Lin Wenshen sneered faintly. The young fellow, though appearing young, possessed the strength of the early Golden Core stage. He must be highly treasured by the Misty Sect, to achieve such formidable power at his age. If he could apprehend this young man, the Flowing Sea Sect would have one less competitor in the Grand Sect Competition. This would, in turn, increase the number of participants from the Flowing Sea Sect entering the top ten. With this thought, Lin Wenshen’s gaze towards Zhang Ergou grew increasingly hostile.
Zhang Ergou keenly sensed the shift in his demeanor. He had initially thought the arrival of the elder from the Flowing Sea Sect would resolve the current predicament. It seemed he had underestimated the situation, but Zhang Ergou would not surrender. He feared no one, even a cultivator in the late Golden Core stage.
"Esteemed elder, is this how the Flowing Sea Sect conducts itself? Casually branding someone a fugitive without cause?" Zhang Ergou's voice, amplified by his spiritual energy, clearly reached the ears of everyone present. "Today, I have truly witnessed the magnanimity of the so-called 'prestigious' Flowing Sea Sect. My eyes have been opened!"
Among the onlookers were not only disciples of the Flowing Sea Sect but also disciples from other sects participating in the Grand Sect Competition. Zhang Ergou's words immediately sparked murmurs among the crowd.
"No way, is the Flowing Sea Sect really acting like this? So many sects are here for the competition."
"Could the Flowing Sea Sect be using this competition as a pretext to imprison disciples from other sects and hinder their development?"
"Shush, don't spout nonsense. There are Flowing Sea Sect members all around."
As disciples from other sects spoke, they felt the unfriendly gazes of the Flowing Sea Sect disciples nearby and fell silent.
"Hmph, who is this impudent scoundrel, slandering my Flowing Sea Sect? We must have our Azure Guard disciples give him a proper lesson."
"Exactly! He dares to damage the reputation of my Flowing Sea Sect. He absolutely cannot be let off lightly."
The disciples of the Flowing Sea Sect present far outnumbered those from other sects. Soon, their voices drowned out the others. Zhang Ergou was swiftly labeled a fugitive by many. The buzz of conversation intensified, and Zhang Ergou found himself the target of everyone's condemnation.
"Hah!" Zhang Ergou laughed in anger. He had never expected even an elder of the Flowing Sea Sect to twist right and wrong so blatantly. There must be some significant secret hidden here. "Very well, then do not blame me!" Zhang Ergou mused to himself. Why not play along and see what the Flowing Sea Sect was truly up to?
"Is that so? The Flowing Sea Sect twists right and wrong so easily. It truly tarnishes the name of a prestigious sect!"
"You, boy, stop being stubborn. I suspect you are a spy sent by the Poison Sect, impersonating a disciple of the Misty Sect!" Lin Wenshen counterattacked, his words sharp. Hearing this, even the disciples from other sects participating in the Grand Sect Competition began to change their tune.
"What? This person is a spy sent by the Poison Sect? I can't believe I defended him earlier."
"Exactly! How could an elder of the Flowing Sea Sect make such a low-level mistake?"
"Fortunately, the Flowing Sea Sect discovered it early. If this person had managed to infiltrate, the consequences would have been dire."
Seeing the surrounding whispers shift with his words, Lin Wenshen looked at Zhang Ergou with disdain. "Boy, surrender now. Are you still waiting for your companions to rescue you?"
"Ah, companions? There are no good people in the Poison Sect!"
"Hurry and capture this brat. Interrogate him severely to see if he has any accomplices."
The crowd pointed at Zhang Ergou, their expressions clearly suggesting he was a spy.
"Boy, surrender. Don't force us to act!" Lin Wenshen continued to shout. He wasn't entirely confident he could apprehend Zhang Ergou. Though Zhang Ergou had not yet made a move, the potent aura he exuded suggested his strength was not inferior to his own. Lin Wenshen was verbally provoking Zhang Ergou while simultaneously informing his Martial Uncle, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, who could undoubtedly capture a Golden Core stage cultivator with ease. To ensure success and avoid widespread attention from other sects, Lin Wenshen had to be cautious. If Zhang Ergou unleashed his full power, Lin Wenshen wasn't certain he could capture him. Furthermore, a fight between two Golden Core cultivators would undoubtedly attract attention, potentially revealing their actions. If the Misty Sect's elders were to intervene, the Flowing Sea Sect wouldn't just fail to capture Zhang Ergou; they might find themselves apologizing profusely. As an elder, Lin Wenshen had considered all possibilities. This was why he hadn't acted immediately upon arrival. He was observing Zhang Ergou, confident that even if Zhang Ergou tried to escape now, it would be too late. He had already sent a message to his Martial Uncle, Li Kongcai, who would surely receive it soon.
"What fiend dares to cause trouble in my Flowing Sea Sect?" Indeed, as Lin Wenshen waited for his Martial Uncle, a cold shout echoed.
"A Nascent Soul stage cultivator?" Zhang Ergou's heart pounded. He hadn't expected to provoke a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse. Li Kongcai did not conceal his aura. Those with weaker cultivation present turned pale, struggling to breathe.
"Boy, are you a spy sent by the Poison Sect, plotting mischief in my Flowing Sea Sect?" Li Kongcai hovered in the air, his gaze, like lightning, piercing towards Zhang Ergou.
*Humph!*
A sharp pain shot through Zhang Ergou's sea of consciousness. Li Kongcai had immediately launched a soul attack. After a wave of dizziness, Zhang Ergou felt his consciousness fading.
*Bang!*
Zhang Ergou collapsed heavily. The Azure Guard disciples of the Flowing Sea Sect swarmed forward, binding him tightly with special ropes.
"Serves you right for being arrogant, for being so smug!" Lin Chen reached out and struck the unconscious Zhang Ergou. "Pah, what is this? Daring to run wild in my Flowing Sea Sect!" he spat towards Zhang Ergou.
Ling Feng'er's expression changed. She hadn't expected things to turn so rapidly. Since Lin Wenshen's arrival, she had no chance to speak. What surprised her even more was that Lin Wenshen had summoned Li Kongcai.
"Elder Li!" Ling Feng'er could ignore Lin Wenshen, but she couldn't pretend not to see Li Kongcai. She lowered her head and bowed towards Li Kongcai in the air.
"Ah, the Saintess is here too! This old man pays his respects!" Li Kongcai acted as if he had just noticed Ling Feng'er. "Saintess, this spy from the Poison Sect is a matter of great importance. This old man must report to the Sect Master and will take his leave now." With that, Li Kongcai reached out and grabbed the tightly bound Zhang Ergou.
Ling Feng'er watched Li Kongcai's receding figure, her beautiful brows furrowed tightly. Zhang Ergou gave her a sense of familiarity, yet she couldn't recall why.