◎ You’re Still Allowed to Be Angry for a While ◎
Teleportation arrays could malfunction.
Overuse, years of disrepair, or fading formation patterns could slow the transmission speed from just a few breaths to a hundred… or even several days.
When the sect noticed, they would send people to repair and restore it.
Lin Shuang tossed out four Xiao Ais to check the spiritual energy of the formation patterns. “It’ll take about a cup of tea’s time. We’ll be out soon. Everyone, process your emotions—we have another stop ahead.”
“What?”
Meng Zi stood up, eyes wide, gripping his blade.
He looked at Huangfu Yuan—who, with his “foil-paper perm,” still radiated unrelenting fury—and then at the fox and tiger demons. They were still respectfully gazing their way, as if emotionally freed, tears shimmering in their eyes… but if one looked closely, their lips were drawn in bitter sorrow.
Their souls were dissolving…
“This is huge. Not just one thing—everything’s a mess! I haven’t even figured it out yet, and you’re telling me to digest it all in a tea break?!”
Meng Zi’s eyes didn’t even know where to look.
He hadn’t felt it earlier, but now that Lin Shuang pointed it out, his scalp tingled.
Looking again, the faint and flickering remnants of the tiger and fox spirits—originally meant to return to the heavens upon completion of the trial and attain full release—were now trapped. Because the three of them were stuck mid-teleportation, those two demon souls remained in limbo, neither dispersing nor whole.
Without a complete soul, one couldn’t reincarnate.
This had always been said.
If a cultivator’s soul didn’t dissipate after death and lingered with awareness, it would be akin to falling into a living purgatory—a torment that gnawed at one’s very being.
The higher the cultivation, the worse the pain.
Meng Zi sucked in a breath and immediately pulled out some spirit stones from his qiankun pouch.
Lin Shuang: “?”
Huangfu Yuan looked down: “……”
“Can’t I calm my nerves?!”
Meng Zi was aggrieved.
His hand trembled as he held three spirit stones.
He managed to steady it by grabbing a fourth.
Swallowing hard, he glanced at Huangfu Yuan and saw that the man had turned sideways.
Those eyes, once drooping and sickly, now burned with a murderous rage. Even seated, he exuded a towering fury…
A blood-red glint flickered in his eyes when they landed on the spirit stones in Meng Zi’s hands, reflecting back cold and sharp.
“……”
Meng Zi took out a fifth spirit stone and pressed it down hard.
His peach blossom eyes twitched violently.
“Hold on! Say what you will about other places, but our Clearwater Sect has always welcomed demon cultivators just like we welcome human ones!”
“Xiao Bai, who lives with me, is a demon too.”
He truly didn’t understand.
“Senior Brother Huangfu,” Meng Zi held a spirit stone in one hand and gripped his blade with the other, looking up at Huangfu Yuan, whose long hair now swept the ground and trailed red from beneath the foil paper. “…Are you a demon?”
“Why did you hide it?”
Meng Zi looked deeply wounded.
“I, Meng Zi, swear on the spirit stones in my qiankun pouch—I’ve never discriminated against demons!”
“In this life, I’ve only discriminated against Lin Shuang.”
“……”
Lin Shuang took a sip of tea and reached for the foil talisman paper to wrap up Huangfu Yuan’s newly grown hair.
What grudge, what vendetta was this?
Her brow twitched.
Huangfu Yuan’s drooping eyelids stilled, and his rapidly growing hair paused mid-transformation for half a breath.
After a moment, his crimson gaze turned to Lin Shuang.
“A part of you… is also here. What does that mean?”
His voice was like ice soaked in spiritual frost.
Meng Zi sucked in another breath and pulled out a sixth spirit stone, glancing at Lin Shuang.
Lin Shuang, still wrapping the foil perm, directed a Xiao Ai to deliver tea to her lips.
She thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Senior Brother Meng. Senior Brother Huangfu—uh, I’ll call you that for now.”
Huangfu Yuan raised a mocking brow.
She had clearly sensed it—he was not a disciple of Clearwater Sect at all.
“Everyone,” Lin Shuang glanced at him, “Every demon… has their own secrets.”
Meng Zi hooked his pinky and pulled out a seventh spirit stone.
Looking guilty, he snuck a glance at the Annihilation Pavilion mask in his qiankun pouch.
“We haven’t known each other long. Demanding complete honesty might be asking too much.”
Lin Shuang motioned for Xiao Ai to set down the tea cup.
She looked toward the lingering spirit of Hui Niang in the distance.
Through the array, she couldn’t feel any trace of spiritual sense from her.
Perhaps only Huangfu Yuan, as the Nine-Tailed Fox with ancient bloodlines and head of the fox tribe, could sense her.
“But special circumstances require special handling.”
Lin Shuang sighed.
“The Nine Thousand Trials… hide deeper mysteries. Without realizing, we may have stumbled onto things we were never meant to know.”
Meng Zi fell silent.
