Returning to Qifeng City

Meanwhile, the Zhou family, who had already decided to flee, were frantically packing their belongings when Lin Ao arrived at their doorstep.

Upon seeing the Zhou family members busily packing, Lin Ao immediately understood that they were truly terrified and intended to escape ahead of schedule.

Guided by a Zhou family servant, he was led to the main hall.

“Haha, Second Master Lin, you’ve arrived! Please forgive the disarray of our Zhou family; we are truly unprepared to receive you,” Family Head Zhou greeted Lin Ao with exaggerated politeness.

Lin Ao offered a sarcastic smile in return.

“What’s this? Is the esteemed Zhou family truly planning to retreat?”

Family Head Zhou appeared entirely unfazed by Lin Ao’s words, recognizing the blatant attempt at provocation as utterly ineffective against him.

This time, he was determined to escape, no matter what the Lin family said.

“What choice do we have? Once the Yan and Jiang families officially establish the Purple Abyss Pavilion, they will forge a partnership with the Yunhua Sect.

How could my Zhou family possibly contend with them then? For over a year, we have been at loggerheads, and our only path to survival is to retreat gracefully, ceding Qifeng City to those two families,” Family Head Zhou lamented with a deep sigh.

As Family Head Zhou uttered these words, his implication was clear: while feigning helplessness for his own family, he was subtly reminding Lin Ao that the Lin family was equally outmatched.

Lin Ao offered no rebuttal, merely stating a single, unadorned sentence.

“But isn’t the Purple Abyss Pavilion yet to be established? What if an ‘accident’ were to befall the Yan and Jiang families before their official collaboration with the Yunhua Sect?”

Lin Ao’s suggestion caused Family Head Zhou, who had previously been quite nonchalant, to pause in slight astonishment.

He swiftly put aside his task and approached Lin Ao.

“Second Master Lin, what exactly do you mean by that?”

Lin Ao let out a cold chuckle.

“It means nothing more than what the words imply.

In no more than three days, several powerful cultivators will descend upon Qifeng City.

They will attack the Yan and Jiang families, ensuring that all high-ranking members and key figures perish in the assault, with the perpetrators remaining unidentified.”

Family Head Zhou was stunned by this revelation, understanding that the Lin family intended to deal a ruthless blow to both families.

Yet, he questioned, “Can such an act truly go undiscovered? Wouldn’t it be obvious who was behind it? What if the Yunhua Sect becomes enraged by this?”

Family Head Zhou inquired.

Lin Ao slowly rose to his feet, casting a glance at Family Head Zhou.

“Let them investigate then.

They won’t find any evidence anyway.

Without proof of who committed the act, even the foremost sect of Jiang Country cannot arbitrarily accuse innocent people, can they? Do not forget that the true rulers of this nation are the royal family.”

“Very well, I have said my piece.

Family Head Zhou, consider this carefully: will you gamble once more, or will you shamefully withdraw? The Song family, for their part, has decided to stake everything again.”

After uttering these words, Lin Ao turned and departed.

Initially, Family Head Zhou had been resolute in his decision to withdraw, but Lin Ao’s visit had stirred a flicker of temptation within him.

Nevertheless, he certainly wouldn’t risk his entire family on such a mad venture, so those who were meant to move would still proceed with their departure.

****

Meanwhile, after Yan Yun broke through to the Cavern Heaven Realm, she earned even greater esteem from the Yunhua Sect.

Today, Yan Yun proactively sought out Yunshuang.

“Sect Master, I have heard that a branch of our sect is soon to open in Qifeng City.

Having been a disciple of the Yunhua Sect for some time now, I wish to seize this opportunity to deliver medicine and conduct an investigation in the mortal world.

I humbly request your permission.”

Upon hearing Yan Yun’s intention to visit Qifeng City, Yunshuang’s expression faltered slightly.

Qifeng City was undoubtedly on the verge of significant events, with both Jiang Yao and Su Muyu already planning to return, and now Yan Yun wished to go as well.

A distinct look of suspicion began to cloud Yunshuang’s eyes.

However, Yunshuang did not seem to dwell on it, merely glancing at Yan Yun.

“You are already an official disciple.

Whether you wish to travel outside is your own affair, and there’s no need to specially request leave from me.

Qifeng City is not far from the Yunhua Sect, so go if you wish,” Yunshuang stated placidly.

Yan Yun nodded.

“Understood, Disciple.”

Having paid her respects, Yan Yun withdrew from the main hall.

Yet, shortly after she departed, a figure materialized out of thin air beside Yunshuang.

“That little girl harbors a great secret,” the white-haired woman, who had appeared from nowhere, remarked with a peculiar expression as she watched Yan Yun leave.

