Mei Xin’s face gradually turned pale.
Finally, as Lin Shuang’s expression became increasingly relaxed and content while combing her hair, Mei Xin’s body swayed precariously, her consciousness turbulent and drained to the point of complete exhaustion.
Lin Shuang combed her hair while listening to music. This was her usual routine.
Her mood while combing her hair was as good as always.
“Xiao Ai Counting Service at your service.”
“This is the 97th comb-through.”
“Great job, here comes number 98.”
“The more you comb, the smarter you become, and the sharper your spiritual awareness becomes~”
“You’re doing great! Only three more to go.”
“Daily combing makes your hair smoother and shinier, sweeping away impurities~ Great job, this is the last one!”
“You’ve become more beautiful!”
“Today’s hair-combing completed 120 times!”
The pink-robed elder’s mouth twitched, barely resisting the urge to tear up the noisy Shih Tzu paper talisman that had been annoying him all along!
Huangpu Yuan also wore a strange expression.
Combing hair can make fur smoother and remove impurities?
He had not combed his fur for a long time due to hiding it.
His body had just been filled with chaotic energy, nearly exposing his demonic core aura. Yet at this moment, without realizing it, his gaze followed the peach-wood comb in Lin Shuang’s hand, and his inner energy gradually calmed down.
A flicker of longing flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
“Lin Shuang… wins.”
The pink-robed elder finally spoke, his temple twitching stiffly.
Lin Shuang smiled and removed her right earphone after completing the 120th comb stroke.
Her spiritual awareness instantly went to sleep, leaving only the 108th stream active.
“That’s impossible… how could this happen… you were clearly entering a dream… how did you break free…”
Mei Xin couldn’t believe it.
Even though the elder had declared it over, she still couldn’t stop playing her erhu.
In an instant, without the high-energy BGM from the earphones, only one spiritual thread remained active within Lin Shuang, and she smiled.
She turned toward Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi.
“I won. We can move forward three heartbeats. That should be enough time for Senior Brother to reach the spiritual spring, right?”
Meng Zi raised an eyebrow.
What did she mean? What about her?
Lin Shuang put away the peach-wood comb. “This was the last activity of my day.”
“Now, I can really take a nap and have sweet dreams.”
“Huangpu Senior Brother, Meng Senior Brother, remember to bring me back to my cave residence… tell my little junior sister… see her tomorrow morning…”
The last words almost drifted away in the wind.
She slowly closed her eyes amidst Mei Xin’s sorrowful and moving erhu melody.
This time, she truly collapsed into a soft heap, leaning sideways into Huangpu Yuan’s arms.
His entire fox fur cloak bristled, a single strand grabbed by her hand as she blissfully sank into her dream with a soft giggle.
“Big Treasure… come play…”
Under Mei Xin’s dream-inducing and emotional performance, Lin Shuang murmured in her sleep.
Huangpu Yuan stiffly looked down, intending to pull his soft fur from her pink fingers.
But he stopped again when he saw her frown.
Meng Zi, who was supposed to do “spirit stone labor,” reluctantly regained his senses from this bizarre hair-combing dream battle.
With a sigh, he helplessly took out a soft couch from his spatial bag.
He might as well let both of them lie on it.
“One person, one hundred spirit stones, okay?”
Huangpu Yuan: “…”
Pink-robed elder: “…”
[…]
Mei Xin and the others all wore helpless expressions, their spiritual paths wounded.
They lost.
Even with higher cultivation than Lin Shuang, they still lost.
“Round two, Huangpu Yuan, Meng Zi, and Lin Shuang win.”
“They may advance three heartbeats.”
Meng Zi immediately rode his three swords and one saber, shouldering the soft couch, bamboo chair, and dashing forward on a fast-moving table to the spiritual spring.
[Group 11111, victory in battle!]
[You’ve finally arrived after clearing 3000 layers. Give me a cup of spiritual spring water!]
[The entire Li Family Village is immensely grateful to you three immortals. The spiritual spring will bring prosperity to the village for the next hundred years, and the cultivation bloodline within the village will be passed down generation after generation.]
Meng Zi looked up, seeing the words ripple across the water surface, and his joy at earning spirit stones doubled.
He puffed out his chest proudly.
With the appearance of the words, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
[The Li Family Village has decided to reward each of you with 1000 spirit stones.]
[Not only did you secure the spiritual spring for the Li Family, but you also set an example for the village’s youth.
It’s possible to overcome the strong with the weak.
As long as there is hope in the heart, and one diligently perseveres day after day, everything will eventually bear fruit.]
