89: Everyone was shocked

However, Xia Junling still needed to rely on Zhuge Zhengwo’s network and strength to consolidate the Xuanjian Sect’s power.

The faction led by Elder Xu Xi alone was not yet stable enough.

Zhuge Zhengwo’s accumulated connections over the years made it easier for Xia Junling to achieve this.

Perhaps, if Xu Xi acted more assertively now, it would put Xia Junling more at ease.

Of course, the few words Xu Xi spoke after entering completely reassured Xia Junling.

“Xun Ya, if there’s anything, report it fully; do not conceal a single bit.”

As he walked into the main hall, Xun Ya’s steps were a bit quick, even somewhat anxious, and his facial expression was also a bit contorted, unlike his usual composed demeanor.

Seeing this, Zhuge Zhengwo immediately spoke to calm Xun Ya’s mind, while also feeling very surprised. Xun Ya’s behavior was beyond his expectation, and could even be said to be somewhat disappointing to Zhuge Zhengwo.

Despite years of teaching that those of Law Enforcement Peak should not show their emotions, Xun Ya had not learned a single bit.

“Reporting to the Sect Master, Elder Zhuge, and all Peak Masters, regarding today’s incident at the Hall of Offerings, Xu Xi single-handedly battled the Hall of Offerings’s Elders…”

Xun Ya rattled on, describing the incident. Having witnessed everything firsthand, his description was naturally perfect, vivid and colorful, and Xun Ya’s ghost-like expression made everyone present realize that he was not exaggerating, but that it was indeed true.

Furthermore, Xun Ya himself was incredibly shocked by the incident.

“Tang Wan?”

“Is that the woman who frolicked with him that night and played him like a fiddle?”

“I never thought she would also be a Protector Elder of the Purple Cloud Sect.”

“As expected of the man I fancy, he indeed has some skill to be able to take down such a figure.”

“Although he wasn’t very virile during the fight, it doesn’t matter; tonight I’ll make sure you have the upper hand!”

Carefully listening to Xun Ya’s report, Xia Junling’s hanging heart finally settled, and she broke into a smile.

At the same time, she had some other thoughts.

Her gaze swept around, and seeing the astonished expressions of the other Elders, Xia Junling was immensely pleased.

“See who among you still dares to refute my opinion! Especially you, Elder Zhuge, you have no objections now, do you?”

“Madam, I reserve my opinion on this matter.”

“If there’s nothing else, then I shall take my leave.”

Beside her, feeling Xia Junling’s clearly provocative gaze, Zhuge Zhengwo, for the first time in a while, blushed with a hint of embarrassment.

The enormous doubts from earlier now felt like a boomerang, hitting him squarely in the chest.

He cupped his hands, ready to withdraw, but Xia Junling, now having the upper hand, would not let him off so easily.

“Since Elder Zhuge is now clear about Xu Xi’s capabilities, I won’t force you.”

“But Elder Zhuge, you must stay to continue the discussion.”

“Let’s temporarily set aside the matter of the Hall of Offerings. What we need to discuss now is the Juefeng Secret Realm.”

Her expression calm, Xia Junling looked at Zhuge Zhengwo. While feeling pleased at his embarrassment, she did not forget to discuss other matters.

Her red lips parted, revealing endless bitterness.

“The time limit we set for outdoor training is nearing its end, and most of the Sect disciples have returned to the Sect.”

“Among them, many of the ten Senior Disciples have also suffered harm from the Xuanjian Sect.”

“Although Xu Xi killed Xuan Ye, the first Senior Disciple of the Xuanjian Sect, no matter how you look at it, our Xuanjian Sect is still at a disadvantage within the Juefeng Secret Realm.”

“Not to mention, this time the Acacia Sect is also involved with the Hall of Offerings. Our Xuanjian Sect has offended two of the three major sects in You Province, so how can we carve out a path to survival within the Juefeng Secret Realm?”

The matter of the Hall of Offerings concluded, but Xia Junling’s joy didn’t last long, quickly replaced by worry over the upcoming Juefeng Secret Realm.

Especially since the Xuanjian Sect now faced an additional hostile force: the Acacia Sect.

This made the already struggling Xuanjian Sect’s situation even worse.

“Sect Master, there’s no need to worry excessively. Though it seems fraught with difficulties, I believe that with Xu Xi leading the team, he can overcome all obstacles.”

“All the previous challenges were merely minor difficulties.”

Seeing Xia Junling’s worried expression, Zhuge Zhengwo and the others, on the contrary, began to comfort her, having great confidence in Xu Xi.

Just from Xun Ya’s description, Zhuge Zhengwo could already deduce that Xu Xi’s strength was definitely at the peak of Spirit Forming, and among the very top tier.

With such strength, he would have no rivals entering the Juefeng Secret Realm.

This was because the Spirit Forming peak geniuses from Central Province would not participate in this Juefeng Secret Realm dispute.

Those geniuses were diligently cultivating in the Sect’s forbidden grounds, striving to break through to Entering Profundity.

Only the grand path of Entering Profundity was their desired goal.

The geniuses participating in the Juefeng Secret Realm were merely second-rate prodigies within the Sect.

Therefore, Xu Xi alone could stand tall among all in the Juefeng Secret Realm.

What Zhuge Zhengwo was more concerned about was the combined siege from the Acacia Sect and the Xiaoyao Sect after the Juefeng Secret Realm.

“What are these two talking about?”

“Are we perhaps no longer able to follow their train of thought?”

“Am I an idiot?”

Below, the other Elders were dumbfounded after hearing the back-and-forth conversation between Xun Ya, Xia Junling, and Zhuge Zhengwo. They hadn’t yet recovered from the shock they’d just experienced.

“Setting aside whether Xu Xi has truly reached the peak of Spirit Forming.”

“Just tell me, what does the Acacia Sect have to do with this whole affair?”

“Those scoundrels from the Hall of Offerings used the Heavenly Gang Subduing Dragon Array, which is a combined attack formation used by the Ying Province Dynasty, and such an obvious item as the Immortal Spirit Malice comes from Ying Province!”

The Elders thought that the Acacia Sect was merely a fabricated charge Xu Xi wanted to impose, as he couldn’t act without a justifiable reason.

“It’s one thing for us to say it among ourselves, but Sect Master, don’t you fool yourself too!”

“Does the Acacia Sect know you’re engaging in imaginary warfare?”

“This… no, Sect Master, Elder Zhuge, are you perhaps overthinking things?”

“Right now, we just need to calmly prepare for the Juefeng Secret Realm. Although this trial resulted in significant losses, the Xiaoyao Sect also had its wings clipped by us. If we don’t compete on the high-level combat strength, our chances of winning should be greater! Don’t boost others’ morale and dampen our own!”

The first to speak out in rebuttal was the Elder from the Xuanjian Sect’s Medicine King Peak, who was also Yang Siyi’s father.

During this outdoor training, Yang Siyi’s results were quite good; he successfully recaptured several of the Xuanjian Sect’s sword-forging shops.

Although the cost was equally heavy—the greedy Qian Duoduo, who accompanied Yang Siyi, was sold off by Yang Siyi and died on the spot.

And Yang Siyi also nearly lost his life, barely making it back.

But regardless of the process, the final outcome was always joyful.

This time, Yang Siyi securing a spot to enter the Juefeng Secret Realm was merely a matter of course.