Dao City, Long Dao Mountain, Zhengyi Sect.
After the incident at Dao City University became known, the Heavenly Masters of the Zhengyi Sect could not sleep. They were all summoned by the Sect Leader for an emergency meeting.
Their Zhengyi Sect was the foremost power in Dao City and even the entire Jiangdong Province, always taking it as their duty to eliminate demons and devils.
Dao City was their stronghold.
Now, Long Dao Town at the foot of Long Dao Mountain had been attacked by the Hongchen Pavilion, and Dao City University had become a new branch of the Hongchen Pavilion. Yet, their Zhengyi Sect had received no information about this, which made one suspect that there was a mole within the Zhengyi Sect, helping the Hongchen Pavilion conceal it.
After dealing with the Sect Leader of the Wuhou Sect, the Zhengyi Sect Leader, Heavenly Master Zhang Mingyu, immediately convened a meeting of Heavenly Masters, summoning all Heavenly Masters of the fourth rank and above.
The Deputy Sect Leader Zhang Mingkong, the Great Elder Zhang Daoxing, and several other Heavenly Masters including Zhang Daoyuan were all present.
In the Mingxin Hall of the Zhengyi Sect.
Zhang Mingyu sat in the Sect Leader's seat and looked at the Heavenly Masters on both sides. He said, "Everyone, you must have already learned the news from the Dragon Department. The Hongchen Pavilion has actually established a new branch in Dao City and even attacked Long Dao Town. Yet, our Zhengyi Sect had no inkling!"
"Long Dao Mountain and Dao City are within the jurisdiction of our Zhengyi Sect. Our Zhengyi Sect disciples patrol daily to prevent any demons from causing trouble in Dao City."
"But such a significant move as the Hongchen Pavilion establishing a branch in Dao City was kept hidden from our eyes."
"Has everyone considered why this is the case?"
Zhang Daoyuan stepped forward and said, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, it's because our Zhengyi Sect has a mole."
Zhang Mingkong retorted, "Daoyuan, how can you slander your fellow disciples like this? If the news of a mole gets out, how will our Zhengyi Sect maintain its standing in the community?"
Zhang Daoxing also chimed in, "The Hongchen Pavilion is cunning. If they were determined to establish a branch in Dao City, there are too many ways for them to conceal it from us. It's not necessarily done by our own people."
"The Heavenly Master Ordination Ceremony is imminent, and the eyes of all major powers are focused on our Zhengyi Sect. This is a critical moment for us to unite and overcome difficulties. How can we let mutual suspicion affect the Heavenly Master Ordination Ceremony?"
"I think the Deputy Sect Leader and the Great Elder are right. Our Zhengyi Sect Heavenly Masters have always taken it as their duty to eliminate demons and devils. How could they associate with evil ways?"
"Yes, we all know each other's backgrounds. I believe in everyone present."
"I think Daoyuan's words are not without reason. If the Hongchen Pavilion could build such a large branch under our noses, they absolutely could not have done it without the help of a mole within our Zhengyi Sect to cover for them. We should investigate."
"Yes, we can't let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel!"
"..."
Soon, the Heavenly Masters in the Mingxin Hall were divided into two factions. One faction stood with Zhang Mingkong and Zhang Daoxing, not believing there was a traitor in the Zhengyi Sect, opposing baseless suspicion, and focusing on holding the Heavenly Master Ordination Ceremony.
The other faction stood with Zhang Daoyuan, believing that the Heavenly Master Ordination Ceremony could be postponed, and the mole should be found first before discussing other matters.
The numbers on both sides were evenly matched, and neither could convince the other.
The meeting in the Mingxin Hall quickly escalated from discussion to argument. If the Sect Leader Zhang Mingyu were not present, and everyone had a bit more restraint, the people in the hall might have already started fighting due to their differing opinions!
Zhang Mingyu looked at the increasingly chaotic hall, feeling a terrible headache, not knowing how to resolve it.
In fact, he thought the same as Zhang Daoyuan, that there was a mole in the Zhengyi Sect. Moreover, according to the information provided by Ye Ling, one of the Heavenly Masters present was actually an imposter from the Hongchen Pavilion.
Zhang Mingyu summoned all the Heavenly Masters, partly to discuss how to deal with the situation in Dao City, and partly to find the imposter from the Hongchen Pavilion who had infiltrated the Zhengyi Sect!
