"You're after the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles, aren't you?"
Wan Yunting glared fiercely at Jian Shisan as they descended Mount Hua together.
Jian Shisan, walking ahead, cast a playful glance back. "Is it that obvious?" he chuckled.
"Heh, rest assured, your two confidantes are perfectly safe. Just hand over the incantations and acupoint charts for the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles, and I'll guarantee their well-being."
Wan Yunting's eyes narrowed, his expression grim. He knew Jian Shisan's motive for capturing Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong was indeed the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles.
"Wan Yunting, you've become an enemy of all the righteous sects. You won't be able to continue in the orthodox world. Why not join our Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult?"
Jian Shisan slowed his pace, walking alongside Wan Yunting on the descending steps. He turned and said with a smile, "My adoptive father greatly admires you. If you join our Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult and present the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles to him to help him achieve divine power, then the entire martial arts world of Huaxia will belong to us. At that time, wouldn't any reputation you desire be within your grasp?"
Wan Yunting scoffed. "Do you really think I would associate with your Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult?"
Jian Shisan paused, looking at him askance, and sneered dismissively, "The major sects no longer recognize you as the Abbot of the Wuliang Daoist Temple. If you don't join our Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult, are you planning to quit the martial world?"
Wan Yunting stopped, glancing at him coldly. His attitude was stern. "Even if I quit the martial world, I will not consort with your heretical cult."
"Hmph, hypocritical sense of justice!"
Seeing his firm stance, Jian Shisan understood Wan Yunting would never agree to join the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult. He said with feigned pity, "What a shame. I'll have one less rival in the future."
Wan Yunting's expression remained grim as he watched Jian Shisan's retreating back. After a moment, he continued to follow him down the mountain.
Meanwhile, on the mountain, members of the various sects gathered, engaged in lively discussion. Even the martial arts competitions were temporarily halted. The sect leaders and masters were surprised to learn that Wan Yunting had mastered the skills of the逍遥派 (Xiaoyao Sect), and that the Wuliang Daoist Temple had truly harbored the leader of the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult in the past.
At this moment, Yang Jingyi, along with Duan Yingying, Gu Luotang, and Qi Miaomiao, approached Zhong Yulong, Zhang Xuanliang, and other sect leaders. "Abbot Zhong, Abbot Shi, we will take our leave now."
"Hold on!"
Lu Chenzi, the Abbot of the Kongtong Sect, suddenly called out to Yang Jingyi and her group. He turned to Zhong Yulong and said, "Abbot Zhong, are we just going to let the people from Wuliang Daoist Temple leave like this?"
"Otherwise?"
Liu Bing, the Abbot of the Qingcheng Sect, shot Lu Chenzi a sidelong glance. "Even if that Ren Daozi was the leader of the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult back then, what does it matter? So many years have passed. Do we still need to pursue this matter?"
"Why shouldn't we pursue it?"
Lu Chenzi retorted indignantly to Liu Bing, "A leader of an evil cult hid within their Wuliang Daoist Temple for so many years. Their former abbot must have known about this. This is a grave crime of harboring remnants of an evil cult. We should now hold the Wuliang Daoist Temple accountable!"
"Abbot Lu speaks the truth. I believe we should pursue this..."
Zhang Boyun, the Abbot of the Diancang Sect, and the leaders of other sects nodded in agreement, vowing to hold the Wuliang Daoist Temple accountable for harboring remnants of an evil cult.
Even Yang Jingyi, Duan Yingying, Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, Wang Zhuyu, and Tang Doudou, among other disciples, were stopped by disciples from other sects, preventing them from leaving.
"What do you want?"
Duan Yingying became agitated when these people blocked their way. She was about to draw her sword, but Yang Jingyi raised her hand to stop her. She then turned to look at Zhong Yulong of the Wudang Sect, Zhang Xuanliang of Longhu Mountain, and Abbot Renxin of Shaolin Temple.
Yang Jingyi calmed herself and said sternly to everyone present, "Esteemed Abbots, this matter is merely the word of the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult. Even we do not know the truth of this matter. You are so hasty in accusing us of harboring remnants of an evil cult and holding us accountable. Abbot Zhong, don't you find this absurd?"
As the president of the Martial Arts Association, Zhong Yulong held significant sway in the martial arts world. He knew that this was only the word of someone from the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult, and Yang Jingyi had consistently denied it.
