A Morning of Fire and Scheming

As the first rays of dawn touched the sky, an unsettling quiet hung over the Xuan Nv Sect.

Something significant seemed to have transpired during the night, especially given that the Jia-grade disciples’ dormitory district, perched atop the highest hill, offered an unobstructed view of all the other dormitories.

The previous night, Qiu Yue, still awake, had noticed a fire blazing within one of the courtyards in the Yi-grade disciples’ dormitory annex.

Lu Ping’an rushed in, buffeted by the morning breeze, her steps frantic and hurried, yet upon reaching the courtyard gate, she managed to rein in her impatience, knocking politely.

“Come in,” Qiu Yue called out, her fingers running through her long hair at the dressing table, as she waited for the hurried footsteps to scurry from the front courtyard to a halt behind her.

Her haste was so palpable it seemed as though flames might ignite from the very hem of her skirt.

“Young Miss Qiu—”

“The ‘Young Miss’ title is no longer applicable,” Qiu Yue interjected, setting down her comb. “You may simply call me Senior Sister.” She turned, leaning languidly against the edge of the dressing table. “What transpired last night?”

“It’s Lin Wan’er! Lin Wan’er’s annex caught fire!”

“Lin Mo’s?!”

Qiu Yue instantly straightened, her brows furrowed deeply, her eyes narrowed as she waited for Lu Ping’an to continue.

“The elders and hosts of the Hall of Clarity have sealed off the information, forbidding any leaks. However, I managed to spend some spirit stones to pry open the mouths of the disciples living nearby. I heard that the Imperial Princess and Lin Wan’er attempted to break through together last night. Lin Wan’er failed, suffering severe injuries, while the Imperial Princess, on the other hand, successfully established her foundation!”

Qiu Yue’s fingertip trembled. “You said Lin… cough, cough, you said what happened to Lin Wan’er?”

“It seems he was too eager to break through and failed in establishing his foundation. His cultivation realm appears to have fallen significantly.”

“I asked about his injuries! How severe are they?!” Qiu Yue demanded, her anxiety evident as she slammed her hand on the table and rose to her feet.

“Oh? Ah! The host for tonight’s session reportedly said that he only sustained minor injuries, some internal damage, with his ribs and internal organs merely lightly harmed. A day’s rest should suffice.”

Hearing that the injuries were merely superficial, Qiu Yue’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and she settled back into her seat.

“I see. I understand now. Take this.” Qiu Yue tossed the storage ring from her hand into Lu Ping’an’s.

Lu Ping’an caught it with both hands. “Senior Sister Qiu, this is…?”

“Just look,” Qiu Yue said dismissively, shrugging off the shawl draped over her fragrant shoulders, then shedding her clothes, preparing to bathe.

As Lu Ping’an’s spiritual sense delved into the ring, her breath hitched! The sight within far exceeded her wildest imagination—spirit stones, shimmering with brilliant light, were piled high like a miniature mountain, exuding an aura of utterly pure spiritual energy!

Even more astonishingly, a dazzling array of elixirs of various impressive grades, magical artifacts faintly glowing with treasure light, and even arcane spiritual treasures of diverse forms and mysterious auras were mingled within, creating a truly magnificent display!

These resources… the resurgence of her family’s past glory was no longer a pipe dream! Indeed, the sheer sight of this dazzling mountain of spirit stones alone was enough to serve as the colossal cornerstone for her declining family’s resurgence in the local region!

These spirit stones, in particular, were of exceptionally high quality, imbued with pure essence, and their cultivation efficacy far surpassed ordinary ones. Even for trade, their value was immense.

In that instant, a searing light erupted in Lu Ping’an’s eyes!

At that moment, she knew she had made the right gamble!

Lu Ping’an’s breathing gradually lost its steady rhythm, becoming rapid and heavy.

Qiu Yue walked slowly towards the pool, sinking into its depths, allowing the warm spiritual water to envelop her body.

Her voice, imbued with a casual indifference, yet still possessing an undeniable authority, made it seem as though the treasures before her were utterly insignificant. “You may utilize anything inside as you see fit, so long as you execute my instructions flawlessly…” Her voice trailed off, a subtle upward lilt to the final syllable as a slight curve played upon her red lips. “As for what remains—consider it your reward, a sweet bonus.”

‘Sweet bonus’?

‘This’… all of this is merely a ‘sweet bonus’?

Joy descended like a torrential downpour, and her small, shriveled heart could barely contain the overflowing happiness within it.

Unable to articulate her thoughts, her eyes instantly welled up. Countless phrases flashed through her mind, yet ultimately, they condensed into a single, more pragmatic declaration!

“I… I, Lu Ping’an, will certainly not betray Senior Sister Qiu’s trust!”

‘Dignity’? What was dignity worth when compared to the contents of that storage ring?

She dropped to her knees, bowing her head deeply, the sound echoing loudly.

“You may leave now,” Qiu Yue instructed without turning, waving a dismissive hand towards Lu Ping’an. “There’s no need for such theatrics; simply perform your duties well!”

