After arriving at the pavilion, Qin Xiao directly led the group upstairs.
Because he had visited before, most of the disciples recognized Qin Xiao and knew of his relationship with Ye Qiuyue, so they did not stop him.
Just as they reached the second floor, they saw someone covered in blood leaning against a chair. Ye Qiuyue and Ye Tianyi were examining the injured person's condition.
"Fortunately, there is no threat to her life, but the injuries are too severe, and her Spiritual Power was completely depleted, causing her to lose consciousness."
After finishing her examination, Ye Qiuyue finally let out a breath of relief. It seemed the attacker had not dared to deliver a fatal blow.
"Aunt, after the Fifth Elder escaped back here, she only managed to utter the word 'Clear Wind' before passing out. This matter is undoubtedly the work of the Clear Wind Sect."
When Ye Tianyi first received the Fifth Elder, the elder had not yet lost consciousness; she only lapsed into unconsciousness after speaking those two words.
The Fifth Elder possessed the cultivation of the early Soul Formation stage. To force her into such a state, the assailant could only be at the middle Soul Formation stage or higher. The old Clear Wind ghost had already reached the late Soul Formation stage, so dealing with the Fifth Elder was naturally effortless for him. It was undoubtedly the Clear Wind Ancestor who had personally made a move.
"The old Clear Wind ghost? All these years, we have kept to our own boundaries and never crossed paths. It seems he has received instructions from Chen Shunyi."
Although Ye Qiuyue was impulsive, she knew this matter was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
"Aunt, what should we do now? Our caravan was intercepted on the official road. It is clear that Chen Lou is behind this as well. They are no longer bothering to keep up appearances and are moving against us openly."
Ye Tianyi was deeply anxious. Although the Clear Wind Sect possessed only a single late Soul Formation Ancestor, they still had quite a few early Soul Formation Elders. If an open war broke out, the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion would hold no advantage.
Originally, the Clear Wind Sect had been a bandit stronghold. Two hundred years ago, a rogue cultivator at the middle Soul Formation stage from parts unknown had swept in, absorbed those bandits, and established the Clear Wind Sect upon their old site. That rogue cultivator had proclaimed himself the Clear Wind Ancestor, beginning a rapid expansion through aggressive recruitment that now vaguely threatened to surpass the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion.
Later, however, Ye Qiuyue entered Secluded Cultivation and reached the peak of the Soul Formation stage, causing the Clear Wind Sect to keep a low profile once again-right up until the time Ye Qiuyue broke through to the Body Integration stage, after which the Clear Wind Sect completely ceased all activities within Tianyi City.
Who would have thought that after such a short time, the Clear Wind Sect would brazenly strike at the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion? If anyone claimed no one was pulling the strings behind the scenes, nobody would believe it.
Currently, the peak-tier combat strength of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion consisted of Ye Qiuyue at the Body Integration stage, followed by Ye Tianyi at the middle Soul Formation stage. The remaining four Elders were all at the early Soul Formation stage, and now the Fifth Elder was injured.
The Clear Wind Sect, by contrast, boasted far more combat power: an Ancestor at the late Soul Formation stage, a Great Elder and Second Elder at the middle Soul Formation stage, eight early Soul Formation Elders, and an early Soul Formation Sect Leader-a staggering twelve Soul Formation cultivators in total.
Over the years, who knew what methods the Clear Wind Sect had employed to rope in so many experts, some of whom did not even belong to Qingzhou.
"Clear Wind Sect? Why have I never heard of it?"
Naturally, Qin Xiao had overheard the conversation and asked with curiosity.
"Junior Brother, you've arrived."
When Ye Tianyi saw Qin Xiao, she felt no joy; she was already Utterly Overwhelmed by her own troubles.
"Senior Sister, is this so-called Clear Wind old ghost really that formidable? Is his cultivation higher than Master's wife's? Why does no one here seem to have any intention of seeking revenge?"
Seeing that Ye Tianyi did not answer, Qin Xiao pressed on.
"Xiao'er, although that old thing's strength is only at the late Soul Formation stage, if he relies on the grand Formation of the Clear Wind Sect, I cannot guarantee victory. The enhancement of the Formation grants him combat strength capable of contending with a Body Integration expert. A direct assault is unfeasible; the only way is to find a means to lure that old fellow out."
Ye Qiuyue explained.
If it were merely the old Clear Wind ghost alone, she could easily dispatch him within moments. But this old scoundrel had somehow acquired a complete set of Formation flags and laid them out across the Clear Wind Mountain. Utilizing the power of the Formation, he could fight on par with a Body Integration cultivator.
This was another reason why the old Clear Wind ghost dared to move against the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion. He was utterly unafraid of Ye Qiuyue storming his mountain gate; at worst, he could simply hide inside and refuse to emerge, knowing full well that others would eventually clean up the mess for him.