“We don’t know what lies ahead—perhaps more demon souls, perhaps the remnants of human cultivators…”
She paused.
“What will happen to us, now that we’ve uncovered a secret?”
“Are these trapped living souls a demonic technique? Is it the doing of a rogue elder who crafted this level in secret? Or… is it something the entire Mountain and Sea Sect has tacitly approved?”
Meng Zi clutched his head. Not even the spirit stones could stop his knees from trembling.
“Clearwater Sect and Mountain and Sea Sect were once one—later split clearly apart.”
“But Huangfu Yuan said earlier that Zhenchuan Nine Thousand and Yuanhe Nine Thousand were constructed together… So is the Clearwater Sect’s secluded Patriarch also implicated?”
Meng Zi gasped again.
If so, discovering this secret could mean death by joint execution from the secluded Patriarchs of both Mountain and Sea Sect and Clearwater Sect?
And those Patriarchs’ cultivation levels…
Don’t joke.
Li Min, the supervisor of the 3,000 layers in Zhenchuan, was at the peak of Nascent Void. Just one finger could flatten him!
What kind of joke was this?
There’d be no escape!
“Of course, that’s the worst-case scenario.”
Lin Shuang waved a hand reassuringly.
“It’s not likely. If the sect leaders and elders all condoned this, why bother with Dao Heart examinations for their disciples?”
Meng Zi patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
Huangfu Yuan sneered silently.
“So my guess,” Lin Shuang continued, “is that it involves just a few elders—not the entire sect.”
She pulled out brush and paper and wrote for them to see.
“Let’s assume, for now, that not all layers are compromised. Let’s focus on Wang Jian’s trial level and analyze from there.”
—The elder who originally built this layer is suspicious
—The elder who maintained it afterward is suspicious
—The proctor elder is suspicious
—Two or all three of the above are suspicious
Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan both looked over reflexively.
“Let’s assume the Yuanhe Nine Thousand in Mountain and Sea Sect follows the same elder system as Zhenchuan.”
Earlier in Zhenchuan, Lin Shuang had learned the structure.
The Nine Thousand Trials were built by the first Sect Master of Clearwater Sect and several elders.
After its completion, the first Sect Master and the most powerful elders ascended.
Only a few slightly weaker elders remained—later becoming the secluded Patriarchs of Clearwater Sect. Most eventually died of old age; a few still lived, rarely appearing.
Zhenchuan was reopened every ten years.
Over time, the puppets, formations, and trial questions became outdated.
Thus, the next generation of active elders became Zhenchuan’s maintainers—repairing, updating, and adjusting trial content to align with newer cultivation methods.
These elders were deeply involved in sect administration.
The third tier of officials—lower still—were mere proctors like “Little Red” and “Little Green.”
“The first generation, the creators, are the secluded Patriarchs.”
Even Lin Shuang’s brow twitched now.
“Mm… cultivators at the Ascension stage.”
“The second type—current elders maintaining the Nine Thousand Trials… If they’re the ones involved, that’d be better for us. Not as terrifying as the Patriarchs, though possibly at the Tribulation stage?”
“The third type—proctor elders, in the Nascent Void stage.”
Lin Shuang wrote Little Red’s name beside this third category.
Comparable to Elder Li Min’s cultivation.
Meng Zi glanced at it and felt relieved—if it was the third type, that would be a lot better.
“Just Nascent Void… ha ha…”
Sure, even that was too much for him, but it was still far preferable to facing those in the Tribulation or Ascension stages!
But Huangfu Yuan let out a sharp snort, full of ridicule.
Lin Shuang gave him a look, gave a thoughtful “hm,” then turned to Meng Zi with a heavy tone. “The third category is the least likely. A proctor altering the trial formation would be hard to hide from the current maintenance elders.”
“So…”
She circled the entry labeled “current maintenance elder” heavily.
“This one is a guaranteed culprit.”
Meng Zi opened his mouth, then shut it.
She was right.
Tampering with a trial layer and hiding it from the current maintenance elders?
Impossible.
Which meant: either the current elder was covering for the sins of the first generation, turning a blind eye or too afraid to resist…
Or the current elder was the culprit, colluding with the proctor—or the proctor’s cultivation was simply too low to perceive the elder’s interference.
“In other words, we’re at the very least going to be hunted by a Tribulation stage elder…”
Meng Zi reached out to grab Huangfu Yuan’s waist.
Huangfu Yuan frowned, lowering his crimson gaze.
“I don’t care—I’m practically dead already. Senior Brother Huangfu, when we get out of here today, let me borrow your qiankun pouch to have some fun—and I’ll forgive you for lying to me all this time.”
“……”
“And you too, Lin Shuang!”
Meng Zi glared at her.
“Oh great, you two entered Zhenchuan with secret agendas, and only I…”
Lin Shuang gave a wry smile. “It was only when Senior Brother Huangfu started acting strange that I realized it.”
Huangfu Yuan paused a moment. “Junior Sister brought me here.”