In the projection, Meng Zi was instantly seen carrying the soft couch, surrounded by a dense crowd of young and strong villagers rushing out from the grass on both sides of the muddy path near the spiritual spring.
The young men of Li Family Village were filled with emotion on their faces.
“Immortal!”
“We will definitely make good use of the spiritual spring!”
Meng Zi’s expression kept changing.
When had they hidden in the grass?
[…]
“Can you please let go… don’t hug my leg… Ah, Lin Shuang, Huangpu Senior Brother!”
[…]
[So enthusiastic? I don’t remember encountering anything like this in the 3000th layer.]
[Ah, speaking of this, have you been to the Xiao Fang Trial Layer before? Meng Zi and the others already had a wave of admiration from the Li Family Village, and today it’s stacking up again…]
[Old Master Li has decided to inscribe your three names on the ancestral hall pillars to commemorate the help you three immortals have given to Li Family Village.]
[As long as Li Family Village does not perish, you three will be remembered by the Li Family for generations to come!]
The projection instantly changed.
The entire ancestral hall of Li Family Village floated into the air.
On the two stone pillars of the ancestral hall, waves of water-like characters clearly emerged.
[3000th Layer Master: Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, Huangpu Yuan.]
[Disciple rankings are sorted based on the admiration received from Li Family Village.]
[May you not forget the glory of the 3000 layers and continue upward, climbing to the highest peak!]
After these words appeared, they vanished.
At the very top of the stone pillars, the names of Lin Shuang and the others remained.
Below them were the names of disciples who had cleared the 3000 layers in previous generations.
But none were ranked higher than Lin Shuang and her companions.
Admiration points were indeed effective.
The names of Lin Shuang and her companions had already become the highest-ranked names under the 3000th layer in the Li Family ancestral hall.
The projection screen flickered.
A resting pavilion for every 3000 layers of Zhenchuan appeared before the eyes of all watching disciples.
Right at the bottommost 3000th layer resting cave residence, where elders usually sat behind the jade table on that level.
A plaque floated into the air.
[This session of Zhenchuan, the first among 3000: Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, Huangpu Yuan.]
They were not only the masters of the 3000th layer but also the top of all layers from one to 3000.
“!”
“They climbed up… onto the rankings!”
The disciples’ names originally sorted by their entry time also changed dramatically, with Lin Shuang now ahead of Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan.
This indicated that, considering their various trials across different layers, Zhenchuan Mountain Pavilion deemed Lin Shuang’s contributions superior to the other two!
The outer sect disciple has risen!
Towering above all the mid and low-level disciples from the first to the 3000th layer of Zhenchuan!
The outer sect disciple has risen!
Risen above Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan, who were in the same group and also fought their way to first place!
An outer sect disciple… reaching the Qi Transformation stage!
Across the entire Zhenchuan, with its 9000 layers, there was a moment of silence.
Until a soft laugh sounded, and the green-clad woman vanished from the 3000th layer, instantly snapping the disciples there out of their daze.
They looked at the top-ranking names carved on this layer and took a step back.
Indeed, in the next moment, the pink-robed elder appeared with Lin Shuang’s group and Mei Xin’s group.
With a bang, all the tables and chairs on the 3000th layer shattered instantly.
“All 3000 disciples, everyone must receive punishment according to the rules!”
Ninety-nine days of meditation in the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes.
A penalty of 10,000 spirit stones each.
In an instant, everyone was teleported away.
The resting cave residence on the 3000th layer was left completely empty.
The projection remained active.
Disciples on the 6000th and 9000th layers watched the desolate, empty scene and fell silent.
Feeling the sorrow of a fox when a hare dies.
When Lin Shuang reaches the 6000th layer—
The green-clad woman who had just returned, along with the elders from the 9000th layer, simultaneously let out a cold laugh.
“You must all remember the loss at the 3000th layer.”
“In the future, if this place is breached, and an outer sect disciple’s name is carved here…”
“Your punishment will be doubled!”
The higher you stand, the greater your responsibility.
Inner sect disciples and outer sect disciples are of the same sect. When facing outsiders beyond the sect, both share the honor and disgrace of the Qingshui Sect.
However, within the sect, inner sect disciples enjoy far more support from the Qingshui Sect than outer sect disciples—superior cultivation techniques, spiritual energy, and cave residence subsidies.
Outer sect disciples still have to perform daily chores to maintain the sect’s livelihood, leaving them with very little time for cultivation.
The inner sect disciples work hard day and night, never ceasing, to maintain their comfortable cultivation lifestyle!
