The morning after the burst of white light, the inn where the Tianxuan Sect resided was already packed with people.
Yesterday, under the leadership of Xia Donghua, the son of the Tianxuan Sect's leader, the human cultivators in Baiwa City had formed an alliance. Naturally, Xia Donghua became the leader of this alliance.
While Xia Donghua might not have been the strongest among them, his background was undoubtedly the most prominent of all the human cultivators in Baiwa City.
Following the formation of the human alliance, the outsider demon cultivators in Baiwa City also banded together. After all, Baiwa City was situated at the border between the Wu Kingdom and the Southern Demon Kingdom, so it wasn't unusual for demon cultivators to visit in search of treasures.
However, the demons from Baiwa City felt no sense of kinship with those from outside. To the residents of Baiwa City, whether human or demon, outsiders were simply outsiders.
Inside the inn, Xia Donghua was speaking eloquently, assigning tasks and instructing everyone to gather information.
One of his key plans was to lead an assault on the golden toad residing in the temple of Baiwa City.
Although the golden toad's cultivation was incredibly high—likely in the late Dragon Gate Realm—Xia Donghua believed that, with their numbers and the many treasures at their disposal, they might stand a chance.
Even if they couldn't take down the golden toad, they aimed to seize control of the county office. In Xia Donghua's eyes, these two places held significant strategic value and could serve as a breakthrough point.
However, the other cultivators in the alliance were hesitant. Neither the golden toad in the temple nor the jackal and his veteran dog constables in the county office were easy opponents.
Even if they succeeded in killing them, at what cost? Heavy casualties were inevitable. It didn't matter if others died, but what if it was them who perished?
As a result, this so-called human alliance meeting made little progress, with most participants merely going through the motions.
Sitting on a chair, Qin Qingwan yawned. She took out a jade token, infused it with spiritual energy, and began writing on it.
Meanwhile, Xu Ming, who was meditating in the inn, suddenly felt the jade token in his pocket heat up.
Still, he ignored it. Xu Ming always meditated for the duration of one incense stick every morning—a practice called "Clearing the Mind." It was crucial for cultivating mental clarity and improving his state of mind.
The jade token grew hotter, even beginning to vibrate slightly.
When the time was almost up, Xu Ming finally opened his eyes, retrieved the jade token, and saw lines of text appearing:
"What are you doing?"
"Why didn't you come to the human alliance meeting today?"
"Don't tell me you're still sleeping!"
"Lazybones, wake up, wake up! The early bird catches the worm!"
"Aren't you warriors supposed to be the most disciplined?"
"Are you ignoring me on purpose? If you don't reply by the count of three, I'm going to get mad!"
"Three, two…"
"Reply to me! Reply to me! I'm giving you one last chance, or I'll really be mad!"
Seeing the words appear on the token, Xu Ming chuckled, infused some spiritual energy into it, and replied, "Apologies, I was meditating earlier and didn't notice."
Just as Xu Ming was about to put the token down after replying, it heated up again, and a response came immediately:
"Oh, I see. Sorry, sorry! I thought you were sleeping in. I didn't disturb you, did I?"
Xu Ming replied, "No."
Qin Qingwan: "That's good~"
Qin Qingwan: "Are you planning to come to the alliance meeting?"
Xu Ming: "Forget it. Even if I go, I won't be of much use."
Xu Ming: "By the way, is Miss He available today?"
Qin Qingwan's eyes blinked curiously: "I'm. Why?"
Xu Ming: "There's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
Qin Qingwan: "Of course, no problem! Should I come to you, or will you come to me?"
Just as Xu Ming was about to reply, Qin Qingwan sent another message through the jade token.
Qin Qingwan: "I'll come find you right now. Wait for me. It's decided!"
Xu Ming: "…"
After getting out of bed, Xu Ming woke the large white goose sleeping on the table. He quickly freshened up, then went downstairs and ordered some food and drinks. He also sent the goose to fetch the two disciples from White Deer Academy.
Qin Qingwan arrived at the inn before the White Deer Academy disciples.
Upon entering, she immediately spotted Xu Ming and walked over, her long legs moving gracefully beneath her skirt.
"So, tell me, what do you need my help with?" Qin Qingwan asked with a bright smile, as if she was genuinely happy to be of assistance.
"No rush, Miss He. I'm waiting for two friends to arrive. Once they're here, I'll explain everything," Xu Ming replied, pouring her a cup of wine.
"Alright then." Qin Qingwan pouted slightly. "How mysterious."
Xu Ming simply smiled in response to her teasing.
Not long after, the white goose returned, bringing Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng to the Tongfu Inn.
"Brother Xu."
Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng greeted Xu Ming with a respectful bow.
When they saw the young woman sitting across from Xu Ming, both paused for a moment.
Who is this lady? How is she so stunning?
"Allow me to introduce everyone." Xu Ming stood up and gestured. "These two gentlemen are from White Deer Academy—Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng. And this is Miss He Qingqing from the Tianxuan Sect."
"Greetings, Miss He," Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng said, bowing politely to Qin Qingwan.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists," Qin Qingwan replied with a graceful nod.
Miao Feng glanced at Yu Wenxi, his expression clearly saying, Ah, I see now. So this is why you've been pining for Miss He Qingqing. She's absolutely stunning!
Yu Wenxi, however, frowned slightly, looking genuinely confused.
Wait a minute… You're supposed to be He Qingqing? I haven't seen Miss He in a year, but there's no way she could have changed this much. No offense, but the He Qingqing I remember wasn't nearly this beautiful!
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