As Jin Yao and the others disappeared from sight, Zhu Qing transformed into an afterimage and chased after them. It had to reunite with its master quickly to inform him of Jin Yao's scheme and prevent him from falling for the scoundrel's trap.
Xiao Man and Nangong Yu led the way, but their minds were elsewhere. Xiao Man understood Jin Yao's intentions. She had initially planned to use Jin Yao to enter the Jin family, search for Mo Mo's whereabouts, and then hide within the Jin family to help Chong Sheng at a critical moment. However, after learning of the Shennong Cauldron's importance, Xiao Man knew that plan was ruined. Once she revealed the Shennong Cauldron, Jin Yao would surely silence her.
If Jin Yao could be permanently kept in the Trial Land, would Chong Sheng's path back be smoother? With the only legitimate heir gone, the Jin family would be eager for Chong Sheng to return. However, Jin Yao was accompanied by a Nascent Soul expert, whose power was formidable, making them no match for him even if they joined forces. To kill Jin Yao, they would need to lure this expert away from him, and the only one capable of dealing with Elder Chen would likely be Wen Ting.
However, Wen Ting was indifferent to personal gain and fearless, acting according to his whims. Furthermore, he harbored significant animosity towards Nangong Yu, making it uncertain whether he would be willing to help them. Perhaps she could exploit a time difference to provoke discord between them.
As expected, the moment they emerged, they encountered Wen Ting, who was waiting nearby. Wen Ting wore a smile that was not quite a smile, then mounted his horse and departed, as if his sole purpose for waiting was to confirm Xiao Man's entry.
"Xiao Qin, what's the situation?"
Xiao Man moved aside. "Replying to Second Young Master, the Young Master of the Beast Taming Sect had ambushed the exit. He left upon seeing us emerge first."
"Wen Ting, his target wouldn't be us, would it?" Elder Chen sounded hesitant, his gaze fixed on Jin Yao. If Wen Ting's target was Jin Yao, then they would be in a passive situation.
After all, Jin Yao was the heir to the Jin family. If Wen Ting attempted to control the heirs of various families to achieve his goal of controlling the noble houses... Elder Chen felt a chill run down his spine, and even Jin Yao shivered involuntarily.
"He must be killed!" Jin Yao said viciously. "As long as this person is alive, he is a threat to everyone."
"But killing him might not be easy," Elder Chen also knew that eliminating Wen Ting would not be simple. After all, Wen Ting's attacks were insidious and unpredictable. However, the man's intentions to control their young master indicated he had made preparations. Perhaps there were sect elders hidden within, whom they had not yet discovered.
"If we don't kill him, I fear we will not be able to rest easy," Jin Yao stated.
"Indeed. His sound attacks and soul control are impossible to defend against. We can't seal our hearing forever, can we?" Xiao Man said with apparent distress. "Sealing our hearing would also reduce our perception of danger. However, Second Young Master and Elder Chen should be fine."
Elder Chen did not refute this. However, Jin Yao's expression turned grim. His cultivation was only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. Within the family, his talent was considered quite good, but he was still only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core. Xiao Man and Nangong Yi were at the early and mid-stages of the Golden Core respectively. The critical point was that these two were from the Seven Sects.
"I plan to kill him," Jin Yao said, looking at Xiao Man and Nangong Yu. "I need your assistance."
A flicker of mockery flashed in Nangong Yu's eyes. Wen Ting was, after all, the Young Master of the Beast Taming Sect. If anything were to happen to him within the Trial Land, someone would inevitably be blamed, and he would be the perfect scapegoat. As for Xiao Man, she would likely be silenced after being used.
"May I ask how Second Young Master requires our assistance?" Xiao Man asked curiously. "We two have clashed with Wen Ting before, but even together, we were not his match."
"Besides Wen Ting, did you see anyone else with him?" Elder Chen asked in a hoarse voice. "For example, guards?"
"Guards?" Xiao Man shook her head. "I did not see any guards."
"He dares to be so arrogant, coming alone to cause trouble. Is he truly not afraid of death?" Jin Yao sneered.
"Elder, could he have some backing?" Nangong Yu inquired.
"He is a Young Master of a sect, after all. How could he not have backing? Even if the Beast Taming Sect's foundation is not as strong as the other three sects, it can still rival noble houses," Elder Chen said slowly. "Moreover, the Beast Taming Sect has accumulated a great deal over the years. Otherwise, do you think Wen Ting has been so rampant outside for so many years?"
"He has been rampant outside for so many years and offended so many people, yet he hasn't been killed. Besides having the Beast Taming Sect as his backing, his own strength must also be considerable, right?"
"His strength is not high, but he has many tricks," Elder Chen said unhurriedly. "Furthermore, they can command spirit beasts to serve them. Even if he were only a cultivator in the Golden Core realm, if he were to unleash a beast tide, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would be exhausted to death."
Xiao Man thought of the scene of a Nascent Soul cultivator being exhausted to death, and the corner of her mouth curved. No wonder Wen Ting was so arrogant outside and dared to come alone. So, he could use spirit beasts as a means of attack. Moreover, spirit beasts of the same rank were far more powerful than human cultivators of the same rank.
"Are there any spirit beasts here?"
"Of course there are," Elder Chen said softly. "Contracted beasts. As long as they are not life-bound contracts, he has the ability to command them."
Xiao Man's heart skipped a beat. So, contracted beasts that were not life-bound could be commanded by him. Once commanded, the relationship between them and their masters would be strained, leading the masters to distrust their contracted beasts and thus weaken their strength!
"Fortunately, life-bound contracted beasts cannot be commanded," Xiao Man patted her chest, saying in lingering fear.
"Only life-bound contracted beasts whose masters have higher cultivation or stronger willpower cannot be commanded by him. If the master's cultivation is lower than his, and their willpower is weak, their life-bound contracted beasts can also be commanded by him."
Xiao Man's expression changed slightly. "So, I am in danger?"
"Xiao Qin, you don't need to worry. We are here. We will definitely ensure your safety," Jin Yao comforted him. "You only need to lure him into the trap we have set. We will never give him a chance to command contracted beasts!"
"Second Young Master, I'm afraid I cannot lure him," Xiao Man said with some difficulty. "After all, his target is you, Second Young Master. He likely won't care about someone other than his target."
Jin Yao was quite troubled. He knew very well that Wen Ting's target was him and that he was the best bait. However, he was unwilling to take any risks to eliminate Wen Ting.
Seeing Jin Yao's silence, Nangong Yu lowered his gaze and remained silent. Whether ordinary people or cultivators, they were ultimately driven by self-interest. Jin Yao's life was threatened, yet he was unwilling to take even the slightest risk. If such a person were to become the heir of the Jin family, there would be no need to kill him; given time, the family would perish under his leadership.