The green-clad woman propped her legs up on the table, carelessly tossing the jade tablet for the 6000th layer cave residence back and forth in her hand.
“If you get overtaken by the outer sect, don’t expect me to be as lenient as that fellow Li Min. One by one, whoever loses to the outer sect will have to work as a servant in the outer sect for ten years!”
“If you’re not up to the task, then we’ll switch to outer sect prodigies and let them enjoy the sect’s support!”
The atmosphere on the 6000th layer grew tense.
The same was true in the resting cave residence on the 9000th layer.
At this moment, Lin Shuang was still fast asleep.
Zhao Keran wasn’t worried at all—no, actually, she was a little anxious.
She looked back at Lin Shuang’s sweet sleeping face.
But with just one glance, when she turned around again, she found that Zhou Xuanwu, who had been wiping the treasure shelves beside her a moment ago, was gone!
[…]
In the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes, the 3000 disciples all wore gloomy expressions, their heads drooping.
Only one person looked delighted.
When everyone looked, they were stunned.
Green belt, blue robe… outer sect!
They all took a step back in unison.
Zhou Xuanwu opened his eyes and saw them, also startled and stepping back.
But soon, he became expressionless and sat cross-legged.
—How did he get here?!
—It must be because his consciousness was tempted by the 99-day meditation in the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes. 99 days without seeing anyone—what a wonderful thing!
—His body reacted faster than his mind, stepping onto the teleportation array.
—But everyone around him were unfamiliar seniors and juniors. Scary! Should he greet them?
—Forget it. If he enters meditation, he won’t have to speak. Yes, he’ll enter meditation right now.
Zhou Xuanwu instantly closed his eyes.
He looked somewhat happy.
*
“Oh no, Senior Brother Zhou is gone?”
Lin Shuang woke up after a short nap of one incense stick’s time.
Bad review.
Senior Sister Mei Xin’s hypnosis wasn’t effective—it couldn’t even guarantee her usual eight hours of sleep.
Now that she had woken up, she found herself already moved to the resting cave residence on the 6000th layer.
Probably carried up by Meng Zi.
Zhao Keran was somewhat anxious. She had already completed ten days of cleaning work after the 3000th layer ahead of time.
And now, there wasn’t a single disciple left on the 3000th layer.
It wouldn’t get dirty anymore.
She had also followed Lin Shuang to the 6000th layer.
“Senior Brother might have really wanted to retreat into cultivation and entered the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes.”
Lin Shuang’s lips twitched. “Hmm, that’s fine then. He should be happy.”
“But Senior Brother Xu Rui is going to be furious.”
Zhao Keran lowered her voice, whispering beside Lin Shuang’s couch.
Lin Shuang held her forehead. “It’s okay, Chen Xingchuan said he wanted to join the outer sect.”
One out, one in. The number of outer sect disciples remains even.
But as soon as she finished speaking, she felt the atmosphere in the 6000th layer resting cave residence grow tense.
The several high-cultivation seniors and juniors around the tea tables were looking at her like wolves and tigers.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Had she said something wrong?
It was just the truth, after all.
At this moment, she finally had time to look around the resting cave residence of layers 3000 to 6000 for the first time.
The decorations were actually similar to those on the 3000th layer.
At the “real estate office”—behind the jade table where elder supervisors sat, the pink-robed elder and green-clad elder now occupied the left and right sides respectively, glaring at each other.
In front of the table were a dozen circular tea tables for disciples to rest briefly.
On both sides were twelve teleportation arrays and treasure shelves where items could be exchanged.
The spiritual energy on these treasure shelves was obviously more abundant.
Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan were already lingering in front of the treasure shelves on the 6000th layer, completely absorbed.
“Senior Sister, it seems the two elders are arguing because of you.”
Zhao Keran wiped the floor while practicing hand seals.
She continued speaking to Lin Shuang.
Lin Shuang sat up on the couch and touched her left cheek.
Before falling asleep, she seemed to have collapsed into a soft, furry surface, her hand still gripping a piece of soft fur.
She even dreamed of walking a dog.
No, not a dog.
“An elder’s argument has nothing to do with us.”
Lin Shuang immediately educated her junior sister.
“Junior Sister, focus on your own tasks. Don’t daydream or take unnecessary responsibility upon yourself.”
“What does an elder’s argument have to do with a disciple like me?”
Zhao Keran immediately blushed. “Ah, yes, I’m sorry, Senior Sister.”
