◎Know your partner—Level 3000, follow orders!◎
Drip. Drip.
In the ruined temple, the only sound was the cold, wet drip of blood sliding down from the shattered skull of the man in the purple robe. Lin Shuang’s hand hovered a mere palm’s width from the wooden temple door. She looked toward the man inside.
No—more accurately, the creature.
His eyes were blood-red, with pupils as dark as ink—stained crimson, filled with killing intent.
His long black hair, normally hanging loose down to his waist and simply held by a jade crown, now stood on end like bristling silver fur. Each strand stretched to the floor, its tips dyed red as if soaked in blood from the purple robe.
One glance was enough to make Lin Shuang’s heart race. She couldn’t even tell whether that color was natural or stained from the blood. Because his red eyes were fixed directly on her, unblinking. A calm expression, paired with a bloodthirsty gaze, sent chills running down her spine. Her nape prickled and went numb. She lowered her eyes and bit the tip of her tongue.
He wasn’t just at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment.
Even with her ninety-seven Qi Condensation dantians pushed to the brink—CPU nearly combusting—and every cultivation technique she knew boosting her power, she could only manage someone at the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment. Right now, she was no match for him. She might not even be able to escape.
Lin Shuang closed her eyes. She thought of that snow-white fur collar she had caught earlier—so warm and soft, as if it had grown straight from his body. And that hairpin caught in the fur blanket just now—no matter how she pulled, it wouldn’t budge… In the end, two silver hairs had fallen, entangled in her hairpin. Something had seemed off.
And during the Zhenchuan trial, they had seen through each other’s power concealment…
Clearly, he had become wary of her too.
Looking now at Huangfu Yuan—dragging a corpse, seemingly out of control but still with rationality in his eyes—she was filled with regret.
That incense stick’s time limit had been a trap.
If she hadn’t been able to subdue the blood-pill-enhanced servant boy within that one incense stick’s burn, hadn’t arrived in time to witness his transformation, then even if she had her suspicions about his true nature, he could have simply let her remain at his side, feigning ignorance, continuing up the Zhenchuan Stone Levels.
Because if she was weaker than Foundation Establishment, she posed no threat to him. But if she arrived early, she must be far stronger than she let on—potentially a danger to him. So this great demon had deliberately set that time limit. Deliberately exposed himself—so she would see his transformation if she arrived early. And if he killed her now, he had justification. He could protect his path without wounding his Dao heart.
—Protect yourself. Eliminate those who uncover your secrets. What’s wrong with that?
So cruel.
This man. This great demon.
Lin Shuang opened her eyes helplessly and looked at the enchanting man before her, silver fur rippling across his form. This demonic beauty—this male demon—had completely seized her life in his hands!
An incense stick.
How could she have wasted that much time chasing down petty thieves?
Impossible!
She couldn’t help herself—of course she had come to find him, to finish early and go home to rest!
She let out a soft sigh. And met the demon’s mocking, scrutinizing gaze.
One wrong word, and he would end her right there.
She sighed again, lowered her head.
“…Sorry, Senior Brother… I didn’t know you were in the middle of doing your makeup.”
Huangfu Yuan’s lip twitched.
Lin Shuang braced her right hand against the temple door’s edge.
“It was thoughtless of me. You said one incense stick, and I shouldn’t have come to rush you. Makeup has so many steps—it’s normal to take your time. I should’ve been more patient. It’s my fault for being early. How will you forgive me?”
Huangfu Yuan’s red eyes followed her, falling on her advancing right hand.
She saw his gaze shift and cautiously extended her left foot across the temple’s threshold.
Huangfu Yuan narrowed his eyes.
She froze her foot mid-air, then slowly lifted her left hand toward him.
He raised an eyebrow, chin tilting upward in warning.
She turned her head, gave a little cough. “I read in a book once—when you encounter a strange dog, you should let it sniff you first.”
“To show it you’re not a threat.”
“…”
“Dabao1, are you a wolf or a dog?”
“…………”
She thought he was from a canine or wolf tribe. Some of the red in his eyes faded. He lowered his gaze, falling silent.
“If I hear that name again, Junior Sister, I might really twist your head off.”
Lin Shuang pressed her lips together. So violent.
“Dabao, remember last night when you pushed me into the lake? My poor paper substitute met a miserable end at Daming Lake. This can count as us even, right? What do you say?”
Huangfu Yuan looked down at her. A Dao heart cannot lie to itself. Human or demon, it made no difference. She had no intention of harming him. That was clear. To slaughter someone who posed no threat, especially one with karmic ties—that would eventually rebound. He didn’t refute her, so Lin Shuang quietly retracted the speed talisman clenched in her right palm. And swiftly stepped into the dilapidated temple.
“Senior Brother, what did you find?”
