"Sorry, sorry, I had to handle a small matter," Yun Jin said with a bright smile as she looked at the three people. "Thank you for traveling all this way. You really helped me a lot."
The three of them were speechless. They had thought that they could indeed be of great help. But now… Yun Jin had single-handedly defeated a whole group and even tied up Zhai Ge and the others.
After thinking it over, they could not figure out what exactly they had helped with. All they could do was report the situation to Ji Wusi.
When Ji Wusi received the message, he felt bewildered.
Something was off.
According to their report, Yun Jin alone had handled Zhai Ge, along with a group of mid-Mahayana cultivators and some early-Mahayana practitioners?
Just over a month ago, she had struggled even against a single early-Mahayana. And now, she had suddenly become this strong?
Ji Wusi wanted to know how Yun Jin had achieved this. Unfortunately, when the three had arrived, Yun Jin had already completely dominated the battle. They had seen none of the process. Ji Wusi was not worried. With Yun Jin's flashy personality, the whole world would know soon enough.
Yun Jin was just about to invite everyone inside for some tea when a shiver ran across her scalp. She narrowed her eyes and looked up at the sky.
Soon, an image appeared in the sky.
It was Lin Xiao, along with several other mid-Mahayana cultivators from the Qingxiao Pavilion. Though their true bodies could not arrive, they had projected themselves using secret techniques. The projection did not carry their full power, but it represented their authority.
"Pavilion Master Lin," the three mid-Mahayana cultivators said respectfully.
They belonged to Ji Wusi, but in this area, Lin Xiao was still in charge, and respect was due.
Yun Jin smiled faintly at Lin Xiao, without any hint of respect. She tugged on the rope, pulling Zhai Ge and the others, all tied up in a bundle, to her side.
"Pavilion Master Lin," Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "It seems your Qingxiao Pavilion disciples have caused trouble again. Zhai Ge colluded with the evil path, trying to kill me, the hall master. I was about to have a serious discussion with you about this."
Lin Xiao's expression darkened. "Impudent!"
At that moment, Lin Xiao and the cultivators behind him exerted a simultaneous pressure from a distance.
The immense force focused instantly on Yun Jin.
A layer of red armor and a layer of azure armor appeared on Yun Jin, doubling and negating all pressure instantly.
Lin Xiao's expression remained cold. He said flatly, "The Primordial Wood. Yun Jin, you have indeed mastered a second Primordial Force."
Yun Jin chuckled. "What of it? I mastered it, so what? Mastering a Primordial Force is not that difficult."
She was arrogantly proud.
A flash of killing intent passed through Lin Xiao's eyes. This Yun Jin was becoming increasingly absurd. In just a few months, she had mastered two elemental Primordial Forces. If she were to gather all five, even a demon god of the Heavenly Demon Clan might not be her match.
Lin Xiao's caution grew.
He knew the Heavenly Demon Realm would arrive someday. Even the strongest in this world, Ji Wusi, could not face a demon god one-on-one. When the Heavenly Demon Realm came, this world would have no ability to resist.
But now, Yun Jin had appeared. Her rate of growth was terrifying.
For geniuses like Ji Wusi, progress was still within human comprehension.
But Yun Jin?
Every time she appeared, her strength surged. And it was not small growth. It was a direct explosion, a violent surge. Who could withstand this?
It might take ten years just to establish contact with the Heavenly Demon Realm.
Ten years was normally short.
But for Yun Jin, it felt long.
In ten years… who knew how powerful she would become?
She must be killed at all costs!
Lin Xiao's mind filled with killing intent, but his face remained calm. He said, "Zhai Ge has committed crimes. I should judge him myself. Yun Jin, wait here. Someone will arrive shortly to take over." His tone brooked no argument.