However, the imposter from the Hongchen Pavilion was too deeply hidden. Zhang Mingyu observed all the Heavenly Masters but found no flaws, and did not know how to find the mole.
Zhang Mingkong and Zhang Daoxing exchanged glances, and then Zhang Daoxing, while arguing with the other Heavenly Masters in the hall, slowly approached Zhang Mingyu.
After Number 1 killed Zhang Daoxing and impersonated the Great Elder of the Zhengyi Sect, he quickly communicated with Zhang Mingkong and confirmed each other's identities as members of the Hongchen Pavilion.
They had already learned that something had happened at Dao City University. Ye Ling had not only intercepted Zhang Muya but also found the Hongchen Pavilion's branch, completely disrupting the Hongchen Pavilion's plans in Dao City.
With all plans foiled, and Number 1 not trusting Zhang Qi, fearing that even the assassination mission on Zhang Mingkong would fail, he decided to act tonight, not waiting for the Heavenly Master Ordination Ceremony.
As long as Zhang Mingyu died, Zhang Mingkong, as the Deputy Sect Leader of the Zhengyi Sect, would automatically inherit the position of Sect Leader. Then, even if the Hongchen Pavilion lost its branch, they could use the Zhengyi Sect as a base to rebuild it.
Therefore, Number 1 was determined to assassinate Zhang Mingyu!
Zhang Mingyu was overwhelmed by the arguments in the hall and did not notice that the disguised Zhang Daoxing was approaching him.
Seeing Number 1 getting close to Zhang Mingyu, Zhang Mingkong's eyes flashed with a smile. He then deliberately argued loudly with the other Heavenly Masters to attract their attention.
Before the meeting began, he had deliberately applied poison to Zhang Mingyu's chair, which could temporarily incapacitate Zhang Mingyu.
Number 1 could seize this opportunity to kill Zhang Mingyu!
Of course, after Number 1 killed Zhang Mingyu, he would then deal with Number 1 himself, completely silencing him, so that he could legitimately ascend to the position of Sect Leader.
Number 1 was, from beginning to end, just a stepping stone for him.
"Zhang Daoxing, what are you doing?"
Zhang Daoyuan suspected that an imposter from the Hongchen Pavilion might make a move here, so he had been observing all the Heavenly Masters during the debate, trying to see who would secretly approach Zhang Mingyu.
When he noticed that Zhang Daoxing had quietly approached within ten steps of Zhang Mingyu, he suddenly realized something and shouted.
"Damn it! I've been discovered!"
Number 1 was called out by Zhang Daoyuan, his pupils contracting sharply. He no longer concealed himself, directly drew a short sword from his sleeve, and fiercely stabbed at Zhang Mingyu.
As Number 1 lunged, the entire Mingxin Hall trembled!
"Zhang Daoxing, you?"
Seeing Number 1 rushing towards him, Zhang Mingyu's expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to use his power to block Number 1's sneak attack, he found his body going soft and unable to circulate his power!
"Samsara Incense? When did this happen?"
Zhang Mingyu was horrified. Unable to move, he could only watch as Number 1 stabbed at him, unable to dodge.
"Wind God Token - Binding Immortal!"
Zhang Daoyuan was prepared. He took out a talisman and condensed wind ropes, entangling Number 1 and delaying his attack!
Seeing this, the other Heavenly Masters reacted and quickly leaped forward to block in front of Zhang Mingyu, sending Number 1 flying back.
After all, this was the Zhengyi Sect, with Heavenly Masters gathered and countless powerful individuals. Number 1, with only sixth-rank cultivation, only had a fleeting moment to assassinate Zhang Mingyu.
Number 1 thought he was about to succeed...
But he never expected that Zhang Daoyuan had been guarding against him all along!
His plan was foiled!
'When did he discover me?' Zhang Mingkong's expression changed as he saw Number 1's assassination fail, and his eyes turned gloomy.
He immediately decided to abandon Number 1 and leaped in front of him, "Villain, die!"
*Slap!*
Zhang Mingkong struck with his palm, hitting Number 1 in the chest and crushing his ribs!
"You!!!"
Number 1 looked at Zhang Mingkong in shock, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and then flew out like a kite with a broken string!