Nine Thousand Trials, the exam questions ever-changing and unpredictable.
Lin Shuang and the others stared blankly at the current challenge topic.
Meixin muttered under her breath, disbelieving, as she gazed at the clam clan shown on the water screen, “No way… How could Gang’er be captured and taken back… How is that possible?”
Her eyes unconsciously shifted toward Huangpu Yuan.
Lin Shuang lowered her gaze, inspecting the patterns on her embroidered shoes.
Back then, during the challenge testing their teamwork, the three of them had consecutively answered four questions incorrectly. The Q&A portion had ended in a draw with Meixin.
So it was true—Meixin and the others were actually under Huangpu Yuan, the great demon cultivator.
Lin Shuang pinched her nose lightly.
She decided not to expose the truth.
Luckily, at this moment, Meixin’s pleading gaze toward Huangpu Yuan went unnoticed by others, who were too shocked to pay attention.
“How could it be? Brother Zhao being taken back home by his family? Who’s joking here!”
Xiao Qi from the Shanhai Sect, next door, glared at the image on the water screen showing a “helpless, furious figure stabbing the ground with his sword—Xiao Qi,” filled with accusation.
“That’s a lie!”
Kong Miaoke from the Wanhua Sect and Boyan Bian also looked helplessly at the girl on the screen who claimed she wanted to go home and inherit her family fortune.
“Who is she anyway?”
[Ha ha ha, wait, so all three of them were just illusions? No one actually left their sect.]
[Pretending to quit, so they can chase after them.]
[Has this round’s question setter colluded with two cultivation families and a clam demon clan to set the test questions for the disciples?]
However, these comments were quickly buried.
[You may check the disciple rosters of each sect.]
Xiao Qi hurriedly looked at his disciple talisman and sent a message to Zhao Ming.
But there was no reply, and his expression immediately turned grim.
[Shanhai Sect’s Zhao Ming: officially left the sect one day ago.]
[His position as an outer sect steward will be retained for five days. If he does not return within five days, his disciple records will be permanently erased.]
[Qingshui Sect’s Gang’er has officially left the sect today, disciple ranking retained for five days.]
[Baihua Sect’s Tao You has already left the sect for one day…]
The disciples competing and observing from the Six Great Sects were now completely stunned.
Encouraging learning was a serious matter.
This trial layer actually required them to go out and retrieve the disciples.
And it wasn’t even within the boundaries of the Nine Thousand Realm of the Shanhai Sect.
[Disciple Information:]
[1. Zhao Ming: hails from the Zhao Clan, a once-renowned cultivation family that suddenly withdrew from the cultivation world overnight a century ago.
Nowadays, younger cultivators probably no longer recognize their name.
Yet any elder cultivators would know—Yucailou, the institution that mass-produced Dao apprentices for various sects and families, was originally founded by the Zhao Clan.]
Lin Shuang inhaled sharply.
Dao apprentices.
The thief from the Qingshui Sect’s cafeteria, connected to evil cultivators and the Tianji Order.
Huangpu Yuan’s phoenix eyes fixed on the words shimmering on the water screen, his expression gradually turning grave.
[A century ago, Yucailou’s pill formulas were stolen. Overnight, counterfeit versions of Yucailou sprang up everywhere, many of them backed by other sects and cultivation families.
The price of Zhao Clan Dao apprentices dropped repeatedly.
Finally, the Zhao Clan’s Ancestor flew into a rage one day, his roar echoing across the Donghua Realm: “The hearts of men are no longer pure, and villains are hard to guard against!”
From then on, he sold off Yucailou and declared the Zhao Clan’s withdrawal from the cultivation world.
The Zhao Clan has remained hidden ever since, leaving no trace.
Zhao Clan bloodlines rarely appear in public. Legends say that if any of them escape from home and are caught, they will be imprisoned for centuries.]
Lin Shuang scanned the text rapidly, when Meng Zi suddenly let out a helpless sigh.
“Ah, so Zhao Ming ran away from home? A reclusive family—where are we supposed to find him?”
This was a major incident.
This question was no simple one.
Even Mencius could perceive the difficulty of this exhortation to learning.
The text didn’t seem forged at all—it was detailed and convincing.
