A woman, riding a sword through the sky, flew towards them.
Her skin was as white as snow, her phoenix eyes bright and clear, her raven hair flying in the wind, as if she were a fairy descended to the mortal realm.
"Tang Xueyi of Lingxu Sword Sect greets all seniors!"
The woman landed in the valley, sheathed her sword, and bowed.
This time, Lingxu Sword宗 was supposed to send an elder to negotiate, but a celestial prodigy with "Sword Heart and Zither Heart" had appeared in the sect. All the elders were busy teaching the prodigy, and no one was willing to come.
As Tang Xueyi happened to be in Baishou Town, the task fell to her.
"Can Junior Tang represent Lingxu Sword Sect?" Hong Qiantu asked.
"I am fully responsible for matters concerning the White Emperor's Tomb. My suggestion is to gather all our strength and attack!"
Tang Xueyi spoke, her tone filled with murderous intent.
The people in the hall exchanged glances, not immediately stating their positions.
"Could it be that Lingxu Sword Sect wants to take this opportunity to kill Huineng and Fan Jingxing?" someone questioned.
Once war broke out, Ji Mo would definitely make an example of Huineng and the other two. This was clearly a case of using a borrowed knife to kill!
Everyone present knew that Fan Jingxing had a significant grievance with Lingxu Sword Sect, and Huineng had even enlightened a sword genius from Lingxu Sword Sect.
It was obvious to anyone that Lingxu Sword Sect intended to add insult to injury.
As for Xuan Ao, he was a demon. His life or death held no significance for Lingxu Sword Sect.
"Seniors, this is a humble suggestion from a junior. Whether it is feasible is entirely up to your decision."
Tang Xueyi neither admitted nor denied, offering no explanation.
The crowd deliberated again but still couldn't reach a conclusion.
If they were to go to war, Huineng and the other two would certainly be finished. Moreover, Ji Mo's true strength was unknown. Who knew what price they would have to pay?
It was possible that several people present would be lost.
For their own interests, no force other than Lingxu Sword Sect dared to speak of war lightly.
Finally, Hong Qiantu proposed a suggestion: send someone to negotiate with Ji Mo again and make a decision based on the outcome.
This suggestion was unanimously approved.
Then, Hong Qiantu wished he could slap himself, as everyone unanimously nominated him as the negotiation representative.
What a ridiculous situation, it was like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot!
"Old Hong, whether we fight or seek peace rests entirely on you. Go ahead with confidence. As the saying goes, envoys are not to be killed in war. I believe Ji Mo won't do anything to you."
Seemingly seeing the apprehension in Hong Qiantu's eyes, everyone comforted him.
These people were speaking from a position of safety. After all, it was better for a fellow Daoist to die than for oneself. As long as they were safe, that was all that mattered.
"I am willing to accompany Senior Hong."
Tang Xueyi spoke, seemingly unaware of the danger involved, willing to put herself at risk.
In reality, she was simply curious and wanted to meet Ji Mo.
Upon hearing this, Hong Qiantu was greatly moved.
This was a true display of human warmth and coldness.
Hong Qiantu looked at Tang Xueyi, feeling a warmth in his heart, and decided that if there was any danger during this trip, he would protect Tang Xueyi even at the cost of his own life.
Led by Hong Qiantu, the two arrived in front of Ji Mo's courtyard.
"This Ji Mo is truly inhumane, humiliating my three old brothers like this."
Looking at the scene within the courtyard, Hong Qiantu was furious, wishing he could immediately rush in to rescue them.
Within the courtyard.
Xuan Ao, in his true form as a Xuan Turtle, was chewing on wild grass from the ground, even swallowing the roots along with the soil and stones.
Fan Jingxing and Huineng were also in a miserable state. Bare-chested, they were hoeing the land under the scorching sun, sweating profusely.
Furthermore, seemingly due to extreme hunger, they would guzzle water from the well every now and then to fill their stomachs. It was a truly pathetic sight.
Such noble beings, Spiritual Venerables, were enslaved by the demon Ji Mo, living a life of indignity.
"Cowards who cling to life!"
Tang Xueyi showed no sympathy. After all, Fan Jingxing and Huineng were enemies of Lingxu Sword Sect.
Moreover, as a strong practitioner, how could one live in such a demeaning way? It was utterly contemptible.
With Tang Xueyi's character, she would rather break than bend, and would never bow down even if it meant death. Therefore, she looked down on these three.
"Something is not right..."
Hong Qiantu began to suspect something. Given the personalities of Xuan Ao and Fan Jingxing, they were not the type to fear death. There must be a hidden reason.
"It must be that scoundrel Ji Mo, who forced them through some despicable means."
Hong Qiantu stated with certainty.
Thinking of this, Hong Qiantu's anger intensified, and he shouted, "Ji Mo, show yourself!"
He naturally did not dare to enter the courtyard easily, fearing he might fall into a trap. He could only invite Ji Mo to negotiate outside.
In any case, Hong Qiantu decided to get Fan Jingxing and the other two out first.
"You old fool, your wicked intentions are truly unceasing."
Ji Mo heard the voice and recognized it as Hong Qiantu's. He immediately appeared.
And the moment Ji Mo showed himself.
Tang Xueyi's clear and elegant face was filled with surprise, and then, a radiant smile spread across it. She rushed forward.
"Junior Tang, danger! You cannot enter the courtyard!"
Hong Qiantu was startled and tried to stop her, but it was too late.
His heart leaped into his throat. His spiritual energy surged, ready to intervene if Tang Xueyi was in danger.
However, what happened next caused him to freeze.
Tang Xueyi was not attacking Ji Mo...
She was attacking with both hands and feet!
She leaped directly into Ji Mo's embrace, clinging to him like a koala.
This scene stunned everyone.
And then, something even more shocking occurred.
"Bastard, do you know how long I've been looking for you?"
Tang Xueyi held Ji Mo tightly, burying her head in his chest, as if afraid he would run away.
Not to mention others, even Ji Mo's mind was buzzing.
What was going on?
Was he being taken advantage of in public?
From a distance, Huineng sighed, "What kind of immortal technique is Mr. Ji using? It's ten thousand times more powerful than my 'Pudu Curse'!"
The Pudu Curse was Huineng's divine ability to enlighten others, but it only influenced people's faith, making them worship and follow him. It couldn't make someone willingly throw themselves into his arms.
"That girl seems to be Tang Xueyi of Lingxu Sword Sect, and she's very likely to be the next Sect Master. To think she was subdued by Mr. Ji with just a glance! Mr. Ji's strength is truly unfathomable."
Fan Jingxing's admiration for Ji Mo reached its peak.
He lamented that if he could learn even a fraction of Mr. Ji's skills, he wouldn't have been single for two hundred and fifty years.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Master would never use divine techniques on a woman."
Tian Peng corrected them.
These idiots, from beginning to end, did not understand that their Master considered himself a mortal, never used any spiritual energy, and certainly wouldn't display divine techniques.
"Tian Peng is right. This girl is not simple. She is very likely employing your human race's most wicked and unsolvable scheme, the 'honey...trap'!"
Xuan Ao said with an air of ancient wisdom, as if he had seen through everything.
"Ji Mo, you beast, let go of Miss Tang!"
At this moment, Hong Qiantu was extremely anxious, fearing that Tang Xueyi would be harmed. He was ready to charge forward and fight Ji Mo with all his might.
But a voice echoed, striking him like lightning, and he stood frozen in place.