74: Chapter 74: The Mastermind

Within the range of his powerful perception, over a dozen auras were rapidly approaching!

They were moving very fast, with a clear target—this very stronghold!

"Are they coming for me?" Xiao Yuan's pupils contracted slightly as his Divine Sense swept out.

Two Early Foundation Establishment, and the rest were all at the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Condensation. With this lineup, if a fight really broke out, he was confident he could wipe them all out.

But what then?

If the commotion was too loud, it would alert the experts of the Jing Country Imperial Family throughout the Imperial Capital! Since the incident at Prince Rongs Mansion had just occurred, the Imperial Capital was bound to be under martial law right now!

If he guessed correctly, Prince Rongs Mansion was merely a front, and the one truly controlling everything from behind the scenes was very likely the Jing Country Imperial Family.

Otherwise, how could an evil cult be allowed to exist right under the nose of the Jing Country Imperial Family?!

He did not have the ability to make an enemy of the entire Jing Country Imperial Family; they were a formidable force no weaker than the Six Sects.

"I can't fight!"

Making a prompt decision, he circulated the Great Turtle Breathing Technique with all his might, instantly concealing his aura to the absolute limit.

At the same time, his hands formed hand seals, activating an earth-element Spell—his entire body sank downward, silently merging into the ground.

Three zhang underground, Xiao Yuan held his breath and remained completely still.

His Divine Sense quietly extended above the ground, observing the movements above.

Boom—

The courtyard gate was kicked open with a bang!

Over a dozen figures rushed into the stronghold, searching everywhere.

"Search! Don't miss a single corner!"

"Yes!"

The sounds of rummaging through chests and cupboards, along with chaotic footsteps, were exceptionally harsh in the quiet night.

Cowering underground, Xiao Yuan listened to the commotion above, secretly feeling glad that he had run fast.

"My Lord, there's no one!"

"Nothing here either!"

A gruff voice rang out, tinged with anger: "Keep searching!!"

Another sinister voice said, "My Lord, could it be that everyone left this place long ago?"

"Whether there is anyone or not, we must not let anyone go!" The gruff voice snorted coldly. "If today's matter gets out, I'm afraid it will be troublesome! Anyone associated with our cult must not be spared. Even though Zhou Yuansheng is dead, anyone related to him must die!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Yuan heard everything clearly from underground. His expression grew solemn.

With the incident at Prince Rongs Mansion breaking out, these people were clearly here to silence witnesses. They probably thought the Jade Maiden Palace Disciples were still at this stronghold.

After all, with such a major incident happening at Prince Rongs Mansion, the Yinsha Cult was essentially exposed to the public.

Among those captured Loose Cultivators, there might even be Disciples of the Six Sects!

Once the Six Sects started investigating!

Although the Jing Country Imperial Family was powerful, they wouldn't be able to withstand a joint crusade by the Six Sects!

Xiao Yuan was secretly alarmed. He knew that this Imperial Capital of Jing was no longer safe!

In order to keep the secret, the Jing Country Imperial Family would absolutely not spare any Loose Cultivators. As for the Disciples of the Six Sects, they were likely the primary targets to be silenced.

Even if he could deal with Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators, could he contend with the entire Jing Country Imperial Family?

The people above searched for a while, found nothing, and left while cursing.

Xiao Yuan did not come out immediately. Instead, he continued to hide underground, waiting for a full hour.

Only after making sure they wouldn't return did he quietly surface.

The stronghold was in utter ruins; tables and chairs were overturned, cabinets were smashed, and even the bed had been flipped.

Xiao Yuan had no time to clean up. He jumped straight out of the back window and vanished into the night.

Along the way, he was extremely cautious, avoiding all patrolling guards and suspicious figures.

Circulating the Great Turtle Breathing Technique with all his might, he moved through the alleys like a ghost.

After walking for about half an hour, a tall pavilion appeared ahead.

Wanbao Pavilion.

It was the recruitment point jointly established by the Six Sects, brightly lit with people coming and going.

Xiao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and quickened his pace.

Now, the only place that could guarantee his safety was where the Six Sects were located.

Inside the Wanbao Pavilion, the gathering area of the Six Sects was divided into six regions, each independent yet interconnected.

Xiao Yuan walked through the front hall and arrived in front of the Tianjian Sect's courtyard.

Standing at the entrance was a Shenjian Sect Disciple of the Qi Condensation 9th Layer. Dressed in white, he carried a long sword on his back, his posture as straight as a spear.