Huangpu Yuan nodded, “Nowadays, Yucailou is jointly managed by Qingshui Sect and Shanhai Sect, each controlling half.”
Lin Shuang: “…”
Zhao Ming probably wouldn’t be coming back.
So it turned out the Zhao Clan’s Yucailou had been acquired by their two sects.
There were two possibilities: either Qingshui and Shanhai had colluded to steal the formula, forcing the Zhao Clan to sell, or other sects had stolen it, and in grief and anger, the Zhao Clan sold it to Qingshui and Shanhai, who weren’t involved.
But in either case, the Zhao Clan’s relationship with Qingshui and Shanhai wouldn’t be pleasant.
Even in the latter case, upon seeing the names of Qingshui Sect and Shanhai Sect, the Zhao Clan would recall the past with bitterness, and their moods wouldn’t be good.
And in such a case, Lin Shuang couldn’t believe that Qingshui and Shanhai hadn’t taken advantage to lowball and acquire Yucailou.
And Zhao Ming just happened to join the Shanhai Sect.
This was going to be a problem.
How could this be a simple “encouragement to study” task that could be resolved easily?
In an instant, Lin Shuang decided she definitely didn’t want to choose Zhao Ming’s “Encouraging Study” mission.
[Zhao Clan Detailed Records:
1. The Zhao Clan’s Ancestor is said to still be in seclusion. A century ago, he had already reached the peak of the Tribulation stage. Since then, there has been no news of his ascension or demise.
2. Besides the Ancestor, it is rumored that the current Clan Head is at the mid-stage of Tribulation, and that he has seventeen siblings, all of whom have undergone Tribulation.
3. No wonder the Zhao Clan, the predecessor of Yucailou, which mass-produced Qi Condensation Dao apprentices.
In their clan, Qi Condensation experts are as common as dogs, Nascent Formation cultivators litter the ground, Soul Refinement is nothing special, and Tribulation-stage experts can fill six tables!]
Lin Shuang: “…”
Huangpu Yuan’s eyes flickered.
He doesn’t go around chopping human cultivators—so who else would he chop?
So many Qi Condensation experts—what do dogs have to do with it?
Damn human cultivators!
[…Is this real? Is the Zhao Clan really this powerful?]
[The disciples sent to persuade others to study are all at the Nascent Formation stage… If they go to the Zhao Clan, will they even make it back out?]
[If this is true, the Zhao Clan could single-handedly take on the Shanhai Sect. If all the elders of the Shanhai Sect came out, could they even defeat the Zhao Clan?]
[Mysterious.]
[Zhou Ming should just go home. With so many Tribulation experts at home, why bother cultivating in the Shanhai Sect?]
[Yeah, who would want to be locked up at home every day, beaten by their eighteen Tribulation dads, uncles, and aunts?]
[…Now I can picture it.]
The text on the projection continued, mainly detailing the Zhao Clan’s formidable background and mysterious nature.
Disciples below the age of a hundred generally didn’t know about the Zhao Clan, but now curiosity was sparked among everyone.
But soon, a reminder from the Nine Thousand Trials appeared.
[Disciples who choose to persuade learning at the Zhao Clan, please proceed with caution. If anything happens, we will find it difficult to confront the Zhao Clan.]
[…]
[………………]
Huangpu Yuan’s perception of human cultivators’ shamelessness was constantly being updated during the Nine Thousand Trials.
His previous estimation of these human sects had still been too conservative.
But suddenly, a tickling sensation brushed against his consciousness.
[Xiao Ai No.1 (Lin): This Zhao Clan is great—we should look for an opportunity to go.]
Meng Zi held his head, “Do we look like easy targets to you?”
The Zhao Clan is terrifying—this mission might be a one-way trip.
[Xiao Ai No.1 (Lin): 18 Tribulation experts, plus a Clan Ancestor possibly at Ascension stage—if any evildoers come after us… we’ll have nineteen powerful legs to hide behind…]
Meng Zi paused.
Huangpu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
The Zhao Clan alone seemed capable of going head-to-head with the Shanhai Sect and Qingshui Sect.
Wasn’t that the perfect shield?
Lin Shuang felt incredibly lucky today, “I originally just wanted to train, never expecting to stumble upon such powerful legs to cling to.”