She was always sharp enough to change the subject at the perfect time. Before he could finish the thought of killing her, she dragged him along to inspect the Buddha statue now covered in cobwebs. Huangfu Yuan lowered his eyes and tossed her a blood mirror. Lin Shuang caught it with a handkerchief and examined the small silver mirror the size of her palm. The misty surface reflected not her face, but rows of treasure shelves. Her sharp eyes instantly identified several third-grade treasure blades, stabilizing needles, and more.
On several shelves, she spotted tossed-aside sect tokens—some from Clearwater Sect, some from Mountain and Sea Sect. Well now, what a den of thieves. Cultivators committing crimes really were a pain. Moving stolen goods was far too easy. Capturing and convicting them wasted so many resources. A mirror like this—just a portable storage room.
“A fourth-grade artifact…”
She turned to look at the man-demon behind her, who was now lazily using water techniques to clean his hands.
His pupils had darkened again, but his hair still hung in long, red-streaked white strands, trailing to the floor—not yet returned to black.
“Do dogs or wolves have the Three Flowers?”2
Huangfu Yuan’s hand paused mid-clean.
“Don’t be mad, Senior Brother. Just collecting information.”
Lin Shuang spread her hands and continued checking the temple for anything unusual.
“There are quite a few demon cultivators in Clearwater Sect. We’ve all lived peacefully.”
“My roommate back in the Outer Sect was a demon too. You’ve heard of the ‘Nobility of the water’? Pearl-white clamshells.”
Huangfu Yuan raised a brow. Nobility of the water? Who? White-clam demons? He snorted.
The Bai clan couldn’t even crack the top three in the water-dwelling demon rankings.
“Junior Sister, I suggest you don’t enter the demon realm for now.”
He finished cleaning his hands, took out a pill furnace, stuffed the corpse into it, and lit it with a spark of spiritual fire.
A black iron token clattered to the ground—marked with the character: Heaven’s Secrets.
“…”
Lin Shuang’s eye twitched as she picked up the token.
Her gaze fell on the pill furnace now full of burnt corpse remains… She would never be able to look at his pills the same again! No wonder he always looked so disgusted when he mentioned his pill furnace! He really turned it into a crematorium!
“Every demon clan has clearly marked territory and hierarchy. Mixing them up will get you torn apart.”
Huangfu Yuan’s expression was back to normal, calm and composed. As if he wasn’t disposing of a body but doing something righteous and holy. Lin Shuang felt deep respect. His emotional shifts were smoother than hers. She looked down and spotted a mustard seed pouch from the purple robe lying on the ground. With 108 threads of divine sense, she unlocked it in a breath.
She pulled out a jade slip. Activated with spiritual energy. It was a long list—targets marked as “fat sheep.”
[Gang Yi: Failed to enter cave; alert upon infiltration
…
Bai Yu…
Chen Xingchuan: Not in cave; sensed anomaly at close range
…
Meng Zi: Formation scrolls – pending
Huangfu Yuan: Treasure cauldron – pending
Lin Shuang: Qi Condensation, suspected treasure – pending
…
Yuan He: Cultivation manual – pending
…]
Lin Shuang suddenly understood. She had been on the list all along. No wonder her paper substitute had been targeted. But Bai Yu’s name wasn’t near theirs—not the same batch.
“So the three of us have been on their to-do list since the beginning.”
She drew a sharp breath. The whole “cafeteria performance” thing had simply been a pretext to target them first. Even without that, they’d have come for her eventually.
Tsk.
She’d been too flashy. If not for this mission, she might’ve been delayed in the Zhenchuan trials. The list held many familiar names—ones she’d seen on the Zhenchuan red rankings. Only a few were strangers. She raised a brow.
“Junior Sister, how do you plan to explain all this to Junior Brother Meng and Senior Brother Xu Xiang?”
Beside her, Huangfu Yuan had moved on to cleaning the cremation furnace, casting her a disdainful glance.
“The way that servant boy spoke of this purple-robed ‘Venerable’… what cultivation level do you think he had?” she asked curiously.
Huangfu Yuan gave her a half-smile.
Lin Shuang understood. The kind of thing you couldn’t tell an examiner. Her senses had been right—this man had to be above the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment. Huangfu Yuan was supposed to be sickly and newly initiated. And she? A very legitimate Qi Condensation stage three. What sin had she committed, taking down a seventh-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator? Not even ashes left.
“Well, I’ll say I tried to send a message to summon a senior, but scared the guy off—”
Tsk. Senior Brother Xu Rui, Senior Brother Xu Xiang. Perfect scapegoats. Huangfu Yuan gave a soft cough.
In an instant, a spray of blood burst from his lips, his body staggered, his cultivation dropped to the peak of Qi Condensation—
And he collapsed backward.
Lin Shuang: “!”
Huangfu Yuan’s pale lips curled into a faint smile.
