Ultimately, Ling Qingzhu didn't take the seat at the head of the table. One reason was that Ling Qingzhu herself didn't agree, and the other was that Yan didn't speak up.
You should know that, besides Ling Qingzhu, there was also the Ice Master present. She is currently the strongest person on the Tianxuan Continent's side, and also the one whom the Symbol Ancestor personally said had the best chance of breaking through to the Ancestor Realm.
Even in Yan's eyes, the Ice Master was definitely a hope. Another hope was the Sword Saint. As for Lin Dong, he was a backup choice—no, with the addition of Ling Qingzhu, he should be a backup-backup choice, only the fourth option.
In Yan's heart, the Sword Saint was undoubtedly first. His unparalleled talent meant that as long as he could truly break through to the Reincarnation Realm before the great battle, he would have a chance to break through to the Ancestor Realm before the Ice Master. Even if he couldn't, with the Sword Saint's monstrous combat power and his life that was even harder than an Otherworldly Demon's, his strength would definitely be above the Ice Master's.
Second was the Ice Master. There was no need to say more about the Ice Master's talent. Before the Sword Saint, she had held the title of the Tianxuan Continent's number one genius for tens of thousands of years, and she was currently the only Divine Palace Realm expert.
Third was Ling Qingzhu. It wasn't so much about her strength, but rather her talent for the Supreme Force and the possibility of her being recognized by the Plane of Origin, which should be second only to the Sword Saint.
Lin Dong was purely a backup that Yan himself planned to cultivate. There was no other reason than to pile him with enough divine objects. Plus, Lin Dong's own talent was sufficient, and he was resilient and determined enough, second only to the Sword Saint. As long as he could reach the Nirvana Realm Peak, his combat power could reach the level of the Ice Master with the help of many divine objects.
Overall, even if someone were to sit in that head seat, it should be the Sword Saint. After all, the Sword Saint was still the number one person in resisting demons. Yan was still counting on the Sword Saint to be the main force.
They couldn't possibly count on the Ice Master, who hadn't yet awakened, to do things, right? Or throw Lin Dong, this backup-backup-backup, who hadn't grown up yet, into the fray? Don't be ridiculous. Only someone with a life as hard as the Sword Saint's could withstand that Otherworldly Demon True King under the Great Desolate Tablet.
However, if he were to ask Lin Xuan to sit in the seat that represented his old master, Yan would find it difficult to say. Because that would represent that the era belonging to his old master would completely pass. Let it be a lonely spirit's last bit of selfishness for his old master.
That's going too far...
Seeing that Ying Huanhuan and Ling Qingzhu didn't continue to compete, Yan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and quickly said,
"Actually, I asked Ying Xuanzi Sect Leader to invite you here, in order to join forces to fight against the Yuan Gate, that group of damned traitors!"
"Traitors?"
Looking at the somewhat angry expression on Yan's face, the Taiqing Palace Master's willow eyebrows furrowed slightly. She had felt that something was wrong with the Yuan Gate before, but she didn't quite understand this talk of traitors.
After all, many things from the ancient times hadn't been passed down. Only the names of a few strong individuals like the Symbol Ancestor had been passed down. As for what exactly happened in the ancient times, most people didn't know. Even the Nine Heavens Great Purity Palace didn't know the true origin of the Supreme Induction Sutra.
In fact, this was also a kind of protective measure. Sometimes, not knowing is safer, especially for something like the Supreme Induction Sutra, which even the Symbol Ancestor himself and the Ice Master hadn't successfully cultivated in the ancient times. The Otherworldly Demons wouldn't pay so much attention to something that couldn't be cultivated and was useless.
Regarding the true function of the Supreme Induction Sutra, including the Ancestral Stone's spirit, only three people knew. What was spread outside was a magical cultivation method.
"That's right, the Yuan Gate is a group of damned traitors. They have secretly taken refuge with the Otherworldly Demons long ago!"
Ying Xuanzi said in a cold voice, with a hint of chilling killing intent. Ying Xuanzi's hostility towards the Yuan Gate was not ordinary. If the Yuan Gate hadn't helped the Otherworldly Demons, his disciple wouldn't have experienced such a tragedy back then.
"The Otherworldly Demons are the great enemy of our world. In ancient times, it was the Otherworldly Demons' invasion that led to the fall of countless experts in our Tianxuan Continent. If the Symbol Ancestor hadn't burned his Reincarnation to seal the Otherworldly Demon Emperor, the ancient war might not have ended yet."
Seeing that the Taiqing Palace Master was completely unaware of the Otherworldly Demons, Yan added from the side, his expression involuntarily becoming serious as he spoke.
"And the remaining Otherworldly Demon experts from that time are now hiding in the dark, plotting to stir up another calamity. Demon Prison is their code name. That Seven Kings Hall is one of the top experts of the Demon Prison, but definitely not the strongest!"