“…”
If the Zhao Clan was neutral or righteous, then they were basically a rescue force.
“But Gang’er Senior Brother was also recalled—we should see how things develop next.”
Lin Shuang was still concerned about her fellow disciples.
Meixin had been restless ever since.
When they left for the inner sect competition, Gang’er had still been fine. As a decade-long companion, Meixin was panicking.
[Qingshui Sect Disciple Gang’er:
The clam demon clan is said to reside deep in the ocean.
A lone clam demon poses little threat, with its cultivation capped at the Void Formation realm. However, when you venture into an ocean teeming with thousands or even millions of these creatures, the eerie harmony of their calls blending with the ocean’s roar is said to instantly lull even Tribulation-stage cultivators into slumber.
(Note: “虚境” is translated as “Void Formation realm” to align with common xianxia terminology. The phrasing emphasizes the collective danger while preserving the mythical tone.)
When the clam calls rise, it becomes a dream of Nanke—tell me, are you scared?]
“Isn’t this an easy question?”
Meng Zi turned to the anxious Meixin.
But Meixin wore a helpless expression, “I am a half-demon, and I belong to the river clam clan. In the deep sea, they won’t listen to me.”
“Before reaching the deep-sea clam clan, there are the inland fish clans, most of whom have short memories. Even if I enter, I will face obstacles.”
—Hey, you dare to enter our waters? We’ll kill you!
—Oh, it’s Meixin! You came back～Why didn’t you say so earlier? I almost attacked.
—Hmm? You dare to enter our waters? We’ll kill you!
—Oh, it’s you, Meixin! Why didn’t you say so earlier…
We’ll kill you, I’m sorry! We’ll kill you, I’m sorry…
Meixin pressed her fingers to her temple, “To enter their waters, you must be someone they are very familiar with.”
Stranger cultivators will find it hard to enter, even with a reason—they won’t be able to communicate clearly.
“To get through, you have to force your way in. If your cultivation is high enough, you can cross the fish clans’ territory, counter the clam resonance, and even hypnotize them in reverse.”
Meng Zi twitched the corner of his mouth.
Lin Shuang: “…”
But Meixin coughed lightly, “There’s another way too—if you are personally invited by the clan leader, the elders will come out to greet you, and then there won’t be any problem.”
She stole a glance at Huangpu Yuan behind Meng Zi.
Huangpu Yuan tapped his temple lightly with his index finger.
[3. Baihua Sect Disciple Tao You: from the Northern Royal Family.
Disciples taking this mission must personally cover the spirit stone costs for teleportation to the Northern Region. Arrival within one day costs approximately fifty thousand spirit stones per person…]
“We’re not going for this one.”
Meng Zi turned around immediately.
“She went back to inherit her family business—sounds good for her.”
Among the six sects’ competing disciples, including substitutes, there were a total of thirty-six people.
At this moment, all faced the dilemma of choosing one from the three water-screen options, glancing at each other helplessly.
[Please write down your first and second choices.]
Lin Shuang looked at Meixin and Huangpu Yuan.
She stepped forward, using spiritual energy to write on the descending water screen—1. Gang’er; 2. Zhao Ming.
“Gang’er Senior Brother is our fellow disciple from Qingshui Sect. It’s our responsibility to choose him as our first option.”
“For the second choice, we’ll go to the Zhao Clan.”
No one objected, not even Meixin, who looked gratefully at Lin Shuang.
“I’m sorry, Junior Fellow Disciple Lin. Back then, we treated you so poorly, yet you still set aside past grievances and are willing to go find Gang’er.”
Lin Shuang waved her hand, “It’s only right.”
Meixin’s eyes flickered slightly, “In the future, if you ever need anything, just tell me. I still have some authority within the river clam clan.”
Huangpu Yuan’s eyebrow twitched.
Lin Shuang smiled, “Alright.”
If only all demons were this sincere…
Meng Zi was also moved, “That’s right, Lin Shuang. If you had chosen the Baihua Sect, I would’ve definitely had a falling-out with you. Today, I can offer you a free ride back to your cave dwelling to rest.”
Lin Shuang couldn’t help but smile.
