"You know? Hmph, spouting more deceitful nonsense, aren't you?" Liu Zhiyi said sharply.
"Everyone, this is all Yuanshi Tianzun's doing! If we join forces and restrain him, every problem will naturally be resolved. I even suspect he has already defected to an evil organization! My grandfather once told me that Yuanshi Tianzun has a deeply rebellious streak. After clearing the Sea of Yashan, he even went so far as to use items to play games with headquarters and show them who was boss!
"Perhaps Yan'er was silenced because she overheard a phone call where he secretly conspired with an evil organization to act against us!"
Without realizing it, Liu Zhiyi's expression shifted from righteous indignation to hideous malice, as if Yuanshi Tianzun were the murderer of his own father.
His jealousy had warped into hatred. An invisible force was slowly, quietly manipulating everyone's emotions.
Hearing Liu Zhiyi's accusations, the crowd—already gripped by panic—erupted into an uproar.
"Yuanshi Tianzun, if this really is your doing, please know when to stop!"
"Don't lose your mind! What good does colluding with an evil organization do you?"
"Don't ruin your own future!"
Emotions ran high in an instant. Only a handful of high-level Saints remained relatively unaffected, though their brows were tightly furrowed.
Seeing that the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control, Yin Ji and Lingjun exchanged a look. The latter's body abruptly expanded. Coarse black and yellow fur burst from his pores, his nose broadened, long silver whiskers sprouted along his cheeks, and the character for 'king' emerged prominently upon the fur of his forehead.
In a flash, Lingjun transformed into a towering, bipedal tiger. Turning to face the crowd, he threw back his head and roared.
"*Roar—!*"
The deep, ringing tiger's roar reverberated through the enclosed space, deafening everyone present.
An indescribable dread welled up in the hearts of the official walkers. The surge of fear overwhelmed all other impulses, surprisingly clearing their heads.
After that long roar, the fur on Lingjun's body rapidly receded, and he shifted back into human form. In a loud voice, he said, "Watch your emotions! You are being influenced!"
He first looked at Liu Zhiyi and demanded in a heavy tone, "What grudge does Yuanshi Tianzun have against you that you target him like this?"
A complicated expression appeared on Liu Zhiyi's face—dazed and confused, yet still laced with lingering hatred and jealousy.
He shot Yuanshi Tianzun a glance, his features contorting slightly before he forced himself to look away to keep the jealousy and hatred from surging again.
Clearly, he had realized that something was wrong with himself.
Lingjun then turned to the socialites, including Miao Teng'er. "Yuanshi Tianzun attended tonight's dinner because I invited him. There was no premeditation. I was with him the entire way here, and after entering the clubhouse, all of you were with him too. When would he have had time to contact an evil organization?
"Even if he went into the restroom to conspire with an evil organization, it would take time for them to rush over. Yet the reality is that the moment Yan'er died, we were trapped in this clubhouse."
Hearing this, the crowd fell into thought, nodding involuntarily.
Once their emotions stabilized, they immediately caught onto many anomalies and noticed countless illogical details.
Yin Ji's voice was gentle as she said, "Everyone, do not panic. Let us hear what Yuanshi Tianzun has to say."
In contrast to the ear-splitting tiger's roar, her gentle, soothing voice had an excellent calming effect on everyone.
At once, all eyes turned to Yuanshi Tianzun.
*Yin Ji and Lingjun are truly reliable. Saved me the trouble of using the Golden Face Mask to intimidate everyone.* Zhang Yuanqing looked at Miao Teng'er and asked, "Teng'er, did you invite her to the banquet?"
Miao Teng'er nodded. "Yan'er always loved attending these social gatherings. As long as she was invited, she would almost certainly come, unless it was too far away or she had prior business."
A girl of modest birth who harbored grand ambitions would naturally jump at every social gathering, eager to expand her network and meet elites and prominent figures from various branches.
"Who did she come with? How was her relationship with Elder Yang usually? Did they meet often?" Zhang Yuanqing asked further.
Miao Teng'er replied, "She only brought two bodyguards. I had them wait on the first floor."