“……”
“…………”
Even at a time like this, they were still pushing the blame onto each other!
They exchanged looks—then quickly looked away.
It wasn’t really blame.
It was the truth.
If not for each other, none of them would’ve uncovered this.
“Thirteen skeletons of demon elders are missing,” Huangfu Yuan said, gazing toward Hui Niang’s spirit.
“We searched all four realms, hunted down rogue cultivators—it’s been over twenty years, and still we’ve found nothing.”
Meng Zi’s pupils contracted. “Those demon elders’ cultivation levels—”
“All above the Tribulation stage.”
Meng Zi closed his eyes.
Lin Shuang’s deduction had been right.
“We searched everywhere. Only the restricted zones of major sects are off-limits to us demonkind.”
Huangfu Yuan’s eyes looked to the distance.
“That’s why, over the years, more demons like Bai Yu have joined cultivation sects.”
Lin Shuang frowned.
“They say it’s demon infighting, that they have nowhere else to go. But in truth, you’ve been entering human sects to investigate.”
Huangfu Yuan turned to her. Despite the lingering blood in his eyes, there was a flicker of admiration.
She really was sharp.
Back at the abandoned temple, when he first considered taking her life—his instincts had been right.
He clenched his molars, suppressing the metallic taste in his throat and the murderous urge that threatened to surge forth.
“Human cultivators will always guard against demons. No matter how high our cultivation, we’re never allowed near a sect’s core.”
“In Zhenchuan, the puppet-themed trial levels entered by demons can be counted on one hand.”
Proctor elders could change the questions on short notice.
They’d already experienced that once.
Huangfu Yuan lowered his gaze, looking at Lin Shuang. “Even among humans, few can analyze a trial the way you did.”
Even if one entered the puppet trial, that didn’t guarantee they would uncover the truth.
The Nine Thousand Trials weren’t all compromised.
Even among puppet trials, Li Family Village had shown no signs of trouble.
Had it not been for her, he wouldn’t have entered this Mountain and Sea Sect level and discovered the remnants of the fox clan.
A shame.
Huangfu Yuan stared at Lin Shuang’s snow-pale face, and the silk-like threads of spiritual energy drifting faintly around her.
Pleasant to look at.
If only she weren’t human.
Lin Shuang gazed back with mutual understanding. “Had Senior Brother Huangfu not been so volatile, able to sense the demon souls, I might never have found the one I seek revenge on.”
Huangfu Yuan raised a brow.
Meng Zi groaned, clutching his head. “What the hell kind of reincarnations are you all?!”
Everyone’s enemy is some Tribulation cultivator?
Lin Shuang set down the paper and ink she had used to outline their theories about the elders. In the blink of an eye, a fire talisman ignited the sheet and turned it to ash.
Then she untied the red string around her left wrist and pulled back a wide swath of her blue robe.
On her pale arm, a jagged scar ran the entire length from wrist to shoulder.
Though faded, it was still shocking to behold.
Lin Shuang ran her left hand to the center of her chest.
“The ‘me’ back then died… cough, but maybe it happened beside some heavenly treasure, so I revived.”
“But I lost all memory. I don’t know who did it.”
“What does that have to do with the Nine Thousand Trials?” Meng Zi asked, baffled.
Lin Shuang nodded. “Just a theory.”
She pulled out a few knuckle bones belonging to Liu Ba, the Vajra Hammer, from her the mustard bag.
She placed them near a small wound on her left pinky. “Don’t they look alike?”
Meng Zi: “……”
Huangfu Yuan frowned.
“I don’t have many clues,” Lin Shuang said, spreading her hands. “So when I entered Zhenchuan, aside from aiming to become an Inner Sect elite, I also wanted to reach Level 6000 to get a copy of ‘Shaoming’s Guide to Talisman Crafting.’”
To learn time-reversal talismans.
To rewind this body’s timeline and find the killer.
Revenge could wait.
She just wanted to know who the enemy was.
Huangfu Yuan looked at the long scar on her arm and nodded. “Straight through the chest. Could’ve ripped your entire upper skeleton out.”
Meng Zi: “……”
“Of course, that’s just a theory. It’s very possible my ‘death’ had nothing to do with any of this.”
Lin Shuang nodded.
“But if we keep climbing… that person will take notice of us.”
“I have to prepare for the worst. What if the person behind this is my enemy? What if part of my body… is under their control within the Nine Thousand Trials…”
Meng Zi: “……”
“And I lost part of my memory,” Lin Shuang added, taking out a storybook. “When I saw Hui Niang’s remnant soul, I thought—what if I forgot because part of my soul… was taken?”
Meng Zi: “……”
Huangfu Yuan: “……”
That she’s still alive is nothing short of divine reincarnation.
She even had 108 strands of spiritual awareness now.
“That’s why I need to be fully prepared. From now on, every step in the Nine Thousand Trials must be taken carefully.”