Great. Senior Brother Meng was sincere too.
She glanced at the plan she had secretly written in her mind within her spatial pouch.
—3. If there’s still time, go to the third option, the Tao family in the Northern Region, and latch onto the Northern Royal Family’s powerful protection.
She quietly pressed her hand over the spatial pouch.
Acting as if nothing had happened.
[Six sects have submitted their choices.]
[5 sects chose the Northern Tao family, 4 chose the deep-sea clam clan, and 3 chose the reclusive Zhao Clan.]
[! Everyone must have plenty of spirit stones.]
[Tao family is only expensive to teleport to, but the Northern Royal Family seems approachable. Compared to the Zhao Clan with its eighteen Tribulation experts and reclusive, strange temperaments…]
[Hmm, compared to nineteen Tribulation experts from the Zhao Clan, even the thousands of clam demons seem quite pleasant now.]
[And three sects actually chose the Zhao Clan—brave souls. Among them must be the Shanhai Sect, and another is probably the Baihua Sect?]
[The Baihua Sect is truly amusing—they cultivate the Hundred Flowers technique, which is heavily suppressed underwater, making the deep sea a poor choice. They only had two options: Tao family or Zhao family.]
[According to the previous scoring rules\\excluding same-sect influence, the allocation is as follows:
1. Zhao Clan: Qingshui Sect, Baihua Sect
2. Clam Clan: Shanhai Sect, Wanseng Sect
3. Tao Clan: Qidan Sect, Mingzhong Sect]
Lin Shuang sighed.
Meixin looked disappointed.
[Note: If one faction successfully completes its Persuasion task, the other groups may proceed to the remaining two Persuasion locations (if they haven’t completed theirs yet).]
Wishing everyone a safe journey—bring them back!]
Lin Shuang’s eyes flickered.
Complete the Zhao Clan mission quickly, then go find Gang’er. If they moved fast, maybe they could even make it to the Northern Region.
It was doable.
“Senior Sister Meixin, this round we’ll split up and act separately.”
“Please go find Gangyi first and check on Gang’er’s situation in the deep sea.”
As soon as she finished speaking, three yellow-threaded brocade pouches with stone patterns dropped down in front of Lin Shuang.
—Zhao Clan One
—Zhao Clan Two
—Zhao Clan Three
Meng Zi eagerly opened the first pouch immediately.
Lin Shuang and Huangpu Yuan watched closely.
[Pouch One: The Zhao Clan’s location is unknown. Disciples must explore and locate it themselves.]
Lin Shuang: “…”
“Let’s go. We’ll leave the Nine Thousand Trials and open the rest along the way.”
As she said this, Meng Zi dutifully tied his large sword together with Lin Shuang and Huangpu Yuan’s broadsword and treasured sword.
He pulled out a tea table and spirit stone tea set.
“Tea fee: 15 spirit stones. Sword riding: 50 spirit stones for every ten miles, ten spirit stones per additional mile.”
Lin Shuang and Huangpu Yuan calmly stepped onto the sword, sat cross-legged, and handed him the spirit stones.
[…]
[Poisonous.]
Flying by sword to the teleportation formation allows for a direct takeoff.
It was very convenient.
But when the teleportation formation reached the rest layer, Meng Zi’s sword riding suddenly faltered.
That puddle of water was still there.
The eleven sect Elders had not yet departed either.
Seeing the three of them flying out like this, the Elders’ eyes twitched.
But soon, Elder Wang from the Shanhai Sect, standing beside the Six Thousand Layers of Yuan River—a white-faced, long-bearded overseer—reached out his hand toward them.
Three balls of spiritual light flew into the three disciples’ talismans!
They were clearly tracking projection talismans.
During the inner sect competition, to prevent secret deals between sects and to avoid disciples accidentally entering dangerous abysses,
the competition process was constantly monitored by everyone.
If anything unexpected happened, the Elders could send help.
Elder Wang said solemnly, “After entering the Zhao Clan, do not casually aim the projection talisman at the Zhao Clan cultivators. If necessary, you must obtain their consent before activating it.”
Lin Shuang understood instantly.
The powerful figures didn’t want to be seen.
The Zhao Clan was an even more secluded and private domain.
