Feng Xiaotian pondered for a moment before saying, "Back in the day, Yunxiao Sect was famed across the world for crafting talismans. So this question will be related to talismans."
As he spoke, someone brought over a talisman, "If any of you can name this talisman, that person will be the destined one."
There were actually a few talisman crafters among the group, but every single one of them looked completely baffled.
Because none of them recognized it!
Disappointment surfaced on Feng Xiaotian's face, "Although this type of talisman may have already been lost to time, a qualified talisman crafter should at least be able to infer its general function from the basic talisman patterns alone.
Sigh!
It seems none of you are the destined one we are looking for."
Just then, Shen Zhilian's eyes lit up, "Senior! Is this a type of teleportation talisman?"
Feng Xiaotian was both surprised and delighted, "Correct! It is a Thousand-Li Teleportation Talisman, far superior in grade to ordinary teleportation talismans.
Are you a talisman crafter?"
Shen Zhilian nodded, "I've only been studying for a month. My skills are still very superficial."
Feng Xiaotian nodded repeatedly, "To reach this level after only one month, truly worthy of a top-grade water spiritual root genius!
"Are you willing to take on the task of uncovering the truth behind the destruction of Yunxiao Sect?"
Shen Zhilian nodded, "This junior is willing."
Feng Xiaotian smiled with satisfaction, and the other resentful spirits also showed looks of joy.
"At dawn, I will give you half of Yunxiao Sect's treasures. The remaining half will be given once you uncover the truth.
However, to be safe, you must swear a heart-demon oath."
Shen Zhilian agreed at once and swore the oath on the spot.
At daybreak, Feng Xiaotian kept his word. Not only did he send everyone out of the underground palace, he also gave Shen Zhilian an ancient-looking storage ring.
When Shen Zhilian sent her spiritual sense inside, her face filled with delight.
The cultivation resources inside were clearly extraordinary.
Many people were so jealous they felt sour all over.
Especially Jun Wen and Xing Wu, both of them were practically turning into pickled vegetables!
Feng Xi, on the other hand, looked completely calm and detached.
Money is easy to earn. Life is hard to keep.
She valued her life.
Just as they were about to leave the ruins, Feng Xiaotian's voice echoed through the void, "Feng Xi, you attained enlightenment atop our Yunxiao Sect's ruins. That can be considered receiving our sect's grace.
I ask that you bring our sect's mountain gate plaque out of the secret realm, so that the Yunxiao Sect may see the light of day once more!
Find a place of fine scenery and set it up there."
Feng Xi thought the request was reasonable and readily agreed.
She bowed respectfully, then carefully removed the Yunxiao Sect plaque that was already close to crumbling and placed it into her storage ring.
After everyone had gone some distance, Feng Xiaotian's voice sounded again, "Because the aura of our resentful spirits has leaked out and drawn the Heavenly Dao's rejection, the exit of the secret realm has shifted to the peak of Heavenly Sword Peak.
It will close in one hour. May you rely on your own fortune."
Everyone: "..."
Xing Wu cursed furiously!
"You old undead bastard! Why didn't you say that earlier?!
You can't fly here! One hour is barely enough to reach the foot of Heavenly Sword Peak, how are we supposed to climb up?!"
The others were furious as well, but anger wouldn't solve anything. They had to think fast.
A trace of smugness flashed through Shen Zhilian's eyes.
Feng Xi, you think you can compare with my luck?
Not only did I obtain Yunxiao Sect's treasure, now I even have a chance to win everyone's gratitude.
She spoke softly, "Before I went to the border city, my master gave me a spirit treasure. It can function as a temporary teleportation array within secret realms, directly sending people outside."
Instantly, everyone was overjoyed. They hadn't expected Shen Zhilian to have a spirit treasure, much less a teleportation-type. This meant there's hope!
Even Xing Wu found Shen Zhilian slightly more pleasing to the eye.
Then Shen Zhilian frowned, "However, the teleportation treasure has a limit. It can only carry eighteen people. There are twenty-five of us. How should we allocate the spots?"
Everyone froze.
Right now in the secret realm, there were five from Hunyuan Sect, six from Wan Jian Sect, six from Beast Taming Sect, three from Xuantian Sect, and five independent cultivators.
Hunyuan Sect members would obviously take those spots.
Who should the last thirteen places be allocated to?.
The five independent cultivators exchanged bitter smiles. They didn't even need to think about it, there's no way they'd be included.
Rather than waiting here, they might as well try their luck climbing Heavenly Sword Peak.
So they cupped their fists to the group and rushed off toward the peak.
Now, twenty people remained.
Mu Zihuai said to Shen Zhilian, "Junior Sister, time is tight. Since the spirit treasure is yours, you should decide who goes."
Shen Zhilian nodded, then cast a meaningful look at Feng Xi, "In that case, Feng Xi, Jun Wen, you two could figure it out yourselves."
Feng Xi wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Neither was Jun Wen.
He thought, not taking me?
As if this young master wants to ride your lousy spirit treasure!
As long as little junior sister was around, she'd definitely find a way to bring me out!
Who knows, there might even be other gains!
Besides, you're a walking jinx. For all we know, that treasure might break halfway and crush everyone into idiots!
Jiang Ji frowned, "Give my spot to Feng Xi. I'll stay behind."
Shen Zhilian replied coolly, "No substitutions."
Jiang Ji glanced at her, "Then I'll stay."
After everything that had happened, he had seen clearly that Shen Zhilian was not only narrow-minded, but very vicious.
He felt deeply relieved that earlier, when he was poisoned, little junior sister had exposed the truth first.
Otherwise, if Shen Zhilian had really cured him of poison, gratitude might've led him to do things that betrayed his sect and Feng Xi.
Shen Zhilian looked at the rest, "Anyone else not leaving?"
Xing Wu hesitated. He'd already been a coward once with the One-Horned Stone Salamanders. Should he leave or stay this time?
Finally, he gritted his teeth, "I'm staying!"
Damn it!
Worst case, I'll become a resentful spirit here!
Besides, Jun Wen's still around too, at least I'll have someone to argue with!
Qin Shifeng was almost angered to death!
"Xing Wu! Don't be stupid! If you want to die, I won't stop you, but do it after we return to the sect!"
Xing Wu stuck out his neck, "I'm not going! If you've got the guts, then beat me to death!"
Qin Shifeng slapped him once, directly knocking him unconscious.
Everyone: "..."
Shen Zhilian immediately took out the teleportation treasure. Once it activated, everyone stepped onto it and vanished.
Jun Wen stared at Feng Xi, "Little Junior Sister, what do we do now?"
Feng Xi held up three fingers, "First option, go find old man Feng. He just tested us with a Thousand-Li Teleportation Talisman, he definitely has a way to teleport us out.
That old fox is probably just messing with us!
Second option, we entered through a teleportation array at the bottom of the pool. If there's one entrance, there must be a corresponding array inside the secret realm. Find it, and we're out.
Third option, did you forget? We still have a mom who could fly!"
Jun Wen: …A mom who can fly?
That stupid bird?