Chapter 446 - 404: Suspicion

Chapter 446: Chapter 404: Suspicion

In the Council Hall of the Yunshan Sect, the Elder Council, composed of three elders and six specially invited True Inheritors, forms the current highest authority within the Yunshan Sect, issuing all its commands.

However, this situation is about to change soon. In another two months, Sect Leader Lu Qian will successfully emerge from seclusion, and by then, the Yunshan Sect will regain its core and leader.

Therefore, at this time, Jiang Qingfeng and Yang Jiye naturally felt that everything should be based on peace and stability. After hearing Wang Yu’s report, Jiang Qingfeng looked shocked, and Yang Jiye urgently said, "Junior Brother Wang, with such an important matter, why did you act on your own without discussing it with us!"

As the specific executors of the previous phase of the plan, Fanx Shang and Wuh Zilan quickly lowered their heads, not daring to attract reproachful glances from their senior uncles and elders.

Lin Le looked embarrassed. He had been communicating intelligence to the Elder Council, including that the Spirit Talisman Sect was actively screening Spirit Seeds. He had even detailed the specific direction, unexpectedly providing direct support for Wang Yu’s actions.

But Wang Yu simply said calmly, "There was no point in informing you before these actions were completed. Now that all preparations are done, as long as everyone cooperates, it will naturally elevate the Yunshan Sect and Shuangye Alliance’s strength to another level."

This attitude made several people frown, but they felt quite helpless inside.

Since Wang Yu’s personality drastically changed, he has been independent, almost ignoring other people’s opinions. Furthermore, since they were all fellow disciples with equal rank in the sect, it was challenging to constrain his actions.

Now, with such crucial matters at hand, Jiang Qingfeng was unwilling to pursue it further and simply shook his head, "I disagree. The Sect Leader’s junior brother will be out of seclusion in two months. He had instructed firmly before that his seclusion must not be interrupted, or his previous efforts would be wasted. This action is like taking chestnuts from the fire, and it’s too dangerous if it backfires, potentially affecting his seclusion."

Wang Yu furrowed his brow, "Every action has its danger. What we need to assess is the ratio of cost to benefit. If the reward is tempting enough, it merits an attempt. According to your view, even staying motionless in the city carries risks. The Xuanguang Sect has been quietly dormant for some time, but who knows when they might attack? Junior Sister Jiang, you are too conservative and shortsighted."

Jiang Qingfeng was rendered speechless by his words, so Lin Le quickly assisted his master, "Elder Wang, I also explained the intelligence last time that the Xuanguang Sect is currently working hard to seek Golden Core Level external assistance, though it will be challenging to achieve results any time soon. Until they succeed, they aren’t likely to initiate an attack. You’ve already created an inevitable rift between the Xuanguang Sect and the Spirit Talisman Sect. Why not wait for the Sect Leader to emerge from seclusion and then stir the pot?"

Wang Yu coldly said, "The situation is ever-changing, and opportunities are fleeting. We don’t need the full force of the Shuangye Alliance; if Senior Brother Yang is unwilling to join, only I and Wu Yan need lead the team. If successful, the returns will be tremendous; don’t be so cautious. This is all for the greatest benefit of the Yunshan Sect."

Hearing him mention Wu Yan, Jiang Qingfeng and Yang Jiye looked hopefully toward this Sect Leader’s Disciple, knowing that as long as Wu Yan didn’t nod, Wang Yu would naturally have no recourse.

Lin Le even asked, "Little Yan, what do you think?"

He naturally assumed Wu Yan would be on his side. But unexpectedly, Wu Yan raised her head, her fair face blushing under everyone’s gaze, her slender fingers clenching the sleeves, yet she firmly said, "I agree with Elder Wang’s approach and am willing to co-lead a unit with him to complete the plan."

The gathered were dumbstruck, and Lin Le was utterly incredulous.

