A crowd gathers around them, anticipation thick, tension and fear written across every face.
Because this is not a battle between two disciples, but a clash between two factions within the sa sect.
The rising Law Enforcent Hall under the Gu Family stands against the waning Si Family, the sect's very founders.
Everyone here has read the records of such conflicts.
When a sect turns on itself, it does not survive unchanged.
For ordinary disciples, who wins does not matter.
They always lose.
Many would have already fled, if not for the beast tide raging outside.
Gu Canghai signals his subordinates.
“What are you all standing for? Go and capture her.”
His finger points toward Yu Diexin.
The sharp sound of swords leaving their sheaths rings through the air.
Song Xingli steps forward, her blade rising, its tip aid straight at them.
“Let’s see who dares.”
A slow smile spreads across Gu Canghai’s face.
“Star, you dare point your weapon at ?”
His gaze shifts, cold and cutting.
“A mber of the Law Enforcent Hall… for her?”
He looks at Diexin.
“She must truly be a spy.”
His voice hardens.
“Capture both of them.”
His subordinates draw their weapons fully.
Among the five, three stand at the peak of the Outer Qi Refining Stage, while the remaining two radiate heavier pressure—one in the Sublimation Stage, the other in the Origin Rune Stage.
And Gu Canghai himself stands firmly within the Sublimation Stage.
Yu Diexin’s aura turns cold, like frost spreading across still water, as she prepares to fight.
Before the clash can begin, a figure descends from above.
A man in white lands between the two sides.
Gasps ripple through the surrounding disciples.
“Senior Brother Bu Hanli.”
Bu Hanli stands calmly, his robe fluttering slightly as he looks between Xingli and Canghai.
“What are you two doing?”
His voice is steady, but carries weight.
“Do you not understand the situation of the sect?”
He pauses.
“Now is the ti for unity, not infighting.”
Murmurs of agreent spread through the crowd.
Many look at him with approval, even admiration.
A descendant of the Great Elder.
A stabilising presence.
Then another voice rises from behind Gu Canghai’s group.
“Senior Brother Bu, you are right that we should show unity…”
The crowd parts.
Si Yao steps forward.
“…but the Law Enforcent Hall is accusing innocent people.”
Gu Canghai’s eyes flash with anger as they flick between Bu Hanli and Si Yao.
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With both a disciple of the Great Elder and the Sect Master present, he can no longer act freely.
His jaw tightens.
He waves his sleeve.
“Let’s go.”
His group turns and walks toward the stairs leading down to the Law Enforcent Hall.
The crowd parts silently for them.
Soon, they disappear below.
Bu Hanli turns to the surrounding disciples.
“Everyone, what are you waiting for?”
“The beast tide can strike at any mont.”
“Return to your duties.”
The crowd disperses quickly.
Only four remain.
Bu Hanli nods once to Si Yao and Song Xingli.
Then his gaze settles on Yu Diexin.
A faint smile appears.
“Nice to et you again, Mrs. Yu.”
Yu Diexin returns a small smile and nods.
Without another word, Bu Hanli walks away.
Song Xingli and Yu Diexin sheathe their swords.
They follow Si Yao up the stairs.
As they ascend, Si Yao glances back at Yu Diexin, a teasing smile forming.
“Diexin, I think our young master Bu likes you.”
Yu Diexin smiles lightly.
“That’s not possible.”
Song Xingli joins in, her tone playful.
“Sister Diexin, I noticed it too. Bu Hanli always finds a reason to speak with you.”
Yu Diexin lets out a soft laugh.
“Does he not know I am married and even have a child?”
The words co easily, but a quiet wave of sadness rises within her.
Her thoughts drift far away.
Biyun.
A month has passed since she last saw him.
For the first ti, she is separated from her child for so long.
She wonders if he is safe.
“With Chu Feng… he should be fine.”
Yet the worry does not fade.
A mother’s heart refuses calm.
Si Yao speaks again, her tone curious.
“Both of you are married, yet you are so secretive about your husbands’ nas.”
They reach the flat ground above.
Three grand buildings stand at the edge—the Sect Master’s residence, the Elder’s Hall, and the Serpent Tower.
A narrow stairway extends further upward, leading toward the mountain peak where Soul Awakening cultivators reside.
As they walk toward the Sect Master’s residence, Diexin and Xingli exchange a brief glance.
Both carry the sa thought.
They want to know.
Yet neither dares to speak.