Saying that, she turned to the white-haired elderly man. "Uncle Yang, please go fetch Yan'er's bodyguards."
Once the old man left, she addressed the crowd. "It is too crowded here. Let us go to the dining room to talk."
The crowd gradually dispersed, the guests silently returning to the dining room. Soon, only Miao Teng'er, Yin Ji, Lingjun, and Yuanshi Tianzun remained in the restroom.
With a soft sigh, Miao Teng'er scooped Yan'er into her arms and walked quietly out of the restroom.
Lingjun murmured, "We're in trouble tonight. Who knows how many people will die."
Behind her black veil, Yin Ji's long, straight eyebrows drew together.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the two of them and said, "Things are more serious than we thought. I just used Star Physiognomy to read everyone's faces. Every single person is marked for a bloody disaster.
"Now, there's something I need to tell you..."
In the living area, Zhang Yuanqing looked at the two pale-faced bodyguards and asked, "How was your young lady's relationship with Elder Yang? How often did they meet?"
The older bodyguard took a deep breath. "There was no fixed schedule. Sometimes they met every two or three days, and sometimes half a month would pass without a meeting. Elder Yang treated Miss well and would grant most of her requests."
The younger bodyguard added, "But it was strictly limited to affection. Elder Yang didn't want her to be overly ambitious in her career."
*An illegitimate daughter with too much ambition might encroach on the legitimate children's resources?* Zhang Yuanqing made no comment and continued asking, "Did she show anything strange recently? For example, acting like a completely different person? Displaying preferences or a temperament entirely opposite to her usual self?"
The two bodyguards exchanged a glance and shook their heads together.
*In that case, the Pure Yang Sect Master possessing Yan'er is a recent event. He couldn't have possessed her for long; you can't underestimate the keenness of an Elder...* With thoughts whirling through his mind, Zhang Yuanqing addressed the guests gathered in a circle around him:
"Everyone, we are facing a terrifying enemy. If my deduction is correct, he was the source of the dense fog incident in Jinhui City—an ancient cultivator who dual-cultivates the Illusionist and Night Walker professions.
"Elder Gao Feng of the Hang City branch is currently leading the hunt for him. The Taiyi Sect recalled a large number of Night Walkers for the exact same reason."
Most of the guests wore bewildered expressions, but several people from the Hang City branch paled dramatically, including the third-generation legacy Liu Zhiyi.
"I-It's him..." The third-generation legacy stammered, his face drained of color.
As a third-generation scion, he knew far more secrets than ordinary official walkers, and the incident had occurred within Jiangnan Province, under the jurisdiction of the Hang City branch.
Liu Zhiyi knew the terror of that Pure Yang Sect Master better than anyone.
"Wh-who is he, really?" Sister Manyan, a woman with a voluptuous figure, couldn't help asking.
Her question voiced what most people present were wondering.
What kind of existence could terrify Liu Zhiyi so thoroughly and make Yuanshi Tianzun look so grave?
Liu Zhiyi said in a trembling voice, "An ancient cultivator who has lived to this day... He was dug out of an ancient tomb a short while ago. He grows by devouring Night Walkers and Illusionists. He is completely insane and lacks reason. Unbound by Morality Points, he is even harder to deal with than evil professions..."
Following Liu Zhiyi's words, a chill crept through the hearts of the guests.
Liu Zhiyi glared at Yuanshi Tianzun and said, "What proof do you have that it's him?"
Zhang Yuanqing replied, "Just now, I searched Yan'er's body. She had no magical items on her, yet she indeed secretly stirred my lust. That is a technique unique to Illusionists, while body possession belongs to Night Walkers.
"However, what truly made me suspect him was what Yan'er said before her 'suicide.' She said I was her prey. Back in the ancient tomb, I nearly killed him.
"He didn't come here for me. His original targets were likely the three from the Taiyi Sect. But once I appeared, he immediately shifted targets and attempted to seduce me, probably hoping to seize the chance to possess me and devour my spiritual energy."
Xie Lingyun seemed to recall something and blurted out, "No wonder she kept asking Teng'er if Yuanshi Tianzun would attend! She figured that for such a high-end gathering, and in Songhai no less, Yuanshi Tianzun would very likely show up!"