Lin Shuang pulled her sleeve back down.
She had Xiao Ai re-tie the red string into a loose bow.
“Next time we enter a level, we must immediately determine whether it contains remnant souls or bones.”
“That’ll help us assess its danger level.”
Meng Zi nodded.
He didn’t have any vendettas, but there was no turning back now. Continuing the Nine Thousand Trials meant they might uncover more things they weren’t supposed to see.
He had to find a way to protect himself. And if he got the chance to expose who was good or evil, he’d report it straight to the Sect Master!
Maybe the Sect Master would even reward him with spirit stones!
He was motivated again.
Lin Shuang nodded. “High risk comes with high reward. Climbing the Nine Thousand is meant to kill multiple birds with one arrow. Mm… 102 breaths left until we teleport.”
“Have you adjusted your emotions?”
“We’ve cleared the level, ranked first in the battle round, and taken the Mountain and Sea Sect’s floor master title. As disciples of Clearwater Sect, we should be grinning with joy~”
Meng Zi, still clutching his blade nervously: “……”
Huangfu Yuan’s eyes were still faintly red as he lowered his gaze.
Both of them stared blankly or tensely at her.
Lin Shuang: “……”
Hopeless.
She took out a humorous picture book and shoved it into their hands.
Inserted a silver claw scalp massager into Meng Zi’s hair.
Then stood on tiptoe and stuck a pair of musical talisman earplugs into Huangfu Yuan’s ears, brushing against the silver hair at his temples.
She pressed gently on his ears.
“Getting angry doesn’t help.”
“But bottling it up is bad for your health.”
“I’ll let you stay mad for 96 more breaths… but no more than that.”
“Their remnant souls are stable for now. This layer has been requisitioned for battle, so no new disciples will enter anytime soon.”
“We’ll find another chance further up to set them free.”
Huangfu Yuan’s blood-red pupils reflected her fingers cupping his ears.
Her bright features and nagging tone were like a mother coaxing a child.
His gaze shifted slightly.
Why did she always say exactly what he needed to hear?
He turned his head away.
Any attack within the Nine Thousand would trigger the Yuanhe formation’s defensive array.
Forcibly breaking the array would alert the enemy. Without understanding its patterns, they could also injure the trapped souls.
Perhaps only by clearing every level, reaching the top, and solving the final formation could they truly release those souls.
Huangfu Yuan closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
The crimson faded, replaced by ink-black pupils—though a faint red shimmer flickered across stiffly.
“What are you doing… Junior Sister—”
Her fingertip was moving through the roots of his hair.
Tracing softly.
It tickled.
Warm and smooth against his skin.
His throat moved, and the fine fur at his nape stood on end with a sudden shiver of pleasure.
“Don’t move, I’m drawing a calming talisman.”
“……”
Taking the opportunity to pet him while drawing talismans, Lin Shuang grinned to herself, pleased.
She was scared too—trembling from nerves.
She just needed to ease the tension!
“You’re welcome, Senior Brother,” Lin Shuang said, voice trembling with fear.
“……”
A bright light suddenly appeared before them.
The sound of flowing water surrounded the three of them.
Lin Shuang, still reluctant, pulled her hand away. Under Huangfu Yuan’s dark gaze and Meng Zi’s blissful face (being massaged while holding a comic), they were transported to the rest vessel at the 6000th level of Yuanhe in Mountain and Sea Sect.
All the disciples from the Five Great Sects were waiting for them.
Along with disciples from Mountain and Sea Sect and others spectating.
“Hi,” Lin Shuang smiled, hiding her trembling hands behind her back. “We’re a bit late.”
“We got so excited, we accidentally broke the teleportation array.”
Mountain and Sea Sect disciples: “……”
Five Sects disciples: “……”
Huangfu Yuan removed the talisman earplugs and nodded politely like a refined gentleman.
“Your teleportation array seems to have some wear in its formation patterns. I’ve donated 50,000 spirit stones to aid in repairs.”
Meng Zi hissed, nearly crumpling his comic. “Is it too late to study array theory? Can I get that repair fee instead, Senior Brother Huangfu?”
The Mountain and Sea Sect disciples twitched and nearly stormed off.
Infuriating!
Was Mountain and Sea Sect so poor that Clearwater Sect had to fix their teleportation arrays?!
Suddenly, a flash of rainbow light surrounded them.
A dignified voice from a Mountain and Sea Sect elder, host of the tournament, echoed:
{Foundation Condensation—Mid Stage Division, Second Round—}
{Results Confirmed!}
Everyone looked up to see the red leaderboard in the sky:
[1. Clearwater Sect – 270 – Cleared
2. Wandering Blossom Sect – 115 – Pseudo-clear
3. Ten Thousand Monks Sect – Pseudo-clear
4. Mountain and Sea Sect – Pseudo-clear
5. Artifact and Pill Sect – Pseudo-clear
6. Solemn Inscriptions Sect – Pseudo-clear]
Silence swept across the rest vessel of the 6000th level in Mountain and Sea Sect.
