I walk sideways in the game world

Chapter 117: Tranquility and Undercurrents after the Trial

After the trial, Ren Xiaoyao's story of defeating powerful enemies, even battling the fallen Ziyang Zhenren at the last moment and ultimately forcing him to retreat, spread like wildfire throughout the Immortal Sect. For a time, he became a hot topic throughout the Immortal Sect, especially among the younger disciples, who regarded him as a role model. Many of them regarded him as a goal to strive for, and practiced even harder.

However, as the saying goes, "A tall tree attracts the wind," Ren Xiaoyao's rising fame also aroused jealousy and dissatisfaction from some people.

A few days later, at the elders' meeting, all the elders gathered to discuss the future direction of the sect. Although Zi Yang Zhenren had been ravaged by demonic energy, he had found a blessing in disguise, and his cultivation had reached a new level. He sat upright, as if nothing had happened.

"Everyone, during this trial, I discovered a rare talent." Zi Yang Zhenren's gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Ren Xiaoyao. "Ren Xiaoyao is young and promising, with extraordinary talent. He performed exceptionally well during the trial. I believe he should be involved in important decisions regarding the Immortal Sect. What do you think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the elders began to discuss the matter. Some agreed, believing that Ren Xiaoyao was young and promising and should be given a chance; others disagreed, believing that it would be inappropriate for him to be involved in such an important decision-making process due to his lack of experience.

"Brother Ziyang, you're wrong," a white-bearded elder spoke slowly. He was an elder of the same generation as Master Ziyang, named Taoist Qingfeng. "Although Ren Xiaoyao is a promising talent, he's still young and inexperienced. If I were to let him participate in important decision-making, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to convince the public."

"Junior Brother Qingfeng, you are worrying too much. I believe that with Ren Xiaoyao's ability, he will be able to do it." True Man Zi Yang disagreed.

"That being said, we must also consider the feelings of the other disciples." Another elder echoed, "If we easily break the rules of the Immortal Sect, it might cause unnecessary trouble."

True Man Zi Yang wanted to say something else, but was signaled to stop by the Sect Leader who was sitting in the first seat.

"We'll discuss this later." The Sect Leader pondered for a moment and then said slowly, "Ren Xiaoyao, please leave first."

Although Ren Xiaoyao felt unwilling, he could only bow and take his leave.

After leaving the hall, he went straight back to his residence.

"Xiaoyao, are you okay?" Xia Lin came forward and asked with concern.

Ren Xiaoyao shook his head and briefly recounted what happened at the elders' meeting.

"Those old guys are so pedantic!" Charlene said indignantly. "They're clearly jealous of your talent!"

Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly and said nothing. He knew that things were not that simple.

"Oh, Xiaoyao," Xia Lin said in a low voice, as if she suddenly remembered something, "I heard..."

Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who?" Ren Xiaoyao asked.

"It's me, Lingxiao," a cold voice called from outside the door. Fairy Lingxiao, dressed in a light blue dress and with a cold expression, walked lightly into the room. She glanced around, confirming that no one else was around, then lowered her voice to Ren Xiaoyao, "Junior Brother Xiaoyao, I'm afraid today's events aren't as simple as they appear."

Ren Xiaoyao frowned slightly: "Why do you say that, Senior Sister?"

Fairy Lingxiao walked to the window, gazed into the distance, and said in a serious tone: "Those elders who oppose you seem to be colluding with an evil force outside. I have been secretly observing them for many days and found that they often secretly communicate with some unidentified people, and every conversation is very secretive. I suspect..."

"What force?" Xia Lin couldn't help but interrupt.

Fairy Lingxiao shook her head: "I don't know either, but to be able to collude with the elders of the Immortal Sect, he must be from a powerful background, and his purpose is definitely not simple."

Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, a glint in his eyes: "This matter is of great importance, we must get to the bottom of it."

"But where should we start?" asked Xia Lin.

"Maybe we can find some clues in the immortal sect's library." Ren Xiaoyao said.

That night, in the dead of night, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin sneaked into the library. They flipped through countless books in the vast ocean of books and finally found some records about the evil force.

"According to ancient records, this force is called the 'Netherworld Cult'. They believe in evil gods, act in secret, and use cruel methods. They once caused a bloody storm in the world of cultivation, but were later wiped out by the righteous forces. Unexpectedly..." Xia Lin's voice trembled.

