Yun Jin and the others had just mixed into the area where the outer disciples were.
Someone from the inner sect arrived.
They said that a banquet would be held in the evening and a group of outer disciples was needed to serve.
Tasks like serving were generally not assigned to inner disciples. Outer disciples were essentially half-servants within the sect, so such matters were usually handled by selecting people from here.
Under Lin Ya's arrangements, Yun Jin and the others were smoothly selected.
Night slowly fell.
Yun Jin and the others followed a group of outer disciples into the banquet.
This banquet was held outdoors.
The location was on a massive pavilion platform.
Right now, the platform has been arranged, with each table filled with jars of fine wine and various delicacies prepared by spirit chefs.
As soon as one entered, a rich fragrance could be smelled.
Each outer disciple was assigned a specific person to serve.
To avoid making things too deliberate, Lin Ya didn't interfere any further. Yun Jin and the others were each assigned their own targets to serve.
For this seating arrangement, the highest seats were occupied by the several Supreme Elders.
Below that, at the head seats on the left and right sides, were Lin Ya and Zhao Wuji.
And Lin Ya's seat was actually placed at the left head position.
Under normal circumstances, the left side is honored above, subtly placing him above Zhao Wuji.
At a banquet he himself organized, he was actually overshadowed by Lin Ya.
Yet Zhao Wuji showed no anger at all. Instead, he wore a smiling expression, as if he had truly changed.
Having been reminded in advance by Yun Jin, Lin Ya naturally didn't relax his guard. Instead, he became even more tense.
Tonight.
He had also made some arrangements in secret.
If there truly was a plan to collude with demons to attack Tianxing Sect, then Zhao Wuji would definitely find a way to deal with the sect-protecting formation.
Although Tianxing Sect was only a mid-tier sect, its sect-protecting artifact, the Tianxing Bell, was quite effective. If battle broke out, the several Supreme Elders could immediately activate the barrier by ringing the Tianxing Bell. By then, even a Mahayana Stage attack would take considerable effort to break through.
To eliminate this barrier.
There were two methods.
One was to steal the Tianxing Bell.
Without the Tianxing Bell, the barrier couldn't be activated.
But the Tianxing Bell had always been kept by the three Supreme Elders, so Zhao Wuji probably had no opportunity to approach it.
The second method.
Was to destroy the energy formations that powered the barrier.
To activate the barrier, besides the Tianxing Bell, a large amount of spiritual power was also required.
Tianxing Sect normally stored sufficient spirit stones in these energy formations in preparation for emergencies.
There were three such energy formations, located in three hidden places within the sect.
These three locations.
Were only known to successive sect leaders.
If Zhao Wuji wanted to destroy the barrier, he would definitely find people to destroy those three places.
At the moment, Lin Ya didn't know where exactly these three locations were.
But he had already arranged for people to monitor the movements of Zhao Wuji's disciples.
If anything unusual was discovered, they would immediately report to him.
Lin Ya roughly knew what his own disciples had been transformed into.
But he didn't deliberately look, pretending to know nothing.
Yun Jin was assigned to serve Fang Mingyue, the Peak Master of Bright Moon Peak.
Yun Jin stood behind Fang Mingyue, lowering her gaze, appearing very obedient.
Fang Mingyue couldn't help but turn her head and glance at Yun Jin.
This outer disciple clearly had an ordinary appearance, with nothing remarkable, yet she felt a faint sense of familiarity from her.
This made Fang Mingyue herself a bit puzzled.
Has she seen this person before?
But at her level of cultivation, she already possessed photographic memory.
She had clearly never interacted with this disciple before.
Curiosity arose, and Fang Mingyue wanted to probe Yun Jin.
Just as she was about to act.
Zhao Wuji stood up.
Fang Mingyue immediately withdrew her gaze.
Zhao Wuji said loudly, "Everyone, previously, for the sake of a few disciples, I, Zhao Wuji, did make many mistakes. During these past few days, I have reflected well. I truly was too partial toward my disciples and lost some of the fairness expected of a sect leader. To make up for my past mistakes, I have brought out all my treasured fine wines to share with everyone. To show sincerity, I will punish myself with three cups."
As Zhao Wuji spoke, he drank three cups himself.
Yun Jin raised her eyes and carefully observed Zhao Wuji's actions.
Zhao Wuji really did drink those three cups of wine, without secretly forcing them out or doing anything else.
Then…
Could it be that his wine was fine, but everyone else's wine had problems?
Just as Yun Jin was thinking this.
Lin Ya also stood up.
Lin Ya smiled and said, "Such a small matter isn't worth bringing up again and again. Old Zhao, I see that the wine in your cup seems better than mine. How about we switch?"
Carrying his wine jar, Lin Ya directly walked over.
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly endured it.
Everything had already been planned.
No matter how pleased Lin Ya seemed now, this would only be his final moment of glory, why bother arguing with him?
Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Zhao Wuji not only didn't get angry, but instead revealed a smile.
He smiled slightly, "The one I wronged the most was Peak Master Lin. Since Peak Master Lin has spoken, of course I will comply."
Zhao Wuji directly exchanged the cups of wine with Lin Ya.
"Old Zhao, what's wrong with my wine? Drink a cup and tell me," Lin Ya said with a grin, acting carefree.
Forcefully switching someone else's wine, and then asking them to drink it in front of you.
This action was quite obviously targeted.
Fortunately, everyone knew.
Lin Ya and Zhao Wuji had always been at odds. Ever since Lin Ya rose in power, he had never concealed his targeting of Zhao Wuji.
So his behavior today seemed quite normal.
In the past.
Whenever Lin Ya provoked him, Zhao Wuji's expression would turn extremely unpleasant. But this time, Zhao Wuji's temper had suddenly improved.
Hearing Lin Ya's words, Zhao Wuji only smiled bitterly and said, "Alright, alright, I'll do as you said."
Fang Mingyue blinked as she watched.
Faintly.
There's actually even a hint of indulgence?
The moment this thought appeared, she startled herself.
She must've gone crazy to have such a strange thought.
But Zhao Wuji was indeed acting strangely tonight.
Under everyone's gaze, Zhao Wuji smiled bitterly, poured a cup from Lin Ya's wine jar, and drank it in one gulp.
He held up the empty cup for Lin Ya to see, "It really is good wine."
Lin Ya's gaze flickered.
His wine also had no problem.
But.
This wasn't right.
There must be something wrong with this banquet.
If the problem wasn't in the wine, then it must be elsewhere.
"Old Zhao, you have quite the alcohol tolerance!" Lin Ya laughed, then suddenly slapped Zhao Wuji's shoulder heavily. He didn't leave, instead pulling Zhao Wuji to sit down, "Come, come, let's settle our grievances over drinks."
Zhao Wuji frowned, shifting uncomfortably.
But Lin Ya tightly held onto him, refusing to let go.
Zhao Wuji couldn't help but glance at him, then narrowed his eyes.
Lin Ya seemed to be guarding against him.
But.
It didn't matter.
There's indeed nothing wrong with the wine.
No matter how Lin Ya tested him, nothing would be found.
Yun Jin observed secretly. Seeing Zhao Wuji be so confident, she couldn't help but frown slightly.
If the problem wasn't in the wine, then where was it?
What else could cause everyone to be affected?
"Alright, Lin Ya, you're the most troublesome one," one Supreme Elder said with a chuckle, then raised his wine cup, "Come, everyone, let's drink together."
Yun Jin lowered her eyes and obediently poured wine for Fang Mingyue, still pondering where the problem lay.
Suddenly, Yun Jin smelled a very faint fragrance.