Even the twelve great mountain ranges that hosted the projection audiences fell quiet.
They had expected this outcome—but seeing it with their own eyes still shook them.
Clearwater Sect was first—more than 150 points ahead!
Wandering Blossom Sect, who were sure of their win, had even used “Four Seasons Bloom” to accelerate time… but it all went into one painting!
Pseudo-clear meant all that effort was for nothing.
The “pseudo” character next to their rankings felt like a public mockery of the Five Sects’ disciples.
No one wanted to speak.
[Hahaha! I’m from Clearwater Sect. I can finally speak in the projection chat—I’ve waited so long for this!]
[Hey Five Sects, now you know what it feels like to be dominated by the Outer Sect of Zhenchuan!]
[I’m dying—earlier they were saying our little Junior Sister Lin Shuang had no experience with puppet trials. True, not much experience… only about 150 points ahead kind of experience.]
[What? The Mountain and Sea Sect floor master is one of ours!]
[Pseudo-clear—I’m crying with laughter.]
[…]
[…]
[Mountain and Sea Sect has left the projection channel.]
[Wandering Blossom Sect has left the projection channel.]
…
[Artifact and Pill Sect has left the projection…]
[…]
[Ugh… sore losers.]
[Don’t worry. As soon as the next round begins, we’ll spam the text feed and mock them back. Lin Shuang, well done.]
[Let’s see if they even dare to watch the projection next time!]
Lin Shuang’s group noticed how everyone around them, after glancing at the projection stones, was now looking at them with less-than-kind eyes.
The twelve sect elders present also left one by one, their expressions awkward.
Lin Shuang coughed lightly. “Let’s go claim our rewards.”
Just as she spoke, a stream from Yuanhe suddenly transformed into a water dragon—
It rushed toward them.
Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan both tensed.
Barely restraining themselves from dodging!
Luckily, the spiritual current didn’t harm them. Instead, a golden-embroidered beast emblem slowly formed on their Clearwater Sect robes.
A floor master’s insignia!
Almost identical to Clearwater Sect’s beast emblem.
Mountain and Sea Sect disciples were both envious and furious.
The Five Sects disciples wore complicated expressions.
“Junior Sister Lin, you go claim your rewards first,” Xiao Qi was the first to step forward, holding her cloth-wrapped sword with a cheerful smile.
“I thought we’d burn some fat together—spar a little. But there’s no rush. I’ll take you to the reward stele first!”
Her loyal teammate to the end: Xiao Qi. He was Lin Shuang’s Level-One teammate who had shared life and death with her.
Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi glanced at him, eyes flashing knowingly.
And unconsciously… with a hint of smugness.
They were Level Two teammates, after all.
[…]
“You all take care of your business first. We of the Wandering Blossom Sect will visit the three of you at your rest cave later—Junior Sister Lin, Senior Brother Huangfu, Junior Brother Meng.”
Beside them, the Wandering Blossom Sect contestant Bian Bocai gave a knowing fan-waving farewell and departed first.
Other sect contestants had planned to linger—but after hearing that, they could only leave in silence.
After all, they’d only reached a pseudo-ending. Compared to Clearwater Sect, their defeat was miserable. There wasn’t much to redeem in terms of rewards.
Staying would only invite shame.
“Junior Sister Lin, every 3000 levels is a rest vessel.”
Xiao Qi smiled and bid farewell to his two teammates, then began explaining to Lin Shuang.
The rest levels of Yuanhe Nine Thousand were designed as large boats.
Behind the long stone table on the boat’s deck—where cave dwellings were sold—stood a white-bearded man who appeared to be a proctor elder.
Lin Shuang discreetly massaged her scalp with the silver claw, trying to relax.
Meng Zi rotated spirit stones in both hands.
Huangfu Yuan warmed his fingers on a silver handwarmer.
Based on earlier analysis, the proctor of Wang Jian’s layer was either weak in cultivation… or complicit with the level’s original creator.
He might be corrupted.
Their three auras had clearly shifted since before.
The white-bearded elder looked over—but when he saw the trio’s weird behavior, the corner of his mouth twitched.
It did distract from how visibly tense they were.
“…Er, forgive me for asking—but what exactly are you three doing?”
Xiao Qi hesitantly raised his hand.
Lin Shuang gave a light cough. “How should we address this elder?”
“Oh, you mean Elder Wang?”
The three of them: “……”
Wang?
You’ve got to be kidding.
Wang—like Wang Jian?
Their hands moved even faster—massager, spirit stones, handwarmer, all in motion.
Xiao Qi: “…So, what are you doing?”
“Hiss… Is this that spiritual-awareness-enhancing relaxation technique you mentioned before, Junior Sister Lin?”
Lin Shuang: “……”
“Ah, yes yes yes.”
Meng Zi: “……”
Huangfu Yuan: “……”
Xiao Qi beamed. “I’ve learned something new. Thank you, Junior Sister Lin!”