The Taiqing Palace Master's expression gradually became solemn as she listened. As Lin Dong said, this was no longer a grudge between them and the Yuan Gate, but a matter of righteousness for the world. Immediately, the Taiqing Palace Master replied without hesitation.
"Since my Taiqing Palace is the Daoist tradition passed down by the Symbol Ancestor, we will naturally not shirk our responsibility in eliminating demons. However, if we want to deal with the Yuan Gate, which has the help of the Otherworldly Demons, I'm afraid it will be a bit beyond the capabilities of Dao Sect and my Taiqing Palace alone, right?"
If it were just the Yuan Gate alone, that would be fine. Although the three Sect Leaders of the Yuan Gate were strong and there were many experts within the sect, Dao Sect and the Taiqing Palace were not to be trifled with either. Joining forces would naturally be enough to deal with them. But the Demon Prison behind the Yuan Gate was not something that Dao Sect and the Taiqing Palace could handle.
"Don't worry about this. I have already discussed it with Hall Master Bo Xuan of the Darkness Hall. They will send experts to help, and we are also secretly looking for other allies."
Ying Xuanzi nodded in response. The matter of uniting with the other five super sects didn't mean that Ying Xuanzi intentionally concealed the Taiqing Palace's rules. This matter hadn't really started to be put into action yet, and the Otherworldly Demons were ubiquitous. Many things still needed to be hidden first.
Moreover, judging from the Taiqing Palace Master's eyes, he knew that the other party had already guessed something in her heart, so she didn't mention the matter of secretly uniting other Revolving Wheel Realm experts in the Eastern Xuan Region.
"Moreover, the top experts of the Demon Prison have not yet fully awakened. That Seven Kings Hall is probably still healing from his injuries. Although we lost many experts in the ancient war, those Otherworldly Demons didn't have it easy either."
Speaking of this, Yan couldn't help but look at Lin Xuan. Now was the best time for them to take the opportunity to eliminate those suppressed Otherworldly Demon powerhouses, and Lin Xuan was undoubtedly the greatest main force, the sharpest blade.
Lin Xuan, who was being watched by Yan, gave Ying Huanhuan beside him a strange look. He always felt that the other party's emotions seemed a little off, and the aura belonging to the Ice Master would suddenly become active from time to time, as if stimulated by something, about to awaken from Reincarnation ahead of time.
"There's no need to worry about the Demon Prison for the time being, and the three from Yuan Gate are also recuperating from their injuries. They won't dare to act rashly in a short time. Now is the time to form an alliance of offense and defense, and then deal with Yuan Gate together!"
Ying Xuanzi said in a deep voice. According to Yan's statement, their purpose was to hold down Yuan Gate as a chess piece, just enough to prevent Yuan Gate from secretly rescuing those Otherworldly Demon powerhouses.
To be honest, nothing else was important. Yuan Gate was just a pawn after all. Only in this stage where no top powerhouses had recovered could Yuan Gate still find loopholes to exploit. As long as they caught Yuan Gate and then let the Sword Saint secretly clean up a batch of tricky guys, their advantage would be much greater.
"Since the Ancestral Stone Spirit and Ying Sect Leader both have plans, then this Palace Master doesn't need to worry!"
The Taiqing Palace Master responded softly, then looked at Ying Huanhuan, who was sitting below Lin Xuan, and then glanced at Ying Xiaoxiao, smiling and said.
"It's been a few months, and Martial Niece's progress is rapid. It seems that she will be able to break through to the Life Profound Realm soon, right?"
"Palace Master is too kind. Xiao Xiao only had a chance encounter some time ago, and barely advanced to the Nine Yuan Nirvana Realm. Compared with Senior Sister Ling, she is still far behind!"
Ying Xiaoxiao was frank. After losing to Ling Qingzhu last time, she was convinced of Ling Qingzhu's strength and talent. She was completely defeated in that match.
So after returning to the sect, Ying Xiaoxiao also practiced extremely hard, and then her momentum was like a rainbow, directly breaking through to the Nine Yuan Nirvana Realm, but compared with Ling Qingzhu, who was at the Nirvana Realm Peak, she was still far behind.
"Last time we fought, Senior Sister's Swordplay was superb, and Junior Sister was convinced. This time..."
But just as Ying Xiaoxiao was preparing to invite Ling Qingzhu to fight again, Ying Huanhuan, who was sitting next to her, took the initiative to stand up, a polite smile rising on her face, and said to Ling Qingzhu with a flowery smile.
"So, this time, it's Junior Sister's turn to ask Senior Sister Ling for advice. Senior Sister Ling shouldn't look down on Junior Sister because of her meager strength, right?"
For some reason, Lin Dong felt a chill running down his spine, and he always felt that this hall had become inexplicably cold. What made Lin Dong even more uneasy was Yan's reaction next to him.