“Then I leave everything to you, Junior Sister. I’ve exhausted my strength.”
With that, his dark lashes trembled as he weakly closed his eyes and collapsed into her arms. She reached out to check his pulse—cold as ice. His qi coursed chaotically, his blood reversing in its flow. Even his meridians showed signs of old, fractured injuries.
“So it wasn’t an act after all.”
She had always assumed he was faking it. But it turned out he’d used his life just now… to test her? Well, with the way she nearly burned out her 97 dantians like a scorched CPU, she might just be able to escape from him again in the future. Lin Shuang shook her head, then casually reached down to stroke the furry tips of his hair. And again. And again.
“Junior Sister, I’m awake. Just… too weak to stand.”
“…”
[Xiao Ai reminder: 39 breaths remaining in rest period.]
“Senior Brother, just three more strokes. Only three.”
“I have to carry you back and explain everything to Senior Brother Xu, to Meng Zi and Little Bai—it’s a lot of work.”
“How about… thirty-nine strokes instead?”
“…”
Huangfu Yuan’s lashes twitched. Satisfied, Lin Shuang gave him another thorough ruffle before summoning her flying sword.
[Xiao Ai navigation activated. Location locked: Clearwater Sect.]
[Would you like to activate autopilot mode?]
“Yes.”
Lin ‘said-she’d-carry-him’ Shuang let the sword fly itself all the way back to Clearwater Sect.
Landing in the Inner Sect, she opened her Xiao Ai voice talisman and immediately launched into a rapid playback message for the anxiously waiting Meng Zi, Bai Yu, and Senior Brother Xu Xiang of the Inner Sect administration.
“So here’s what happened. The servant boy used a teleportation talisman and accidentally transported me and Senior Brother Huangfu together—we opened our eyes and were in a den of thieves.”
Everyone: “??”
“Hold on, Junior Sister, how exactly did that—” Xu Xiang began, but Lin Shuang quickly cut him off. Clearly, she hadn’t prepared an answer.
“The enemies were just too cunning.”
She spoke gravely. Huangfu Yuan, lying limp across her broad sword, twitched at the corner of his mouth. He did his best not to glance at the unconscious servant boy nearby. Senior Brother Xu Xiang was about to press further when Lin Shuang shoved a fourth-grade treasure mirror into his hands.
“Quick, Senior Brother, catalog the stolen goods.”
Sure enough, Xu Xiang’s attention was diverted. He glanced down into the mirror—and drew a sharp breath.
Heavens. So many… and so poorly organized! Treasure blades stacked with cultivation manuals, sect tokens tossed all over the place. Stabilizing needles scattered, completely unaligned! Clearwater and Mountain and Sea Sect tokens all jumbled together!
It hurt.
Just one glance and his spiritual sea trembled. Face darkening, Xu Xiang formed a hand seal and vanished into the treasure mirror. With a small clink, the mirror fell to the ground. He’d gone in to reorganize the loot!
“Junior Brother, Junior Sister—please wait. Once I finish sorting, I’ll come out and calculate your rewards for clearing this level.”
Lin Shuang nodded obediently. “Of course, Senior Brother.”
Then she turned to Meng Zi, who was cradling the mirror like it was precious, distressed.
“We’re out of here. He won’t be done for half a day at least.”
“Four whole shelving units. Ah, what a time sink.”
“…”
“Wait—that’s bad. Senior Brother Xu Xiang is a perfectionist about organization. This’ll delay our advancement to the next Zhenchuan level.”
“I need to send a message to Senior Brother Xu Rui and ask what he’s up to.”
Huangfu Yuan: “…”
Meng Zi, Bai Yu: “…”
Poor Senior Brother—Inner Sect or Outer Sect, same fate.
By evening, Bai Yu returned to Zhenchuan alongside his two teammates.
Meng Zi sat cross-legged in the meditation chamber of Cave Dwelling No. 1700, polishing his blade while sneaking glances toward the figures resting outside in the moonlight—one on a bamboo chair, the other on a cushioned bench.
He strained his ears but heard no conversation.
“Ahem.”
He cleared his throat loudly.
Still no response. Frowning, he strode to the door with his blade in hand.
“You two… seriously angry with me? I didn’t mean to—I just got impulsive! I didn’t expect to go with a long bait strategy!”
“As soon as I saw him grab Little Bai’s ten-thousand-spirit-stone blade, my spiritual sea nearly ruptured!”
As he spoke, his chest heaved like he’d just watched ten thousand spirit stones vanish into thin air. Letting that little thief steal the blade—it was unbearable. Like being chopped to death a thousand times.
“I admit it—I acted on impulse and spooked him into teleporting away. Nearly botched the trial.”
“But do you really need to keep giving me the cold shoulder since we got back?”
“Fine. Next time either of you screws up a level, I won’t say a word. Fair?”
