29: Tang Zhen and his grandson begin their operation

Tingtao Pavilion fell into complete silence.

Outside, the cloud and mist barrier was several layers thicker than usual; forget people, not even a bird carrying Spiritual Qi could hope to approach silently.

Everyone in the Canglan Sacred Sect only knew that the Sacred Lord was meditating inside; as for what she was specifically doing, no one dared to ask, and no one knew.

Only Lu Yu knew that Sister Leng was preparing for a secluded Breakthrough; naturally, he kept this to himself and wouldn't tell anyone.

He himself had been quite relaxed these past few days; having just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, he had more energy than he knew what to do with, so he decided to practice with the treasure he had just obtained.

He took out the Immortal Artifact, the heavenly poison pearl. After all, this was an Immortal Artifact, an incredibly rare object; even among overlord Sects like theirs, few possessed several Immortal Artifacts as part of their Sect's foundation, yet he already had one now.

The pearl suspended in mid-air, emitting a cool and tranquil ripple that enveloped the entire meditation room.

He thought of something and tried to simulate the feeling of a Heart Demon's agitation; as a result, as soon as those stray thoughts surfaced, they were smoothed over by this cool ripple. Its effect was better than any heart-clearing pill.

The aura of a Heart Demon also belonged to the sinister and evil category, and it seemed it would also be suppressed by the heavenly poison pearl.

"Not only can it consume poison, but it can also serve as a portable meditation cushion. Not bad, not bad at all."

Lu Yu withdrew the pearl with satisfaction. This treasure had come at the perfect time; in the future, when traveling the cultivation world, poisonous mists and Gu insects would likely have to steer clear of him.

While he was feeling pleased, a familiar, cold aura with a hint of ice and snow arrived outside the courtyard.

Today, Luo Qingxue had changed into a light cyan waist-cinching dress. Her hair wasn't tied up as neatly as usual, with a few strands left by her ears, making her face look even smaller, though her brows were knit in a small frown.

"What's wrong? Who upset our Saintess?"

Lu Yu poured her a cup of tea and teased.

Luo Qingxue gave him a sidelong glance, took the tea but didn't drink it, swirling the cup in her hands as she whispered.

"I feel uneasy."

She looked up at Lu Yu.

"Revered Master is in seclusion, saying she's feeling a bit unwell and is regulating her body. There's no movement outside at all. Tang Wu's side is frighteningly quiet, and the Grand Elder hasn't even shown his face. This isn't like them."

"A biting dog doesn't bark."

Lu Yu casually dropped a proverb, and only smiled after seeing Luo Qingxue glare at him.

"My point is, the quieter they are, the more trouble they're likely brewing. Have you found anything on your end?"

At this, Luo Qingxue's expression turned serious as she took a Jade Slip from her sleeve and handed it over.

"I had Revered Master's people stay alert to the current movements within the Sect. At the warehouse, I had someone I trust secretly cross-check the entry and exit records from the last three months. On the surface, everything seems fine, but the reasons for withdrawing several items don't match the actual usage. The discrepancy isn't large, but the types... are a bit strange."

Lu Yu probed the Jade Slip with his Divine Sense. Inside were listed seven or eight material names, with notes on their normal uses and suspicious points regarding their actual destinations.

Ice Soul Sand, Yin Soul Wood, Earth Vein Stone Powder... Indeed, each one seemed unremarkable on its own and the quantities were small, but when put together—and considering Tang Zhen might be colluding with the Demon Realm—the situation felt off.

These things are likely auxiliary Materials for setting up some sinister Formations or stabilizing Divine Soul-type rituals.

"The items aren't many, but they are crucial."

Lu Yu rubbed the Jade Slip.

"These are all inexpensive items. Given their capabilities, why would they only want these low-value things? Perhaps the items they've prepared are already mostly gathered, and they're only missing the last few precious, grand finale items that are hard to get because of security."

"I think so too."

Luo Qingxue nodded, her ice-blue eyes filled with worry.

"But we have no clue what they specifically want to do or where they'll do it. They're in the dark while we're in the light; we're too passive."

"Then let's make them move."

Lu Yu put down the Jade Slip, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"If they keep hiding, we're helpless. We need to find a way to poke them and see where they jump."

"Do you have an idea?"

"Not yet, I need to wait for an opportunity." Lu Yu shook his head.

"But we need to prepare ourselves first. Have you cleared out the people around you these past few days? We can't have any 'nails' hidden nearby when the time comes."

A cold look flashed across Luo Qingxue's face.

"I've already replaced a group of people under the guise of reorganizing internal affairs. Those remaining have followed me for years or have clean backgrounds. The Xuanbing Guard left by Revered Master has also stepped up their patrols."

"That's good."

Lu Yu felt slightly relieved. He thought for a moment and added, "Don't let your own cultivation fall behind either. How have you been feeling lately?"

At the mention of cultivation, Luo Qingxue's expression softened.

"The... Medicinal Pill you gave me last time was very useful."

