The girl was startled. "What demon beasts?"

"The recent incidents of demon beasts running rampant outside."

"What about it?"

"In the back mountains," although he felt no one would come, the man still instinctively looked around again before saying, "over a hundred demon beasts are being kept."

"What?" The girl's eyes went wide. "Back mountains where?"

"Our sect's of course."

"Keeping demon beasts for what purpose?"

The man said, "I don't know either. Orders came from above to bring specially made food to the back mountains every day to feed those demon beasts. It's strange though. When I first went, besides looking hideous, those demon beasts didn't cause any trouble. But recently they've gotten more and more frenzied. After feeding time each day, some seem to go crazy, ramming the iron bars. Fortunately the bars are reinforced with spiritual energy, otherwise I'm afraid they would have broken from the impacts."

The sects under heaven each have their own tenets, but regardless, the human and demon races are incompatible. This is a rule everyone knows. So when the major sects heard news of demon beasts causing havoc everywhere, they went out to help slay demons.

However, upon suddenly hearing that their own sect was secretly keeping demon beasts, the girl was dumbfounded. She stammered, "Could there be some conspiracy behind this?"

The man quickly covered her mouth. "How can you spout such nonsense? Hush!"

After the girl gradually calmed down, the man continued, "There's something even stranger. I've been feeding them for over ten days. I counted a few times and discovered the number of demon beasts sometimes increases, sometimes decreases. And each time, the additional ones always look even more ferocious than before."

He scratched his head. "Maybe it's just my imagination."

The girl said, "Could it be the demon beasts are devouring each other, being with each other...?"

She wanted to say mating but was too embarrassed to voice it, so she glossed over it.

The man said, "It shouldn't be. But Senior Brother Shan who goes with me probably knows more than I do. It's just that Senior Brother Shan is a stern person, I don't even dare ask him."

The girl nodded. "Best not to ask. The less trouble the better."

The man said, "You're right. I was just feeling stifled keeping it inside, so I couldn't help telling you."

The girl glanced at him sideways. "Pulling me aside just to talk about this, what a pity Senior Brother is missing the inter-sect competition today!"

The man laughed, "That arena is full of experts. When would it be my turn to show off? With that free time, I'd rather spend more of it with you!"

The two chatted idly a bit more, but nothing related to the previous topic.

After a while, the two gradually walked away. Only after they left the bamboo grove did Zhou Yin and Yun Zong reveal themselves.

Yun Zong said calmly, "This trip was not in vain."

Zhou Yin briefly relayed what Zhou Chen had told him yesterday.

Zhou Yin was very clear that from his death in his past life to his rebirth in this life, a full five thousand years had passed. The mortal world had changed, sects had risen and fallen. It had all become unfamiliar to him.

And Zhou Chen was just the Demon Beast Emperor, even less clear about matters on the continent. Only Yun Zong, with his intelligence and identity, might be able to tease out a thread from all this.

After hearing this, Yun Zong furrowed his brow, his expression cold. After a long while, he said, "Perhaps Tianyan Sect reached some agreement with the Upper Realm to so willingly act as their lackey. If this matter became known to the world, Tianyan Sect's reputation would be ruined."

Zhou Yin said indifferently, "By then, the Upper Realm's full deployment will be in place. Ruined reputation or not won't matter."

Yun Zong said, "This matter shouldn't involve Shangxuan Sect. Although my master is a bit of a cunning old fox, his mind is still clear. Even with the Upper Realm's promises, it would inevitably push our sect into opposition with the entire continent. Everyone talks of ascending to immortality, but before ascending, we are still human in the end.

"That old man wouldn't be muddled enough to make this kind of deal with the Upper Realm. Although the seven peaks each govern themselves, Senior Qingying is on the old man's side. I'll mention it to her later to find a time to investigate the back mountains."

Zhou Yin said, "Up to you." After a pause, he asked, "Any reply from the messenger sent back to report?"

