A man from the Big Dipper, starting his charlatanship at Mount Tai.

If this excellent Chaos Furnace were to be killed or devoured by someone else while it was out of his sight, he would be heartbroken.

On Yao Xi's side.

As she looked at the familiar design of the Emperor's Belt, feeling the gentle imperial aura flowing within it, her emotions became increasingly complex.

Alright~ Since Lin Xiu didn't intend to explain, she wouldn't press him further.

Perhaps... this thing is truly destined for her?

A few seconds later, Yao Xi took a deep breath, put away the Emperor's Shield that Lin Xiu handed over, and bowed to Lin Xiu.

"Thank you so much, Brother Lin, for bestowing upon me this immortal robe. I am deeply grateful."

Yao Xi's voice returned to its usual cool and clear tone, but upon closer listening, there was still a slight tremor at the end.

She will probably never forget what happened today.

What does it mean that although she lost a used bra, she gained a yakuza bra?

......

Lin Xiu thought for a moment, then casually tossed Yao Xi's bra into the system space. He then looked up at Yao Xi and continued to give her some instructions.

A few minutes later, Lin Xiu truly served tea and saw the guests off.

"Alright, Fairy Yao Xi, it's almost time. Remember to follow the plan after you leave."

"Yao Xi obeys."

After staring at Lin Xiu for more than ten seconds with a complicated expression, Yao Xi, the Holy Maiden of Yao Guang, turned her back and left the Immortal Venerable Pavilion.

However, her demeanor was far less natural than when she arrived.

On the one hand, because of the absence of some things, her upper body felt a little lighter than before.

On the other hand... a golden light also appeared in her saccharine sea, unlike before.

That golden light was Lin Xiu's true Daoist essence.

According to Lin Xiu, Lin Xiu's Daoist essence was that I wanted to return to the Yao Guang Holy Land with her and discuss some cooperation details with her master and the Yao Guang Holy Lord.

But... Yao Xi felt very uncomfortable.

The golden light at the edge of her body reminded her of everything that had happened before, making the discomfort in her upper body caused by losing her bra even more pronounced.

Fortunately, Yao Xi was good at maintaining her composure. Although her complexion was a little rosy, she still managed to return to the Yao Guang Holy Land to report back, maintaining her initial composure.

During this time, apart from some disciples of the holy land who felt it was a bit strange that Yao Xi had made two trips in such a short period of time, no one else noticed anything unusual.

However, considering that Yao Xi was there to negotiate prices with Lin Xiu, there might be some things she didn't have the authority to handle and needed to discuss with the Holy Lord after returning to the Holy Land, those who cared only cared for a moment before forgetting about it.

Because the Immortal Venerable Competition has begun. Compared to the boring thing of Yao Xi redeeming the elders of the Holy Land, watching the competition is definitely more interesting!

However... unfortunately, there was indeed one person who felt that Yao Xi's behavior was a bit strange.

That person was a high-ranking elder of the Ruthless lineage, hidden within the Yao Guang lineage. He had secretly cultivated a large number of Ruthless techniques and had always kept them well hidden, without being exposed.

[Hmm? Isn't the saintess's behavior a bit strange?]

Even if one needs to return to the Holy Land to consult with someone, shouldn't one go to the Holy Lord, not one's own master?

Is there anything that absolutely requires consulting one's master, and cannot be discussed with the Holy Lord first?

Just to be on the safe side, let's report it first and then closely monitor the situation.

This Elder Yaoguang named Xu Daofei was the reason why Lin Xiu wanted Yao Xi to take his Daoist essence back with her.

.......

When the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang returned, the Holy Lord of Yaoguang, Li Daoqing, was cultivating.

Upon seeing Yao Xi burst in, Li Daoqing immediately withdrew the great formation and stepped in front of Yao Xi.

"You're back? How did the talks go? Did Lin Xiu offer a high price?"

It's perfectly normal for Li Daoqing to have such thoughts. In his opinion, if Lin Xiu hadn't offered such a high price, Yao Xi wouldn't have needed to come back so early.

Yao Xi first bowed, and then immediately expressed her hope to speak with Li Daoqing alone in a completely safe place.

"Ok?"

Although Li Daoqing was puzzled, he did not refuse Yao Xi. He left the main hall where he usually discussed matters with the elders and went with her to his secret cultivation room.

Inside the secret chamber, layers upon layers of formations isolated all traces of energy from both inside and outside.

Li Daoqing waved his hand to activate the restriction before turning to look at Yao Xi.

"Speak, what is it that requires such caution?"

Yao Xi took a deep breath and said with extreme seriousness:

"Holy Lord, Brother Lin has already reached an agreement with me regarding the release of the elder."

"However, during this discussion, Brother Lin also mentioned a major matter to me."

"What's the matter?"

"There is a ruthless lineage hiding in the Yao Guang Holy Land."

Li Daoqing: "........."