A disciple drinking tea on the 6000th layer: “…”
The pink-robed elder and green-clad elder had already smashed twelve tables.
And they were still glaring at each other.
If not because of her, then for whom else?
“What do you mean, Li Min? Are you here to provoke me on my territory?”
“Hmph, I’ve already obtained the supervision qualification for the 6000th layer. The 3000th layer trial is paused. Starting today, I will oversee layers below 5000. You only need to manage layers 5000 to 6000.”
“…You cunning sound cultivator!”
The green-clad elder and pink-robed elder immediately clashed.
Lin Shuang silently stood up, put away the couch, and walked to Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi’s side.
“Earlier, when Senior Sister Mei Xin lost, did she give us any challenge compensation?”
Disciples on the 6000th layer: “!”
Elders: “!”
Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi both stopped flipping through pages.
The 3000 disciples were punished, and she still thought about challenge compensation.
What a firm spiritual heart!
“Today’s matters must be resolved today.”
Lin Shuang also felt quite apologetic, but there was no way around it.
After all, the Dantian and the spiritual awareness on duty tomorrow needed to be rotated.
If unresolved today, it would burden the next shift.
Wouldn’t that be asking for trouble?
Lin Shuang helplessly looked at the elders.
The pink-robed elder halted his palm strike aimed at the green-clad elder and smiled lightly in an instant.
In a flash, he sent Lin Shuang and the other three to the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes.
“Xiao Lü, do you want to hear a proposal from me?”
The green-clad elder irritably turned his head. “Who is Xiao Lü?”
One by one, disciples cast silence seals on themselves.
Pink-robed elder Li Min pondered, “In the past, for inner sect competitions in the Donghua Realm, the disciples sent were all elite trainees, mostly spirit-shaping experts who had cultivated for a hundred years.”
The green-clad woman frowned, “Xiao Hong, what are you implying?”
Li Min pressed the blue vein on his forehead, “Xiao Lü, our Ningyuan disciples have grown too complacent.”
“At least two in Lin Shuang’s team weren’t going all out, yet they still overpowered them. It’s about time we gave these Yuan Condensation guys a proper challenge.”
(Note: “凝元” is translated as “Yuan Condensation” assuming it refers to a cultivation stage in a xianxia/xuanhuan context. If it has a different meaning in this specific context, please provide clarification.)
Green-robed elder Duan Wufang fell into deep thought.
“Why don’t we jointly submit a proposal to the Twelve Sects Management Guild of Donghuajing this year? For the future of all sects, let the Ningyuan disciples also participate in the arena competition, so they can see how vast the sky is and how profound the waters truly lie beyond!”
“But how can disciples of Ningyuan compete against those who cultivate spirit?”
Li Min’s cat-like eyes sparkled.
“Next spring at the Vernal Equinox, the inner sect competition among the twelve sects can be divided into three groups: lower and mid-level Ningyuan, high-level Ningyuan, and spirit cultivation.”
Green-robed Duan Wufang’s irritated eyes twitched.
“Xiaohong, you truly deserve to be the master who raised the scheming girl Meixin.”
“…”
This meant putting Lin Shuang on the inner sect arena stage and beating other sects into submission recklessly!
“Then she won’t participate in the outer sect arena competition?”
“Pfft, capable people should bear more burdens.”
“…”
“Ah, I meant to say, in Lin Shuang’s words, this is a two birds with one stone.”
Participating in both inner sect and outer sect competitions.
“Poisonous, damn it, you sound cultivators are still the most poisonous.”
Appearing soft and gentle, but with schemes in mind.
Green-robed Duan Wufang nodded briefly. “Fine, but I have a condition.”
“?”
“If Lin Shuang and her team reach the 5,000th floor of Zhenchuan by the Spring Equinox, they will qualify for the high-level Yuan Condensation battle and become my… *cough* I mean, my elite disciples. This has nothing to do with you, Xiaohong!”
(Note: “凝元” is translated as “Yuan Condensation” as it’s a common term in cultivation novels referring to energy condensation. The informal interjection “呸” is rendered as “*cough*” to maintain the dismissive tone while sounding natural in English. The exclamation retains the original’s abruptness.)
“!”
Sword cultivators have a natural beast instinct—they really are annoying when it comes to snatching people.
Pink-robed elder Li Min and green-robed elder Duan Wufang exchanged glances instantly—it looked like another fight was about to break out!
*
A flying letter instantly entered the Donghuajing sect management guild.
Each of the twelve sects had elders stationed at a specially established Zhongyuan pavilion.
