Chapter 571: Discussing the Plan

Just then, the Array Pattern Master from the Nine Yang Sect suddenly spoke, "Vice Sect Master Yan, wait."

Yan Song turned to him and frowned. "Elder Cheng Kang, what is it?"

The Array Pattern Master stared at the array pattern pen in Yan Song's hand, a hint of greed in his eyes. He licked his lips and said, "Vice Sect Master Yan, since this pen was accidentally left behind by someone from the Profound Mystery Sect, why should we return it? Why not bestow it upon me? With this array pattern pen, my progress on the path of Arrays will surely accelerate."

To an Array Master, a good array pattern pen was an extraordinary tool. Cheng Kang had long desired one of the pens left behind by the late Master Tuzuo, but he had never managed to find one. Now that he had finally laid eyes on one, how could he bear to let it go?

Yan Song's eyes darted. After a brief moment of thought, he suddenly laughed and said, "Elder Cheng Kang is right. Why should we return something the Profound Mystery Sect left behind? Since you want it, Elder, it's yours."

With a casual toss, he threw the array pattern pen to Cheng Kang.

Cheng Kang was, after all, their sect's Array Pattern Master, so Yan Song naturally wouldn't dismiss his request.

Besides, the Profound Mystery Sect had ordered them to do this work without offering any compensation. This array pattern pen would serve nicely as payment.

Cheng Kang caught the array pattern pen and, with great care and reverence, placed it into his Storage Ring.

Then he said to the two guards on duty, "If anyone from the Profound Mystery Sect asks about this array pattern pen, just say you never saw it. Understood?"

"Rest assured, Elder Cheng Kang." The two guards chuckled.

"Let's go."

Having acquired a top-quality array pattern pen for nothing more than a simple patrol, Cheng Kang was in high spirits. He and Yan Song departed in a flash.

The two guards returned to the stone pavilion.

'They're finally gone.'

Ye Xuan seeped out from the stone wall, letting out a slight breath. His Devouring Martial Soul immediately transformed into a stream of invisible Soul Power that traveled along the cracks in the wall, returning to the bottom of the lake and entering his body.

'A shame to waste an array pattern pen, but it's nothing compared to completing the modifications on the Array Base.'

Ye Xuan smiled faintly. Evading the detection of the Light Bending Array, he swiftly left Profound West Lake and vanished into the night sky.

Tuzuo was only a Seventh-level Array Master. His array pattern pen might be a treasure to Cheng Kang, but to Ye Xuan, it was merely serviceable. Losing it was no great loss.

Half an hour later, Ye Xuan quietly returned to the Gale Light Academy's residence.

He then quickly relayed what he had seen and heard that day to Vice Director Ge, Elder Dong, and Elder Yao, omitting only the part about his Devouring Martial Soul.

Ge Puzi and the others were stunned by what they heard.

Experts from the Profound Mystery Sect had already laid an ambush in the city and were in the process of setting up some kind of Trapping Array. This news put them on high alert.

Elder Dong's gaze sharpened. "Young Master Ye, if I'm not mistaken, the old man you described must be Elder Tianyi of the Profound Mystery Sect. Decades ago, he was already a Tier Seven Peak Martial King and a Soul Refiner at the Peak of Sixth Grade. He has been in secluded cultivation for all these years, rarely appearing on the Dream Realm Plain. Many even speculated he had perished. To think he has broken through to become a Tier Eight Martial Emperor and a Seventh Grade Soul Refiner... This is truly troublesome."

Elder Yao's expression was also incredibly grim. He said coldly, "The Profound Mystery Sect actually sent Elder Tianyi this time, and they're plotting something in the shadows... What on earth are they planning? Do they intend to wipe out everyone from our Gale Light Academy in one go?"

"And the Nine Yang Sect... to think they've joined forces with the Profound Mystery Sect. Damn them!"

Elder Dong and the others were both furious and deeply worried.

If Ye Xuan hadn't discovered this, and their full strength had been suddenly unleashed on the day of the negotiations, Gale Light Academy would undoubtedly have faced a devastating crisis.

Ge Puzi's expression was grave. "This time, all the major powers of the Dream Realm Plain are gathered here. How can the Profound Mystery Sect be so confident that the other powers will simply stand by and watch if they move against us?"

These peace talks were jointly organized by all the major powers. If the Profound Mystery Sect dared to attack them during the negotiations, the other powers would never stand for it. This was one of the key reasons Ge Puzi and the others had agreed to come here to negotiate in the first place.

Elder Dong and the others also frowned, their minds filled with doubt and suspicion.

Just then, Ye Xuan spoke in a low voice, "What if the Profound Mystery Sect and the Nine Yang Sect aren't just targeting us, but all the other major powers as well?"

Ye Xuan's words struck Elder Dong and the others like a clap of thunder.

"That's impossible," the elders exclaimed in horror. If what Ye Xuan guessed was true, then...

HISS!

They all drew in a sharp breath, exchanging glances. The implications were terrifying. The crucial part was that, upon careful consideration, they realized Ye Xuan's theory wasn't impossible.

If the Profound Mystery Sect and Nine Yang Sect truly joined forces, with the added power of the Seven Star Earth Element Array, their prepared attack on the unprepared powers might very well succeed.

