The female disciples who had bad intentions towards me started fighting among themselves

The visitor was none other than the purple-robed Archbishop of the Demon Cult.

The purple-robed archbishop shook his head. In fact, according to the prior arrangement, he did not need to come directly to Jingyan. All the arrangements were in order and he just needed to proceed step by step.

But for some reason, Jing Yan did not come to the Demon Palace to report until three days before the Pope's coronation ceremony, and he has not yet received the invitation letter sent personally to Qiu Shui.

That's not right. He clearly crossed the fjord, and his spies had already obtained accurate information.

But the archbishop kept waiting and waiting, but his subordinates never reported the information about Jingyan to him.

At that time, the purple-robed archbishop was frightened and broke out in a cold sweat.

Where is Jingyan? Where is Jingyan, who is so old? He was clearly here just now, where is he?

The disappearance of a person is a small matter, but if it delays the Pope's plan and delays the rise of the cult, then he cannot escape the blame!

So he sent out his clone and kept searching for the trace of the Sutra in the southern continent of Posa. Finally, he found it the day before the Pope's celebration.

However, when he saw Jing Yan for the first time, his eyes trembled slightly and he couldn't believe it.

The archbishop had heard of Jingyan's name. After all, he was the most dazzling genius of the Dongsheng Shenzhou. The immortal fate of the Dongsheng Shenzhou was not inferior to that of the Nanposozhou. With the great reputation of Master Wuxu, it was believed that no matter how bad he was, he would not be able to find out much.

But when I saw him for the first time, the handsome boy who was not like an ordinary person was squatting on the corner of the bluestone street, holding a bitten candied haws in his hand, and his eyes were a little dazed.

This scene was something the archbishop had not expected.

After confirming again and again that the young man in front of him was Jingyan, the archbishop spoke to him with extremely complicated feelings.

Jing Yan was obviously shocked, but his long-term cultivation of Taoism did not allow him to show any emotion. The boy remained calm, holding a candied haws in his hand with a calm look in his eyes.

After hearing the other party's self-introduction, there was some difference in the words.

Taoist Lingxu had explained to him some of the customs of the Demon Cult in advance, including the differences in official rank represented by the colors of the priests' uniforms. He knew very well what the purple priest uniform meant in the Demon Cult.

It means having power above everyone else.

Only three people's priest robes are qualified to be dyed purple - the archbishop, the god of destiny, and the mysterious speaker of the Ministry of Machines.

Siming and the Speaker Lingxu Taoist just exchanged a few words. Siming is still young and not very powerful, but he has a noble status.

As for the speaker of the Jishuyuan, even Taoist Lingxu didn't know much about him, so naturally there was no extra information.

And the person he emphasized was the Archbishop.

The Archbishop has followed the current Pope for nearly a thousand years, and has been an old minister who has followed her since she succeeded the Pope. However, such qualifications are not uncommon in the current demon cult. Why is he the only one who can wear a purple robe?

The reason is simple—he is capable, highly skilled, and will do anything to achieve his goals. In fact, he looks like an eagle watching a wolf.

Many people are curious about why the Pope was not on guard against such a ruthless person, but instead gave him power again and again and allowed him to dominate the government.

Taoist Lingxu revealed this secret.

In fact, this high priest was just a spokesperson for the Pope. In fact, a long time ago, he was just an ordinary adviser.

It is said that he even opposed the Pope's accession to the throne at the beginning, but for some unknown reason, the Pope not only spared his life, but promoted him step by step to his current position.

In other words, he is just a loyal dog of the Pope.

He takes orders from no one but the Pope.

Taoist Lingxu once commented on the current Pope of the Demon Cult:

A capable emperor, who is more scheming and skillful than the previous Pope of the Demon Cult, is so cunning that even he cannot see through him.

He told Jingyan to be careful.

So when the archbishop appeared in front of him, Jingyan immediately became alert.

"Nice to meet you." Jing Yan bowed his body slightly and said, "I heard that the Bishop is very busy. How can you have the time to chat with a junior?"