Moreover, no one knew for sure if Ren Daozi was indeed the leader of the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult back then. So much time had passed, and even if they wanted to investigate and verify this matter, it would be difficult to do so.
"But your Abbot Wan has already admitted it," Lu Chenzi insisted, pointing at Yang Jingyi and speaking sternly.
Yang Jingyi's sharp gaze swept over Lu Chenzi. "He merely admitted to learning the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect."
"Very well, let's put aside whether your Ren Daozi was the leader of the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult for now. Let's talk about your current Abbot, Wan Yunting, and his mastery of Xiaoyao Sect martial arts!"
Lu Chenzi seized on this point again, sneering at Yang Jingyi, "Could it be that your Wuliang Daoist Temple has always had a connection with the Xiaoyao Sect?"
This statement drew the attention of everyone present towards Yang Jingyi, Duan Yingying, and the others. Gu Luotang, standing beside them, appeared anxious. She, along with Qi Miaomiao and Duan Yingying, knew the most about the Xiaoyao Sect.
Only Lin Dachun, Wang Zhuyu, Tang Doudou, and Huang Shaoqing, among the disciples, were unaware of this.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Duan Yingying's almond-shaped eyes glared at Lu Chenzi and the others. She retorted indignantly, "We had no idea he knew Xiaoyao Sect martial arts. Don't pin every accusation on us."
"Heh, you truly have no idea?"
Zhang Boyun, the Abbot of the Diancang Sect, had a sly look on his face. He smiled sinisterly at Yang Jingyi and Duan Yingying, mother and daughter. "Wan Yunting is your Abbot of Wuliang Daoist Temple. If you claim to know nothing, it's hard for us to believe you."
"Exactly."
Lu Chenzi's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Madam Yang, you might as well tell us honestly where the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect came from. Have you inherited all the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect? If you have, I advise you to obediently hand over all the Xiaoyao Sect martial arts to our Martial Arts Association for handling!"
These words caused Yang Jingyi's ancient brows to furrow. She understood that Lu Chenzi's aim was to seize the Xiaoyao Sect martial arts. This filled her with grim anger. Her eyes coldly glared at Lu Chenzi, and then she spoke sternly to the silent Abbot Zhong Yulong of the Wudang Sect, Zhang Xuanliang of Longhu Mountain, and others: "Abbot Zhong, Abbot Zhang, Abbot Renxin, I say this again: I have no idea how our Abbot Wan learned the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect!"
"You are Wan Yunting's martial aunt. How could you not know? Who would believe that?" Abbot Zhang Boyun of the Diancang Sect said with a disbelieving laugh.
The leader of the Iron Palm Gang chimed in, "Indeed, perhaps your Wuliang Daoist Temple has a direct connection with the Xiaoyao Sect!"
Suddenly, everyone from the various sects began to murmur, pointing at Yang Jingyi, Duan Yingying, and the others, insisting that their Wuliang Daoist Temple must know Xiaoyao Sect martial arts.
"Enough!"
Finally, Zhong Yulong spoke, waving his hand to stop Lu Chenzi, Zhang Boyun, and the others. "This matter has not yet been fully investigated. Everyone, do not jump to conclusions."
"Abbot Zhong, that Wan Yunting admitted it himself. What else is there to say?" Yan Changjian stepped forward, pointing at Yang Jingyi with a large hand, and said with a cold laugh, "If you ask me, we should just exterminate their Wuliang Daoist Temple!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Jingyi's face paled, and her heart tightened. She shot Yan Changjian a cold sidelong glance. Duan Yingying, beside her, was about to retort, but Yang Jingyi held her back, telling her not to speak rashly, lest her temper lead her to say something that would expose them.
"Yan Changjian, you haven't even cleared up the matters of your Divine Sword Sect. You have no right to speak now!" Liu Bing of the Qingcheng Sect angrily pointed at Yan Changjian and reprimanded him severely.
"Indeed..."
People from other sects nodded in agreement.
After all, it was not yet clear whether the person from the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult had any connection with the Divine Sword Sect. Yan Changjian was indeed suspect!
"My Divine Sword Sect is innocent. We are not afraid of your investigation."
Yan Changjian nodded, his expression filled with defiance, maintaining an air of "the clear will remain clear" and unafraid of investigation.
"Alright, everyone, let's say less."
Zhang Xuanliang stopped Liu Bing, Lu Chenzi, and the others. He turned to Zhong Yulong beside him, suggesting that as the president, he should make the decision regarding these two matters.
