The cave fell silent as Hu Yan entered a state of low-browed, contemplative reflection, with everyone staring at him.

No one knew what he would decide; they all waited for his final decision.

After a while, Hu Yan slowly said, "It's still the same, this is but your side of the story. I need to verify its authenticity. If Su Yuan Sect learns of this news and truly comes to silence us, then I will believe what you said."

Shi Chun and the others breathed a sigh of relief; his words amounted to an agreement to cooperate.

"Fine, we'll follow Brother Hu Yan's arrangements," Shi Chun replied earnestly, amused inside, knowing that the temptation of being first was too much for the other party to resist.

"Wait for me to make arrangements," Hu Yan nodded slightly, then turned to instruct, "Junior Brother Mao, find them a place to stay."

The person named Mao Zhong immediately gestured for Shi Chun and the others to follow, "Please come with me."

Shi Chun and the others then cloaked themselves with canvas once more to take their leave.

"Brother Chu, wait a moment," Hu Yan called out to Chu Jingtang, who was about to leave with the rest.

Chu Jingtang had no choice but to stay, approaching Hu Yan and asking, "Is there anything you wish to instruct, Brother Hu Yan?"

Hu Yan waited until Shi Chun and the others had leapt out of the cave before asking, "That beautiful girl, is she their junior sister? I remember Su Yuan Sect spreading a message, claiming that the junior sister of persons named Wang and Gao was ruined by some man from Sheng Province and died, warning everyone to not let that Bai whoever go if they encountered him."

"Bai Shuchuan," Chu Jingtang immediately reminded him, having been thoroughly briefed on the matter, "They thought she had died. Later, she reconnected with them using a mother and child talisman, and no one knows how she managed to escape. They couldn't get any information out of her. Alas, she's been violated to a point where she is no longer quite right in the head, and now she is sullen and silent, not talking to anyone."

Hu Yan frowned and clenched his cheeks, "A fine person, ruined like this. Bai Shuchuan from Sheng Province, is it? I need to remember this man; if we do encounter him, we cannot let him go; he boldly dares to challenge our Xuan State."

Previously, when he received the message from Su Yuan Sect, he didn't feel much, but seeing the person today, such a beautiful individual harmed by a villain, just thinking about it made him angry.

Who wouldn't feel the same? Another junior named Jin Zaogong, also holding a grudge for Xiang Laner's beauty, nodded in agreement, "Remembered. Bai Shuchuan from Sheng Province; if he falls into my hands, I won't let him go."

Hu Yan turned back to ask, "Brother Chu, regarding this matter with Su Yuan Sect, do many people know?"

Chu Jingtang replied, "Not very clear, I don't know if they've told anyone else besides us."

Hu Yan uttered an acknowledgment and then earnestly advised, "Brother Chu, this is no small matter. Before the facts are verified, you mustn't spread the word carelessly."

Chu Jingtang nodded repeatedly, "Of course, I'm aware of this, and I will not gossip. But I reckon, this matter is most likely true. Many of us witnessed in person when Wang and Gao were detained by Yan Ji, and then those people just mysteriously disappeared." He shook his head in a long sigh, with a sense that people aren't as honorable as they once were.

Hu Yan rumbled, "Mhm, Brother Chu, your reputation precedes you, and I trust you. Go back and rest now; I'll think of a plan for the rest."

"Very well," Chu Jingtang bowed in farewell.

Once the cave was cleared of outsiders, Jin Zaogong showed a pleased smile and leaned in closer to his senior, "Senior Brother, Wang Sheng's method isn't bad. If we proceed as such, we won't have to do much, and we can take the victor's reward without lifting a finger. Our Yuanjian Palace's name will spread across the divine realm, and your title as the champion will be renowned. Upon our return, if we subtly inform the sect about our behind-the-scenes efforts, it will surely count as another great contribution!"

Hu Yan glanced at him sideways, "Do you think the first place of Xuan State is that easy to obtain?"

Jin Zaogong was momentarily stunned, "There's no need for us to do much, just to follow the current, it seems within easy reach; what's difficult about it?"

Hu Yan pondered for a moment and shook his head slightly, "If he hadn't brought up assisting me in securing the championship, I might still be hesitant, worried about Su Yuan Sect turning against us. Now that he's mentioned it, it's actually made me clearer. I remembered the instructions from the sect before leaving."

Jin Zaogong was taken aback, "What instructions did the sect have?"

Hu Yan sighed gently, "The sect instructed not to compete with Su Yuan Sect for first place, and specifically mentioned that even if there was an opportunity to be first, we should not take it, and to support Su Yuan Sect's effort to win. At the time, I was full of ambition and didn't understand why.

The sect explained that Su Yuan Sect is not only the first major sect of Xuan State, but also the first major sect in the Shengshen Continent, with vast influence and deep roots. Whether it is the Heavenly Court or the Royal Court, some taboo caution even the Domain Master has to show them respect. As long as someone from Xuan State takes first place, it doesn't matter who is the first internally; the Domain Master will not care.

You should understand the principle: if a sect from another state defeats Su Yuan Sect, their Domain Master will be delighted. If Su Yuan Sect openly objects, the Domain Master will certainly not watch idly; otherwise, where is the honor? Who would listen to commands in the future? If a sect from another state wins, Su Yuan Sect might not do much either. Some matters are like this: better to ally with an external enemy than lose to one's own people.

In short, the meaning is that Yuanjian Palace is too far behind Su Yuan Sect in strength, we are undeserving, and to forcefully snatch first place would only invite trouble for ourselves. By firmly supporting Su Yuan Sect to take first place, if Yuanjian Palace has a chance for second place and Su Yuan Sect understands what should be done, they will know."