Yun Zong said, "Not yet."

Zhou Yin said calmly, "The odds are against us."

Yun Zong remained silent.

Indeed, it had been some time since Wan Qingqing left to return, and even on horseback, she should have arrived by now, let alone using a magical flying treasure that could traverse a thousand miles in an instant.

Although Qingying didn't say it out loud, there must have been worry on her face. Either something happened to Wan Qingqing on the way, or something happened to Shangxuan Sect.

The two briefly discussed the matter and then walked back.

The square was still lively. After more than half a day, Song Yi'an and Liu Min's match had ended, and new people were there. As for Ling Long and Qian Mu's match, they were unhurried. By the time Zhou Yin and the others returned, their match had just ended.

Qian Mu's Suyun rope split into three phantom images and lashed towards Ling Long. Ling Long, exhausted, used her Lanruo Twin Swords to block two of the phantoms, but was struck by the real one. She leapt back a few steps and said, "I lost."

Qian Mu withdrew his weapon and asked with concern, "Are you alright, fellow Daoist? I have some medicine here."

Ling Long smiled charmingly, "I'm fine, thank you!"

With that, she left the stage and walked towards the Jinting Sect.

Zhou Yin's gaze shifted and saw on the other side, Zhou Zhang and a woman were fighting. The two swords entangled in mid-air, glowing in purple and green light, with the green light prevailing.

Taking a closer look, the woman was none other than Yun Zong's former fiancée, Fairy Bibo.

Even someone like Zhou Yin couldn't help but glance at Yun Zong.

Since Yun Zong's return, the people of Shangxuan Sect dared not mention Fairy Bibo in front of him, but their eyes would dart to Yun Zong from time to time.

Yun Zong's expression was calm. He only glanced briefly before looking away.

At this time, only the match between Zhou Zhang and Fang Bibo remained on the stage. However, the outcome was already clear, and there was no suspense.

The crowd was getting a bit bored when a man in yellow robes leapt onto the stone platform. His gaze swept around and stopped at Shangxuan Sect, fixing on Zhou Yin. He declared loudly, "Qin Wuji of Tianyan Sect wishes to seek guidance from Fellow Daoist Zhou of Shangxuan Sect!"

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn.

During this half-day, although many powerful cultivators had gathered, they had only volunteered to go up. No one had seen anyone issue a challenge by name.

With Qin Wuji's action, all eyes fell on Zhou Yin.

At first, they felt that there were already many young and handsome cultivators here, but Zhou Yin's appearance and bearing were even more outstanding. Even sitting there casually, he gave the impression that he was not watching the battles, but tasting tea.

Despite his indifference, it did not detract from his elegant and natural demeanor.

Then they recalled the friction between Shangxuan Sect and Tianyan Sect yesterday, and became even more excited, seeing that a good show was about to unfold right in front of them. Everyone stared at Zhou Yin, eagerly awaiting his response.

Zhou Yin's expression was as calm as still water, without much fluctuation. After a moment, just as Qin Wuji was getting impatient and about to mock him, Zhou Yin slowly stood up, grasping the armrest of his chair. He said indifferently, "I have no interest in those three items. If you want to challenge me, put up a worthy prize."

Qin Wuji laughed, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, you talk big. Aren't you afraid the wind will blow your tongue? Any one of those three treasures, chosen at random, is unparalleled in the world. How could anyone not be tempted? Could it be that Fellow Daoist is using this as an excuse to avoid the fight?"

Hearing his words, Zhou Yin was not angered. There were very few things in this world that could provoke him. He glanced at Qin Wuji and said, "If you lose, then strip naked and walk a circle on the stage."

Qin Wuji gritted his teeth, "Then if you lose, shouldn't you do the same?"

Zhou Yin was indifferent, "Sure."

Qin Wuji let out a cold laugh, "Then I agree too."

The others listening were stunned. Now this was going to be quite a spectacle!