24: They set off as a team, each with their own agenda.

Outside the mountain gate of Tianling Academy during the hour of shen hour, the sunlight was just right. A gentle breeze brushed through the mountain forest, swirling up a few fallen leaves and carrying the refreshing chill of autumn. Lu Chen carried his packed gear on his back, with an iron sword engraved with runes at his waist and the myriad manifestations pendant hidden close to his chest under his robes; his aura was steady. He had been waiting here for a while, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Sect, quietly awaiting Yu Lan's arrival.

Before long, a figure in moon-white robes walked over quickly; it was Yu Lan. She was still dressed in a simple and elegant long skirt, but a simple cloth pouch now hung at her waist, containing healing Medicinal Pills and defensive Talismans. Her long hair was tied up, revealing her clear and beautiful face. Although there was a hint of coldness in her eyes, she looked more brisk and ready for travel. "Senior Brother Lu, sorry to keep you waiting."

"I just arrived myself." Lu Chen responded with a slight smile, his gaze sweeping over her cloth pouch. "Is everything prepared?"

"Yes, the common supplies are all ready." Yu Lan nodded, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her collar. Hidden there was the broken jade fragment that had once merged with Lu Chen's jade pendant. Although it had returned to being whole, she always touched it subconsciously, as if to confirm the reality of this Opportunity.

Just as the two were about to leave, hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind. Lin Xiaoya ran over panting, carrying a bulging Storage Pouch. Her cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were exceptionally determined: "Senior Brother Lu, Miss Yu Lan, wait for me! I want to go to Wuwang City with you too!"

Lu Chen was stunned for a moment and quickly tried to persuade her: "Xiaoya, the ruins of Wuwang City are extremely dangerous. Yao Beasts, traps, and evil cultivators are everywhere. Your cultivation is only at the Qi Refining Second Layer; going there is too dangerous. It's safer for you to stay at the Sect."

"I'm not afraid of danger!" Lin Xiaoya gripped her Storage Pouch, her tone stubborn yet sincere. "I've been Cultivating all this time and have refined many detoxification pills and heart-clearing pills; I can be of help. Besides, I wouldn't feel at ease letting you go alone. An extra person means an extra hand. Even if I can't help in battle, I can tend to wounds and scout around." As she spoke, she held the Storage Pouch out to Lu Chen. "Look, these Medicinal Pills are enough for the three of us for a long time. I really won't be a burden."

Seeing the persistence in Lin Xiaoya's eyes, a flash of softness crossed Yu Lan's cold gaze. She said softly, "Miss Xiaoya has good intentions, and the Medicinal Pills can indeed solve urgent needs. In the ruins, we might also need someone to take care of trivial matters. Why not let her come along? We'll just have to keep a closer eye on her."

Seeing that Yu Lan also agreed and looking at Lin Xiaoya's hopeful eyes, Lu Chen ultimately couldn't bring himself to refuse. He nodded and said, "Alright, but you must promise me that you will follow the arrangements made by Miss Yu Lan and me in everything. You must not act on your own."

"I promise!" Lin Xiaoya immediately nodded, a joyful smile appearing on her face as she stepped quickly to their side, her eyes full of excitement.

Just as the three were about to set off, another voice came from behind: "Wait a moment, you three. I wonder if you could take me along as well?"

Everyone turned around to see Wang Hao walking slowly toward them. He was wearing the attire of an Inner Sect Disciple, with an ordinary jade pendant hanging from his waist and a gentle smile on his face, though a trace of hard-to-detect abnormality was hidden deep in his eyes. He used to be a follower of Zhao Lei. Although Lu Chen had helped him in the Secret Realm before, he had always stayed close to Zhao Lei. His sudden request to join them now inevitably raised suspicions.

Lu Chen's heart stirred as he instantly sensed a faint trace of hostility coming from Wang Hao. Although it was deliberately concealed, it could not escape his spiritual sense, which had become increasingly sharp after practicing the Concealment Art. He quietly exchanged a look with Yu Lan, who nodded slightly, a flash of vigilance appearing in her eyes.

"Why does Senior Brother Wang suddenly want to go with us?" Lu Chen spoke flatly, his tone calm but carrying a hint of testing.