Zhong Yulong sighed slightly before saying, "I will send people to investigate the matter of Wuliang Daoist Temple, but there is no need to make things difficult for them now."
Hearing Zhong Yulong's words, Yang Jingyi finally felt a sense of relief. She gave him a slight nod and no longer paid attention to Lu Chenzi and Zhang Boyun. Grabbing Duan Yingying, she gestured to Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, and led Wang Zhuyu, Tang Doudou, and the other disciples away.
The disciples from the various sects who had been blocking their path could only step aside, allowing Yang Jingyi and her group to descend the mountain.
Lu Chenzi and Zhang Boyun exchanged glances. Although they were unwilling, since Zhong Yulong had spoken, they could not forcibly detain Yang Jingyi and her group.
"As for your Divine Sword Sect, whether it has any connection with the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult, we will need Sect Leader Yan to provide evidence!" Zhong Yulong then turned his gaze, his eyes calmly fixed on Yan Changjian, and said.
Yan Changjian's expression was arrogant and dismissive. "Rest assured, Abbot Zhong, I will provide evidence to prove my Divine Sword Sect's innocence."
Seeing this, Zhong Yulong said no more. He turned to discuss with Zhang Xuanliang, Abbot Renxin, Shi Yizhen, Yuan Gaowu, and other sect leaders. "Let's suspend the martial arts competition for now. We will descend the mountain to discuss it further and resume the competition in the afternoon."
Liu Bing, Lu Chenzi, Zhang Boyun, and the others nodded in agreement. After all, with the incidents involving Jian Shisan and Wan Yunting, the competition could not proceed. Now, Zhong Yulong and Zhang Xuanliang intended to descend the mountain and convene a martial arts conference within the Hua Mountain Sect to discuss the investigation of Wuliang Daoist Temple and the Divine Sword Sect, as well as the reason why Wan Yunting mastered the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect.
Yang Jingyi, who had already descended the mountain, asked Gu Luotang, "Have you contacted Yun Ting?"
Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, and Duan Yingying, who were using their phones, shook their heads anxiously. "We can't get through. His phone is switched off."
"Mom, something must have happened to him," Duan Yingying said anxiously, grabbing Yang Jingyi's arm. "What should we do?"
Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao were also very worried. Suddenly remembering something, Gu Luotang immediately redialed Lu Xiaodie's phone. The call also showed that the phone was switched off. Gu Luotang's heart tightened, and she had a premonition that something was wrong. She then called Zheng Rong, but the call still could not get through.
"Sister Lu and Senior Sister Zheng's phones are also unreachable. They might be in trouble!" Gu Luotang's eyes widened with worry and fear, certain that Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong might be in trouble, otherwise their phones would not be off.
Yang Jingyi's cold, ancient eyes narrowed. She recalled Wan Yunting's unusual behavior in front of everyone earlier, and how the person from the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult had shown Wan Yunting something on a phone, causing his emotions to change from anger to excitement. Yang Jingyi then realized what might have happened. "I'm afraid they have fallen into the hands of the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult, which is why they are threatening Yun Ting!"
"It must be so," Duan Yingying's almond-shaped eyes widened. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have admitted to learning Xiaoyao Sect martial arts in front of everyone. Sister Lu and Senior Sister Zheng must have been captured by people from the Heavenly Eye Divine Master Cult."
"What... what should we do?" Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao were burning with anxiety, worried about the safety of their men, Lu Xiaodie, and Zheng Rong.
Suddenly, Yang Jingyi stopped and turned to look at the steps on the mountain. She said sternly, "We'll find Abbot Zhong and Abbot Zhang. We hope they can help us!"
Duan Yingying said, "But they were like that. Will they help us?"
Gu Luotang said anxiously, "Let's try. No matter what, helping Yun Ting Ge and rescuing Sister Lu and Senior Sister Zheng is the most important thing."
Yang Jingyi nodded. First, she asked Wang Zhuyu, Tang Doudou, Lin Dachun, and Huang Shaoqing to return to the Hua Mountain Sect to pack their belongings. Then, she notified Li Zihang and Xu Lingwei to be ready to leave the Hua Mountain Sect at any time.
Yang Jingyi, along with Duan Yingying, Gu Luotang, and Qi Miaomiao, stopped and waited.
A moment later, they saw the figures of people from various sects descending the mountain. Yang Jingyi immediately led Gu Luotang and the others to meet Zhong Yulong and Zhang Xuanliang.