As night gradually faded, the Barrier enveloping Jiuhua City’s surroundings dissipated. Despite the eager cultivators outside the city wanting to enter at the first opportunity, the two Bodhisattvas at the gate, with troubled expressions, slowed down the inspection of city entry papers.
They knew that Bao Yue Buddha was still kneeling outside Hanshan Temple, but they were powerless about it, only able to slow the inspection process to let fewer people witness Lingshan’s embarrassing scene.
However, while people entering the city was slow, the interest of those inside to leave wasn’t dampened.
"Wandao Sect usually acts low-key, but once they become domineering, even the Buddha has to kneel."
"Kneeling aside, with just one sentence, Master Pei made Tianshui Buddha enter self-immolation to apologize. Which sect in the world has such power?"
"And this is just with Master Pei present. Imagine if Sect Master Zheng came, tsk tsk, that scene is unimaginable."
"How could Sumeru Mountain let such a big event like the martial tournament have a novice attempt to assassinate Saint Lu?"
"It’s strange though, that novice sent a letter, and it had a list of the masterminds behind it. I’ve never heard of such a flawed assassination."
"Do you think the Wandao Sect orchestrated this themselves?"
"How could that be? If it were Wandao Sect themselves, would Tianshui Buddha self-immolate? He’s a Buddha, an Immortal. Once one becomes an Immortal, who would want to die?"
"Indeed... Saint Lu certainly extracted some truth from those ten people."
"But with Tianshui Buddha’s immolation, this matter ends here. I really wanted to see the Wandao Sect’s army bearing down."
"I just enjoy the spectacle; unlike me, helping Saint Lu catch someone named Wang Li is fulfilling enough."
"I also helped Saint Lu catch Sun Qing..."
In the midst of the passing conversations, fragments of what happened inside the city pieced together. The people outside became increasingly curious about the Buddha kneeling at Hanshan Temple’s gate, yet some also slowed their steps.
A young man, wearing a straw hat, listened to the names coming from the crowd, his expression serious, with doubt flashing in his eyes.
The novice who delivered the message claiming to assassinate Lu Jin’an, yet the letter detailed the Demon Path people he had prearranged.
Putting aside the plan to build Lingshan’s reputation, how was the plan to assassinate Lu Jin’an leaked?
Very few in the Buddhist Sect even knew about this... who was that novice delivering the message!?
Zhou Yuanfu didn’t know, but he was now certain he must not enter the city.
Because among these cultivators emerging from the city, there might be people intentionally placed by the Wandao Sect.
Merely to lure in more ’fish’.
Thus... entering the city now posed the risk of being trapped.
Zhou Yuanfu didn’t delve further into how the plan was leaked; he quietly made a few hand gestures, causing some in his team to leave swiftly, while others began to create noise, pushing to enter the city to divert attention.
Zhou Yuanfu did not leave the team immediately; instead, he followed the crowd, both curious and calmly jeering while observing the situation.
Sure enough, from the city walls, a Tribulation Crossing Realm guard clad in Wandao Sect armor rapidly descended, chasing the ones who left the team.
Zhou Yuanfu sighed inwardly, contemplating his next step to evade danger.
Perhaps Lu Jin’an was secretly observing from the city wall at this moment, and he had little confidence in escaping Lu Jin’an’s clutches.
Though Lu Jin’an had rarely displayed his strength since he went into seclusion over a year ago, having been personally appointed the Saint Heir by Zheng Dongliu of the Wandao Sect, his strength must surpass his peers.
Does the world not understand Lu Jin’an, but not understand Zheng Dongliu?
Under Zheng Dongliu’s leadership, the Wandao Sect is invincible in the Lower Realm, how could they let an average person be the Saint Heir?
Especially since there might be Immortal Xu Shu overseeing this event on the city wall, the chance to escape becomes even slimmer. The most update n0vels are published on novｅlfire.net
’Are the bald heads from Lingshan stupid pigs? I must really reconsider collaborating with them next time...’
While thinking this, Zhou Yuanfu also blended in with the crowd, exclaiming, "Can’t you check faster?"
The only relief he felt now was that before tonight, he had changed his appearance again using the Faceless Divine Skill, and when interacting with those subordinates moments ago, he used yet another face and name.
Otherwise, Lu Jin’an might have already seen his previous appearance from the memories in the Sea of Consciousness of Wang Li, Sun Qing, and others.
Indeed, roaming the world, having another face increases your chances of staying alive.
’It’s just unfortunate about those two Possessors.’
Zhou Yuanfu wasn’t worried about revealing more useful information from Zhuang Wanshui or Cheng Yungen. He trusted the methods of the Upper Realm’s Immortal Envoys, just unfortunate that they didn’t fulfill their potential before getting caught.
’Who leaked the info to Lu Jin’an... could a Possessor have betrayed us?’
As this thought just surfaced, Zhou Yuanfu felt a bit unstable. Even though he knew such an absurd thing was unlikely, it was... an alternative explanation to having an internal traitor in the Buddhist Sect.
As he neared the city gate, Zhou Yuanfu, showing no flaws on his face, pondered while gritting his teeth and handed over entry papers to get into the city.
After all, using a fake identity meant entering the city was safer than leaving while outside.
Entering the bustling Jiuhua City, Zhou Yuanfu followed the crowd towards Hanshan Temple while seeking out a Loose Cultivator in the city to inquire about the situation.
Now, he could only lower his suspicion in this way, and then find an opportunity to leave Jiuhua City.