Everyone looked at the disciple who had spoken; it was Xu Qi from Mofeng Sect, one of the top ten genius disciples of Lingyue City, whose cultivation was only second to the deceased Yan Binyu.
Seeing everyone’s eyes on her, Xu Qi took a deep breath, her eyes resolute. "I want to join Sky Heart Sect." Before, she had looked down on Sky Heart Sect, but after this experience, she had changed her views. Sky Heart Sect was not as weak as the rumors had described.
"Senior Sister Xu, I will join Sky Heart Sect with you."
"And me, I want to follow Senior Sister Xu too." Some disciples, already regretting their previous decisions, spoke up.
Liu Yunshan and Xu Pingqi exchanged a glance. Liu Yunshan said, "I am pleased that you wish to join Sky Heart Sect, but there is only one chance, and since you all missed it, I can only apologize." To become a top-level sect, strict rules are a must.
"Sect Master Liu, is there really no chance at all?" Xu Qi asked unwillingly.
Liu Yunshan shook his head, "It’s not that there is no chance, but whether you can seize this opportunity will depend on your performance from here on."
After saying this, Liu Yunshan and Xu Pingqi led the disciples who had first chosen to join Sky Heart Sect out. They were not worried about these disciples betraying them, because Song Yan Ning had told them that within the Mountain Protection Array, there was a type of Medicine Powder. Once these disciples consumed the Essence Red Pills, it would form a mark with that Medicine Powder. If they harbored any thoughts of rebellion, they would suffer excruciating pain. However, they would not tell the disciples this, as they wanted to test whether they were truly willing to side with Sky Heart Sect.
As for the remaining disciples, they would have them confront those sects that wanted to deal with Sky Heart Sect. If these disciples wanted to join Sky Heart Sect, they would naturally give it their all; if they planned to return to their own sects, he could confirm their outcomes would not be favorable.
They had been captured by Sky Heart Sect; how could Sky Heart Sect possibly kindly let them go? Those sects were naturally suspicious; how could they willingly accept these disciples again? Thus, these disciples only had two paths left: to fully commit to earn an opportunity to join Sky Heart Sect or to die.
Song Yan Ning put away the Gathering Spirit Stone and leaped into the pond with Qin Yushen. Her reason for throwing the Array Flag into the pond earlier was that she had discovered a Concealing Array at the bottom of the pond.
Song Yan Ning and Qin Yushen slowly dove to the bottom. The small pond did not seem large from above, but the water was very deep, and it became colder as they descended. If their bodies and Divine Senses had not undergone tempering, they surely would not have been able to enter the waters.
After about an hour, Song Yan Ning and Qin Yushen finally reached the bottom of the pond.
At this moment, Song Yan Ning could clearly see the Concealing Array at the bottom. Using her Divine Sense, she carefully scanned it for a moment, "This is a Level 9 Concealing Array, I need to deduce it." She was now a Level 8 Array Master, so unlocking a Level 9 Concealing Array would take some time, but she was confident she could do it.
Qin Yushen nodded, sat down beside Song Yan Ning, "I will protect you." The bottom of the pond seemed calm, but often danger lurked behind calm.
Song Yan Ning nodded, closed her eyes, and began to deduce the Array.
Yun Mo and two others arrived at the edge of the small pond, noticing that Song Yan Ning and Qin Yushen were no longer by the pond.
"Could they have gone to the bottom of the pond?" As Hu Qi spoke, he released his Divine Sense into the small pond in front of them. As soon as his Divine Sense dipped into the water, a bone-chilling cold swept over him, causing his Divine Sense to ache with pain.
"The water below is too icy; Ningning and Qin Yushen couldn’t possibly be down there," Hu Qi said, his face pale as he withdrew his Divine Sense.
Elder Mie Yu and Yun Mo nodded in agreement. They had also tested with their Divine Senses, the temperature here was indeed frigid, and Divine Senses could not penetrate deep into the bottom of the pond.