Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

"It was later that I found out he had been preparing for several days."

The mind raced rapidly.

Although he had been unconscious for several days due to damage to his Divine Soul, he remembered everything clearly before losing consciousness. If he didn't even know how he was played to death, he might as well just bash his head against the wall.

"Senior Sister, at the time, I wasn't looking to use connections or anything, just wanted you to help me get into the Spiritual Spring for a bath, try to wash away some of the old hidden injuries left from Country Liang, you remember that, right?"

"Hmm?"

Her eyebrows arched.

Of course, she remembered, showing a bit of surprise. Now thinking back, that disciple named Xiao Xuan was from Dragon Head Peak, and his usual job was to assist the elders in managing the Spiritual Spring and maintaining order.

Who would've thought that this scheme was laid out so early?

"At the time, I chatted with him a few times. The kid even tried to get close to me. Now that I think back, he patted my shoulder twice, and from that moment, I had already fallen into the trap."

"During the battle, I had a chance to escape from the formation, at that time Deacon Ma hadn't even had time to release his Magic Treasure, but then all the bones in my body felt like they were locked, and an iron chain connected directly from my shoulder to Xiao Xuan."

"I fear that was when the seeds were sown. Ah, and they must have prepared at least half a month in advance, first figuring out my grouping, then picking an appropriate time when your elders and Peak Master were having a meeting."

"The timing was perfect. If it was too early, it would be novices bickering with no results, far from needing a meeting to discuss. If too late, it would be elites fighting, you high-ranking members would definitely all need to attend to observe, leaving no room for opportunity."

"Only at such a time, neither early nor late, just when you're meeting and the martial contest is not too advanced nor too suspenseful, does it serve as the best opportunity for him to execute..."

The mind was still clear.

Liu Tangxi did not interrupt, just quietly listened. From the current state, her junior's mindset was still quite good, quickly coming out of the shadow from before. Only after Jiang Feng finished analyzing did she continue to add.

"The various methods of Xuanyin Sect, even I cannot enumerate them all to this day."

"This sect once produced countless outstanding figures and was a glorious Great Sect at one time, established around the same time as Purple Cloud Palace, and its foundation, heritage, including that Guardian Demon Beast, in all aspects, are not inferior to Purple Cloud Palace."

"They love delving into unconventional methods, whether it's cultivation techniques or Daoist Skills, all are unusual, they revel in new things, and delve into the Divine Soul and body, refining the body to the extreme. Jiang Xian has the Jiuyou Xuanming Technique on him, you should understand what a domineering technique that is."

"Its short-term explosiveness is no less than the Demon Heart Technique, and its long-term combat ability is on par with the Purple Cloud Divine Technique. Back then, young Jiang Xian was only at Qi Refinement level five or six, and could contend with the Foundation Establishment Stage for an hour with an incomplete Jiuyou Xuanming Technique, showing its dominance."

"Even when you fought Xuan Yinzi last time, you should have had a deep understanding. If I'm not mistaken, his Daoist Skill seemed to be used from start to finish without any pause."

She agreed sincerely, "That's right."

While fighting with Xuan Yinzi he sensed something was amiss. He was cautious, saving his Spiritual Energy even when wielding the Demon Heart Technique, using it only at the last moment, while the other guy's Spiritual Energy seemed limitless.

He wielded Earth Rank Magic Treasures, Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques, using them in three or four rounds on both sides, no probing or saving, every move at maximum power, focusing on numbers. Initially, he thought it was due to a higher realm.

But no matter how high, it was only Core Formation, not even Nascent Soul, such a disparity was impossible. Now the case is solved.

It was because of the Cultivation Technique.

"According to ancient records, Xuanyin Sect was considered a Reputable Sect a thousand years ago, praised by the ancestors, and once had many collaborations with Purple Cloud Palace, completely different from Xuanyin Sect's reputation today."

"In the last thousand years, Xuanyin Sect's conduct has become increasingly overbearing. Not only that, but to achieve their goals by any means, they began extensive research into Evil Demon Techniques while also sending many disciples to collect secret techniques from other sects."

"You are more familiar with this, a former chief of Purple Cloud Palace, also the senior disciple of Heavenly Power Peak, was Yu Ying's fellow disciple."

"Back then, these two had a great relationship, no one could have predicted the situation would evolve like that, even now we don't know if that child belonged to Xuanyin Sect or was possessed in the current Xuan Xiaozi incident."

Even Liu Xianzi couldn't help but sound somewhat sentimental and forlorn when talking about the past tragedy.

