"This is the key!" A sharp glint flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes. "Let the people of the Five Elements Dao Sect enter the Sword Mound first. Once they have obtained a spirit sword... we will have our disciples challenge them under the guise of a friendly exchange."
He gave a cold, sinister smile. "When the time comes, the famous swords will change hands, the Five Elements Dao Sect will lose all face, and we... will gain both fame and fortune!"
Pei Ji realized the plan, but then frowned. "But Duan Xianxing's Natural Sword Physique..."
"Don't worry." Ling Xiao took a white jade pendant from his robes. "This object is called the Sword-Locking Jade; it can temporarily suppress the sensations of a sword physique. Find an opportunity to get close to that Duan Xianxing..."
Pei Ji took the jade pendant with both hands, a flicker of struggle passing through his eyes. "This... is it not a bit..."
"One who seeks to achieve great things should not be constrained by trifles!" Ling Xiao shouted sternly. "Remember, everything is for the benefit of the sect!"
Pei Ji took a deep breath and tucked the jade pendant into his sleeve. "This disciple understands."
...
Meanwhile, at the Five Elements Dao Sect's residence.
"Just as expected." Mu Wenyan put down the communication jade slip. "The Sword Heart Sect has adjusted the match table. Our people won't encounter each other before the finals."
Feng Qingping sneered. "Are they scared?"
Zhu Yinxi shook his head. "No, I'm afraid they have other designs."
Li Nanzhu was lost in thought. "Could they be planning something in the Sword Mound?"
Duan Xianxing scratched his head. "But isn't the Sword Mound about taking a sword based on one's own ability?"
"A spear in the open is easy to dodge, but an arrow in the dark is hard to defend against," Jiang Yifan said coldly.
Feng Weilan leaned against a soft couch and coughed lightly. "The Sword Heart Sect values face above all else. Since we've stolen their thunder during this competition, they certainly won't let it go."
Mu Wenyan nodded. "So we must prepare for two possibilities." He looked at Duan Xianxing. "Seventh Junior Brother, tomorrow you will come with me to see Zhao Wufeng."
Duan Xianxing's eyes widened. "Huh? I have to go?"
"If we're going to put on a show, we have to do it right," Mu Wenyan said meaningfully. "Since they want to act, we'll accompany them until the end."
Li Nanzhu poked Duan Xianxing. "That's right, Seventh Senior Brother! Don't forget what we discussed before. We need to make the Sword Heart Sect lower their guard, and you are the most critical link!"
"Fine, fine..." Duan Xianxing took a fierce bite of a spirit fruit. "Just watch, I'll end up grabbing seventy or eighty spirit swords!"
Feng Qingping suddenly remembered something. "Right, Rong Yuying sent word today saying that the Sword Heart Sect is still secretly gathering information on us."
"As expected." Mu Wenyan wasn't surprised at all. "Which is why we must do the opposite."
He took out a stack of talismans and distributed them to everyone. "These are stealth talismans specially made by Master. They can hide your true cultivation level. Everyone, wear them starting tomorrow."
Jiang Yifan took a talisman and, rare for him, spoke up. "To confuse the opponent?"
"Exactly." Mu Wenyan nodded. "Since the Sword Heart Sect wants to play dirty, we'll play a big game with them."
Li Nanzhu suddenly thought of something. "By the way, the Sword Heart Sect likely has spies monitoring our residence again."
Feng Qingping sneered. "Let them watch."
With a flick of her finger, she injected spiritual energy into an array disk. "It's the perfect time to test my new array, the Mirror Flower Water Moon Array. Let them see as much as they want!"
The array disk glowed with a faint light. Outside the residence, the spies immediately saw illusions of the Five Elements Dao Sect members looking distressed and arguing incessantly.
"Incredible!" Duan Xianxing clapped and laughed. "Let them think we're having an internal conflict!"
Mu Wenyan cautioned them, "During tomorrow's matches, everyone must hold back. Don't reveal too much of your strength."
Jiang Yifan nodded. "Understood."
In the dead of night, Li Nanzhu was alone in her room. Suisui lay on her lap, its soul fire flickering quietly.
"Suisui, what do you think... what exactly is the Sword Heart Sect plotting?" Li Nanzhu asked softly.
Suisui's soul fire suddenly jumped urgently. Its bone claws pointed out the window. Li Nanzhu followed its gaze and saw a dark figure rapidly approaching—it was Rong Yuying!