They jointly formulated regulations, managed disciple cultivation among the twelve sects, allocated resources from Donghuajing’s secret realms, and organized joint operations against evil cultivators.
The responsibility of hosting next year’s arena competition rotated to the elder of Shanhai Sect.
As soon as he saw the flying letter, he burst into laughter and spoke towards a puddle of water on the ground.
“Your Qingshui Sect folks certainly have some unique perspectives. Indeed, Ningyuan disciples tend to lack urgency unless it’s related to sect missions. Compared to spirit cultivators, their experience is relatively weaker.”
The puddle remained motionless.
The elder from Shanhai Sect, who was speaking, slammed the table. “Don’t pretend to be dead, Shui Qiantan! I know you’re listening!”
Still no reaction from the puddle.
The Shanhai Sect elder raised his eyebrows, walked over, bent down, and poked it with his finger.
Instantly, his fingertip was soaked.
“Hmm? It’s really just water.”
“What the hell, how careless can an apprentice be when mopping the floor!”
The elder from Shanhai Sect angrily flicked his sleeve and instantly vanished.
“Let all twelve sect elders come out and discuss next year’s inner sect arena competition.”
He left briefly.
Only then did the puddle on the ground slowly expand.
From it emerged a vague elderly figure, hanging a wine gourd, his face flushed red, and his expression suspicious.
“Hmm?”
“Xiaohong and Xiaolv suddenly making such a proposal—why? Could it be that this generation of disciples from our Zhenchuan Sect, among the Ningyuan ranks, has produced a genius?”
The old man’s beard quivered momentarily, and a stream of wine flowed from it.
Slowly, it slid back to the ground, resembling an even larger puddle.
“They’ve always been at odds, fighting over disciples, credits, and cave dwelling sales records.”
“Yet they jointly put forward this proposal. It appears that among this generation of Ningyuan disciples, whether mid-low or high-level, there must have emerged some truly formidable elites.”
Muttering to himself, eleven astonishing figures instantly appeared around the long table.
Each was formidable.
“Alright, I have no objection.” The puddle suddenly spoke.
The head elder of Shanhai Sect: “…”
Qingshui Sect was really annoying.
Fine, dividing into three groups and defeating Qingshui Sect three times—how delightful!
“I also agree.”
The head elder of Shanhai Sect’s eyes flickered.
“Nowadays, evil cultivators are running rampant, unlike in previous years. Our Ningyuan disciples may soon be dispatched to participate in the critical mission of eradicating these malevolent practitioners.”
Other sect elders nodded in agreement.
“Yes, spirit cultivators have high cultivation, but few in number.”
“Exactly. Qingshui Sect’s suggestion is acceptable. If we don’t completely eradicate evil roots, they will grow again with the spring breeze. Our century-long struggle with evil cultivators means we can’t focus only on spirit disciples anymore.”
“Agreed.”
“Wanhua Sect has no objection.”
“I also agree, from the Dandao Sect.”
The puddle on the ground suddenly began to bubble, and the old man’s voice emerged. “But time is pressing; the Spring Equinox is approaching soon. How should we each select disciples at the Condensing Yuan stage to participate in the arena competition? Can we directly refer to the inner sect training scores of each sect?”
Such a last-minute addition to the competition required consultation among sects.
Friendship comes first, competition second.
We can’t just send someone dangerous and cause injuries to disciples of other sects.
“First, we must definitely eliminate any possibility of evil cultivators.”
“Yes, even a trace of evil cultivation means they cannot be allowed on the sect arena stage. We absolutely cannot let talented disciples participating in the competition be harmed.”
“So, should we set a rule that only disciples who have passed the Heart Inquiry Formation can participate?”
“No problem. All disciples of our Qingshui Sect this year have participated in the Heart Inquiry Formation.”
The puddle bubbled again.
Other elders also expressed their approval one after another.
“Then, other criteria can be based on each sect’s training scores.”
The head elder of Shanhai Sect thought there was nothing more to discuss about how to select talents.
Who would send a useless person?
The puddle remained silent.
Slowly, as if falling asleep.
But the drunken old man on the water’s surface, holding a jade slip for communication, looked at it and fell silent.
[Li Min (Xiaohong): Master, an outer sect disciple entered Zhenchuan and became the top of the 3000th floor. Please ensure she participates in the inner sect battle. It’s for the honor of our sect and to lay the foundation for her future cultivation path spanning centuries.]
[Li Min (Xiaohong): Can outer sect disciples participate in the inner sect arena? And also join the outer sect arena competition at the same time?]
