Chapter 96: Chapter 96: "The Holy Sect Smile

"On... what possible grounds?"

Even the usually calm and resourceful Du Yunian was stunned by the news, then forced four words through gritted teeth.

’This is our Holy Sect’s Secret Realm. It’s one thing for you to sneak in, but to gather your disciples and surround us on top of that!’

Is there no justice?

Is there no law?

"Is there a way to notify the Holy Sect immediately?" Qi Yun’s expression tightened as he quickly zeroed in on the crucial question.

"No..." Shen Fan shook her head, her delicate face a mask of panic, too flustered to even smooth the stray hairs at her temples.

"The Peach Garden is a True Monarch Level Shiyi Realm. It’s a world unto itself, with its own unique rules.

Forget us—even a Foundation Establishment Master wouldn’t be able to leave easily without a specific path or a special token.

Much less send any messages out."

As the immensity of the danger washed over them, both of their hearts sank.

The Holy Sect might be strong, but they couldn’t possibly withstand an encirclement by the disciples of the Three Sects. It would be an absolute rout.

To think that what should have been a great stroke of fortune had now turned into a deadly trap!

No, that wasn’t right.

Unlike the flustered Du Yunian and Shen Fan, Qi Yun was far calmer. For one, he was stronger. Even surrounded by the Three Sects, he wasn’t entirely without a chance of survival.

For another, after several years in the Holy Sect and all he had been through, he had come to understand its basic character.

’What kind of entity was the Holy Sect?’

’It was the kind of organization that would pluck a feather from a passing goose and skin a walking beast—one that would rather lose all face than suffer even the slightest disadvantage!’

’For the three Major Sects to make such a big move right under the Holy Sect’s nose, and the Holy Sect knows nothing about it?’

’Are the Holy Sect’s True Monarchs eating shit?’

So, rather than believing the Holy Sect’s leadership was so incompetent and negligent that they let the three Major Sects slip through the cracks, he was more inclined to believe...

’This was a deliberate act by the Holy Sect!’

’As for the purpose...’

’It was most likely a setup. Lure them in, and then... shoot fish in a barrel!’

A sharp glint flashed in his half-closed eyes. Qi Yun slowly rubbed his knuckles, his mind racing.

’If that’s the case, then the Holy Sect must be pulling the strings from behind the scenes.’

’The invasion by the three Major Sects was likely not just anticipated, but part of their plan all along.’

’With the Holy Sect backing this up...’

’Doesn’t that mean the disciples of the Three Sects are just waiting for me to slaughter them?’

’Spiritual Objects, Spirit Points... and my physical Cultivation!’

’In that case... I’m about to hit the jackpot!’

As this thought crossed his mind, a terrifying red light flared in Qi Yun’s eyes. A bone-chilling killing intent erupted from him, startling Du Yunian and Shen Fan so much that they scrambled backward.

They thought Qi Yun had deemed them useless and was about to kill them.

"Let’s go!"

Suppressing a low chuckle, Qi Yun gave a grand wave of his arm, not sparing another glance for the surrounding devastation as he signaled for Shen Fan and Du Yunian to follow at once.

His almost manic reaction made their faces pale. They exchanged a glance, a dark premonition about their future settling over them.

...

「Deep within the Wuji Holy Sect’s Taixu Mirror Heaven」

A magnificent, boundless Immortal Hall, whose splendor words could not begin to describe, floated in serene silence.

The hall was forged from some unknown divine material. Billions of auspicious, iridescent rays of light flowed across its surface, manifesting into infinite phenomena: earth, water, fire, and wind; the revolution of the stars; the birth and death of all things.

The majestic and boundless Spiritual Mechanism was so dense it was nearly tangible. A single breath felt like inhaling and exhaling the purest source of Heaven and Earth.

Within the grand hall, over thirty imposing figures were gathered. Their auras blended into a seamless whole, Dao Rhyme flowed from them like great rivers, and their every motion seemed capable of toppling mountains.

