Ulterior motives

Unbeknownst to them, not only had Xiao Tingyu altered the formation within that trapping array, but Wen Zhi had also secretly infiltrated it with a drug. When they returned to their lair, they would find that they had lost all their cultivation, their Dantian destroyed, and they would never be able to commit evil again.

This can be considered as a way of venting the anger of those who were previously robbed by them.

The carriage continued its journey, and soon they stopped in a small town. Beyond this town, not far ahead was their destination Heavenly Secrets City.

This small town is called Envy Fish, and it is home to many mortals who want to pursue immortality, because Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is not only the head of the four major immortal sects, but also the most mysterious of them.

The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion can observe star charts and predict celestial secrets. Legend has it that the previous Heavenly Secrets Pavilion once predicted the immortal destiny of a mortal, and that person later indeed ascended to heaven in one step. The pavilion also predicted the fall of a great being, and all of its predictions were accurate.

The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion was revered as a deity by mortals, which is why Envy Fish City flocked to it.

The Yaoling carriage stopped at the city gate. The group got off the carriage and were about to enter the city when they were stopped.

The soldiers guarding the city were very polite. "Esteemed immortals, due to an outbreak of plague in the city, the city lord has ordered a temporary closure of the city and prohibits passage. Please take a detour."

"Is there an epidemic in the city?" Shen Ji's expression was grave. Envy Fish City and Heavenly Secrets Pavilion are so close, and Xianyu City is under the protection of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, so how could an epidemic break out there?

"There's no need to worry, everyone. The immortals from the Profound Heaven Sect and Glazed Sea have already arrived in the city, and I believe they will soon bring the situation under control." The guard seemed very optimistic and reassured Shen Ji.

As they were talking, a figure in a green robe passed by the city gate and paused when he saw them.

"A-Zhi?"

Wen Zhi was taken aback for a moment, "Hall Master Liu?"

This person was none other than Liu Xiu, the deputy head of the Profound Heaven Sect's Medicine Hall, whom Wen Zhi had met at the lantern festival a month ago.

He was overjoyed to see Wen Zhi and quickly came to greet her.

"A-Zhi, you've come at just the right time. Because of this strange illness in Envy Fish City, medical and alchemy practitioners from various sects have gathered here. I'll take you to make some connections."

Xiao Tingyu sized up Liu Xiu, thinking to herself, "Is this my third junior sister's friend? She looks quite pretty, and she's even helping my third junior sister make friends. She's so helpful; she seems like a good person..."

[Pah, what a scumbag!]

Don't even think about fooling your third senior sister into becoming your substitute lover!

[Third Senior Sister doesn't know that he came to Envy Fish City not for medical treatment, but to secretly meet his old flame!]

Wow, his ex-lover actually... This is so exciting! She really lives up to her reputation as someone who gets involved with scumbags. This is some serious gossip!

Xiao Tingyu:?!

It was so exciting and thrilling! Tell me more!

Shen Ji: Yes, tell us quickly, we love to hear it!

Xiao Tingyu turned to look at Shen Ji, her eyes clearly saying: Senior Brother, I didn't realize you were so gossipy.

Shen Ji coughed. You can't blame him; it's just that watching the drama unfold is really interesting.

[Oh, they're here! They're here!]

[The scumbag's ex-lover is here!]

Chapter 28 Intentions

Qiaoqiao's heartfelt words startled both Shen Ji and Xiao Tingyu.

This seemingly friendly Hall Master Liu is actually a scheming scoundrel, and what's more, he's simultaneously trying to get close to Third Junior Sister while having an affair with his old flame?

The two inwardly exclaimed how brilliant this was, and asked—

Where?

Where?

Where is my old flame?

The two looked around and indeed saw a group of people walking towards them. The group was dressed in uniform dark blue sect attire, with jingling ornaments on their bodies and water patterns on their clothes. They were disciples of the Glazed Sea, one of the four great immortal sects.

The woman leading the group had hair as black as clouds, skin as white as snow, and a face as beautiful as a flower. The Liuli hairpins in her temples jingled softly, and a drop of aquamarine gemstone hung on her forehead. She was graceful, elegant, and serene.

Xiao Tingyu said, "It's the Holy Maiden of the Glazed Sea."

Because of the Cultivation Method practiced in the Glazed Sea sect, women are revered. The Holy Maiden's status is second only to the sect leader, and she holds a highly respected position. Legend has it that the Holy Maiden is connected to the heavens and earth and can hear divine pronouncements.

This claim is extremely mysterious, like Flowing Cloud Divine Lamp; its truth or falsehood is unknown, but within the Glazed Sea, no one dares to offend the Holy Maiden.

The current Holy Maiden of the Glazed Sea is named Liu Yu. Although young, her cultivation is quite high. She has already formed her Golden Core and cultivates the Glazed Sea Holy Technique. She is a hot favorite to win this sect competition.

At this moment, Shen Xiao and his companion were both sizing her up. Could this saintly woman be the scumbag's ex-lover that Qiaoqiao mentioned?!

Good boy.

The Holy Maiden of the Glazed Sea actually has a lover!

This is huge news that has shocked the Cultivation World!

Who doesn't know that only a holy maiden, high above and untouched by worldly affairs, can hear divine decrees? How could she possibly have fallen for this scoundrel?

Just as the two were staring wide-eyed at Liu Yu, Qiaoqiao's inner voice rang out again—

[This old flame looks really old, let me think...]

[It must be at least five hundred years old!]

[However, our sect leader is already eight hundred years old and still so beautiful, how come this one is only five hundred years old and looks so old? Is it because one's appearance reflects one's inner state?]

Five hundred years old?

Does it make you look older?

The two stared at the saintess's young and holy face, finding it impossible to associate her with the word "old-looking".

Xiao Tingyu subtly gestured to the side with her elbow. Could her junior sister be talking about her?

Beside the saintess stood a woman with a cold and stern face. Her face was deeply wrinkled, her hair was neatly styled in a bun adorned with a silver hairpin, and she dressed simply and rarely smiled.

This is Elder Bing, the Grand Elder of Law Enforcement in the Glazed Sea, known for her strict enforcement of the law and her lack of leniency. Could she be the old flame that Junior Sister was talking about?

The two looked at each other, unsure whether the Holy Maiden or the Grand Elder was more shocking.