Xiao Yuan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior Brother, could you please pass on a message? I am looking for Senior Brother Yun Feiyang."

The Disciple sized him up—Qi Condensation 4th Layer?

He frowned. "Who are you?"

"I am Xiao Yuan, a Disciple of the Jade Maiden Palace, and an old acquaintance of Senior Brother Yun."

The Disciple nodded. "Wait a moment, I will go inform him."

He turned and went inside. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a hurried rush of footsteps came from behind the courtyard gate.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao!"

Yun Feiyang was the first to rush out, his face filled with pleasant surprise. Behind him followed Lin Qingxue and two other Early Foundation Establishment Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters.

There was also the rescued little Junior Sister—she had already changed into clean clothes. Though her face was still somewhat pale, her spirits were clearly much better.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao!" Lin Qingxue also came forward to greet him, her eyes flashing with joy. "Why are you here?!"

Yun Feiyang stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Yuan's hand. "Come, come, let's go inside first!"

Surrounded by the group, Xiao Yuan entered the courtyard and arrived at a reception hall. Everyone took their seats, and someone served spiritual tea.

Yun Feiyang asked with concern, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, are you alright? When we escaped earlier, we saw the experts of the Prince's Mansion chasing and killing those Loose Cultivators, and we were worried that you might..."

Xiao Yuan waved his hand. "I'm fine. I mingled with the crowd and escaped."

He paused, his expression turning solemn. "However, I came to find you because I have something important to say."

Seeing his unusual expression, Yun Feiyang also pulled back his smile. "What is it?"

Xiao Yuan took a deep breath and lowered his voice, saying, "When you escaped just now, did you ever think about who is behind Prince Rongs Mansion?"

Yun Feiyang was taken aback. "Isn't Prince Rongs Mansion just a prince of the Jing Country Imperial Family? Could it be..."

Xiao Yuan nodded. "I suspect that the entire Yinsha Cult is being controlled by the Jing Country Imperial Family behind the scenes."

"What?!"

The expressions of Yun Feiyang and the other three all changed dramatically.

The rescued little Junior Sister's face grew even paler, her lips trembling.

Lin Qingxue frowned. "Fellow Daoist Xiao, you cannot say such things lightly. The Jing Country Imperial Family has a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor presiding over them. How could they do such a thing?"

Xiao Yuan smiled bitterly. "I don't want to believe it either, but think about it—a place like Prince Rongs Mansion is heavily guarded and full of experts. The Yinsha Cult built such a massive base underground, captured hundreds of Cultivators, and refined so many foundation establishment pills. Could the Jing Country Imperial Family really not know about it?"

Yun Feiyang's face became increasingly unsightly upon hearing this.

Lin Qingxue also fell silent.

After a long while, Yun Feiyang gritted his teeth and said, "We previously thought it was just something Prince Rongs Mansion did in secret. I was planning to wait for our Sect's Golden Core Old Ancestor to return, then go to Prince Rongs Mansion to demand justice..."

"Golden Core Old Ancestor?" Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up.

Yun Feiyang nodded. "Yes. Our Shenjian Sect is responsible for the recruitment for the Tianyuan Secret Realm this time, and we have a Mid Golden Core Stage Elder presiding over us. He went out to search for our little Junior Sister's whereabouts and hasn't returned yet. We thought that with a Golden Core Old Ancestor here, even if Prince Rongs Mansion is powerful, they wouldn't dare do anything."

Xiao Yuan smiled bitterly. "But now, if the mastermind is the Jing Country Imperial Family... they have a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor..."

Before he could finish his sentence—

Boom!!!

Six terrifyingly powerful auras descended from the sky like heavenly wrath!

The entire Wanbao Pavilion was trembling!

Xiao Yuan's face changed dramatically as his Divine Sense swept out!

In the sky, six figures stood suspended in mid-air! Every single one of them emanated an earth-shattering pressure!

Golden Core! They were all Golden Cores!

Not only that—

All around Wanbao Pavilion, dense auras of Foundation Establishment surged like a tide, completely surrounding the entire gathering area of the Six Sects!

"This..." Yun Feiyang stood up abruptly, his face deathly pale. "This is..."

Lin Qingxue was also dumbfounded. "The Jing Country Imperial Family... has made their move?!"

Xiao Yuan gritted his teeth.

Damn it, they got here fast!

He looked out the window, where those six Golden Core figures looked down like Heavenly Gods.