"Master's wife, why don't I go and lure him out? When the time comes, you can capture him on the spot."
An idea suddenly struck Qin Xiao. If his master's wife went herself, the old Clear Wind ghost would certainly refuse to show his face. But if he went-accompanied by two middle Soul Formation experts-the other party might just take the bait.
"Xiao'er, this matter has nothing to do with you. Do not meddle in it."
Although Ye Qiuyue recognized that the method had merit, she rejected it out of concern for the considerable risks involved.
"Master's wife, what do you mean it has nothing to do with me? You are my master's wife, and the Pavilion Leader is my Senior Sister. Rest assured, I have my own life-preserving methods, and besides, don't I have two bodyguards with me?"
Qin Xiao knew she was only worrying about his safety, but when he had faced danger, his master's wife had come to his aid without a moment's hesitation. Now that the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion was in crisis, if he stood aside and did nothing, would he even be human?
"Aunt, let us try Junior Brother's plan. Otherwise, there is simply no way for us to break this deadlock."
Ye Tianyi chimed in hurriedly.
If the Clear Wind Sect continued its relentless targeting, the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion would truly be left powerless.
"Very well. But Xiao'er, you must exercise the utmost caution."
Ye Qiuyue knew that this was the only viable course for the moment. As long as they could capture the old Clear Wind ghost, the defenses of the Clear Wind Sect would easily crumble.
Meanwhile, within the Clear Wind Sect atop Clear Wind Mountain.
"Righteous Father, are we truly going to war with the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion? That Ye Qiuyue is a Body Integration expert. What shall we do if she attacks our mountain?"
Sect Leader Duan Mingda asked with a trace of anxiety.
"I have told you many times, in front of outsiders you must address me by my position-call me Ancestor."
The Clear Wind Ancestor replied with immediate displeasure.
"Yes, Ancestor, this disciple understands."
Duan Mingda hastened to comply.
He dared not show the slightest defiance. Even though he had already reached the early Soul Formation stage himself, he was well aware of his righteous father's temperament.
Back then, his righteous father had adopted dozens of righteous sons; only he and his younger brother, Duan Mingfei, had survived to the present day. Those who disobeyed had long since been executed.
Although he appeared to be the Sect Leader, virtually all major decisions within the Clear Wind Sect were made by this righteous father of his. He was nothing more than a figurehead.
"You need not worry excessively over this. Even if Ye Qiuyue comes knocking, as long as we close our gates and refuse to step outside, she has no means of breaking our Formation."
Seeing that Duan Mingda was sensible enough, the Clear Wind Ancestor offered a word of explanation.
"Then Ancestor, if she continues to block our gate indefinitely, does that not mean none of us can ever leave?"
The Third Elder, Duan Mingfei, chimed in with a question.
"It matters not. Do you believe I provoked trouble purely on a whim? Taking action against the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion is the Grand Commander's demand; we need only attend to our own duties. Should Ye Qiuyue blockade our gates, I shall naturally request the Grand Commander's intervention. At that time, even Ye Qiuyue can do nothing to us."
The Clear Wind Ancestor was entirely unperturbed. With the Grand Commander as his backing, he felt as secure as Mount Tai.
More importantly, the Grand Commander had already promised him that once the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion fell, the Clear Wind Sect would be elevated in its place, and Tianyi City would even be renamed Clear Wind City.
"Sect Leader! Ancestor! This is terrible! A man and a woman are currently storming the mountain gate!"
Just as the Clear Wind Ancestor was reveling in the prospect of becoming the supreme power in Tianyi City, a disciple rushed in to report.
"What is with all this panic and fluster? Could it be that Ye Qiuyue has launched an attack?"
The Clear Wind Ancestor barked angrily.
"Reporting to Ancestor, it is not Ye Qiuyue. It is two young people. The female looks to be barely over a decade old-she could certainly not be Ye Qiuyue."
The reporting disciple replied in a rush.
"A pack of useless trash! You cannot even handle two youths? Where are those Core Disciples at the Golden Core stage?"
Hearing that the intruders were merely two youngsters, the Clear Wind Ancestor grew even more furious. What was the point of him raising so many Core Disciples?
"Ancestor, our fellow disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage could not even withstand a single blow. The Senior Brothers at the Golden Core stage were likewise defeated within a few exchanges, and even the managing uncles at the Nascent Soul stage have already been injured!"
Disregarding the prospect of punishment, the disciple blurted out the entire situation in one breath.
Upon hearing this, the Clear Wind Ancestor nearly bounced to his feet in rage. They were truly a bunch of good-for-nothing idiots whose cultivation had gone straight to the dogs. With a wave of his hand, he ordered Duan Mingfei to go investigate.
"Utterly useless trash! Mingfei, go down there and capture those two little thieves for me."
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