He led them forward, away from the proctor elder’s line of sight.
On the left stood rows of reward shelves and the reward stele.
To the right were twelve teleportation boats that could take them to any of the Yuanhe trial routes.
The layout was similar to Zhenchuan.
The complementary structure of both sects’ techniques didn’t seem to be a lie.
Lin Shuang finally exhaled and tucked the massager away. “Any good recommendations?”
Fastest way to learn while traveling—don’t stumble around unfamiliar ground. Ask a local senior.
Xiao Qi immediately shifted his cloth-wrapped sword to his left hand.
With his right, he activated the stele using Lin Shuang’s disciple waist token.
[Cleared Level 3903: Sect Contribution +3903.]
[Unlocked hidden Wang Jian self-sacrifice ending: Bonus Contribution +3903.]
[As Lin Shuang is a Clearwater disciple, converted to Clearwater Sect contribution.]
Lin Shuang nodded—impressively intelligent.
Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi both leaned in to watch.
[Floor Master Bonus Rewards:]
[1. 50,000 spirit stones – applicable toward Clearwater/Mountain and Sea cave dwelling purchases or rentals from Levels 1–3900.]
[2. 30,000 spirit stones – applicable toward aura resource expenses in either sect.]
[3. 30,000 spirit stones – usable for elixirs, tools, and other purchases.]
[4. 20,000 spirit stones – usable for all categories.]
Available in both sects.
Lin Shuang narrowed her eyes. Since she was studying abroad in Mountain and Sea Sect, she should buy their unique items.
Otherwise, she might never get another chance back at Clearwater.
She closed the elixir category and looked through the rest.
Other options appeared instantly.
[Mountainscape Painting by Sect Master Wang (Volume One) – 20,000 spirit stones.]
The three of them narrowed their eyes in unison.
Sect Master Wang… Wang… Wang Jian?
A landscape painting…?
What is going on here?
Does everyone in Mountain and Sea Sect have the surname Wang?
Might as well call it Wang Mountain Sect!
This first reward option was too explosive—Lin Shuang nearly took out her massager again.
Her scalp was tingling.
She pressed her fingers to her brow. “The Mountain and Sea Sect’s Sect Master is a painter?”
Could the clues be any more obvious?
Xiao Qi laughed heartily, unaware of the looming seriousness.
“What are you thinking? Of course not. Our sect leaders throughout history have cultivated the Mountain Techniques—sword and blade formations and the like.”
“But many of the elders enjoy traveling, collecting landscape paintings, and even painting occasionally.”
“The Sect Master’s no exception.”
Lin Shuang blinked.
“This Volume One was something he made for fun back then. Our sect’s powerhouses often unknowingly reveal insights into mountain-related techniques in daily life—how much more so in their paintings?”
Xiao Qi looked at the first volume with longing and reverence.
“Disciples with sharp insight might perceive Sect Master Wang’s understanding of mountainous realms from this scroll. It could enhance their own techniques. So, even if he’s not a specialized artist, 20,000 spirit stones is still worth it.”
Lin Shuang nodded.
Huangfu Yuan had already purchased it.
“Oh—there aren’t many water scenes. Mostly mountains,” Xiao Qi muttered, surprised at how fast he moved. “Not sure if Clearwater disciples will benefit.”
“No matter. Experiencing the Mountain and Sea Sect’s masterwork…” Huangfu Yuan smiled. “After today, who knows when we’ll get the chance again?”
Xiao Qi nodded. “True. It’s only available in our sect.”
“Oh—and you might also want to check out the senior disciples’ insights on the Yuanhe Trials?”
He pointed further along the shelf.
‘What You Need to Know About the Yuanhe Trials, Vol. 1’ – 15,000 spirit stones.
“The next grand competition will probably still be within Yuanhe Nine Thousand.”
To Xiao Qi, the inner sect contest wasn’t important—he was still an outer sect disciple.
He didn’t care about Mountain and Sea Sect taking first place.
In fact, he found it unfair for other sects to compete in his home territory.
A true cultivator should have a clear conscience.
Even if they won, using home-ground advantage would make it a hollow victory.
So the first thing he recommended to Lin Shuang’s group was this book.
Just as Lin Shuang was about to refuse, Huangfu Yuan bought it again.
Lin Shuang: “……”
Meng Zi: “……”
This filthy rich spendthrift really had no brakes.
In no time, Huangfu Yuan had nearly exhausted the spirit stone rewards, both specific and universal.
Xiao Qi beamed. “Senior Brother Huangfu, you’re so decisive. Junior Sister Lin, Senior Brother Meng, um—haven’t found anything you like yet? Want to check out our elders’ cultivation notes?”
Good thing his two teammates had already left.
What pigs they were—sold out all their sect’s secrets!
His face practically read: Let me show you my ultimate moves.
Lin Shuang nearly broke into a cold sweat. She’d never tell Xiao Qi a secret again.
