What Goes Around Comes Around / Jade Clarity Sect

Among those who were leaving, there was one less than expected; Ye Yu was missing.

"It's not exactly surprising."

As she maneuvered the Floating Boat and watched the Heavenly Dragon Sect gradually shrink into the distance, Meng Tianyu sighed.

She didn't find Ye Yu's actions particularly strange, nor did she feel angry. After all, this was exactly what Ye Yu wanted.

To ascend to the position of sect leader of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, one still needs to employ certain methods. If one truly regards Meng Tianyu as a simple-minded person, then it's not surprising.

"Now, we should see if the plan of using one tiger to devour another will actually work."

He muttered to himself, gazing in the direction of the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, before gathering all his thoughts and pondering matters concerning the Heavenly Devil Battlefield.

The Heavenly Devil Battlefield is indeed extremely dangerous, and she estimates that half of Heavenly Devil Battlefield group will be lost upon reaching it. However, the Heavenly Devil Battlefield is a double-edged sword. If they return from the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, the remaining cultivators will be the true elite of her faction, requiring focused training. Having undergone the baptism of the battlefield, both their cultivation and actual strength will improve significantly. At that time, the Heavenly Dragon Sect can then have a proper discussion with the elders.

However, this is contingent on her and the monks returning alive.

On the mountaintop of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, Ye Yu stood among many cultivators, watching the departing Floating Boat, a complex mix of emotions welling up within him.

Before leaving, Meng Tianyu glanced around, probably noticing her among the crowd, but left without saying anything.

This action made her feel inexplicably uneasy, but soon the Great Elder's words resurfaced in her mind, slowly expelling this unease from her body.

When the Floating Boat could no longer be seen by sight, the cultivators who had come to see them off dispersed, leaving only a few elders and Ye Yu behind.

"Alright, at this distance, Sect Master Meng can't hear us. My agreement with Junior Nephew Ye has been fulfilled, and according to the rules, it's time to explain this Xin Mi. I wonder what Junior Nephew Ye thinks?"

The Great Elder smiled and spoke these words slowly and deliberately to the elders beside him as he looked at Ye Yu before him.

Right now, these elders are all in the same boat. If they conceal anything, it will only create unnecessary suspicion. The fact that he kept Ye Yu behind has already made these elders unhappy, thinking it's an unforeseen complication. Since that's the case, they might as well tell the truth about their relationship with Ye Yu.

He wasn't really interested in Meng Tianyu's Xin Mi, but discussing them with the elders might pique their interest, or it could become a source of amusement for everyone.

Now that Meng Tianyu has passed away, all that remains is to announce her death in a few days. At that time, it will be the elders who will fight each other for control of the Heavenly Dragon Sect. Showing some goodwill now can save face and reduce the fighting later.

"Yes, since the Great Elder has put it this way, this disciple will inform the other elders of this matter."

Ye Yu didn't waste any words and honestly recounted everything she had seen.

"This disciple was originally Meng Tianyu's personal disciple, and usually studied with Meng Tianyu. Some time ago, the Jade Pure Sect ordered its disciples to go to the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, so Meng Tianyu ordered us personal disciples to gather and discuss this matter. This disciple dared not disobey, so I followed Meng Tianyu's order and went there. On the way, I suddenly saw Meng Tianyu passing by a secret room."

"A secret room?"

The Great Elder narrowed his eyes and quickly noticed the strangeness.

"She didn't notice you? Spirit Manifestation Cultivator's Spiritual Sense far surpasses that of a Golden Core Cultivator. Even the slightest movement around them wouldn't be missed, let alone someone like you."

"This disciple does not know."

Ye Yu didn't explain, nor did she need to, because all she had to do was tell the elders in front of her everything she had seen.

The Second Elder, who was standing to the side, pondered for a moment and offered a possible explanation.

"That's not so. Although the Spiritual Sense of Spirit Manifestation Cultivator is strong, in a sect like the Heavenly Dragon Sect, Meng Tianyu is the strongest. Why should she waste her Spiritual Sense to be vigilant about other things? Besides, we Golden Core cultivators don't release our Spiritual Sense without reason. Although she is exceptionally vigilant, she may overlook others' past actions when faced with matters of concern. Furthermore, Junior Nephew Ye is also at the Core Formation stage, so keeping quiet is quite easy for her."

As he spoke, he began to speculate on the things that Meng Tianyu might be worried about.

"It seems... that the secret room must contain what she longs for. Junior Nephew Ye, please continue."

"Yes,"

Ye Yu bowed her head and responded, then continued recounting what she had witnessed.

"After Meng Tianyu left, the secret chamber was closed. Although it was hidden, many movements could still be heard. I lingered for a while and heard sounds coming from inside, as if someone was hiding there."

