Chapter 846: Heavenly Flame Festival

When Sect Master Xuankun uttered those words, Xiguang's expression instantly changed dramatically. This implied that Sect Master Xuankun was shifting all blame onto Fang Ao, effectively making Fang Ao's death meaningless.

"Sect Master!" Prefect Xiguang couldn't help but blurt out.

However, when Sect Master Xuankun's faint gaze fell upon him, he shivered and lowered his head, a hint of fear in his eyes.

Sect Master Xuankun was undoubtedly disappointed with Xiguang's actions today. Naturally, his disappointment wasn't with Xiguang's attempt to assassinate Zhou Yuan, but rather with his failure to eliminate Zhou Yuan instantly. This blunder had instead drawn Xi Jing into the fray, escalating the entire situation.

Had Xiguang succeeded immediately, Zhou Yuan would now be dead. Even if Xi Jing had expressed her displeasure, he could have easily given Xiguang a moderate punishment, and Xi Jing likely wouldn't have genuinely escalated the conflict over a deceased individual.

Unfortunately, Xiguang handled the matter far too sloppily.

Zhou Yuan also cast a surprised glance at Sect Master Xuankun, clearly not expecting such decisiveness from the old man. He understood that Xuankun wished to contain the incident, preventing it from escalating and involving more individuals.

This likely included Lu Xiao.

After all, Zhou Yuan didn't believe that the idea for this ambush originated from the simple-minded Fang Ao.

However, Zhou Yuan also knew that with Sect Master Xuankun's protection, implicating Lu Xiao was impossible. Therefore, he could only accept the outcome. In any case, Fang Ao's death was now clearly attributed to his own actions and had no bearing on Zhou Yuan.

The Fire Pavilion, having lost Fang Ao and several elites, was likely significantly weakened.

Ultimately, this confrontation was a complete defeat for the Fire Pavilion. Zhou Yuan suffered no losses; in fact, he even leveraged Fang Ao's actions to resolve the issue of the Heavenly Annihilation Beast. Had they faced it themselves, while they might not have had casualties, severe injuries would have been unavoidable.

Xi Jing, observing the scene calmly, stated, "Now that Fang Ao's matter has been resolved, it's time to address Xiguang's actions. His assassination attempt on the Wind Pavilion Master in broad daylight, if left unpunished, will undermine public trust."

"I propose stripping him of his position as an elder in the Elder Council."

Xiguang's expression shifted. Being stripped of his Elder Council position would mean losing all influence within the Tianyuan Cave Heaven, leaving him with no choice but to return to the main Tianling Sect.

Moreover, the Elder Council positions are incredibly significant. Each spot was secured by the Tianling Sect through considerable effort, and every Elder Council member represents a degree of influence. If Xiguang were to be stripped of his position due to personal reasons, it would undoubtedly result in a major loss for the Tianling Sect.

Sect Master Xuankun's aged face remained unperturbed. He said softly, "Elder Xi Jing, I know you constantly seek to diminish my Tianling Sect's influence within the Elder Council. While Xiguang erred this time, this proposed punishment is too severe. I cannot possibly accept it. Please suggest an alternative."

Zhou Yuan, standing to the side, kept his head down, not getting involved in these discussions. He knew Elder Sister Xi Jing was using this situation as leverage to gain more advantages, and he wasn't in a position to speak during such a strategic negotiation.

Xi Jing was not surprised by Sect Master Xuankun's opposition, as she had deliberately made an extreme demand. While stripping him of his position would be ideal, she was prepared to settle for a lesser outcome.

"Since Sect Master Xuankun objects, I will show you deference this time."

Xi Jing pondered for a moment, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips. She then said, "Next month is the Heavenly Flame Festival. Your Tianling Sect is hosting it this year, correct?"

Sect Master Xuankun's brows immediately furrowed, and he nodded. The so-called Heavenly Flame Festival was an annual ritual in the Tianyuan Region. However, more accurately, it served as a cultivation benefit for prodigies below the Heavenly Sun stage, while also attracting talents from other regions.

Many of the new recruits who joined the four pavilions during the recent Newcomer Ceremony had done so precisely because of this year's Heavenly Flame Festival.

The Heavenly Flame Festival requires the participation of ninety-nine Heavenly Sun stage experts. They will activate the unique Heavenly Sun Flame, exclusive to their stage, and infuse it into the Heavenly Sun Cauldron, which was personally forged by Grand Master Cang Yuan.

Heavenly Sun Flame is exceptionally profound, possessing two miraculous effects: it can temper the physical body and purify Genesis Qi.

If cultivators at the Divine Dwelling stage can absorb and refine it, it offers immense benefits to both their physical bodies and their Genesis Qi.

Nevertheless, Heavenly Sun Flame is quite rare, even for Heavenly Sun stage experts. Few are willing to expend their own Heavenly Sun Flame to assist others, making the Tianyuan Region's Heavenly Flame Festival a truly grand undertaking.

The Heavenly Flame Festival is held annually, with the five Grand Elders taking turns overseeing it. This year, it was the Tianling Sect's turn to host.

Xi Jing chuckled lightly and said, "Then I propose that this year's Heavenly Flame Festival adopts a free refinement method, eliminating the previous allocation of shares."