Hearing this logic, Jin Zaogong suddenly felt disheartened, "Then why did you agree to Wang Sheng…" He paused suddenly, then with a sudden realization looked up, "Senior Brother, could it be that you intend to betray him?"

Hu Yan said, "If we can lie down and take first place without doing anything, then Yuanjian Palace will take it.

But if we have to covertly do something behind the scenes, then we must absolutely not touch first place. Who can guarantee that this won't get out in the future? If it damages Su Yuan Sect's reputation and they find out Yuanjian Palace was meddling behind the scenes, that's a bigger issue than taking their first place and they will surely seek revenge.

It's fortunate the sect warned me beforehand; otherwise, I might be lured by Wang Sheng's proposition, and with such leverage in their hands, wouldn't sleep come hard? So, it can't be considered a betrayal. I'm also following the sect's intentions, simply supporting Su Yuan Sect to win the championship."

Jin Zaogong sighed and gave a slight nod, "Senior Brother is right. Now that you've made your decision, I will comply."

Hu Yan turned and said, "You go back and explain to the Junior Brothers, I'm going to visit Mulan Qingqing and talk to her."

Jin Zaogong expressed some concern, "What if Su Yuan Sect harbors ill intentions and wants to silence us by force?"

Hu Yan said, "It's unlikely for now. Before they deal with Wang Sheng and the others, Su Yuan Sect wouldn't dare to do anything to me. I dare to seek them out, so naturally they will have to weigh their options. After I leave, you all should also make some contingency arrangements, just in case."

"Alright," Jin Zaogong nodded in agreement.

Hu Yan strode off, reaching the cave entrance, he pulled out a Wind Scale, cast a spell, and flew away, his figure quickly disappearing into the starry sky.

He traveled straight for more than eight hundred miles.

He landed in a valley with specks of purple flames, and after someone relayed the message, there was a response—Mulan Qingqing invited him over.

In a newly dug cave, Mulan Qingqing, Guan Yingjie, and Chao Zhilin were all present.

Chao Zhilin personally went to the cave entrance to welcome him in, saying, "Brother Hu Yan, coming late at night like this, there must be something important, right?"

Not many received such treatment, it was also considered a reciprocal gesture for Yuanjian Palace's support for their Su Yuan Sect.

"It's nothing," Hu Yan said nonchalantly. After exchanging greetings with the other two in the cave, he finally set his gaze on Mulan Qingqing, who stood with her hands behind her back, donning a sword as ornamentation, dressed in white as snow, and smiled faintly, "Just felt bored late at night and thought I'd drop by for a visit."

Guan Yingjie and Chao Zhilin exchanged silent glances.

Cold as frost, Mulan Qingqing slightly furrowed her brows and gave a slight nod to the two Junior Brothers.

Understanding the signal, Guan and Chao immediately exited.

Once they were alone in the cave, Mulan Qingqing said, "Hu Yan, we have worked together for so long. If you have something to say, just say it."

Hu Yan didn't beat around the bush, he stared intently at her expression and said, "Wang Sheng and Gao Qiang are still alive!"

Even with Mulan Qingqing's usual composure, she couldn't control it at this moment. Her expression shook violently, and her eyes, like cold stars, fixed sharply on his.

Hu Yan understood instantly. There was no need to say anything more; what Wang Sheng had said was indeed true. He didn't know what Su Yuan Sect was thinking to actually commit such an act. They always seemed savvy, so how could they fail to handle someone like Wang Sheng and Gao Qiang?

What significance did Youxia Mountain hold? It was unheard of, a minor sect of no renown, and yet disciples from such an obscure corner had managed to escape Su Yuan Sect. He found it somewhat baffling.

After a long silence, Mulan Qingqing did not ask why he brought up those two, instead, she directly inquired, "Where are they?"

Hu Yan said, "They're with me. They feared they would be silenced, so they sought me out today. I managed to calm them down for now."

Mulan Qingqing asked, "What do you want to do?"

Hu Yan replied, "I have always supported you, as you know. Whatever treatment you decide, I will agree to."

Mulan Qingqing pressed, "Say it, what are your conditions?"

Hu Yan said, "You should be able to feel my affections for you. If I say I want you to marry me, would you agree?"

Mulan Qingqing: "For disciples of Su Yuan Sect to marry, it requires the approval of the Sect, especially for someone like me who is under scrutiny within the Sect. My agreement alone is not enough. Of course, if you insist on this condition, I can agree."

She nearly asked out loud, "Do you dare to use this as a threat?"

A hint of bitterness flashed across Hu Yan's face as he rhetorically asked himself, did he dare? Indeed, he did not. He wanted to, with her remarkable beauty and excellence, which man wouldn't be attracted? But the disparity in strength between their two sects was too great. They were not of equal status; he lacked the right and the confidence to speak up.

Avoiding the sensitive subject, he changed the topic, "Are we friends?"

Without hesitation, Mulan Qingqing replied, "Yes! If you can help me this time, you will be the best friend I have outside of Su Yuan Sect."

That incident had too great an impact on the Sect's reputation. It was a grave mistake she had made, and she was willing to pay any price to erase it.

She wasn't joking just now; if he dared to ask, she would really agree to marry him, even if he wanted her to pledge herself to him immediately, she would consent without hesitation.

Hu Yan said with a smile, "After this, treat me to a meal."

Mulan Qingqing responded promptly and cleanly, "No problem."

Hu Yan was equally straightforward, "Wherever you want to handle it, I'll lure the people there. You arrange the manpower yourself."

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