"Shi Yan didn't outright destroy the whole Crimson Pavilion," Wang Yao said, "He infiltrated their sect, rose in ranks and made them submit to him. And then he used the Crimson Pavilion on itself, and soon, the whole organization disappeared."
Ye Tian Yun frowned, "They disbanded?"
"Kind of," Wang Yao nodded his head, "To be more specific, Shi Yan integrated their force under himself. He became their new leader and created his own organization. But he didn't showcase it too much."
"Still, how come my informants never found out about this?" Ye Tian Yun asked.
Wang Yao smiled, "Well, it was because Shi Yan's people were loyal to him, but in public, they worked as a part of the God's Legion."
"Ah," Ye Tian Yun lightly nodded, "That's what I was assuming because many powerful figures were suddenly becoming subordinates of the God's Legion before they came to the Middle Heavens."
Wang Yao asked, "Do you remember when Fang Chen, Xin Xue Qing, and Shi Yan came to the Middle Heavens to take part in the Immortal Pavilion's Trial?"
Ye Tian Yun pursed his lips, "How can I forget? Those three were the dark horses of the competition. Even though they failed to get the Emblem Of Luck and Emblem Of Soul, they successfully conspired the death of Ling Feng'er."
Wang Yao frowned, "Yeah, you did tell me about this. Those three never mentioned it to me about this. Maybe they didn't think it was important."
Ye Tian Yun shrugged, "Well, let's not dwell in the past. I will think about what to do with Shi Yan. I think the first tragedy that happened in his life was right before the Grand Spirit Hunt, and if we follow the old timeline, the Grand Spirit Hunt should have started in two months. That means, in two and half months, someone very close to Shi Yan will face her demise."
Wang Yao nodded, "Yeah. Keep that in mind and plan accordingly."
Ye Tian Yun replied, "Hmm, but for now, I need to increase my cultivation. I don't think I have much to do for the next week. I should focus on cultivation. With the help of Emblem of Time, I will be able to cross to the next level."
Wang Yao nodded, "Yeah. Oh, don't forget about the Fu Clan Annual Auction Gala. You can't kill Wang Yao right now, but you can hurt him."
Ye Tian Yun smirked, "Of course, I won't let a good chance go to waste. After the auction, Wang Yao won't dare to step in the Capital City."
…
In an unknown mountain valley, Xin Kingdom.
BOOM!
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully killed a 5th Level Qi Refining cultivator and gained 15 Kill Points!]
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully killed an 8th Level Qi Refining cultivator and gained 24 Kill Points!]
.
.
.
.
"Nice!" A young boy around the age of fifteen sat on the top of a huge tree while staring at the countless prompts appearing in front of him, "I will be able to get another breakthrough soon."
"System, how many caravans do I need to destroy? Killing Spirit Beasts is much more work. But these merchants are the easiest targets."
[Host, you need 413 more Kill Points to breakthrough to the 2nd Level of Qi Condensation Realm.]
'Great.' The young boy smiled, 'I will soon be powerful enough to take care of myself. One month left for the Fu Clan Auction… I will have enough money and the cultivation realm by then.'
…
Back in Fang Clan, Guest Courtyard.
A new guest courtyard was ready, and the disciples from Gracious Sword Sect and Wu Qingwu now had a personal room for themselves.
In a certain room, Jun Xie sat on a chair with his hand on his chin, thinking about his conversation with Ye Tian Yun in the Purple Spring Garden.
'What should I do…'
He was now in a dilemma. To trust this imposter, who was also the Crown Prince, or to leave this clan and go back to his sect.
His heart wanted to stay, but his consciousness wanted him to leave.
'Sigh…'
Just then -
Knock! Knock!
"It's me."
A sweet and calm voice entered Jun Xie's ears. With a slight frown, he replied, "Come in; it's open."
After his response, the doors were pushed open, and a young lady entered the room.
"This one's nice." She said while looking from one corner to the other.
Jun Xie's frown deepened, "What do you need, Miss Wu?"
Wu Qingwu pouted, "Come on, can't you be a bit more welcoming?"
Jun Xie didn't reply, and seeing his silence, Wu Qingwu walked up to him, and putting her hand on his shoulder, she asked, "What happened, Master?"
Jun Xie's eye twitched, "You know you don't have to call me that. You're not my maid. Why can't the people around me be real? You, and that Crown Prince… all trying to fake themselves."
Wu Qingwu frowned, "Fake? Why would I fake myself in front of you?"
Jun Xie rolled his eyes, "Just stop… and leave. I already have too much to think about, and you're now annoying me."
Wu Qingwu shrugged, "Alright. It's not like I cared about you so much that I came here as soon as I heard from Brother Zheng that you seemed a bit down. I will go to my room… and won't annoy you anymore."
Without waiting for any response, she walked off.
Jun Xie rubbed his face, and turning towards the departing figure; he called out, "Hey, wait! Don't go."
Wu Qingwu paused, and then turning around, she crossed her arms and said, "Oh? And why should I listen to you? You say leave, and I have to leave. You say stop, and I have to stop? It's not like I am your…. Maid."
Jun Xie sighed, "Take a chair and sit. Stop acting like a child."
Wu Qingwu pursed her lips, "I will, but you will have to tell me what's worrying you so much."
Jun Xie lightly nodded, "Alright, I will. Now, take a seat, will you?"
Wu Qingwu smiled, and taking another chair; she sat beside Jun Xie, "Alright. Now tell me."
Jun Xie stared at her for a moment and then said, "Well, tell me, if your close friend was someone else in disguise from the very beginning, would you still have the same trust in him after finding out the truth?"
….
Wu Qingwu thought for a moment before replying, "Xie, it will depend on a few factors. First, tell me, do you feel betrayed by him… or her?"
Jun Xie shook his head, "It's not betrayal. It's just… I feel like this person doesn't trust me enough, as much as I trust him."
"Xie, a friend is someone who can see the truth and pain in you even if you're fooling everyone else. Your friend must have his own reasons. And you're saying that he was someone else in disguise? Tell me, who is the guy you befriended first, the guy in disguise, or the guy whose disguise he was in?"
"I befriend the guy in disguise."
"Hm, and did he tell you the truth, or did you find out on your own?"
"Well, it was due to the circumstances. But you can say that he told me the truth."
"Oh, and final question, is he planning something against your interests?"
"No." Jun Xie shook his head, "I think the only help he has asked is using my illusion technique in his goals. But this isn't a big deal. I am sure my technique wasn't the only way for him to get out of his situation."
"Ah, well, then you have your answer.." Wu Qingwu smiled, "Why lose such a friend? It's not about the identity or face; it's about the nature of your friend."