"Yun-shishu, Zhou-shishu, the Sect Leader wants you to go over and use something." Wan Qingqing walked over, her every move attracting the attention of everyone in the inn.

She was not the kind of elegant and dignified lady from a noble family, nor did she have an otherworldly purity. Her appearance was not stunning, merely cute and delicate.

However, dressed in yellow, she was as lively as an oriole and as graceful as a butterfly. With bells tied around her wrists and ankles, she spoke in an adorably naive manner. Being young, although Yuheng Peak was mostly populated by women, everyone doted on her a bit, yet she was not arrogant due to the favoritism.

"Yun-shishu, what are you looking at?" She stood behind Yun Zong, following their gaze into the distance, but saw nothing.

Zhou Yin had been observing the celestial phenomena and did not speak. Suddenly, his expression changed slightly and his heart sank.

For ordinary cultivators, the lifelong pursuit of longevity was enough to keep them busy, leaving no time to learn knowledge like medicine and astronomy that they would never use. However, true high-level cultivators not only had exposure to many miscellaneous studies of the human race but sometimes even took an interest in researching the arts of imperial power and strategy.

In his previous life, Zhou Yin had high cultivation and a long lifespan, naturally seeing a lot intentionally or unintentionally.

At this moment, the sky gradually darkened. Due to the impending wind, the sky was not as clear as usual. A white light streaked across the sky, shaped like a broom, a long star dragging a long tail, hazily falling next to Venus in the dimness.

Ancient books recorded that when a comet entered and exited Venus, there would be great use of metal and fire weapons, the people would be uneasy, and there would be warfare everywhere as the world underwent political changes.

Zhou Yin was a cultivator. The rise and fall, success and failure of the various countries in the world had nothing to do with him. However, combined with the recent incidents of demon beasts and the secrets they heard from the White Tiger, it was not difficult to imagine that the impending great chaos was not limited to just warfare but possibly involved other major events as well.

The world was about to fall into turmoil.

If it was truly as previously speculated, with the Upper Realm interfering, deliberately provoking conflict between the demon race and human race, signs were already beginning to show. When both sides became mutually wounded, they could reap the benefits like a fisherman.

Thinking of Zhou Chen's situation, his face became even more still like water, not uttering a word.

"What's wrong?" Yun Zong stood beside him and naturally noticed his subtle change in expression.

"There's tofu soup and glutinous rice cakes over there. Aren't you going to eat some?" Wan Qingqing was completely unaware of Zhou Yin's inner thoughts and said with a smile, "Oh, could it be that you're embarrassed to sit together with us women? Then how about we give up our seats for you!"

Cultivators could abstain from food, but it didn't mean they couldn't eat at all. There were numerous delicacies in the world, with candied fruits and pastries being especially loved by women. Yuheng Peak had mostly female cultivators, who naturally had a unique fondness in this area.

Although Yun Zong lived in seclusion and had little interaction with the disciples of Shangxuan Sect, he often heard that this young disciple of Qingying, despite her young age, had a rather frank and heroic bearing and was clearly an up-and-coming talent among the best at Yuheng Peak.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Wan Qingqing didn't mind. Her eyes turned and landed on Zhou Yin. "Zhou-shishu, do you still remember He Yun, He-shishu? She often mentions you. Unfortunately, she's currently in seclusion and can't come out with us. Otherwise, it would be a good chance for you two to catch up after many years!"

The truth was, even if he never spoke, a man like Zhou Yin had long attracted the attention of the female cultivators of Shangxuan Sect.

In the Taichu Continent, the status of female cultivators was inherently lower than male cultivators to begin with. Few had the extraordinary perseverance to be like He Yun, who was in seclusion almost all year round. For many of them, the path was to find a male cultivator as a Dao companion and cultivate together to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Yun Zong and Zhou Yin were both young, had high cultivation, and were disciples of the Sect Leader, naturally drawing everyone's attention. It was not only men who appreciated beauty and admired the young. Women were the same, but it was improper to boldly approach and strike up a conversation, lest they lose their dignity. Thus, they sent the youngest Wan Qingqing over to test the waters.

Wan Qingqing had no choice. She could only come over to make small talk, but both Zhou Yin and Yun Zong didn't reciprocate. She could only return, putting on a bitter face, telling her senior martial sisters not to use her as a raft anymore.

The inn was packed with people, not only passing merchants but also many cultivators who were heading to the Tianyan Sect's various sect gatherings. Inevitably, there were a few with unbridled lust who, upon seeing Wan Qingqing and the table of beauties, found it hard to restrain themselves. However, with experts like Qingying and Yun Zong present, they didn't dare to make a move and could only harbor other wicked thoughts.

The sky had completely darkened. Outside, the wind started howling. At first, it was ordinary, but later it grew stronger and stronger. Close to the hour of the Rabbit (5-7am), the sun had yet to set, but suddenly the sky and earth turned dark.

The wind swept across the sky, whipping up a storm of yellow sand, causing the banners hung outside the inn to flap loudly. The camels tied up by the merchants outside all lay down, burying their heads in the sand. The horses neighed shrilly, restless and anxious. If not for the ropes tying them down, they would have broken free and run off.

A gust of wind and sand swept in from the main entrance, blowing a face full of sand at the people sitting by the door.

Seeing this, the innkeeper was so frightened that he hurriedly ordered the shop assistants to help tightly close the doors and windows.

Those without rooms tonight would all have to make do in the main hall. With many people in the hall, no one was particularly afraid. Instead, some complained about the innkeeper closing the main door, preventing them from seeing the scene outside.