A faint red crept up his ears. Then he added solemnly,
“I’ll drop the tea fee to fifteen spirit stones per person.”
“No lower! That’s already a heart-wrenching discount!”
“From now on, I’ll drive—no, fly the sword for us through all of Zhenchuan. Deal?”
He finished. But the two remained icy. One expressionless. The other pale and sickly.
Meng Zi gritted his teeth, shoulders slumping as he turned away.
“Fine. Don’t talk to me then.”
He hefted his sword and walked back inside.
[Ding—keyword ‘ignore’ detected.]
Meng Zi flinched, something clicking in his memory.
[Xiao Ai auto-reply activated, now at your service.]
[Hello, Lin Shuang is currently spacing out. She’s applied a one-way mirror talisman.]
“!”
Meng Zi stepped out again and waved a hand in front of Huangfu Yuan’s sickly face.
The man’s jet-black pupils didn’t move at all.
[Hello, Huangfu Yuan is also currently spacing out.]
“!!”
[Ding—Xiao Ai detects your spiritual signature. Greetings, Death-Defying Level II Companion of Zhenchuan: Meng Zi!]
Meng Zi’s mouth twitched. He gripped his blade and took a deep breath.
“Got it. Now shut up!”
Seriously—spacing out and not including him?!
They had only gone out together once—and now they were excluding him!
[Exclusive for Death-Defying Companions: Shared Equipment for Spacing Out. Would you like to access it?]
[Press 1: One-Way Mirror Talisman – 50 spirit stones per incense stick]
[Press 2: Double-Ear Immortal Noise-Canceling Headphones – 100 spirit stones per incense stick. Available in: Joy (spiritual zither), Sorrow (two-string erhu), Absurdity (suona horn)…]
“…”
Damn.
Meng Zi turned his head.
Case closed.
Senior Brother Huangfu wasn’t targeting him. Lin Shuang wasn’t targeting him. They just respected him too much! They knew full well he wouldn’t pay for any of this. Rather than face the awkwardness of rejection, they simply didn’t invite him. Meng Zi let out a breath of relief and smiled as he walked back inside.
He was okay again.
Lin Shuang’s brain was messed up, but she was a decent person.
Huangfu had a messed-up body, but also… a decent person.
[Xiao Ai Unit 1 (Lin): Senior Brother Huangfu, after thinking it over, I’d like to avoid accidentally stepping into any taboo areas related to your demon clan. May I ask you a few questions?]
Huangfu Yuan, seated in the bamboo chair under a one-way mirror talisman, felt the talisman at his waist vibrate.
Xiao Ai Unit 2 emitted a spiritual transmission.
He blinked—he’d forgotten to return it to her.
[Xiao Ai Unit 1 (Lin) has sent to Unit 2: “Human-Demon Peaceful Coexistence Survey – Word Format”]
Huangfu Yuan raised an eyebrow. She was actually showing respect to demonkind? This was a first for him out in the mortal world. He didn’t move, but his spiritual sense opened the file.
A long list appeared in his sea of consciousness.
[What species are you? ________]
Huangfu Yuan’s breath caught. He skipped the question and continued scrolling.
[Do you get along with cats? Legend says dogs and cats don’t. If I raise a spirit cat in the future, can we still go to Zhenchuan together?]
A vein throbbed at his temple.
She liked cats?
Didn’t she say a few days ago that she wanted a spirit dog?
His phoenix eyes narrowed, irritation blooming for no reason.
Tch. Cats aren’t even that great.
[Do you prefer canned food or dog kibble… how many meals per day?]
[How many times do you relieve yourself each day?]
[What’s your normal fur color? When is shedding season?]
[Do you have any bald spots?]
[Do you need daily walks?]
[What’s your normal body temperature?]
Huangfu Yuan: “…”
He wanted to drag the person lying next to him and stuff her into a pill furnace. But soon, a wave-like line of text appeared:
(The above questions are very important. Please do not skip them.)
(Should anything happen during joint missions, this information will help your partner determine whether your current condition is an emergency, and provide medical assistance accordingly.)
Huangfu Yuan paused. So that’s what she was thinking?
Yet the question about daily bowel movements… his expression darkened.
Wonderful. He’d rather die on the spot.
[They say dogs can only see in black and white, and recognize blue and yellow. What about you? If you’re another species, please describe your color perception.]
[Your sense of smell, taste…]
[Is it true that dog urine is highly corrosive?]
Huangfu Yuan: “…”
With a crack, Xiao Ai Unit 2 in his hand made a frail little sound.
(Again, these questions are for cooperative missions. As human and demon physiology differ, this helps us work together better.)
(For example, what if we need to pick a red flower in a trial, and you can’t distinguish it and grab a green one instead? The same goes for taste, smell, vision…)
Unit 2 flickered back to life.
He fell into deep thought.
