Before leaving, Yun Jin spent a small amount of Emotional Value to set up an automatic program inside the Sect Master's residence. With it, every day ten disciples would be transported in for Enlightenment, then sent back afterward.
Her plan was simple. In the early stages, every disciple would undergo Enlightenment once. Later, when the sect grew stronger and their cultivation paths diverged, those opportunities would have to be earned through merit and strength.
After making these arrangements, Yun Jin briefly explained things at the morning assembly, then left the Wushuang Sect's secret realm.
Qin Ping and the others watched her departing figure with unease. At present, everyone understood one thing: Qingxiao Pavilion and Lin Xiao would certainly target Yun Jin and the Wushuang Sect.
Yet as long as they remained hidden in this dimensional refuge, even Lin Xiao himself could do nothing. Staying within was the safest path. In a hundred or even a thousand years, their Sect Master would stand unrivaled beneath the heavens.
But this was Yun Jin.
How could she possibly hide away obediently like a turtle in its shell?
Qin Ping's heart tightened with worry, but then he exhaled and smiled faintly.
This was Yun Jin. If she lost her edge, if she changed her nature, would she still be the proud and unrestrained girl he first saw?
This journey of hers would certainly be fraught with dangers. Qingxiao Pavilion would not sit idle.
But so what?
Their Sect Master was destined to ride the winds and waves, and reach the far shore.
Yun Jin soon landed upon a beach. After instructing the giant turtle to remain hidden, she set out toward her destination.
The moment she appeared, word spread instantly to Qingxiao Pavilion.
Lin Xiao's eyes flashed cold.
So, Yun Jin.
He had thought she would remain cooped up until the Grand Sect Ranking Conclave. Yet barely a month had passed, and she had stepped out once more. Did she truly believe that offending him would bring no consequences?
His gaze flickered.
He himself could not move against her directly. Lately, Ji Wusi and others had grown suspicious of him. Although this region was under Qingxiao Pavilion's jurisdiction, their spies were no doubt planted everywhere.
If he struck personally, he would hand them the evidence they sought.
For now, he had to remain low-profile.
Moreover, Ji Wusi must have armed Yun Jin with life-saving treasures. Against ordinary Mahayana cultivators, she might not be so easily dealt with. He needed to remove her within the rules.
Listening to his subordinate's report on Yun Jin's route, Lin Xiao's lips curved into a faint smile.
Perfect.
If Yun Jin sought her own death, he could hardly be blamed. He pulled out a communication talisman and issued swift orders.
This time, Yun Jin would learn the price of offending Lin Xiao. So what if she had painstakingly raised the Wushuang Sect to the level of a Upper Sect? Once she died, that fragile sect would crumble like dust.
…
"Young Master, Lin Xiao must already know of our movements," Tian Po Sword's spirit said with vigor.
After a month of rest, it was once again brimming with energy. Finally, it could protect its Young Master again.
Or so it thought.
The sword spirit fell silent mid-thought.
…Emmm.
The Young Master hardly needed its protection anymore. If an enemy came that even Yun Jin could not handle, how could it possibly make a difference?
A wave of melancholy struck the Tian Po Sword. What kind of world was this?
Just months ago, its Young Master was a pitiful little Golden Core cultivator. With its Mahayana strength, it had expected to guard her for at least a thousand years.
And now? Best not to dwell on it.
"He was always bound to know," Yun Jin said with a light smile.
Before leaving, she had already spoken with her masters. They would keep constant watch over Lin Xiao, never allowing him to leave Qingxiao Pavilion.
This man was skilled in concealment. His true strength was unknown, perhaps even to Master Ji Wusi.
Against Lin Xiao, she held some caution.
But against other Mahayana experts? She felt no fear.
Right now, she'd actually mastered five supreme Laws under the Primordial Wood.
But she still hadn't grasped the true essence of the Wood element. Because of that, one of the supreme Laws wasn't fully under her control.
She needed a spark, a chance to understand the True Meaning of Wood. Once she did, she'd naturally master the Law and command the Primordial Wood.
Wood gives birth to Fire. Once these two Primordial Forces merged, even if she was only at the Unity stage, her strength would no longer lose to most Mahayana cultivators.
In fact, she was faintly eager for Lin Xiao to arrange worthy opponents.
Only then could she seize the chance to break through.
While Yun Jin remained calm about potential enemies, Tian Po Sword was tense, scanning the surroundings without pause.
Yet nothing happened.
Their journey was entirely uneventful.
Until they arrived before Mingxin Hall.
Yes.
The place Yun Jin had recalled earlier, where she might recruit a number of strong cultivators, was none other than the Demon-Slaying Alliance's branch hall: Mingxin Hall.
Of course, while the Wushuang Sect lacked manpower, she would not recruit just anyone.
She was, after all, Mingxin Hall's appointed Hall Master. Visiting her own subordinates was natural. And while doing so, she could evaluate whether there were promising talents worth luring into her sect.
The quiet journey did not surprise her. Everyone knew of the grudge between Qingxiao Pavilion and the Wushuang Sect.
Lin Xiao surely wished her dead, but he would not act rashly. He was a snake in the shadows, preferring others to strike first. Undoubtedly, he would push someone forward to test the waters.
Yun Jin looked up at the plaque reading "Mingxin Hall" and smiled faintly. So this was where the real trap awaited. But she did not hurry. She simply walked up.
"Demon-Slaying Alliance Mingxin Hall. State your name," a disciple at the gate blocked her path.
Yun Jin arched a brow.
She drew out the hall master's token Ji Wusi had given her.
"Mingxin Hall Master, Yun Jin." Her smile carried a trace of amusement.
Though Mingxin Hall was outside Canglan Kingdom, it was not far. The uproar of recent events must have reached them. Ji Wusi had officially announced her appointment. By now, everyone here should have known her name.
And yet this man dared bar her way?
Clearly deliberate.
So, the play began here.
How amusing.
Even upon seeing the token, the disciple's face did not change.
"Indeed, Mingxin Hall appointed a new Hall Master. They say her cultivation is at the Unity stage, but her real strength can rival Mahayana. Tokens can be faked, faces can be changed, but strength can't be forged. If you claim to be Hall Master Yun Jin, you'll have to prove it to us."
Yun Jin chuckled softly, amused. "Oh? And how do you want to test it?"
The disciple replied confidently, "I'll report your arrival, and when one of our Mahayana seniors has time, they'll come out and spar with you."
Yun Jin's tone turned subtly amused. "And if they don't have time?"
He smiled faintly. "Then you'll have to wait."
Her smile brightened, dazzling as sunlight. "Now that's a proper, well-trained response."
The disciple caught the look in her eyes and sneered inwardly.
So this was Yun Jin? Nothing special.
That thought barely formed when suddenly—
His body lifted off the ground without warning.
Then, with a loud bang, he slammed hard into the gate behind him.