The inn.
After breakfast, Ye Cangtian placed a pot of Clivia on the windowsill.
Currently, four of the five peak forces had gathered, with only the Flying Cloud Pavilion conspicuously absent.
Thus, various alliances were likely already formed. He needed to inquire about these situations to keep himself informed.
"Where is Ye Cangtian? Tell him to come out and see me!"
Just as Ye Cangtian was about to leave, a familiar voice called out.
In the lobby downstairs, a man with bandages wrapped around him sat angrily in a chair.
Seeing the man's irate demeanor, the Death Squad members found the situation somewhat peculiar. They recognized him as Ye Zheng-hao of the Blazing Fire Institute.
They hadn't expected Ye Zheng-hao to be so aggressive in seeking out Ye Cangtian today, especially if their relationship was supposed to be good.
"Yo, your acting is too realistic!"
"But it seems inappropriate to show up dressed like that before you even get here!"
A mocking voice echoed as Ye Cangtian slowly descended the stairs.
Earlier, they had conspired to create some friction, making other factions believe their relationship wasn't solid.
Therefore, upon seeing Ye Zheng-hao's dramatic arrival, Ye Cangtian's first thought was of their plan.
However, the fact that the other party was already bandaged before being disciplined by him didn't make logical sense.
On the other side, Ye Zheng-hao glared fiercely at Ye Cangtian and roared, "You're a terrible scoundrel!"
Oh?
Ye Cangtian looked at him in confusion and then said, "How have I scammed you?"
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian's expression turned serious. It seemed Ye Zheng-hao's bandages weren't a disguise for acting but a genuine injury.
He couldn't fathom who would dare injure Ye Zheng-hao here!
Upon hearing this, Ye Zheng-hao instantly became enraged, "Stop pretending you don't know! If you hadn't told Yan Yun'er to fight me, would I be in this state?"
Ye Zheng-hao now understood the entire sequence of events.
After Yan Yun'er's defeat against the Death God, she had indeed followed the Death God's advice and sought out Ye Zheng-hao for a confrontation.
Knowing the Death God's identity, Ye Zheng-hao had directly confronted Ye Cangtian to demand an explanation.
"This is not my fault. I merely offered her a suggestion. She was very resistant at first, who knew she'd change her mind later?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian's face broke into a smile. He didn't conceal anything and directly admitted it.
As he spoke, he looked at the other man playfully and continued, "What? You lost? Got beaten up pretty badly?"
Bah!
Ye Zheng-hao glared at him and retorted, "How could I possibly lose? That lass is strong, but how could I lose! She was even more battered than I was; it was a draw at best!"
In terms of cultivation, Yan Yun'er was indeed a minor realm higher than Ye Zheng-hao, having reached the Ninth Heaven.
However, Ye Zheng-hao was no pushover. He had cultivated the Blazing Immemorial Body and, combined with the mental force combat techniques taught by Ye Cangtian, his mental strength had significantly improved.
Under these circumstances, Ye Zheng-hao had managed to fight Yan Yun'er to a stalemate.
"Geez, you said it was a draw, so what are you here for?"
When Ye Cangtian heard his explanation, he glared at him in annoyance. He hadn't suffered any losses, so why come here to settle scores?
As his voice fell, Ye Zheng-hao was about to explode. He said fiercely, "Even though it was a draw this time, do you know what Yan Yun'er said? She said she'd come every day until she completely defeated me..."
Frankly, one fight like this was enough; who could fight every day?
Moreover, if they fought daily, not only would Yan Yun'er know his trump cards, but other people would likely find out as well.
Besides, he represented the Blazing Fire Institute and had to receive representatives from various factions daily. How could he face anyone if he was beaten black and blue every day?
Heh.
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and then said, "If you want to solve the trouble, you can either let her defeat you or defeat her. It's that simple! Why are you coming to me? What can I do?"
"This matter originated with you, so you must resolve it for me!"
Ye Zheng-hao glared at him directly. He hadn't dismissed the other's suggestions, but defeating Yan Yun'er was too difficult.
Being defeated by her would be too humiliating, so he didn't want to choose either option.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian chuckled and said, "This isn't difficult either. You can directly report to Pavilion Master Qingyan. I believe he will discipline Yan Yun'er."
