Chapter 2

Tianyin Sect.

Baihua Lake.

Located at the highest point of the Tianyin Sect, it resembles a heavenly pool.

Flowers of all kinds grow around the lake, the water is clear and calm, and occasionally, spiritual beasts emerge from the water, causing ripples.

In the center stands an island, surrounded by blooming flowers, highlighting a red pavilion.

At this moment, a woman in red clothing frowned, her eyes filled with coldness. She gently touched something in front of her, and her eyes showed more disgust.

Hush~

A gentle breeze blew through the flowers.

A graceful and beautiful woman in white landed in front of the pavilion, looking at the woman inside with surprise and respect.

"Headmistress, you have emerged from seclusion?"

The woman in red slightly turned her body to look behind her. Her exquisite face fell upon the woman in white, but her cold eyes made the latter bow her head in fear.

"Bai Zhi, has no one remembered the Tianyin Sect in recent years?"

The headmistress of the Tianyin Sect, Hong Yuye.

Before she ascended to her position, the Tianyin Sect was merely a second-rate sect. Under her leadership, it became a first-rate sect.

On the first day she became the headmistress, she launched a major battle, swiftly subduing all the scattered forces around her.

The war lasted for thirty years, with rivers of blood flowing.

Over thirty years, the Tianyin Sect grew stronger, and the resources it obtained became increasingly vast. The name of the Tianyin Demoness echoed throughout the land.

After the war, Hong Yuye began managing the sect. In just ten years, she balanced everything, putting the sect on the right track and making the demonic sect run smoothly.

After that, she entered seclusion, lasting for sixty years.

"Please instruct, Headmistress." Bai Zhi knelt down, trembling in fear.

Bai Zhi, one of the four elder protectors of the Tianyin Sect, deeply trusted by the Tianyin Demoness, was in charge of the sect.

If the Tianyin Sect's reputation had faded in recent years, it was due to her mismanagement.

How could she not be terrified?

Hong Yuye stared at Bai Zhi expressionlessly, saying nothing.

Apart from the wind, the only sound was Bai Zhi's unstable breathing. After a while, Hong Yuye slowly withdrew her gaze.

After sixty years of seclusion, everything should have gone smoothly, but at a critical moment... she was ambushed.

It wasn't by someone from the demonic sect; the cultivation technique used was the Three Pure Techniques of Qing Mountain, and the methods were despicable.

Especially the woman who had hidden other toxins in her body. After being killed, the toxins would invade everything around, making it impossible to guard against.

With the toxins invading and the risk of losing control, in the end...

She went to the base of the Heartbreak Cliff.

That's what happened last night.

It was a method she couldn't defend against, and it shouldn't have existed in Qing Mountain.

"Have there been any unusual movements from those famous sects recently?" Hong Yuye asked, her voice elegant yet authoritative.

"No." Bai Zhi shook her head and continued, "Qing Mountain is the nearest famous and righteous sect, but they are busy with the Daoist Conference and have no time for other matters.

Not to mention, Headmistress, you have already clashed with them in the past. With their strength, they would never dare to act recklessly."

"Is that so?" Hong Yuye smiled with deep meaning.

Seeing that Bai Zhi dared not speak, she continued, "Keep my emergence from seclusion a secret for now. Continue to manage the Tianyin Sect.

Then, investigate the disciples to see how many spies from other sects there are."

"Yes." Bai Zhi quickly agreed, not daring to ask more.

Another silence followed, and Hong Yuye suddenly asked, "Bai Zhi, are you a spy sent by another sect?"

Thud!

Bai Zhi's head hit the ground heavily, trembling in fear, "Headmistress, how could Bai Zhi dare to be one?"

Seeing this, Hong Yuye nodded slightly and said softly, "You may leave."

Bai Zhi rose shakily, and just as she turned, she heard the Headmistress's voice again, "By the way, organize the sect's records and mark the arrangements of recent years. I want to see what you have done these years."

"Yes." Bai Zhi left the island.

After Bai Zhi left, Hong Yuye gently raised her hand, pressing the back of her hand to her lips and coughed twice.

Sixty years ago, she trusted Bai Zhi, and sixty years later, she still trusted her. But...

Only Bai Zhi knew the location of her seclusion. Her first thought after being ambushed was that she had been betrayed by Bai Zhi.

However, so far, with her discerning eyes, she still believed Bai Zhi was useful.

After that, Hong Yuye slowly closed her eyes, and the surroundings became silent.

...

...

Heartbreak Cliff.

Spiritual Herb Garden.

Jiang Hao arrived at the entrance of the Spiritual Herb Garden, intending to collect some panel bubbles to enhance his strength.

This place was quite far from his residence, located in the center.

Heartbreak Cliff was like a valley, with a stream flowing out from a corner, so his residence was in a corner.

Quiet and free.

The Spiritual Herb Garden was covered by an array, and two outer sect disciples guarded the entrance.

They were both at the fifth level of the Qi Condensation stage, which was quite impressive.

If one could reach the eighth level of the Qi Condensation stage before the age of twenty, they could enter the inner sect.

He was one of them.

Only after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage could one firmly establish their status as an inner sect disciple. If one couldn't reach the Foundation Establishment stage by the age of forty, it was best to take missions outside.

Otherwise...

They would be despised by their peers and rejected by their sect.

Cultivation resources would be seized, and they would have no future.

A few years ago, he had seen it happen once.

At that time, he had just entered the inner sect. When he was collecting resources, he saw a forty-year-old at the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage being ridiculed for plundering resources.

Out of naive kindness, he gave the person a pill when no one was around.

It shocked the person, making them question their life.

He never saw that person again.

It was said that they took a mission and most likely died outside.