Under the old rules, the hosting party of the Heavenly Flame Festival would receive forty percent of the total share, with the remaining sixty percent divided among the other factions. Xi Jing's suggestion was clearly intended to break this established protocol.

Sect Master Xuankun naturally understood Xi Jing's objective and said calmly, "It seems Elder Xi Jing won't rest until she's taken a significant portion from our Tianling Sect."

Ninety-nine Heavenly Sun stage experts exerting themselves to activate Heavenly Sun Flame is no small undertaking. Afterward, the Tianling Sect would undoubtedly have to expend vast resources to compensate them. To offset these losses, it was customary for the host to receive a fixed forty percent of the Heavenly Sun Flame.

"Elder Xi Jing certainly holds the Wind Pavilion in high regard."

Xi Jing smiled, "They are my juniors, after all. I must secure some benefits for them, hoping that they will truly become valuable pillars in the future."

Xuankun countered, "Even with free competition, the Fire Pavilion's strength far outweighs the Wind Pavilion's. In the end, it would simply be a wasted effort."

"How would we know without trying?" Xi Jing retorted.

"Are you truly set on this?"

Xi Jing simply smiled, remaining silent.

After a brief exchange, Xuankun paused in silence, then nodded. "Very well," he conceded, "we shall proceed as Elder Xi Jing wishes. This year's Heavenly Flame Festival will be decided by individual capability."

Witnessing Sect Master Xuankun's compromise, Xi Jing let out a soft chuckle.

Sect Master Xuankun cast a glance at Zhou Yuan before turning to Xi Jing and saying meaningfully, "Elder Xi Jing appears to hold this Wind Pavilion Master in unusually high esteem."

A hint of amusement flickered deep in his eyes as he added in a peculiar tone, "If Grand Master Cang Yuan were to witness this, he might be very pleased indeed."

With that, he flicked his sleeve, and both he and Xiguang vanished instantly.

Zhou Yuan and Xi Jing exchanged glances, as Sect Master Xuankun's words seemed to imply something suggestive.

"What did he misunderstand?" Zhou Yuan chuckled awkwardly. Was he, it seemed, being mistaken for a kept man?

A vein throbbed on Xi Jing's pale forehead as she gritted her teeth and spat, "That shameless old scoundrel!"

However, Sect Master Xuankun was indeed very perceptive. He sensed some sort of connection between Zhou Yuan and Xi Jing, but he never considered—or perhaps dared not to consider—that they might be senior and junior disciples. Therefore, after speculating, he concluded that Xi Jing might have developed feelings for Zhou Yuan.

This wasn't surprising; given Xi Jing's standing, keeping a male companion would be effortless, though he couldn't discern what quality in Zhou Yuan might have captivated her.

Judging from his earlier gaze, he seemed rather hopeful that this was the case. If Xi Jing's preferences were indeed so straightforward, it would be good news for the Tianling Sect. After all, with Xi Jing's formidable qualities, if she were interested, there were powerful figures in the Hunyuan Heaven — even some that Sect Master Xuankun would be wary of — who might be swayed.

"Did he not even bother to verify if my living witness was real?" Zhou Yuan quickly diverted the topic, noticing the somewhat dangerous glint in Xi Jing's eyes.

Xi Jing retorted tartly, "Whether it's real or fake is no longer important. What matters is that he has compromised."

Zhou Yuan nodded thoughtfully, then chuckled. "Actually, while there was indeed a living witness," he said, "I severely damaged his soul, rendering him effectively dead. Even a soul-search would yield nothing."

Xi Jing tutted in amazement, "Your audacity..."

"But thanks to you, it would have been incredibly difficult to extract any benefits from that cunning old fox otherwise."

"The Heavenly Flame Festival?" Zhou Yuan asked curiously.

He didn't know much about the Heavenly Flame Festival, only that it was another significant cultivation benefit for young prodigies in the Tianyuan Region, held annually and considered a grand celebration.

"In the past, unless it was my turn to host the Heavenly Flame Festival, the Wind Pavilion's share was pitifully small, as you're aware of the Wind Pavilion's weakness."

Xi Jing glanced at Zhou Yuan and said, "Although your progress has been swift, you likely still lack what's needed to compete with Lu Xiao for the Grand Pavilion Master position. Therefore, this Heavenly Flame Festival presents the best opportunity for you."

Zhou Yuan nodded gently upon hearing this, not finding Xi Jing's directness difficult to accept. After all, it was simply the truth, and he had never underestimated Lu Xiao's strength.

"Spend these next few days learning more about the Heavenly Flame Festival. Don't squander this opportunity you risked your life for." Xi Jing smiled, then waved her hand, and her slender figure disappeared.

Zhou Yuan nodded. Strictly speaking, Sect Master Xuankun's compromise was made to prevent Xiguang from losing his Elder Council position, and Xiguang's punishment stemmed primarily from his attempt to assassinate Zhou Yuan. Therefore, it was indeed an opportunity Zhou Yuan had risked his life to secure.

"In that case..."

"Then for this Heavenly Flame Festival, I'll have to get my fill to make it worthwhile..."