"You may rise," said Xiang Shaoyun indifferently. "Has Di Batian noticed anything?"

"Yes, young master. He suspects that something had happened in the city and had sent us here to investigate," replied Old Winter.

"Looks like that old dog is really quite capable. He noticed me the moment I arrived? But he only sent the two of you here? Is he thinking of this as a game or something?" Xiang Shaoyun sneered.

Xiang Shaoyun questioned the two on the Di Sect's internal affairs. After all, information was crucial to winning any war. He did not believe that he would be able to kill every single member of the Di Sect.

Old Winter said, "In recent years, Di Batian has been in seclusion. However, he never stopped doing things. Strangers would constantly appear in the sect. They are people we have never seen, and they all seem to share the surname Di. I believe their relationship with Di Batian is not simple."

Old Summer said, "It is probably due to the third young master's return. After you killed the eighth young master, they hated you to the bone. However, they also seemed fearful of you, so they never attempted to kill you again. Perhaps they were planning something big, so they didn't have the time to deal with you."

Xiang Shaoyun rested his chin against his hand and said, "Is the Di Clan behind Di Batian preparing to emerge from seclusion? If that is the case, things will be somewhat thorny."

After a slight pause, he continued, "Return immediately and inform him that I have occupied the governor's manor. All Hong Clan members have been slaughtered. Also tell them that I have a Saint at my side. See how they react."

Since they already knew that something was happening at the governor's mansion, hiding this from them would not solve anything. They might as well make everything clear and see how Di Batian would respond. They would stay in a reactive position, causing their enemies confusion and slowly grind away at their strength.

Of course, Xiang Shaoyun still had other plans in mind. He had no intention of destroying an entire city.

When Old Winter and Old Summer left, Duo Ji came over impatiently and asked, "Young master, h-how did you do that?"

"They are my puppets," replied Xiang Shaoyun.

When Duo Ji heard that, he understood everything. He did not ask how Xiang Shaoyun had gained control over the two, but he was confident Xiang Shaoyun was telling the truth. Inwardly, he was filled with admiration as he thought, The young master has truly grown. Looks like there really are chances our revenge will be successful.

Duo Ji sank into thought for a bit before saying, "Young master, most people in the sect are now Di Batian's people. However, a small portion of them are still loyal to the sect master. When the time comes, I hope you can show them mercy and not kill all of them."

"We will decide when the time comes," said Xiang Shaoyun. He was obviously rather indifferent to what was just said. In his mind, all traitors should be killed.

Duo Ji was left speechless for a bit, so he decided to wait and see. Next, Xiang Shaoyun brought a group of people to hide outside the city. They would be waiting to intercept the people from Di Sect.

He did not have a lot of people with him. Apart from Ye Chaomu's group, he only brought Xia Liuhui, Du Xuanhao, Han Pohun, Little White, and the demonic beasts that had followed Little White over. Tuoba Wan'er, Gong Qinyin, and the rest were put on standby in the governor's manor.

The two were unhappy that they couldn’t go with him, but they had no choice but to listen. They would only get the chance to move out during the final battle.

After Old Winter and Old Summer returned to the sect, they told Di Batian what Xiang Shaoyun told them to say. When Di Batian heard what they had to say, his face turned gloomy, and he immediately convened an elder's assembly.

The Di Sect was a tier-7 organization. Over the years, they had grown consistently. They had at least 100 Soul Foundation Realm experts and hundreds of Emperors in their ranks. As for Kings, they had too many to be counted.

In the main hall, dozens of Soul Foundation Realm experts were gathered. They were all sect elders, and all of them were sitting calmly as they waited for Di Batian to speak.

"Our previous young master, Xiang Shaoyun, has returned," said Di Batian calmly.

The expressions of a majority of them changed. They were all old members of the previous Ziling Sect, and they all knew very well who Xiang Shaoyun was. As traitors, they naturally felt uncomfortable at the thought of him.

"Sect master, did we not clear them all back then?" asked someone.

"At the time, that little bastard was escorted away by someone before we could stabilize everything, so it is true that he had escaped," someone else replied for Di Batian. "But it's good that he's back. I will personally capture him. Let’s see just how capable that little trash is."

The others also started speaking, all of them cursing Xiang Shaoyun as they attempted to express their loyalty to Di Batian. Seated at a certain corner was a white-haired old man. His eyes were shut as he sat there silently.

The white-haired old man looked dignified and composed, and he had an extraordinary bearing about him. He exuded a thick smell of herbs, and he was clearly someone who worked closely with herbs. In fact, he was the sect's chief alchemist, Elder Yao. This Elder Yao was also the same person who had been in charge of nourishing Xiang Shaoyun's body when Xiang Shaoyun was young.

"Elder Yao, what do you think? I remember that you cared rather much for that little bastard back in the days," asked someone opposite Old Herb with his brows raised.

The one who asked was Qin Junling, and he had never liked Elder Yao. He had requested Elder Yao to refine some pills for him many times but had always been rejected, so he had been displeased with Elder Yao for quite a while.

Elder Yao opened his eyes and said, "No matter what, he is still the young master."

The moment those words came out, the expressions of everyone present changed. After all, those words were somewhat of a taboo.

"Sect master, you saw it yourself. He is still thinking about that little bastard. If we keep this old bastard here, he might be the first to turn on us," said Qin Junling.

Elder Yao did not even bother to reply. He shut his eyes again as if saying to everyone, "This is just how I am."

His reaction further infuriated Qin Junling, who said, "Sect master, we can't put up with this!"

"Enough. I understand Elder Yao's loyalty to the previous sect master. But the previous sect master is dead. Since you remain stubborn, I'll have to keep you in custody for now," said Di Batian.

He then had Elder Yao taken away. Old Herb did not resist. Instead, a gratified look appeared on his face.

After Elder Yao was taken away, Di Batian commanded, "Qin Junling, step out. I hereby command you to lead a group and capture Xiang Shaoyun. I will send a sacred elder to help you in secret as well. Make sure to capture Xiang Shaoyun alive and kill anyone resisting without mercy."

"Yes, sect master. I will not disappoint you," said Qin Junling as he set off to do what he was commanded.

For a moment, news of Xiang Shaoyun's return spread throughout the Di Sect, and rumors started spreading.