"Is someone hiding?"

The Great Elder was about to frown and ask her how she had so easily approached the secret chamber, and how she had gotten so close without being noticed by the person inside—if there really was someone there. However, he then thought that whether it was true or false could be found out by asking, after all, Ye Yu had made Heavenly Dao Oath, and it was impossible for her to lie.

Where is the secret room?

"Exist..."

Ye Yu revealed the location of the secret chamber without hesitation. The Great Elder was about to get up and go there when the Second Elder stopped him.

"Wait a minute, does the Great Elder know the cultivation level of the person in that secret chamber?"

These words made the Great Elder freeze, because he didn't know the cultivation level of the person in the secret chamber, and forcing his way in might not be good. However, he quickly realized what was going on and looked at the Second Elder.

"What are you thinking about, Second Elder?"

"This is just speculation; I dare not make a definitive statement."

The Second Elder first shook his head, then looked at the Great Elder beside him.

"Did Junior Nephew Ye really make Heavenly Dao Oath?"

"Yes."

"That explains why she wasn't discovered by the people in the secret room."

The Second Elder sighed.

"Don't you all find Meng Tianyu's behavior today rather strange? She was clearly still far from the Spirit Embodiment Stage, and she almost died on the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, yet she has suddenly recovered in the last few days, and even her realm has broken through to the Spirit Realm."

"... That is indeed strange."

The Great Elder and the other elders nodded, expecting to hear what insightful remarks the Second Elder would make, but what the next elder said shocked everyone.

"I suspect that Meng Tianyu is colluding with the Heavenly Demon."

"What?!"

Chapter 320 The Cycle of Heaven is Perfect

"Second Elder, do you realize the consequences of your words?"

"Of course I know, but isn't this the most likely outcome?"

The Second Elder looked at everyone, having already completed his reasoning in his mind.

"Elders, you have all worked hard to reach your current level. You know how serious Meng Tianyu's injuries were back then; she might have died in less than a month. But now? Meng Tianyu is not only alive, but thriving, and has even broken through to the Spirit Embodiment Stage. Do you believe her claim that she was reborn from the brink of death and that her injuries healed because of her breakthrough?"

"... Of course I don't believe it."

"That's the reason. I didn't believe it before either, but I didn't know the reason. Now, thanks to Junior Nephew Ye's words, I finally understand the reason. Meng Tianyu's change must be caused by the Heavenly Demon in the secret chamber. It eliminated Meng Tianyu's injuries and forcibly raised Meng Tianyu's realm in a way that we don't know, which led to this situation."

As he spoke, he first presented everyone with a principle.

"While we admire the realms beyond the Golden Core stage, we have no chance to verify them, and naturally, we know nothing of the wonders beyond it. Meng Tianyu's injuries have healed so well, and she has broken through to a higher realm; it must have been a Heavenly Demon beyond the Golden Core stage who came to her aid. As for why it wasn't a human cultivator, you can all understand. Leaving aside the righteous cultivators, let's talk about the Demonic Path cultivators. Why would Demonic Path cultivator beyond the Golden Core stage hide within a sect like the Heavenly Dragon Sect? It wouldn't make sense if they were hiding from pursuit. Currently, righteous and demonic cultivators are joining forces to fight against the Heavenly Demons. Although there are still many differences, even Spirit Manifestation Cultivator would be guaranteed by Demonic Path sect. After all, Spirit Manifestation Cultivator are quite rare these days."

"Therefore, there is no need for these Demonic Path cultivators to hide, and even less for righteous cultivators. With such cultivation levels, why would they hide in the Heavenly Dragon Sect if not to escape being hunted down? Could it be for the treasures of the Heavenly Dragon Sect? What treasures could such a Heavenly Dragon Sect possibly have to offer!"

These words drew nods of agreement from the elders, who indeed found them reasonable. However, the Great Elder still harbored some doubts.

"Since he is a Heavenly Demon at the Spirit Embodiment Stage, how could he not detect Junior Nephew Ye?"

"Because of the aura emanating from him."

The Second Elder quickly answered his question, a question he had just considered.

"The aura of a Heavenly Demon is like dirt to cultivators; if it were to be released even slightly, it would be detected by cultivators of slightly higher cultivation levels. Naturally, a Heavenly Demon, wanting to conceal itself, wouldn't reveal its aura but would try every means to suppress it. Because of this, it is much less alert to external objects, which suggests that the Heavenly Demon is probably only at the Spiritual Realm. At a higher level, it probably wouldn't be this advanced."