The way the Shanhai Sect Elder phrased it made it clear—this “Encouraging Learning” challenge was definitely not prearranged between the Shanhai Sect and the Zhao Clan.
If they acted recklessly at the Zhao Clan, they might get beaten up.
Lin Shuang blinked.
“Thank you for the reminder, Elder,” Huangpu Yuan smiled and bowed slightly on the sword.
Wang Elder of the Shanhai Sect: “…”
Should one say he was polite or impolite?
In an instant, his peak-level Qi locked onto the three of them.
Three mountain patterns quietly adorned their storage bags.
Lin Shuang and the others simultaneously trembled.
They hadn’t sensed it in advance either.
“For this journey, the Shanhai Sect specially grants you three teleportation runes.”
Sweat streamed directly from Lin Shuang’s temples.
‘When that Senior Elder assisted in creating the ninth thousand trials of the puppet show, every level had teleportation arrays and talismans, as a token of gratitude to the Heavens…’
Was this teleportation rune related to that person?
Attached to their bodies, could the other party sense what they said and did from thousands of miles away?
Ordinary teleportation talismans certainly couldn’t, but what about a Transcendent expert?
Had the other sensed their discovery of anomalies at the Wangjian level, or was this done for every sect’s competing disciples?
Lin Shuang forced herself not to shift her gaze toward Yuan Elder of the Yuanhe Monitoring from the Shanhai Sect, or toward Yueshi, the head examiner of the twelve sects from the Shanhai Sect.
“If you encounter danger, you may return at any time.”
Elder Wang’s voice boomed, leaving no room for refusal.
Among the stone chairs of the twelve elders, one had flowing water stains.
For the first time, an old man’s voice from Shuiqiantan emerged.
“Lin Shuang, remember this.”
“Losing a match is only a temporary setback. Preserve your life, return and study under me for a hundred years, and future transcendence is attainable—a long-term gain.”
With that, three water-pattern designs landed on Lin Shuang and the others’ robes.
“If danger arises, it can block one attack, enough for you to teleport back. Remember, do not aim too high, nor be overly arrogant.”
His voice seemed to shield them from the high-level pressure from the elders of the Shanhai Sect.
In an instant, Lin Shuang felt much more comfortable.
“Thank you, Elder Qiantan.”
She nodded toward the water stain.
“Go now, I await your return.”
He turned back into an unremarkable puddle beside Yueshi of the Shanhai Sect.
Had it not abruptly appeared among several observing Transcendent elders, perhaps ordinary disciples might mistake it for just a regular puddle.
“Respected elders, take care!”
“Let’s go!”
Lin Shuang decisively tossed a mid-grade spirit stone to Meng Zi, interrupting his stiffness.
Feeling the stone, Meng Zi instinctively soared forward on his sword, taking Huangpu Yuan, who had been staring at Yueshi and Shuiqiantan, along.
[Xiaoai Backup No.3 (Meng): Brother Huangpu, wouldn’t staring like that raise their suspicion?]
[Xiaoai Primary (Lin): No. It would be strange not to look. At least half the surrounding disciples are watching the puddle-turned-elder. Especially disciples from the Qingshui Sect, observing the water-element cultivation method might even help their own breakthroughs.]
[Xiaoai Backup No.2 (Huangpu): …Thank you for the reminder, junior sister.]
Lin Shuang’s eyelashes fluttered.
She glanced sideways and saw Huangpu Yuan, sitting upright on his sword, his phoenix eyes closed, smiling faintly toward the nine-thousand trials.
Dark strands dripped water downward, “Thank you, Elder Shui, I understand now.”
His thin lips parted slightly, revealing a divine smile.
“Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it… So that’s how it is.”
When he opened his eyes, a flash of mockery vanished.
Then, his frail body instantly advanced to the sixth level of Yuan Condensation.
Meng Zi opened his mouth in shock.
Lin Shuang pressed her forehead.
Taking the chance to break through and reveal his hidden cultivation level was now the most appropriate move.
It enhanced their self-defense ability without making the others suspect them of being exceptionally gifted, thus avoiding suspicion.
Now, with so many disciples watching.
How did they break through?
They were guided by an elder!
Back at the sect, she wouldn’t have to explain herself anymore.