Meng Zi finally met someone more naive than he was—delighted, he said, “Let’s take a look!”
Xiao Qi immediately flipped the index for them.
‘Elder Yue Zhi’s Personal Interpretations of the Nine Mountain Techniques’ – 15,000 spirit stones
‘How to Kill Clearwater Sect—An Elder’s Detailed Breakdown of Counters to Mountain and Sea’s Thirteen Strikes’ – 15,000 spirit stones
‘Countering the Water-Spirit Sword Technique of Clearwater Sect—Steps One, Two, and Three’ – 20,000 spirit stones
Meng, practitioner of the Thirteen Mountain Strikes: “……”
Lin, user of Water-Spirit Sword: “……”
Huangfu, who doesn’t use sword or blade: “Heh.”
Xiao Qi was red with embarrassment.
It was his first time reaching Layer 3900. He didn’t expect the exchange options to become so intense up here.
They were practically written to target Clearwater Sect’s liver…
“Misunderstanding…”
Xiao Qi flushed red and quickly reached out to swipe them away—
But all three of those manuals were swiftly purchased by Lin Shuang.
Meng Zi sucked in a sharp breath. “Wait, that one about killing Clearwater’s Thirteen Strikes—you didn’t buy that for me, did you? I don’t want it. Refund it!”
Too expensive.
Lin Shuang waved him off. “Didn’t you just say Senior Brother Huangfu would pay for it?”
Meng Zi paused. “Oh, right—then it’s fine. Junior Brother Xiao, I’ll take twenty bottles of fifth-grade pills too!”
Huangfu Yuan: “……”
Lin Shuang quickly browsed the rest of the catalog.
She spotted a title: ‘Detailed Explanation of Known Demonic Cultivation Techniques’. It stirred her interest. She hadn’t expected such a gem on the four-thousandth floor.
But Meng Zi grabbed her hand instantly.
“Don’t buy it!”
He grit his teeth. “Don’t ask why. Just… if you’re curious about any technique in there, ask me!”
Lowering his head, he glanced into his storage pouch—where the Annihilation Pavilion’s most-wanted scroll, complete with real-time updates, was tucked away.
Huangfu Yuan glanced at him thoughtfully.
Lin Shuang was puzzled for a moment, then realization dawned in her expression.
“Alright. Let’s just restock some pills, and head back to the contestant cave for some proper rest.”
Xiao Qi had no objections. He led them out of the Yuanhe Trials, and summoned four giant spiritual cranes—each muscular and broad-winged, towering like small mountains.
These cranes, meant to symbolize immortal grace and celestial elegance, looked nothing of the sort in Mountain and Sea Sect.
Instead of slim, ethereal creatures, these cranes looked like they came straight from a weightlifting gym. Leather saddles were strapped across their bulging backs.
“Hold tight.”
“These are the mounts prepared specially for the battle contestants.”
After such exhausting trials, flying by sword wasn’t expected of them—very considerate.
Lin Shuang climbed onto one, feeling like she was perched atop a desert camel.
As she pressed down on the crane’s rock-solid back, she was speechless.
Had Mountain and Sea Sect been making their cranes lift dumbbells? What was with these lat muscles?
Soon, the cranes soared beyond the trial territory. Before them stretched the mountainous interior of the Mountain and Sea Sect’s inner region.
The layout of the cave dwellings was almost identical to Clearwater’s.
【Xiao Ai Unit 3 (Meng): Is Sect Master Wang suspicious?】
Lin Shuang froze slightly.
Couldn’t she enjoy a single peaceful moment on the way?
【Xiao Ai Unit 2 (Dabao) is now renamed to Xiao Ai Unit 2 (Huangfu).】
Lin Shuang: “……”
Meng Zi: “??”
【Xiao Ai Unit 2 (Huangfu): Do not mention the names of any Tribulation Stage elders or sect masters within the Mountain and Sea Sect, especially with fear, disgust, or killing intent. Negative emotional fluctuations will be detected instantly.
We’ve exited the Nine Thousand Trials and entered the inner sect.】
Via the Xiao Ai communicator, the trio completed their first exchange.
Led by the pure-hearted Xiao Qi, they soon arrived at the rest caves for battle contestants.
—Caves 3500 to 3600.
The entire mountain had six caves occupied by the Clearwater Sect’s leading elder and disciples.
All positioned halfway up the slope.
“Junior Sister Lin, want to go greet the other sects?” Xiao Qi asked politely.
The Wandering Blossom Sect had the best cave spots at the summit.
“Hm? That’s strange—they’re not in their caves?”
Xiao Qi had just spoken when he looked up and saw all the cave doors shut tight.
“They went to admire our inner sect’s flower gardens,” answered a passing disciple on another spiritual crane.
Xiao Qi nodded in realization.
Their crane began descending.
They passed the caves of Wansen Sect, last year’s second place. Silence reigned within—only the soft knock of wooden fish could be heard.