From their words, one could tell they were entering the desert for the first time. The innkeeper couldn't help but smile wryly, "Esteemed guests, you don't understand. If the main door was left open, all of us here would be blown into the sky to become immortals. From the looks of it, this windstorm won't be small. We can only pray that it won't uproot our little place!"

Seeing his grave expression, everyone discussed and speculated about how big this windstorm would be.

The attendants were busy going upstairs to remind the guests to close their windows tightly. For a moment, no one was serving. It so happened that Qingying's table ran out of tea. A female disciple of Shangxuan Sect took the initiative to bring the teapot to the kitchen in the back to have someone boil water.

Those who had lecherous thoughts earlier saw this perfect opportunity. How could they let it pass? They immediately followed to the back.

With the main door closed, Zhou Yin and the others naturally couldn't stand by the entrance anymore and returned to sit down. The people sitting promptly made way for them due to their seniority and cultivation level.

On this trip to Shangxuan Sect, apart from Qingying, they had the highest cultivation. Below were mostly female disciples from Yuheng Peak, as well as two disciples of Qiu Xianyun from Tianquan Peak, who was currently imprisoned. They also had to address Yun Zong and Zhou Yin as Martial Uncles.

Qingying said, "What do you all think, when should we set off?"

She had a gentle and humble temperament, never putting on airs, and was very easy to get along with. Although a woman, she was the most popular peak master among the Seven Peaks. There was another reason for this - most of her disciples were female, and some had formed Daoist couples with disciples from other peaks, creating layers of interconnected relationships. When people from other peaks saw her, they had to show a few more courtesies.

Yun Zong said, "Setting off hastily will only increase the danger."

The three of them naturally had no issues, the problem was taking care of the other disciples.

Qingying thought the same; it's just that "Tianyan Sect has already sent three letters urging us to hurry."

Yun Zong said, "They just want to elevate their status."

Tianyan Sect's strength was not inferior to Shangxuan Sect, but it had to remain in second place for tens of thousands of years. Anyone in their position would be dissatisfied. But whether Tianyan Sect was really dissatisfied, no one knew.

Now, they were using the demon beast incident to widely invite sects from all over the world to attend a meeting and discuss countermeasures. It was a good thing, but they might also want to differentiate themselves from Shangxuan Sect.

So upon hearing this, Qingying laughed, "That is indeed the case. Then let's wait for the storm to pass before leaving."

"Ahh————!!!!"

At this moment, a miserable scream suddenly rang out from behind the inn. That scream contained boundless terror, as if the person had seen the most frightening thing in the world, making one's hair stand on end.

In the hall, those who were talking stopped talking, and those who were dozing off were startled awake. The scream instantly plunged the place into an eerie dead silence.

"Senior Sister Liu went to the kitchen just now and hasn't come back!" Wan Qingqing leaped up and rushed towards the back.

Everyone also remembered that the female disciple who had gone to instruct the kitchen to boil water still hadn't returned.

Fortunately, the miserable scream just now was let out by a man.

Although Wan Qingqing was clever, she was still young after all. Her cultivation was shallow. Charging ahead like this, if there was danger in front, she would undoubtedly be the first to fall into the trap.

But in the urgency of the moment, she didn't think too much.

Luckily, someone reacted even faster than her. A white figure flashed, and Qingying had already slipped into the back kitchen.

With a boom, everyone reacted and exploded into action. Some cultivators also immediately followed to investigate, while the timid and fearful ones stayed where they were, discussing amongst themselves.

In the small kitchen, the candlelight had gone out, leaving only the faint glow of the candles outside shining in, making it hazy and difficult to discern.

Fruits and vegetables were scattered all over the floor, and a thick, bloody smell permeated the air, mixed with the greasy smell of cooking from usual days, making one nauseous.

A person was leaning against the wall, body tense. Seeing people barging in, the silk handkerchief in their hand almost directly attacked, but after seeing clearly who had come, a frightened look appeared in their eyes.

Only then did everyone see that this female disciple surnamed Liu had blood stains all over her face and body, and at her feet lay a person, whether alive or dead was unknown.

"What happened?" Qingying reacted quickly and immediately used her spiritual sense to probe, but found nothing.

"Here..." Disciple Liu Yun, still in shock, recalled the scene just now. She was so terrified that she couldn't even speak properly. Opening her mouth, her throat made a gurgling sound, her face deathly pale.

Even for a female cultivator, one should be braver than ordinary people. Logically, killing someone shouldn't scare them to this extent. Qingying slightly furrowed her brows, feeling that something was strange. She lightly tapped the other party's forehead with her finger.

The finger imbued with spiritual power made the forehead feel like it was being infused with a clear spring, gradually calming the other party down, but the look of terror on her face was still difficult to conceal.

"What exactly happened?" Seeing her so panicked, Qingying's tone also became stern.

Liu Yun took a deep breath and finally managed to speak: "There are demon beasts!"

Everyone was stunned. This time, not only Qingying, but Yun Zong and Zhou Yin also searched the surroundings with their spiritual senses, but still found nothing.

Qingying said, "You are a disciple of Shangxuan Sect. Even if there are demon beasts, you shouldn't lose your composure!"

Liu Yun showed a smile uglier than crying, not defending herself.

Seeing the disciple so frightened, Qingying also felt a bit distressed and wanted to have someone support her back to rest.

Before she could finish speaking, another shrill, miserable scream rang out.

This time it came from a guest room on the second floor.