[They say dog nose prints are unique identifiers. Can you leave your nose print in the blank section of this form? (If you’re from the wolf tribe, same request.)]
Huangfu Yuan lowered his lashes and snorted.
She did know a little about demon clans, it seemed.
Still, his face made it clear he refused to cooperate.
(If someone impersonates you during a Zhenchuan trial, this will help us identify you.)
Huangfu Yuan raised a brow.
Soon, Lin Shuang felt Unit 1 vibrate.
Her spiritual sense received a message.
[Xiao Ai Unit 2 (Huangfu): And what about you? How do I identify you?]
Lin Shuang gasped and sat upright.
“A genius like me? Who could imitate me?”
“Have her recite the ‘Cultivation Transportation Systems Manual,’ then make her memorize the Learning Pyramid.”
“…”
That night, Huangfu Yuan sent his reply.
He wasn’t “Big Guy.” Not dog, not wolf.
He was feline.
Lin Shuang shot upright from her sickbed. “No way!”
He acted so much like a dog…
That night, she opened the filled-in questionnaire.
[Feline species. Sense of smell—worse than dog, wolf, and fox tribes.]
[Taste—atrophied.]
[Vision—atrophied. Only somewhat useful at night. Compared to dogs, wolves, and foxes, not worth mentioning.]
[Physical ability—weak. Not worth mentioning next to dog, wolf, or fox tribes.]
[Shedding—constant. Always shedding… Heh. Compared to those other tribes, I’m practically bald.]
“…”
Lin Shuang pressed her brow.
The next day, when Senior Brother Xu Xiang summoned them to the administrative hall to distribute trial rewards, she couldn’t help but look at Huangfu Yuan, the great demon beside her.
“Senior Brother Huangfu, I’ve developed a new type of dog food. Want to try it?”
“…”
“I know you’re a cat. A canine kind of cat.”
“…………”
Lin Shuang, queen of efficiency, always kept reference manuals in her mustard seed pouch.
Encyclopedia of Demon Clans Compatible with Human Cultivators
“Canine-type great demons are divided into dog, wolf, jackal, and fox branches.”
“A century ago, canine tribes were the primary direct lineage under the former Demon King, the Nine-Tailed Fox, ranked first among over 6,000 clans.”
“But after the previous Nine-Tailed Fox King went berserk and was slain by the current Tiger King and several human cultivators, the canine tribes lost their glory.”
“The once-supreme Nine-Tailed bloodline ended when the fox king’s child had six tails severed by evil cultivators while still young and sickly. The bloodline was extinguished, erased from demon clan history.”
“Since then, the four canine tribes have been on terrible terms with the current ruling feline clans—particularly lynxes, leopards, tigers, and lions.”
“If you encounter a canine-type great demon, do not mention how cute you think cats are, or say anything about wanting to raise a spirit feline.”
“Though spirit cats are weak and non-confrontational, they look too much like tigers, lions, lynxes, and leopards.”
“And canines bear deep grudges. They still rank among the top three demon clans in combat strength. If you don’t want trouble—or want to befriend them—praise their cuteness instead.”
“If a canine-type demon becomes close to you, they’ll be your most loyal companion in battle.”
“Loyal for life.”
“Of course, spirit cats aren’t bad either. Don’t believe canine propaganda that slanders cats.”
“If you want to learn more about tiger demons, see ‘How to Win a Tiger Demon’s Favor—Start by Befriending a Small Cat.’”
Lin Shuang speed-read through it and looked up. At Huangfu Yuan beside her, calmly sipping spirit tea. Lean frame, long limbs—built for speed. Elongated face, prominent nose. The night before, he’d noticed intruders—keen hearing, sharp scent. Hair tied back with a simple jade crown, now returned to black, long and thick—remarkably full. And that tail… bushy.
Could this really be a cat?
What a joke.
“Big Guy, I get it. Canines are the best, okay?”
“…”
Huangfu Yuan’s teacup shifted slightly. A glint of quiet satisfaction flickered in his phoenix eyes.
Lin Shuang smiled faintly.
Dean Grandma, this must be what you meant, right?
If you want to make a friend, don’t be afraid.
Be bold. Talk to them. Try to understand them. Even if you quarrel or accidentally step on a taboo, it’s alright.
Arguing means getting to know each other better. Next time, you’ll understand their preferences and sensitivities. That’s real friendship—not polite façades.
—Meng Zi, lover of spirit stones, hates anything that risks him losing them. But loyal, forthright, all brawn no brain. (Not saying he’s dumb.)
—Huangfu Yuan, from one of the four canine tribes. Probably dislikes cats. Likes fur blankets, cute animal trinkets. (Strong suspicion: same reason Grandma loves fruit-shaped dishware. It all looks like snacks? Wolf, jackal, fox?)
Lin Shuang made a silent mental note.
“By the way, Senior Brother Huangfu, Senior Brother Meng—I truly hate it when people waste my time.”
