Relocating the Sect

Lin Yi's scalp prickled at Xiao Wu's shocking proposal. Seeing that the atmosphere had turned so bizarre it was impossible to smooth things over, he coughed sharply and forcibly changed the subject, his expression turning grave. "Ahem! We'll discuss that later! The most urgent thing is to immediately report the Spirit Hall Douluo's infiltration and assassination attempt to the sect master and my teacher! A Titled Douluo-level assassin lurking near the branch sect is a grave matter!"

He immediately took out a specially made Communication Soul Tool and swiftly sent a concise report back to the main branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, describing the ambush and the attacker's recruitment pitch and threats. He especially emphasized that the matter had to be reported at once to Bone Douluo, who was still away.

The message went out, and less than half a day later—

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several immensely powerful auras rushed closer, streaking across the sky like meteors before landing directly in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Branch Sect's courtyard. The man at the front wore snow-white robes, and his hair and beard were both white. His features were rugged, and sword energy radiated from him. It was none other than Sword Douluo Chen Xin! He had clearly rushed back as fast as he could, a trace of barely perceptible urgency between his brows.

Close behind him came Bone Douluo Gu Rong, who had returned from the imperial palace as soon as he received the message, and Ning Fengzhi, his expression grave, who had arrived in an accelerated soul-guided carriage.

"Yier, how bad are your injuries?" Chen Xin's gaze flashed like lightning as it landed on Lin Yi. Sensing that Lin Yi's aura was slightly unsteady but his foundations remained solid and he was in no serious danger, the urgency in his eyes eased a little, replaced by icy fury.

"I'm fine. They're only flesh wounds, and they're no longer a concern," Lin Yi replied respectfully.

"Spirit Hall, you've got some nerve! Bibi Dong, you've got some nerve! You keep up appearances by holding back, yet secretly send a Titled Douluo to carry out such a despicable assassination! Do you really think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no one to stand against you?!" Bone Douluo Gu Rong had a fiery temper. At once, fury blazed across his face, and his powerful Soul Power made the air around them hum.

Ning Fengzhi's face was as dark as water. He carefully examined the traces of sword energy left in the wound on Lin Yi's back, then listened as Lin Yi described the shadowy figure's Soul Power and concealment methods in detail. After pondering for a moment, he said slowly, "Judging by the methods, the attack was sinister and crafty, and the attacker was skilled at concealment. It must have been Ghost Leopard Douluo, the one in Spirit Hall's Elder Hall renowned for assassination. He personally made a move... It seems Bibi Dong is determined to get Lin Yi—or else... to eliminate him at all costs."

He looked at Chen Xin and said gravely, "Uncle Jian, with this move, Spirit Hall has torn off all pretense. Today, they sent Ghost Leopard Douluo to infiltrate the branch sect and assassinate Lin Yi. Tomorrow, they could infiltrate the sect's core and target more of our core disciples—or even you and me. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was wiped out right before our eyes. We can't afford to take any chances!"

Chen Xin gave a slight nod, his gaze as sharp as a sword. Looking at Lin Yi, he said in a tone that brooked no argument, "Starting today, you'll train by my side. Until you're strong enough to protect yourself, you're not to go far on your own."

Warmth filled Lin Yi's heart. He knew his teacher was looking out for him, and immediately bowed. "Yes, Teacher."

Ning Fengzhi's gaze swept across the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well valley, shrouded in both splendor and danger. A look of resolve flashed in his eyes. "This place is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well itself is a rare treasure of heaven and earth that serves as a natural barrier. It's safer and more secluded than the sect's original grounds."

He drew a deep breath and made a momentous decision that would change the fate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. "Give my order: starting today, we'll begin relocating the sect! Concentrate all our resources on expanding this branch! Move all important texts, supplies, core disciples, and their families here in secret, in batches! At the original sect grounds, we'll keep only some outer disciples to serve as a decoy and maintain vigilance!"

He intended to move the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's entire foundation to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, so they could face Spirit Hall's increasingly blatant threats!

Everyone was shaken by his words, but when they thought of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's horrific fate, no one objected. This was the safest path to survival for now.

Meanwhile, once the Heaven Dou Empire learned that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been attacked—though the details weren't made public, the upper echelons all knew—they accelerated their military consolidation.

With Xue Ye and Crown Prince Xue Beng jointly driving the effort, the empire's Three Great Soul Master Legions and Royal Knights began an extensive reorganization. They abandoned some outlying, easily raided small military camps, concentrated their main forces in several key strategic locations, and established a stronger, coordinated defensive system to avoid being picked off one by one by Spirit Hall's elite. The entire Heaven Dou Empire curled in on itself like a frightened hedgehog, baring its sharp spines.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's relocation proceeded at a frantic pace. Large quantities of supplies and personnel began streaming through secret channels into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Branch Sect, and the once-quiet valley grew busier and more tense by the day.

On this day, a group of core disciples transferred from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's original grounds arrived. Among them was Ning Fengzhi's only daughter, Ning Rongrong.

She still had that elfin beauty, but there was less of her former arrogance between her brows and more quiet composure. Yet beneath that composure, something like resentment and indignation still seemed to simmer.

After her lodgings were assigned, Ning Rongrong went straight to the newly constructed Martial Arts Arena, where Lin Yi was practicing sword intent under Chen Xin's guidance.

"Lin Yi." Ning Rongrong's voice was clear, but tinged with distance.

Lin Yi lowered his stance and looked at her. His feelings about his betrothed in name were rather complicated. Though they were engaged, they had little to do with each other; their betrothal was more a political marriage for the sect's benefit.

"Is something the matter?" Lin Yi asked evenly.

Ning Rongrong pressed her lips together, as if she had made up her mind. She lifted her head and looked Lin Yi straight in the eye, a stubborn glint in her gaze. "I came here to formally tell you that I want to end our engagement."