Apart from Yin Ji, the other two Night Walkers looked at each other in mounting dread.
The Deacon of Puning District, Gaoshan Liushui, pondered for several seconds before speaking: "Assuming that is the truth, we have been targeted by an ancient cultivator. He has sealed off the clubhouse and is currently hiding among us. Given the abilities he displayed earlier, he may have already secretly possessed one of us.
"And his target is the four of you."
The moment these words were spoken, everyone retreated in unison, putting distance between themselves and the two Night Walkers and two Starlords.
Liu Zhiyi said with a shaking voice, "The Pure Yang Sect Master has been active across Songhai, Jiangnan Province, and Sanzhuang Province, so it's not hard to see why he'd target us. But... but I heard from my mother that this ancient cultivator is extremely weakened! How could he dare go after us?"
*The Pure Yang Sect Master is right here among us, and he's manipulating Liu Zhiyi's emotions again—this time, fear...* Seeing the guests instinctively turn toward him for an answer, Zhang Yuanqing pointed toward the floor-to-ceiling window outside.
"The answer is obvious: he has another card up his sleeve!"
Yin Ji chimed in, "From the looks of it, as long as we locate the Pure Yang Sect Master and eliminate him, the crisis will naturally be resolved. His individual strength is average; he is merely skilled at manipulating emotions and possessing bodies, making him exceptionally stealthy."
*His individual strength is only average, just tricky to deal with...*
The meaning Yin Ji conveyed acted like a shot of adrenaline, bringing calm back to the crowd.
As long as they understood the enemy wasn't overwhelmingly powerful, their hearts naturally settled. That, in turn, would make it far harder for the Pure Yang Sect Master to stir their emotions and manufacture panic.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Zhang Yuanqing added, "Don't panic, everyone. I already have a solution. I possess two items best suited for dealing with seals. Once the seal is broken, we can notify the Elders of the Songhai Branch, and the Pure Yang Sect Master won't be able to escape even if he grew wings."
He paused, then continued, "After opening the seal, to prevent the Pure Yang Sect Master from fleeing, I will need everyone's cooperation."
Yin Ji followed up, "I will lay down a Spirit-Trapping Formation to keep any spirit bodies from escaping. Everyone simply needs to stand inside the formation."
Lingjun shouted, "Whoever objects is the Pure Yang Sect Master!"
The guests looked at one another, and for a moment, not a single person dared to voice an objection.
This was precisely the plan Zhang Yuanqing, Lingjun, and Yin Ji had discussed. Facing an enemy hiding among the crowd, dealing with him wasn't difficult as long as the right strategy was used.
Immediately, Yin Ji produced materials and, with the help of Zhang Yuanqing and the other two Night Walkers, drew a massive circular formation of Spirit Talismans in the center of the dining room.
"I hope everyone keeps an eye on one another and gives the Pure Yang Sect Master no opportunity to exploit!" Lingjun called out loudly, also standing inside the formation.
Everyone watched each other with wary eyes, and at the same time, they all turned their attention to Yuanshi Tianzun.
He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. At some point, a fifty-centimeter purple-gold hammer had appeared in his hand, its small pumpkin-shaped head no larger than two bowls.
Outside the window, neon lights stretched on and on. Across the street beyond the courtyard, cars sped past sparsely. The courtyard, planted with various expensive shrubs and trees, was brightly lit, yet not a single figure could be seen.
The silence was unsettling.
*Before we came in, there were security guards in the courtyard, but now not a soul is in sight...* Zhang Yuanqing stopped by the floor-to-ceiling window, weighed the Purple Thunder Hammer in his hand, raised it high, and brought it smashing down.
*Buzz!*
The small pumpkin struck the floor-to-ceiling window, sending out a ring of viscous ripples, like a wooden mallet pounding into thick paste.
Zhang Yuanqing raised the Purple Thunder Hammer and struck again, blow after blow after blow...
The thick, sluggish ripples expanded continuously, spreading from a small disturbance to encompass the entire wall, and from the wall to the ceiling and floor. Before long, the entire clubhouse began to tremble.