Right!
Upon hearing this, Ye Zheng-hao slapped his forehead heavily. How had he not thought of this?
He was not an ordinary disciple but the leader of the Blazing Fire Institute, representing it.
If he was harassed by a disciple of the Misty Rain Pavilion like this, Pavilion Master Qingyan would surely not stand idly by.
Thinking of this, he looked at Ye Cangtian and smiled, "Haha, Brother, I knew you'd have a solution."
"Don't push it!"
Ye Cangtian glared at him and said, "Since you're here, why don't I add a few more injuries to you? That way, your act will be more convincing."
Seeing Ye Cangtian's mischievous grin, Ye Zheng-hao suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Brother, you can't play me like this! I'm already injured, ah..."
Before Ye Zheng-hao could finish, Ye Cangtian unleashed a gust of air blade, sending Ye Zheng-hao flying.
Ye Zheng-hao cried out in pain, glared at Ye Cangtian, and said sternly, "Are you serious!"
"Nonsense!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at him and then condensed another gust of air blade in his hand.
Seeing this, Ye Zheng-hao let out a strange cry and immediately fled towards the entrance.
Even though he knew Ye Cangtian was just acting, the attacks still hurt when they hit him!
Watching the other man flee in disarray, Ye Cangtian dispersed his air blade and sat down.
There was still one day left until the opening of the Peak Congress, but the Flying Cloud Pavilion had yet to arrive.
Something was not right.
For an event of this caliber, even peak forces should have arrived some days earlier.
Could it be that the Flying Cloud Pavilion did not intend to participate in the Peak Congress?
He hadn't heard any such news!
After contemplating for a moment, Ye Cangtian, seeing that it was about time, left the inn.
In the town, at a secluded pavilion.
When Ye Cangtian arrived, a young man was already sitting beneath the pavilion. The man wore a bamboo hat, obscuring his face.
However, based on his build, Ye Cangtian recognized him instantly as Xiao Bi Fan Geng Chao, whom he was looking for.
"Sir, you're late!"
From beneath the pavilion, Geng Chao spoke up as Ye Cangtian approached.
He belonged to the shadows and the longer he exposed himself in public, the more likely he was to attract his enemies.
Fortunately, the factions he had offended previously were mostly incapable of participating in the Peak Congress; otherwise, they would have likely hunted him down here already.
"I was delayed by something temporary."
Ye Cangtian smiled and sat down beneath the pavilion.
Seeing this, Geng Chao quickly asked, "Sir, what do you need me for? What information do you want to know?"
Ye Cangtian didn't dally and directly stated, "Have you gathered information on the alliances between the major factions?"
Hmm.
Geng Chao nodded and said, "I've obtained some intelligence, but so far, only insignificant factions are busy forming alliances. Those with true power won't form alliances at this moment..."
Geng Chao explained that factions with some strength and ambition had essentially made their moves before arriving at the Peak Congress.
Even those who hadn't acted would likely form alliances when exploring unknown territories.
After all, this was Misty Rain Pavilion's territory, and with the eyes and ears of various factions present, forming alliances here would easily be discovered by others.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded; it made sense.
Thinking, he looked at the other man and asked, "Then tell me, which factions has Snow Peak contacted?"
Although he had secretly allied with Hou Qing, the information Hou Qing obtained might not be entirely accurate.
After all, even though Meng Nan did not eliminate him after he lost the competition for sect leader, Meng Nan would undoubtedly be wary of him.
Therefore, he intended to inquire with Geng Chao first and then combine it with Hou Qing's intelligence.
Geng Chao heard this, his eyes darted around, and then he said, "I do have some information about Snow Peak, but..."
Geng Chao was not polite, directly extending his hand to Ye Cangtian and rubbing his fingers together.
It was simple: if he wanted to know, he had to provide compensation.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian did not hesitate. He took out a Spirit Gathering Pill from his Qiankun Bag and tossed it over.
"This little bit? Sir, don't joke with me. It's not easy for me to gather information! I might even lose my life..."
Looking at the Spirit Gathering Pill in his hand, Geng Chao's eyes widened.