"If that's really the case, then this is a grave situation."

They looked at each other, their expressions turning utterly grave.

Ge Puzi asked with a grim expression, "The crucial question is, how do we respond?"

Elder Yao suggested in a low voice, "What if we just withdraw from the talks?"

Ge Puzi shook his head. "We can't. These talks were brokered by the other eight major powers. Most importantly, we still need to conduct the hostage exchange. If we withdraw now, not only will we anger the other powers, but we'll also endanger the members of the Luo family."

After a moment's thought, Elder Dong said through gritted teeth, "In that case, we'll just expose the Profound Mystery Sect's secret and drag their plot into the light."

Ge Puzi shook his head again. "For now, all of this is based on what Xuan Ye saw. Even if we reveal it, the other powers might not fully believe us. In fact, the Profound Mystery Sect could easily turn it around and accuse us instead. Besides, even if we managed to show the Seven Star Earth Element Array to the others, the Profound Mystery Sect would have plenty of excuses. We'd be the ones left unable to defend ourselves."

"Then what are we supposed to do? We can't leave, and we can't expose them. Are we just going to sit here and wait to be slaughtered?"

Elder Yao and Elder Dong's faces turned ashen. The situation was a complete mess.

"Xuan Ye, what are your thoughts?" Just then, Ge Puzi turned to Ye Xuan.

A sharp, cold light glinted in Ye Xuan's eyes, and the corner of his mouth curved into a chilling smile. "This trip to Ancient Yang City may seem dangerous," he said coldly, "but it's actually an opportunity. There's a saying: 'A thief can scheme for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days.' If the Profound Mystery Sect and the Nine Yang Sect are truly targeting Gale Light Academy, then even if we avoid this, they'll just hatch another scheme. It's impossible to be on guard forever."

"But this time, we've already uncovered part of their plan. Why not beat them at their own game and see what they're really up to? If it's just as we suspect, we can use this chance to expose their true faces to the other powers. And if it's not, then we have nothing to worry about. I refuse to believe the Profound Mystery Sect would dare to risk universal condemnation by attacking Gale Light Academy in Ancient Yang City."

"Therefore, I propose we stay and see what the Profound Mystery Sect truly intends to do."

Ge Puzi and the others fell silent, carefully mulling over Ye Xuan's words as their eyes flickered with contemplation.

"But what if the alliance between the Profound Mystery Sect and the Nine Yang Sect is aimed solely at us? With our strength here, it would be difficult to resist them. And it's unlikely the other powers would make enemies of two major sects just to help Gale Light Academy."

After thinking for a moment, Elder Yao couldn't help but say.

Ye Xuan smiled faintly. "That will depend on Gale Light Academy's diplomatic skills—on which powers we can win over to our side."

"Besides..."

Here, Ye Xuan paused, his gaze turning to Ge Puzi as he continued gravely, "Vice Director Ge, the premise for us staying is that we must possess the strength to counter the Profound Mystery Sect. Otherwise, no matter how clever our plans, they are useless in the face of absolute power."

"If Gale Light Academy doesn't have that strength, then it's best we leave immediately. We can find another way to handle the hostage exchange later."

Ye Xuan's expression was heavy. Any plan had to be built on the premise of having some confidence in being able to stand against the Profound Mystery Sect. After all, they had sent an expert like Elder Tianyi, a Tier Eight Martial Emperor. If a battle were to break out, Elder Tianyi alone was more than enough to slaughter everyone from Gale Light Academy who was present.

Having said his piece, Ye Xuan looked to Vice Director Ge and the others.

At this, Elder Yao and Elder Dong both looked worried. Only Ge Puzi's eyes flickered, his thoughts unreadable.

After a long silence, Ge Puzi suddenly gritted his teeth. "This is a rare opportunity," he said in a cold voice. "We must uncover the Profound Mystery Sect's true goal. If we leave now, who knows when we'll get another chance. Therefore, I've decided to stay."

"Vice Director Ge!" Elder Yao and Elder Dong exclaimed, looking at him in surprise.

A glint flashed in Ye Xuan's eyes; he understood at once. 'It seems Gale Light Academy really does have a trump card, one powerful enough to deal with a Tier Eight Martial Emperor Level expert.'

'It made sense, though. I had guessed that each of the top ten powers on the Dream Realm Plain likely had a Tier Eight Martial Emperor of their own. To ensure the academy's safety, Huangfu Xiuming must have left behind some means of countering such an expert before he departed. The only question is, what is it? A treasure, or something else?'

What Ye Xuan had said earlier had been a calculated probe, based on this very speculation.

At this thought, a smile touched his lips. "Since it's decided, then," he said. "Over the next few days, we can't just let the Profound Mystery Sect have their way. We should cause some trouble for them."

A vicious glint flashed through Ye Xuan's eyes.

Ge Puzi and the others all smiled coldly.

「Early the next morning.」

The gates of the Gale Light Academy residence swung open, and a large group of Martial Artists exuding formidable auras emerged, marching menacingly toward the Profound Mystery Sect's compound.

Leading this group was none other than Vice Director Ge.