Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 451 - 451 450 Retreat to Advance

451: Chapter 450: Retreat to Advance 451: Chapter 450: Retreat to Advance The Autumn Appreciation Meeting concluded smoothly, as an event of a ceremonial nature, it was a bit short and theoretical in content, but overall, it still aimed to educate the younger disciples; it lacked head-on confrontations and explicit battles.

For something that resembled a parent-teacher meeting, it was quite dignified.

Upon returning to the small courtyard, Hou Niao focused on this difficult girl.

Well, she could no longer be called a girl.

“I’m leaving now, the items have been delivered, and you don’t seem to welcome me?”

Hou Niao gave a bitter smile, “Since you didn’t speak up, it seems you are reluctant to accept my help, and I won’t insist.

There are three issues you need to think through clearly?”

He walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, “First, it’s alright to hold grudges, but if it leads you to give up on yourself, that is foolishness.

Secondly, you need to learn to face things on your own, whether it happened twenty years ago or what’s happening to you now; the worst response is to procrastinate, in the end, the only one wasted by delay is yourself.

Go face it, regardless of the outcome, it will clear the obstacles for your advancement to the Upper Realm.

Your problem is not merely about accumulation but about the Heart Realm, only you can solve it.”

Zhao Xintong bowed her head and said nothing.

Seeing this, Hou Niao sighed deeply and, with a sway of his body, disappeared into the night sky.

It was only when she could no longer see any trace of him that Zhao Xintong stamped her foot in vexation.

She really wanted to speak up, but couldn’t overcome the barrier in her heart.

She didn’t know why in front of this villain she became so fragile, as if a child holding a grudge against an elder?

It had been twenty years, and she certainly knew the cause behind the corruption incident at Jin City.

This villain wasn’t targeting the Zhao Family specifically, nor did he intend to annihilate the Zhao clan in the Poplar Forest…

He might be considered an instigator, a participant, but not the decision maker; he might not even be the initiator?

She didn’t even know what she was clinging to anymore?

Or perhaps it was simply the unresolved grievances in her heart?

Those had taken root in the Poplar Forest and not only did they not fade over twenty years, but they had accumulated more and more.

The repercussions of the Autumn Appreciation Meeting quickly passed, and the Daoists returned to their usual peaceful lives.

A few days later, a small demon-hunting squad set off from Red Leaf City towards Jijia Mountain; this was also a common way for dojo apprentices to exercise, especially for those Cultivators in the Bridge Connection Realm who had sufficient accumulation and were looking for paths to reach the Tongxuan Sect.

They often needed unexpected elements to spark their desire to ascend, rather than isolating themselves.

Zhao Xintong was among them, including her two close friends, Han Mi and Shang Keqing.

They were all experiencing the difficulties of ascension to a higher realm, the only difference being Zhao Xintong was the oldest.

In just over two months, she would have to leave the dojo and find her own way if she didn’t succeed.

The difference was significant, as succeeding in the dojo allowed priority entry into the Wei Sect’s Taihao System, being treated as a potential core member for cultivation; whereas success obtained outside after wasting years only allowed one to join as a Loose Cultivator, with entirely different treatment.

The squad consisted of over a dozen people, all in the Bridge Connection Realm, and had set out to hunt demons after receiving the news, achieving some gains along the way.

But among them, a cunning old demon had escaped into Jijia Mountain and vanished without a trace, proving troublesome to locate.

After discussion, everyone decided to split into pairs to search; Zhao Keqing and Han Mi formed one pair, navigating through the dense mountain terrain of Jijia Mountain.

The demon’s power was limited, and they were capable of handling it.

In case of danger, they could also call for help, making this type of search not unfamiliar to them.

There were no tales of formidable monsters in this area.

As they passed by a cave, sensing something odd, the two decided to explore; drawing on some of their experience, they didn’t both go in at once.

Instead, they arranged an order: one stood guard outside while the other cautiously probed within, maintaining constant contact.

This was also a standard method for exploring enclosed spaces.

When it was Han Mi’s turn to enter, she carefully walked a distance inside but did not discover anything.

She decided to come out and discuss further since such a search should avoid recklessness.

Before she could leave, she felt a demon aura stirring outside and then a blast of spiritual power followed.

Realizing something was wrong, she hurriedly rushed out.

By the time she reached the entrance, all she saw was chaos on the ground, and Zhao Xintong, who should have been guarding here, was nowhere to be seen!

Han Mi knew something had happened and immediately sent out a call for help…

…Zhao Xintong felt like she was flying.

She now found herself in an enclosed space, feeling no bumps, yet a distinct sense of speed, so she knew she had been captured.

It was a very strange demon beast that she had never seen before.

In front of it, a cultivator of her realm could hardly struggle.

This was not the one they had been searching for.

Realizing that she might have fallen into some kind of trap, she felt a sense of relaxation.

As the villain had said, she had to face her own situation.

Now that it had come, she might as well wait and see; it was better than being completely clueless.

Who did this?

She already had a guess but was completely puzzled as to the motive.

A day later, she felt the space she was in slowing down and then it landed somewhere; then, suddenly, light appeared before her eyes.

Beside her was a huge Rhino Bird, and the space she had emerged from was under the enormous crop of the Rhino Bird’s neck.

This was the demon bird she had encountered in Jijia Mountain, but it now seemed more likely that it was a demon beast bred by humans, everything purposive.

Before her was a spacious courtyard, with pavilions and towers, utterly lavish.

She did not know where she was; the Rhino Bird had flown for a day, far beyond the places she knew.

An unfamiliar place, yet there was a familiar person.

Yu Buzuo appeared before her, still flaunting his usual graceful demeanor, but a sensitive Zhao Xintong noticed something different.

It was no longer the protective attention she was used to, but rather an air of superiority and mockery.

“I’ve invited you without asking, apologies, apologies.

This place is Jade Wall Villa, my elder has requested to see you.

Sister, please come with me,” Yu Buzuo said.

Zhao Xintong was not surprised; she had felt it coming.

Now, it seemed that Yu Buzuo’s years of purported deep affection were just for some familial gain, fortunately, she herself had not fallen for it.

One leading and the other following, through winding paths, Yu Buzuo chuckled lightly, “Sister really has good sense, remaining indifferent for so many years.

I’m curious, is it because I am unworthy, Brother, or did Sister suspect all along?”

Zhao Xintong responded indifferently, “Real concern, I can feel it, and not just for show; nobody’s perfect, and you presented yourself as too flawless, which felt fake.”

Yu Buzuo fell silent for a moment, “Thus enlightened; nonetheless, I still want to say that I’m willing to form a Daoist couple with Sister.

If not for my little idea, Sister might have been invited to Jade Wall Villa much sooner,” he said.

Zhao Xintong coldly said, “You mean I should thank you for that?”