Standoff

Three days later, all entry-level disciples of the Cloud Saint Sect under the age of twenty gathered in the plaza of the Cloud Saint Hall. Zhao Youdao, the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, stood facing the crowd. Behind him, aside from several protectors and core disciples, stood two young women—naturally, Xie Mei'er and her servant.

Just as Luo Sanbao had anticipated, the primary purpose of this gathering was to flush him out. Fortunately, Sanbao's name was no longer on the roster of entry-level disciples, so no matter how much the two women scanned the crowd, they could not find a single trace of him.

After a full quarter of an hour, Xie Mei'er gave a signal to Zhao Youdao, indicating that the person they were looking for was not among the crowd. However, the deacons of the Enforcement Hall had long since cross-referenced the roster with everyone present, and it was confirmed that everyone had arrived.

Seeing the elders and protectors on the platform sitting motionless, the crowd gradually grew restless. Just then, Zhao Youdao waved his large hand, and the crowd immediately stood at attention to listen, not daring to be negligent.

"Everyone, I believe you are all aware that the Grand Sect Master was assassinated by a villain. Although the culprit has not yet been caught, based on the circumstances at the time, it is highly likely that there was collusion between insiders and outsiders. As far as we know, our entry-level disciple Wang Liang is likely involved. It is my fault for failing to govern strictly, allowing him to escape. The Enforcement Hall has already listed him as a target for capture. However, besides him, it is said that one other person is involved, and we are currently investigating. If anyone has any clues, please report them to the Enforcement Hall; we will make an exception and provide sufficient merit rewards!"

After Zhao Youdao finished speaking, he suddenly took a hanging scroll from his robes. The young man in the portrait had thick eyebrows, dark eyes, a high nose bridge, and a slightly lean, tall build.

If Sanbao were here, he would surely be shocked, because the young man in the painting was none other than himself. Although it was not a perfect likeness, it bore a distinct resemblance.

"Don't know him. Don't know him."

The crowd shook their heads one after another. Among the nearly two hundred entry-level disciples present, not a single one recognized the person in the painting. The only person who did, Wang Liang, was long gone.

Since joining the sect, Sanbao had kept to himself and rarely appeared in public. Aside from the three people at Fire Cloud Hall, truly no one knew him.

"Could he not be a disciple of the Cloud Saint Sect? That's impossible," Xie Mei'er thought, unable to solve the puzzle.

At that moment, Zhao Youdao suddenly had a flash of inspiration. A person popped into his mind: the person in the painting looked quite similar to the newly promoted core disciple he had seen the day before. Could it be him?

Since the target was not found, the gathering soon dispersed.

Half an hour later, Zhao Youdao led Xie Mei'er and the others in a rush to Fire Cloud Hall.

"Who are you looking for? Aside from the Sect Master, we don't see anyone for Elder Jing," A-Tie stood at the entrance of Fire Cloud Hall like a door god, blocking their entry.

"Go report it quickly, say that Zhao Youdao is here to visit," Zhao Youdao said, not wanting to bicker with a gatekeeper, and shouted loudly.

"You... you wait a moment."

A-Tie had long recognized this high-ranking Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall. Moreover, the group had arrived with such aggressive momentum that his previous words were merely a formality. As soon as Zhao Youdao finished speaking, he slipped into the inner hall.

Before long, Jing Yifei arrived at the front of the hall, his expression exceptionally cold.

"Elder Zhao, now that the Grand Sect Master is dead, you no longer hold me in your eyes?"

"Elder Jing, you... you misunderstand. We are here for your disciple, Luo Sanbao. Why don't you let him come out? We would like to verify some matters."

Regarding Jing Yifei's coldness, Zhao Youdao showed no dissatisfaction; instead, he replied with a smile, as if he hadn't even been this polite when speaking to the Sect Master.

"What matter? You can tell me the same. My disciple is currently in closed-door cultivation and it is truly not convenient to disturb him," Jing Yifei rolled his eyes, seemingly unwilling to give the other party any face.

"This, this... I'm afraid that won't do. This is Miss Mei'er, daughter of the Third Sect Master. She says she once saw Luo Sanbao with that spirit beast..." Everyone present was an insider, so Zhao Youdao was not afraid of leaking secrets. Faced with Jing Yifei's assertiveness, he had to explain directly while also invoking the name of the Third Sect Master.

"Greetings, Elder Jing. That day, I did indeed see Junior Brother Luo with that spirit beast, and furthermore..." Xie Mei'er bowed in salute, appearing somewhat fearful.

"Hmph, don't you dare make false accusations. I said it didn't happen, so it didn't. Do you think my disciple would harm him?" Jing Yifei assumed Xie Mei'er was trying to silence witnesses because of her own scandalous affairs, so he naturally wouldn't let her succeed.

"Elder Jing, don't be like this. As long as Luo Sanbao comes out to confront us and clears things up, we won't make things difficult for him, for your sake!" Zhao Youdao remained polite.

"A-Tie, see them out," Jing Yifei couldn't be bothered to deal with them and turned to head back into the hall.

"Jing Yifei, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! This is a Sect Master's order, commanding us to arrest Luo Sanbao and bring him to the Enforcement Hall!" Zhao Youdao finally lost his patience, pulled out a token, and shouted.

