As everyone arrived, Liu Mei took the initiative to stand out and speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen, heroes and beauties, we have gathered here with a purpose well known to all – to further sweep through the remnants of demonic cultivators in the Hundred Poisons Mountain Range.”
“The day for entering the mountains has been set, the day after tomorrow. So, I believe there are two urgent issues that need to be addressed.”
“First, in what manner shall we conduct the sweeping operation, and second, regarding the issue of poisoning, do we have any countermeasures?”
The major sects of Qingzhou have given “full authority” to this demon-slaying operation, leaving it to the young geniuses of the next generation to take the lead.
The elders in the camp are only responsible for logistics and support, aiming to maximize the effects of this trial.
“With things as they are, how else can we proceed?” someone spoke up. “Just do our own thing, right? Bring back the heads of demonic cultivators to the camp, wouldn’t that do?”
“That’s not a good idea,” someone immediately retorted. “The number of cultivators from each sect varies, with most being individuals. If everyone acts on their own and gets defeated one by one, what then? Not to mention, there might be spies among us, watching our every move.”
Those inclined to act alone and those against it each had their own reasonable arguments.
“If we act alone, then what’s the point of having the ‘alliance’ in the Demon-Slaying Alliance?”
Shangguan Qing’er spoke up.
Qingxin Pavilion is a well-known cultivation sect in Qingzhou, holding a higher status than most of the sects represented here, and she herself is renowned among the younger generation, thus her words carried weight.
“If we form teams,” Yuan Shanba, whose background was no less prestigious than hers, said with a raised eyebrow, “who will be the team leader? Do we form one team or several? How do we divide the members?”
“Obviously, several teams,” Shangguan Qing’er glanced at him indifferently. “I wouldn’t want someone like you in my team.”
“You…!”
Seeing the atmosphere turning awkward, Liu Mei quickly stepped in to mediate.
“Everyone is here to eliminate demons, let’s not harm our harmony…”
【Generating options…】
【Option 1: Agree to form teams, entering the “Betray Your Teammates to Become Godlike” scenario.】
【Success rate 100%, reward: the cultivation technique “Asura Heart Sutra”】
[Option 2: Agree to act alone, entering the “kill one if you can” storyline.]
[Success rate 100%, reward: Secret Technique “Kunpeng Body Technique”.]
[Option 3: Announce “Do as you please, those who believe in me, team up with me,” forming your own team, entering the “You guys hold on, I’ll run first” storyline.]
[Success rate 100%, reward: Secret Technique “Extreme Escape”.]
What kind of storylines are these options triggering…
[Option 4: Say nothing.]
[Success rate 100%, reward: Charisma +1]
Tang Xin tilted her head, ignoring everything around er, focusing solely on petting the little fox.
As the cultivators argued among themselves, they realized that the person who first suggested gathering everyone’s wisdom wasn’t saying a word, gradually falling silent as well.
Is this the aura of a master?
That expression seemed to say, “Hmph, the youth of today are such a disappointment…”
“Tang Xin, do you have any thoughts?”
Liu Mei took the initiative to ask.
“No need to force it.”
She casually replied.
“No need to force it…”
The cultivators who were arguing the most suddenly showed a look of enlightenment.
Indeed, why force it? Those who want to team up can do so, and those who don’t can go solo. Since we can’t agree, why force others?
Shangguan Qing’er, Yuan Shanba, and others also looked at Tang Xin with a special gaze.
This person, having been in the camp for just half a day, was able to frequently influence the emotions of the cultivators in the Demon Slaying Alliance, guiding the development of events into her hands with every seemingly casual remark.
To claim it wasn’t intentional would be to underestimate the leading disciples of their respective sects!
Tang Xin’s words put an end to the debate around the campfire, and some cultivators immediately began looking for teammates.
And this chief of the Xuanling Sect, impeccable in realm, appearance, temperament, and most importantly, intellect, immediately became the target of everyone’s invitations.
“Join our team!”
“The position of team leader is yours!”
“It doesn’t matter whether we exorcise demons or not, I just want to have a serious exchange with Daoist Tang!”
Tang Xin maintained a profound smile on her face, but she didn’t say anything.
Her previous cooperation with Xiao Jing had already allowed her to narrow down the suspects of the Seven Stars to a single digit.
Of course, to form a team, one must team up with the protagonist who can’t die until the end, to avoid encountering any disasters.
At the moment, the most suspicious ones were Shangguan Qing’er of Qingxin Pavilion and Liu Mei of Shanshifang.
She really wanted to team up with these two, but she couldn’t bring it up herself, otherwise, her coolness would plummet.
“Daoist Tang, are you planning to enter the mountain alone?”
Liu Mei, seeing her silently refusing all team invitations, asked curiously.
“It’s just that fate has not arrived,” she said lightly, “There’s no need to force it if there’s no fate.”
Upon hearing this, the cultivators couldn’t help but shake their heads in admiration.
No wonder there were rumors that the chief of the Xuanling Sect was a mysterious figure, inscrutable even to the elders of the sect.
Seeing it with their own eyes today, it was indeed extraordinary!
“Daoist Tang truly has a unique temperament,” Liu Mei made the same expression as everyone else, “I admire you from the bottom of my heart and hope you can meet someone destined…”
Huh?
Isn’t this the time when you should be actively inviting me to team up? Hurry up, I’m waiting!
Amidst admiration, envy, and praise, the discussions around the campfire gradually came to an end.
As a result, Tang Xin still didn’t join any team…
…
Back in her tent, Tang Xin fulfilled her promise, helping the little fox recover to a healthy state.
“Being absorbed in moderation, vital energy generally doesn’t cause harm. Instead, it brings a joy akin to fusion during the process. Over time, one might even become addicted, which is one of the side effects.”
The little fox climbed onto Tang Xin’s bed, its eyes glowing red, an unusual allure.
“Let’s set three rules: no over-absorbing, no stealth-absorbing, and no absorbing from others without my permission… By the way, how will you absorb? And from where?”
“Hey, not there! Not there either! And here I thought you were a decent fox. Can’t you pick a more normal spot?”
“What’s with that look? Why do you look so wronged? Shouldn’t I be the one feeling wronged? I, the great master, have to sacrifice so much for you!”
“It has to be from these few spots? I suspect you’re tricking me… Wait, slow down, I’m not ready yet!”
A while later.
“One breath, then another… Moderate yourself, we still have missions to complete…”
…
The next day.
Shangguan Qing’er sent her junior sister to Tang Xin’s tent with a message.
“Sister Shangguan invites you to discuss matters.”
“Got it, let me get dressed first…”
