"If this person is a disciple, they must hold a significant position. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to know the situation in the Main Hall," Kuchan said. "We have to find them, or they will beco a major threat in the future."
"If I get my hands on this bastard, I’ll make him wish he were dead!" Wu Fatian roared, his anger boiling over.
"This mole was only discovered recently. The casualty rate for Holy Hall Disciples during their training has been increasing sharply over the years. If a few of the attacked disciples hadn’t managed to escape and report back, we would have assud it was natural. This person is extrely cunning. Until they are found, we must all be very cautious with important matters," Zhou Luodan said.
"Those who fit both criteria are the current chief disciples of the Nine Sub-Halls."
"Ning Zhiquan, Mingren, Liangyuan, Yang Ying, Tang Wei, Song Zhong, Jia Shidao, Qiao Qian, and Zhao Guang are all highly suspicious," Wu Fatian stated.
Zhao Tianlong frowned. "Brother Wu, Zhao Guang is a mber of the Zhao Family. There’s no way it’s him!"
"Junior Brother Zhao, I’m not saying Zhao Guang is the mole. But whoever could leak this information and orchestrate these attacks, even if it’s not one of those nine, must be connected to them. It’s possible a Demon Cultivator tricked them into inadvertently revealing secrets," Wu Fatian said.
"Investigate! Summon them all and investigate them one by one!" Thunderbolt said.
"Junior Brother Lei, be patient. We can’t risk alerting the enemy, and a careless move could also hurt the disciples’ morale. Now that we’re aware of the situation, we can be more observant. If it is a Demon Cultivator, they’re bound to reveal their true colors sooner or later," Li Xiuwen said.
However, these nine individuals were all key prospects being grood by the Holy Hall. If one of them truly was a Demon Cultivator’s mole, it would be a devastating blow. Generally, anyone who reached this position was thoroughly investigated by the Holy Hall. Even Wang ng and Hu Jing’s backgrounds had been checked; people were sent to the mortal realm to investigate them long ago.
Right now, the suspicion was twofold. One possibility was that one of the nine was the problem. The other was that soone close to them was a Demon Cultivator, causing them to leak information unintentionally.
"Fortunately, we know now. The prepared can outwit the unprepared. We might even be able to turn this against them. From now on, we must ensure that at least two Ancestral Masters are guarding the Main Hall at all tis," Li Xiuwen said.
It was rare for all six Ancestral Masters to travel together; this tournant was a very unusual situation. Furthermore, Dao Guang Hall wasn’t far from the Main Hall, so no one would have thought soone would be so bold. And yet, the unthinkable had happened.
If Kuchan hadn’t been there, this would have truly led to a catastrophe.
The Sect Leader’s condition represented the status of the entire sect. Even though the Holy Hall’s overall strength had waned, as long as the Sword God, Xuee Zhongnan, was present, the Holy Hall remained one of the Three Great Sects. If Xuee Zhongnan were to be injured, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"The Ten Thousand Demons Sect has gone too far! We can’t just let this slide. I’ll go teach them a lesson!" Thunderbolt said.
Li Xiuwen shook his head. "Senior Brother Lei, it’s not just the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the Chanyin Sect that are rapidly expanding. The Lihuo Sect and the Evil Spirit Hall are also eyeing us like hungry tigers. Fortunately, the Evil Cultivators have always remained neutral. We have no proof this ti, so we can’t act without a just cause. Until the Sect Leader erges from seclusion, we must endure."
"Junior Brother Li is right. In the Great Yuan Realm, our main strategy should also be to hold our ground. Everything can wait until the Sect Leader is out of seclusion. We should also contact the family factions that have ties to us," Kuchan said.
In its pri, the Holy Hall was said to encompass the world. Its influence extended beyond the sect itself, through the disciples who had graduated from it.
"Tis have changed. The question is whether they still acknowledge those ties."
"Why is everyone so pessimistic? I refuse to believe anyone would actually dare to attack us!" Thunderbolt said.