“Hearing you speak, Brother, my dantian feels itchy too. I’ll break through as well.”
Meng Zi: “…Are you kidding me?”
I think your scalp itches!
[…]
[? Seriously breaking through?]
As Lin Shuang charged into the sixth level of Yuan Condensation, she instructed Meng Zi to open the second and third sachets while flying on his sword.
[Zhao Family Sachet 2: Mission Difficulty – Top Grade
Past missions related to the Zhao Family issued by the Shanhai Sect had a fifty percent survival rate.
Five disciples went missing, and the five who returned got lost on the way, never reaching the Zhao Family.
All missions failed. Among the missing five, the highest cultivation was Lianshen.]
“Damn it,” Meng Zi glared, “why didn’t you say earlier!”
If he had known earlier, they wouldn’t have chosen this.
Lin Shuang coughed lightly, “They gave us teleportation talismans for a reason.”
If it were simple, there would be no reason to give them.
The Qingshui and Shanhai Sects had been in conflict for years.
Yet, at the first request, they gave teleportation talismans, and Elder Shui didn’t refuse.
Clearly, the Zhao Family mission was beyond the capabilities of ordinary Ningyuan disciples.
A slight mistake, and disciples might disappear.
Lin Shuang had already considered this mission’s hidden dangers.
[Zhao Family Sachet 3: After finding the Zhao Family, be cautious, there must be an omnipresent defensive formation around.]
Problem one was where the Zhao Family was.
Problem two was how to enter.
Thinking this, Lin Shuang took out the paper and ink from her sleeve.
“Let’s brainstorm how to find the Zhao Family.”
“They had their business taken over and retreated, so they must be in a place that’s cost-effective and self-sufficient,” Meng Zi, after several experiences, gradually had ideas.
Huangpu Yuan, holding a hand warmer, “Since the disciples sent out couldn’t find them, it means the Zhao Family not only has defensive arrays but also illusions, causing many groups to pass by without entering.”
“Otherwise, how could the Shanhai Sect, active in the Donghua Realm for years, fail to locate the Zhao Family.”
Illusions.
Lin Shuang nodded, emphasizing the three words.
Throughout the Donghua Realm, the twelve major sects and ten great cities each governed their territories.
The well-established sects had long perfected maps of surrounding areas through disciples’ expeditions, yet still couldn’t find the Zhao Family.
[The illusions make it hard. How can three people search the entire Donghua Realm?]
[Sigh.]
In the projection, Lin Shuang was writing and drawing while Huangpu Yuan pulled out a fifth-grade artifact—a miniature sand table of the Donghua Realm—from his storage bag, examining it carefully.
Other disciples from the five sects also started acting.
Because of the current ranking display, the Qingshui Sect occupied the first screen position.
Following closely was the Baihua Sect, which was second in the previous round.
“Brother Bian,” called Zhu Jiao from the Baihua Sect.
Bian Boxue smiled, slowly opening his folding fan, instantly revealing vivid floral vines on its surface.
—Ningyuan Ranking List—
—Most Beautiful Demonic Cultivator in the Donghua Realm—
—Most Entertaining Cultivation Method in the Donghua Realm—
—Three Volumes on Escaping Bachelorhood—
[?]
[What kind of artifact is this?]
As everyone was puzzled, three scrolls fell from his fan.
“The Comprehensive Analysis of Bachelor Disciples in the Outer Sect of the Twelve Sects in the Donghua Realm”—Authored by an Anonymous Senior Brother of the Baihua Sect
[Here we go again, pushing sales, Baihua Sect!]
As Bian Boxue wrote ‘Zhao Ming’ on the scroll, the pages flipped, revealing several lines.
Zhao Ming, senior disciple of the Shanhai Sect’s outer sect, cultivation level: Condensed Essence Stage 4 (as of the writing date)
Zhao is not a rare surname, but it easily reminds people of the once glorious Zhao Family a century ago.
Zhao Ming’s family information registered at the Shanhai Sect is blank.
But he left a family spiritual stone inscription that can notify his family upon death.
This already indicates he doesn’t come from an ordinary family but one with cultivators. Could it be the Zhao Family?]