"Moreover, it was originally driven by Spirit Manifestation Cultivator like Meng Tianyu. With Meng Tianyu's presence acting as a vigilant, why would it need to be wary of its surroundings? By using Meng Tianyu as a Spirit Manifestation Cultivator, it only needed to focus on its own concealment and wait for the right opportunity to strike. If Meng Tianyu hadn't been so preoccupied with its own affairs that she neglected her surroundings, Junior Nephew Ye would probably have been killed by this fiend long ago, and wouldn't be standing in front of us now."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yu, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine, realizing that she seemed to have just escaped death.

The elders finally had no more doubts and began to find the demon in the secret chamber troublesome.

They weren't fools who had managed to rise to the position of elder. After the Second Elder revealed that the secret chamber contained the Heavenly Demon, the elders pieced together the complete truth of the matter by speaking one after another.

"Why would the Heavenly Demon seek out Meng Tianyu?"

"It wasn't that the Heavenly Demon sought out Meng Tianyu, but rather that Meng Tianyu happened to be someone the Heavenly Demon could exploit. At that time, Meng Tianyu was already on her last legs, with little strength left, which is why she had no choice but to cooperate with the Heavenly Demon to save her life. If it were an ordinary cultivator, she might have had thoughts of resistance, thus exposing the Heavenly Demon."

"Then why does it have to be here?"

"Because the Heavenly Dragon Sect is located within the territory of the Jade Pure Sect, it's likely that the Heavenly Demon's true target is the Jade Pure Sect. Both the righteous and demonic sects were severely weakened by the Heavenly Demon's methods, and this Heavenly Demon probably intends to use similar tactics. The Heavenly Dragon Sect is currently the perfect stepping stone for this scheme. The Heavenly Demon's true intention is probably to have Meng Tianyu surrender to the Jade Pure Sect, thus allowing it to infiltrate the Jade Pure Sect itself."

An elder suddenly spoke, his face turning grim at the thought of such a scenario.

"I'm afraid Meng Tianyu has been planning to do just that all this time, but our scheme led to her being banished to the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, which inadvertently ruined the Heavenly Demon's plans. That day, when Junior Nephew Ye saw Meng Tianyu undetected, if I'm not mistaken, Meng Tianyu was worried about the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, and the Heavenly Demon was also angry because her scheme had been thwarted, and thus failed to notice Junior Nephew Ye outside the secret chamber."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the elders who were still speaking all turned ugly. Now that Meng Tianyu was gone and the Heavenly Demon was probably still in the Heavenly Dragon Sect, and they had ruined the Heavenly Demon's plans, how could the Heavenly Demon not feel disgusted and hated?

They were only at the Golden Core stage; if the Heavenly Demon exposed himself and killed them, they could easily escape. Such actions would only harm them in the end. Once they were dead, the original plan with the Jade Pure Sect would be null and void. If Meng Tianyu survived and returned from the Heavenly Devil Battlefield, he would actually benefit the most.

"No wonder... no wonder she was so calm before she left. It was because of our scheme that we escaped the Heavenly Demon's sea of suffering?"

The Great Elder gave a bitter smile and looked at Ye Yu beside him. If he hadn't protected her because of Ye Yu actions earlier, he would still be completely unaware of this situation and would die with his eyes wide open in disbelief.

"... Now that things have come to this, you should all be thinking about how to protect yourselves."

The Second Elder sighed; the only way out he could think of was to survive.

"We have jointly reported to the Meng Tianyu Jade Pure Sect's collusion with the Heavenly Demon, requesting the Jade Pure Sect to eliminate this Heavenly Demon. It would be best to set off now, lest things change. None of you want to die needlessly in your dreams, do you?"

"I understand this principle."

The Great Elder also sighed.

"It's likely that Meng Tianyu's collusion with the Heavenly Demon won't be able to be realized in the end. The Heavenly Demon will be killed, but Meng Tianyu probably won't give up. She is now Spirit Manifestation Cultivator, and if we keep pressuring her like this, she might abandon the Heavenly Dragon Sect and surrender to the Jade Pure Sect."

"She has the most contact with matters concerning the Heavenly Demons, and the Jade Pure Sect needs her intelligence. Therefore, she will likely be valued within the Jade Pure Sect, and I'm afraid..."

The Great Elder said nothing more. Everyone understood, and let out another long sigh.

Because of this unexpected turn of events, they became the most miserable group of people.

Guess what level she's at?

Chapter 321 Jade Pure Sect

Before Zhang Qiudao monopolized the Xuanhui Realm, the world belonged to righteous cultivators.

The righteous sects are numerous, with the most in the east, thus occupying the eastern lands and regarding the east as the most prestigious of the four directions. The Demonic Path, on the other hand, are forced to live a miserable existence in the barren western lands.

There are naturally different levels of sects, with sects like the Heavenly Dragon Sect being considered lower-class, while sects like the Jade Pure Sect and the Profound Sky Sect are considered upper-class.

