41: Danwen meridians, night puzzle

The fog at midnight was thicker than outside the Pill Hall. When Lin Yang stepped on the fragmented shadows of sophora leaves and swept back into the Ding-zi Courtyard, two overlapping silhouettes were projected onto the window paper

—Liu Qingluan was using the faint candlelight to massage Liu Hóngluán's wrist. Her younger sister's forearm was wrapped in blood-seeping white cloth, and with every movement, her brows furrowed tighter.

"Brother!" Hearing the slight creak of the door hinge, Liu Hóngluán suddenly looked up, a faint blush spreading across her pale face. She tried to prop herself up but was pulled back by the residual force of the Burning Gold Art remaining in her Meridians, letting out a muffled groan.

Lin Yang quickly stepped forward and pressed down on her shoulder, first handing her a cup of warm water, then taking out the Red Lacquered Wooden Box from his embrace. Three essence condensing pills lay nestled in the brocade. Their bodies were perfectly round, emitting a warm, amber glow. The moment the box was opened, a clear, bitter yet rich medicinal fragrance filled the small room, and even the candlelight seemed to brighten slightly, infused by the Spiritual Qi.

"Take one first; keep the rest to stabilize your Meridians." Lin Yang picked up a Medicinal Pill and offered it to Liu Hóngluán’s lips. He remembered Elder Mo saying this was a Third-Grade Pill, whose nourishing power was the gentlest, perfectly suited to counteract the fierceness of the Burning Gold Art.

The Medicinal Pill melted instantly upon entering her mouth. A warm current flowed past her throat, slid down the esophagus into her Dantian, and then split into countless tiny streams that drilled into her Meridians. Liu Hóngluán's previously tense body suddenly relaxed, and the blood vessels at the corners of her eyes gradually faded. She raised her hand and touched her wrist; the layer of charring that had tormented her for two days visibly lightened, finally leaving only a faint mark, like ink washed away by warm water.

"It doesn't hurt anymore!" Liu Hóngluán shook her arm in surprise. The Wood Element True Essence circulated smoothly along her fingertips, appearing more agile than before. "Brother, this Medicinal Pill is amazing!"

Liu Qingluan also let out a sigh of relief. Her eyes, filled with gratitude towards Lin Yang, also held a hint of worry: "Breaking into the Pill Hall at night was too risky. If the Sect finds out..."

"Even if they found out, I had to go." Lin Yang put the remaining two Medicinal Pills into a Jade Bottle and handed it to Liu Qingluan. "Zhao Qian's Burning Gold Art carries a Metal Element Sharp Edge; ordinary Medicinal Pills can't suppress it. If we delayed any longer, Hóngluán's Meridians would be ruined." He didn't mention Elder Mo, nor did he mention the Soul Devouring Gu or the Misty Immortal Palace—the sisters' cultivation was still shallow, and there was no need to worry them with these conspiracies for now.

After Liu Qingluan helped Liu Hóngluán lie down to rest, the only sound left in the small room was the gentle crackle of the candlelight. Lin Yang sat by the window, his fingertips tracing the wooden box that was now missing one Medicinal Pill. The chaos star core slowly rotated within his Dantian, piecing together the fragments of tonight.

First, Elder Mo. The Plum Blossom Embroidery on her sleeve, the trajectory of the Plum Blossom Reflected in Snow Needle, and her uncontrolled reaction upon seeing the "Star Moon Shining Together Ceremony" all confirmed her connection to his mother, Lin Wan. His mother's diary mentioned that she had a Junior Sister in the Star Moon Sect who specialized in Ice Element Techniques and Alchemy—could that be Elder Mo? But why would she hide in the Pill Hall, and why did she say, "Do not trust the Grand Elder"?

Next, the words on the Fine Silk: "Your mother is trapped in the Misty Forbidden Land." This was the crucial clue regarding his mother's disappearance. Previously, Lin Hongfeng had colluded with the Misty Immortal Palace just to seize the chaos star core. Now, it seemed his mother's disappearance was likely inseparable from the Immortal Palace. And the Grand Elder... Su Qingyue treated him well, but the Grand Elder held high authority as the Grand Elder of the Star Moon Sect. If he truly colluded with the Immortal Palace, wouldn't the Star Moon Sect also become an accomplice in imprisoning his mother?

There was also the blue light in the Pill Hall. That was the fluctuation of a Teleportation Array, its frequency consistent with the Misty Immortal Palace's communication talisman. Clearly, the Zhao Family had drawn in people from the Immortal Palace. They originally intended to use the Soul Devouring Gu to ambush whoever broke into the Pill Hall, but they didn't expect him to be rescued by Elder Mo. Where in the Sect would the person sent by that Teleportation Array be hiding right now? Would they make a move during the Outer Sect Grand Competition?

Lin Yang raised his hand and pressed his chest. The chaos star core suddenly felt slightly hot, as if responding to his thoughts. The Fire Element True Essence he had absorbed from Zhao Qian last night was currently fusing with the other energy within the star core, deepening his control over "Martial Skill Simulation." Furthermore, inside the hidden compartment of the wooden box that held Elder Mo's essence condensing pills, there was a corner piece of a half map, drawn with intersecting Chain Patterns, which must be a section of the Misty Forbidden Land.

"The Outer Sect Grand Competition..." Lin Yang muttered to himself. The competition three days later was not just an opportunity to advance to the Inner Sect; it was also his chance to clarify the situation. The Xuantian Sword Sect would come to observe the ceremony, meaning Ling Feihong would definitely be present. Zhao Kun would surely seek an opportunity to take action to avenge Zhao Qian. Perhaps he would also see that mysterious Guest Elder. If Bai Wanqing came, maybe he could ask her more about the star core and his mother.

The fog outside the window gradually dispersed, and a sliver of dawn broke in the east. Lin Yang tucked the wooden box into his embrace. Gray-Gold True Essence quietly circulated on his fingertips—he needed to become stronger faster, strong enough to tear open the Star Moon Sect’s conspiracy, strong enough to break into the Misty Forbidden Land, and even stronger to protect the people around him.

Just then, the sound of Disciples walking around came from outside the courtyard, mixed with discussions about the competition. Lin Yang walked to the door and saw several Outer Sect Disciples gathered around the Bulletin Board, which displayed the competition schedule and the List of Judges. Su Qingyue’s name was prominently listed, next to an empty spot designated for a "Guest Elder."

His gaze swept over the Bulletin Board, finally resting on the name "Lin Yang of the Ding-zi Courtyard." A flicker of determination flashed in his eyes.

In this Outer Sect Grand Competition, he must not only win, but win in a way that makes everyone, whether it be the Zhao Family, the Xuantian Sword Sect, or the Misty Immortal Palace hidden in the shadows, never dare to look down on him again.