“What? Brother Bian, do you even need to refer to your own writings?”
Kong Miaoke from the Baihua Sect shook her head helplessly.
[…!]
[What! This set of scrolls was written by him!?]
[Wait, are the scrolls carried by the flowers on the fan all written by him?]
[Was the Ningyuan ranking list also compiled by him?]
[Bian Boxue… is the anonymous senior brother? So he’s only at the 6th level of Ningyuan!?]
“Oh well, I grabbed the wrong one.”
Today, Bian Boxue was dressed in a robe of begonia spring hues, looking utterly flamboyant.
Hearing this, he regretfully tapped his head with the fan.
Then he flipped the fan, revealing a mountain of paper on its back.
“Shanhai Sect, outer sect… Let me think, where did I put my first draft.”
[…]
Zhu Jiao and Kong Miaoke from the Baihua Sect: “…”
Finally, just as Zhu Jiao was about to get angry, Bian Boxue pulled out a sheet from a pile of paper used as a table leg under the fan.
[Zhao Ming, family spiritual stone inscription—collected at the outer sect management office of the Shanhai Sect. This spiritual mark is suspected to directly communicate with the Zhao Clan of the cultivation world.]
“Let’s go,” Bian Boxue fanned himself proudly, “No one can escape my information gathering!”
“To the outer sect management office!”
[! No wonder the Baihua Sect’s intelligence system is unmatched.]
[The Baihua is everywhere, even in winter wilderness, there are sleeping seeds underground for their command.]
[Sigh, as long as it’s not the deep sea, no one can match the Baihua Sect in information gathering.]
“Cut the crap. What about Lin Shuang’s information? Huangpu Yuan’s? Meng Zi’s?”
Kong Miaoke’s pretty face was filled with complaint.
“Brother Bian, don’t talk big. I almost believed you. For the outer sect match explanation, I couldn’t even say who Lin Shuang is or what her technique is. You really messed me up!”
“Do you know how many disciples complained about my explanation in the projection?”
Bian Boxue’s folding fan paused, “…”
He sighed bitterly, “I’m working on it, I’m working on it. The next edition will update Lin Shuang and the others!”
With that, he put away the fan and looked at the leading Zhu Jiao, “Senior Sister, I trouble you. Catch up with Lin Shuang and them. We’ll sell them the information on Zhao Ming’s spiritual mark in exchange for their secret techniques.”
Zhu Jiao looked at him and actually nodded in agreement.
“Let’s go.”
Instantly, the four seasons’ flowers bloomed under their feet, forming floral crowns, and in an instant, they flew toward Lin Shuang and the others.
[…So this is how the Baihua Sect gathers information.]
[Sigh, I used to think this ‘Escaping Bachelorhood’ book priced at six thousand was too expensive. Now I see, every word is real information painstakingly collected by Brother Bian from bachelor cultivators one by one.]
“This book is quite difficult to write, more importantly, it’s authentic! I should support it. Who can lend me a set to read?”]
[Get lost. Buy your own! You can only query three people a day. If I lend it to you, I can’t check anymore!]
Everyone discussed enthusiastically.
At this moment, on the viewing mountain of the Qingshui Sect, disciples were watching the projection and discussing.
“What a despicable Baihua Sect, trying to get Lin Shuang’s technique, so cunning.”
“There’s still another round to decide the top three. Do they want our sect’s technique information?”
“Exactly, do they think our Qingshui disciples are stupid?”
“We could exchange, couldn’t we? I remember Lin Shuang’s ultimate move, ‘My ultimate move is myself,’ hehe, just tell Bian Boxue that!”
“Cracking up, that information is indeed useless. It’s worth exchanging for the Zhao Family’s spiritual mark, hahaha.”
The inner sect seniors and juniors were quite cheerful.
“This round is difficult, but everyone faces the same difficulty.”
“We led by over a hundred points in the last round. Even if we score nothing this round, the Qingshui Sect is still first, right?”
“Score nothing?”
As they spoke, a soft dissenting voice suddenly arose.
None other than the outer sect disciple Zhao Keran.
“No.”
She stood up, her round face showing determination.
“I don’t know about others’ scores.”
“But for this question, my senior sister will definitely score.”