Only by exchanging what we care about can we deepen mutual understanding.
“Just so you know.”
The “coachman” Meng Zi faltered mid-flight, his sword wobbling.
What was that supposed to mean? Was she implying his sword-flying was too slow? Taking a jab at him? Come on! He was dragging three people—it took serious effort! And now she was nitpicking? Meng Zi rolled his eyes, but still sped up…
“If you ate less at breakfast and carried fewer tea snacks, I could go faster.”
“And Senior Brother Huangfu, your fur blanket is practically trailing off the back of the sword—it’s seriously slowing me down.”
Huangfu Yuan drank his tea without a flicker of expression, pretending he hadn’t heard.
Lin Shuang awkwardly put down her little snack.
“The snacks don’t even weigh 40 jin. That’s under the checked baggage limit. Don’t be so stingy, Senior Brother Meng.”
“…!”
Meng Zi trembled.
Wait—there was a checked baggage fee now?
Why hadn’t he thought of this before? Charge by weight! While calculating, the three of them suddenly descended upon the Inner Sect’s administrative office.
Waiting outside was Senior Brother Xu Xiang, smiling as he looked at them through a fourth-grade mirror.
Just as Meng Zi was about to take his fourth step forward, Xu Xiang’s expression changed. With a flick of his fingers, three green leaves shot into their palms.
“Lin Shuang, Huangfu Yuan, Meng Zi—eight-tenths of the Inner Sect’s lost items have been recovered.”
“This mission has been evaluated as Inner Sect Tier C.”
“Collectively, the disciples who lost their items have voluntarily pooled a reward totaling 23,000 spirit stones.”
Meng Zi’s eyes lit up instantly—but his fourth step wouldn’t move.
He remained stuck on the third.
A flicker of satisfaction passed across Xu Xiang’s face.
He continued, “This reward is to be distributed as the clearance prize for this trial level.”
“This trial—‘Senior Brother, You Dropped Your Treasure’—has been successfully completed.”
“Time taken: one day.”
“Recovered items: 197 spirit treasures.”
“Trial leaders: Lin Shuang, Huangfu Yuan, Meng Zi—congratulations!”
Xu Xiang smiled warmly. The way he looked at Lin Shuang was filled with appreciation and praise. When he turned to Meng Zi, however, his gaze grew more stern.
“Junior Brother Meng, your Junior Sister from the Outer Sect did not fall short. You, as a healthy Inner Sect disciple, must work harder.”
“…”
Meng Zi clutched his sword and pressed a hand to his brow. Great. One’s from the Outer Sect, one’s sickly—he did all the grunt work, and he got scolded!
Damn.
Fine—for 23,000 spirit stones, he’d let it go. His heartbreak lasted one breath, then he grinned.
“Senior Brother, may we go claim our spirit stone reward now?”
“…”
Hopeless.
Xu Xiang pressed his lips together, expression flat.
In a flash, he formed a hand seal—and the Red Board lit up across all of Zhenchuan and the Inner Sect’s sky.
[Level 2271 – “Senior Brother, You Dropped Your Treasure” is about to close.]
[Trial leaders confirmed. Eighty percent of lost items recovered.]
[All remaining disciples, report to the administrative office within three incense sticks, or the trial will be considered failed and you’ll be demoted three hundred levels.]
“You should return to Zhenchuan now.”
Xu Xiang nodded to Lin Shuang and Huangfu Yuan, turned, and walked away in a straight line.
“Senior Brother! We found a suspect—cafeteria servant boy!”
In another part of the trial, Chen Xingchuan’s team received good news.
“We found a second-grade blade on him.”
“Excellent—quick, turn it in to the administrative office! If we’re fast, we might become trial leaders!”
Chen Xingchuan was thrilled. At last, they wouldn’t be overshadowed by an Outer Sect disciple.
But as they approached the office—
They looked up at the Red Board.
Chen Xingchuan froze. Too late again?
He rushed in to find Xu Xiang.
“Senior Brother! Wait—we found a second-grade blade worth 50,000. That’s more valuable than what Lin Shuang’s team recovered!”
“Leadership for this level shouldn’t be judged by time alone. It should be based on the value of the recovered treasures.”
Xu Xiang set down his scroll and turned.
“Yes, Junior Brother, you’re right.”
“Lin Shuang recovered eighty percent of all items. A total of 197 treasures. You said you found… how many blades?”
Chen Xingchuan: “…”
W-what?
How was that even possible?
“No way! I chased the servant boy down myself—he teleported away! How did they find 197 items?”
Xu Xiang paused, expression unreadable.
“They were teleported together.”
“…!”
At the resting quarters, the Red Board hovered in the sky.
[Congratulations to Huangfu Yuan, Meng Zi, and Lin Shuang—new trial leaders of Level 2271.]
