Zhao Wuji, ignoring the wordless glances exchanged between the two disciples, spoke calmly, "Present the True Disciple Robes."
A pair of disciples stepped forward, holding two folded robes in their hands, and stood before Yun Jin and Ye Danxia.
"These robes are spiritual artifacts," one of them reminded gently. "Infuse them with spiritual energy to activate."
Both Yun Jin and Ye Danxia channeled their qi into the robes. In the next instant, the garments shimmered and automatically wrapped themselves onto their bodies.
Gu Jinghong watched closely, his gaze fixed on Yun Jin. Only when he saw the robe settle over her shoulders did a strange, twisted smile tug at the corner of his lips.
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression unchanged. At that very moment, a familiar chime echoed in her mind.
[Ding! Detecting harmful substance.]
Yun Jin wasn't surprised. "Run a detailed scan."
After deducting one simplification attempt, the results appeared.
[Detected: Beast-Lure Powder. This substance strongly attracts beasts below Foundation Establishment. If any such beasts are nearby, there is a high probability they will attack the host.]
Yun Jin chuckled softly.
As expected, it was the same trick from her previous life.
This so-called Second Senior Brother, Ye Danxia, was skilled in both beast-taming and alchemy. Back then, she had suffered more than once because of his underhanded methods.
But not this time.
"System, extract the Beast-Lure Powder."
[Requires 5 simplification attempts.]
"Deduct."
Silently, a small jade bottle materialized in Yun Jin's storage pouch, now containing the purified Powder.
By now, the ceremony had progressed. The outer and inner disciples had all received their new robes.
Zhao Wuji continued, "Next, each disciple will be given their identification token and an initial set of spiritual tools."
Another group of disciples stepped forward, each bearing trays with the aforementioned items.
At that moment, Gu Jinghong's lips curled into another sinister grin.
The timing should be just about right...
As disciples under the sect master himself, they should be above reproach. But this Yun Jin dared act with such arrogance. Naturally, she had to be taught her place.
Wasn't that right?
Just as Yun Jin opened her mouth to speak, a low, distant roar echoed from the direction of the Spirit Beast Pavilion.
"What's happening? Is that coming from the Spirit Beast Pavilion?"
"Did something happen with the spirit beasts?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Impossible. Aren't they controlled by beast rings?"
"Something's wrong. That roar wasn't normal."
Already? So soon?
Yue Zhao's expression grew tense as he turned sharply toward the Spirit Beast Pavilion.
He had a terrible feeling about this... It might be aimed at his junior sister.
"Go investigate," Zhao Wuji ordered Gu Jinghong, his tone sharp. "See what's happening over there."
Gu Jinghong gave a respectful nod and headed off.
The ceremony paused.
"Xiao Jin, what do you think this could be?" Ye Danxia asked innocently, blinking at Yun Jin with mock concern.
She knew exactly what was happening. The trap was meant for Yun Jin, and the one to suffer would surely be her.
She couldn't resist a premature jab.
Yun Jin smiled pleasantly. "I've no idea. I'm the sort who never stirs up trouble. It must have nothing to do with me."
As she spoke, her fingers moved almost imperceptibly.
A fine mist of Beast-Lure Powder silently scattered toward Ye Danxia.
Ye Danxia remained oblivious. "Is that so? I certainly hope none of us are involved," she said with a smirk.
Gu Jinghong returned quickly, accompanied by an elderly man with white hair and a calm demeanor.
"Elder Ling," Zhao Wuji addressed him with respect, "what happened at the Spirit Beast Pavilion?"
This was Elder Ling Fei, a senior cultivator who, though stuck at the peak of the Divine Transformation realm, held a unique skill: he could communicate with spirit beasts. Because of this, the Spirit Beast Pavilion had long been his domain.
Especially with the sect's guardian beast—a terrifying creature at the late Unity stage—only Ling Fei could barely hold a conversation with her. His position was irreplaceable.
Ling Fei stroked his beard thoughtfully, a rare furrow between his brows. "Only the Qi Refining beasts have gone berserk this time. A few Foundation Establishment beasts are affected as well. The rest remain calm. I tried to communicate, but they are in a frenzy, beyond reason. I'll attempt again once they calm down."
"This kind of frenzy isn't good. Qi Refining beasts are too fragile. If anything goes wrong, it will be difficult to manage." Gu Jinghong added with concern, "Elder Ling, we need to find the cause and resolve it."
Ling Fei gave Gu Jinghong a kindly look. "Jinghong, do you have any ideas?"
Gu Jinghong had always presented himself as a model disciple before Ling Fei—obedient, gifted in beast-taming, and polite. Ling Fei had even personally advised him on numerous occasions.
Now, seeing the young man step forward, he was curious to hear his thoughts.
Gu Jinghong frowned deeply. "Judging by their behavior, it's as if the beasts have been tainted... by demonic qi."
"Demonic qi?" Ling Fei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Perhaps you've heard the old rumors," Gu Jinghong said calmly. "Some people are born... different. Bearers of malignant fate. Their bodies naturally exude an aura of demon. It's imperceptible to most humans, but to beasts, especially those with pure instincts, it's unmistakable. The presence of such a person can agitate them, even drive them into a frenzy."
"Jinghong, are you certain of this?" Zhao Wuji asked sternly. "You'd better not be speaking nonsense."
Ling Fei remained thoughtful. "It's rare, but there are indeed records of such cases. The higher the bearer's cultivation, the more powerful the beasts affected. If only low-tier beasts reacted, this person should be no stronger than high-level Qi Refining. If a few Foundation Establishment beasts reacted, they might be on the verge of a breakthrough... but not yet there."
"To think such a thing exists..." Zhao Wuji's face darkened. "If our Tianxing Sect harbors someone like this, and they grow stronger, it could bring calamity to the sect. Elder Ling, is there any way to identify the culprit?"
The situation was escalating.
Lin Ya's expression had already changed.
He wasn't blind. This entire spectacle was targeting Yun Jin.
But how? What had they tampered with?
Unable to hold back, Lin Ya stepped forward. "Beast riots don't only happen for this reason. What if they just... ate the wrong thing?"
Ling Fei paused, considering it.
But Zhao Wuji's voice rang out sharply, "Lin Ya! Are you accusing Elder Ling of feeding them improperly? Since Elder Ling took charge of the Spirit Beast Pavilion, when has such a thing ever occurred? He personally approves every item they consume. There could be no mistake. The only explanation is that someone among us carries demonic qi!"
"And it's easy to verify," Gu Jinghong added smoothly. "If such a person exists, all we have to do is release the frenzied beasts. The one they attack first is most likely the source of the demon."
"Ridiculous! This is nothing but—" Lin Ya began, but his voice trembled.
They couldn't release the beasts. Yun Jin wasn't some cursed bearer... but what if someone had tampered with her?
If this went forward, she would be marked as unlucky, or worse.
Before he could say more, Yun Jin stepped forward, eyes wide with concern. "Master," she said sweetly, "I think Senior Brother Gu's suggestion makes a lot of sense. I too feel there's someone with demonic qi in our sect."