The Two Venerables
Since the Imperial Preceptor had disappeared without a trace inside the cave, the group of cultivators searched the area extensively after they came out to recuperate, but still found no trace of him. They had no choice but to return home and look again later.
Therefore, Lin Xiao did not remove the sealing array near the Execution Stone Mine.
After spending some time properly escorting the nine mortal women back to their homes, Lin Xiao followed the group of cultivators from various countries back to the Alliance Army ' headquarters.
"We were fortunate to have Fellow Daoist Lin's help this time, which enabled us to successfully capture these treacherous villains."
"Yes, it's just a pity that this damned imperial advisor escaped again this time!"
"Sigh, we really have to thank Fellow Daoist Lin this time, otherwise we really wouldn't have been able to do anything about that damned Imperial Advisor."
"Yeah yeah..."
Outside the gates of the Alliance Army ' headquarters, the cultivators who had just landed bowed and thanked Lin Xiao.
"You're too kind, everyone. The net of heaven is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it. I believe that with everyone working together, that Grand Preceptor will eventually be captured."
"Oh, right, I have another important matter to report and discuss. I wonder if any fellow Daoist could introduce me to it?"
The others were not leaders sent by their respective sects or countries to participate in the Alliance Army, so they all had to go back and report after this operation. Only Jiang Sisi was the leader herself and did not need to report the work situation to anyone.
Therefore, seeing that the other fellow cultivators around her were somewhat hesitant, she hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and whispering to Lin Xiao:
"I'll take you there."
After saying that, Jiang Sisi handed over Yuan Jinsheng and Zhao Yunzhong, whom she had brought back, to the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had come to greet her, and asked them to take the two back to their own Azure Lotus Sect's camp.
"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Jiang."
Lin Xiao thanked Jiang Sisi, then bowed to the other fellow Daoists and took his leave. He then followed Jiang Sisi to the headquarters of the Alliance Army.
There was no one in the tent at the moment. After sending someone to announce her departure, Jiang Sisi took her leave.
After all, she was the leader of the Azure Lotus Sect, so she had some free time, but not much.
Moreover, she had two patients, Yuan Jinsheng and Ruler Zhao, waiting for her to take care of them.
So Lin Xiao was left alone, sitting in the waiting area inside the tent after being led there.
He had already considered the matter of Euphrates Poplar Village.
The symptoms of those villagers were not from the plague, but rather caused by some unknown reason affecting the land in Euphrates Poplar Village.
As for the fact that the new ruling Zhao Imperial Clan and the Alliance Army of Huanyou Nation have ignored this matter, Lin Xiao has also thought about it.
The Zhao Imperial Clan had just regained control of Huanyou Nation, and it was a sudden takeover. They had a ton of affairs to attend to, so the strange illness that broke out in a small, poor, and remote village naturally didn't attract their attention.
The message might not even have been passed up; it could have been simply shelved at the lower levels.
As for the Alliance Army, they were even less likely to care.
They're here to punish the Execution Stone Party. What does Huanyou Nation's livelihood have to do with them?
Lin Xiao pondered as he sipped the tea brewed for him by the Qi Refining cultivator guarding the command tent.
A moment later, there was some commotion outside the door.
"I have met Venerable Zhiyu, and Venerable Xunfang!"
"Yes, you may leave."
Outside the tent, a voice boomed, making it impossible for Lin Xiao inside to miss it.
A moment later, two completely different people lifted the thick tent flap and walked in.
The reason these two are described as completely different is that, although they are both men, their appearances are worlds apart.
He looked very old, with silver hair, a thin frame, and prominent wrinkles and age spots on his face. He was hunched over and leaning on a cane, wearing a dark brown outfit that was very suitable for his elderly appearance.
The other woman, however, was elegant and graceful. She wore a long, bright red robe and walked with a swift gait. She held a jeweled feather fan, wore a jeweled gold crown, had skin as smooth as jade, and eyes that seemed to hold peach blossoms. She was languid and alluring, exuding an aura of wealth and nobility, yet she did not come across as vulgar.
However, unlike Shen Yingzi, this person did not have a feminine appearance; their gender could still be discerned at a glance.
Lin Xiao had heard of both of them from Qin Jianghe's intelligence reports.
After matching the intelligence with what was happening before him, he had a clear understanding of the situation.
The old man was most likely the Venerable Zhiyu from the Tuiyi Kingdom, while the other man with the jeweled crown was probably the Venerable Xunfang from the Juhui Kingdom.
Both of them are Nascent Soul Great Perfection.
He can be said to be the one with the highest cultivation level among the surrounding countries.
Therefore, although the Huanyou Nation Pusi Kingdom, the supreme command of the Alliance Army was handed over to the two venerable ones from the Tuiyi Kingdom and the Juhui Kingdom.
Lin Xiao stood up and bowed first, saying:
"Greetings, Venerable Ones."
"Hmm, fellow Daoist, you are too polite." The voice of Venerable Zhiyu was not like his appearance; it was very loud, so it was the one speaking outside the door.
Venerable Xunfang, standing to the side, raised an eyebrow and casually asked Lin Xiao:
"Oh? I wonder where you've seen me before?"
Its sound was like pearls sliding in the throat.
However, Lin Xiao did not show the embarrassment he had expected, and answered with a calm smile:
"There is a fortunate meeting with the gods, as rumored."
"Hahaha! Interesting. Come in." Venerable Xunfang chuckled twice and turned to walk inside, but no one could see that his eyes didn't show much of a smile.
Venerable Zhiyu slightly raised his droopy eyelids, glanced at Venerable Xunfang's back, said nothing, and only turned his head to signal Lin Xiao to come in together.
Lin Xiao ignored their subtle banter and followed the two into the main hall of the tent.
After entering, he told them in detail what had happened in Populus Euphrates Poplar Village, and the speculation that this incident was very likely related to the Execution Stone.
As for what happened in the Execution Stone Mine, since the two Venerable Ones didn't ask, he didn't mention it at all.
He was certain that the two Venerable Ones had plenty of people to tell them what happened back then, and that their accounts would be even more detailed than his own.
"You mean, you also sensed an aura very similar to that of Execution Stone in that Euphrates Poplar Village?" Venerable Zhiyu asked, frowning.
"That's right, but the aura seems to be blocked by something, so it's no different from outsiders and cultivators, only the people living there are affected," Lin Xiao replied from his seat.
The Venerable Xunfang had been lazily reclining on his seat, listening without saying a word, waved his jeweled feather fan and then spoke with little interest:
"Anyway, there aren't many remnants left, and most of the Alliance Army are bored out of their minds in the camps. Since it's related to that black stone, we should send more people to investigate. Let's give everyone something to do so they don't get bored and cause trouble."
Lin Xiao naturally had no objection to this. He came here to make the Alliance Army take this matter seriously and send people over.
Beneath the droopy eyelids of Venerable Zhiyu, his gaze subtly swept over Venerable Xunfang beside him, saying nothing in tacit agreement.
Having achieved his goal, Lin Xiao took his leave and departed from the camp.