Intelligence from the Hehuan Sect

Once the conversation shifted to business, Rong Yuying’s smile faded slightly as she took a jade slip from her storage bag.

"This is data on the participating sects compiled by our Hehuan Sect. Consider it a small token of our goodwill."

Just as Li Nanzhu reached for it, Mu Wenyan’s divine sense swept over the jade slip first to ensure it was harmless. Rong Yuying felt a faint, almost illusory pressure brush past her. Just as she was about to investigate the sensation, Mu Wenyan spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Rong is too polite," Mu Wenyan said, his smile remaining gentle. "Might I ask what advice the Hehuan Sect has for us?"

Rong Yuying lightly brushed a strand of hair from her temple. "I wouldn't dare offer advice." She suddenly lowered her voice. "I only wish to remind you that aside from our Hehuan Sect, the other six great sects are all watching this pavilion. As for the smaller sects, they are too numerous to count."

The group frowned upon hearing this. Although they knew the appearance of the Five Elements Dao Sect would draw attention, they hadn't expected to attract so many flies.

"Especially the Sword Heart Sect and the Wuji Sect." Rong Yuying tapped a finger on her teacup. "I have reliable information confirming they have formed an alliance. They plan to join forces to deal with you during the Sect Competition."

Li Nanzhu’s heart tightened.

According to the original plot of the story script, these two sects were only supposed to team up in the later stages of the competition. Now, it was happening much earlier—the plot had indeed deviated due to their intervention.

"Thank you for the information," Feng Qingping said with a slight nod. "May I ask what Fellow Daoist Rong wants in return?"

Rong Yuying covered her mouth and chuckled. "Our sect only hopes that the Five Elements Dao Sect can offer us some support when the time comes." She glanced meaningfully toward the door. "After all... the methods used by certain sects are truly less than honorable."

As she spoke, her gaze subtly swept across the hall, trying to catch any trace of that Soul Transformation expert.

Unfortunately, aside from the cup of tea on the table that still held a lingering warmth, there was not a single sign of him.

She sighed inwardly—it seemed a figure of that caliber wasn't someone she could meet just because she wanted to.

"It's getting late, so I won't disturb you further." She rose gracefully, giving Li Nanzhu another meaningful look before leaving. "Little Zhu'er, be careful during the competition."

Once the group from the Hehuan Sect had departed, Feng Qingping immediately performed a hand seal to set up a triple soundproofing barrier.

"Is the data credible?" Duan Xianxing asked, impatiently unfolding the projections from the jade slip.

The light projected by the slip detailed information on the participating disciples from various sects.

Sword Heart Sect, Shenmu Sect, Water Moon Sect, Wuji Sect, Beast Taming Sect, Tianyan Sect...

Every major sect except the Hehuan Sect.

"It seems they kept a card up their sleeve," Jiang Yifan noted.

"We are only temporary partners, after all," Zhu Yinxi said, tapping the table lightly. "If we actually face them later and already knew their trump cards, it would be they who suffer."

"Huh?" Duan Xianxing suddenly looked confused. "There's even information about our Five Elements Dao Sect in here?"

Everyone leaned in to look. On Li Nanzhu’s data page, it was written: 'Suspected direct disciple of Feng Yi; spirit pet can break restrictions.'

Li Nanzhu and Suisui looked at each other. The little skeleton’s soul fire flickered indignantly—it wasn't a spirit pet!

"Eldest Senior Brother," Duan Xianxing scratched his head. "Are we really going to trust the Hehuan Sect?"

Mu Wenyan nodded slightly. "At least regarding the data, it matches everything we already know. Besides, to maintain their sect's status, they wouldn't play tricks with this kind of information."

"There are still three days before the competition officially begins, which is enough time for us to prepare," Zhu Yinxi added. "Since everyone outside is watching us, let’s not go out for the next few days."

...

Li Nanzhu sat cross-legged in her room, originally intending to just circulate her qi for a few cycles before resting.

However, as she closed her eyes to regulate her breath, an unprecedented sense of clarity suddenly flooded her spiritual altar.

The spiritual energy in her meridians began to flow of its own accord, moving several times smoother than usual. Before she could process it, her consciousness sank into a profound state—the sounds of the outside world faded away, and she couldn't even hear Suisui crunching on candied fruit nearby.

The little skeleton was the first to notice the abnormality.

It had been happily counting the snacks hidden in its ribs when it suddenly felt Li Nanzhu’s aura become long and profound.

Its soul fire instantly turned a wary green. It lightly touched her wrist with a bone claw—no response.

Suisui immediately hopped to the door, using its power to seal the room tightly while staying by Li Nanzhu’s side, refusing to leave for a single step.

...

The next morning, Duan Xianxing yawned as he walked out of his room. "Little Junior Sister isn't up yet?"

Feng Qingping was busy reviewing the data from the jade slip. "She's probably still cultivating."

"Little Junior Sister has always been diligent," Mu Wenyan said with a smile. After all, he had been the one guiding her when she first joined the sect.

Though he hadn't been able to accompany her through every step of her progress, the fact that she had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment so quickly proved she had put in immense effort.

"Then I'll go get something for her to eat so it's ready when she comes out!" Duan Xianxing grinned.

However, even as the sun reached its zenith, Li Nanzhu’s door remained tightly shut.

Suisui’s soul fire aura seeped through the cracks of the door, carrying a clear warning.

After Mu Wenyan investigated with his divine sense, his expression changed slightly. "Little Junior Sister has entered a meditative trance!"

Just as everyone was about to gather around, the bells at their waists rang simultaneously with a transmission from Feng Yi: "Attend to your duties."

Those four simple words put everyone’s mind at ease—with their Master watching, nothing would go wrong.

"But..." Duan Xianxing scratched his head anxiously. "What if Little Junior Sister doesn't make it in time for the competition?"

Smack!

Feng Qingping slapped the back of his head. "Watch your mouth! Since Master said it's fine, she'll definitely wake up before the match."

Duan Xianxing was dragged away to practice his swordplay, looking aggrieved. "I was just saying... why hit me..."

The others also went about their business, but every two hours, someone would 'happen' to pass by Li Nanzhu’s door and steal a glance inside.

...

Li Nanzhu felt as though she were having a very long dream.

In the dream, she stood amidst a sea of stars, with the spiritual light of the five elements flowing beneath her feet. Suisui’s soul fire had transformed into a guiding star, leading her through the galaxy.

Every time she touched a star, a warm power flooded into her meridians.

When the final star vanished into her brow, Li Nanzhu snapped her eyes open.

Outside the window, the sun was setting. Suisui was resting on her lap, its soul fire much brighter than before.

She felt her body brimming with spiritual energy. Her divine sense was sharper than ever; if her previous divine sense was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, it had now reached the early stage of the Golden Core!

"I... entered a meditative trance?" she whispered to herself.

Suisui immediately jumped up, gesticulating wildly with its bone claws. After a moment, Li Nanzhu finally understood what it was trying to say.

"Four days! Then haven't I missed the competition!"