"Ancestor, this matter requires us to deliberate with the other four great sects."
After a long silence, Elder Qing Feng spoke while trying to gauge Xu Yi's expression.
"Naturally, the five great sects are united. Xu Yi said earnestly, 'If the true situation is explained to the four great sects, they should agree.'"
The elders nodded.
This indeed seemed to be the best course of action for now.
The demon race was cunning, their whereabouts a mystery; only by joining forces could they be found and dealt with most quickly.
"This matter is entrusted to you elders. I have returned for another reason."
Ji Buwang noticed Xu Yi unconsciously fiddling with the storage ring in her hand, a flicker of realization in his eyes.
"What is it that the Ancestor is referring to? Is there anything we can help with?" Elder Chen asked eagerly.
Xu Yi smiled, "I want to visit the sect's secret realm, the Vermilion Bird Tomb."
"Vermilion Bird Tomb?"
Unlike Ji Buwang's calmness, the other elders showed surprise.
The Vermilion Bird Tomb, a secret realm left behind by the fallen Vermilion Bird Ancestor, had long since been thoroughly explored by the Xuan Ji Sect. Apart from some spiritual plants that had not lost their spiritual essence, all other valuable items had been moved to the sect's treasury.
Xu Yi's Chastisement Ruler was also retrieved from this secret realm.
The elders did not understand why Xu Yi wished to visit an ancient secret realm with little remaining value.
As the elders were trustworthy, Xu Yi did not conceal anything and recounted everything she had seen and heard at Fire Burning Mountain.
"The Chastisement Ruler was refined from the Vermilion Bird Divine Fire? Unheard of," Elder Qing Feng shook his head incessantly.
Elder Liu also wore a peculiar expression, "I have never heard of any connection between the Vermilion Bird Ancestor and the Vermilion Bird. This is truly strange."
Xu Yi smiled helplessly, "I am half-believing this myself, which is why I intend to take the Chastisement Ruler to the Vermilion Bird Tomb to see if I can find any clues and put my mind at ease."
Until this doubt was resolved, Xu Yi would not feel at peace.
Therefore, she had to visit the Vermilion Bird Tomb, no matter what.
"The Ancestor's reasoning is sound. The spiritual key to opening the Vermilion Bird Tomb is in the sect's treasury, kept by the Sect Master," Elder Liu, who was in charge of the Affairs Hall, enlightened Xu Yi.
Xu Yi looked at Ji Buwang, who nodded slightly, "Ancestor, you may accompany me to the sect treasury later to collect the spiritual key."
"Then I will trouble the Sect Master," Xu Yi said with a smile.
"Ancestor, there's no need for such politeness," Elder Qing Feng preempted Ji Buwang, waving his hand casually.
The two of them had participated in the sect competition together and cultivated at Kunlun Academy together; it was not good for them to be so distant now.
Elder Qing Feng felt that for the sake of sect harmony, he should create more opportunities for the Sect Master and the Ancestor to interact.
He pondered for a moment and suddenly conceived a brilliant idea, "Ancestor, now that you have returned, why not choose an auspicious day to announce your identity to the Nine Provinces, and then hold a grand sect ceremony to invite guests from all sides, celebrating the event together."
Xu Yi's lips twitched slightly, "Wouldn't that be a bit too extravagant?"
Xu Yi had no objection to her identity being revealed to the world, but the holding of a sect ceremony was beyond her expectations.
"Ancestor, you are mistaken. You are our Xuan Ji Sect's Ancestor, representing the sect's honor. I say, a sect ceremony alone is not enough; we should invite all cultivators on the Nine Provinces Continent to celebrate.
We can dispatch a hundred flying divine ships on the day of the sect ceremony to scatter spirit stones in various regions, ensuring everyone receives some."
"Not only that, but we can also set up stalls in various cities to distribute spirit food and spirit wine."
"And also..."
Upon hearing that a ceremony was to be held for Xu Yi, the five elders, who had looked solemn moments ago, suddenly became invigorated, each enthusiastically offering suggestions as if they had been injected with stimulants, causing Xu Yi's forehead to bead with sweat.
Exaggerated, too exaggerated!
Xu Yi shot frantic glances at Ji Buwang, signaling him to calm the elders down.
Ji Buwang shook his head slightly.
His weight as Sect Master in front of the elders was far less than Xu Yi's weight in their hearts.
If he spoke now, he would only be inviting annoyance.
Only Xu Yi could persuade them.
Xu Yi sighed helplessly, then gathered her qi and energy, and shouted, "Esteemed Elders, please lend me your ears."
Xu Yi's voice, amplified by spiritual energy, successfully drowned out the elders' voices.
The elders all turned to look at Xu Yi, their faces still flushed with excitement.
Xu Yi, both touched and helpless, cupped her fist, "I appreciate the good intentions of all the elders. However, the situation is delicate at the moment, with the demon race lurking. It is not advisable to be ostentatious, lest we give the demons an opportunity. Let us keep everything simple."
"This..."
The expressions of the five elders immediately drooped.
In their eyes, Xu Yi was of noble status, and only a grand banquet could match her appearance.
However, Xu Yi's words were not without reason. They restricted their disciples from going out precisely because they feared for their safety.
If a ceremony were to be held, with people coming and going, there might be unforeseen issues that would disrupt the ceremony.
The five elders exchanged glances, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
"Ancestor, I have a slightly different view."
Xu Yi looked at Ji Buwang, who had spoken, with surprise.
She had thought Ji Buwang would be on the same side as her.
She concealed the surprise on her face, "Sect Master, please proceed."
"I believe holding a ceremony is very necessary. Firstly, it is to announce your existence. Secondly, we can take this opportunity to join forces with the other four great sects to set up a plan to lure the enemy out. This way, we achieve two objectives with one action."
The five elders were startled, and after they reacted, they were overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"The Sect Master speaks the truth. If any demon dares to cause trouble, we can catch them in a trap."
"Indeed, this is an excellent opportunity, and we can also discuss matters concerning the demon race with the four great sects!"
"Let's do it! The ceremony must be held!"
Seeing Xu Yi frown, Ji Buwang continued, "We can hold a sect ceremony. As for scattering spirit stones and distributing spirit wine as the elders suggested, let's drop those ideas. Such extravagance and wastefulness would be unbecoming of the sect's dignity."
"The Sect Master's reprimand is correct."
After their moods softened, the five elders also felt that their previous suggestions were indeed a bit excessive and quickly apologized. Then, they looked at Xu Yi with bright eyes, waiting for her nod.
Xu Yi smiled helplessly. They had already reached a consensus; could she still object?
"Let it be as the Sect Master said."
"Hahaha, good! After so many years, the Xuan Ji Sect finally has some joyous news!" Elder Qing Feng clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
The other five elders also laughed, their faces creased.
Since a sect ceremony was to be held, many matters would need to be prepared in advance.
The five elders no longer had the mood to reminisce with Xu Yi, focusing their minds on how to make the sect ceremony as perfect as possible.
Seeing that the minds of the other five elders had wandered elsewhere, Elder Qing Feng simply led them away to begin preparing for the sect ceremony, creating space for Xu Yi and Ji Buwang to be alone.
The five elders left the hall very decisively this time, almost jogging away.
Xu Yi watched their cheerful departing backs, unable to suppress a wry smile.