Shangguan Wan was certain that Gu Xiande had another way to enter the Spirit Realm. The reason he hadn't agreed to their requests yet was because he was afraid of the secret getting out. Everyone had always believed there was only one way to enter the Spirit Realm. If news of a second method were to be exposed, it would be a devastating blow to the Flowing Cloud Sect.
Beyond that, what truly worried Shangguan Wan was another possibility.
The Flowing Cloud Sect had indeed invested a great deal into this year's Grand Tournament. But besides Xiao Pingtian, there were few other notable figures. This meant that the disciples currently active in the tournament were likely just cannon fodder, deliberately sent out for a greater purpose. This made the entire situation far more bizarre and unpredictable.
As she considered this, Shangguan Wan's expression grew heavier. She had suspected this before, but she still lacked sufficient proof. If Gu Xiande was truly planning to use this conflict to have all the powerful disciples from the other major sects buried in the Spirit Realm, then the situation would truly spiral out of control.
"If there is anything the Sect Master wishes to ask, you can ask me at any time," she had offered.
Gu Xiande had just waved his hand. "You should rest well for now. I will handle all matters here personally. Besides, people from the High Clarity Shrine have arrived."
Shangguan Wan frowned. She had heard they were causing trouble for Gu Xiande before, but she hadn't expected them to come here in person. The High Clarity Shrine was a rather secretive existence within the Flowing Cloud Sect; one could spend years in the sect without ever encountering them. They had always kept a low profile, often seeming to operate independently from the sect itself. But their strength was not to be underestimated. Their presence was always a significant threat.
"I understand," Shangguan Wan said, and left, her heart heavy with worry.
Meanwhile, Lin Yun was also puzzled. In all its years, the Spirit Realm had never had an incident of evil sects invading. Yet, it just so happened to occur during his session.
"I have a feeling there's more to this Spirit Realm affair than meets the eye," he mused. "The Crimson Ghost Sect's sudden appearance here was definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision."
At that moment, Lin Yun was sitting perched on a large tree, holding a piece of fruit. The fruit was exceptionally sweet, and a single bite sent juice bursting into his mouth. It was delicious.
"What are you thinking?" the Chongqing Bird asked.
Lin Yun thought for a moment. "Gu Xiande is a master of disguise. On the surface, he looks as harmless as a fly. But when he decides to strike, he won't give you a single chance to breathe. This time, he wanted to kill me, but he only sent one person after me."
Xiao Pingtian had already lost to him once. Logically, Gu Xiande shouldn't have believed that Xiao Pingtian had the ability to defeat him. But that was the strange part. Xiao Pingtian still came, and he came alone. Even if he allied with the other sects, in a place as vast as the Spirit Realm, killing Lin Yun would be easier said than done.
The Chongqing Bird was greatly shocked. "You don't think… the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Crimson Ghost Sect are colluding with each other, do you?"
This news was nothing short of earth-shattering. The two sides had been locked in a fierce, unending battle at the Chen Family Fort, yet now they could be secretly cooperating.
Lin Yun didn't speak, but he was already beginning to suspect it. As long as both sides stood to gain, he believed there was nothing these people wouldn't dare to do.
"If that's really the case, then this is all too terrifying," Lin Yun muttered.
Just then, he suddenly held his breath and flattened himself against the tree trunk. A few patrolling disciples appeared in his line of sight. They were from the Myriad Evils Valley, dressed in black robes carved with intricate, hollowed-out patterns. Each one of them looked as fierce as a devil.
"The place where those people were rescued from is a hundred and eight thousand li from here. I have no idea what the elder was thinking, making us come out to patrol personally," one of them grumbled.
Lin Yun took the opportunity to glance at his panel.
[Name]: Qiao Xuan
[Realm]: Sky-Soaring - Stage 1
[Destiny Template]: Born Extraordinary (Blue)
[Attributes]: Calamity is Imminent (Black), Shrewd and Lazy (Blue)
[Fate]: Dies in the Spirit Realm for selling intelligence.
[Recent Turning Point]: Is sent out on patrol by his sect's personal disciple, only to be captured.
Lin Yun watched as the two of them swaggered towards him, still completely unaware of the danger. If it were before, he might not have been in a hurry to act. Their strength was nothing to him; he could easily subdue them. What truly worried Lin Yun was another, more dangerous aura behind them.
"They're just two small fry. Dealing with them isn't a big deal," the Chongqing Bird noted curiously.
Ezu sneered in his mind. "This is why there's a huge gap between you and me. All you see is that these two are not strong. But behind them, there is someone else protecting them."
Lin Yun remained silent, having no energy to bicker with the two in his head. The hidden figure was powerful, so much so that Lin Yun didn't dare make the slightest move. He was terrified that if he were detected, he would have a hard time escaping alive. This was the difference in strength. Even if he had made preparations in advance, it didn't guarantee a smooth outcome.
Qiao Xuan, still oblivious to the danger at his side, was complaining nonstop. Such a trivial matter should have been left to the junior disciples.
After walking for some time, Qiao Xuan suddenly found he couldn't move. "What's going on?" he cried out, looking around in terror. For some reason, his body had lost all mobility.
Meanwhile, Lin Yun had been carefully hiding for nearly a quarter of an hour when he could finally no longer sense the other's aura. Did they just leave? He obviously wouldn't be so naive as to believe that. Lin Yun was more inclined to believe that the powerful figure had likely sensed his own presence as well.
"It seems staying here is definitely not a good idea. I have to find a way to leave." He muttered to himself, scanning his surroundings for a suitable escape route.
Qiao Xuan was terrified. No matter how he looked, he couldn't determine who had immobilized him.
At that critical moment, a woman's voice sounded in his ear.
"There should be someone in the tree thirty meters to your front-right. Go and knock him down for me."
The woman's voice was ice-cold. "You can rest assured. His strength is not that great."
Qiao Xuan froze. For some reason, he didn't dare to refute the voice.