"There is no such thing as a busy schedule. Qiu Shui is not someone who can be perfunctory. Everyone knows that Qiu Shui is the most prosperous sect in Dongsheng Shenzhou now."

The archbishop was just smiling, and his smile was cold and heartless, rather like that of an old and cunning fox doing superficial work - that's what Jingyan thought.

"I personally went to Qiushui to deliver the invitation a while ago. I wanted to see what the legendary genius swordsman looks like. It's a pity that I heard that you went to Qinglan Sword Sect. It's really unfortunate."

The Archbishop smiled and continued:

"Now that I see you, you are indeed a rare talent."

"Your Excellency, I am very grateful for your compliment." Jing Yan said modestly, "But, Your Excellency, what is it that has taken the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me about?"

"Ha, it's nothing important."

The archbishop smiled cheerfully: "It's just that when I counted the invited guests today, I didn't receive a receipt from Qiu Shui. After all, this matter concerns the glory of His Holiness the Pope, so I had to come here in person."

"All the invited sects and individual guests have been arranged to stay in the best inns in the Holy City. For example, for large sects like Qiu Shui, we will arrange for them to stay in blessed caves and heavens temporarily. Now the blessed caves and heavens prepared for Qiu Shui are empty."

The archbishop narrowed his eyes slightly: "I wonder if there is any misunderstanding among us, and if someone is trying to sow discord between our Demon Cult and Qiu Shui?"

Jingyan did not answer him.

He vaguely sensed that the archbishop seemed to be having some problems with Taoist Lingyin, the great elder of the Demon Cult, and wanted to hear conclusive evidence from Jingyan's mouth.

But Jing Yan now knew that neither the archbishop nor the great elder was clear about their purpose. This journey to the demon tribe was much more dangerous than he had imagined.

I always feel like there's some conspiracy brewing.

So he just smiled warmly: "Archbishop, you are joking. I am unfamiliar with the place in Nanposuo Continent. Who would come to sow discord between Qiushui and the Demon Sect? It's just that as a junior, I am traveling on behalf of the sect for the first time, so I am careless and don't know the rules."

"That's it."

Not getting the information he wanted from Jingyan, the archbishop simply stopped asking questions and just glanced at Jingyan's side.

"Qiu Shui, are you alone on this trip?"

"There is also my disciple, but she is not with me now."

"Oh, then I wonder where Taoist Lingxu is now and why he hasn't come yet."

"The ancestor is very busy, so he specially appointed me to come here." Jing Yan nodded slightly: "I am fully qualified to represent Qiu Shui on this trip."

"I hope so."

The archbishop's purple robe was slightly lowered, and the pedestrians and vendors passing by seemed unable to sense his presence. The old man in the priest's clothes just stood in front of Jingyan without attracting any attention.

He pulled at his robe, his eyes complicated. He found that although the boy in front of him was young, he behaved very well and did not get any information he wanted.

I hope the Pope's arrangement is correct.

The archbishop sighed in his heart and took out an exquisite invitation from his arms.

"This is?"

Jing Yan was stunned.

The invitation in the archbishop's hand was different from the invitation for the Pope's coronation ceremony. The invitation in front of him looked more luxurious. Even just by holding it in his hand, he could feel the abundant spiritual energy leaping freely in it. It was obvious that it was not an ordinary item.

"This is the Pope's invitation to the dinner party."

The Archbishop lowered his eyes and explained:

"The Pope has heard of your deeds and is particularly interested in you, so he invites you to the Demon Palace for dinner tomorrow, after the coronation ceremony."

His voice was calm and he spoke slowly:

"The Pope has only invited you and your apprentice. At that time, the guards of the Demon Palace will come in person to welcome you into the Demon Palace and into the Pope's auditorium."

"I hope you won't refuse."

One hundred and eighty-nine. Give you a little doll

Jing Yan accepted the invitation.

There are two reasons.

First of all, he was curious about the current Pope, who was extremely rich in fame, deeds, and rumors. Even Taoist Lingxu was generous in praising her.

He wanted to see who this person was.