[Duan Wufang (Xiaolv): If disciples participate in the mid-to-low level Ningyuan battle and suddenly break through to high-level Ningyuan, can they also participate in the high-level Ningyuan battle?]
“…”
The elder in the water twitched his white eyebrows.
But laughter from the surrounding elders soon followed.
“Who will be sent to the mid-low level Ningyuan battle, Shui Qiantan? Do you even need to ask? Would you send the last place from Zhenchuan’s 3000th floor instead of the first?”
“Our Wanhua Sect will also send the top disciple from the 3000th flower fields!”
“Our Dandao Sect will also send the top three disciples from the 3000th cauldron!”
“Alright, Old Tan, don’t waste time on this.”
The old man in the water remained silent.
Fine.
Since they’ve all spoken, don’t regret later.
The water elder transformed into a puddle and just lay there.
“Fine.”
“Then it’s decided.”
“Our Qingshui Sect will send the top three disciples from the 3000th, 6000th, and 9000th floors of Zhenchuan to challenge you all!”
“As for the outer sect, naturally we will also send the top three outer sect disciples to challenge! No problem, right?”
“Old Tan, no problem.”
“Excellent!”
“Our sect will do the same.”
Suddenly, twelve divine thoughts flew out from the Donghuajing management guild, heading to each sect to announce the elders’ decision!
*
In the Zhenchuan Wanshe Valley.
The disciples’ reflection and wall-facing area.
In the blink of an eye, Lin Shuang and the other three were teleported in.
“Hiss, why is my eyelid twitching again.”
Lin Shuang couldn’t help but cover her right eye.
This year really was plagued with misfortune?
“Just rub a spirit stone and it won’t twitch anymore.”
Meng Zi suggested, shouldering his sword.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Huangpu Yuan, holding a hand warmer, looked toward the valley entrance of Wanshe Valley where they now stood.
The entire valley was surrounded by dark, black cliffs, with a few patches of slippery moss peeking out from the cracks.
A cold, foul smell of dampness and rotting things filled their nostrils as they entered.
At this moment, Meixin and the other two disciples meditating at the valley entrance seemed to sense something, awakening from their meditation.
Their faces showed undeniable fatigue, and their bodies had visibly thinned from their defeat.
The moment they opened their eyes, four or five jet-black, slithering snakes appeared crawling over their arms and bodies.
Meixin stood up, and in the blink of an eye, the snakes had grown from finger-thin to three fingers wide.
Gritting her teeth, she waved her hand, sending a shock of spiritual energy to scatter them.
Then she walked toward Lin Shuang with Gangyi and Gang’er.
Lin Shuang had just adjusted her mindset to deal with this year’s misfortunes and was regaining her composure.
“Senior apprentice sister Lin, I admit defeat wholeheartedly.”
Meixin stepped forward, but instantly, several small black snakes crawled up from the ground onto her feet and legs.
After she shook them off with spiritual energy, new ones quickly appeared.
It was a constant cycle.
Even some snakes were hanging upside down from the valley ceiling, nearly landing on Meixin’s head.
Combined with Meixin’s slightly dejected yet resigned smile, the scene was quite terrifying.
Lin Shuang coughed lightly, subtly stepping half a pace behind Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan.
Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan: “…”
“Senior apprentice sister Lin, you can choose.”
“After losing the challenge, you can take anything you want from me. Gangyi and Gang’er’s valuable cultivation techniques and spirit stones are all kept in my fourth-grade jade pouch.”
Lin Shuang raised her eyebrows.
Meng Zi’s eyes lit up.
Huangpu Yuan suddenly understood, “So during that life-and-death question, the two of them protected you.”
Meixin and the Gang brothers smiled, “Exactly, during outer sect missions, unexpected things can happen. But if something happens, we’ll naturally protect the three people’s treasures and spirit stones and bring them back to our future partners.”
If a projection had been opened here, the watching disciples would definitely curse them for lying.
Earlier, during the life-and-death question, Meixin had clearly said it was decided by drawing lots based on luck.
But now, changing the explanation, Meixin and the three others showed no sign of guilt for lying.
Just as sincere as they had been during the battle.
“Whoever is most likely to bring treasures home is the one who survives.”
No wonder they didn’t hesitate.
Upon hearing this, Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, and Huangpu Yuan not only didn’t suspect but also greatly relaxed.
The three of them kept their spirit stones, treasures, and secrets themselves.
No wonder they were unwilling to die for each other.
Very reasonable.
Happy, all good.
