Demonic Sect's Assassination Plan! Joyous Union Sect's Glimmer of Hope!

East Sea, Changhe City.

At an outwardly ordinary tavern.

Around it, wandering guests from all corners of the land, rogue cultivators, came and went in droves, most of them discussing matters concerning the 'Heavenly Curtain.'

But, there were also some particular presences who did not join the discussion.

Looking ahead.

Within and outside the tavern, many mysterious figures sat at the stalls, their attire varied, their gazes indifferent, flickering with faint vigilance, their eyes occasionally sweeping their surroundings as if guarding against some danger...

These were all elites of the Four Great Sects of the Demonic Sect.

Why had they gathered here?

Naturally, because the leaders of the Four Great Sects of the Demonic Sect were meeting inside this very tavern!

In a certain private room.

The atmosphere was dim, the candlelight faint.

"Cough, cough."

The Poison God's eyes flickered slightly.

He gave a light cough, his gaze resting on the two men and one woman before him, and he spoke slowly: "Since everyone has arrived, let us begin our discussions together."

As soon as these words were spoken.

Wan Renwang raised an eyebrow slightly.

Three Marvels Fairy and Yuyangzi gave a slight nod.

The Poison God pondered for a moment, then said:

"This meeting was organized by This Seat, so let me speak of a few matters first."

"Do any of you have objections?"

Wan Renwang smiled faintly and said: "Elder Poison God, as a pioneer of our Holy Sect, whatever guidance you have, we shall naturally listen patiently."

Hearing this.

Yuyangzi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Three Marvels Fairy let out a light laugh and said: "Elder Poison God, please speak."

"Hmm."

The Poison God nodded slightly.

He paused in thought for a moment, then said: "The Heavenly Curtain that suddenly appeared not long ago—everyone must already know of it. As for whether the information within it is true or false? On this point, This Seat cannot be certain!"

"But—"

"To be safe."

"This Seat has contacted the spy I planted within the Qingyun Sect."

As soon as these words were spoken.

Wan Renwang, Three Marvels Fairy, and the others were momentarily stunned.

The Myriad Poisons Sect had planted a spy in the Qingyun Sect? This was the first time they had heard of it!

"According to the intelligence passed back by the spy."

"The Qingyun Sect's Little Bamboo Peak does indeed have a female disciple named 'Lu Xueqi,' and her talent is unparalleled through the ages, hailed as the foremost since Qingye..."

"This matches what was recorded in the Heavenly Curtain."

The Poison God spoke in a low voice:

"But... regarding the matter of the 'Azure Cloud Sect Leader,' it is not so simple."

Hearing this.

The demonic sect leaders present narrowed their eyes slightly.

Not so simple?

Could it be—there were hidden circumstances behind it?

The Poison God said in a grave tone: "The intelligence makes clear that the next sect leader of the Qingyun Sect is not Xiao Yicai..."

Hearing this.

Wan Renwang and the others furrowed their brows.

"Not Xiao Yicai?"

"Then who could it be?!"

Yuyangzi suddenly spoke: "Elder Poison God, is your intelligence source reliable? As far as I know, the Qingyun Sect's Xiao Yicai has already received the true teachings of that old Daoist Daoxuan and is regarded as the successor to the next Azure Cloud Sect Leader!"

"Hmph!"

Poison God let out a cold snort.

His piercing eyes fixed on Yuyangzi as he said, "Are you questioning me?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Yuyangzi lowered his head slightly, his tone indifferent. "It's just... this matter concerns the very life and death of our Holy Sect. We cannot afford the slightest carelessness."

Hearing this.

Poison God fell silent.

He glanced at Yuyangzi.

And noticed that Wan Renwang and Three Marvels Fairy were also looking his way.

Poison God pondered for a moment, then finally said, "The source of the information is absolutely reliable. The Azure Cloud Sect Leader exposed by the Heavenly Curtain is definitely not Xiao Yicai. These words were spoken by Daoxuan himself..."

"Not Xiao Yicai? Then who is it?"

Wan Renwang asked.

They didn't bother questioning Poison God's source of information.

After all, things had already been laid out this far.

There was no need to press further.

To have obtained a direct statement from 'Daoxuan'? The Myriad Poisons Sect's spy within Qingyun Sect was at least a Peak Elder, or even a Peak Head...