The smile on Wang Hao's face deepened as he said sincerely, "To be honest, I've been looking for an Opportunity to gain experience and improve my cultivation. Although Wuwang City is a dangerous place, it is also a place of Opportunity. I've always been grateful for Senior Brother Lu's help in the Secret Realm, so now that I know you're going to the ruins, I wanted to join and help, which could be considered repaying your previous kindness. Moreover, I've practiced terrain scouting techniques for a while; perhaps I can help everyone avoid some traps."

As he spoke, he even deliberately showed the compass in his hand, appearing full of sincerity. Lin Xiaoya hesitated and looked at Lu Chen, unsure if they should agree.

Lu Chen sneered inwardly. Wang Hao's words seemed reasonable but were full of holes. If he really wanted to gain experience, he could have taken a mission alone; why specifically seek him out to form a team? Furthermore, given his close relationship with Zhao Lei, joining them now was most likely at the behest of Zhao Lei or Zhao Kun to wait for an Opportunity for revenge or to snatch the Opportunity. However, he didn't expose him on the spot. Instead, he feigned contemplation before nodding. "Since Senior Brother Wang has this intention, then let's go together. An extra person indeed provides an extra layer of security."

He had already made up his mind to pretend to accept Wang Hao while secretly staying on guard. If Wang Hao truly had ill intentions, he would just turn the tables and expose his plot.

Seeing this, a trace of joy flashed through Wang Hao's eyes. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for agreeing, Senior Brother Lu. I will certainly do my best to help and will never be a burden to everyone."

The four of them set off together toward Wuwang City. Along the way, Wang Hao acted extremely enthusiastic, taking the initiative to chat with Lin Xiaoya and asking about her insights into refining pills. He also occasionally tested Lu Chen and Yu Lan about their backgrounds, paying particular attention to Yu Lan.

"Miss Yu Lan looks unfamiliar; it seems you aren't an established Disciple of Tianling Academy? I wonder who your master is, for your cultivation to be so profound." Wang Hao asked seemingly casually, but his eyes were fixed on Yu Lan, trying to see any flaws on her face.

Yu Lan's expression was cold as she simply replied, "Just a Loose Cultivator who entered the Sect by chance. I have no famous master to guide me." She was unwilling to reveal much about her identity, her tone carrying an obvious distance that shut down the topic.

Wang Hao met a soft rebuff but didn't give up. He turned to ask Lu Chen instead, "Senior Brother Lu is truly amazing, defeating Senior Brother Zhao Lei at such a young age and even taking on an S-rank mission. I wonder what Cultivation Technique you practice to be so powerful."

"It's just some basic techniques; I was lucky to have some insights." Lu Chen gave a perfunctory response, unwilling to mention much about his techniques. At the same time, he secretly observed Wang Hao's movements and noticed that whenever he spoke, his fingertips would unconsciously touch the jade pendant at his waist, where something seemed to be hidden.

Lin Xiaoya was simple-minded and didn't notice anything wrong with Wang Hao. She even took the initiative to share her confusion in cultivation with him. Wang Hao responded to each one, appearing patient, but he would occasionally use the Opportunity to probe their experiences in the Secret Realm, trying to find their weaknesses.

Lu Chen saw everything and became increasingly certain that Wang Hao had ill intentions. He quietly signaled Yu Lan with his eyes to be careful. Yu Lan understood and secretly circulated her spiritual energy. The myriad manifestations pendant at her waist grew slightly warm as she remained vigilant, ready to strike immediately if Wang Hao made a move.

During a break, Lin Xiaoya took out some spirit rice cakes she had made and shared them with everyone. She also carefully checked everyone's bags, reminding them to keep their Medicinal Pills safe and not to panic if something happened. Although her cultivation wasn't high, she was meticulous and managed trivial matters in an orderly fashion, saving Lu Chen and Yu Lan a lot of trouble.

Wang Hao took a spirit rice cake and ate it casually, but his gaze secretly sized up Yu Lan's cloth pouch and Lu Chen's Storage Pouch, a flash of greed appearing in his eyes. The front of his robes at his waist bulged slightly. Lu Chen used his spiritual sense to investigate and vaguely sensed a trace of sinister spiritual energy fluctuation, somewhat similar to the aura of the Blood Shadow Sect Evil Cultivators. His heart stirred: Could he be hiding something from the Blood Shadow Sect at his waist?