Zhai Ge and Shi Li's faces lit up with hope. If Yun Jin was not in charge, and the case went to the Qingxiao Pavilion, they might survive.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. She said calmly, "Pavilion Master Lin, Zhai Ge colluded with evil against me. I discovered this myself and captured the enemy myself. Naturally, it is my right to judge their crimes personally."
Lin Xiao said coldly, "That makes no sense. This area is under my authority."
Yun Jin smiled without hesitation. "I said I did not trust you, nor the Qingxiao Pavilion. Now there is irrefutable evidence. If it goes to the Qingxiao Pavilion, who knows what cover-up scripts they will invent to protect the traitors. Do you think I am foolish enough to let your people take them away?"
Lin Xiao's voice was indifferent. "Do not speak nonsense. I will deliver a just outcome. You are not in a position to question it."
Yun Jin smiled even more brightly. "Pavilion Master Lin, if you were here in person, I might respect you a little. But now, do you think a mere projection can stop me?"
Yun Jin extended her hand. A powerful suction drew Zhai Ge to her, and she gripped his throat.
Zhai Ge's spiritual power had already been sealed. Terrified, he could do nothing but stare at her.
"Yun Jin! Let go of Zhai Ge! You have no right to judge these people!" Lin Xiao's face changed.
"Wait!!" a panicked voice shouted from afar.
The people Lin Xiao had sent arrived.
They launched attacks on Yun Jin to stop her.
Yun Jin sneered. A wooden wall rose to block the attacks. She then channeled her power into Zhai Ge's dantian.
Zhai Ge's eyes widened. He could not comprehend Yun Jin's audacity. Even Pavilion Master Lin personally intervened, yet she still attacked him. How dare she?
Before Zhai Ge could understand, his Yuányīng burst uncontrollably from his crown.
Yun Jin did not retrieve it. She threw a flame cluster at it, instantly burning his soul to ashes.
Zhai Ge was dead.
Yun Jin waited silently.
Then she noticed something.
After Zhai Ge's death, no trace of demonic energy appeared.
This was different from the Qingxiao Pavilion disciples she had killed before.
Yun Jin pondered.
Why was this?
Had Lin Xiao improved his concealment techniques after past incidents? Or was there something hidden in Zhai Ge's Yuányīng?
More likely, Lin Xiao's cunning would prevent any probe.
Importantly, Ji Wusi and the others were absent. This was Qingxiao Pavilion territory. If Yun Jin left Zhai Ge's soul intact, she would have little chance to investigate and would only leave a risk behind.
Better to eliminate it completely.
As soon as Zhai Ge died, Lin Xiao's men arrived. They glared at Yun Jin in anger.
"Yun Jin, what do you mean? Who allows you to act on your own? Even if it is serious, he should be taken to the Qingxiao Pavilion for proper judgment!" one shouted.
Yun Jin looked indifferent. "I told you, I do not trust you. The spies I find, I will kill myself. If you doubt me, check the shadow recording stone, or ask the Alliance Leader. I have a clear conscience."
Yun Jin showed no concern for consequences.
The men glanced at Lin Xiao's projection.
Lin Xiao's expression darkened, but he said nothing. "Good. You are impressive."
"I know I am. You need not praise me," Yun Jin replied.
Lin Xiao ordered his men, "Take Shi Li and the others to the Qingxiao Pavilion."
No sooner had he spoken than Yun Jin laughed coldly and attacked Shi Li and the others.
"Damn it!"
"Yun Jin, you are reckless!"
Lin Xiao's men shouted and blocked her.
"Their deaths are for eradicating evil. There is no need for hesitation," the mid-Mahayana disciples sent by Ji Wusi intervened.
They were pushed aside.
Yun Jin seized the opportunity. Flames incinerated Shi Li and the remaining evil cultivators completely.
Every trace was destroyed.
Lin Xiao's men trembled with anger.
They had already witnessed Yun Jin kill Zhai Ge.
Now she killed the rest before their eyes.
Was this a slap in the face?
"Master, Yun Jin's actions are outrageous. She deserves punishment," they shouted.