Wang Yu clapped his hands in admiration, "Truly the Sect Leader’s Disciple; we need such courage. Now let us send a message to Master Cangfeng. As long as the Zhenren is willing to fan the flames, success is virtually guaranteed."

Half an hour later, the Elder Council meeting ended, and everyone dispersed. Under Wang Yu’s vigorous push, with the Sect Leader’s Disciple Wu Yan’s support, and amidst Yang Jiye’s hesitation, Jiang Qingfeng’s opposition seemed less determined, ultimately leading to the decision to proceed with the action.

Wu Yan felt a bit embarrassed facing Jiang Qingfeng and Lin Le, gave a bow, and hurriedly left with her head down. ℴ

Lin Le sighed, "Little Yan is eager to achieve success; I had overlooked this. I’ll talk with her later."

Jiang Qingfeng shook his head, "It’s not her fault; anyone in her position, with such cultivation, would naturally be eager to prove themselves. Their plan is reasonable, so you two shouldn’t let this cause any rift between you."

Lin Le managed a faint smile. Despite no change in his feelings for Wu Yan, her significant cultivation and long-standing position naturally led her to have her own pursuits, no longer the girl solely revolving around him.

As her Dao companion and her lover, he couldn’t afford to hold her back.

At the same moment, in Xuanguang Sect’s Mingjian Mountain, Sect Leader Xu Chengyun finished receiving a report, his expression grave.

Recent events in the mortal realm under their territory, such as entire families being devoured by beasts, crazed bandits looting and murdering, had already seemed suspicious. And now, a baby had disappeared in the night while an elderly couple slept!

These connected incidents confirmed what this was—child abductions!

The earlier cases were well-disguised, but in the last one, perhaps the thief was startled and fled hastily, failing to set up a disguise, revealing themselves.

He loudly cursed, "What audacity! How dare they steal Spirit Seeds within my Xuanguang Sect territory!"

"Issue orders: double the patrol forces within the territory from today, and seal off all borders. Don’t overlook any clues; we must find the culprit!"

Elder Wangg Hao snorted coldly, "Who else can it be but the little thieves of the Yunshan Sect."

Also seated in the hall were two guests of the Xuanguang Sect: Zhang Wei and a newly hired guest elder, Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Liang Zhixing.

After continual battles resulting in heavy losses, the Xuanguang Sect was left with only its own Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars—just Xu Chengyun, Wangg Hao, Ning Songzhi, and Wen Luhuan. Though several disciples were nearing Qi Cultivation Perfection, they would still need about another year, and currently couldn’t be relied upon.

Therefore, they could only resort to hiring guest elders to address immediate crises. However, after previously hiring three, only to quickly lose two, this dark history made Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators in Meihua Square avoid them.

After all, they were just finding a place to earn, not looking to lose their lives.

Hence, even after spending large sums for recruitment, they could only hire Liang Zhixing.

Thus, the Xuanguang Sect had only six Foundation Establishment cultivators and, counting their subordinates, two each from the Kong Family and Spirit Talisman Sect, a total of ten Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars.

Just a few years ago, there were over twenty, and now it had fallen to this!

And the chief culprit was the Yunshan Sect’s, Lu Qian!

Master Fengfeng now deeply loathed him, finding even meditation unstable because of him. In front of the Zhenren, his name couldn’t even be mentioned, to the point where they referred to him as "that little thief."

Though Master Fengfeng was not present at the moment, so they didn’t need to worry about it.

Ning Songzhi and Wen Luhuan were stationed at Qingli Mountain, and the two guest elders didn’t partake in the discussions, merely listening to Xu Chengyun and Wangg Hao consult.

After hearing Wangg Hao’s words, Xu Chengyun shook his head, "The Yunshan Sect is naturally a prime suspect, but there is another sect with motive as well."

His gaze turned towards a map of Chongming County hanging in the hall, as his spiritual power activated, Kongming Mountain glowed faintly.