After Old Wang finished speaking, he held up the tea cup with both hands, but only hovered it aside without drinking.

This gesture, Liu Zixuan naturally understood. Throughout history, the Star Sea had many etiquette customs, and holding up a tea cup with both hands without drinking meant sending off the guest.

Rising from the chair, Liu Zixuan cupped his hands toward Old Wang: "Thank you, Old Mister, for helping me solve these doubts. I will take my leave now."

Old Wang did not speak, but watched Liu Zixuan leave with a kindly smile.

This scene was very familiar. Remembering the last time Liu Zixuan decided to attend the Qian Nanliu Association, he had a similar conversation with Old Mister Wang, and at that time, the old gentleman also watched him leave with that expression.

When Liu Zixuan’s figure was no longer visible, Old Wang slowly sat back down, his expression turned solemn, and he muttered in a low voice: "Fortunes play with us; I hope next time we meet, we are not on opposing sides!"

...

After leaving Old Wang’s house, Liu Zixuan didn’t rush back to the clinic but strolled along the road, pondering Old Wang’s words.

When he first entered, Old Wang had said that behind this Martial Realm unity was a huge conspiracy, and Liu Zixuan thought he would explain what the conspiracy was.

But after a chat, Old Wang gave Liu Zixuan a riddle! He said the answer was in the content of their conversation.

Liu Zixuan took a few puffs of his cigarette, muttering in puzzlement: "So many words, Old Wang was merely telling me that the Martial Realm is not as simple as I thought, the current game involving the Eight Great Powers, Four Great Clans, some Sects and Scattered Sects, is uncertain in terms of who will win or lose. More importantly, that Hidden Sect, which hasn’t been involved in worldly affairs for many years, is going to make a move this time."

Eight Great Powers, Four Great Clans?

Scattered Sects?

Hidden Sect?

Liu Zixuan laid out these keywords in his mind, thought for a moment, then suddenly froze: "So that’s it!"

Old Wang’s meaning was actually quite simple. Normally, just the Eight Great Powers and Four Great Clans, this game would have no suspense, but now a Hidden Sect appears unexpectedly!

Thus, the key lies with the Hidden Sect, and previously he heard from Old Wang’s words that Dragon Spirit seemed to have reached some agreement with the Hidden Sect, so this so-called conspiracy should be that the Hidden Sect is about to do something big in the Martial Realm!

And this so-called Martial Realm unity, no matter who wins in the end, the one who benefits the most is not the Four Great Clans or the Eight Great Powers, nor the Scattered Sects, but the Hidden Sect!

Liu Zixuan frowned and muttered: "But, the Hidden Sect is already such a strong existence, what on earth could be worth them laying such a large game?"

Although Liu Zixuan did not understand, he was very clear that this matter might shake the Star Sea Martial Realm, even the entire World Martial Realm.

Mind you, the Hidden Sect is already an existence above a national Martial Realm, and can rank worldwide. What they care about, is bound to stir the world!

Thinking of this, Liu Zixuan’s mouth slightly curved: "I really want to see how big the chessboard you Hidden Sects laid is. If a treasure truly appears, I must step forward and claim a share!"

Liu Zixuan wanted to become stronger more than anyone, and this Martial Realm chaos was undoubtedly a great opportunity for him!

And now, he already understood everything, which meant he mastered information that many did not know, thereby allowing him to do things others couldn’t!

"I saw you wandering here from afar, what are you doing?"

At this moment, Bai Jingjing suddenly walked over from the side, carrying some things in her hands.

Liu Zixuan asked in puzzlement: "Weren’t you supposed to come after the festival?"

"Something came up temporarily, so I came first."

Bai Jingjing placed the items on the ground: "You can carry them."

"What are they?"

"Some desserts my mom made for Ruyan and them."

So saying, Liu Zixuan picked up the items and headed with Bai Jingjing toward the clinic. As they walked, he asked: "You mentioned something temporary happened?"

"Yes, my aunt called my parents this morning, asking our family to go over for the festival. Originally, I was going over too, but Jiang Yiyi told me to come find you first."

Bai Jingjing’s aunt was naturally Jiang Yiyi’s Aunt Bing.

Liu Zixuan raised an eyebrow: "She told you to find me? What’s the matter?"

"I’ll tell you once inside."

The two entered the clinic together, placed the items down, Bai Jingjing greeted everyone, then sat with Liu Zixuan on the sofa.

She began: "Yiyi asked me to tell you that this Martial Arts Tournament is not as simple as imagined. Those Hidden Sects not only want to select someone capable of reaching the Emperor Realm but also plan to do something big."

Liu Zixuan grinned suddenly upon hearing this, initially thinking he was the first to know the news, only to realize Jiang Yiyi was already aware too. Thinking about it, it was understandable —she was the Jiang Family’s princess after all, certain secrets would reach her faster than others.

He laughed: "I already know about the big thing you’re talking about."

"How do you know? Yiyi told me that this matter is known by fewer than a handful in the Martial Realm." Bai Jingjing remarked in surprise.

"It was Old Wang who mentioned it, and that Old Wang... belongs to Dragon Spirit."

"Dragon Spirit?" Bai Jingjing paused: "That does make sense then, Yiyi told me that part of Dragon Spirit reached a secret agreement with the Hidden Sect."

"I guessed that as well. Is there anything I don’t know?" Liu Zixuan smiled.

Bai Jingjing furrowed her brows slightly: "There is something you might not know yet."

"What is it?"

"Do you know there’s a Sect called Profound Sword Sect among the Hidden Sects?" Bai Jingjing asked.

"Haven’t heard of it."

To Liu Zixuan, Hidden Sect was the general term for those sects, but he only knew the name and nothing about what it comprised.

Moreover, he was currently mostly involved with the Eight Great Powers and Four Great Clans, not having reached that level yet.

"I’m not clear about the specifics, but Yiyi told me Profound Sword Sect is very powerful among the Hidden Sects." Bai Jingjing explained.

"What does that have to do with me? I don’t recall having interacted with Profound Sword Sect." Liu Zixuan shrugged.

"I don’t know if you’ve had any interaction with them, but Profound Sword Sect has already declared that during the Martial Arts Tournament..."

"Speak up, why did you stop halfway!" Liu Zixuan looked at Bai Jingjing who was hesitating, and spoke helplessly.

Bai Jingjing glanced at Liu Ruyan and the others chatting nearby, then leaned closer to Liu Zixuan, lowered her voice to where only they could hear, and said word by word: "They want to kill you during the Martial Arts Tournament!"