Zhu Yinxi's face remained expressionless, but a faint trace of mockery flickered in his eyes.
He gave a slight nod, and the others immediately understood his meaning.
Indeed, even if Liu Qingyang hadn't made this scene, considering his previous help and their current cooperative relationship, this flag of the Water Moon Sect would most likely have been given to him anyway.
After all, forcibly seizing an ally's sect flag, even temporarily, was unjustifiable and could easily alienate people.
But now that Liu Qingyang had made such a fuss, he had given them a perfect out—it wasn't that the Five Elements Dao Sect was generous, nor that they had some private deal with the Water Moon Sect, but rather that this hostage of theirs was too rowdy and shameless!
They were simply forced to give him the flag to maintain peace in the team!
This way, it preserved Liu Qingyang's face, safeguarded the position of the Five Elements Dao Sect, and even allowed them to put on a show of reluctant compromise for the spectators outside. It was killing multiple birds with one stone!
Realizing this, the helpless expression on Jiang Yifan's face became even more authentic.
As for Ling Suxin of the Hehuan Sect, she maintained a cold and calm expression from beginning to end. She had no objection to Liu Qingyang's tantrum or the eventual compromise of the Five Elements Dao Sect; in fact, she found it to be the most appropriate way to handle things.
Before entering the secret realm, the Hehuan Sect had already held deep discussions with the Five Elements Dao Sect.
They knew that relying solely on a two-sect alliance was not enough to gain an advantage in a secret realm filled with the top prodigies of every sect. They had to seek more reliable allies.
And because the Shenmu Sect and the Water Moon Sect held relatively neutral positions and had no deep grudges against them—they could even be called friendly—they were listed as primary targets for recruitment.
Direct disciples with special identities and great potential, like Liu Qingyang, were their main focuses.
When necessary, using some points or even their own sect flags as a gesture of sincerity to gain trust and cooperation was entirely worth it. This was all part of the plan.
As a core member of the Hehuan Sect's team, Ling Suxin was naturally privy to these details.
She knew even better that the personal friendship between Liu Qingyang and these members of the Five Elements Dao Sect was far deeper than what the outside world saw, even deeper than the official alliance between their sects.
Their experiences in the Forest of Demonic Beasts and their current "forced partnership" in the secret realm proved this.
Therefore, regarding the decision to give Liu Qingyang the Water Moon Sect flag—which had been discovered by Zhu Yinxi and obtained through the efforts of the Five Elements Dao Sect's main force—Ling Suxin not only had no objection but saw it as a good opportunity to deepen ties with Liu Qingyang and his sect.
It was more natural and effective for the Five Elements Dao Sect to offer this favor than for her Hehuan Sect to step in.
Moreover, the flag originally belonged to the Water Moon Sect, so returning it to its original owner was reasonable.
Adding to that, since the Five Elements Dao Sect had done the most work, they had the right to decide the distribution of the spoils. As a temporary ally, she shouldn't and wouldn't interfere.
At this moment, Zhu Yinxi spoke with a deliberate tone of headache and compromise: "Junior Brother Liu! You... get up at once! This is beneath your dignity!"
Hearing this, Liu Qingyang rolled even harder and wailed louder: "No! I won't get up! Not unless you promise to give me the flag!"
Zhu Yinxi looked helplessly at Jiang Yifan and the others, spreading his hands as if to say, "See? What should we do?"
Suppressing a laugh, Li Nanzhu stepped forward to mediate. "Second Senior Brother, why don't we just... give it to him? Look at how pitifully he's crying. He did help us after all... Besides, he's clutching the flag so tightly we can't exactly fight him for it, can we? That would look terrible!"
Duan Xianxing also fought back a laugh, chiming in: "Exactly, exactly! Stop wailing! The flag is yours! Just get up already, the ground is filthy!"
Feng Weilan also suppressed his amusement and spoke flatly: "Forget it. It's just a flag. Give it to him so we don't delay our journey."
Under the collective persuasion of the group, Zhu Yinxi finally gave a reluctant nod and said to Liu Qingyang.
"Junior Brother Liu... get up first. This flag... belongs to you. Stop this nonsense."
As soon as he heard that, Liu Qingyang's crying stopped instantly!
He scrambled up from the ground with a speed that left everyone dumbfounded.
He clutched the flag tightly to his chest. Where was there any sign of tears on his face? There was only unmistakable smugness and joy!
He grinned at everyone, revealing two rows of white teeth: "Thank you, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters! Hehe! I knew you guys were the most generous!"
The speed of his face-changing left everyone speechless once again.
Jiang Yifan shook his head helplessly and waved his hand: "Put it away quickly. We need to keep moving."
"You got it!" Liu Qingyang happily gripped the flag, feeling as light as air.
Points secured! Life was good!
The farce thus came to an end.
Although everyone had gained a new understanding of Liu Qingyang's shamelessness, they were happy to go along with it.
The team set out once again, though the atmosphere had become more... lively, or perhaps, bizarre.
Outside the secret realm, on the high platform floating among the clouds, the atmosphere was similarly subtle because of Liu Qingyang's spectacular performance.
Sect Leader Liu Changhe watched his son rolling and wailing on the light screen with zero regard for his image. His face first flushed bright red, then turned ashen, and finally became so dark it looked like it could drip ink!
"This... this unfilial brat!"
Liu Changhe roared in his heart, so angry he could hardly breathe!
He felt that the face he had spent a lifetime building had been completely ground into the dirt by his worthless son today!
"The face of my Water Moon Sect! My own dignity! You've rubbed it all into the mud!"
He wished he could charge into the secret realm right now, drag that brat up from the ground, and give him a severe thrashing!
However, a Water Moon Sect elder sitting beside him stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming. Instead of being angry, he nodded slightly and whispered to Liu Changhe.
"Sect Leader, calm your anger. Although Qingyang's actions were... well, somewhat improper, the result is good. A flag and twenty points obtained so easily. In the face of sect interests, what does a little bit of face matter?"
This elder was clearly more pragmatic.
In his view, while Liu Qingyang's behavior was undignified, it was remarkably effective. The Five Elements Dao Sect was clearly willing to grant this favor, and their young master had simply taken the opportunity to gain substantial benefits at the lowest possible cost. This deal was anything but a loss!
One could even say it was... clever?
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