She hurried to open the window, and Rong Yuying leaped in gracefully, immediately setting up a soundproofing barrier.
"Senior Sister Rong? Why are you..."
Rong Yuying's expression was grave. "I just gathered some news from the Sword Heart Sect's side. I was worried you wouldn't see my message, so I came straight here." She lowered her voice. "Ling Xiao gave Pei Ji a Sword-Locking Jade specifically designed to target the Natural Sword Physique!"
Li Nanzhu's pupils shrank. "They're going after Seventh Senior Brother?"
Rong Yuying sighed softly. "That's just how the cultivation world is. Also..." She lowered her voice even further. "Be careful of the Tianyan Sect. They seem to be involved in this as well."
Having said that, her figure blurred, and she vanished into the night.
Li Nanzhu bit her lip. Sensing her emotions, Suisui's soul fire flickered uneasily.
"The Sword-Locking Jade... the Tianyan Sect..." Li Nanzhu murmured to herself before suddenly standing up. "I have to tell Eldest Senior Brother!"
Just as she pushed open the door, she bumped into Mu Wenyan standing in the courtyard. His expression looked exceptionally solemn under the moonlight.
"Eldest Senior Brother! I was just about to find you—"
"Little Junior Sister." Mu Wenyan interrupted her, his voice kept very low. "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"
Li Nanzhu took the hint and feigned sleepiness, letting out a yawn. "Oh, I'm so tired. Suisui, let's go back to sleep..."
Once back in her room, she quickly took out a communication jade slip. Spiritual energy flowed from her fingertips as she wrote down everything Rong Yuying had told her, sending it silently to Mu Wenyan.
A short while later, Mu Wenyan's voice drifted through the courtyard, intentionally raised. "Everyone, get some rest early. There are matches tomorrow."
This was their prearranged signal—the message was received, proceed according to plan.
The next morning, Mu Wenyan took Duan Xianxing to the Sword Heart Sect's residence to visit Zhao Wufeng.
"Seventh Junior Brother, remember our plan," Mu Wenyan reminded him via secret voice transmission. "Act a bit hesitant, but don't overdo it."
Duan Xianxing scratched his head. "Eldest Senior Brother, what if I mess up my acting?"
"Then just play yourself," Mu Wenyan laughed softly. "Just act the way you usually do."
Zhao Wufeng received them in the main hall, flanked by several Sword Heart Sect elders.
"Nephew Mu, young friend Duan, what rare guests." Zhao Wufeng's smile was warm as he gestured for the servants to serve tea.
Mu Wenyan bowed with cupped hands. "Clan Leader Zhao is too kind. Please forgive us for this sudden visit."
Duan Xianxing followed suit and bowed, though his movements appeared clumsy. "G-Greetings, Clan Leader Zhao."
A flash of satisfaction crossed Zhao Wufeng's eyes. "Young friend Duan, have you considered my offer? The gates of the Sword Heart Sect are always open to you."
Duan Xianxing stammered, "Um... I..."
"Seventh Junior Brother is still hesitant," Mu Wenyan stepped in to help at the right moment. "After all, this is a major matter."
Zhao Wufeng nodded slightly and smiled. "I understand, I understand. How about this? Since young friend Duan is currently here at my Sword Heart Sect anyway, why don't I grant you some permissions to experience our cultivation environment?"
Duan Xianxing's eyes lit up. "Is that really okay?"
"Of course." Zhao Wufeng waved his hand, and a sword attendant stepped forward. "Take young friend Duan to visit the Sword Pavilion."
Once Duan Xianxing had left, Zhao Wufeng looked at Mu Wenyan. "Nephew Mu, the Five Elements Dao Sect has been quite prominent lately."
Mu Wenyan said humbly, "It is merely a bit of good luck."
"Luck?" Zhao Wufeng smiled meaningfully. "There's no need for such modesty, Nephew Mu. However..." His tone shifted. "The path of cultivation is long. Sometimes, choices are more important than effort."
Mu Wenyan feigned deep thought. "What does Clan Leader Zhao mean by that?"
"The Sword Mound is about to open." Zhao Wufeng lowered his voice. "If young friend Duan were to enter as a disciple of the Sword Heart Sect, the benefits he would obtain... would be far beyond what he could get now."
Mu Wenyan looked troubled. "This... I'm afraid Master's side..."
"As for Immortal Venerable Feng Yi, I will explain things to him personally," Zhao Wufeng said with a smile. "Nephew Mu is a clever man; you should understand the stakes involved."
Rate on N.U.