Ren Xiaoyao's brow furrowed, a sense of unease welling up in his heart. The Netherworld Sect—this name was familiar to him. In the illusionary realm of the trial, he had once fought against the Netherworld Sect's leader. It had been a thrilling battle, and while he had ultimately emerged victorious, he had also been deeply shocked by the other's strength.

"It seems that the collusion between those elders and the Netherworld Cult is no accident," Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice, "We must quickly investigate their purpose, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous."

Just then, a slight sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin immediately became alert. They looked at each other, held their breath, and hid behind the bookshelf quietly.

The door was gently pushed open and a familiar figure walked in.

"It's Taoist Qingfeng!" Xia Lin exclaimed in a low voice.

Ren Xiaoyao signaled her not to make a sound, his eyes fixed on Taoist Qingfeng's back, his heart full of doubts, what was he doing here?

Taoist Qingfeng didn't seem to notice their presence. He walked straight to a bookshelf, reached out and took down an ancient book from it, then turned and left the room.

Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin walked out from behind the bookshelf with surprised expressions on their faces.

"How could he..." Xia Lin hesitated to speak.

Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "Let's go, let's follow!"

The two quietly followed Taoist Qingfeng, passing through deep corridors, and finally arrived in front of a secluded courtyard...

Outside the courtyard, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin hid behind a dense old tree and watched Taoist Qingfeng walk in. They looked at each other, and saw confusion and a hint of uneasiness in each other's eyes.

"Brother Xiaoyao, do you think Taoist Qingfeng...will be the same as those elders?" Xia Lin asked in a low voice, with a hint of worry in her tone.

Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Master Qingfeng is an upright person, deeply loved by his disciples. He would not betray his master. But his coming here so late at night and taking the ancient book is indeed suspicious. Let's wait and see what happens."

The two were about to sneak into the courtyard when they heard a cough behind them. "Ahem, there's no need to hide. I've noticed you for a long time."

Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin were startled and turned around to see that Taoist Qingfeng had been standing behind them, stroking his beard and looking at them with a smile.

"Master..." Ren Xiaoyao opened his mouth, not knowing how to explain for a moment.

Taoist Qingfeng waved his hand, signaling them not to be nervous. "I know you are investigating the Netherworld Cult. This matter is of great importance. You two are inexperienced, so it would be inappropriate to act rashly."

"Master, you also know about the Netherworld Sect?" Xia Lin asked in surprise.

Taoist Qingfeng nodded. "The Netherworld Cult is still haunting us, and I've been secretly investigating it, but I've been struggling with a lack of solid evidence. Since you two have already found some clues, I'm willing to lend you a hand."

Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin were overjoyed upon hearing this, and quickly bowed to Taoist Qingfeng to express their gratitude.

“Thank you for your help!”

Taoist Qingfeng helped them up and said, "No need to be so polite. Exorcising demons and defending the Way is the duty of cultivators like us. However, you two still need more practice in the art of tracking and investigating."

After that, Taoist Qingfeng taught them a magical technique called "Tracking Incense", which can track the target's whereabouts based on the target's residual breath, and taught them how to hide their breath to avoid being detected by the enemy.

A few days later, Ren Xiaoyao received a mission from the Immortal Sect to investigate a place with unusual spiritual energy outside the city. He arrived at his destination alone and discovered that it was actually a deserted temple. From the depths of the temple, a faint and eerie aura emanated, exactly the same as the one he had experienced in the trial illusion.

Ren Xiaoyao's heart trembled, realizing that this was most likely the Netherworld Cult's hideout. He carefully infiltrated the temple, using the tracking incense taught by Taoist Qingfeng to follow the scent.

However, just as he was about to approach his target, he accidentally triggered a restriction. Suddenly, the alarm sounded, flames shot up into the sky all around, and countless men in black emerged from the darkness and surrounded him.

"Oh no, I've fallen into a trap!" Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself that something was wrong. He knew that he was exposed.

"Kill him!" The leader of the men in black gave an order, and everyone rushed forward, swords flashing and sabers flying, aiming straight for Ren Xiaoyao's vital points.

At the critical moment, a white shadow flashed by, accompanied by a delicate cry, "Brother Xiaoyao, I'm here to help you!"

The person who came was Xia Lin. She held a long sword, the sword light was like a rainbow, and she charged into the enemy camp. She stood back to back with Ren Xiaoyao, jointly resisting the enemy's attack.

