Quarrelling online or having minor scuffles offline were considered trivial matters.
Even without public outcry, such incidents were bound to happen.
But when casualties occurred, the nature of the situation changed entirely.
The two factions had harbored deep-seated animosity for a long time. It was only in recent years, as everyone's lives improved and they could afford to eat well, that things had calmed down somewhat.
In fact, thanks to Yan Shouyi's active involvement, the two factions were even showing signs of reconciliation.
This also owed a debt of gratitude to the late Heavenly Master Zhang Yin, who had secretly facilitated it. Without his permission, disciples of folk sects wouldn't even have been allowed to participate in the Luó Tiān Dà Jiè.
Yet now, after being tricked by Li Genmiao, the edifice of trust they had built crumbled to the ground.
The two sides began to hate each other again and even resorted to direct confrontation.
With people dead, a feud was ignited, leading to endless grudges and grievances.
Li Genmiao was like someone who had poked a hole in a bag full of water; the water would flow out faster and faster, becoming uncontrollable.
Yan Shouyi's head throbbed, but he still had to ask, "Continue."
"The sentiment of exclusion towards folk sects from the renowned sects across the land has reached its peak. On one hand, they are hunting down disciples of folk sects scattered throughout the country. On the other hand, they are organizing personnel to come to Rongcheng to deal with our Folklore Research Association..."
Upon hearing this, Long Feicheng could no longer sit still. "They dare?!"
A Gong gave a wry smile. "They actually dare. According to information gathered by our intelligence network, they have organized over two hundred sects, with more than four hundred people. They have already entered the Rongcheng territory."
Over two hundred sects, more than four hundred people...
They really thought highly of us!
Yan Shouyi tried to suppress his anger, but found it impossible.
He punched a nearby tree trunk, causing it to snap and fall.
This punch startled Luo Ning, A Gong, and the others, but they didn't find it strange. After all, anyone facing such a situation would be furious and it was normal to vent.
Only Long Feicheng walked silently up to Yan Shouyi and gave him a thumbs-up.
Seeing this, Yan Shouyi sobered up considerably and took deep breaths to calm his emotions.
Luo Ning was displeased. She pulled Long Feicheng aside and whispered, "Why are you giving Yan Shouyi a thumbs-up? You're a bad influence, enjoying the show without caring about the consequences!"
"Me???"
Long Feicheng was bewildered, then realized he had been misunderstood, but he couldn't reveal the truth.
He could only endure the scolding silently, thinking: In the end, I'm the one bearing it all.
The matter was settled. The orthodox sects would surely organize their forces to attack the Folklore Research Association in the coming days. Fortunately, Yan Shouyi had broken the Lotus Grand Formation and could return to take charge, and he also had a crucial witness, Daoist Jin Bi. Therefore, he felt he could definitely resolve this crisis.
Having understood the external affairs, Yan Shouyi began to inquire about internal matters.
"How is Zi Tong? They haven't targeted Zi Tong, have they?"
Luo Ning gritted her teeth. "She definitely can't stay out of it, but she is, after all, the sect leader of the Lü Shan Sect, and Rongcheng is our territory. That's why those hypocrites haven't acted directly, but they're constantly slandering and spreading rumors online, insulting Zi Tong."
Some claimed Lin Zǐtóng was a traitor to the Xuanmen, others that her position as sect leader was due to insider dealings, and some even accused her of filial impiety and hiring someone to assassinate the missing Lü Jingsheng.
However, these were all manageable. The innocent would be proven innocent, and Lin Zǐtóng and the disciples of the Lü Shan Sect could withstand the pressure.
Those vile individuals were also spreading rumors online that Lin Zǐtóng was a promiscuous rich woman, unfaithful to Yan Shouyi, keeping younger men on the side, and that the child in her womb wasn't even Yan Shouyi's.
These were what hurt Lin Zǐtóng the most. Although she didn't say it aloud, Luo Ning could empathize.
"Bastards! Bastards! Bastards!!"
Yan Shouyi lost control of himself again and charged into the forest, wreaking havoc.
Everyone felt the ground shake, and then the entire forest was leveled by Yan Shouyi!
Finally, Yan Shouyi, still unappeased, roared at the sky, "Damn your mother!"
"Brother Yan! Brother Yan!"
Long Feicheng called out to Yan Shouyi in a low voice and then gave him a thumbs-up.
Luo Ning was furious. "Hey, are you done yet?"
Long Feicheng: "..."
After venting, Yan Shouyi calmed down once more.
He emerged from the devastated forest and said coldly to everyone,
"Everyone pack up, we need to return to Rongcheng as quickly as possible. Daoist Jin Bi, please accompany us."
The allied forces of the orthodox sects would attack the Rongcheng Folklore Research Association in the coming days. If Yan Shouyi wanted to prove his innocence and prevent the conflict between the two factions, this would be the best opportunity.
Therefore, the most urgent task was to rush back to Rongcheng.
Abbess Guan Yun, Wen Yuxian, and Ling Xiaoxiao couldn't help but say, "We'll go with you!"
Yan Shouyi didn't refuse. Although the Emei Sect still had a mess to clean up, the situation in Rongcheng was more pressing.
Everyone dared not delay and immediately packed their belongings, hurrying down Mount Emei.
On the way, Little Sparrow helped everyone contact the Lin family's private jet.
At the same time, Yan Shouyi borrowed A Gong's phone and contacted Lin Zǐtóng.
On the phone, Lin Zǐtóng clearly let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that Yan Shouyi was safe.
This made Yan Shouyi feel immensely guilty. She had suffered so much injustice for him and was also worried about his safety.
Although Lin Zǐtóng tried her best to conceal it, Yan Shouyi later heard a hint of crying in her voice.
Mother of my child, you've been through so much.
Yan Shouyi comforted her extensively on the phone, promising that he could resolve everything once he returned to Rongcheng.
After hanging up, he called Wang Jiwang to get more information.
Li Genmiao was the mastermind behind this public opinion manipulation. What surprised Wang Jiwang was that by tracing the IP addresses on the forums, he discovered the real identities of many instigators. They were actually influential figures from the orthodox sects!
This was why, when Li Genmiao was spreading rumors, those sects that had good relations with Yan Shouyi strangely remained silent.
Only a few people spoke out on the forums, including Zhao Chengxiang, Han San, and Yuan Jianxin, disciples with whom Yan Shouyi had met and established some rapport.
This news made Yan Shouyi's heart sink.
He had two theories.
First, Li Genmiao had infiltrated the orthodox sects.
Second, the influential figures within the orthodox sects themselves wanted to provoke conflict between the factions!
The reality was likely a combination of both, otherwise, the situation wouldn't have escalated to this point.
It was only now that Yan Shouyi understood that the conflict between the two factions was not a recent occurrence, but an explosion of long-standing grievances. His video of pursuing disciples of the Dian Yi Sect was merely a fuse, and Li Genmiao was just the bastard who lit it.
Truly, there were plenty of people who wished for the powder keg to explode.