With the Profound Sky Sect as the leader of the righteous path, the Jade Pure Sect closely follows behind, making it the second largest righteous sect in the world, with its overall strength only slightly inferior to that of the Profound Sky Sect.

Even after Zhang Qiudao, the righteous path declined while the Demonic Path flourished. However, due to Zhang Qiudao's eccentric behavior, he never established his own sect. The Demonic Path sects merely rose to power by leveraging Zhang Qiudao's prestige, raising the strength of both sides to the same level.

Zhang Qiudao was indeed a Demonic Path cultivator, but his interests did not lie in that. Whether it was the righteous path or the Demonic Path, he only cared about what he did. And it was only because his identity was that of Demonic Path, so he could be considered part of the Demonic Path, that, from an overall perspective, there was a sign that the Demonic Path was superior to the righteous path.

Therefore, righteous sects like Jade Pure Sect and Profound Sky Sect did not suffer many setbacks during Zhang Qiudao's era. If the killing of all the top righteous and demonic sects by Zhang Qiudao, which were all Enlightenment Realm masters, is not considered a setback, then...

The Heavenly Dragon Sect is within the jurisdiction of the Jade Pure Sect, making it a sect that the Jade Pure Sect can interfere with, and its strength is sufficient for it to do so.

"Are you saying that there are Heavenly Demons at the Spirit Embodiment Stage within the Heavenly Dragon Sect?"

The Jade Purity Sect steward, who oversaw this area of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, looked at the Golden Jade Pure Sect cultivators standing in front of him. He didn't have much of an impression of these people, but after the person introducing them explained things to him, he didn't think these guys were there to amuse him.

Is that really true?

His tone turned serious. Learning from past mistakes, the entire Jade Pure Sect was extremely sensitive to matters concerning the Heavenly Demon. Not only them, but other sects were as well.

The Jade Pure Sect Purity Sect originally considered it difficult to forcibly unite with the Demonic Path sects. Even with a righteous sect like the Profound Sky Sect as a role model, it would still be difficult to eliminate the antagonistic conflict between righteous and demonic cultivators.

Right now, just preventing conflict between righteous and demonic cultivators is already troublesome enough, but the Heavenly Demon is also causing trouble, triggering previously suppressed conflicts. This makes the situation even more complicated.

Resolving the conflict between righteous and demonic cultivators is as difficult as ascending to heaven, but the troubles of the Heavenly Demons can be dealt with first. Therefore, the Jade Pure Sect's intention is to kill any Heavenly Demons found within the sect without exception, and to make them disappear from the Jade Pure Sect's jurisdiction by any means necessary.

"Really!"

The elders of the Heavenly Dragon Sect spoke earnestly and urgently, eager to make Heavenly Dao Oath to prove the truth of their words. However, it was unnecessary to go to such lengths.

After confirming the matter once again, the deacon at the Spirit Embodiment Stage immediately contacted the cultivators within the sect specifically in charge of this matter. He explained to his subordinates, one by one, that these people wanted to submit to the Jade Pure Sect, and that they were cowards who feared death, so he figured they wouldn't dare to deceive the Jade Pure Sect on such a matter. His previous questioning was just something he couldn't accept for the moment.

The steward was a sensible man; he knew the consequences if such a thing happened within his jurisdiction. If he killed or captured the demon, that would be one thing, but if he let the demon escape, it would be his fault, and he would certainly be sent to the Heavenly Devil Battlefield for some hardship—what difference would that be from death?

He had used a great deal of connections to get to this safe position, because he had done a decent job of "collecting" and "integrating" the manpower and resources of the smaller sects, which was why he was able to stay in this role.

Now that this has happened, there's no benefit for him if he handles it well, and if he messes it up, he'll lose his position... Only a fool would take on such a task!

As he pondered this, he felt a surge of resentment towards these elders of the Heavenly Dragon Sect. If they hadn't brought it up in this place, he could have simply pretended ignorance and let it slide, and none of this would have happened. As for the Heavenly Demon? How could a Spirit Embodiment Stage cultivator like him have the time to concern himself with such matters?

Whether the Heavenly Dragon Sect was destroyed by the Heavenly Demon, or whether these elders were killed by the Heavenly Demon, what does it have to do with him? As for their claim that the Heavenly Demon entered the Jade Pure Sect because of some sect leader, what does that have to do with him either?

As long as he remains unaware of these events and continues to present a convincing picture of his current achievements, these problems are unlikely to fall on his shoulders.

But it was too late now. With these elders making a scene in his place, a room that wasn't exactly secluded, there were bound to be many people listening. If he didn't act, he would definitely have to step down from his position. Thinking this, the magical Magic Tool he used for communication finally took effect, and the image of a middle-aged man appeared.