"Senior Brother Lei has a point. I don’t think we need to be so pessimistic either. Besides, we’re already aware of the mole. As long as we stabilize the situation on the Vermilion Bird Continent and in the Great Yuan Realm, I doubt that bunch of petty cowards from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect will have the guts to invade."
The other Ancestral Masters also felt there was no need to worry needlessly. They just had to take the proper precautions.
The tournant was followed by the individual competition, but Wang ng, Ning Zhiquan, and the others were all absent. The strongest team competition was followed by the weakest individual competition.
Mingren, Yang Ying, and Tang Wei took the top three places in the individual competition, each earning a Small Rejuvenation Pill. However, the disciples all felt that this was no longer the main event.
「Main Hall, Zhao Family Estate.」
Zhao Guang kept his head down. He had only placed a pitiful eighth in the individual rankings. It was actually a decent result, but in Zhao Tianlong’s eyes, it was complete trash.
"How is the investigation I assigned you?" Zhao Tianlong’s face was devoid of emotion, but his expressionless face was the worst expression of all.
"I am still investigating, but I already have a few leads."
"Don’t disappoint again," Zhao Tianlong said. "You should know that not everyone gets a second chance."
"I understand. I was wrong. I will definitely take Wang ng down!" Zhao Guang said through gritted teeth.
"Foolish! You’ll take him down? Who do you think you are? He is a perfectly legitimate Law Enforcent Elder, and he has the high regard of Thunderbolt, Wu Fatian, and Zhou Luodan!"
Every one of Zhao Tianlong’s words struck Zhao Guang like a hamr. Zhao Guang quickly fell to his knees. "I was wrong. I am a fool. Please, Ancestral Master, instruct ."
"You need to think long-term. Dao Guang Hall’s foundation is still intact. Have you ever heard the term ’killing with kindness’?"
A faint smile played on Zhao Tianlong’s lips.
Zhao Guang kowtowed heavily, breaking out in a cold sweat. "I understand. I will not betray your trust."
’Zhao Guang was so resentful he wanted to bash his head against a wall. The Ancestral Master’s aning was clear: he had to bow his head to Wang ng. To put it nicely, he was to endure hardship for a future goal. In reality, he was being told to go grovel.’
’It seed like only yesterday that Wang ng was just a pathetic new disciple.’
After a week of rest, Wang ng had also recovered. However, managent was really not his specialty, so he naturally beca a hands-off manager. This ant more work for Hu Jing. Fortunately, she had Zhou Qian, Chen Haiguan, Hex Ziyuan, and others to assist her, along with the walking encyclopedia, Zhang Liang. It was only a matter of ti before they took complete control. Riding the wave of his invincible reputation from the tournant victory, no one dared to challenge his authority.
"Tian’Er, are you really leaving?" Liuu i clutched Ma Tian’Er’s hand reluctantly. She understood in her heart that watching Wang ng and Yang Ying’s intimacy every day was indeed a form of torture for Ma Tian’Er.
"Sister Liuu, thank you for taking care of all these years in Thunderlight Hall."
"Tian’Er, what are you saying? We’re like sisters. You must co and visit when you have ti."
Ma Tian’Er nodded. "You must be happy, Sister."
"Tian’Er, try to look on the bright side. There are plenty of handso n out there. You’re the best girl I’ve ever t. That guy Wang ng will definitely regret this in the future."
Ma Tian’Er gave a faint, sad smile. "I hope he lives a good life. I’ll be happy for him. It’s just... I’m afraid I won’t be able to co back and see you for a very long ti."
"Ah? What’s wrong?" Liuu i was taken aback.
"When I go ho this ti, I’ll probably be heading to the Great Yuan Realm. Please keep it a secret for ."
Ma Tian’Er left. Her final glance back at Thunderlight Hall nearly broke Liuu i’s heart. The Great Yuan Realm... that was a crazy, dangerous place. If she weren’t afraid of being constantly reminded of her painful mories, why would Ma Tian’Er ever go there?
’But matters of the heart were the most helpless. That guy Wang ng usually seed so domineering, but when it was ti for him to be a little roguish, he beca a perfect gentleman. n... what strange creatures were they, really?’