[Please proceed to the Resting Pavilion to claim your reward.]
Many disciples at the pavilion noticed immediately.
They looked up—and were stunned.
“Again? Them?”
“What is going on—how many times now?”
“Let me count. From the Sitting Meditation Trial to this Theft Investigation, they’ve already taken five trial leaderships!”
“That Outer Sect girl—she must be part flying sword! She clears levels faster than most speed cultivators!”
“What’s the deal with this level? Can we get a playback projection or something?”
From Levels 1–3000, 3000–6000, and 6000–9000, Zhenchuan had a Resting Pavilion every 3000 levels. Disciples could rest, replenish resources, and exchange cultivation insights.
But now, most of the discussion was about Lin Shuang’s trio. At first, watching Lin Shuang clear levels had been amusing. Her insight and cleverness gave even senior disciples new ideas for breaking through levels.
But that was when she was under Level 2000.
Now, she’d passed Level 2000 and taken fastest trial leadership? She was closing in on the 3000-level checkpoint. Among all the Inner Sect disciples, aside from Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan, unease began to spread.
Level 3000 marked a major threshold.
If an Outer Sect disciple reached it—and claimed one more trial leader title—she’d be rubbing the Inner Sect’s mid-level cultivators’ faces into the dirt with her flying sword. Letting someone from Qi Condensation—someone from the Outer Sect—claim all six leadership titles in the Inner Sect?
That would be the ultimate disgrace.
“If that happens, we’ll never live it down.”
“I mean, I thought Dao Dong’s trio only lost because of some bad luck—wasn’t expecting our mid-tier juniors to be so outmatched.”
“Seriously, no one’s gone to the levels she’s trying to challenge next? Can’t someone take the leadership title from her?”
“Are we going to have an Outer Sect disciple’s name etched into the Level 3000 Resting Pavilion?”
Just imagining it was unbearable.
“Where’s Chen Xingchuan—he’s Foundation Establishment Level 4, peak stage!”
“Where’s Senior Sister Mei Xin—also Foundation Establishment Level 4 peak?!”
[Zhenchuan Ranking – Day 2]
[Top 10 – Mid to Low-Level Teams (under 3000 levels)]
[1. Xu Ming, Luoyang, Yuan He – Highest Level 2910, 4 Trial Leader titles]
[2. Bian Xing, Cao Lu, Ma Wenchuan – Highest Level 2999, 3 Trial Leader titles]
…
[9. Sima Shao, Kong Ling, Xie Yun – Highest Level 2810, 3 Trial Leader titles]
[10. Huangfu Yuan, Meng Zi, Lin Shuang – Highest Level 2271, 5 Trial Leader titles]
[Ranking is determined by: levels cleared, leadership titles, Zhenchuan commendations, and win/loss ratios. Final interpretation rights belong to Zhenchuan.]
[Top team’s names will be carved into the pavilions of Levels 1–3000, for future disciples to honor and admire.]
“…”
Everyone was silent.
Lin Shuang’s team had reached Level 2271—and already entered the Top 10.
If they climbed another 500 levels and claimed one more title, they could soar to first place!
An Outer Sect name—etched into the Inner Sect’s Level 3000 Resting Pavilion?
Unthinkable.
“They’ll probably head next to Levels 2700 to 2800.”
At the Level 6000 Rest Pavilion, a tall disciple wearing a “Dao” crest on his coronet and a patchwork robe stood up. On his back was a strange bamboo basket, and in his hand, a wooden staff. Unlike everyone else with swords and blades.
“Dao Fa Senior Brother, what do you mean?”
He was one of the Dao Mountain Ten.
If Lin Shuang’s team were here, they would be on high alert. Dao Fa gazed at the disciples before him. Below Level 6000, he was known as the strongest.
“Are there any other trios under Level 2700 where all three members are Foundation Establishment Level 4, peak stage?”
Everyone lowered their heads, unable to meet his eyes.
“Chen Xingchuan’s team. They finished that same trial a little late. They’re at Level 2300.”
“Good.” Dao Fa nodded, his face warm yet ominous.
“Have them challenge Lin Shuang’s team.”
The crowd froze. His brothers Dao Dong, Dao Xi and Dao Bei had already lost. And he was still sending people to challenge her?
No one objected.
Because if they didn’t do it now, and she reached the top— No one would be able to drag her down again. High-level cultivators might clear levels faster, but none had more leadership titles than her. Disciples who cleared levels slowly were usually low in cultivation—and unlikely to claim many trial leaderships or surpass her. If no one stopped her now, it really would be too late.
“Chen Xingchuan, I’ll speak to him.”
A disciple in blue robes, carrying a qin case on his back, stood up.
“No matter what, we must protect the dignity of the Inner Sect’s 3000-level region.”
“If word gets out, the Mountain and Sea Sect will mock us for sure. How will we face them during the Spring Equinox Arena Battle next year?!”