Looking at the clever and smiling girl, Yan's body trembled almost imperceptibly, and he only felt that his mouth began to tremble. Just as he was hesitating about how to dissuade them from fighting, he heard Ling Qingzhu respond.
"Huanhuan Martial Sister is too polite. Last time, Qingzhu had already seen Martial Sister Xiaoxiao's skills. I heard that Huanhuan Senior Sister's Zither Skill is unparalleled, and she is also good at a special martial art of Dao Sect, the Formless Bodhi Sound. Today, I will just ask for some advice."
Facing Ying Huanhuan's challenge, Ling Qingzhu felt a little inexplicable, but it was very much in line with her thoughts. Even if Ying Huanhuan didn't challenge her, Ling Qingzhu would find a way to fight Ying Huanhuan.
Only a real fight can allow her to understand the other party better, and only then is it more likely to discern the secrets on Ying Huanhuan's body. Ling Qingzhu had a premonition that this girl in front of her definitely hid a huge secret, and it was even related to her.
This feeling was not only a woman's intuition, but also a special premonition brought to Ling Qingzhu by the Supreme Force.
"Okay, it just so happens that Junior Sister heard from Senior Brother that Senior Sister Ling's Swordplay is superb, the only one he has ever seen in his life. Junior Sister has always wanted to ask Senior Brother to teach me Swordplay, but I don't know how to get started. Later, please Senior Sister give me some advice!"
Ying Huanhuan had a well-behaved and sweet smile on her face, as if everything she said was true. If it weren't for seeing the Sword Saint's surprised and suspicious expression, and then sensing Ying Huanhuan's voice transmission to the Sword Saint, Yan would have almost believed it.
Looking at Ying Huanhuan and Ling Qingzhu, who were at odds with each other, Yan's face turned ashen in an instant. He could already foresee that his days were numbered. In this competition, no matter who lost or won, he would either be 'settled' by the Ice Master, or be 'interrogated' by the grown-up Ling Qingzhu.
"Hmph! This girl will teach you Zither Skill, and in return, you must teach me Swordplay!"
Hearing what Ying Huanhuan said, Lin Xuan subconsciously turned his head to look at the girl. He didn't remember that he had promised to teach the other party Swordplay.
However, facing what Ying Huanhuan said, he didn't mean to refute it. It was not impossible for the other party to teach him the art of the zither, and for him to teach some insignificant Swordplay, but Ying Huanhuan's voice transmission made Lin Xuan a little puzzled.
When Ling Qingzhu on the opposite side heard this, she also turned her gaze to Lin Xuan. When she saw that the other party was a little surprised, but did not refute it, she was also shocked.
Ling Qingzhu asked herself that she knew Lin Xuan's temper a little bit. This guy was very cold, but he was also easy to talk to, provided that he didn't care about this matter.
Sword was definitely the thing Lin Xuan cared about the most. Ling Qingzhu didn't believe that Lin Xuan would be the kind of person who had the leisure to teach others Swordplay. On weekdays, he could say to anyone that their talent was far better than his, but if he were to teach others Swordplay, then each of them would be an ignorant and unbearable person, a sinner who tarnished the sanctity of Sword Dao, and would be directly split by a Sword.
To be able to make such a pious man of Sword Dao so indulgent, it could be seen that the secret on Ying Huanhuan's body was definitely very unusual.
"Is that so? Then let Qingzhu experience just how amazing the talent that Young Master Lin Xuan has taken a fancy to truly is."
A smile instantly appeared on Ling Qingzhu's face, like a snow lotus blooming on a vast snowy plain, pure, aloof, and otherworldly.
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at Ying Huanhuan beside her, who harbored a strong hostility towards Ling Qingzhu, and a hint of worry couldn't help but appear in her eyes. In terms of strength, the current Ying Huanhuan was far behind Ling Qingzhu, and with Ying Huanhuan's stubborn nature, she would never be willing to lose to Ling Qingzhu in front of Lin Xuan. If they fought to the end, I'm afraid...
Thinking of this, Ying Xiaoxiao couldn't help but glance at Lin Xuan, whose expression still hadn't changed much, and even faintly revealed a hint of interest. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Lin Xuan was quite curious. Whether it was Ling Qingzhu's use of the Supreme Force or Ying Huanhuan's Zither Skill, they were both worth observing carefully. Perhaps he could gain some insights from them. Moreover, in Lin Xuan's view, this kind of sparring was just a matter of stopping when enough was enough. Losing was just losing, and there was nothing to fuss about.
How could Lin Xuan know the thoughts of Ying Huanhuan and Ling Qingzhu? One was single-mindedly trying to suppress her rival, and the other was single-mindedly trying to see through her opponent's mind, just wanting to see something from it.
Feeling the gradually burning fighting spirit in the hall, Yan couldn't help but shrink his neck and directly plunged into Lin Dong's body.