The four Holy Lands.
When three of them voted to convene, the Holy Land Conference opened automatically.
Lin Xiao had yet to receive a reply from the fragment of the Devourer Demon God, but he had no choice—he still had to attend.
Inside the dimensional space, the high elders of the four Holy Lands gathered once again.
Lin Xiao kept his expression calm as he glanced at the others. "Why convene so suddenly? As far as I know, nothing major has happened recently."
What he did not realize was that the newly improved cultivation art had not only been revealed to those present at the time. The Heavenly Dao had directly inscribed it into the minds of every cultivator in Sky City.
Ji Wusi looked at him with a half-smile. "Nothing major? Pavilion Master Lin, a brand-new cultivation path has just emerged. Is that not a matter of consequence?"
Lin Xiao's face shifted slightly before he regained his composure. "So Yun Jin could not resist flaunting herself so quickly? That secret art still has many shortcomings. Whether it can truly open a new road is yet to be seen. Sect Master Ji, calling a Holy Land Conference so hastily feels rather premature."
He smirked faintly, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "Or perhaps Sect Master Ji's real intention is to fan the flames for your disciple, building her prestige? But really, what's the point? Yun Jin is already the Sect Master of Wushuang Sect. No matter how famous she becomes, the only one who profits is her sect, not yours."
It was an open attempt at sowing discord. Lin Xiao simply did not believe the three Holy Lands were truly united on this matter. Yun Jin's temperament was far from pleasant, after all.
But as his eyes scanned their faces, he realized with unease that none of them looked shaken. Their calmness was unnatural. Lin Xiao's expression grew dark. Clearly, the three sects had already reached an agreement before calling the conference. They had excluded him entirely.
The lingering aftereffects of past incidents were showing now. Though Qingxiao Pavilion had seemingly suffered no heavy losses, the lack of evidence back then had already pushed the other Holy Lands to edge him out. They no longer even pretended to hide it—discussing matters without him, and now treating him as an afterthought.
"Pavilion Master Lin," Ji Wusi said, still smiling faintly, "the Heavenly Dao itself displayed the entire body-refinement secret art to every cultivator in Sky City."
Lin Xiao's pupils contracted sharply.
Was the Heavenly Dao insane?
To spend such an enormous price, broadcasting the scripture to all of Sky City…
What was Yun Jin's identity? The Heavenly Dao's own daughter?
No, even a daughter would not receive such indulgence!
"I examined the technique myself," said Xuan Feng, Sect Master of Xuandan Gate, his tone measured. "Though it originated from demonic methods, it has surpassed them in finesse. Yun Jin's ability to transform it in an instant… her talent is beyond frightening. She is Heaven's gift to our race. With her, the human race's chances in the coming war rise immeasurably."
Until now, even with her terrifying personal growth, Yun Jin had been treated as little more than an exceptional individual. Her rise mattered only to her own strength.
But this was different.
If these improved techniques spread, it would no longer be Yun Jin alone—they could elevate the entire human race. Take this body-refinement scripture, for example. Many high-level cultivators had stagnated at their current realm, unable to progress further. Their power had plateaued.
Now, they could cultivate body-refinement.
Even if it did not break their bottlenecks, it could still push their combat strength higher. Even someone like Ji Wusi, already a peerless master, could advance further by training the flesh.
If all human paragons grew stronger, what would that mean?
It meant Yun Jin alone could tilt the outcome of the war between races.
"My Beastmaster lineage excels in spiritual force, but our bodies are frail," said Sang Fan, Sect Master of the Beastmaster Sect. His voice was deep and steady. "This scripture is the exact remedy."
Beastmasters often fell prey to ambushes. Opponents bypassed their beasts, striking directly at them. Without their contracted beasts, their combat ability was negligible. One successful ambush meant certain death.
Before, they could only guard themselves with defensive beasts. Now there was another path—train the body. Harden the flesh. When the enemy struck, they would taste the power of iron fists.
Lin Xiao's brow twitched. Among the four great traditions, alchemists rarely fought, sword cultivators already had strong physiques, and Qingxiao Pavilion relied on divine arts. It was the Beastmasters who needed this scripture most.
"So that is your stance?" Lin Xiao asked darkly.
"Yun Jin's safety is paramount," Sang Fan replied without hesitation. "She must not come to harm."
His tone carried iron conviction. He had not spoken so strongly before.
But now, everything was different.
His lineage desperately needed her improvements. The current body-refinement art only reached the Tribulation stage and was still merely Mystic rank. They were counting on Yun Jin to improve even stronger scriptures.
"If anyone harms Yun Jin," Sang Fan said, each word sharp as a blade, "my Beastmaster Sect will fight them to the death."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Lin Xiao's face turned grim.
"I share the same stance," Xuan Feng of Xuandan Gate added calmly.
Lin Xiao pressed urgently, "Sect Master Xuan, why go this far? Your alchemists do not need body refinement."
Xuan Feng shook his head. "The demons had their arts reshaped into body-refinement scriptures. I, too, am curious about their alchemy. With Yun Jin, we may glimpse those secrets."
Ji Wusi chuckled lightly, his gaze sharp. "Pavilion Master Lin, as for the stance of Kunlun Sword Sect… do I really need to spell it out?"
Lin Xiao's eyes flickered. For a long while he stayed silent before speaking. "Yun Jin is indeed an extraordinary genius. Of course I hope she remains well."
Ji Wusi suddenly stepped forward. His gaze was like a drawn blade, piercing and merciless. "Hope is not enough. Yun Jin is the future of our race. Since she resides in the Qingxiao region, her protection falls to you, Pavilion Master Lin. You have held Qingxiao for years. If you cannot even guard one Yun Jin, you will become the laughingstock of the world. Do you agree?"
Lin Xiao bristled with anger. "How could I possibly guarantee that? Ji Wusi, you are being unreasonable!"
Ji Wusi laughed coldly. "When have I ever claimed to be reasonable? I recognize only one thing. If Yun Jin comes to harm, the Kunlun Sword Sect will immediately declare war on Qingxiao Pavilion. And I myself will take your worthless head."