Strictly speaking, the previous defector as chief was on the same level as her junior, both around the same age. Back then, the two even went out together to complete sect tasks; they were true talents of heaven.

But who would have thought, just a few years gone by and so much trouble was stirred up. The last time they met, Liu Tangxi was already ahead in terms of strength, so she severed an arm with one strike. The only regret was not taking his life.

She shook her head, throwing away the complex emotions in her heart, her tone returning to the previous focus and calm.

"Such phenomena have occurred more than once in the Cultivation World now. A millennium has passed, and Xuanyin Sect has completely ruined the previously accumulated reputation and connections."

"In contrast, the power of the sect's disciples has increased significantly. That Xuan Yinzi who beat you to the brink of death probably doesn't even rank in the top ten among the Xuanyin Sect's third-generation disciples."

"Don't be fooled by my severely injuring Elder Jiu He, the reality is that even I have no confidence against Xuan Yinzi and their Great Elder, especially their Guardian Qiongqi, which is no less than the Ancient Strange Beast Kui Niu Patriarch."

He drew a sharp breath.

He knew Xuan Yinzi was only famous in the sect because he was the Sect Master's most beloved grandson, but he couldn't have imagined he wouldn't even crack the top ten, that was too exaggerated.

"Otherwise, how do you think they stir up so much trouble and remain unshaken? If their strength wasn't strong enough, I and the Sect Master would have already stormed the Mountain Gate, and the Master wouldn't have condoned them until now."

She glanced over.

The look was clear: if not for the fact that I can't take on a group alone, I would have already wiped out this bunch of grandsons. I haven't gone to kill them; think carefully about why that is.

"Xuanyin Sect's decline up until now is said to be due to someone once breaking the sect's tradition of meritocracy, amending it to a single lineage succession."

"Since then, many issues have arisen, and Xuanyin Sect's techniques including its sect location are very close to the Demon Clan, almost bordering it. Whether marriage alliances or exchanges, both are very frequent between the two."

"Some even say that due to long-term exchanges and marriage alliances, Xuanyin Sect has gradually been infiltrated by the Demon Clan, and some say today's Sect Master Xuan Mingzi is half-Descendant of Demon Clan blood."

"Xuan Xiaozi's methods utilized the Longevity Technique, which combined Demon Clan methods and were the reason why he and his family were eradicated, as his offspring also mastered such Secret Techniques."

"Whether it's the Blood Mist, Divine Soul, these things get integrated into the bodies of others discreetly to take over bodies and memories, merging Divine Souls until there's no distinction."

"Xiao Xuan is the perfect example. Originally an unknown outer disciple in the mountains, he worked diligently and obediently for decades without progress, living on the fringe."

"One day he went on a mission and found a wisp of Remnant Soul, which taught him Cultivation Techniques and Taoist Skills and drove him to seek treasures to improve his physique. So Xiao Xuan let it reside within him, even taking the initiative to hide its presence."

"The outcome you should also be aware of."

"In the end, on his deathbed, he still believed he was Xiao Xuan and not Xuan Xiaozi... Junior Brother."

"Even Liu Xianzi couldn't help but sound somewhat sentimental and desolate when mentioning the tragedy that happened in the past."

"Strictly speaking, the previous leader who rebelled was on the same level of seniority as my junior brother, and both were around the same age. They even went out together to complete sect missions and truly were talented individuals of that generation."

"But who would have thought that after a few years, so much trouble resulted? It's unfortunate that I couldn't spare his life, only severing an arm, even after leading in strength."

"Shaking the head and dismissing the complex emotions in the heart, the tone returned to the previous focus and calmness."

"Such phenomena have occurred more than once in the current Cultivation World. Now, a thousand years later, Xuanyin Sect has effectively ruined its once resplendent reputation and has led to many troubles."

"Nevertheless, in contrast, their sect disciples' strength has increased significantly. That Xuan Yinzi who beat you to the brink of death could not even rank in the top ten among the third-generation disciples of Xuanyin Sect."

"Even though I seriously injured Elder Jiu He, I have no confidence when confronting Xuan Yinzi and their Great Elder, especially that Guardian Qiongqi, as formidable as a Kui Niu."

Even Liu Xianzi couldn't suppress a hint of emotion when recalling the tragic event from the past.

Strictly speaking, the former chief who rebelled was approximately of the same generation as her junior brother. They were about the same age and had even gone out together on sect missions in the past; they were genuine heaven's chosen talents.