In the days following the demonic path's attack, the Azure Cloud Sect strengthened its defenses. Each peak increased patrol disciples, elders took turns standing guard, and the entire sect was in a state of high alert.
Xiao Yi was organizing his clothes damaged during that night's battle in his small courtyard, his mind still replaying the black-clothed figure's techniques. The opponent's swordsmanship was very peculiar, seemingly carrying some kind of sinister aura, completely different from righteous path martial arts.
"Senior Brother Xiao!" Mo Wanxian pushed open the door and entered, holding a medicine bottle in her hand. "Master asked me to bring you some healing medicine. I heard you were injured that night?"
"Just a minor injury, nothing serious," Xiao Yi accepted the medicine bottle. "What about you? Did Jade Maiden Peak encounter any attacks that night?"
"No, the demonic path people didn't seem to go to our area," Mo Wanxian sat down beside the stone table. "But Master said this attack was very strange—the demonic path people seemed to be searching for something specific."
"Senior Brother Ling Yu said the same thing," Xiao Yi frowned. "But what exactly are they looking for?"
"I don't know, but the masters are all very worried," Mo Wanxian's voice was somewhat low. "I heard that several small sects have already been ransacked by the demonic path, and their methods are all very similar."
Just as the two were talking, Ling Yu hurried into the courtyard, his face grave.
"Senior Brother Ling, what's wrong?" Seeing Ling Yu's expression, Xiao Yi's heart tightened.
"We just received news," Ling Yu sat down, lowering his voice. "The Green Pine Sect, which is closest to us, was attacked by the demonic path last night. The entire sect was almost razed to the ground."
"What?!" Mo Wanxian cried out in shock. "Isn't the Green Pine Sect our allied sect? Their strength isn't weak either."
"That's exactly why it's worrying," Ling Yu's face became even more serious. "According to the disciples who escaped, the demonic path experts who attacked the Green Pine Sect were extremely powerful, and they ransacked the sect, seemingly searching for something."
"Searching for something again?" Xiao Yi pondered. "It seems the demonic path's actions this time indeed have a specific target."
"What's even stranger is," Ling Yu continued, "the Green Pine Sect's leader left a message before dying: 'Don't trust anyone, the demonic path has already infiltrated.'"
These words plunged all three into silence. If the Green Pine Sect leader's words were true, it meant the demonic path had planted spies within the righteous path sects.
"Senior Brother, do you think there might be demonic path people in our sect?" Mo Wanxian asked quietly.
"Hard to say," Ling Yu shook his head. "But we must be careful. Master has already ordered that all important operations must be kept secret to prevent information from leaking out."
"Then what should we do now?" Xiao Yi asked.
"Continue cultivating and improve our strength," Ling Yu stood up. "Only by becoming stronger can we protect ourselves and the sect. By the way, Master asked me to inform you both that starting tomorrow, the sect will organize some special training specifically targeting demonic path techniques."
"Good, we'll participate," Xiao Yi nodded.
After Ling Yu left, Xiao Yi and Mo Wanxian continued chatting. But both were in heavy spirits, the threat of the demonic path hanging over their hearts like dark clouds.
"Senior Brother Xiao," Mo Wanxian suddenly said, "I always feel that something bad is about to happen."
"Why do you say that?" Xiao Yi looked at her.
"I can't explain it clearly, it's just a feeling," Mo Wanxian bit her lower lip. "These past few days I keep having nightmares, dreaming that the three of us are separated and can never see each other again."
Xiao Yi reached out to gently stroke Mo Wanxian's hair, comforting her: "Don't overthink it. We are sworn siblings, and no matter what happens, we won't be separated."
"Really?" Mo Wanxian looked up at Xiao Yi, her eyes filled with unease and hope.
"Really," Xiao Yi said firmly. "We made a promise to travel the world together and see all the beautiful scenery. This promise will never change."
Mo Wanxian nodded, but the unease in her eyes didn't completely disappear.
That night, Xiao Yi came alone to the Moon Gazing Platform. The moonlight was like water, spilling onto the platform, everything seemed so peaceful. But Xiao Yi's heart couldn't calm down.
The destruction of the Green Pine Sect, the demonic path's infiltration, and Mo Wanxian's nightmares—all of this made him feel uneasy. He had a premonition that an even greater storm was about to come.
"Junior Brother Xiao, you can't sleep either?" Ling Yu's voice came from behind.
Xiao Yi turned around and saw Ling Yu walking up to the platform.
"Yes, my heart feels restless," Xiao Yi said.
"Me too," Ling Yu sat down beside Xiao Yi. "This incident is too unusual. The demonic path's actions are so organized, their targets so clear—it's definitely not ordinary raiding behavior."
"What do you think they're searching for?" Xiao Yi asked.
"I don't know, but it must be something very important," Ling Yu gazed into the distance. "Moreover, I always feel this matter is related to our Azure Cloud Sect."
"Why do you say that?"
"Think about it, the demonic path first attacked several small sects, then attacked the Green Pine Sect. These sects all have close relationships with our Azure Cloud Sect," Ling Yu analyzed. "Perhaps their ultimate target is our Azure Cloud Sect."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi felt even more uneasy. If Ling Yu's analysis was correct, then the Azure Cloud Sect might face an unprecedented crisis.
"No matter what," Xiao Yi stood up, "we must be prepared. Whatever conspiracy the demonic path has, we can't let them succeed."
"That's right," Ling Yu also stood up. "We are disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, and we have the responsibility to protect the sect."
The two looked at each other and smiled, both having the same determination in their hearts. No matter what difficulties and dangers lay ahead, they would face them bravely.
But they didn't know that in the shadows, a pair of eyes was watching them.
They didn't know that a great conspiracy was quietly unfolding, and Xiao Yi would become the core of this conspiracy.
They didn't know that their friendship was about to face the most severe test.
The moonlight remained, the Moon Gazing Platform remained, but the gears of fate had already begun to turn.
A storm that would change everyone's destiny was about to arrive.