Tang Xiaoyu's mind had already developed problems, he just acted very well so others couldn't tell. Of course, he himself wouldn't feel like anything was wrong with him either.
Tang Xiaoyu calmed himself down a bit and said lightly, "Help me pass a message to that silly dog and my good little sister."
Zhang Huizhu could already hear Tang Xiaoyu's anger, helplessness, heartache, and feeling that it was useless to try to change them from his words: "Tell me what to say."
"I don't want to see them again, ever."
Zhang Huizhu advised, "Xiaoyu, you need to calm down. They did this for your sake, they have their own difficulties too."
Tang Xiaoyu said angrily, "How can you tell me to calm down? You tell me how I'm supposed to calm down?"
"What difficulties, stupid difficulties that come from not using your brain? What kind of brain damage makes you do things in my name?"
"I can accept Little Black being silly, after all he's just a dog's brain. But is Tang Xiaoxue really that stupid too? And what's up with Tang Xiaoyan?"
"A bunch of idiots, and they all have the surname Tang too. How am I supposed to calm down?"
Tang Xiaoyu was angry on one hand, and resentful of their stupidity on the other.
Tang Xiaoyu had said before: You have your own life, and I have my own path to walk. I'm just a passerby in your life.
But in the end, he wasn't treated as just a passerby, but became a backstabber.
Zhang Huizhu didn't know what to say to comfort Tang Xiaoyu: "Then come back first, we can talk more when you're back."
Tang Xiaoyu took a deep breath: "How can I go back? Should I abandon my tens of thousands of disciples? Betray the promise I made to them?"
Zhang Huizhu was confused: "Tens of thousands of disciples? You're...?"
"I'm currently the Sect Leader of Fengxi Sect. Does that cause any problems?"
Zhang Huizhu quickly said: "No, no problems at all."
Zhang Huizhu really wanted to say: I told you to infiltrate them, but you went and became the boss directly instead. Do you not see any issues with that?
It seemed Tang Xiaoyu had made some decision: "Let's just leave it like this! You guys make your preparations slowly!"
With a light pinch, the jade token turned into powder, which he scattered into the air casually.
"Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu..." Called out to him several times but didn't get a response. Zhang Huizhu knew he had completely lost faith in them now.
"I have to hurry and tell Xiaoxue about this." In a blink, she disappeared from the spot.
"Everyone gather at the square." Tang Xiaoyu's voice spread through the entire Fengxi Sect.
Liu Xufeng heard this voice and knew something important had happened, so she hurried over to the square.
All the disciples put down what they were doing and rushed to the square.
When the disciples reached the square, they saw Tang Xiaoyu standing with his back facing them on top of a high platform.
That back was so straight and powerful, yet also so lonely and desolate.
As all the people orderly stood in the square, they looked up solemnly and reverently at that lonely, desolate back.
This was the person who always had a gentle smile, who could accurately call out every single person's name no matter if you were a new disciple or a useless outer disciple.
When you were arrogant, he would make you recognize yourself.
When you made slow progress and gave up on yourself, he could pat your shoulder, cheer you on, tell you not to give up.
But this kind of person had a pair of world-weary eyes. What you saw most in his eyes was grief.
That ever-present gentle smile always made people feel close, but when he turned around it made people's hearts ache.
What had he gone through to make that originally upright and powerful back look so lonely and desolate?
They really wanted to stand by this man's side and bear all this with him, but they knew they didn't yet have the qualifications to stand beside him.
Tang Xiaoyu slowly turned around, looking at them with deep apology.
"Sect Leader..." The voices rang through the clouds, scattering the clouds in the sky.
Tang Xiaoyu nodded approvingly: "Good, you are all Fengxi Sect's pride, and also my pride."
"I gathered everyone today because I want to tell you all that I don't want to keep waiting anymore. I can't wait anymore."
Everyone stood up even straighter, listening closely to Tang Xiaoyu's next commands.
"But I'm also very afraid, afraid of leading you all into an abyss, afraid you'll lose your lives due to my momentary impulse."
"Willing to die for the Sect Leader, willing to die for Fengxi Sect!" The crowd roared to Tang Xiaoyu telling him of their decision.
Tang Xiaoyu was very moved. Seeing their determined gazes, he made up his mind: "This is a road of no return. We may all die, but all that we do shall be forever remembered through the ages."
"Are you ready?"
"Ready at all times!"
Tang Xiaoyu looked deeply at everyone: "I hereby declare war on all the sects of Middle State in three days!"
Tang Xiaoyu took a deep breath: "We will win for sure!"
"Sure win, sure win, sure win!"
This sleeping beast Fengxi Sect slowly revealed its fangs. It would make the entirety of Middle State tremble beneath its feet.
Yet Eastern State was still locked in internal strife for the position of Holy Lord.
For Tang Xiaoxue to stand at the peak, she first had to take the position of Holy Lord, then lead all Eastern State's cultivators to challenge the other States.
In the Demonic Cultivator Holy Land, Zhang Youde was now covered in injuries, while the Tang Xiaoxue before him remained unharmed and indifferent.
"Zhang Holy Lord, you are not my match. Your sect is also not a match for my sect. Can you still not see the reality?"
Zhang Youde said in frustration, "Is this position really so important? So important that you would disregard Eastern State's plans and preparations over decades?"
Tang Xiaoxue said coldly, "Only I can wholeheartedly help my brother. I have no faith in any of you to do the same."
"Rather than having you delay time here pointlessly, I might as well lead Eastern State to conquer the world."
Zhang Youde smiled bitterly, "Is this also Dao Ancestor's intention?"
"Dao Ancestor? He doesn't have time to bother with such trivial matters. Don't worry though, I won't kill you. Things will continue as they did before."
Zhang Youde looked at his disciples below: "You've won. From now on, Eastern State is under your command."
Tang Xiaoxue cupped her fists: "Then thank you, Zhang Sect Leader."
After that, Tang Xiaoxue sent out her first command to Eastern State: "The sect leaders of all first-rate sects in Eastern State shall come to the Holy Land to discuss matters in ten days."
It was at this time, ten days later, that Zhang Huizhu also rushed back.
She charged into the Great Hall of the Holy Land and anxiously yelled at Tang Xiaoxue: "Xiaoxue, terrible news!"
Tang Xiaoxue's brows furrowed: "You should be addressing me as Holy Lord now."
Zhang Huizhu was stunned. [Putting on airs huh! I'll make you cry later.]
Then Zhang Huizhu calmly bowed: "Holy Lord, I have news to report."
"Speak."
"Ten days ago, I contacted an informant in Middle State."
Tang Xiaoxue felt it was unimportant and casually said: "Any important intelligence?"
Zhang Huizhu said lightly: "Nothing much. He just had me pass on a message to a silly dog and his good little sister."
Tang Xiaoxue still hadn't reacted: "What kind of message needs a Sect Leader to deliver it?"
"Nothing important. He said: I don't want to see them again, ever." Zhang Huizhu enunciated each word clearly.
"Boring. Who was the message for?"
Zhang Huizhu looked mockingly at Tang Xiaoxue: "It's for you, Holy Lord, and a silly dog."
"What?"
Tang Xiaoxue immediately stood up and asked tremblingly: "What's his name?"
Zhang Huizhu squeezed out three words: "Tang...Xiao...Yu."