With Xu Lin’s One-Move Pact, the two had once again fallen into a near-death struggle.
To avoid another situation that nearly spiraled out of control like before, the so-called spar between the juniors quietly fizzled out.
Despite the interruption, Xi Ranchen was still fairly satisfied with Xu Lin’s performance—it had even exceeded her expectations.
This only reinforced her belief that bringing this brat back was the right call, and she inwardly mocked Wang Lingcang for being blind enough to let someone like him leave the sect.
But aside from his skills, the boy was full of flaws—like his glib tongue…
Xi Ranchen stood outside the Main Hall, lips pressed together as she stared at Xu Lin, much like how she regarded Yang Yao—equal parts fondness and exasperation, though with Xu Lin, the latter dominated.
“What?” Xu Lin noticed Xi Ranchen’s gaze.
“You’re not going to make me go in there with you and strip me bare in front of everyone, are you? Surely you’re not that cruel.”
Xi Ranchen took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed, then put on a stern expression.
“That opportunity will come. For now, you’d better rein yourself in.”
Xu Lin’s identity wasn’t ready to be revealed yet—but the more convincingly he played the role of the Sunset Sect’s Saint, the more intimidation and credibility he would carry later.
But with the way this brat acted, if she hadn’t personally investigated him, she’d never believe he was once the Vast Dao Sect’s appointed Peak Master. He had absolutely no air of dignity.
Xi Ranchen glanced at the other Sect Masters nearby, who were also giving brief instructions to their disciples.
These juniors would eventually become successors, but for now, the weightier matters still required the old-timers to deliberate.
Beneath the Bronze Ghost Mask, Xu Lin wore a look of total indifference. He’d expected Xi Ranchen to react this way.
Unless she actually intended to strip him bare, or he truly provoked her, there was no need to be overly cautious.
Xu Lin knew he still had value.
“Those Saints and Saintesses will be moving around the Sunset Sect for a while,” Xi Ranchen said to Yang Yao.
“Don’t concern yourself with them. Go back and properly meditate on the exchange you just had.”
“Yes, Master.” Yang Yao responded.
“As for you, brat, you’d best do as you said and go back to sleep,” Xi Ranchen looked at each of them in turn.
“After that, I’ll settle accounts with you one by one.”
With Yang Yao, it was to ask whether her so-called trump card was real. As for Xu Lin…
Xi Ranchen didn’t dwell on it further, merely casting him a cold, sharp glare before turning and walking toward the Main Hall.
The other Demon Sect Leaders followed suit, and once everyone entered, the Main Hall’s doors slammed shut with a heavy boom.
The assembled Saints and Saintesses exchanged glances, the atmosphere tense, but in the end, no one said anything and dispersed in their own directions.
Yang Yao stared at the sealed doors, lost in thought.
According to her Past-Life Memories, a Secret Realm would soon open, one involving an Ancient Demon. Both the Righteous Path and Demon Sect were paying close attention—surely that was what they were discussing.
The last time she’d gone there on her own was to that very place, but since it hadn’t truly opened, she’d suffered severe injuries on the way back.
Xu Lin also glanced at the doors, his playful expression fading into indifference. Without a word, he turned and walked away.
When Yang Yao snapped back to reality and turned around, Xu Lin was already disappearing toward the horizon.
Looking at his retreating figure, she hesitated for a moment, then finally pushed off and followed.
Elsewhere, Jiang Luo, who had just advanced to the Inner Sect, should have been like the other promoted disciples—rushing back to recover and await further notice.
Especially someone like her, who had embarrassed herself several times before but now stunned everyone. Those who had mocked her would likely come groveling, hoping she’d be magnanimous and forgive their past slights.
After all, once Jiang Luo became an Inner Disciple, her status was completely different.
But she didn’t rush back. Instead, she lingered alone at the entrance to Xu Lin’s residence, waiting for him to return.
At this moment, she felt both excited and nervous.
She’d advanced to Inner Disciple—Xu Lin should praise her a bit when he came. At least she’d lived up to his expectations.
Yet witnessing everything not long ago, the gap between herself and Xu Lin’s status still lingered in Jiang Luo’s heart.
And the seemingly intimate scene between Xu Lin and Yang Yao kept replaying in her mind, making her chest feel increasingly tight.
Finally, she spotted Xu Lin’s figure approaching.
Jiang Luo quickly waved at him.
“Senior…”
Before she could finish, she saw another figure following close behind Xu Lin. Looking more carefully, she vaguely recognized it as Yang Yao.
Seeing this, Jiang Luo’s raised hand froze midair. She stopped moving to avoid drawing attention, then glanced around and quickly ducked into a corner, using the wall to conceal herself.
But she still peeked out slightly, her small head poking out as she watched in Xu Lin’s direction from afar.
Midway through his journey, Xu Lin sensed someone following him. He paused midair and turned around.
“What do you want?” Xu Lin looked at Yang Yao with confusion.
“I saved you again today. Don’t tell me you’re going to chase me with your sword again. Have some decency, woman.”
Yang Yao didn’t quite understand, but she knew it wasn’t a compliment. She shot Xu Lin a glare.
Letting out a slow breath, she finally spoke.
“I noticed you seemed off today. Are you really alright?”
She genuinely felt that the Xu Lin before her now was vastly different from the one in her Past-Life Memories. But when Xu Lin fought You Meng’er, shrouded in Demonic Aura, he became someone else entirely—someone she had truly never seen before.
Xu Lin paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry laugh.
“Aren’t you dying to see me dead? What’s with this sudden concern? Crocodile tears?”
Being cared for by a female villain—he was truly flattered.
If he hadn’t saved Yang Yao, he wouldn’t be in this situation now, treated like some Hostage of a Saint. And the key issue was, he still hadn’t figured out a safe way to escape.
Yang Yao frowned. This time, she genuinely cared about Xu Lin’s condition, which was why she’d specifically chased after him to ask. Being spoken to like this only stoked her anger.
“Fine, I do want you dead—but you have to die by my hands, or I won’t be satisfied!”
“Hah.”
Xu Lin genuinely thought Yang Yao’s mind was broken. He’d been avoiding the Storyline the whole time, never even met her, and had no idea where her intense hatred came from.
“Then rest assured, I’m definitely not dying. I won’t let you get your wish, and as for being satisfied? I’ll just piss you off!” Xu Lin shot back.
“You…”
In Xu Lin’s view, this tactic actually worked. After hearing it, Yang Yao’s chest heaved, looking like she was about to snap.
At that moment, Xu Lin shifted his gaze from Yang Yao to a spot not far behind her, asking coldly,
“And what about you? Are you also dying to see me dead, chasing me all the way here?”
Yang Yao froze, turning around. Only then did she notice that at some point, You Meng’er was hovering not far away, staring directly at them.