The market of Xuanxin Sect.
Chu Lingwei and the others settled into the Leng family's inn. Leng Xingzhi asked the innkeeper about matters concerning Xuanxin Sect.
"This morning, Li Jue, the Sect Master of Renyan Sect, went to Xuanxin Sect. The two sects are currently discussing matters regarding spirit herbs," the innkeeper informed Leng Xingzhi about the recent events in Xuanxin Sect.
"Anything else?"
"Chu Chang, the Sect Master of Xuanxin Sect, has greatly increased his cultivation. He not only refused to compensate Renyan Sect for the spirit herbs, but also for those from Hehuan Sect and Shenyin Sect."
Two years ago, Chu Chang had promised to compensate the various sects for the spirit herbs stolen by Chu Xiyin's spirit beast.
However, their forbidden area had been destroyed, resulting in significant losses. The spirit herbs, which could have been compensated at once, could only be paid back over five years.
Now, it was only the second compensation period, and Xuanxin Sect had directly refused to pay.
"Truly shameless," Nangong Luo scoffed lightly.
"Have other sects come to Xuanxin Sect?"
"No, Hehuan Sect and Shenyin Sect are some distance from Xuanxin Sect, so they should not have arrived yet."
"Good, I understand."
Leng Xingzhi nodded, signaling for the innkeeper to withdraw.
"Wait a moment," Chu Lingwei quickly called out to the innkeeper, "I would like to inquire about Chu Xiyin's situation within the sect."
Given the grave matter Chu Xiyin had caused back then, it was likely that no one in Xuantian Continent was unaware of her.
"Chu Xiyin recovered her cultivation a year ago and has significantly improved. She is still the senior disciple of Xuanxin Sect," the innkeeper replied respectfully.
Chu Lingwei's eyes flashed. It was as she suspected.
To recover and greatly enhance one's cultivation in just one year was impossible without a great opportunity.
"Were there any anomalies?"
Leng Xingzhi raised an eyebrow. Two years ago, he had personally witnessed Chu Lingwei destroy Chu Xiyin's vital herbs and drain her essence blood.
The innkeeper pondered for a moment, "This old servant sent people to investigate multiple times, but no findings were made."
Everyone knew that Chu Xiyin's rapid recovery was highly suspicious, yet no one sought the reason.
"You may withdraw."
The innkeeper bowed and retreated.
"This Chu Xiyin is indeed lucky to be alive," Nangong Luo said with a sarcastic smile. She had been put in mortal peril by their junior sister several times yet managed to find a sliver of hope each time.
This piqued his curiosity. He was very eager to meet such a resilient woman.
"Senior Brother, when will we head to Xuanxin Sect?" Chu Lingwei asked Leng Xingzhi. She was very eager to know what had transpired during this period.
"No rush, I will send a formal invitation now."
Leng Xingzhi extended his right hand, and a formal invitation appeared in it. A surge of spiritual energy was sent into it, and the invitation flew towards Xuanxin Sect.
"Xuanxin Sect intended to kill disciples of Xiuling Academy back then. We are here to seek an explanation."
It was clear that Leng Xingzhi intended to visit Xuanxin Sect openly.
Xuanxin Sect.
Assembly Hall.
"Chu Chang, do you dare deny the agreement from back then?" Li Jue looked at Chu Chang. Currently, he had no credibility in Xuantian Continent, and such a person would eventually lead to the ruin of Xuanxin Sect.
"Why would I not dare?" Chu Chang laughed, looking at Li Jue. "You dare to collude with the demon race, so why should I compensate you for spirit herbs? Perhaps the matter of the Hengtian Secret Realm back then was orchestrated by your Renyan Sect."
"You..."
Li Jue was greatly shocked. How did Chu Chang know about the relationship between the great demons and their sect?
"What, did I say something wrong?"
Chu Chang burst into laughter, his body completely relaxed. Since Li Jue had come to him, he wanted to see whether Xuanxin Sect would submit to Renyan Sect, or Renyan Sect would submit to Xuanxin Sect.
"Li Jue, tell me, if Xuantian Continent knew that your Renyan Sect colluded with the demon race, what would be your fate?"
Li Jue emanated a chilling aura, his heart filled with dread. If this matter were to be leaked, their Renyan Sect would surely perish.
"Speak, what do you want?"
Li Jue took a deep breath and sat back down in his chair. Chu Chang was currently in need of allies, and he would not let this opportunity pass.
"Naturally, I require Renyan Sect to submit to me." Chu Chang's eyes held a look of absolute determination. He not only wanted Renyan Sect to submit to him but all other sects as well, to kneel at his feet.
Li Jue inwardly sneered, "On your own?"
"Chu Chang, your current situation, without my help, will there be any trace of your Xuanxin Sect in the Centennial Competition?" The two of them needed each other, like grasshoppers on the same string. Li Jue was not afraid of being blackmailed by Chu Chang.
"If your Renyan Sect is destroyed, I will at least have one less opponent, won't I?" Chu Chang laughed. He suddenly realized that killing indiscriminately, regardless of whether it was a person or a Buddha, was not a bad approach.
"You do not have the ability." Li Jue frowned. The Chu Chang of today seemed utterly fearless.
Chu Chang stood up, a glint of killing intent in his eyes, "Do not have the ability? Are you not obediently following my orders?"
"Zuo Ao Ran was killed by you?"
Li Jue stood up in shock, looking at Chu Chang with disbelief.
Chu Chang's current demeanor strongly suggested he was the one who killed Zuo Ao Ran.
"Li Jue, if you don't want me to publicize this matter, you must obey me during the Centennial Competition." Chu Chang did not deny it. What he needed now was to instill fear in Li Jue.
A storm raged within Li Jue. He found it hard to believe that Zuo Ao Ran's death was related to Chu Chang.
However, his lack of denial made Li Jue cautious. He needed to return and discuss this matter with the elder to plan accordingly.
At this moment, a sound transmission talisman, radiating spiritual energy, flew towards Chu Chang.
Sound transmission talismans were usually undetectable, but this one appeared so ostentatiously before Chu Chang, as if wanting everyone to witness its presence.
Upon seeing the inscription on the sound transmission talisman, Chu Chang's face instantly darkened, and a powerful aura erupted, causing disciples not far from the hall to suffer injuries to varying degrees.
Seeing Chu Chang's fury, Li Jue felt perplexed. He simultaneously abandoned his intention to leave immediately, wanting to witness the unfolding drama here.
Leng Xingzhi, along with his three junior disciples, arrived at the gates of Xuanxin Sect. The token of Xiuling Academy emitted a golden glow, causing the gatekeepers to respectfully address him as "Uncle-Master."
"I have already notified Sect Master Chu. Please make way for us."
Leng Xingzhi gave the gatekeepers a slight smile, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Xiuling Academy was an existence they dared not offend. The gatekeepers quickly parted to the sides, ushering Leng Xingzhi and his party into Xuanxin Sect.
Chu Lingwei did not conceal her appearance. Currently, she wore the disciple robe of a direct disciple of Xiuling Academy. The light purple robe was adorned with array patterns, shimmering faintly in the sunlight, exceptionally beautiful.
Paired with Chu Lingwei's peerless beauty, she appeared like an ethereal fairy descending to the mortal realm.
Could this truly be the former useless Young Lady of their Xuanxin Sect, Chu Lingwei?
The one whom everyone looked down upon previously had now transformed into someone they could not even aspire to be.
Chu Lingwei walked through the grounds of Xuanxin Sect with a smile, her eyes devoid of warmth.