Meixin smiled, “We went to the 2800th floor, where we obtained some cultivation techniques books. In Zhenchuan, we also exchanged for elders’ notes.”
“We suggest you don’t choose spirit stones or contributions. Just draw our cultivation techniques.”
So honest?
Lin Shuang hadn’t expected that.
“The competition was unavoidable. My brothers and I could only do our best. We apologize for being too harsh earlier.”
Meixin smiled bitterly.
“We three carry the honor and disgrace of three thousand disciples. No one wants to enter Wanshe Valley.”
“If I held back, I wouldn’t be able to explain to everyone.”
Gangyi nodded, his voice buzzing, “Earlier, we were wrong to gang up on you, senior apprentice sister. If our two teams ever work together on exterminating evil cultivators in the future, whatever you need, I, Gangyi, will definitely take the lead.”
Ganger nodded too, his big hands impatiently slapping off the snakes on his body.
“Senior apprentices hurry up. We need to go back to focus on our wall-facing meditation, or the snakes in Wanshe Valley will keep crawling onto us.”
Lin Shuang: “…”
The elders of Qingshui Sect are truly brilliant.
Their teaching methods are full of tricks.
If disciples slack off while meditating in Wanshe Valley, they won’t find peace.
Scary.
As he spoke, Meng Zi took the opportunity to step forward and patted Meixin’s jade pouch.
“Senior apprentice sister, let me borrow your cultivation techniques for a look.”
Then, a jade slip landed in his hand.
—《Why Not Share the Pillow, Here, Now, You and I.》
Lin Shuang opened her mouth.
Meng Zi immediately checked the item on his disciple badge, and it showed a price of 5000 spirit stones!
He clenched his fist and swung his sword, “I made a profit!”
Meixin chuckled lightly, her eyes showing no regret, as she looked at Lin Shuang, “I obtained this ten years ago at the Wanjuan Book House. My dream cultivation was based on it.”
“Senior apprentice sister, your spiritual sense is strong. Perhaps you also have secrets?”
Lin Shuang instantly touched her forehead.
What? Don’t make things up.
“I’ve already mastered this cultivation technique, and it helped me become the personal disciple of Elder Li Min, the supervisor of this year’s 3000th floor.”
Meixin, holding her erhu, turned and left.
“Senior apprentice sister Lin, perhaps you have a connection with our Qingshui sound cultivation lineage. With a deep spiritual sense, you’re an excellent candidate for sound cultivation.”
“You might be able to learn this cultivation technique.”
As she spoke, the three of them walked back to the middle of the meditating disciples.
“Meixin is the personal disciple of the pink-robed auntie?”
Meng Zi was surprised, turned around, and threw the jade slip to Lin Shuang.
《Why Not Share the Pillow, Here, Now, You and I.》
—Earth-tier cultivation technique, created by Elder Li Min
—If immersed in playing it with deep emotion, it can make the opponent fall asleep, then you can do whatever you want.
Lin Shuang: “…”
A snake flew to her face with a slap, and she didn’t even notice.
Damn, this hibiscus cultivation technique is really tempting!
Combined with the counterattack technique and the stealthy sword technique, it’s a complete set of “I don’t move, you come to me” cowardly combat methods.
As the little snake was about to fly onto her head, Huangpu Yuan reached out and grabbed it.
The black snake instantly exploded in his five fingers, turning into a blob of black liquid.
“Wow, Senior apprentice brother Huangpu, that’s so gross…”
Meng Zi hissed.
“These wall-facing snakes, if taken out, can sell for three spirit stones each.”
They were punishment tools created by the Qingshui Sect elders using high-level water techniques, made in one go to assist disciples in their training.
Outside Zhenchuan, disciples usually could use them to urge themselves to meditate and practice their cultivation.
As soon as you wake up or get distracted, the little snakes will constantly crawl and grow on your body.
Just try not to cultivate!
In fact, quite a few disciples bought them at Rongbaozhai.
Huangpu Yuan shook his head, “This has already absorbed the scent of many disciples; it can’t be taken out.”
Saying that, he collected the liquid dripping from his hand and slowly wiped it.
Lin Shuang held the jade slip, “Do you want to learn it? If not, I’ll take a look for a day first and then sell it for spirit stones?”
Meng Zi shook his head and then nodded.
Huangpu Yuan hummed in agreement.
Lin Shuang smiled and stuffed the jade slip into her jade pouch.
Today’s默契 test
1. Reflect on oneself three times a day √
2. Enhance the friendship among the three √
3. Gain favor from two elders (3000th, 6000th) √
4 Obtain six thousand layers of extradition √
5 Acquire hypnotic techniques √
6 Befriend Meixin and the other two √
Tsk tsk.
