I Can See Through All Things' Information Chapter 1172 - 725: Hidden Motives, Turbulent Undercurrents, Making the Unreal Real

A collective chill ran through the crowd as the bamboo-shaped Flying Boat came into view.

The disciples from the Pavilion of the Enchanting Immortal, Netherworld Palace, and Black and White Temple looked on with particularly heavy apprehension. The Kongming Sect was a titan of the cultivation world, possessing a foundation and legacy that rivaled their own prestigious sects.

More significantly, the Kongming Sect adhered to the Righteous Path with fierce conviction. They were known for their disdain for evil and a persistent habit of interfering in the affairs of others, making them natural enemies of the gathered groups.

True to their reputation, the Kongming Sect members wore expressions of pure disgust the moment they spotted Hei Ming and the other representatives of the Evil Path. A lady dressed in pale blue, radiating an icy aura, ignored Hei Ming’s group entirely. She steered her Flying Boat until it rested alongside the vessel of the Sky-breaking Sword Sect.

"Brother Yu Jian, Qing Xi offers her greetings." The lady in blue performed a graceful bow toward the white-clad youth.

"Sister Qing Xi, it has been quite some time. I did not expect you to be the one leading the Kongming Sect's disciples on this journey." Yu Jian, the young man in white, responded with a courteous and gentle smile.

"I had a feeling that the Sky-breaking Sword Sect would entrust Brother Yu Jian with the lead," Qing Xi replied with a faint smile.

"Hmph, what a vixen." Peach Fairy couldn't suppress a cold snort as she watched the two converse so cordially. A flicker of murderous intent crossed her eyes. The Pavilion of the Enchanting Immortal and the Kongming Sect were bitter rivals, and Qing Xi’s refined, "pure" act made her feel physically ill.

She had already decided that once they crossed the threshold into the secret realm, she would target the Kongming Sect. If an opportunity arose to trap Qing Xi within the realm forever, she would seize it without hesitation. A strange light danced in Peach Fairy's eyes as she began weaving a dark scheme.

"Brother Yu Jian, this area is crawling with all manner of foul spirits. Once the gates to the secret realm open, perhaps we should join forces? We can look out for one another and ensure we aren't blindsided by these small fry. What do you think?" Having greeted Yu Jian, Qing Xi moved straight to her proposal.

Yu Jian paused to consider, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding forces. He eventually nodded, "Very well. Our two sects have always shared a close bond and a deep history, so it is only right that we enter together."

Yu Jian recalled the specific instructions the Sword Master had given him before his departure. During this expedition, even if they failed to secure the ultimate treasure, they must ensure it did not fall into the hands of Evil Path powers like the Black and White Temple or the Netherworld Palace. An alliance with the Kongming Sect would significantly boost their chances of success.

The news of the Sky-breaking Sword Sect and the Kongming Sect forming a pact sent shockwaves through the other three major factions. Such a union placed them at a severe disadvantage. Hei Ming and the others immediately began brainstorming their own strategies.

Their instinctive reaction was to form a similar alliance among themselves, but the idea was quickly discarded by several leaders. If the partner were the Sky-breaking Sword Sect, they would have agreed in a heartbeat. Yu Jian was famous for his impeccable reputation and gentlemanly conduct; he was a man who never broke his word. One could cooperate with him without the constant fear of being stabbed in the back.

However, the other factions could not be trusted. There was no guarantee that a temporary ally wouldn't betray them at a critical moment, leading to their total annihilation. Yet, without an alliance, it would be nearly impossible to compete against the combined strength of Yu Jian and his new partners.

As Hei Ming and his peers deliberated, more ripples of Qi disturbed the air. Turning back, they saw several more Flying Boats approaching from the distance. Over the following months, powerful forces continued to arrive at the edge of the Silent Extinction Star Sea until dozens of factions had gathered.

"Are there truly this many powers vying to enter the secret realm?" On the outskirts of the massive fleet, aboard a Golden Flying Boat decorated with a dragon’s head, an old man looked at the high-tier vessels ahead with a worried expression.

"That is impossible," the leader replied. He was a middle-aged man wearing a Purple Dragon Robe, and he shook his head slowly. "Originally, only eighteen tokens for the secret realm were ever released to the world. Even if we account for the ones that were lost to history, there are likely only twelve or thirteen groups here who actually possess a token. The rest are either looking for a partner to carry them in or are simply here to fish in troubled waters. Not everyone has a key. Take the Heng Family, for instance—aren't they trying to use the Thirteenth Elder to secure a collaboration with us?"

The old man realized the truth as he listened. "I see. Since this is a secret realm left by a Daoist Immortal, even those without tokens will try any scheme to get inside."

"Most of these groups are of no concern to us; they are no match for our Immortal Clan. Our primary focus must remain on the Sky-breaking Sword Sect, the Netherworld Palace, the Black and White Temple, the Pavilion of the Enchanting Immortal, and the Kongming Sect. Those are the truly formidable entities," the man in the Purple Dragon Robe continued.

He looked toward the leading Flying Boats. These Great Sects were the Immortal Clan’s true competitors in the hunt for fortune.

"Indeed. Yu Jian, Hei Ming, Tu Shan, Peach Fairy, and Qing Xi... these individuals are all peak talents of the Primordial Spirit Eighth Tribulation. They will be incredibly difficult to deal with," the old man added solemnly.

Even though they had expected these factions to send their best, facing such famous Primordial Spirit experts from the surrounding Immortal Domains still brought immense pressure. It was well known that due to certain cosmic restrictions, beings who had surpassed the Primordial Spirit realm were forbidden from interfering in the mortal universe. Furthermore, those at the Ninth Tribulation Primordial Spirit stage were almost always in deep seclusion, desperately trying to break through to the next realm, and rarely appeared in the world.