The moment Patriarch Ji Yin heard the Daoist's words, his heart tightened imperceptibly, and he silently cursed the old fox. But his face betrayed not the slightest change.
"Brother Qi seems to have asked this question more than once already. I, Wu, have said it before — that surnamed Han boy suddenly launched a sneak attack inside the Hall of the Void Heaven and murdered my grandson. That is precisely why I insist on capturing him alive, extracting his soul, and refining his spirit." After his expression turned severe, Patriarch Ji Yin spoke in a cold voice.
"Heh heh! When Brother Wu first arrived two years ago, I naturally believed every word. But now so much time has passed. Brother Wu has remained here on this island, neglecting even your own Black Yin Island, unwilling to turn your attention to the great battle in your own alliance. If it were truly just revenge for your grandson, does Brother Wu think I would believe that?" The Daoist shook his head lightly, unconvinced.
"Moreover, over these two years, not only did you, Brother Wu, suddenly grace our island with your presence — the Myriad Arts Gate quietly sent over an elder, Xuanji, as well. On top of that, at least two or three Nascent Soul cultivators of unknown affiliation have also slipped into our island's waters under disguises. When did our Strange Abyss Island ever possess such appeal, to attract so many powerful figures to our humble shores? It was only two days ago that I finally received confirmed intelligence — these people, just like you, Brother Wu, are all searching for that insect-controlling boy surnamed Han. Don't tell me, Brother Wu, that these fellow cultivators also want to avenge some murdered grandson!" The Daoist surnamed Qi seemed intent on laying his cards on the table, fixing Patriarch Ji Yin with a half-smile as he spoke slowly.
Patriarch Ji Yin's heart jolted. His face turned cold, and he fell into silence.
"Why bother with pointless concealment, Brother Wu? Whatever great secret that boy Han carries, the fact is that so many fellow cultivators already know about it now. One more person knowing makes little difference — one fewer changes nothing either. If Brother Wu simply tells me frankly, it might actually prove more advantageous for you. And in these waters right now, besides your disciple appearing as the Insect Demon, there are other cultivators impersonating that same person at various locations — clearly an attempt to muddy the waters." The Daoist seemed to sense the wavering in Ji Yin's heart and pressed on unperturbed, his tone persuasive.
"Hmph! Since Brother Qi already knows so much, why not investigate the mystery yourself? Why bother asking me?" Patriarch Ji Yin finally replied in an unfriendly tone.
"I believe that even if Brother Wu refuses to tell the truth, I will be able to piece together the whole story within another half year or so. But by then, I'm afraid the people who know about this matter won't include just my Blue Cloud Sect alone. I have no desire to see that happen. If that's the case, it would be better to join forces with you, fellow Daoist, and give it a try first." The Daoist surnamed Qi made no attempt to hide his intentions.
Patriarch Ji Yin's expression shifted between dark and light for a long while after hearing this.
After lowering his head and deliberating for another moment, he finally let out a long sigh and conceded with a bitter smile to the Daoist:
"Sigh! It's not that I, Wu, deliberately wished to deceive you. At the time, to prevent this secret from leaking, several fellow Daoists and I all swore upon our own Heart Demons that we would never reveal this matter to outsiders. However, since Xuanji of the Myriad Arts Gate has also tracked his way here — no matter how much
"That's more like it! Does Brother Wu truly care about such vows? I, Qi, have never paid any attention to that sort of thing. If Heart Demons were really so effective, most of us who cultivate heterodox and demonic arts would have perished long ago." Upon hearing Ji Yin's words, the Daoist's face lit up with delight, and he clapped his hands with a hearty laugh.
"Although I too care little about Heart Demons, if too many people learn of this matter, I'm afraid none of us will even get to lick the leftovers." Patriarch Ji Yin said with a trace of helplessness.
Then his face hardened, his lips moved slightly, and he transmitted his voice.
When the Daoist surnamed Qi saw Patriarch Ji Yin being so cautious, he was initially unconcerned. But after hearing only a few sentences, his expression changed abruptly, his eyes shooting out a gaze of mingled surprise and elation.
"Everything you say is true? That thing has actually appeared?" The Daoist's face was flushed with excitement, his voice trembling ever so slightly.
"If not for that treasure, do you think so many Nascent Soul cultivators would have gathered here?" Patriarch Ji Yin countered flatly.
"You're right! It seems what Brother Wu says is true! You've done a remarkable job keeping this hidden, Brother Wu! This item has been in the open for so long, yet not a single rumor has leaked out. I must say, I'm genuinely impressed. Still, if you had told me earlier, I would have sent more people, and we might have found that boy sooner." In his wild delight, the Daoist could not help letting a hint of reproach slip into his words.
"You make it sound so simple, fellow Daoist. Could such a matter just be casually leaked? If I hadn't felt that after keeping it secret for so long, the others might have let something slip too, I wouldn't have said a word even now. The fewer people who know, the better," Patriarch Ji Yin replied irritably.
"Brother Wu has a point! If I had been the one to learn of this information, I certainly wouldn't want one more person cutting into the treasure." The Daoist nodded, agreeing without the slightest objection.
"However, looking at the situation now, this news can't be suppressed much longer. The revelation of this treasure will eventually spread far and wide." A twitch passed across Patriarch Ji Yin's face, a flash of unwillingness crossing his features.
"Heh heh! Brother Wu should know — there is no wall in this world that the wind cannot pass through. I'll take my leave now. I'm going to send more people out immediately, to try to find this person before anyone else does." The Daoist surnamed Qi offered a word of consolation, then rose to his feet and took his leave, a faint trace of excitement visible on his face.
Patriarch Ji Yin did not try to keep him long. He cupped his fists and watched the Daoist exit through the door until he vanished from sight.
Patriarch Ji Yin sat back down in his chair, his body perfectly still. But a cold smile appeared on his face.
It seemed that once the word "profit" came into play, the other party immediately became even more anxious than himself.
His choice to reveal the matter of the Void Heaven Cauldron to the Daoist — that had been the right move after all.