Wang ng took Yang Ying, and Zhang Xiaojiang took Liuu i, and they all returned to the mortal realm together. After being away from ho for so many years, they were finally going back. The return of the two of them caused a huge sensation.
This was especially true for Wang ng. Law Enforcent Elder of the Holy Hall Jiufen Hall—such a grand title was beyond the comprehension of mortals, but they understood one thing at least: Wang ng was very powerful and held a high status. Instantly, the Wang Family estate beca the liveliest place in Thunderlight City.
Wang ng’s parents, however, reacted to this with calm indifference. Although, when they saw Yang Ying, they thought their son had brought a fairy ho.
Father Wang didn’t care how impressive Wang ng was in the Holy Hall. He just hoped his son would live the life he wanted to live. A good man’s ambition lies far and wide.
Whether she was a Dual Cultivation partner or a daughter-in-law, Wang’s Mother didn’t care. What she cared about was when the two of them would give her a grandson or granddaughter. This was the most important thing to mortals, and her questions made Yang Ying blush beet red.
But for Cultivators, this was sothing that might not happen for a very long ti.
Wang ng really wanted to bring his parents to the Small Thousand World, but they were very attached to their holand. They just wanted to live the familiar life they knew and didn’t want any more upheaval.
Over at Zhang Xiaojiang’s parents’ house, they threw a huge banquet. Originally, Father Zhang had disapproved of his son hanging out with Wang ng. But as soon as he heard Zhang Xiaojiang describe how aweso Wang ng was in the Small Thousand World, Father Zhang’s enthusiasm for Wang ng surpassed even his affection for his own son, Zhang Xiaopang.
In any case, with Wang ng and Zhang Xiaojiang’s prestige in the Holy Hall, no one in the mortal world would dare to provoke their families anymore. Father Zhang would also take good care of Wang ng’s parents, which put Wang ng’s mind at ease.
The four of them stayed in the mortal realm for another half a month before leaving reluctantly.
After Wang ng left, the Wang Family estate returned to its usual tranquility. Clearly, Father and Mother Wang did not enjoy the hustle and bustle.
"Old Wang, so things are just destined to be. The boy still ended up walking this path."
"His life is his own to decide. The beauty of life lies in the process of experiencing it."
Wang’s Mother smiled faintly, a glimpse of her forr elegance showing through. "That child, Yang Ying, should be from the Yang Family of Celestial Heart Castle. I suppose she’s a good match for our son."
"We’re just ordinary people. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters."
"Yes. There’s happiness in being ordinary, too."
The two of them looked at each other and smiled, a gentle, shared understanding between them that showed they had seen through the ways of the world.
Zhang Xiaopang and Liuu i returned to the Holy Hall. With Brother ng busy, of course Zhang Xiaopang had to hold down the fort. His reputation as "True Master Zhang of Arrow No Miss" was nothing to scoff at—even if it was self-proclaid.
When Wang ng first arrived at the Holy Hall, he had assud everyone ca from the mortal realm. Only later did he learn that many Holy Hall disciples were actually from the Small Thousand World itself. So were from Cultivator families in the Small Thousand World, while others were mortals, but being born in the Small Thousand World gave them better potential. Wang ng, however, was an exception to the rule—a freak of nature.
Yang Ying, on the other hand, ca from a prestigious family in the Small Thousand World. On the Vermilion Bird Continent, the most famous powers were undoubtedly the Three Sects and Five Schools. But besides them, there were also many powerful families and City Lords. A place like Tongming City could only be considered a small city.
The Three Sects, Five Schools, and Eight Great Castles. Yang Ying’s family was the Yang Family of Celestial Heart Castle, one of the Eight Great Castles.
The Yang Family’s old ancestor was also a supre expert at the Ancestral Master Level and rarely made public appearances anymore.
The current Castle Lord of Celestial Heart Castle is Yang Ying’s maternal uncle, Yang Molong. Yang Ying’s father passed away when she was young, so she was raised by her mother. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to co to Qidian to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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