"Hmph, I'd like to see who dares to step into the gates of Fire Cloud Hall today. If one comes, I kill one; if two come, I kill a pair..." Jing Yifei's aura reached a peak in an instant. Although Zhao Youdao and his group were furious, they did not dare to cross the line.

Although Zhao Youdao was also at the peak of the Spirit King realm, Jing Yifei held a very special status. Even with the Grand Sect Master gone, he was not someone Zhao could afford to offend.

Furthermore, in terms of true strength, he might not be a match for Jing Yifei.

Jing Yifei was an Artifact Refiner by trade; not only did he dual-cultivate metal and fire spirit energy, but his soul power was far above his own. If the two really fought, Zhao Youdao would definitely lose.

Xie Mei'er was equally anxious. Jing Yifei's transcendent status in the Cloud Saint Sect was a secret known to many high-level members. It was just unfortunate that her father was severely injured; otherwise, with his status as both Sect Master and a Spirit Emperor, he would have been enough to suppress Jing Yifei.

The atmosphere turned cold in an instant. No one expected that the naturally aloof Jing Yifei would turn against Zhao Youdao, and even the Third Sect Master, for the sake of a core disciple.

The two sides stood in a brief standoff, but in the end, it was Zhao Youdao who backed down.

"Let's go," Zhao Youdao was burning with rage, yet he dared not make a move. In the end, he had to leave Fire Cloud Peak with a dark, sullen face.

In his heart, he cursed Jing Yifei from top to bottom, thinking to himself that he would have to ask the Third Sect Master to step in.

Seeing Zhao Youdao retreat, Jing Yifei finally retracted his aura and turned to walk into the inner hall, leaving only the dim-witted A-Tie at the entrance.

"Master, I'm afraid today's events will be difficult to resolve," Sanbao walked out from the side, following closely behind Jing Yifei.

"It doesn't matter. The Grand Sect Master is gone anyway. At worst, we'll pack our bags and leave. Who cares about this place?" Jing Yifei was extremely firm, showing no regard for the Cloud Saint Sect.

Sanbao could not understand the mystery behind this, so he could only nod submissively, having already prepared for the worst.

However, things did not go as Sanbao had imagined. After the day Zhao Youdao and his group visited, the entire Fire Cloud Hall remained exceptionally peaceful for three full months.

Just as Sanbao thought everything had passed and began to lower his guard, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

The Third Sect Master personally led a group up to Fire Cloud Peak.

Hindered by the authority and strength of the Sect Master, Jing Yifei reluctantly brought the group into the reception hall.

"Elder Jing, now that the Third Sect Master has come in person, may we ask you to let your beloved disciple show his face?" Zhao Youdao sneered with great satisfaction.

"Indeed, Elder Jing. We are only concerned for the safety of the sect and wish to avenge the Grand Sect Master. I hope you can be understanding," Xie Tianyu, the Third Sect Master, said with a smile. His pale face seemed to be a sign that his injuries had not yet healed.

"Sanbao, why don't you come out and meet the Sect Master and the elders?"

Jing Yifei did not believe for a second that Sanbao had anything to do with the death of the Grand Sect Master; he simply despised Zhao Youdao's conduct. However, this time, the Third Sect Master Xie Tianyu had come despite his illness, and he dared not show him too much disrespect.

"Sanbao greets the Sect Master and the esteemed elders," Sanbao said, steeling himself as he ducked into the parlor to bow before the heavyweights of the Cloud Saint Sect.

"It's him, Father, esteemed elders, it's him! I saw him lying right next to that spirit beast. The death of the Grand Sect Master must be related to him," Xie Mei'er, the daughter of the Third Sect Master, immediately recognized Sanbao among the crowd.

Although her lover Zhao Hong had died at the hooves of the Colored Deer that day, it was inseparable from Sanbao's involvement. Xie Mei'er had long harbored a deep hatred for him, and now that her side held the advantage, she was naturally aggressive and overbearing.

"Since that is the case, Elder Zhao, why haven't you taken him down yet?" The Third Sect Master Xie Tianyu had already prepared himself; his figure flashed, positioning himself right in front of Jing Yifei before issuing the order.

"Yes."

Zhao Youdao shouted in a deep voice.

"Wait! Third Sect Master, are you really going to arrest someone without distinguishing right from wrong? If I say your daughter is settling a personal vendetta, do you dare let me speak the truth in front of everyone?" Jing Yifei was not afraid in the slightest, merely asking with a cold glare.

Sanbao remained silent, only watching Xie Mei'er and the others with a cold gaze, his heart having already lost all hope for the Cloud Saint Sect.

"Why wouldn't I dare?"

Xie Tianyu asked himself, confident that he had no skeletons in his closet that the other party could hold over him, and remained calm and fearless.

"Fine! Since you have no shame, don't blame me for being impolite. Your daughter and Zhao Youdao's nephew, Zhao Hong, were engaged in illicit affairs, and my disciple caught them in the act. That is the real reason you've come here today!" Jing Yifei shouted loudly.

"What? What?" Aside from Zhao Youdao, the other elders were instantly stunned, and the atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

"Mei'er, is this true?" Xie Tianyu's face turned ashen as he turned back to ask.

"Fa-father, no, there is no such thing..." Xie Mei'er's face flushed bright red. Assuming her scandalous secret had truly been witnessed by Sanbao, she tried to lie, but her expression was highly unnatural, and she began to stutter.