"I don't know."

Poison God shook his head. "The person in question may not have even joined Qingyun yet, or perhaps they simply haven't made a name for themselves."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The few people present fell into silence.

If the next Azure Cloud Sect Leader wasn't Xiao Yicai?

Then these were the only explanations!

"Regardless of whether it's Xiao Yicai or not, we must take measures as soon as possible to nip this crisis in the bud..."

Wan Renwang spoke in a low voice.

"Indeed."

Poison God nodded in agreement. "So, I plan to send people to infiltrate Qingyun Sect and secretly assassinate the various Prodigies of the Seven Peaks..."

"Especially that Lu Xueqi of Little Bamboo Peak."

Number One Female Sword Immortal Under Heaven?

Cultivation at the Peak of Supreme Purity?

Heh--

Quite a reputation.

And indeed a Prodigy who catches the eye.

But, a Prodigy who hasn't grown up.

Is nothing more than an ant.

Hearing this.

The few seated pondered briefly.

The Myriad Poisons Sect had allies within Qingyun Sect. If they attempted an assassination... the chances of success were indeed quite high.

"Count Longevity Hall in on this matter as well."

Yuyangzi spoke up.

This was a good opportunity to establish authority within the Holy Sect.

If Longevity Hall's people successfully assassinated a Qingyun Prodigy? Then Longevity Hall's name would resound throughout the Holy Sect!

"Count the Ghost King Sect in too."

Wan Renwang said thoughtfully.

For a time, only Three Marvels Fairy of the Joyous Union Sect had yet to state her position.

Facing the gazes of Poison God and the others.

Three Marvels Fairy gave a light smile.

Her voice was coquettish and frail as she said, "Our Joyous Union Sect is nothing but a group of weak women. We're not particularly skilled in the art of combat. It's best to leave the assassination to you gentlemen."

Hearing this.

Poison God and the others remained expressionless.

As for Three Marvels Fairy's nonsense? They didn't believe a single word of it!

Joyous Union Sect wasn't skilled in combat?

Heh!

If they weren't skilled in combat, then how did they secure their seat among the Four Great Sects?

By selling themselves?

Poison God pondered briefly.

He wasn't particularly concerned about Joyous Union Sect's hesitation.

After all, Longevity Hall and Ghost King Sect had already joined in.

Each sect just needed to contribute more people.

Whether Joyous Union Sect joined or not didn't matter.

"In that case."

"Let's end this meeting here for now."

Poison God spoke slowly, saying, "As for when the subsequent assassination plan will proceed, once This Seat has finalized it, I will inform the two of you immediately..."

With that.

His gaze shifted to Wan Renwang and Yuyangzi.

"Very well."

The Four Great Sect Masters rose slowly.

They exchanged glances, then cupped their hands in farewell to one another.

"Shua!"

The next moment.

A figure flickered within the private room.

Not a single shadow remained.

But, Just then.

Three Marvels Fairy's figure reappeared.

She stood atop the restaurant, her gaze fixed into the distance, a peculiar glint flickering in her eyes.

"Master."

A soft voice sounded from behind her.

A charming maiden in a white dress poked her head out from behind the door, walking over curiously, and asked:

"Have all the seniors left?"

"Hmm."

Three Marvels Fairy nodded with a smile.

Her expression carried a hint of reflection as she said, "Ping'er, do you know why your master refused Poison God and the others' assassination plan?"

Jin Ping'er frowned slightly.

She thought hard for a moment, then shook her head, saying, "I don't know."

Three Marvels Fairy said softly, "According to the information exposed by the Heavenly Curtain, Myriad Poisons Sect and Longevity Hall were all destroyed by the 'next Azure Cloud Sect Leader,' but Joyous Union Sect was disbanded because of his existence. Tell me..."

"Why?"

"Could it be that he had a soft spot for beauties?"

"Heh—"

"What's there to cherish about a bunch of worn-out shoes in the sect?"

"There must be another reason behind this."

"That's why your master refused them. Perhaps... our Joyous Union Sect still has a sliver of hope!"

Most of the disciples within Joyous Union Sect were female cultivators specializing in Harvesting Yang to Replenish Yin.

But there were also a few who practiced the path of Yin-Yang mutual complementation.

Just very few.