The inner sect seniors and juniors smiled and shook their heads.
They had seen this junior sister fanatically praising Lin Shuang in Zhenchuan.
They were already used to it and couldn’t be bothered to argue.
(Note: “懒得” is an informal Chinese expression meaning “can’t be bothered to” or “too lazy to.” The translation captures the casual tone while maintaining natural English phrasing.)
But Zhao Keran’s next sentence froze their minds.
“The Zhao Family…”
Her expression was strange.
“I know where it is.”
“??”
“That’s my family.”
“…………??”
“!”
Zhao Keran also surnamed Zhao!
In this vast world, how many people surnamed Zhao, yet she was that Zhao!
As everyone watched, Zhao Keran stood up from the Qingshui Sect’s viewing cushion and instantly flew out on her sword.
Half a teacup later.
When Lin Shuang saw her soft and cute junior sister panting and appearing before her, she couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Junior sister?”
“Senior sister, this question didn’t say others can’t tell you where the Zhao Family is, right?”
Zhao Keran stood on her sword, smiling at Lin Shuang.
“I’ll take my senior sister home, it’s not against the rules, right.”
Meng Zi was counting spirit stones on his sword to enhance his thinking ability.
In that instant, the spirit stones clattered onto the sword.
Huangpu Yuan’s finger, which was checking the miniature sand table, also paused.
Lin Shuang held her teapot: “??!”
Fast Learning Information Chapter—always collect information and utilize information gaps to act faster, how could that be against the rules?
But she hadn’t expected it to be this fast one day.
Zhao Keran’s eyes shifted, her face blushing, “I didn’t mean to hide from my senior sister.”
“It’s just my family has long abandoned the cultivation world. My uncle, aunt… and the eighteenth uncle haven’t gone out for a long time. Many people don’t even know them.”
Cao.
Meng Zi couldn’t help but look down at the wooden plaques in his storage bag that he hadn’t finished discarding yet.
—Zhao Junior Sister, you haven’t left Lin Shuang yet, how could you be so self-destructive!?
—Zhao Keran, you’re too naive, quickly escape from Lin Shuang!
He closed his eyes, covering the ten spirit stones with these plaques.
Then he looked up, at Zhao Keran’s round face glowing like a spirit stone.
She was actually a descendant of a hidden cultivation family.
“This time, let me guide my senior sister, let me take her ahead first.” Zhao Keran smiled.
[?? What…]
[Is this really possible!?]
“Is it okay, junior sister?”
Seeing Zhao Keran clumsily climbing onto her wide sword with all fours, Lin Shuang couldn’t help but ask.
“The Zhao Family doesn’t want their location exposed. If you reveal it, with countless disciples watching now, would your family agree to this?”
Forget about others.
She couldn’t possibly betray her junior apprentice, who she had lived with for three years and practically watched grow up.
“It’s okay, Senior, I won’t reveal the route back home.”
Zhao Keran sat upright on her sword, soon smiling as she pulled out an exquisite jade talisman from her sleeve.
She crushed it instantly.
“Dad, Big Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Uncle…Eighteenth Uncle…”
“Somebody’s attacking me! Hurry and save me!”
Lin Shuang: “…”
[…]
Pattering sound—
Three blades tied together, the tea table shattered instantly.
Teacups shattered into dust.
The vast blue sky they flew toward suddenly tore open a rift in the void.
From it extended a massive, pitch-black hand.
In a flash, it grabbed Zhao Keran!
“Senior!”
Zhao Keran quickly bent forward, frantically hugging one of Lin Shuang’s arms.
Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan exchanged strange looks, immediately gripping tightly onto their flying swords.
In an instant,
The giant hand carried Zhao Keran, who held tightly onto Lin Shuang, who stood on her broadsword,
The broadsword connected with Meng Zi and Huangpu Yuan.
They entered the void.
In a moment, they vanished without a trace.
[…]
[……….]
[!]
“Huh? Where are Lin Shuang and the others?” Bian Bo from the Hundred Flowers Sect arrived within three seconds but found no trace of Lin Shuang.
[…]
[Don’t ask… you really don’t want to know.]
[Don’t ask, just know—they’re already at the Zhao residence.]
[Spit out my spirit tea!]
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage