Seeing the so-called pills, Fang Jiu and his companions’ expressions changed subtly, their gazes flickered uncertainly.
Originally, they indeed had some ideas about bringing Xu Zimei into the Tianlun Sect and then having someone capture him.
After all, that was their stronghold, and they weren’t worried about Xu Zimei being able to cause any trouble.
"What’s the matter? Don’t have the guts?" Xu Zimei asked with a light chuckle.
He slowly raised the Tyrant Shadow in his hand, the blade manifesting a faint Blade Intent.
"We’ll take it," Fang Jiu was the first to take the pills.
Upon ingesting the pill, other than a slight pain, there seemed to be no other sensations.
"This pill was brought in from outside; don’t think that anyone within the Red Dust Palace could save you," Xu Zimei said.
"The poison will activate in twenty-four hours. It’ll all depend on your performance."
The faces of the three were quite awkward.
There were only two paths before them: Either be killed by Xu Zimei on the spot,
or bring Xu Zimei to meet Young Master Tianxun and face the unthinkable consequences of betraying him.
But no matter what, it was much better than dying right now.
"I’ll take you," Fang Jiu said.
"I’m curious, how did a hoodlum like you catch the attention of Young Master Tianxun?" Xu Zimei asked.
"Young Master Tianxun’s Cultivation Technique is a bit special. Besides absorbing Spiritual Energy and comprehending it, he can also quickly grow stronger by absorbing other people’s essence," Fang Jiu explained in detail.
"However, this method violates the Heavenly Dao, and the Sect Hierarch has explicitly forbidden it within the sect.
Our Tianlun Sect is not an evil cult; we cannot use such methods.
Young Master Tianxun wants to grow stronger quickly but is fearful of being discovered by the Sect Hierarch, so he found me to help him with this because I am resourceful and know the streets well."
"Can you meet your Sect Hierarch?" Xu Zimei asked.
"The Sect Hierarch seldom appears, even Young Master Tianxun can hardly see the Sect Hierarch without being summoned," Fang Jiu hurriedly replied.
"Really, I’m not lying to you."
"Tell me, if Young Master Tianxun were in danger, do you think your Sect Hierarch would save him?" Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"He should save him, I think," Fang Jiu said with uncertainty.
"Although the Junior Sect Master often displeases the Sect Hierarch, he is after all his only child, and blood is thicker than water."
"Then let’s go," Xu Zimei said.
The original intention for establishing Tianlun Sect was probably the joy of family, standing in contrast to the Divine Maiden Palace’s philosophy of transcending the mortal world.
This huge power occupied one-third of Tianlun City.
The surroundings of the Tianlun Sect were protected by Formations, with two disciples guarding the gate.
Both were dressed in blue robes, and on either side of the Tianlun Sect’s entrance stood four statues, each depicting different emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.
The vast sect gate was made of Star Fire Iron, with the character for ’Tianlun’ written flamboyantly, vigorously cast in iron, giving off an imposing aura.
Under the lead of Fang Jiu and his companions, the gatekeeping disciples recognized them and did not obstruct Xu Zimei and the others.
The group walked into the Tianlun Sect together, greeted by a long corridor as they entered.
The corridor seemed endless at a glance, and its walls were painted with many scenes.
Xu Zimei took a quick look and saw that these paintings were all about the joys of life.
Power, money, beauties…
It was somewhat like brainwashing every disciple, making them naturally disinclined to break free from worldly desires.
Past the corridor, the view opened up.
In the azure sky, flocks of birds were flying and clouds were drifting by.
Great halls and jade towers, pavilions and terraces rose from the ground.
Beneath their feet was a path paved with white jade, and disciples of the sect passed by in twos and threes on either side.
"Young Master Tianxun resides in Looking Heaven Pavilion, I will take you there," Fang Jiu asked cautiously.
"When will you give me the antidote?"
"You will naturally get it once you see Young Master Tianxun," Xu Zimei said.
Monk Da Zhi was closely following behind.
As the five of them were halfway there, suddenly a group of disciples clad in blue robes came towards them.
The leader was also a youth, with a pale face and a light, floating gait; he appeared to have indulged excessively.
"Oh, isn’t this Fang Jiu? What errands are you running for your master this time?" the youth in the blue robe laughed and said.
"Senior Brother Yun," Fang Jiu greeted him with a smile.
"Who are they?" Tian Yun glanced at Xu Zimei and the others and asked with a frown.
"They don’t seem to be disciples of our Tianlun Sect, do they?"
"This is by the Junior Sect Master’s wishes. Do you need to interfere, Senior Brother Yun?" Fang Jiu asked with neither servility nor arrogance.
"You think I don’t know about the deals you’re making behind the scenes?"
Fang Yun scoffed, "I simply couldn’t be bothered to deal with it."
Fang Jiu smiled and said nothing, knowing that his current status came solely from Young Master Tianxun.
He had no desire to offend others unnecessarily.
"You all be careful and take care of yourselves," Fang Yun said before turning and leading the group of disciples away.
It was only after Fang Yun had left that the man with the hawkish eyes spat fiercely on the ground.
With distaste, he said, "What right does that guy have to lecture us? The things he does behind the scenes are no better than ours.
All he can do is throw his weight around in front of us because he can’t stand the Junior Sect Master."
"Let’s not waste time," Xu Zimei glanced at the others and said indifferently.
Guided by Fang Jiu, the group arrived in front of Looking Heaven Pavilion.
Located to the west of the Tianlun Sect, Looking Heaven Pavilion was an independent building with a rather expansive area.
The place was quieter, with fewer disciples coming and going.
Once inside Looking Heaven Pavilion, led by Fang Jiu, it was very quiet.
"Young Master," Fang Jiu called out softly a few times.
An elderly man then came downstairs from the upper level of the pavilion.
"Steward Fu, where is the Young Master?" Fang Jiu quickly asked.
"The Young Master is busy, come back this afternoon," Steward Fu said.
"I have urgent matters to discuss with the Young Master, it’s very pressing," Fang Jiu glanced at Xu Zimei and continued.
"No matter the urgency, don’t you know to follow the rules?" Steward Fu replied with a frown.
"The Junior Sect Master should be cultivating in the underground chamber," Fang Jiu turned and whispered to Xu Zimei.
"His cultivation can’t be disrupted, so he won’t see anyone at this time."
"Do you know where the underground chamber is?" Xu Zimei asked.
"I do," Fang Jiu nodded.
Xu Zimei nodded slightly and glanced at Monk Da Zhi.
Monk Da Zhi chanted "Boundless Heavenly Venerate," and with a great push of his hand, he directly charged at Steward Fu with a suppression attack.
"What are you doing?" Steward Fu gave a sharp cry, his aura formidable, as he engaged in combat with Monk Da Zhi.
Turned out Steward Fu had some skill; surrounded by swirling blue spiritual energy, the phantom of a fierce tiger appeared around him.
That was his True Fate.
"Quick battle and decision," Xu Zimei said from the side.
With a light cry from Monk Da Zhi, his longsword unsheathed and floated with his robe in the wind.
The sound of the sword’s hum rose, and a Heaven Shaking Sword Intent gathered and transformed into a streak of light that flashed before their eyes.
The True Fate of the fierce tiger belonging to Steward Fu was directly torn apart, and the longsword pierced through his chest.