The three of them left the town … and then immediately stopped. From the distance, a group of people was rushing toward them. Based on their black and white robes … this was actually the Li Ren Sect.

Zhi Guan glanced at them but his focus immediately fell on the person in a bright red robe that was being held tightly by someone in a completely white robe. Obviously, this was his third junior martial brother.

The tension he had felt just now when thinking of his little junior’s situation alleviated a little. Of course, this couldn’t change how Yun Bei Fen was doing right now but … at least Luo Lin was safe and sound. Also, yes, so was Shen Lei.

Liu Bao Ru also heaved a sigh of relief when she saw the group. Not to mention seeing Luo Lin and Shen Lei alive, just having the Li Ren Sect with them in what was to come was an incredible help. Of course, if their plan worked perfectly, they wouldn’t need that help immediately but … who could guarantee this? And when things went wrong, having more people on their side would certainly be advantageous. Not to mention that the Li Ren Sect focused on formations. In a big battle, that was invaluable.

While the other two were relieved, Mu Qing tensed up. His identity was contentious at best and that of an unquestionable traitor at worst. Not to mention … He glanced at the robes that Zhi Guan and Liu Bao Ru were wearing which had been used to infiltrate the demonic faction. That definitely wouldn’t leave the Li Ren Sect with a good first impression. Hopefully, they recognized them …

In fact, Elder Diao had indeed thought ‘Demonic practitioners!’ as soon as he saw the three people and felt a sense of crisis. If they were rushing out of the town where the Teng Yong Sect was stationed without anyone following, then the situation was even more dire than expected. But surprisingly, the couple next to him stayed completely calm as if this wasn’t an issue at all. He turned toward them, faintly raising his brows to question what was going on.

Shen Lei caught his gaze and motioned over. “Those are disciples of our sect. They went to infiltrate the other side to gather information. It’s part of why we are aware of their plans now.”

“I see.” Diao Huan relaxed and motioned for his disciples not to attack. Everyone was a bit on edge since receiving the news and he certainly didn’t want any accidents to occur now. Especially not when it concerned the disciples who had braved the danger of being in the midst of it all. No, these people deserved to be acknowledged by them, not misunderstood for the service they had rendered the cultivation world when uncovering this whole conspiracy.

With one group waiting in place and the other rapidly approaching, they soon met up at the edge of the town.

Luo Lin actually let go of Shen Lei for once and rushed to Zhi Guan’s side, wrapping his arms around him. “First senior martial brother!” His own task had only been to deliver news. It couldn’t compare at all to Zhi Guan who had to stay with the demonic practitioners for so long. “Are you alright? Why are you back?” He was pretty sure that the plan had been different from this.

Zhi Guan hummed. “I’m alright but something happened to little junior and we were discovered so we had to flee.”

Diao Huan next to them furrowed his brows. “Then what is the current plan? Your Elders …”

Zhi Guan shook his head. “We couldn’t inform them when it happened. In fact, we just came back and found the town empty. It seems they must have gone to meet up with us for the next step of the plan at the underground palace. Now, we don’t know their situation. Before we left, we managed to take down a few disciples over there though so with the numbers they have left and the numbers of our sect, it should be doable. The only issue is that they weren’t prepared to face them head-on.”

Diao Huan’s brows furrowed even further. This wasn’t good news. Not at all. He had thought that with them rushing over here and the other sects also having been informed, things would look up a little. But now …

He took a deep breath but then focused on the practical side of things. “Do you know if the people of the Zhen Yan Sect and the Jian Chu Sect already arrived here? They were informed before us so …” At least the Zhen Yan Sect should have made it, even if the Jian Chu Sect lagged a little bit behind due to the longer distance.

Zhi Guan and Liu Bao Ru exchanged a glance. They naturally didn’t know for sure but … “There were traces of someone refining potions or pills. We only have one disciple who knows how to among our group as far as I am aware so chances are, at least the Zhen Yan Sect should have been here and helped with the preparations.”

Diao Huan inclined his head. Well, this was the first bit of good news he had heard in a while. “Let’s head over to that underground palace immediately to support them. No matter what the specific situation is, having more people can’t hurt. As for the Jian Chu Sect …” Since they couldn’t be sure that they were aware of the situation, they couldn’t just leave. No, someone had to stay behind to inform them.

He looked at the group of disciples and finally motioned at one of the women. She was a disciple of one of his junior martial sisters studying under the same Master. Her level wasn’t that high so she was the perfect choice for this. Plus … he’d just consider it a favor to his junior martial sister. “Xiao An, you heard what we just discussed. I want you to stay behind and wait for the Jian Chu Sect’s people. Most likely, it won’t take that long for them to arrive.”

The woman pursed her lips but still nodded. Anyway, even if she wanted to help more, this had to be done by someone.

Meanwhile, Luo Lin anxiously tugged at Zhi Guan’s sleeve now that the most pressing matters seemed to have been discussed. “What happened to Fen’er?” Anyway, to him, this was the most important part.