Holy Lands were only pretending to side with Yun Jin. Privately, they might also want her dead.
Compared to them, he was the one who had shown his hand too early.
But it didn't matter. Now he understood.
A mere Golden Core stage cultivator... given the chance...
She could be snuffed out with a flick of the fingers.