‘To have such a superior is truly a blessing of three lifetimes!’

“Yes! Your subordinate takes her leave!”

As Lu Ping’an withdrew, Qiu Yue could no longer suppress the smile playing on her lips. Her low chuckle gradually swelled, becoming unrestrained and audacious.

‘Lin Mo, oh, Lin Mo!’

‘I had originally thought it would take considerable effort to suppress the Hall of Clarity‘s achievements, but who knew you would create such a stir all on your own?’

Upon hearing that his injuries were not severe, Qiu Yue’s worries dissipated like smoke. The moment she learned of his failed foundation establishment, a triumphant smile bloomed on her lips.

‘Perhaps he realized the disparity in their strengths yesterday and grew anxious to break through?’

‘That must be why he was in such a rush.’

‘But why, then, did the Imperial Princess succeed in establishing her foundation instead?’

Qiu Yue had long heard rumors about that particular Imperial Princess.

The compatibility of the Imperial family’s inherited cultivation techniques was notoriously low, to an appalling degree. After ten years of cultivation, one could barely reach the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Condensation. Rumors even claimed that the current Empress had already stripped the Princess of her right to succession.

Her arrival at the Xuan Nv Sect was merely a consequence of her believing the rumors among its disciples: that the sect’s internal cultivation methods offered near-perfect compatibility, drawing her here for refinement.

‘However, why did they break through—together? For cultivators, an additional person during a breakthrough often introduces more distracting thoughts and increased mental dispersion.’

‘Therefore, most cultivators purify themselves before attempting a breakthrough alone. If two individuals attempt it simultaneously, it almost invariably implies dual cultivation…’

‘Dual cultivation?!’

‘Qiu Yue had considerable knowledge of such practices…’

‘Could it be?!’

‘No, impossible.’

‘Dual cultivation not only demands a complete understanding between partners but also an exceptionally strong tacit agreement. The slightest misstep, and their spiritual energies would intertwine in a chaotic manner. If their cultivation techniques were to clash, let alone successfully establishing a foundation, merely surviving would be a distant hope.’

‘Furthermore, without the aid of compatible cultivation techniques, spiritual energy could easily accumulate within their bodies, blocking their meridians and leading to an explosive death.’

‘While dual cultivation could greatly assist in cultivation, like adding wings to a tiger, it came at the cost of immense danger. The slightest error could prove fatal.’

‘Costing them their lives.’

‘Moreover, setting aside the possibility of his identity as a man being discovered by the people here—whether he would die or be reported—and ignoring whether the Imperial Princess would tolerate a man lurking by her side, sharing her chambers…’

‘Purely from a perspective of self-interest, how could Lin Mo possibly expose his identity to an Imperial Princess who offered him no significant benefit?’

‘She was, after all, merely an Imperial Princess on the verge of being stripped of her right to succession.’

‘Furthermore, the only one capable of dual cultivating with Lin Mo was herself!’

‘Though that would only happen once Qiu Yue brought him home.’

‘Moreover, she would need to consider certain measures, given that her beloved had a penchant for wandering off.’

‘Or perhaps, this was merely another tactic of Lin Mo’s, designed to make her lower her guard?’

‘Hadn’t he employed such strategies from the very beginning?’

What perplexed Qiu Yue, however, was why Ji Xue had successfully established her foundation.

‘But Lin Mo had not?’

While the spiritual energy here was not as abundant as in her own sect, it was certainly not so barren as to prevent two individuals from establishing their foundations simultaneously.

‘Could it be—this was Lin Mo’s scheme? Another strategy to reduce the number of competitors?’

‘Was he planning to deceive those closest to him first, deeming it safer?’

‘No.’

‘Why complicate matters so?’

‘Presently, all the managers of the Hall of Clarity, across various departments, possess Golden Core cultivation. Moreover, the Xuan Nv Sect was renowned for its ‘Face Reading’ ability. How could they fail to discern whether a mere Qi Condensation realm Lin Mo was genuinely severely injured or merely feigning weakness and maintaining a low profile?’

‘If he wished to deceive them, there were certainly ways. He could employ numerous elixirs and secret treasures, but could Lin Mo truly acquire such items?’

‘That disgraced Sect Master, as of now, possessed no valuable treasures.’

‘If he were to stage such an act, he would have to genuinely injure himself, and the injuries would need to be severe enough to fool Golden Core cultivators. How could he possibly recover from such grave wounds within a month?’

‘It was crucial to remember that the Hall of Clarity‘s sparring sessions were held three times, each serving as a vital assessment criterion. Only a fool would allow themselves to be injured at such a critical juncture.’

‘No, there was no point in overthinking it. For now, she would simply enjoy her morning bath.’

‘The day she brought Lin Mo home was drawing near; it was not far at all.’

‘Her victory was close at hand.’

Submerged in the warm spiritual water, Qiu Yue’s heart felt light, her mood immeasurably good.

However…

Qiu Yue lightly flicked her fingertips across the water’s surface, and the ripples reflected a chilling glint in her eyes:

‘It never hurts to investigate.’