His robe fluttering violently, Xuan Shang soared to the peak and asked eagerly, "How did it go?"

Although he hadn't expected Senior Sister Xuanzhen to seek Qing Yu in the dead of night and the previous probe hadn't caused any disturbance, Xuan Shang had still noticed Xuanzhen descending swiftly from the peak.

His question was regarding how the discussion between Qing Yu and Xuanzhen had gone.

"It went smoothly, Xuanzhen agreed to stand with us. But..."

Qing Yu's gaze still lingered on the Tianxu and Kunyin Peaks, "Before she left, she mentioned something meaningful. Xuanzhen might have discovered something about someone, or perhaps two people."

"Hmm..." Qing Yu pondered for a moment, "It's not likely to be both of them. If both had defected to Xuan Chen, there would be no need to maintain the status quo."

If Xuan Yin and Xuan Lin were indeed people from the Sect Leader's side, then there would have been no undercurrents in Zhenwu Sect, and Xuan Chen would have unified the Seven Peaks—thus, Qing Yu and Xuan Shang could just go to sleep.

Following Qing Yu's gaze towards the Tianxu, Kunyin, and Xuanming Peaks, Xuan Shang also looked and decisively fixed his gaze on the Tianxu and Kunyin Peaks.

"Do you suspect that someone among them has betrayed us?" Xuan Shang asked coldly.

First it was Xuanfeng, and now possibly one of these two, it was understandable how poor Xuan Shang felt.

As a devoted junior, now discovering betrayal, Xuan Shang even felt like killing.

'This reaction is a bit extreme,' Qing Yu glanced at Xuan Shang and shook his head inwardly.

In his view, it was not unreasonable for either Xuan Yin or Xuan Lin to make this choice, or even for both to side with Xuan Chen—it should be seen as quite normal.

Even if initially they had a deep bond with Xuanfa, it is hard to withstand the test of time. In this world, only time is truly ruthless, consuming life, emotions, money, and power—both tangible and intangible. Everything erodes under the passage of time, eventually turning into dust of history.

Xuanfa had been dead for ten years, they might have been filled with indignation initially, but they would have calmed down by now. Perhaps they had already considered reconciling with Xuan Chen, just hindered by barriers, making communication difficult—this possibility could not be discounted.

After all, everyone must look forward, if they truly couldn't bring down Xuan Chen, why stubbornly persevere?

Perhaps only Xuan Shang would be the one to carry Xuanfa's vengeance deep in his heart.

As the youngest disciple, Xuan Shang was personally raised by Xuanfa, their relationship was like brothers and also like father and son. Therefore, for Xuan Shang, Xuan Chen was someone he truly saw as an enemy deserving deep-seated vengeance.

As for others, their opposition to Xuan Chen was mixed with various other reasons. Siding with Xuan Chen for them, in reality, wasn't a difficult decision.

As for betraying Xuanfa, Xuan Chen was also a member of Zhenwu Sect, even the Sect Leader, so siding with him couldn't really be called a betrayal.

Of course, these thoughts are better kept to oneself, otherwise, Xuan Shang might actually start a purge.

"React accordingly. With Xuanzhen's support, even if one of them sides with Xuan Chen, you can still hold your ground. To truly decide the outcome with Xuan Chen, we still need the combat power of someone in the Divinity Realm," said Qing Yu.

Xuan Chen now had a major advantage, and the Anti-Sect Faction was merely holding on given that they had no Divinity Realm warriors on their side.

To truly bring down Xuan Chen, they'd need the appearance of a Divinity Realm warrior, and this warrior had to be from their own sect.

Otherwise, to fight against Xuan Chen, they'd first have to get through the Zhenwu Sect's protective Great Formation—Zhenwu Seven Tribulations Formation.

"Speaking of the Divinity Realm," Xuan Shang spoke, his expression grave, "It seems Senior Sister Xuanzhen is nearing the Divinity Realm. Just now, halfway up the mountain, I saw her gliding on the wind, very close to achieving the Martial Arts Divine state of riding the wind."

"Really?" Qing Yu asked, surprised.

If that was the case, Xuanzhen's strength needed to be reassessed. Xuan Shang's claim that her capabilities ranked top three among the Xuan generation might not be an exaggeration.

As for her lack of presence on the Dragon and Phoenix List, it might be that Xuanzhen had secret techniques to avoid detection or she might possess items concealing her personal data.

After all, the ones calculating the Dragon and Phoenix List weren't Elder Shiming, but other disciples from the Fate Altar.

"Absolutely true," Xuan Shang stated solemnly.

"She really has kept herself well-hidden. Below Xuan Chen in the Zhenwu Sect, she might be the strongest. With such formidable strength, it's no wonder she has maintained neutrality for many years," Qing Yu remarked.

As for revealing her strength now, it wasn't because she didn't notice Xuan Shang; she showed it intentionally for Qing Yu and the others to see.

"This is good. With such strong support, Xuan Chen won't find it so easy to sweep away the opposition."

····························

Elsewhere this very night, in a Shadow Pavilion managed within the Shadow Market.

A shadowy figure, not long after the market opened, avoided the gaze of others and quietly left the Shadow Market.

People coming to the Shadow Market naturally wouldn't leave at exactly the same time to keep their identities secret. However, leaving shortly after the market opened was very uncommon.

Yet, this odd behavior caught the attention of others.

Two figures, both concealing their faces, exchanged a glance and silently trailed the one who had left early.

They were frequent visitors of the Shadow Market and had seen this cautious departure a few times before.

Generally, such behavior indicated someone who had unearthed a treasure and, feeling uneasy, decided to leave directly. The allure of treasure, even if merely possible, motivated the two not to shy from attempting to rob and kill.

Thus, one following the other, the three stealthily exited the Shadow Market and entered a secluded forest.

Freed from the market's prohibition on fighting, the two trailing exchanged a glance, employed their Qinggong, and launched an attack.

One wielded the Water Spliting Needle, and the other a long sword. A flicker of cold light, and their weapons almost simultaneously pierced the heart and belly of the individual ahead.

Was it this simple?

Startled, but overtaken by greed, the sword-bearer crouched to search the dead man's body, pulling out a black cloth-wrapped book from his bosom.

A secret manual!

Both thought the word at the same moment and quickly removed the black cloth.

Under the dim moonlight, blood-red characters on the cover of the leather book came into view.

"Soul Stealing Blood Essence Sword."

A Blood Path Technique. Rumors in the worldly society, of the most common yet rise-inducing adventures—a Blood Path Technique escortedrial.

Most of these Blood Path Techniques were remnants from the Blood Demon Sect, scattered across various corners of the world. Many Demonic Wandering Cultivators had their initial adventures start with a manual left by the Blood Demon Sect.

Like the former tenth, now fifth on the Dragon and Phoenix List, the 'Blood Saber Guest' Ji Tang, was a classic example of such adventures.

Clearly, these two black-clad men were also setting off on the path of Demonic Cultivation, evident from their rapidly deepening breaths.

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