"Extreme Yin, she should be telling the truth," Xuan Li interjected at the right moment.
Song Wen likewise saw no reason for the maid to lie, so he withdrew his imposing aura.
The maid immediately felt the tremendous pressure vanish. She lay prostrate on the ground, gasping heavily.
"Xuan Li, take her with you when you leave later. Send her to the outer sect to become an ordinary disciple," Song Wen said.
"Thank you for your mercy, Sect Master." The maid hurriedly kowtowed in gratitude.
Song Wen paid her no further attention and instead asked Ying Wu a question.
"Ying Wu, I intend to cultivate on this mountain. Where do you plan to establish your cave abode?"
Ying Wu said, "This mountain is towering and rich in spiritual energy, enough for both of us to cultivate here at once. I would like to cultivate on this mountain too."
Song Wen had no reason to refuse and nodded slightly.
"Ying Wu, sorry for the trouble, but please make another trip to the treasury and collect two ninth-tier formations for our cave abodes."
"Very well!" Ying Wu replied, then took to the air and departed.
Song Wen then said to Xuan Li, "Xuan Li, sorry for the trouble, but please go to Mars Hall and find someone named Mo You for me. Have him come to see me alone."
Afterward, Xuan Li also left, taking the maid with her.
Song Wen pushed open the stone door, entered the cave abode, and sat beside the stone table to brew spiritual tea.
About a quarter of an hour later.
Mo You appeared outside the cave abode.
His expression was calm, seemingly showing neither excitement nor anxiety at being summoned by the newly appointed sect master.
Although the cave abode's stone door stood wide open,