No need to greet them either.
Xiao Qi fell silent again and continued their descent.
Last year’s third place: the Artifact and Pill Sect.
Doors still closed.
“Aiya,” Lin Shuang waved her hand, “young couples locking their doors… doing private cultivation stuff—we really shouldn’t interrupt.”
Xiao Qi: “……”
Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi: “……”
How do you know that?!
Fourth-ranked Mingzhong Sect wasn’t in either.
“Heard they’re exploring our local cultivator marketplace—it’s different from their customs.”
“They said after the second round, they wanted to adjust their mood.”
A Mountain and Sea Sect disciple from the fifth tier smiled as he exited his cave, speaking to the trio hovering above.
Then, with a slightly scornful smirk, he added, “Sounds nice, but let’s be honest—they’re probably buying formations to prepare for the next round.”
From the seventh tier to the base of the mountain—those caves were all for sects that had already been eliminated.
“They went shopping too.”
“There’s an auction happening at the nearby market these days. Lots of rare spiritual herbs and ancient treasures…”
The Mountain and Sea Sect Senior Brother turned to Lin Shuang’s group with a friendly nod. “You could check it out too. Auctions don’t come by often—who knows, you might pick up a real treasure.”
Auctions meant burning spirit stones.
Meng Zi shook his head.
Huangfu Yuan didn’t seem interested either.
Lin Shuang checked her schedule—there was a shopping slot listed under leisure activities.
But today, with so many disciples from the twelve sects—whether observers or duel participants—most had already gone shopping.
The market would be packed wall to wall.
Even buying a storybook would probably require queuing.
A waste of time and energy.
“Thanks for the tip, Senior Brother. We’ll go later.”
Lin Shuang offered a polite smile and declined.
Xiao Qi, however, looked eager to go. “Then rest well today, Junior Sister Lin. Tomorrow’s an even-numbered day—let’s burn some fat then!”
With that, he rushed off to catch up with his team. “Senior Brother, wait up! Let’s go buy a sword sheath or something!”
Lin Shuang smiled as she watched them leave.
She turned, intending to head toward Zhao Keran’s cave, when a familiar voice called out behind her.
“Lin Shuang, come here. The Outer Sect results are in.”
It was Elder Li Dao Wei from the Outer Sect Transmission Hall.
Lin Shuang halted.
She turned to look—and saw Elder Li beaming like never before.
Radiant joy filled every wrinkle of his face.
His eyes gleamed so brightly it was as if liquid joy would spill from them.
Lin Shuang smiled in return. “Master Li, did you break through?”
Li Dao Wei nodded, eyes full of pride and kindness.
“I’ve spent many years in the Outer Sect—mediocre talent, stuck at the Spirit Refinement stage…”
“But to have a disciple like you, who single-handedly took first through twelfth place…”
Lin Shuang: “……”
Meng Zi, Huangfu Yuan: “……”
Li Dao Wei couldn’t stop smiling. The joy in his aura was palpable.
“It was like rain after a long drought. In my elation, I shattered my bottleneck and advanced into the Void stage!”
All across the mountain, the elders who hadn’t gone shopping, sightseeing, flower-gazing, or… doing other things… emerged from their caves.
They stared at Lin Shuang and Li Dao Wei, faces filled with envy and awe.
Messages and paper cranes flew rapidly from within the mountain.
Soon, furious roars echoed.
“Look at them! And you still have the nerve to go shopping?! Get back and train!”
“When disciples shine, their masters ascend! This is a tale for the ages! Quit staring at flowers—get back to cultivating!”
“Look at Clearwater Sect! No more romance! Get up and open that door!”
“My breakthrough depends on you little brats! Meditate—now!”
Disciples from the eleven other sects: “……”
Clearwater’s Inner Sect elders Li Min and Duan Wufang also emerged from their caves.
They eyed Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan with glinting eyes.
“When will I ever have such a joyful night?” Li Min asked softly in her pink robes.
Duan Wufang, dressed in green, looked sincerely at them both. “Getting first through twelfth might be too much to ask. But just getting all top three—is that unreasonable?”
“I’ve been stuck in the Void stage for so long.”
“A long drought needs sweet rain. I want some too.”
Meng Zi, Huangfu Yuan: “……”
Lin Shuang: “……”
Author’s Note:
“Sect Master Zhao’s Journal, Entry 55” — “From today onward, the three senior disciples gradually open their hearts to one another and begin to truly trust each other. A new chapter of brilliance dawns for Clearwater Sect!”
A hundred years later:
— Other Sects: ……
— Meng Zi: …Uh, actually back then I… (glances down at the Annihilation Pavilion mask in his storage pouch)
— Zhao Keran: Heh. There is no ‘actually.’ Only Senior Brother Meng didn’t realize… he never had any secrets.
— Meng Zi: ??
— Zhou Xuanwu: I can vouch for that.
——Meng Zi: ??? When was I exposed? No way!
See you tomorrow~