Merely by standing there, the boundless auras they unconsciously emanated collided and chafed, sparking thousands of magnificent, rainbow-colored rays of light.

The light illuminated the entire hall, making it appear as divine and extraordinary as the Nine Heavens Immortal Palace.

More than thirty Holy Sect Masters sat on both sides of the great hall.

A few Meditation Mats were empty; their owners were either away from the Sect and had not yet returned, or were occupied elsewhere within its grounds and unable to attend.

"Senior Brother Deng, you’re looking well. It seems your troubles with your Heart Demon are almost behind you."

Gently waving a folding fan, Yang Cuan, who still maintained the appearance of a scholar, greeted the Elder Master beside him in a low voice.

"You jest, Junior Brother Yang." Elder Master Deng Yin’s expression was Immovable, like a weathered stone. His voice was placid, without a ripple:

"At my age, getting even a few days of peace is a boundless blessing from the Sect. How could I speak of a full recovery?

You, on the other hand, Junior Brother... your aura is more vigorous and condensed, and the light in your eyes is sharp. There are signs you are about to break through your cocoon. Your Cultivation must have improved once again.

I imagine you’re just one step away from breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage?"

"What a sharp eye, Senior Brother." At the mention of his progress, the smile on Yang Cuan’s face widened.

"But that final step is like a heavenly chasm.

I still have no absolute certainty of success.

If you wouldn’t mind my dullness, Senior Brother, I must pay you a visit another day to properly ask for your insights on the breakthrough."

"Of course." Deng Yin Master nodded, agreeing readily. "I do have a few crude insights from my own breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. We can discuss them when the time comes."

Yang Cuan was about to offer his thanks with a smile, but Deng Yin Master subtly changed the subject:

"However, our Holy Sect has always emphasized the clearing of karmic debts. There is giving, and there is taking.

And so, I too would like to... claim a karmic debt from you, Junior Brother."

At these words, Yang Cuan’s eyes flickered almost imperceptibly, but the smile on his face remained unchanged, his tone still light:

"Please, Senior Brother, speak your mind..."

The Elder Master smiled but said nothing, only lightly turning his palm over, manifesting a single word.

[CHAMPION]

The movement of his folding fan paused. Yang Cuan narrowed his eyes, staring thoughtfully at the Elder Master before him.

"You’ve taken an interest in him as well, Senior Brother?"

"When setting the board, one shouldn’t fixate on a single piece. Cast a wide net to catch more fish. But this boy... he does possess a sliver of fortune." The Elder Master’s noncommittal answer only made Yang Cuan’s gaze deepen.

"Are you willing to part with him, Junior Brother?"

The Elder Master’s question left Yang Cuan silent for a moment. Then, he snapped his fan shut.

"Then it is settled."

’He did have a certain fondness for Qi Yun. The boy’s aptitude for cultivation was ordinary, but his Daoist Intent comprehension was exceptional, and his progress in Magic was both swift and aggressive.’

’If nurtured properly, he could have become a pillar among his subordinates.’

’He just hadn’t expected the boy’s light to shine so brightly that even a veteran Master like Deng Yin would take notice.’

’Still, trading him for some insights on a breakthrough wasn’t a bad deal.’

"Excellent." Deng Yin Master was decisive. No sooner had Yang Cuan agreed than he gave his promise:

"You may come to my Daoist Temple for a discussion tomorrow at 7:00 AM." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

DONG—

Just then, from high above, a great golden-red bell chimed. The deep, resonant toll swept through the hall, silencing the low whispers of the assembled Foundation Establishment Masters. All eyes turned to a figure seated cross-legged on a dais above.

"Junior Brothers, the fish from the Three Sects have all entered the net!"

"Effective immediately, relay my orders to your finest disciples.

In ten days, you will follow us..."

"Into the Peach Garden, to pick the fruit and haul in the net!"

The sonorous, mighty voice echoed throughout the hall. The Holy Sect Masters trembled slightly at the words, then, with a tacit understanding, they all revealed a "Holy Sect smile."

...