Li Daoqing's expression shifted uncertainly. As the Holy Lord of Yao Guang, he naturally knew that a ruthless successor was lurking within the Holy Land. However, over the years, the two sides had maintained a delicate balance.

But... how did Lin Xiu know that?

"Brother Lin, being a Saint Body, was once targeted by the Ruthless Clan. He only learned of this after he turned the tables and killed the Ruthless Clan," Yao Xi explained at the opportune moment.

"I see."

Li Daoqing nodded repeatedly, Yao Xi's words were exactly the same as what he had thought!

"But why would he help me with Yao Guang? Is it for revenge? Or for something else?"

Having resolved one question, Li Daoqing had even more questions.

"Holy Lord, it's actually like this..."

Yao Xi then explained the explanation she had prepared long ago.

In short, Lin Xiu had both the desire for revenge and the desire to observe the imperial runes of the imperial weapons of the Yao Guang Holy Land after the deed was done.

"I see......."

Li Daoqing sighed, but still couldn't make up his mind.

Yao Xi could only continue to offer advice:

"Holy Lord, this is our only chance."

"The Ruthless Clan has already infiltrated every aspect of the Holy Land, even secretly influencing the right to use Imperial Weapons. If this continues, will the Holy Land truly belong to the Yao Guang clan, or to the Ruthless Clan?"

Li Daoqing paced back and forth in the secret room, his expression solemn.

He knew perfectly well that what Yao Xi said was true. But this matter was of utmost importance; one wrong step and it would be utterly disastrous.

.......

Just then, a figure darted into the council hall—it was Xu Daofei.

Seeing that the Holy Lord was not there, Xu Daofei asked the disciple beside him where the Holy Lord and the Holy Maiden had gone.

The disciple replied that they had gone to the secret chamber where the Holy Lord usually cultivated. If Elder Xu needed to see the Holy Lord, he could come and find him later. If it was urgent, he could go to see the Holy Lord himself.

A strange light flashed in Xu Daofei's eyes, and he waved his hand, saying, "It's alright, I'll wait here."

As soon as the disciple turned and left, the smile on Xu Daofei's face vanished instantly.

[Something's not right... The Holy Maiden just returned from meeting with Lin Xiu, and she's already in a hurry to have a private talk with the Holy Lord, even avoiding an elder like me?]

Could it be... that she sensed something?

Alarm bells rang in Xu Daofei's mind. As a high-ranking member of the Ruthless Clan embedded in Yao Guang, he knew the consequences of exposing the Clan. He also knew that although Yao Xi lacked talent in cultivation, she was very clever. If she discovered any clues and spread them...

After a moment's thought, Xu Daofei decided to take the risk and explore.

The next second, Xu Daofei concealed his aura, used a secret technique, and moved like a ghost towards the secret chamber.

Outside the secret chamber, Xu Daofei hid in the shadows, trying his best to conceal his aura. His cultivation had reached the first level of the Immortal Platform Realm, making him a high-ranking figure in the Yao Guang Holy Land, and he was extremely familiar with the protective formation outside the secret chamber.

[As long as the core restrictions aren't triggered, it shouldn't be detected...]

Xu Daofei cautiously probed a wisp of his divine sense into the gaps in the array, attempting to capture the content of the conversation inside the secret room.

However, just as his divine sense was about to touch the barrier of the secret chamber...

"repair!"

A beam of five-colored divine light shot out from the secret chamber in an instant, moving at extreme speed, and struck Xu Daofei's forehead directly!

Xu Daofei had no time to react. He was struck as if by lightning, and his divine power was instantly sealed, even his Great Dao was imprisoned!

"what?!"

Xu Daofei was horrified and wanted to unleash his divine power to break through the blockade, but he found that the five-colored divine light contained a terrifying suppressive power, which made him, a powerful being at the second level of the Immortal Platform, unable to move!

As he struggled, an ancient rune, the "Soul Character Ancient Rune," was already affixed to his forehead!

As the runes were imprinted, Xu Daofei felt his soul being invaded by a vast power, and his consciousness rapidly blurred.

......

Inside the secret chamber, the Holy Lord of Yaoguang was completely stunned when he saw the golden Dao Lord suddenly appear before him!

It was a figure formed from pure Daoist energy, its entire body shimmering with golden light. Its face was obscured, yet it exuded a chilling aura.

What shocked Li Daoqing the most was that even he felt a chill run down his spine from the move the Dao Master had just used!

Yao Xi also opened her red lips wide, her beautiful eyes filled with shock!

Because, although the Holy Lord of Yaoguang was unaware, she suddenly realized that... Lin Xiu and the Dao Lord were actually the same person!

No wonder... no wonder Brother Lin Xiu was so confident, saying he could borrow an imperial weapon to help us clean up our internal affairs...

[It turns out, the renowned Dao Lord was actually just a battle puppet of his!]

Yao Xi was in turmoil, feeling that Lin Xiu had hidden his true abilities far too well.

What happened to the promised partners?