If morale was already broken before the fight even began, what was the point?
“Inner Sect disciples weaker than Outer Sect ones?”
“What a joke.”
All the disciples across the resting pavilions stood up, tense.
“Also—aside from Chen Xingchuan’s group—who has a cultivation method that specifically counters Meng Zi?”
[Level 828 – “Do I Look Like I Care?”]
[Latest clearance record: 1111 days.]
[Trial leaders: Zhou Xuanwu, Li Sixin, Zhao Keran.]
The Inner Sect disciples paused.
Such a low-level stone trial usually didn’t catch their attention—but that number, 1111 days, was hard to ignore.
Even more striking was the message that followed:
[Are you dreaming in broad daylight?!]
[Again and again, Inner Sect trial records are being broken by Outer Sect disciples! What are you even here for?!]
“What? The three in ‘Do I Look Like I Care?’ are from the Outer Sect too?!”
The Inner Sect disciples choked.
[Attention, Inner Sect disciples below 3000 levels: urgent directive from Zhenchuan Supervisor #1!]
[You have two days to intercept all Outer Sect disciples climbing upward!]
[If an Outer Sect disciple rises another 500 levels, all Inner Sect disciples will lose 10,000 contribution points!]
[If an Outer Sect disciple becomes the Level 3000 trial leader, all Inner Sect disciples will be sent to the Ten-Thousand Serpent Valley to meditate for 99 days and write 9999 words of self-reflection!]
Zhenchuan’s room supervisor—the current Inner Sect exam overseer—was furious!
In the Level 6000 Resting Pavilion, Bai Yu’s eyes widened. He quickly lowered his head.
No doubt about it… it was her.
Thankfully, he’d reached Foundation Establishment Level 5 before she entered the Inner Sect—escaped Zhenchuan’s 3000-level range just in time. Otherwise, he’d be among the unlucky ones!
Whew—thank heavens!
“Shall we go, Fish Bro? Back to cultivation,” Bai Yu said to the disciple beside him, whose forehead bore shimmering fish scales.
Fish-scaled Senior Brother blinked. “Wait—we’re leaving? I was just enjoying the drama. We only just sat down!”
“Mm.” Bai Yu had a moment of relief, but it didn’t last long. “I need to hurry—get to Level 6000.”
“Before she does.”
“…”
Back in Zhenchuan, Lin Shuang and her team had just returned—only to feel something was wrong.
“Tch, my eyelid’s twitching again.” Lin Shuang rubbed her forehead.
Meng Zi snorted. “Want some spirit tea? 15 spirit stones per cup.”
Huangfu Yuan, holding a hand warmer, paused mid-step.
[Challenge issued by: Chen Xingchuan!]
[Challenge issued by: Mu Yunhe!]
[Challenge issued by: Ruo Shan!]
[Challenge issued by: Yuan Bian!]
Messages flooded in—wave after wave of challenges crashing over the three of them.
Author’s note:
“Zhao Sect Master’s Notes, Entry 38”: “From the moment Senior Sister entered Zhenchuan, the rise of Clearwater Sect’s Outer Sect was unstoppable!”
—Inner Sect: “…”
—Outer Sect: “…”
“Chronicles of the Cultivation World”: “In the long history of Clearwater Sect, there was once a century where the Outer Sect was revered above all. Back then, more aspiring cultivators wanted to join the Outer Sect than the Inner.”
—Clearwater Inner Sect: “…”
—Clearwater Outer Sect: “…”
—Mountain and Sea Sect: “Tsk. Embarrassing.”
I love both cats and dogs. The saying that “cats and dogs don’t get along” does have a hint of early scientific basis—it stems from their differing body language. For example, when both lift a paw: to a dog, it means “let’s play”; to a cat, it means “square up.” Hence, the myth of dog-cat conflict.
But there are plenty of real-life examples of cats and dogs living in harmony.
Lots of my friends have both—true winners in life~ All in all, these little furballs have their own thoughts and quirks, each one unique and lovable. It just takes a sensitive pet owner to understand them~
One time I took my bunny to the vet and met a fluffy pet suffering from depression. The vet said it was probably because the family brought in a new pet, and it felt neglected. Poor thing was seriously upset—needed lots of affection to recover.
So, whether pets can live peacefully together depends on many factors: temperament, personality, environment, and human care.
Sometimes they do get a little jealous~
Alright then—see you tomorrow!
- Dabao: Literally meaning “Big Treasure,” this is a somewhat ironic or affectionate nickname commonly used for pets, especially large dogs or chubby children. ↩︎
- “Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown” (Sanhua Juding)refers to an advanced Daoist cultivation state in which three vital energies—essence, qi, and spirit—are refined and converge at the crown of the head, symbolizing great mastery over one’s physical and spiritual self. ↩︎