"Miss, the item in his hands is extraordinary,"
the white-haired Uncle Yang leaned in and whispered into Miao Teng'er's ear. "As for the power shrouding this place, I am quite certain even a Level 6 Fire Demon might not be able to break it."
Miao Teng'er nodded slightly, her taut nerves easing just a bit.
Meanwhile, Yin Ji and Lingjun were closely monitoring everyone's expressions. Every face was painted with tension and anticipation. Even Liu Zhiyi, who had targeted Yuanshi Tianzun in every conceivable way moments earlier, was holding his breath with fists clenched.
This left them with no way to identify who the enemy was.
Suddenly, just as the seal vibrated to its absolute limit, giving the impression that it was on the verge of shattering, Yuanshi Tianzun abruptly stopped.
"Why did you stop? Keep going!"
"Weren't you about to succeed?"
"Yuanshi Tianzun, keep going! What are you doing?"
Zhang Yuanqing ignored them. The hand gripping the Purple Thunder Hammer trembled violently, blue veins bulging and the skin turning a purplish-red.
Time was up.
*Dominator-level power...* Zhang Yuanqing's right arm ached intensely, but that was nothing compared to the sense of crisis gripping his heart.
The Purple Thunder Hammer couldn't breach the seal within five minutes, which meant the power sealing the clubhouse had exceeded the Saint stage—it was power at the Dominator stage.
So the bloody disaster stemmed from this Dominator-grade item.
*In that case, our only hope rests on the Red Dancing Shoes...* Zhang Yuanqing put away the Purple Thunder Hammer and summoned the Red Dancing Shoes.
*Tap, tap, tap—*
The crisp tapping echoed through the quiet dining room.
Zhang Yuanqing issued a command for them to leave this place.
The Red Dancing Shoes circled their master with a *tap, tap, tap*, then flew up and planted two kicks against the window, sending out barely perceptible ripples.
They drifted slowly back to the ground, seemingly somewhat discouraged. After several seconds of silence, the right shoe stepped back onto its toe, and the shoes performed a curtsy.
*You want to go back to the inventory? Hey, don't give up! Keep trying!* The corner of Zhang Yuanqing's mouth twitched.
Clearly, the Red Dancing Shoes couldn't escape the seal either.
*Then there's no other way! We can only go head-to-head with the Pure Yang Sect Master...* Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, turned around, and faced the crowd:
"I'm sorry, but things are trickier than I imagined."
The guests broke into an uproar, their faces unable to conceal their disappointment.
After a moment, Miao Teng'er spoke up: "Very well. If that's the case, we will simply ferret out the Pure Yang Sect Master. With everyone joining forces, what's so hard about dealing with a weakened ancient cultivator?"
"It's not that simple!" Zhang Yuanqing walked back from the window and said gravely, "We can now confirm that the item sealing us is a Dominator-grade item. Do you think a Dominator-grade item's abilities end there? If that were all, he never would have slipped into this banquet."
As if in response to his words, a piece of information projected like a 3D hologram materialized above the dining room:
[Welcome to Grimm's Great Adventure. Safe time has expired. The dice are rolling. Please wait...]
An illusory table appeared in the dining room, its surface veiled in thick mist. Only the bottom-right corner was clear, where a starting point was marked, upon which stood a thumb-sized figurine.
The edge of the starting point was painted with green plants, accompanied by text:
[Grimm's Forest Starting Point].
Above the illusory round table, a die the size of a soccer ball spun at high speed.
*A board game?* Zhang Yuanqing froze for a moment.
A few seconds later, the die gradually slowed, eventually coming to rest on three pips.
Under everyone's stunned, uneasy gazes, the little figurine moved along a winding line until it reached the third red dot.
The dense mist parted, and everyone looked closely to see a line of small text annotated there:
"You are about to cross a stream. However, because there are too many people, the boat cannot carry everyone across. Please discard two companions."
At the same time, the projection hovering above the dining room shifted:
[Ding! Please complete the vote within three minutes to select the companions to be discarded. If the vote fails, two people present will be eliminated at random.]
Chapter 391