As for the inner disciples who chose to stay, it's not that they were particularly loyal to the sect; it's just that they had a longer-term vision.
As inner disciples, they naturally had a spot in the sect's secret realm, which was held once every five years. Therefore, they chose to ignore this opportunity that was now within the grasp of almost everyone.
It's not that they don't value interests; it's just that they are more likely to make choices when faced with interests.
The opportunity to enter a secret realm comes every five years, but the dragon vein...
You never know when you'll have another chance.
Knowing how to make choices is the essence of humanity.
...
Bi Min, who had been observing for a long time, couldn't help but yawn.
The entire team fell apart in an instant; is this what they, as humans, call putting profit above all else...?
Seeing that Bi Min was still sitting there, Xingtai smiled and went over to comfort her:
"Please rest assured, Dragon Maiden, although we only have a dozen or so people left, they are all top-notch individuals. Those who left before were ungrateful; their strength was weak, and they might have become a burden along the way... It's better that they left. Let's rest a little longer before continuing our journey."
After saying that, he turned to the two inner disciples of the Imperial Sword Sect and said:
"Hao Xiao, Hao Ku, go and buy supplies for the rest of the journey. Remember, don't get involved in things that don't concern you. Think about your future..."
What appears to be a reminder is more of a threat.
"Yes, Elder."
The two disciples didn't say anything and turned to leave.
After the little farce ended, the space returned to peace.
...
Meanwhile, those who were determined to leave the sect and go to the "Phoenix Comes to Ceremony" restaurant to get their registration cards were all being watched by pairs of eyes, and news kept reaching the ears of Bi Jue, the sect leader of Daoguang Sect.
Hearing that things were going according to his plan, Bi Jue's furrowed brows finally relaxed, and the heavy weight in his heart gradually lifted.
Next, all they need to do is quietly send the remaining disciples away or capture them, and the remaining two can be dealt with by the Imperial Sword Sect and the Armor Guard Sect themselves.
However, he still felt a vague unease, as if something had slipped out of his control.
Unable to think of anything for the moment, Bi Jue stopped thinking about it. He figured perhaps he was overthinking it…
...
On the other side, the two inner disciples who had gone out ran back looking dejected, still empty-handed.
Seeing this, Xingtai couldn't help but feel annoyed and said:
"What happened again? Don't tell me you're going to the secret realm too?"
The two disciples shook their heads. One of them, remaining relatively calm, explained:
"Elder, I don't know why, but all the shops in the neighborhood are closed."
"What about the shops under the name of our Imperial Sword Sect?"
He didn't want to know why other shops were closing down for the time being; surely his own shop wouldn't have to close down too...
Upon hearing this, the disciple's expression turned sour, and he hesitated about whether to continue.
Upon seeing this, Xingtai urged:
"What can't you say? Do you mean your own shop is closed down too?"
His unintentional remark, meant as a joke, unexpectedly elicited a frantic nod from the disciple, as if receiving some kind of approval, who said:
"We went to our own shops. Not only was our Imperial Sword Sect's shop closed, but the Armor Guard Sect's was too. They said it was to prepare for the secret realm..."
"Okay, okay..."
Xingtai's eyes seemed to blaze with fire as he exclaimed "Good!" three times in a row, murmuring:
"Fine, Bi Jue, do you really have to be so ruthless?"
Qiu Wen, standing nearby, subconsciously asked:
"Why do you think it was the Daoguang Sect Master who did it? Didn't your Yujian Sect and our Armored Sect also close their doors? Perhaps it really is to prepare for the opening of the secret realm..."
Xingtai looked at Qiu Wen with a hint of disappointment.
That blockhead...
Despite his inner complaints, he still needed to rely on him, so he explained to him:
"Think about it... why did the secret realm decide to open early, right after we left? Why are there the marks of the three sects on the notice? Also, why are the shops always open when the secret realm is open, but closed this time while we were away? Don't tell me you still haven't figured out who's manipulating all of this behind the scenes..."
He's explained it so clearly, surely Qiu Wen still doesn't understand...?
The words came true.
Qiu Wen was completely baffled. He even thought that these were all just coincidences, with no connection whatsoever...
He stared intently at Xingtai, but perhaps Xingtai's eyes were too deep, or perhaps he was much older than him, and he couldn't see him clearly.
He tentatively asked:
"Could the shops be closed because the secret realm is now open to the public without restrictions, so everyone's gone?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that it made a lot of sense.
Instead of praise from Xingtai, what they received was mocking ridicule:
"Can't you stop being so dense? Can't you see the situation? It's obvious that Bi Jue went to the other two sects and said something to our sect leader and your sect leader, getting them to join forces to suppress us... You should know that the three of them have always had a very good relationship, you could say they're best friends, and..."
Xingtai turned to look at Bi Min and lowered his voice, saying:
“Bi Min was someone they watched grow up, and with Bi Jue spouting nonsense, it’s not impossible for them to listen to him.”
"Now, we're in a very passive position... We thought it was just a solo banquet, so we didn't bring our storage bags with us. Now we have no supplies for the journey, and we can't return to our sect... This Bi Jue wants to cut off all our paths forward, forcing us to return to our sect..."
Xingtai narrowed his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly.
Qiu Wen, on the other hand, is clearly still a child. His words were impulsive and impulsive when he was young and hot-blooded. Now that he sees no way forward, he is starting to back down.
He cautiously asked:
"How about... we go back?"
Xingtai glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he would say such a thing.
"What did you say? Go back? We finally managed to bring the Dragon Girl out, and now you want me to go back?"
"But……"
Qiu Wen was about to say something when Xingtai interrupted him:
"You don't need to say anything to me, I'm definitely not going back."
He glanced at Qiu Wen again and provoked him:
"If you want to leave, then leave. I misjudged you..."
"I originally thought... you were a person destined for great things, someone who wouldn't be hindered by minor difficulties. But now... never mind, go back if you want. As an elder of the Imperial Sword Sect, I will not go back on my word; I will do what I say. I will send the Dragon Girl to the Dragon Realm. Let's say goodbye here."
Xingtai walked away, looking very sad, without glancing at Qiu Wen again.
"Um... I, I, I'll go with you."
Xingtai smiled slightly, but as he turned around, all he could see was a look of satisfaction.
“Alright, let’s head forward, our destination: the Dragon Realm.”
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