Chapter 1773: Sneak Attack

According to Xu Yang's judgment, since the deputy sect masters of the three major sects had come to Zhan Tian Pavilion together, they surely had contingency plans. They would undoubtedly be wary of the Zhan Tian Pavilion Master resorting to desperate measures and forcibly imprisoning them.

After all, this was Zhan Tian Pavilion's home territory. Although these individuals were formidable, they were still outsiders. If Zhan Tian Pavilion truly intended to take forceful action, these old men would be in a very difficult position. Since they dared to confront them, they must have multiple contingency plans. This was precisely why Xu Yang did not immediately allow Miss Qing Ya to reveal herself; it was better to first understand the situation before taking any action.

"Zhan Tian Pavilion has been the largest sect in Congyun State for so many years, and there's a reason for that," the Pavilion Master stated. "You fellow cultivators, who usually have a decent relationship with Zhan Tian Pavilion, I don't understand why you've suddenly joined forces to challenge me today. Yet, Zhan Tian Pavilion is not to be trifled with; do not assume that a few strong words in my presence will force me to compromise. As I've said before, Zhan Tian Pavilion does not seek trouble, but it never fears it either. Until my daughter returns to the sect, I have no way to give you any explanation. If you are willing to wait, you may stay at Zhan Tian Pavilion, and I will certainly host you well. If not, then leave now."

Witnessing this scene, Xu Yang's lips curved into a slight smile. He then turned his gaze to Qing Ya beside him and couldn't resist teasing her.

"Your father, the Pavilion Master, certainly has some backbone," Xu Yang remarked. "However, your strength now surpasses his. It's time for you to take over Zhan Tian Pavilion. You, little girl, are much easier to manage than your old father."

Xu Yang made no attempt to conceal his thoughts from her, brazenly speaking of "taking control." This merely caused Qing Ya to pout and give him a side-eye. Beyond that, she could do nothing, but at least Qing Ya clearly understood that Xu Yang was not an unforgivable villain. She could gain much more by cooperating with him, which was the fundamental premise for them to set aside their differences and achieve cooperation.

"Oh, the Pavilion Master's attitude makes me sense a hint of hostility," the leading deputy sect master began. "Or perhaps, in the Pavilion Master's eyes, we old fellows are insignificant, incapable of threatening Zhan Tian Pavilion. So, you have no intention of giving us a reasonable explanation?"

The leading deputy sect master of the second largest sect immediately turned deathly cold. Simultaneously, he secretly clenched his fists. Although he did not release a powerful martial aura, Xu Yang could tell at a glance that this white-haired, vigorous old man was planning his next move.

"What exactly is Elder Bai planning?" Qing Ya murmured. "I feel something is off with his aura."

Xu Yang nodded with satisfaction. "Good. It seems those dozen elders' Origin Pills weren't wasted on you. Your perceptive abilities are much stronger now than before. If I'm not mistaken, this old man named Bai is planning to launch a sneak attack on your father."

Miss Qing Ya's expression immediately grew several shades colder.

"Then there's nothing more to say," she declared. "I certainly cannot let my father be ambushed by this old man."

Xu Yang did not intervene to stop her. He had already foreseen that if Qing Ya didn't act, the Zhan Tian Pavilion Master would suffer a heavy blow from the deputy sect master named Bai in the upcoming exchange. Since Qing Ya intended to reveal herself early, he let her proceed. After all, Xu Yang alone controlled the ultimate outcome, no matter how much the girl stirred things up. These old men attempting to pressure Zhan Tian Pavilion wouldn't be able to cause any significant disturbance.

Indeed, everything unfolded slowly according to Xu Yang's judgment. The next moment, Elder Bai's footwork instantly intensified by a level. After locking onto the Zhan Tian Pavilion Master's aura, he transformed into a silver radiance and lunged towards the Pavilion Master's back. At that moment, he was only about twenty to thirty meters from the Pavilion Master on the high platform. With the movement speed of a Transformation God-level expert, once he unleashed his ultimate technique, he could almost instantly appear behind his opponent. A single palm strike, prepared for a considerable time, would cause the Zhan Tian Pavilion Master to lose at least twenty percent of his combat power.

The silver light was moments away from landing its sneak attack when, at this crucial juncture, Miss Qing Ya suddenly appeared from behind a stone pillar. With even greater speed, she arrived behind her father. Raising her hand, she unleashed a palm strike that violently collided with the white-haired Deputy Sect Master Bai, causing a powerful martial aura to instantly explode. Qing Ya showed no sign of recoil. Instead, the esteemed Deputy Sect Master of the second largest sect was sent flying dozens of meters away by the young girl's palm. Had it not been for the other deputy sect masters in the hall who swiftly moved to catch the retreating Elder Bai, the old man would have been utterly humiliated by Qing Ya.

After stabilizing himself and regaining his footing, Deputy Sect Master Bai could no longer suppress the surging blood within him. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, then lifted his head, staring at Qing Ya's silhouette with an expression of utter disbelief.

"What in the world happened?" Deputy Sect Master Bai demanded, his voice filled with disbelief. "Your strength, little girl, has actually increased so much all of a sudden! Could it be that you were secretly causing trouble? Or was this siege on Xuanhuang Sect, from the very beginning, orchestrated by you, you damned girl, secretly plotting to entrap us major sects!"

Elder Bai questioned Qing Ya sternly, yet Qing Ya remained utterly unfazed. With Xu Yang backing her, what did she have to fear, even if she couldn't completely control the situation?

"Since you old geezers actively came here and even tried to ambush my father, I might as well tell you the truth," Qing Ya retorted. "Yes, it was I and the new leader of Xuanhuang Sect who planned in advance to put you major sects in your place. What can you do to me?"

The imposing power Qing Ya displayed at that moment made even the Zhan Tian Pavilion Master, her own father, widen his eyes in astonishment. But having weathered many storms, the Pavilion Master immediately recognized that Qing Ya's current strength was in no way inferior to his own; in fact, she even exuded an aura that subtly surpassed him. Something he hadn't anticipated must have occurred. Therefore, the Pavilion Master did not immediately intervene in the dispute. Instead, he stood aside, quietly observing how his daughter would handle the current situation, treating it as a test for her.

"Hahahaha, Zhan Tian Pavilion, you truly have wolfish ambitions!" the deputy sect master scoffed. "You've been the largest sect in Congyun State for so many years, yet you still want to further suppress us smaller sects. Is this the magnanimity and style befitting the top sect?"