"You let me find out?" Jun Xie let out a laugh when he heard Ye Tian Yun's words.
"It was actually the other way around. You acted arrogantly, and it didn't take long for me to know about your Sword Intent. Before coming here someone had already informed about a Seventh Peak's disciples breaking through the Sword Attainment Realm. I didn't believe those words, but when you acted arrogantly and even told me that you could see through my illusion, those words became facts."
"Because it was impossible for someone to see through my illusion when they haven't even reached the Qi Condensation Realm. No matter how godly their Spirit Sense be, cultivation level difference will always put a cap on its capabilities."
Ye Tian Yun shook his head, "No-no, you took it the wrong way. But I do agree with your thinking. And if you were to be at my place, I am sure you would have done exactly what I did. You would have revealed the Sword Intent."
"What nonsense," Jun Xie gave him a look as if he was looking at an idiot, "Do you think I am as stupid as you? Maybe you're not stupid, but you definitely are inexperienced. You don't know the value of Sword Intent that's why you revealed it to me. And just to be clear, if I was in your place, I would have purposely lost the challenge, and removed suspicion from my head. Thus protecting the fact that I broke through the Sword Intent."
Ye Tian Yun smiled at his words, "Yeah, but that's not the case here. You won't understand even if I tell you. Just know that I revealed my power not to impress or show off, but because you and I could become good partners."
"What do you mean partners?" Jun Xie was confused at his words, "You're still two realms lower than me, so let's not talk about the partnership here. First, show me your worth."
"Here's the thing," Ye Tian Yun took a slight pause before continuing, "I know what you are here for. And we both can be useful to each other if we cooperate."
"Oh? You know? Then tell me, why am I here in the Gracious Sword Sect?"
Ye Tian Yun smiled at him, "I wasn't talking about you being in this sect. Like you, this place is also just a stop for me. So let me rephrase my words. I know what your aim is by coming to the Lower Heavens."
The air around Jun Xie suddenly changed as there was an abrupt bombardment of killing intent on Ye Tian Yun. Jun Xie leaned forward with an even more severe expression as he said, "Watch your words, boy. Give me a reason why I shouldn't treat you as a threat."
Ye Tian Yun was unaffected by his threats and killing intent. Still with the same smile, replied, "You see, I know many things about you, but I have no know intention to use them against you. I want cooperation from your side. Trust me, you will make your search only harder if you make an enemy out of me."
Jun Xie took a deep breath when he heard the word, 'search', he stared at the young man in front of him and after a short silence, he continued, "I can't deny the fact that you know something. But your reply still doesn't satisfy me. I could just kill you and get done with it. I don't mind having my search getting delayed a few years."
"I know you won't mind, but what about your father?" Ye Tian Yun laid out his best card on the table.
Jun Xie abruptly stood up. His emotions were in turmoil as he heard Ye Tian Yun mentioning the person who was most influential in his life.
"Let's talk. What do you want?" He decided to take a step back in this discussion. Fang Chen's knowledge about him had made him intrigued.
Ye Tian Yun nodded his head, "Finally the words that I have been wanting to hear from you."
"Alright, I won't ask for much. Just help me out in my goal in the sect, and when the times come, I will give you a hint about the place where you should go and search for. Trust me, this deal will save you from getting loads of enemies and at least three years of your time."
Jun Xie sat back on his seat, "Or I could just kidnap and torture you until you tell me everything you know."
Ye Tian Yun shook his head, "Liu Xun, don't think doing anything stupid."
He called Jun Xie with his real name.
If you really think I am stupid enough to sit here and negotiate without having a foolproof backup plan, then I must say you're not acting on the ideals of the Liu Clan."
Jun Xie pursed his lips, "Alright, we will have a deal. But first, let me see how serious you are about this deal. Answer my few questions. The first one, what is your connection with the Middle Heavens?"
Ye Tian Yun took a deep breath, "Liu Xun, you aren't thinking it right. If you don't want this deal, we can end it right now. But that will only delay both of us from achieving our goals."
"So you won't say, hmm," Jun Xie nodded his head, "Alright, I won't trust you, but there's no harm in making a deal. Tell me, what do you need from me?"
Ye Tian Yun gave him a smile and said, "First of all, tell me what's actually going on in the sect."
Jun Xie replied, "Well, half of the sect disciples are about to die and our sect is about to lose its standing in the cultivation status quo of the Lower Heavens tonight."
Ye Tian Yun was shocked to hear these words, "What do you mean?"
"There are certain disciples who are called Sleeper Cells. And they are about to explode."
"What!?"
The words 'Sleeper Cells' were like a thunderclap in Ye Tian Yun's ears as everything that was happening started to make sense.
And that bugging feeling disappeared as these two words made him remember the information that he had previously overlooked.
'The Devil Sect!'
...
A/n: I would be really surprised if anyone could guess who Jun Xie's father is. And yes, he was mentioned in chapters earlier.