A sword materialized in mid-air, gleaming with a cold light. It radiated an intense killing intent, completely locking onto the Night Wind Centipede. Hovering in the air, the sword awaited only its master's command to strike at any moment.
Finally, after observing for a while, the sword's master lost patience. With an impatient expression, he raised a finger.
The long sword trembled, poised and ready.
Just as it was about to strike, another man called out to stop him at the last second.
"What?" the sword's master asked.
"Taking their lives can wait. There's no rush. Why not follow them first and see what they're really up to?"
"And while we're at it, let's find out if they have anything to do with Zhao Qi's disappearance."
"Once we've figured all that out, it won't be too late to eliminate them."
And so, the two men remained suspended in the air, observing the Night Wind Centipede and the Spirit King from a god-like perspective.
Meanwhile, within the Yunjie Sect...
Many elders had begun to stir.
From the Night Wind Centipede's words and Su Yu'er's earlier actions—specifically her recruitment of beautiful female disciples from other sects—they had more or less deduced Lu Benwei's desires.
The Supreme Golden Bone.
Who wouldn't covet it?
Given even the slightest opportunity, everyone would try to seize it.
As elders of the Yunjie Sect, having lived for so many years, who among them didn’t have connections or favors to call upon?
Thus, one after another, they began scouting for suitable candidates, hoping to use Su Yu'er as a bridge to reach Lu Benwei.
Take, for instance, the Yunjie Sect’s Sixth Elder, who arrived at the Southern Sect, another branch of the same sect.
"Hmph, what brings you here, you old fool?"
Zhong Nan, the Southern Sect’s leader, greeted him with a displeased tone.
"What kind of greeting is that?" The Sixth Elder plopped down unceremoniously and waved his hand. "Hurry up and pour me some tea!"
"You old fool, you expect me to serve you tea?" Zhong Nan’s face darkened. "I haven’t even come to settle scores with your Yunjie Sect yet, and here you are making demands!"
"Why would you settle scores with us?" the Sixth Elder asked, puzzled.
"You really have to ask?"
Zhong Nan scoffed. "Last time, my disciple answered Su Yu'er’s invitation from your sect, claiming there was some grand opportunity. And what happened? She said my disciple was to serve some so-and-so!"
"So I’d like to ask—what kind of behavior is this from your Yunjie Sect? Such a humiliating act—were you trying to shatter my disciple’s Dao heart?"
His voice was filled with anger.
Only because the two sects had decent relations—and because he knew Su Yu'er was a bit scatterbrained—had he let the matter slide.
Yet, upon hearing Zhong Nan’s words, the Sixth Elder burst into laughter.
Zhong Nan glared at him, his anger flaring.
"I’m laughing at your ignorance!" the Sixth Elder replied with a mysterious smile.
"You’re the ignorant one, you old fool! Your whole family’s ignorant!"
Zhong Nan’s fury grew. He stood up and barked, "You’d better explain yourself clearly today, or don’t even think about leaving my Southern Sect!"
Unfazed, the Sixth Elder glanced at the teacup.
"Treat me well, and I’ll share a major secret with you—perhaps even a great opportunity!" the Sixth Elder said mysteriously.
"Enough with your nonsense! Explain yourself first!" Zhong Nan snapped.
"No tea? Fine, don’t regret it later."
The Sixth Elder played coy, rising to leave. As he walked away, he sighed dramatically.
"Ah, some fools just don’t appreciate news about the Supreme Golden Bone. If you’re not interested, I’ll be on my way. Farewell!"
"The Supreme Golden Bone?"
Zhong Nan’s eyes widened.
Instantly, his demeanor changed. He grabbed the Sixth Elder’s arm and grinned ingratiatingly.
"Ah, brother, no need for such harsh words! I was just joking earlier!"
As he spoke, he hurriedly poured the tea.
"Now... care to share?"
Having done his part, Zhong Nan looked at the Sixth Elder with eager anticipation.