"What happened?"

Zhou Yin's reaction was very calm. Such earth-shattering news for Mirror Sea Sect disciples failed to change his expression.

Seeing his composure, the heavy mood of Huang Wenjun and the others seemed to relax a little.

"Back then, Elder Weng accidentally died while searching for traces of demon beasts, you know about this. But after he left, only the Sect Leader and two elders remained at the Core Formation stage in the sect."

"So after you left, the Sect Leader temporarily handed over sect affairs to Senior Brother Lu to manage and went into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Who would have thought that a year ago, Senior Brother Lu gathered us together and informed us that the Sect Leader had failed in his seclusion and perished."

"Then what?" Zhou Yin asked.

Huang Wenjun sighed, "Then Senior Brother Lu succeeded the position of Sect Leader. But just at this time, people from Qinggu Sect came, saying they wanted an explanation from Mirror Sea Sect for the loss of the Purple Mist Falling Shadow Lamp back then and the death of their disciple Fan Ximu."

Previously, due to Fan Ximu's death, Qinggu Sect had sent people to inquire about the cause and effect. Zou Jingyuan didn't hand over Zhou Yin and the others, and the disciple Lü Hanyuan sent by the other side to investigate also went missing, so the matter was left unsettled.

But now that Zou Jingyuan had died, Qinggu Sect immediately brought up the old incident and came knocking, obviously having calculated that Mirror Sea Sword Sect was in a precarious state, lacking in talent, and as the third-largest sect on the continent, the disparity in strength between the two was huge, so Mirror Sea Sect wouldn't dare to offend them easily.

With this happening, naturally, everyone in Mirror Sea Sect was in a panic and had no mind for cultivation.

"How do they want an explanation?"

Huang Wenjun became even more indignant, "They said they're giving us two paths. Either directly come under Qinggu Sect, and Mirror Sea Sword Sect will cease to exist in this world with only Qinggu Sect members remaining; or they will send people to compete with us in martial arts. If we win, they will no longer mention the matter of us submitting to them!"

He Yun also sneered coldly, "What they covet is nothing more than the spirit veins and elixirs our sect has accumulated over the years. Nobodies like us, if we go, we'll only be bullied!"

Huang Wenjun shook his head, "With the Mirror Sea Sect's current state, we simply don't have the strength to contend with them. If we're unwilling to submit, do we really want to fight them? We'll just make a fool of ourselves!"

Although the strong preying on the weak was very common, Qinggu Sect's blatant ambition to annex Mirror Sea Sect made the people of Mirror Sea Sect develop a mindset of sharing a common enemy. Naturally, there were those in Mirror Sea Sect who were timid and fearful, but there were also those like Huang Wenjun whose fighting spirit was aroused and were unwilling to yield.

Zhou Yin asked, "What does Lu Yanping say?"

Huang Wenjun smiled bitterly, "Last time, a few of us were summoned by Sect Leader Senior Brother. From his meaning, it seems he's inclined to haggle with Qinggu Sect for a while. But now, the two elders have a disagreement with Sect Leader Senior Brother. They say our sect is weak and no match for Qinggu Sect. If we fight and lose, we'll lose face. It's better to directly submit to them to preserve a bit of dignity and leeway."

He Yun's excitement faded and her expression became indifferent instead, "Every man for himself and the devil is the winner. How can the two elders not have selfish motives? They are Core Formation cultivators. Even if they go to Qinggu Sect, they can receive respectful treatment, which is better than being ignored in a small sect."

Liu Xiaowan was worried, frowning, "What if Sect Leader Senior Brother agrees to fight?"

He Yun glanced at her: "Even if it comes to a duel, they probably won't need you to step in."

Liu Xiaowan's ears turned slightly red: "That's not what I meant..."

Huang Wenjun felt a headache from the frequent exchanges between the two women, and quickly tried to smooth things over: "I actually hope the Sect Leader agrees to the duel, to let Qinggu Sect see that our Mirror Sea Sword Sect is not without capable people! Don't you think so, Ah Yin?"

Zhou Yin didn't say anything, as he was calculating his own situation.

Looking at the current situation, one was a third-rate sword sect that had long been in decline, while the other was a major sect that could be counted on one hand in the continent. Who was strong and who was weak was self-evident.