Duan rin’s na now shakes the world.
If their identities are exposed, danger will follow.
Even trust cannot fully erase caution.
Yu Diexin suddenly smiles, mischief flashing in her eyes as she probes.
“Sister Su, didn’t you hear? Star just said her husband is Duan rin.”
Si Yao turns to Xingli, surprise and amusent lighting her face.
“Star, really?”
Song Xingli sighs, a helpless smile appearing.
“I was joking.”
“I only said it to make Gu Canghai back off, and in anger, I claid I was Duan rin’s wife.”
At the ntion of Gu Canghai, Si Yao’s expression cools slightly.
“Don’t worry.”
“Once the Sect Master breaks through to the Soul Awakening Stage, Gu Canghai and the entire Gu Family will be taught a lesson.”
Before anyone can respond, a voice cos from inside the hall.
“What are you three chatting about outside?”
“Co in quickly.”
Si Yao pushes open the door.
Inside, the hall stretches wide and solemn.
At the far end, upon an elevated platform, the Sect Master, Si Ying, sits calmly on a chair.
Below the steps of the platform stands Si Heng, the Soul Awakening cultivator of the Si Family, his presence steady like an unmoving pillar beneath the authority of the sect master.
The three walk further into the hall, their footsteps echoing faintly across the polished floor as they approach the centre and bow in unison.
“Greeting, Master.”
“Greeting, Sect Master.”
“Greeting, Sect Master.”
Si Ying’s gaze settles calmly upon them, her expression unreadable, before resting on Song Xingli.
“Star, what important news do you have to share?”
When Xingli and Yu Diexin first landed on the island, Xingli had already sent a spirit transmission to the Sect Master, informing her that she carried urgent information.
That ssage is also the reason the disciples guarding the mountain peak allowed Diexin to ascend without obstruction.
Xingli and Diexin exchange a brief glance.
Then Xingli steps forward slightly and begins to explain everything they experienced on the cooled volcanic island.
She recounts the encounter, the battle, and the identities they discovered.
Her voice remains steady throughout.
Yet when she finishes, neither Si Ying nor Si Heng shows any visible reaction.
Their calm is almost unsettling.
Only Si Yao’s expression changes.
Her eyes flare with anger.
“You should spread this news to all the islands imdiately.”
Si Ying raises a hand slightly, her tone composed.
“We will.”
“But first, the elders must be inford.”
She pauses, then gives her orders without hesitation.
“Star, take Diexin to stay with you.”
“Yao’er, call all the elders for a eting.”
The three bow again.
Without further words, they turn and leave the hall.
Silence settles the mont they are gone.
Si Ying’s gaze shifts toward Si Heng.
“Uncle, do you think Gu Tiansu is involved?”
Suspicion lingers in her voice.
Recently, the Gu Family, under Gu Tiansu, has begun dealings with forces in the Western Sea.
The Western Sea holds many factions, but all ultimately submit to one power.
The Star Singer Tower.
To deal with the Western Sea is to deal with them.
Si Heng’s eyes flicker slightly, thoughtful.
“We will know from their reaction in the eting.”
Si Ying nods slowly.
No more words are needed.
Elsewhere, so ti later, Si Yao storms into the living room of Song Xingli’s residence, her face tight with anger.
Xingli opens the door, then closes it behind her as Si Yao steps inside.
Before either of them can speak, Si Yao erupts.
“Do you know Gu TianSi blocked us from spreading the Star Singer Tower’s involvent?”
Yu Diexin appears at the doorway of her room, drawn by the raised voice.
“Why?”
Si Yao turns toward her, frustration clear.
“What guarantee is there that you two actually fought mbers of the Star Singer Tower?”
Her voice sharpens.
“Soone could have disguised themselves just to divert suspicion from their own trial.”
Xingli frowns, her tone firm.
“They are from the Star Singer Tower.”
Si Yao exhales, trying to steady herself.
“We already know.”
She continues, her voice lowering but no less intense.
“Two weeks ago, before the beast tide began, mbers of the Star Singer Tower appeared in the Polar Sea.”
“And the mont they appeared… the beasts started moving.”
She takes a deep breath.
“We were already suspicious of them.”
Her eyes move between Xingli and Diexin.
“And now, you two have confird it.”
Silence follows.
The weight of the truth presses down on all three of them.
They sit together, each lost in thought, as the storm quietly gathers beyond the walls.
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