He didn't say anything, just quietly kept this in mind, deciding to be even more cautious later. If Wang Hao was truly in league with the Blood Shadow Sect, then the danger of this trip had increased. He had to prepare a counter-strategy in advance.

The four continued forward, passing through mountain forests and canyons, occasionally encountering low-level Yao Beasts. Lu Chen and Yu Lan would step up to handle them, Lin Xiaoya was responsible for tending to any injuries, and Wang Hao would "lend a hand" from the side. He seemed active, but he always avoided danger at critical moments and never truly put in effort. Instead, he secretly observed the two's fighting styles, silently memorizing them.

Lu Chen saw all of this and already had a plan. He knew that Wang Hao must be waiting for the right moment to act, perhaps a sneak attack when they were in danger, or perhaps coordinating with the Blood Shadow Sect Evil Cultivators. Regardless, he had to prepare in advance to ensure the safety of Yu Lan and Lin Xiaoya.

At dusk, the four arrived at a valley and decided to rest there for the night. Lu Chen was responsible for sentry duty, Yu Lan sat and cultivated to consolidate her power, and Lin Xiaoya started a fire to cook dinner. Wang Hao used the excuse of scouting the terrain and walked alone into the depths of the valley. After confirming no one was around, he quietly took out a black Talisman from his waist—it was a Communication Talisman of the Blood Shadow Sect.

He injected spiritual energy, and the Talisman instantly lit up. A faint black shadow emerged from the Talisman; it was an evil cultivator from the Blood Shadow Sect. "How is it going? Are Lu Chen and Yu Lan with you? Have they noticed anything unusual?" The evil cultivator's voice was cold, coming through the Talisman.

"Everything is going smoothly. I've successfully joined their team, and neither of them has noticed anything wrong. Lin Xiaoya came along too; she's just a little girl with low cultivation, nothing to fear." Wang Hao responded in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of smugness. "Their vigilance hasn't been high along the way. I've already figured out their fighting styles. Once we reach Duanyun Peak and meet up with you, we can take them down in one fell swoop and seize the myriad manifestations pendant and the clues to Wuwang City."

"Very good. An ambush has already been set up at the Duanyun Peak canyon. You just need to lead them into the canyon when the time comes, and we will take the Opportunity to besiege them. Remember, you must seize the myriad manifestations pendant. They cannot be allowed to reach Wuwang City alive." The evil cultivator instructed, and then the light of the Talisman went out, and the black shadow disappeared.

Wang Hao put away the Communication Talisman, a flash of ruthlessness appearing in his eyes as a sinister smile curled his lips. He straightened his robes and returned to the camp acting as if nothing had happened, his face still wearing that gentle smile.

Lu Chen had seen everything from a distance, his spiritual sense capturing the sinister spiritual energy fluctuations of the Communication Talisman. It was now clear to him: Wang Hao was indeed in league with the Blood Shadow Sect, and Duanyun Peak was the trap they had set. He didn't make a scene; he just quietly walked to Yu Lan's side and informed her of the matter in a low voice.

Yu Lan's expression changed, a flash of killing intent appearing in her eyes: "I didn't expect him to actually collude with the Blood Shadow Sect. He truly deserves to die."

"Don't be in a hurry; we'll just turn their own trap against them." Lu Chen lowered his voice, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "When we reach Duanyun Peak, we'll be prepared to wipe them all out and clear away this hidden danger."

Yu Lan nodded, the killing intent in her eyes gradually calming, replaced by cold calculation: "Fine. When the time comes, I will use the myriad manifestations pendant to interfere with their spiritual energy. You take the chance to strike, and I'll cover Xiaoya."

The two quietly agreed on a counter-strategy, their expressions returning to calm as if nothing had happened. Lin Xiaoya finished making dinner and called everyone to eat. Wang Hao continued to act enthusiastic and thoughtful, completely unaware that his plot had already been seen through.

As the night deepened, the valley was silent, with only the crackling of the campfire. Lu Chen and Yu Lan took turns standing guard, not daring to be the least bit negligent. They knew that the trap at Duanyun Peak was right before them and a fierce battle was about to break out. This was only the first test on the way to Wuwang City; the road ahead would only become more dangerous. But they were fearless. As long as they worked together, they would surely resolve the crisis and continue toward Wuwang City to find the Myriad Manifestations Art and uncover all the secrets.