After hearing Lin Yubai's account, Ji Yuan and Jiang Yunzhou's expressions gradually turned solemn and grim.
The clues and evidence currently gathered by the Nine Xuan Sect alone had already revealed a vast network of connections, and none of those involved were innocent.
These individuals, to varying degrees, knew what they were doing and had already reaped tangible benefits.
In pursuit of greater profits, many had staked their entire fortunes, resolutely carrying out the commands from above and exceeding the tasks assigned to them.
The situation in Linfu County was not an isolated incident; the Nine Xuan Sect had secretly investigated over five such locations!
This meant that in addition to Linfu County, five other counties were experiencing situations remarkably similar, where local deities held absolute power, amassed vast numbers of mountain spirits and demons, and committed countless heinous crimes!
"What does the Nine Xuan Sect intend to do?"
Ji Yuan inquired, his face now exceedingly grave.
Facing such a situation, it was clear the Nine Xuan Sect would not stand idly by. With at least five other counties facing similar predicaments, this predicament clearly surpassed the limits of any single individual's capabilities.
Even for the powerful Nine Xuan Sect, uprooting these evildoers without harming any innocent parties would be an immensely difficult task.
This was not something that could be easily accomplished solely through powerful cultivation. While eliminating malevolent deities and demons might be simple, eradicating the entire force behind them was far more complicated.
If any roots remained, who knew if they might resurface years later.
"The specifics are not yet clear, but the sect has already dispatched a large number of disciples to the confirmed counties."
Lin Yubai shook his head. Despite being an inner sect prodigy, the information he had obtained was limited.
All he knew was that numerous Nine Xuan Sect disciples were heading to various locations, led by either inner sect elders or prodigies like himself.
He paused and continued, "The Sect Master has issued a decree for all disciples, including Senior Brother Jiang, to follow your commands."
Upon hearing this, the eight inner sect disciples behind him cast complicated glances. Each of them possessed exceptional talent and had already reached the mid to late stages of the second realm.
Even among the hundreds of inner sect disciples in the Nine Xuan Sect, their rankings were around the hundred mark. In any ordinary sect in the outside world, they would be considered geniuses worthy of inheriting the mantle.
Yet, they were now to obey an outsider, several years younger than them and with no reputation within the sect.
Indeed, in the eyes of these disciples, this young man, who currently held only the position of an overseer, was not yet a true Nine Xuan Sect disciple; strictly speaking, he was half insider, half outsider.
The Sect Master's decree also took Ji Yuan by surprise, and he couldn't help but ponder the implications of such a move.
"We'll take things one step at a time. Let's move somewhere else to discuss this further."
Ji Yuan spoke slowly, looking at the group before him.
He certainly trusted Lin Yubai's abilities to remain undetected, but it was always better to be safe than sorry, and changing their hiding place would be more prudent.
No one present objected to his suggestion. When traveling and handling important matters, excessive caution was never a bad thing.
At the same moment, within the Water God Temple on Little Yuan Mountain, a mysterious guest arrived.
The two rogue cultivators left at the location politely asked the pilgrims to leave the main hall, leaving only a middle-aged man standing motionless.
As the doors of the main hall closed, the statue of the Water God suddenly emanated divine light. A strand of Ji Yuan's divine sense, condensed from incense offerings and wishes, took form and slowly emerged from the statue.
He descended from the altar and looked at the middle-aged man before him, remaining silent while secretly trying to ascertain the visitor's identity.
At this hour, anyone appearing here was more likely to be an enemy than a friend, perhaps one of those manipulating the River God Temple and committing various crimes.
"May I ask, Water God, what are you thinking about at this moment?"
After a long silence, the middle-aged man spoke.
A complex gleam flickered in his eyes. Outwardly, he appeared no different from an ordinary mortal, but within him pulsed a powerful force.
If Ji Yuan's senses were not mistaken, this person possessed a cultivation base at least comparable to the late stage of the Spirit Focusing Realm. As for his specific path of cultivation, it was impossible to discern from a mere avatar condensed from divine sense and incense offerings.
"I'm wondering if this is you walking into a trap?"
He replied expressionlessly. Simultaneously, with a slight movement of his mind, the formation within the main hall began to activate, ready to unleash its full power at any moment.
Even with a mere avatar, it was unlikely he could truly capture the other party, but he could certainly stall for time.
His true form, along with Jiang Yunzhou and Lin Yubai, were already en route and would reach Little Yuan Mountain and appear outside the Water God Temple within moments.
"Since Water God is an avatar, I naturally am as well."
As if sensing his thoughts, the middle-aged man suddenly smiled, exuding a touch of refined elegance.
However, this demeanor, coupled with the smile on his face, inexplicably gave Ji Yuan a sense of disgust.
He also inwardly became fully vigilant. After all, even most cultivators in the third realm did not possess the art of avatar creation. To achieve such a feat at the late Spirit Focusing Realm clearly indicated that this person was no ordinary being.
"Sir, you wouldn't have come here today just to exchange pleasantries, would you?"
Ji Yuan raised an eyebrow, no longer intending to beat around the bush.
As his words fell, the formation in the main hall emitted a trace of danger, its meaning clear: if he had nothing pertinent to say, this avatar would be destroyed.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man smiled slightly, "My name is Feng Ziqian, a local of Linfu County. I came today merely to witness the Water God's presence."
"To see who it is that forces me to abandon three hundred years of cultivation!"
Although he concealed his emotions well, a deep trace of hatred inadvertently slipped into his words.
It was understandable. After meticulously planning for two to three hundred years, having to abandon it all for self-preservation would be difficult for anyone to simply dismiss.
The fact that he hadn't immediately sought revenge indicated a degree of rationality; otherwise, he would have likely walked right into a prepared trap.
No!
Ji Yuan's eyes narrowed, a sharp light suddenly flashing within them, followed by a fleeting spiritual gleam.