"Xiao Qin, at the recruitment大会, you're coming to our… Zefang!" Fang He suddenly saw Zefang, and his eyes lit up with a strange brilliance. "Xiao Qin, I'm taking Zefang away."
"That won't do." Xiao Man's smile remained unchanged as she blocked Zefang's path, her words leaving no room for refusal.
Fang He was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Xiao Man to refuse. However, he immediately explained, "Xiao Qin, don't worry, I'm not here to harm him. It's just that his family has been looking for him everywhere and entrusted me to help find him. I'm just sending him home."
"I will be responsible for sending him back," Xiao Man said unhurriedly.
"Xiao Qin, Zefang's family situation is a bit complicated. It might be inconvenient for you to send Zefang back…"
"Immortal Master, let's not talk about this anymore." Xiao Man changed the subject. "By the way, Immortal Master, some of my friends are missing. I've heard them talk about you constantly. Have you by any chance seen them?"
"Your friends?" Fang He was a little puzzled. "What are their names?"
"Xiang Jian."
"Xiang Jian." Fang He immediately recalled. This was a seed he had high hopes for. "How did you get separated?"
"We were attacked by villains and got separated along the way."
"Villains?" Fang He frowned. "If I remember correctly, Xiang Jian is also at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. One would need someone with a higher cultivation to suppress him, wouldn't they?"
Xiao Man's brows furrowed, her face full of worry. "The opponent used poison."
The words "Five Poisons Sect" flashed through Fang He's mind. Besides the Five Poisons Sect, no one else could produce a poison capable of incapacitating a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Do you recognize the opponent?"
"No, the opponent's attire had no identifying marks. My friends were poisoned at the time and scattered in all directions. I still haven't found them."
"I haven't encountered them. Rest assured, if I do, I will definitely provide them with protection."
"Thank you, Immortal Master." Xiao Man repeatedly expressed her gratitude. "Also, Immortal Master, you should be cautious. Recently, many people have been attacked, all poisoned. Even the City Lord's Mansion has been poisoned."
If Fang He hadn't taken it seriously before, upon hearing that the City Lord's Mansion had been poisoned, he immediately became concerned. "Did something happen at the City Lord's Mansion?"
"Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and they avoided being poisoned. Someone poisoned the City Lord's food, but a young servant who was greedy stole a piece and died on the spot from the poison."
Fang He, being older, thought more deeply. The current City Lord of Wuji City did not favor any particular faction and acted justly, recommending highly suitable individuals to the Seven Great Sects. Now, if someone intended to extend their influence into Wuji City and control it, it would infringe upon the interests of other sects, including their Lieyang Sect.
"Besides poisoning, are there any other characteristics of the opponent?"
"There's a Golden Core stage expert."
Fang He was already uneasy. Hearing that the opponent used poison and had a Golden Core stage expert made him think of the worst-case scenario: someone wanted to covet Wuji City and even abduct the best talents, leaving no room for other sects to survive!
"If there's a Golden Core stage expert, you'd best not confront them directly." Fang He cautioned, full of worry. "If you encounter them, prioritize your safety. I will immediately contact the sect and request the Sect Master to send a Golden Core elder for support."
"Thank you, Immortal Master."
"No need for thanks. If someone harms the rogue cultivators of Wuji City and even implicates the City Lord's Mansion, our Lieyang Sect cannot stand idly by." Fang He immediately took out a map. "I once gave Xiang Jian a jade token with a mark I left on it. According to the map, you can find his location."
Xiao Man curiously leaned closer and saw several dots on the map. "These are…"
"After Lu Xiong from our sect went missing, the people I brought out were marked for easy location. This one here is Xiang Jian," Fang He pointed to one of the dots.
Xiao Man looked at the location of the dot and frowned. "This seems to be within Wuji City."
"Yes, this is Wuji City." Fang He's expression turned grim. "It seems someone is indeed trying to cause trouble. I want to see who is so audacious as to stir up trouble in Wuji City!"
"Immortal Master, the opponent's methods are despicable, they are skilled in using poison, and they have a Golden Core stage expert in charge. Please do not act impulsively." Xiao Man advised.
"Don't worry, I won't act rashly. I have something urgent to attend to and must leave now. Be careful yourselves." Fang He hurried away with his people, not even sparing a glance for Zefang.
Zefang watched Fang He's hasty departure, a faint gleam in his eyes. Fang He, this brat, was being manipulated like a pawn without even realizing it, acting according to Xiao Man's wishes. With such intelligence, he still wanted to contend with her. He was truly too naive.
"Xiao Qin, are we going back to Wuji City?"
"Yes, why wouldn't we?" Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "Since the other party wants us to return to Wuji City, I will naturally go back."
Zefang somehow felt that Xiao Man's expression was too calm, especially after she learned that Xiang Jian had been captured and taken back to Wuji City. From his observation, Xiao Man deeply valued her friends. Upon hearing that her friend had been captured, she appeared too calm, frighteningly so.
"The opponent has Golden Core stage cultivators. Even if you have many tricks, the grade difference is too large, and you are no match for them. You cannot be reckless."
"I naturally won't be reckless. They have Golden Core stage cultivators, and so do I." Xiao Man's lips curved into a smile. "The Seven Great Sects appear harmonious on the surface, but within them, conflicts are constant. Moreover, everyone has their own selfish desires. As long as there are selfish desires, opportunities will arise."
"You intend to use the rifts between the Seven Great Sects to sow discord among them?"
"Sow discord?" Xiao Man sneered. "I am not sowing discord. I am merely telling them the truth. The ones truly sowing discord are those who instigate trouble." Su Dan Novel Network.
Zefang nodded in agreement. "That's true. The Seven Great Sects already harbor their own intentions. Because Wuji City is impartial, they have lived in peace all these years. But if Wuji City changes owners, it's uncertain whether the balance between the Seven Great Sects can be maintained."
"But the owner of Wuji City cannot be changed just like that," Xiao Man chimed in. "If the Seven Great Sects make a move, it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among other sects. They can only secretly support other sects. However, the old City Lord is a Golden Core stage expert. Even if they want to cultivate other forces, they cannot cultivate a Golden Core stage expert in such a short time…"
"That's why they targeted the old City Lord." Zefang suddenly understood. "You understood this from the beginning, didn't you? That's why you reminded Yan Yan to be careful."
Xiao Man nodded slowly. "When I first entered Wuji City, I thought the City Lord's Mansion greatly disliked people from the Land of No Law. But after meeting the City Lord, I realized that wasn't the case. This means that the City Lord's refusal to allow people from the Land of No Law entry, apart from having selfish motives, was also an effort to balance the powers between the Seven Great Sects."