Chapter 540: Internal Turmoil

Afterward, Yan Buji investigated extensively within the Wandering Heaven Sect, finally finding among the visitors the person who traded with the sect leader, and confirmed their meeting place.

After a few more days, Yan Buji searched day and night, and finally located where the sect leader stored the spiritual stones.

"It's fine, as long as the timing is right....."

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes and quietly left the Wandering Heaven Sect.

Afterward, Yan Buji repeated his work at the Wandering Heaven Sect, then went to the Wind Spirit Sect and Treasure Flood Dragon Island in succession.

After half a year, everything was ready.

Yan Buji returned to the Wandering Heaven Sect and saw many disciples standing in the sect's square, withdrawing in an orderly manner.

"Have two Nascent Soul cultivators been sent to escort?"

Yan Buji thought it over, then went to Zhao Xun's residence, slipped a letter into the doorframe crack, and waited for someone to pass by and find it.

Soon after, a Foundation Establishment cultivator came by, found the letter in the crack, opened it doubtfully, and his face instantly changed.

Seeing that Foundation Establishment cultivator rush off, Yan Buji then sneaked near the Treasure Vault.

"Meanwhile."

The Wandering Heaven Sect leader heard the subordinate's report and stared: "What? Elder Zhao Xun is colluding with the enemy, leaking the information about moving the disciples?!"

"Yes, Sect Leader! This letter was found at Elder Zhao Xun's place, but... something feels off. If Elder Zhao Xun really leaked the news, why would he leave such an obvious loophole in the letter?"

The Wandering Heaven Sect leader appears to be a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, but in fact he has concealed his cultivation; he is actually a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator!

He concealed his strength to better cope with the war between True Yellow Island and the Sinking Dragon Society; if anyone tries to attack the Wandering Heaven Sect, he will surely make them regret that decision!

But this is only one reason; he knows that even as a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator he cannot change the Wandering Heaven Sect's relationship with True Yellow Island, and being dragged into the war is unavoidable. Moreover, the Wandering Heaven Sect and True Yellow Island are close allies; even without giving his all, he cannot stay out of it.

Yet the developments still caught him off guard: True Yellow Island, under the Sinking Dragon Society's fierce assault, gradually showed fatigue, and having them purchase spirit cannons on its behalf would also lead to ambush by the Sinking Dragon Society, causing great disruption to the Wandering Heaven Sect's industries in such an environment.

As his assets dwindled, he had to hastily sell off resources at low prices; after finally liquidating them, he planned to first move the sect's disciples out and leave some behind to guard and avoid risk, but he never expected this to happen.

"This is troublesome; go invite Grand Elder Xiangfei over."

Grand Elder Xiangfei is the True Lord Xiangfei who previously attended the engagement ceremony, and is also one of the two Nascent Soul cultivators leading this team to transfer the disciples.

Soon, True Lord Xiangfei came to the Wandering Heaven Sect leader, clasped his hands, and said: "Sect Leader, the disciples have all gathered; except for those on guard, everyone is present."

"Hmm, something just happened." As he spoke, the sect leader handed the letter to True Lord Xiangfei.

True Lord Xiangfei frowned, opened it, and glanced: "This... who placed this letter?"

"Who do you think placed this letter?"

True Lord Xiangfei thought carefully: even if Zhao Xun really colluded with the enemy, he wouldn't leave a loophole; moreover, although he had been coldly treated by the sect, he suffered no injustice and had no reason to betray the sect.

"The person who placed this letter must be hiding within the sect; since they started with Elder Zhao, they must have lain low for days, knowing recent sect affairs—nothing more than trying to confuse our sight."

"That's true, but if the enemy intends to strike, they're in the dark while we're in the light—how can we ferret them out?" the Wandering Heaven Sect leader pondered.

"Moreover, I worry that if the enemy can remain hidden for days undetected, they likely already learned everything about our plan to move the disciples. If they've passed that information to the Sinking Dragon Society, the society surely won't let this chance slip by."

"Not necessarily; earlier Elder Zhao didn't he set an ambush for a Sinking Dragon Society fleet? Even if they got the news, they wouldn't dare launch a large-scale sortie. Besides, this time I and Fellow Daoist Wang are providing joint protection—unless the Sinking Dragon Society also sends forces of equal strength."

"What if we ally with the Wind Spirit Sect?" the Wandering Heaven Sect leader sighed.

"This..."

Basically, they don't know where the person hiding inside the sect comes from or why they are deliberately spreading rumors. It's very likely this letter was meant to be found, to sow internal strife.

"In short, we can't allow chaos. Zhao Xun also needs to be observed for two days; the transfer of disciples will proceed as originally planned."

"Yes, Sect Leader. What do you think this person hiding inside the sect is after?"

The Wandering Heaven Sect leader frowned: "People seek only fame and fortune; cultivators are no different. Perhaps this person has taken a liking to some treasure of our Wandering Heaven Sect and is deliberately disrupting our information? He surely can't truly intend to annihilate our sect, can he?"

"Over at the Treasure Vault...."

"It's fine; most of the treasures have already been liquidated, so there's nothing left there now."

"Bang!"

Before the Wandering Heaven Sect leader could finish speaking, a violent explosion suddenly came from within the sect!

The Wandering Heaven Sect leader and True Lord Xiangfei exchanged a glance: "It's the Treasure Vault!"

"Sure enough, they're after our sect's treasures—let's go, we must catch that thief!"

"Meanwhile."

"I keep saying it's not me—what right do you have to arrest me? True Lord, you must stand up for me!" Zhao Xun was bound tightly, his cultivation sealed and humiliated, being escorted; just as he reached the Treasure Vault, he saw its doors blown sky‑high.

It turned out that earlier someone had secretly discovered several letters, quite a few, stating that Zhao Xun was secretly communicating with the Sinking Dragon Society, planning to blow up the Wandering Heaven Sect and seize its treasures!

Although some didn't believe it, Zhao Xun became the focus of everyone's attention, hastily defending himself and calling on a True Lord to testify.

Another Nascent Soul True Lord preparing to lead the disciples' transfer also clearly didn't believe it, but Zhao Xun, inept as he was, got angry while arguing, struck some people, and was consequently mobbed by the angry crowd and arrested.

That Nascent Soul True Lord sighed, could only calm the angry disciples, then took some of them and Law Enforcement Hall personnel to escort Zhao Xun to the Treasure Vault.

He had intended to prove Zhao Xun's innocence, but instead happened to witness the Treasure Vault being blown sky‑high.

Zhao Xun also stared, stunned: "How did the Treasure Vault get blown up?"

"Who did this? Who is framing me?!" Zhao Xun flared up, asking himself whether he had any grudges inside the sect; even if there were some disagreements, they couldn't have risen to this level, could they?

"This isn't meant to kill him, is it?"

"Zhao Xun, still saying it wasn't you who did it?!"

"The Treasure Vault's been blown sky‑high—earlier you claimed you wiped out a Sinking Dragon Society fleet; could it be that you and the Sinking Dragon Society were just putting on an act?!"

"Nonsense—I am utterly loyal to the Wandering Heaven Sect; how could I do such a thing? True Lord, believe me—I am definitely being framed."

Before that True Lord could speak, the Wandering Heaven Sect leader and True Lord Xiangfei rushed over and looked around.

"What's going on? Wang Ying?"

"Sect Leader, True Lord Xiangfei, someone blew up the Treasure Vault."

"I'm asking where you are—what's going on with you guys?!" the Wandering Heaven Sect leader frowned, sensing something was wrong.