"Why are you here?" Ren Xiaoyao asked while resisting the attack.

"I was worried that you might be in danger, so I followed you all the way. Fortunately, I caught up with you," Charlene replied.

"Kill! Don't leave any alive!" Seeing the bad situation, the leader of the men in black ordered an all-out attack.

Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin fought side by side. They cooperated well with each other and their swordsmanship was so sharp that they defeated the men in black one after another.

However, at this moment, a cold voice came from the depths of the temple, "What a perfect couple! How dare you trespass into the forbidden area of the Netherworld Sect? Today, I will make sure you never return!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful pressure came over him. Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin felt their breath was choked and their bodies involuntarily retreated.

"Oh no! It's a master from the Netherworld Sect!" Ren Xiaoyao's face changed, and he gripped his sword tightly, ready to fight to the death...

Deep within the temple, a powerful pressure grew closer. Accompanied by a sinister laugh, a figure in a black robe, his face hidden in the shadows, slowly emerged. Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin stood back to back, ready for battle. They knew the real battle had just begun.

"Brother Xiaoyao, be careful!" Xia Lin warned in a low voice, the long sword in her hand shining coldly, reflecting her solemn expression.

"Hmm!" Ren Xiaoyao responded calmly, his eyes fixed on the dark figure. He knew that the man before him was far superior to those black-clad minions from before. Judging from the spiritual energy emanating from him, he must be at least a powerful being at the Golden Core Stage or above!

The black-robed figure seemed a little surprised by Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin's stubborn resistance. He smiled sinisterly and said, "Interesting! I didn't expect you two youngsters could actually force me to show up. However, that's all!"

Before he finished speaking, the black-robed figure flashed and transformed into a black mist, rushing towards Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin at lightning speed. Ren Xiaoyao was prepared. He shook the long sword in his hand and used the "Blue Lotus Sword Song". The sword light turned into tiny blue lotuses and rushed towards the black mist.

"Ding, ding, dang!" A series of crisp metallic collisions echoed, and Ren Xiaoyao felt a powerful force surge upon him, numbing his palms and causing him to involuntarily retreat backwards. Xia Lin was similarly unable to withstand the black-robed figure's attack, and was forced to retreat repeatedly.

"Haha, you can't even withstand a single blow!" The black-robed figure laughed wildly, and his attack became more and more fierce, like a violent storm, completely enveloping Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin.

"Brother Xiaoyao, we can't go on like this. We must find a way to break out!" Xia Lin said anxiously. Although they joined forces to resist the attack of the black-robed figure, they were obviously at a disadvantage. If they continued like this, they would be defeated by him sooner or later.

Ren Xiaoyao knew this, but he couldn't think of any good solution. At this moment, he suddenly had an idea and remembered the "Tracking Incense" taught to him by Taoist Qingfeng. Perhaps he could use it to escape the current predicament!

Thinking of this, Ren Xiaoyao quickly said to Xia Lin, "Lin'er, cover me. I'll try to use the tracking incense to disrupt his sight!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Lin immediately understood Ren Xiaoyao's intention. She nodded and danced the sword in her hand tightly, blocking all the attacks of the black-robed figure and buying time for Ren Xiaoyao.

Ren Xiaoyao took the opportunity to take out a sachet from his arms and crushed it. Suddenly, a strange fragrance spread out and quickly spread around.

"What is this?" The black-robed figure was slightly stunned. He clearly felt that the fragrance was a bit strange, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.

"Now, Lin'er, let's go!" Ren Xiaoyao seized the opportunity, took Xia Lin's hand, used his lightness skills, and rushed out of the temple.

"Want to leave? Not so easy!" The black-robed figure reacted, roared, and gave chase. However, the strange fragrance had an effect on him, his vision began to blur, and his speed slowed down.

In the end, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin successfully escaped the temple and disappeared into the night. However, the black-robed figure lost track of them due to the interference of the tracking incense and could only watch them escape, roaring in frustration.

However, Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin both understood that this was only a temporary victory. Their investigation had already attracted the attention of the Netherworld Cult, and what awaited them next would be an even more dangerous challenge.

"It seems our actions have alarmed their top brass." Ren Xiaoyao gazed towards the distant Immortal Gate, his eyes not relaxed at all, but rather more solemn. He knew the real test had just begun.