As she spoke, the tips of her ears turned slightly red. She had taken that pill in private, and it indeed had a miraculous effect on harmonizing the cold Qi stagnated in her body from long-term cultivation of ice-based techniques, making her cultivation even smoother.

"I feel that I'm not far from the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage."

"That's good news."

Lu Yu smiled. Suddenly remembering something, he flipped his wrist, and a pair of small, exquisite snowflake earrings appeared in his palm—they were given to him secretly by Luo Qingxue a few days ago.

"I've also tried these that you gave me; their heart-calming effect is indeed quite good."

In front of Luo Qingxue, he naturally put an earring on his left earlobe.

He had handsome features and a masculine temperament; wearing this somewhat delicate earring didn't make him look feminine, but instead added a touch of unruliness.

Luo Qingxue stared blankly, her cheeks turning bright red instantly. Her ice-blue eyes widened as she stammered.

"You... why did you actually put it on? I... I only..."

In a moment of impulsiveness, she had thrust the earrings she made into his hands. Afterward, she felt regret for a long time, thinking it was too abrupt and the style wasn't suitable for a man. She assumed he would surely put them away and not wear them, taking them only as a small token of her regard.

Who would have thought he actually... "What, I can't wear what you gave me?"

Lu Yu tilted his head, intentionally shaking his ear so the snowflake earring swayed gently.

"I think it looks quite good. Or... does the Fairy think I look bad wearing it, and that I'm ruining your craftsmanship?"

"No! I..."

Luo Qingxue was left speechless by him, her heart racing. Looking at that faint ice-blue shimmer on his earlobe, her heart felt like a honey pot had been overturned—both sweet and flustered. She could only lower her head, pretending to study the pattern on the teacup, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.

"As long as... as long as you like it."

Seeing her adorable, blushing state as if she were about to emit smoke, Lu Yu knew when to stop and didn't tease her further, turning to other casual talk.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed. The afterglow of the setting sun lengthened their seated shadows, casting them onto the bluestone floor with a touch of warmth.

A few more days passed, and the calm remained.

But Lu Yu could feel that the "eyes" around the guest courtyard had increased—not for protection, but for surveillance.

He knew these were definitely the work of Grand Elder Tang Zhen.

That night, while Lu Yu was meditating, his heart suddenly stirred as the Pisces Jade Pendant given to him by Leng Qingshuang grew slightly warm.

He delved in with his Divine Sense. Inside was only a brief message with an unquestionable tone. It was Leng Qingshuang's voice, carrying a trace of imperceptible fatigue, yet sounding even more cold and decisive.

"Tang Zhen is about to move. His targets are likely the warehouse managed by Qingxue and the Tingtao Pavilion's backup storage. The items are the ten-thousand-year cold marrow and the earth core fire lotus. Beat him at his own game, lure the snake out of its hole, obtain evidence, and protect Qingxue. Do not reply."

Lu Yu's gaze instantly became as sharp as a blade.

Just as expected!

The last two key Materials involved targeting Luo Qingxue and Leng Qingshuang themselves.

Whether it was the ten-thousand-year cold marrow or the earth core fire lotus, both were top-tier items among heavenly grade natural spiritual Materials—rare and precious spiritual items.

If these two top-tier spiritual Materials from the Sect disappeared from the warehouses they managed, Tang Zhen could openly slander them for stealing what they were supposed to guard!

What a venomous scheme—not only could he gather the items, but he could also frame them!

Beat him at his own game? How?

His mind raced, and he immediately had a bold idea.

He immediately got up, went next door, and woke Lin Wanqiu, who was already asleep. He gave her a few simple instructions, telling her to find Luo Qingxue first thing tomorrow morning and say that he had gained some insights during seclusion and needed a not-too-rare Spirit-Concentrating Grass for assistance, asking her to help withdraw it from the warehouse.

This herb happened to be stored in the area of the warehouse managed by Luo Qingxue.

At the same time, he crushed another Communication Talisman used for emergency contact with Luo Qingxue, briefly informing her of Leng Qingshuang's warning and his own plan, telling her to cooperate and strengthen the protection of the private warehouse and herself.

After finishing this, Lu Yu changed into night-traveling clothes, suppressed all his aura, and like a shadow in the dark night, silently slipped out of the guest courtyard.

He didn't go to Luo Qingxue's side, nor did he return to Tingtao Pavilion. Instead, he headed in the opposite direction toward the edge of the Sect, where a group of abandoned halls used for storing junk was located.

If he were Tang Zhen and wanted to send someone to steal from Tingtao Pavilion's backup storage, he would definitely choose the most secret and least known path to avoid being seen.

And in those abandoned halls, there was a long-forgotten entrance to an ancient secret passage leading directly to the back mountain's Forbidden Ground. Very few people knew about it; Luo Qingxue had told him about this path.

Moreover, with the Grand Elder's power, he might not be unable to find this path.

He was going to wait there for the "guests" to arrive.