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "Punishment or not aside, let me ask. This time, the evil invaded so deeply, even reaching Mingxin Hall. This is human territory. For evil to strike the Demon-Slaying Alliance directly, it has never happened before.
They dispatched eight mid-Mahayana and had Zhai Ge and Shi Li as insiders. If this hall were not defended by a genius like me, who knows how disastrous it would have been? Pavilion Master Lin, I have eradicated the evil. That is a great achievement. Punish me if you must, but do my masters and all living beings in this world respect it?" Yun Jin sneered.
Lin Xiao said expressionlessly, "Are you threatening me?"
"Threat?" Yun Jin looked indifferent. "I am only telling you, Pavilion Master Lin, that rather than punish me, you should consider: first, the evil attacked the city; now they have struck Mingxin Hall. How will you, as Qingxiao Pavilion's leader, explain this to the world?"
Before Lin Xiao could reply, one of his men shouted angrily, "Yun Jin, how dare you! I heard of your prior disrespect. This difficulty is of your own making…"
"Silence!" Lin Xiao sharply cut him off.
The man realized his mistake.
Yun Jin coldly looked at him. "Oh? So just because I reorganized Mingxin Hall and removed the disciples' extra privileges, their sects grew displeased and deliberately let evil strike Mingxin Hall to retaliate?!"
The man showed regret. "I… I did not mean that."
Yun Jin turned to Lin Xiao. "Pavilion Master Lin. Evil reached this point because your management of Qingxiao Pavilion failed. Now, this elder says these sects deliberately let the evil in. I suspect Zhai Ge and these sects have betrayed humanity, colluding with evil!"
"This is a serious matter," one of Ji Wusi's mid-Mahayana disciples said. "I will report it to the Alliance Leader immediately. It must be thoroughly investigated."
Lin Xiao pressed his lips. "Yun Jin, do not exaggerate."
"Exaggerate?" Yun Jin laughed coldly. "I understand these sects dislike me. But if their dislike leads them to collude with evil, they do not deserve to be human! Zhai Ge has dealt with these sects for years. Since he is a traitor, these sects are partly responsible. If you do not investigate carefully, Pavilion Master Lin, the people will not be convinced."
"If you cannot investigate, let the headquarters send someone. They are capable," said a mid-Mahayana.
Lin Xiao looked grimly at them. "No need. I will investigate this myself."
"Make sure it is a thorough investigation," Yun Jin said. "Since I exposed this, I will follow it closely. If there are any issues, I must report to my master."
Lin Xiao glared. Yun Jin mentioning her master, Ji Wusi, clearly pressed him. And it worked.
He felt restrained.
Just wait! When the Heavenly Demon Realm arrives, he would show the world that Ji Wusi, the so-called number one, was powerless before true strength.
Lin Xiao waved to retract the projection.
Yun Jin was not done. She shouted, "Pavilion Master Lin, leaving so soon? Let's chat some more. I just learned many new curses, and I have not shared them with you yet…"
Before she could finish, Lin Xiao's projection disappeared.
Yun Jin pursed her lips, still unsatisfied.
"Everyone, now that the enemies are gone, there is nothing more for you to do. You might as well skip the tea," she said to Lin Xiao's men.
Their faces darkened.
Yun Jin meant they were not welcome to enjoy her tea.
They left without delay.
Yun Jin ignored them. Turning to the remaining sect disciples, she smiled brightly. "The obstructive ones are gone. Thank you, elders, for coming all this way. I have excellent tea. Let's enjoy it."
"Then we shall taste it carefully," they replied with smiles.
They walked to the Mingxin Hall entrance.
A group of sect disciples stood there, nervous.
They had not helped Yun Jin before. Now, with the matter concluded, they did not know her intentions.
Yun Jin looked at them indifferently, then said coldly, "Hand over all your assets. From now on, you are no longer part of Mingxin Hall."