"Pavilion Master, this is a heaven-sent opportunity," the Sect Master of Yuehua Sect said urgently. "That Yun Jin sullied our Yuehua Sect's name during the Canglan Kingdom affair. Because of her, though our sect stands within Canglan's borders, we are now rejected by its people. Our disciples, who were once respected wherever they went, are now despised at every turn. All of this is Yun Jin's doing! If possible, this blood-deep grudge is something we Yuehua Sect wish to repay ourselves."
Lin Xiao sat in thought for a long while before speaking in a low tone. "Wen Fu, you need not be so hasty. Yun Jin may have said she would register, but perhaps it was only lip service. She may not truly intend to join."
That Yun Jin herself was powerful—Lin Xiao believed. Again and again, she had displayed impossible speed in her cultivation and astonishing strength. But sect battles did not revolve around a single person. They tested overall strength.
What use was it if Yun Jin alone was strong?
Could she face a hundred opponents alone? And her enemies on the stage would not be nameless riffraff but true elites.
Moreover, the Grand Sect Ranking Conclave did not only assess the strongest. A Super Sect had to show strength across all levels. At most, Yun Jin could fight in the Mahayana bracket.
But in other realms, what hope did Wushuang Sect have? No matter how Lin Xiao turned it over in his mind, he could not find a way Wushuang Sect could possibly win.
"It would be best if she truly registered," Wen Fu said darkly. "If she falters at the last moment, we can provoke her, force her to participate."
Wen Fu's hatred for Yun Jin ran to the marrow.
Without her, Yuehua Sect's reputation would never have rotted so thoroughly.
"Let us wait and see," Lin Xiao said carefully.
He had suffered losses to Yun Jin too many times. This time, he would not act rashly. If he struck, it would only be with certainty of annihilation. So Lin Xiao sent men to gather intelligence. As soon as Wushuang Sect's registration was confirmed, they were to report at once.
Wen Fu could only wait by his side. It wasn't long before news arrived. Yun Jin had indeed registered for the contest to claim a Super Sect's slot.
"Pavilion Master!" Wen Fu's eyes lit with excitement. "That Yun Jin is digging her own grave. This time, our Yuehua Sect will repay every ounce of hatred she has earned!"
Yun Jin had truly signed up. It should have been good news. Yet Lin Xiao did not feel joy. His first thought instead was… could Yun Jin be hiding another trump card?
It wasn't paranoia. This woman was simply too uncanny.
"Pavilion Master, Yuehua Sect requests battle," Wen Fu urged again.
The Conclave battles were supposedly decided by lottery. But Wen Fu knew that if Lin Xiao wished, he could ensure Yuehua Sect was matched against Wushuang Sect without question. He wanted the world to witness Wushuang Sect crushed under Yuehua Sect's feet. Only then could Yuehua Sect restore its reputation.
Lin Xiao regarded Wen Fu for a long moment, then said slowly, "Do not be impatient, Wen Fu. I will give you your chance for vengeance."
Wen Fu bowed deeply, overjoyed, and withdrew.
Lin Xiao's gaze turned pensive.
Among the ten Super Sects, Yuehua Sect was only middling.
If Wen Fu volunteered to fight, Lin Xiao could let him go first.
If Yuehua Sect won, all the better.
If anything unexpected happened, there were still stronger sects to act later.
As he considered this, Lin Xiao suddenly let out a derisive laugh. He had actually been wasting thought on Wushuang Sect's chances of victory. No matter how monstrous Yun Jin was, could she turn a group of wastes into geniuses overnight?
Her registration proved only that she had grown arrogant after too many smooth victories. This time, she was delivering her neck to the blade herself. On the arena, spells had no eyes. If an accident occurred, no one could be blamed.
In the central plaza, the news spread like wildfire.
"They registered, they really registered. Wushuang Sect has signed up."
"A sect founded just two months ago dares to compete for a Super Sect slot? You could call that bravery, or you could call it madness."
"Did you see? Wushuang Sect barely brought anyone. I bet Yun Jin snuck this registration through. Just wait—when her disciples realize how their Sect Master tricked them, they'll collapse on the spot!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Hong Ye's brows furrowed. Her hand instinctively reached for the great saber strapped to her back.
But Yun Jin pressed a hand lightly over hers.
"Sect Master, these people are spewing nonsense. I…" Hong Ye's voice was tight with suppressed anger.
Yun Jin chuckled. "Hong Ye, you're still a little too young. Red is red—whether it's good fame or bad fame, as long as it draws attention, it's still useful."
Mockery was emotion, too.
And those whispers were feeding her with plenty of Emotional Value. To show her gratitude, Yun Jin planned to collect even more from them later. Fear and dread were also emotions, after all. Why not gather those too?
But first, there was wool to shear.
Yun Jin leaned close to Yue Zhao, and the two began whispering quickly to one another. Whenever these two spoke in secret, it was always some scheme others couldn't follow. Qin Ping and the rest were already used to it, waiting silently at their side.
"I see, I see, I understand."
"Hiss? Sect Master, this… isn't exactly proper."
"Hiss? It can be done like that?"
"Alright, I get it now."
Yue Zhao began nodding along, then shifted into shock, then doubt, and finally resignation. His expressions were a play in themselves.
"Senior Brother, I'm entrusting this important task to you," Yun Jin said, clapping his shoulder with encouragement.
This sort of sneaky business—who else but Yue Zhao could handle it?
"Don't worry," Yue Zhao sighed, nodding.
After registering, Yun Jin led her group to the lodgings prepared for sects. She gathered the ten disciples together, her face solemn. "What I am about to say concerns the future of Wushuang Sect."
Everyone immediately grew serious. Everyone except Yue Zhao, whose face was numb with disbelief. He had no idea how Yun Jin had thought up something this outrageous. Only his strong heart kept him steady. And sure enough, after hearing her plan, the rest of the disciples were struck dumb.
What…
How could it be this ridiculous?
And how, exactly, was this tied to Wushuang Sect's future?
Yet Yun Jin looked entirely earnest.
"Although it sounds absurd, I think…" Yue Zhao began cautiously, trying to defend her.
Hong Ye cut in firmly, "Sect Master must have her reasons. My only duty is to obey."
Qin Ping smiled. "Sect Master's actions are often wild and unrestrained, but they always lead to extraordinary results. I will follow her word."
"We will too," the others echoed.
Yue Zhao was silent.
"So every last one of them was a die-hard fan of little junior sister."
Fine. Clearly his worry was wasted.
"Since everyone agrees, let's get to work right away!" Yun Jin said brightly.
They threw themselves into her scheme. They worked through the night. By dawn, Yun Jin placed something into Yue Zhao's hands. "Senior Brother, the rest depends on you."
Yue Zhao accepted it, transformed his appearance with practiced ease, and slipped out.
During his time at Wushuang Sect, he had refined his disguise techniques to a higher level. Compared to his days in Tianxing Sect, he was far more proficient now.
He spotted a lone sect disciple ahead and moved toward him.