C15 Lin Yi's Ambition

"Alright, but I'll only walk you to the door; I won't enter," Aying said, her face etched with fear. Her large eyes blinked rapidly, eliciting a pang of sympathy from onlookers.

"Aying, have they been bullying you? Don't worry, I'm here now," Yang Xiu reassured her, puzzled by the depth of his concern for the young girl. He simply couldn't stand to see her distressed.

Guided by Aying, Yang Xiu made his way to the guest room, holding onto her hand firmly, undeterred by the hostile glares that seemed to devour her.

Aside from Lin Zhengyang, everyone looked at Aying with animosity. It was clear why she had been so reluctant to come here. Her hand gripped Yang Xiu's with a nervous intensity.

Had Yang Xiu not been firmly holding her, she might have collapsed in terror.

Lin Zhengyang rose from the head seat and said, "Young Friend Yang Xiu, please be seated first. We have important matters to discuss."

Releasing Aying's hand, Yang Xiu escorted her to the door, offering a warm smile. "Thank you for showing me the way. Please wait for me at my residence; I have a token of appreciation for you."

Yang Xiu returned to his seat and settled in, remaining silent as he calmly sipped his tea.

Lin Yi watched Yang Xiu with a scowl. "Sect Master Senior Brother, why is this thief being treated like an honored guest? The Yin Meridian isn't something that can be stolen so easily."

At that moment, Lin Zhengyang produced a scroll—the very one Yang Xiu had given to Lee Qingyuan. Lin Yi's face shifted upon seeing it.

"What's the big deal? I've seen it before. Even though it has its unique points, it's not comparable to the Yin Meridian," Lin Yi remarked, his unease not escaping Yang Xiu's notice.

"Sect Master Lin, may I examine the scroll once more?" Yang Xiu requested, extending his hand.

However, Lin Yi was quick to interject, "No, it's covered in our notes now. We can't allow this thief to benefit from our work without lifting a finger."

The self-righteous indignation on his face appeared utterly contemptible to Yang Xiu. He had already learned everything from his previous conversation with Lin Zhengyang; Lin Yi's true desire was to claim the title of Sect Master.

"Alright, I won't look at it anymore. Since I've used your Yin Meridian to nurture my own ghost, I'll re-gift the Ghost Controlling Technique to you today."

Yang Xiu wasn't overly concerned. After all, Lin Yi was merely an elder here, and the current Sect Master of Mao Mountain was Lin Zhengyang. As long as Lin Zhengyang wished to protect him, no one would dare object.

That is, unless a full-blown rebellion erupted.

At the moment, the expressions of the elders in attendance varied. Some were angry, while others bowed their heads, seemingly in anticipation of something.

Yet, Yang Xiu was now offering to give the cultivation method back to Lin Zhengyang, effectively relinquishing the advantage he had. This was precisely why Lin Yi was so intent on eliminating Yang Xiu.

Yang Xiu had already begun to silently recite the contents of the scroll, and Lin Zhengyang's gaze upon the scroll grew increasingly intense.

The previously silent elders now looked on with eyes wide open, utterly surprised that Yang Xiu would so readily hand over the entire technique.

At the crucial juncture, Yang Xiu's voice came to an abrupt halt: "Sect Master Lin, the subsequent parts contain the essence of the technique. I've handed it over to you. Review it to see if it aligns with you, and if anything is missing, come find me."

As soon as Yang Xiu finished speaking, all the elders gazed at Lin Zhengyang with eager eyes, except for Lin Yi, whose face turned a shade of iron. He had been the first to receive the scroll.

If not for this turn of events, how could Lin Zhengyang's scroll appear so ordinary now? Despite its subtlety, it was hardly extraordinary.

Now, with Yang Xiu publicly completing the technique, Lin Yi's face showed his discomfort.

Meanwhile, Lee Qingyuan was eavesdropping from just outside the door. Hearing the entire conversation, he realized that his master had not passed on the complete Ghost Controlling Arts to the sect.

Lee Qingyuan felt a sense of foreboding. Why would his master hoard such vital knowledge? Could it be that he...?

Lee Qingyuan couldn't bear to continue that thought.

Once the idea took hold, it refused to be dismissed. If the master were to betray the sect, he would have to wield the Ghost Controlling Arts to usurp power. Such infighting spelled danger for Mao Mountain.

Everyone present was acutely aware of the situation, yet they were powerless against Lin Yi, who held something unshakeable in her grasp.

Yang Xiu was keenly aware that his worth had diminished and that he had become a ticking time bomb.

"The level of Ghost Controlling Arts you're concerned with doesn't faze me. If you're willing to trade the Yin Meridian, I'm prepared to offer the Five-ghost Moving Technique in exchange."

Yang Xiu appeared nonchalant, yet his words caused the elders, including Lin Zhengyang, to gasp for air, their faces flushed with excitement. The Ghost Controlling Technique was legendary to them.

The Yin Meridian, though valuable, paled in comparison to the allure of such a potent Ghost Controlling Technique. The Yin Meridian could regenerate over time, but the Five-ghost Moving Technique was a rare and elusive art.

With a graceful exit, Yang Xiu left the Mao Mountain elders exchanging bewildered glances. As he stepped out, he looked back and said, "Take your time to consider. If I decide to take it, there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Yang Xiu's words were boastful but rang with truth. His cultivation alone made him formidable, and with his demonic abilities, escape was effortless.

In the wake of Yang Xiu's departure, the Mao Mountain community was abuzz with shock and fervor. "Sect Master, retaining this individual would greatly benefit Mao Mountain," they exclaimed.

Despite his initial astonishment, Sect Master Lin Zhengyang quickly composed himself. "The individual is now a guest elder. It's up to you to act wisely. I will do all I can."

Sect Master Lin hurried after Yang Xiu, leaving the crowd filled with hope and anticipation. Only Lin Yi stood apart, his face a mask of avarice, clearly not holding Mao Mountain's interests at heart.

Yang Xiu returned to the courtyard to find Aying diligently boiling water and preparing tea. Her face lit up with a joyful smile upon seeing him.

"Brother, brother, you're amazing! Before, the elders would always berate me, calling me a jinx. But today, none of them scolded me!"

Aying's face beamed with happiness, as if it were the greatest joy in the world.

Yang Xiu, however, felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing this. His own past came to mind, and he couldn't help but see the similarities between himself and the young girl.

"Alright, now I have a gift for you. You'll see that your brother has always looked out for you!"

As Yang Xiu spoke, he channeled his stellar power into the girl's body, carefully aligning her meridians. It was then that he discovered Aying's veins were extraordinarily unique – she possessed the innate body of ghosts and gods. It was no wonder that Lin Zhengyang had chosen to keep her.