Yunshuang immediately rose and moved to the white-haired woman’s side.

“Master, could she be that young man named Yan Yun?”

Yunshuang inquired.

A smile graced Yunxia’s face.

“Does it truly matter whether she is or isn’t? Regardless, she is now a member of the Yunhua Sect and holds immense value to our sect.

As Sect Master, your sole responsibility is to protect her well, do you understand?”

Listening to Yunxia’s words, Yunshuang quickly grasped her master’s meaning.

“Yes, I understand.

Both out of duty and compassion, I should protect her.”

Yunshuang affirmed.

Yunshuang was no fool; she had been secretly observing Yan Yun for some time.

She felt that the series of events, beginning with the spread of the poison cultivation technique, could not possibly be a coincidence.

While Yan Yun’s disguise was masterful, a fake would always remain a fake.

Individual incidents might seem inscrutable, but when viewed collectively, they pointed away from mere coincidence.

Unable to discern Yan Yun’s true identity and background herself, Yunshuang had invited Yunxia to observe Yan Yun for several days to confirm her suspicions.

Though Yunxia had not explicitly stated it, her meaning was abundantly clear.

As for Yan Yun, she, too, understood that no matter how many precautions she took or how perfectly she concealed herself, suspicion would inevitably fall upon her sooner or later.

Once suspicion was sown, the seeds of doubt would begin to sprout.

Fortunately, she knew in advance that Yan Lingyun of the Yunhua Sect owed a great debt of gratitude to the Grand Elder of the Yunhua Sect.

Therefore, even if her true identity were discovered, the Grand Elder would certainly not expose her.

Her discovery was, in fact, within her expectations.

After greeting Yunshuang, Yan Yun immediately proceeded to Su Muyu’s residence.

Now an official disciple, and with her public relationship with both women having deepened recently, no one would think much of her visiting Su Muyu and Jiang Yao.

Upon her arrival at Su Muyu’s dwelling, Jiang Yao was already there, awaiting her.

“Well? Did Master agree?” Jiang Yao eagerly questioned as Yan Yun entered.

Yan Yun let out a soft sigh.

“Alas! It was actually a bit redundant.

Given my current status, there was no need for me to make a trip to Qifeng City.

Wasn’t it a simple matter? There was no need to speak with her; doing so would only arouse her suspicion.

Still, it’s of no consequence.”

She had already anticipated this outcome.

Jiang Yao and Su Muyu exchanged glances, then proceeded to discuss the serious matters at hand.

“I’ve contacted the Dai family.

They inquired about the benefits they would receive for helping us deal with the Lin family.

I informed them that, should they assist, I would secure a portion of the mortal world’s agency rights for them,” Jiang Yao explained her side of the situation.

“And what was the outcome?” Yan Yun promptly asked.

The Dai family’s assistance was crucial.

If they were unwilling to help, Yan Yun still had other recourse.

She possessed ample wealth and could, if necessary, simply hire skilled experts to aid them.

“Naturally, they agreed to such a favorable arrangement,” Jiang Yao continued.

“Dai Chunfeng informed me that their family has already dispatched experts to Qifeng City, but they will only deal with the Lin family.

The Zhou and Song families, however, we will need to handle ourselves.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yun let out a breath of relief.

“That’s excellent.

Please convey to them that should they ever face a life-or-death struggle with the Lin family, our Jiang and Yan families will lend them our full support.”

Jiang Yao nodded in agreement.

“Alas! It seems this struggle is inevitable.

In that case, Yun’er, Jiang Yao and I shall depart now,” Su Muyu sighed.

“Indeed.

I will act discreetly, while you two operate openly.

King Jiang, who could send this message to the Yunhua Sect, indicates that he, too, has grown impatient with the Lin family and wishes to leverage our strength to deal with them.

We must play our roles well,” Yan Yun sneered.

Thus, the three began their operations.

Jiang Yao and Su Muyu, using the pretext of visiting relatives, returned to Qifeng City ahead of time, accompanied by the guards prepared by Yunxia.

Yan Yun, on the other hand, gathered Wen Meng, Duan Ming, Mu Wenjie, and another female disciple named Lan Yan, departing from the Yunhua Sect under the guise of delivering medicine to Qifeng City.

After their departure, a lone figure followed closely behind, trailing them to Qifeng City.

Having spent nearly a year in the Yunhua Sect since her initiation, Yan Yun undoubtedly harbored a complex mix of emotions upon her return to Qifeng City.

Yan Yun and her companions, clad in striking purple attire, flew out of the Yunhua Sect, presenting a grand spectacle akin to a triumphant return home.