Six Yangs bring auspiciousness!
Lin Shuang glances at it, filled with admiration for herself.
Before leaving the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes, she spots Zhou Xuanwu sitting in the valley, smiling.
When she first entered, he didn’t even open his eyes.
Lin Shuang smiles slightly and walks toward the valley exit with Meng Zi.
“Back to the cave dwelling?”
“I’ve finished all my plans for today~”
“Let’s go!”
Meng Zi immediately prepares to drive.
Lin Shuang steps onto the lounge chair first.
Huangpu Yuan smirks faintly, following behind.
He holds a white handkerchief, wiping his fingers that had been stained with black liquid earlier.
Before he opens his palm, a black mark appears faintly on the white cloth.
— My Lord, this year at the Myriad Scroll Bookstore, I subtly inquired about Master Li Min. I believe she didn’t suspect anything.
— At the Zhenchuan Myriad Scroll Bookstore, several years ago, they borrowed one hundred books from the Shanhai Sect to expand the cultivation techniques available to Qing Shui Sect disciples. The waters ripple gently, and the mountains stand tall. Allow me to view the sea.
— Also, Xiao Bai asked you to be careful. The new Ningyuan battle in the inner sect competition of the Twelve Sects may require your participation. Traditionally, the inner sect competition takes place in the 9,000-layer trials of each sect.
— The Gui Clan has reached 5,600 layers in Zhenchuan, but failed the 6,000-layer trial. In the Shanhai Sect, the Wolf Clan reached 5,700 layers but failed the 6,000-layer trial. It is suspected that no demon clan members can pass the 6,000-layer trial in any sect.
— Meixin.
In an instant, the cloth bursts into flames and turns to ash.
The firelight reflects in Huangpu Yuan’s pitch-black pupils.
The waters ripple gently, and the mountains stand tall…
Huangpu Yuan’s index finger moves down the list of elders from the Myriad Scroll Bookstore in his storage bag.
Finally, it stops.
Qing Shui Sect, Shui Qiantan.
Shanhai Sect, Yue Zhi.
The maintenance elder of the Myriad Scroll Bookstore, Shui Qiantan, borrowed one hundred books several years ago from the elder of the Shanhai Sect, Yue Zhi.
The Tu Xue Formation must belong to one of the two.
Huangpu Yuan closes his eyes.
The demon clan can’t reach the 6,000th layer—there must be something there.
“Brother Huangpu!”
Meng Zi is about to ride his sword, turning back to call someone.
Lin Shuang has already settled comfortably on the lounge chair.
Just waiting for him now.
Huangpu Yuan lowers his eyelids, concealing the faint chill in his gaze, and walks over smiling, arms wrapped around a hand warmer.
[Little AI Unit (Lin): Big Brother, fake smile, kinda scary.]
Huangpu Yuan: “…”
He presses his index finger against his forehead, and when he looks up again, his expression is blank.
Only then does Lin Shuang nod approvingly.
Just as they are about to leave, two mighty auras descend in an instant.
“Lin Shuang, Meng Zi, Huangpu Yuan, you have ranked first among the top three thousand of Zhenchuan.”
“Elder Qiantan has specially selected you to participate in the Donghua Inner Sect Battle next spring equinox!”
In an instant, the heart-shaped pillow in the innocent Lin Shuang’s hands drops onto Meng Zi’s wide sword.
Meng Zi: “…!”
Huangpu Yuan watches the black ashes in his hand dissipate into the air, smirking faintly toward the horizon.
Elder Qiantan?
Shui Qiantan…
“Starting immediately, special training for the inner sect competition will begin!”
Elder Li Min appears in a pink robe.
“From layers 3,353 to 3,361, the guidance of the elders begins!”
“You are not allowed to leave until you reach the fifth level of the Condensing Yuan Stage!”
“???”
Lin Shuang, still at Qi Condensation, and the frail Huangpu Yuan both look up simultaneously, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
Elder, you still have one more chance.
Speak properly this time.
The main text only gives subtle hints—wonder if my dear little readers managed to guess correctly while reading~
Meixin removes her old shell, all ten heart demon questions she intentionally let slide are gone, and she even lost weight—successfully dieting 23333
Huangpu Yuan: Who told you to let them off easy?
Lin Shuang: If the opponent lets up, even a tie in the answers is a win, hmpf.
Meng Zi: No hope…
*
See you tomorrow.
The 6,000-layer battle.
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