Even if the other side didn't send out a Nascent Soul cultivator, just a few Core Formation cultivators would be enough to make Mirror Sea Sect overwhelmed. But on the other hand, if the Mirror Sea Sect submitted to Qinggu Sect out of fear of offending them, a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him would inevitably be suppressed and squeezed out everywhere. It would be better to stay separate here where at least in terms of elixir supply, Lu Yanping would not be stingy.

It's better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Comparing the two, Zhou Yin naturally leaned towards the latter. Although he didn't like to meddle in other people's business, this matter was pressing in on him and related to his future cultivation, so he couldn't help but pay a bit more attention.

Just as he was about to have Huang Wenjun take him to see Lu Yanping, he saw a young attendant walking over.

"Excuse me, are you Senior Brother Zhou Yin?"

"Mm."

"That's great, the Sect Leader heard you were back and specifically sent me to invite you."

Huang Wenjun was obviously very familiar with him: "Jin Ting, did the Sect Leader say anything?"

Jin Ting shook his head: "The Sect Leader has been in a bad mood these past few days, not saying more than a few words."

"What about Qinggu Sect, have they continued to send people?"

Jin Ting sighed: "Who says they haven't, they sent a letter the day before yesterday, pressuring the Sect Leader to make a decision within three days."

Huang Wenjun angrily said: "This is too much!"

He Yun smiled coldly: "In today's world, the strong live and the weak die, nothing more."

Jin Ting forced a smile: "Senior Sister He is right, but what can we do? Sigh, let's not talk about it. Senior Brother Zhou, quickly come with me to see the Sect Leader!"

Zhou Yin grunted: "Lead the way."

Zhou Yin had been to this Sect Leader's study once before, which was the last time before he left Mirror Sea Sect, when Zou Jingyuan had summoned him. Now things had changed, Zou Jingyuan had long passed away, and the master inside had been replaced by another.

Even though cultivators had longer lifespans than ordinary people, if they could not successfully advance, they would still eventually die. Like Zou Jingyuan, even though he had reached the Core Formation stage and was the revered Sect Leader, commanding countless spiritual medicines and resources, this was still the limit of his life's achievements.

Not to mention hundreds or thousands of years later, perhaps in just a few decades, even the disciples of Mirror Sea Sect may not remember that there was once such a Sect Leader.

Jin Ting led him to outside the study and announced loudly: "Sect Leader, Senior Brother Zhou is here."

After a moment, a voice responded from inside: "Have him come in."

Jin Ting said: "Senior Brother Zhou, please."

But he himself did not go in.

Zhou Yin pushed open the door and entered. He saw Lu Yanping standing in the study with his hands clasped behind his back. Although his expression was calm, his fingers were tightly clenched into fists, undoubtedly revealing his inner emotions.

"It's been five years, you are already at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. No wonder Master said back then that your future potential is limitless." Lu Yanping smiled as he invited him to sit. "Junior Brother Zhou, after five years out in the world, what insights have you gained?"

"Being in the world or out of it are both cultivation." Zhou Yin always spoke in this manner, not changing because of Lu Yanping's status.

Lu Yanping was long used to it. Hearing this, he nodded: "You are right. It seems I entered the sect earlier than you but my understanding is still not as deep as yours. Perhaps if you had been able to enter the inner sect earlier back then, the one facing this predicament today would not be me."

The situation Mirror Sea Sect was in was clear, he figured Zhou Yin must already know, so he laid it out frankly, finding humor amidst the bitterness.

Zhou Yin said: "It may not be a predicament, but an opportunity."

"How so?"

Lu Yanping didn't really expect him to have any solution. Although Zhou Yin's cultivation progress was fast, he was still only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. While Mirror Sea Sect didn't have many Foundation Establishment cultivators, it wasn't to the point of needing Zhou Yin to step up.

If it really came down to dueling with Qinggu Sect, Zhou Yin might not even need to take the field. It was just that Master had told him to be closer to Zhou Yin before he passed, so with his mind in turmoil, he was willing to try anything.

Zhou Yin said: "Although Qinggu Sect is powerful, they are not the most powerful."

Lu Yanping was stunned for a moment, "You mean..."