The second reason is even simpler.

He was not traveling alone. He was representing Qiu Shui on this trip and it was official business. There was no reason for him to refuse and ignore such a thing.

This is like when a company's salesperson is out for a social event, and the other client wants to treat him to a meal. In order to make the deal, he has to go whether he wants to or not, there is no other way.

If that old ancestor knew that I dared to flatly refuse the dinner invitation from the Pope of the Demon Cult, he would probably be so angry that he would wake up in the middle of the night and give him a thumbs up, saying that you are really awesome.

After all, no matter how you look at it, he is just a rising star, while the Pope has been famous for nearly a thousand years. Their status and position are not at the same level at all. To be honest, it would be a bit ungrateful not to give him face.

After delivering the invitation, the archbishop left, as if he had come here just to deliver the invitation.

So Jingyan returned to his previous state, squatting in the corner with a candied haws in his hand.

Before he could squat down, he heard another voice beside him.

He looked up and found that Wen Youqing had come back at some point. At this moment, she was standing with her hands behind her back. The gradually warming sunlight was shining on her hair. She looked like she had lost her youthfulness and had become a graceful young lady.

"Master, what are you doing?"

Wen Youqing asked, tilting his head.

"You're back?" Jing Yan took a deep breath, holding the candied haws in his hand, and came to the girl's side, asking, "What were you doing just now?"

Wen Youqing paused.

Of course she couldn't say that she went to chat with Ji Siye.

After all, Master doesn't know about her rebirth, which also means that Master doesn't know Ji Siye now. If he says this name so blatantly, Master will only fall into deep self-doubt.

You may even doubt yourself!

How is this possible? We have been disguising ourselves for more than ten years. How could this be ruined because of such trivial matters?

Fortunately, the clever Wen Youqing was well prepared. She stretched out her hands from behind her back, holding a puppet in her palms.

"The doll that Master gave me before, I will give one back to Master now!"

In fact, this doll does not look like Jingyan. Except for the white clothes, it seems to have nothing in common with him.

Jing Yan looked at the doll in Wen Youqing's hand, feeling a little amused and helpless.

"You left just to buy a doll?"

"Yes, yes, I think it looks very much like Master." Wen Youqing blinked and said, "So I went to buy it."

"Do you really think this looks like me?"

"Of course it looks alike..." Wen Youqing glanced at the chubby doll covered with patches in his hand, then at his master's handsome face, and said in a somewhat unconfident voice: "It should be... very similar, right?"

"That's good."

Jingli took a deep breath, took the doll whose face was difficult to see from Wen Youqing's hand, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"When did I give you a doll?"

"Master, your memory is really bad." Wen Youqing scolded unhappily, "Master, have you forgotten the dough doll you gave me when you were making dumplings? Although you also gave it to Luo Li, but...but I am the only one who gave Master a return gift, and I am the only one who cares about Master the most."

"Okay, okay." Jing Yan's eyes showed a little smile: "It's been so long, you still remember it."

"I will always remember what Master said no matter how long it has been."

Wen Youqing straightened her nose and said with a proud look on her face.

"But you lied."

Jingyan paused and looked at the doll in his hand. The silk threads sewn on the doll were a bit rough and crooked.

He acted like a master and said to Wen Youqing in a serious manner, "Stretch out your hand so I can see it."

"what......"

Wen Youqing took a step back, clenched her fingers with some worry, and said hesitantly: "Master, what are you talking about? What's wrong with my fingers?"

"This doll."

Jing Yan narrowed his eyes slightly: "You sewed it yourself, right?"

Wen Youqing's face showed obvious panic. She shook her head and hands, saying in defense, "Master, what are you talking about? I am stupid, you know that I bought this doll, and I can't do needlework... Yes, I am stupid and can't make dolls, you have to believe me."

But Jing Yan did not let Wen Youqing go. He just took a step forward, came to the girl's side, and gently held the girl's hand.

Gently opening her tightly clenched fingertips.

There were several scars on the fingertips left by needle punctures, and the originally tender and fair little hand was slightly red and swollen.