61: The Returning Storm

The frigid underground dark river washed The core five people to an unfamiliar valley. The exhaustion of surviving a disaster surged like a tide, but even stronger were their taut nerves and turbulent emotions.

They not only saw through and counter-killed those in a meticulously planned ambush, but they also managed to kill a Qi Refining Sixth Layer “Shadow Fiends” Silver-Badge Assassin, transcending their cultivation level! If this achievement were to spread, it would be enough to shake the entire Outer Sect!

“First, treat your injuries and recover your Spiritual Power.” Wen Youyi suppressed his surging Qi and Blood, giving a calm command. His old injuries in his Meridians had not healed, and new wounds were added, making his condition the worst among The core five people.

Everyone acted as instructed, finding a hidden spot in the valley, taking Medicinal Pills, and meditating to regulate their breathing. During this time, they tallied the gains from their “Mine Pit Trip”—besides the consumed Talismans and Medicinal Pills, the biggest spoils of war were the Storage Pouches looted from those “Shadow Fiends” assassins.

Inside, there were many Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, as well as some insidious Concealed Weapons and Cultivation Techniques. Although useless to them, they were valuable. More importantly, in Youzhao's Storage Pouch, Wen Youyi found a Black Token engraved with the character “Shadow,” along with several encrypted messages. Although the contents could not be immediately deciphered, this was undoubtedly ironclad evidence pointing to the mastermind!

Two days later, everyone's injuries stabilized, and their Spiritual Power was mostly recovered.

“We should go back.” Wen Youyi stood up, his gaze fixed in the direction of the Qingxuan Sect. He knew that an even greater storm was waiting for them at the Sect.

When The core five people, dragging their slightly weary but sharp-eyed bodies, reappeared in the Qingxuan Sect Plaza, the commotion they caused was far more intense than their triumphant return from Blood Wolf Valley!

“They... they actually came back alive?!”

“Didn't they say the mine pit collapsed? How did they get out?”

“Looking at them, it seems they went through a fierce battle...”

Various speculations and discussions spread like a plague. Especially those in the Five Elements Courtyard and those secretly paying attention to this matter were filled with shock and uncertainty.

When Fire Cloud Child received the news, he directly crushed the teacup in his hand, his face so gloomy it looked like it could drip water. The “Shadow Fiends” failed? Even Youzhao was killed? How is this possible?!

Wen Youyi ignored all probing gazes and led the four directly back to D-7 Courtyard.

The courtyard gate closed, isolating them from the outside clamor.

“Little Wen, what do we do now? The Five Elements Courtyard definitely won't let this go!” Zhao Iron Pillar asked in a booming voice. Although he wasn't afraid, he knew the trouble was immense.

Wen Youyi's eyes were calm: “Of course they won't stop. But this time, we are no longer passive targets.”

He analyzed the current situation: “We hold the evidence of the 'Shadow Fiends' involvement; this is one of our Protective Talismans. Secondly, our Mutual Aid Society currently enjoys high prestige among the Outer Sect's lower ranks, having gathered a considerable amount of power. If they want to move against us, they must consider the repercussions. Finally...”

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: “We have demonstrated sufficient ‘value’ and ‘potential.’ The Sect's high-level members are not a monolith. After experiencing both the Blood Wolf Valley and the mine pit incidents, some people will inevitably see how unusual we are. What we need to do now is stabilize our position, continue developing, and at the same time... wait.”

“Wait?” Wang Wu pondered, “Wait for someone to extend an olive branch to us?”

“Exactly.” Wen Youyi nodded. “We need an ‘Ally’ with more weight within the Sect, or at least an ‘Observer.’ Before obtaining sufficient protection or reaching a certain understanding, it's unwise to completely fall out with the Five Elements Courtyard.”

He instructed Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li to strengthen the management of the Mutual Aid Society, consolidate their existing achievements, but temporarily slow down the pace of expansion and maintain a low profile. At the same time, he personally drafted a report detailing the “events” of the mine pit attack (omitting the counter-kill details, only emphasizing that they were ambushed by an “Unknown Force” and narrowly escaped using the mine pit collapse), along with a rubbing of the “Shadow” character token, and submitted it again through the Mission Hall Old Deacon.

This was a probing action, and also a declaration.

As expected, this report was like a stone thrown into a deep pool; although it didn't immediately cause huge waves, it created quite a ripple in the shadows.

Several days later, the Old Deacon leisurely appeared at Ding Zi Courtyard again and tossed Wen Youyi a Pale Green Jade Talisman.

“Someone entrusted this to me for you. Take it and you can go to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion to find a Senior Sister surnamed Mu. Perhaps... it will be of some use to you.” After the Old Deacon finished speaking, he maintained his half-asleep appearance, turned, and left.

Holding the jade Talisman that still carried a faint Medicinal Fragrance, Wen Youyi's heart stirred.

Hundred Herbs Pavilion? Senior Sister Mu?

This seemed to be the Turning Point they had been waiting for?

(End of Chapter)