379 Ulterior Motives
The news that the Five Poison Sect’s ancestor had come out of seclusion and planned to hold a birthday banquet quickly spread to all the sects, big and small. Not only the Valley of Medicine Masters, but even the Misty Cloud Sect, the Wind Thunder Pavilion, the White Veil Sect, the Divine Will Sect, and other sects had received the invitation.
All of them were personally attended by the elders of the Five Poison Sect. The Five Poison Sect elders had also prepared generous gifts and asked them to attend. They said that it was rare for the Five Poison Sect to have such a lively time.
Not only that, but even the small sects had also received the invitation. They were somewhat overwhelmed by the favor and attention.
Although the Five Poison Sect was arrogant in their actions, they did not dare to go too far on the surface. Although their reputation was a little bad, it was not to the extent that the heavens would be angry and the people would resent them, nor was it to the point that everyone would want to crusade against them.
Moreover, with the Five Poison Sect’s ancestor holding the fort and their unpredictable poison skills, most people did not dare to provoke them and reluctantly agreed. In any case, there were so many people, so they thought that the Five Poison Sect would not dare to act rashly.
In the eyes of some small sects, they were rather powerful backers. For them, inviting all sects to the Five Poison Sect’s ancestor’s birthday banquet was a great opportunity.
Everyone knew that life would be much easier if they had a strong backer, and they might even be able to catch the eyes of the Five Poison Sect and get many benefits.
The Five Poison Sect’s people were sincere this time. They had changed their attitude and even said that the Five Poison Sect’s ancestor would personally apologize to everyone. In an instant, many sects agreed to go.
As for those who refused to agree or were rather hesitant, the Five Poison Sect had other methods to make them go.
Yao Tianchen contacted people from other sects. He wasn’t a fool to believe whatever Yu Xiongjun said. When he learned that the sect masters he was on good terms with had decided to go, the doubts in his heart gradually disappeared.
Although the Five Poison Sect’s ancestor has come out of seclusion, even if the Five Poison Sect wanted to do something, they would have to consider their own strength first. With so many sects gathered together, they would not be so bold to try something.
In the end, Yao Tianchen decided to attend the banquet and congratulate them. If the Five Poison Sect truly repented, it would be a good thing to turn hostility between the two sects into friendship.
When Ye Xuan learned of the news, the game was almost over, and the Five Poison Sect was just waiting to pull in the net and catch all the fish in one go.
“What?! The Five Poison Sect is inviting the Valley of Medicine Masters to attend the Five Poison Sect’s ancestor’s birthday banquet?”
Seeing his reaction, Li Mao felt it was a little strange. “It’s not just us. Other sects will be attending as well.”
Thinking of the news he had obtained earlier, Ye Xuan instantly understood what the Five Poison Sect was up to, and his expression immediately became serious.
“The Five Poison Sect has bad intentions. This birthday banquet is held with ill will. We definitely can not go.”
Li Mao scratched his head and said, “At first, we thought so too. But so many sects have received the invitation and are going to attend. Even if the Five Poison Sect has the guts, they can’t do anything. Besides, the valley master has already agreed.”
“It’s not as simple as you think.”
Ye Xuan left in a hurry after saying this. He couldn’t care less about his actions that might alert the enemy. He came to find Yao Tianchen and just happened to run into him discussing the matter of the birthday gift with a few elders.
“We definitely can’t go to the Five Poison Sect this time. Otherwise, our lives will be in danger.”
Hearing this, everyone’s eyes fell on Ye Xuan.
The Sixth Elder was a little unhappy. He asked, “Why did you come in without informing us? How inappropriate of you.”
Yao Tianchen waved his hand, “It’s fine. Ye Xuan, what do you mean by this?”
“What I mean is that the Five Poison Sect has ill intentions and might attack the Valley of Medicine Masters.”
The Sixth Elder flicked his sleeve and said in a low voice, “That’s simply nonsense. There are so many sects there. How could the Five Poison Sect be so bold in broad daylight? Would they want to make an enemy of everyone?”
“That’s right. No matter how powerful the Five Poison Sect is, they can’t possibly defeat so many people, unless they’re crazy.”
“Valley Master, don’t listen to this kid’s nonsense. He’s trying to unsettle us. What does he know at such a young age? I think he just wants to be in the limelight.”
The elders whispered to each other. Going or not going was a matter of the Valley of Medicine Masters, and Ye Xuan had no right to interfere.
It was the Fifth Elder who stood up for Ye Xuan. He said, “Don’t make it sound so serious. Junior Ye is just worried about the safety of our Valley of Medicine Masters.”
He patted Ye Xuan’s shoulder and showed a kind smile, but there was a faint glint in the depths of his eyes, making people think of a poisonous snake hiding in the dark.
“We understand Junior Ye’s worries, but this matter has already been decided. If we go back on our word, won’t our valley master be humiliated?”
Looking at his smile, Ye Xuan felt that it was a little fake as if the Fifth Elder was wearing a mask on his face. Ye Xuan couldn’t help but take a few steps back.
The Fifth Elder’s hand stopped in mid-air, and he finally laughed awkwardly before withdrawing it. No one noticed the viciousness and ruthlessness on his face.
The Fifth Elder had always been popular and had a good relationship with many elders. Seeing Ye Xuan’s actions, many elders frowned and had a bad impression of Ye Xuan. Some even said directly, “How can an outsider like you interfere in our matters?”
Ye Xuan didn’t pay attention to the others and only looked at Yao Tianchen. He said, “Valley Master, you have to believe me. Don’t you think that this is very strange? The Five Poison Sect’s ancestor came out of seclusion and suddenly invited all the sects to his birthday banquet. There must be something bad going on.”
Seeing that he still wanted to say something, he was interrupted.
“Are you the only one who’s so smart and we can’t see through anything? Even if the Five Poison Sect really has something in mind, they wouldn’t go so far as to make it known to everyone. They’re not fools.”
If it had been before, Ye Xuan would not have believed it either. But that night, he had witnessed with his own eyes that the Five Poison Sect had those poison men. Such a secret weapon was not something ordinary people could deal with.
Furthermore, the Five Poison Sect had planned for a long time and the birthday banquet this time was in their own territory. It was like adding wings to a tiger. All these were enough to control all the guests.