Sword Sect, main peak.

Inside the grand hall, Sect Master Ning Bufan surveyed the gathered disciples with a stern expression.

"Just now, Spirit Sword Sect sent a message, stating that the Drue Demon has been spotted near the outskirts of our Sword Sect's territory. What are your opinions on this?"

Lin Ke pondered for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Sect Master, among the four demons invading the Heavenly Artifact Continent, the Drue Demon is the weakest in terms of power. However, it must not be underestimated.

The Drue Demon venturing into our Sword Sect's territory likely has some kind of plot. Why not allow this disciple to head to Spirit Sword Sect to investigate?"

Ning Bufan nodded slightly, "The Earth Demon and the Drue Demon already have an agreement to not interfere in the Eastern Continent's battle. Presumably, no Holy Artifact Master-level expert will appear. You, as the chief senior sister, stand at the pinnacle below the Holy Artifact Master level. It would be ideal if you..."

Before he could finish, someone stepped forward from the crowd and spoke loudly, "Sect Master, this disciple believes this is inappropriate."

Ning Bufan frowned and looked toward the golden-haired man in the hall.

It was Mao Fei, the chief disciple of Sword Greed, one of the four great elders of the Sword Sect.

Out of consideration for Sword Greed, Ning Bufan suppressed his displeasure for the moment.

As a sect leader, balancing internal sect dynamics was not as simple as one might imagine.

"Mao Fei, what do you find inappropriate?" Ning Bufan asked with a faint smile.

Mao Fei cast a sidelong glance at Lin Ke and cupped his hands. "Sect Master, Senior Sister Lin is the chief senior sister of the Sword Sect and holds a prestigious identity. If even such minor matters require her intervention, it would diminish our Sword Sect's prestige."

"Sect Master, this disciple is willing to go to Spirit Sword Sect in place of Senior Sister Lin to slay this Drue Demon that has intruded into our territory!" Mao Fei declared.

Ning Bufan glanced at Lin Ke, whose expression remained impassive, and asked, "Lin Ke, what do you think?"

Lin Ke's face was calm, "Sect Master, if Junior Brother Mao is willing to go to Spirit Sword Sect, this disciple naturally will not contest with him."

Killing the Drue Demon was just a trifling achievement; she had no interest in such merit.

If not for the bottleneck she had recently reached in her cultivation, she would not have even looked for this excuse to step out for a while.

Seeing that Lin Ke showed no objection, Ning Bufan was at ease.

The Sword Saint had a good relationship with him, and Lin Ke was a direct disciple of the Sword Saint—a "member of his own camp." If Lin Ke had been insistent, Ning Bufan would have undoubtedly denied Mao Fei without hesitation.

At once, Ning Bufan said, "If that is the case, Mao Fei, this matter will be entrusted to you..."

"Hold on!"

Suddenly, another voice interrupted Ning Bufan.

A hint of anger arose in Ning Bufan's heart. Does this Sect Master have no authority at all?

But when he saw who it was, he had no choice but to suppress his irritation.

Qin Shou of the Divine Weapon Sect—it was prudent to show some respect before obtaining the All Divine Weapon Refining Technique.

"Haha, so it's Master Qin. What insights might Master Qin have to offer?" he asked with a smile.

Qin Shou stepped forward and said, "Sect Master, I have heard that the Drue Demon can transform into various magical beasts, strange and unpredictable. I am quite intrigued. Why don't I accompany Junior Brother Mao to Spirit Sword Sect and help capture this Drue Demon? Perhaps it could be of some benefit to us..."

He paused mid-sentence, and Ning Bufan immediately deduced Qin Shou's intentions.

The Drue Demon's ability to transform into magical beasts bore a striking resemblance to the Divine Weapon Sect's technique of crafting Divine Weapons capable of mimicking magical beasts. Capturing the Drue Demon alive might expedite the completion of the Divine Weapon Refining Technique.

Ning Bufan had no reason to obstruct Qin Shou's decision. Regardless of its success or failure, it posed no harm to the Sword Sect.

However, Mao Fei's reaction differed. The deal between Qin Shou and the Sword Sect had not been disclosed publicly. Mao Fei simply assumed Qin Shou was attempting to steal credit.

He glared coldly at Qin Shou and cupped his hands toward Ning Bufan.

"Sect Master, the Divine Weapon Sect is merely a subordinate branch of the Sword Sect. What qualifications do they have to intervene in the Sword Sect's internal affairs..."

"Silence!"

Ning Bufan's tone shifted, releasing a sliver of his Holy Artifact Master's overwhelming aura that pressed heavily onto Mao Fei's shoulders.

"The Divine Weapon Sect is already a branch of our Sword Sect, making them one of us. If you dare spout such remarks again, you will face severe punishment!"

A tiger doesn't bare its fangs until provoked—did they really think this Sect Master was just for show?

Mao Fei broke out in a cold sweat and didn't dare to say another word.

Ning Bufan stood up and announced, "This journey to the Spirit Sword Sect will henceforth rely on Master Qin. This Sect Master is feeling fatigued."

With a wave of his golden sleeve, his tall figure slowly merged into the Void.

Inside the great hall, Mao Fei wiped the sweat off his forehead, then turned to glare daggers at Qin Shou.

"Master Qin, I trust you will provide me with much guidance on this trip."

Qin Shou rolled his eyes, showing no intention of responding, and walked straight toward Lin Ke.

"Junior Sister Lin, may I trouble you for a map of the Spirit Sword Sect?"

This statement darkened Mao Fei's expression. This man clearly had no plans to cooperate with him.

Planning to act alone?

Dream on!

On the other side, Lin Ke nodded and said, "No problem. However, the Drue Demon is too cunning. Acting together with Junior Brother Mao would increase your chances of success."

Qin Shou waved his hand, "Many thanks for your kind suggestion, Junior Sister Lin, but I prefer to act alone."

Lin Ke smiled faintly, "It seems Senior Brother Qin is quite confident."

"Haha, just trying to stay humble."

...

Spirit Sword Sect, a hundred miles away, in Kaiyuan City.

Within the city, dozens of Spiritual Artifact Masters, each wielding ornate Spirit Swords, had cornered a strange figure in a corner of the city.

The strange figure's body was covered entirely in a brown exoskeleton. Its head resembled that of a monkey, with a sharp horn protruding from its forehead, narrow eyes flickering with an eerie green light, and a crimson crescent-shaped scar on its chest. It wielded a peculiar blade resembling a red sword fused with a saber and stood nonchalantly, pointing the blade at the surrounding Spiritual Artifact Masters.

"Haha, all of you are here? Perfect, I can finish you off in one sweep!" Gagura sneered disdainfully.

The Spiritual Artifact Masters stood poised and ready. The lead swordsman snorted coldly, "Drue Demon, cease your arrogant words. Since you dare appear in Spirit Sword Sect's dominion, you shall forever remain here today!"

"All disciples, heed my command—form the Spirit Sword Formation!"

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