322: Secret Outside

Outside the Secret Realm.

On the outskirts of Nether Crow Ridge, the Tianqi Dynasty's military camp was like a dormant giant beast, entrenched within the folds of the vast Southern Border.

Banners fluttered loudly in the hot and humid wind of the Southern Border, their crimson surfaces embroidered with the Black Dragon totem of the Tianqi Imperial Family, spreading an air of solemnity over the continuous stretch of military tents.

The crisp clatter of armor rose and fell, and the footsteps of patrolling soldiers were as steady as drumbeats; every time they hit the ground, it seemed to warn idle people not to approach.

Inside the side tent next to the main central army tent, Wang Cheng, clad in black armor, furrowed his brows and stared at the large sand table of the Southern Border before him.

On the sand table, the area representing the Nether Crow Cave Mansion was prominently marked, surrounded by small flags of various colors representing different factions, creating a complex and intricate layout.

"City Lord, the latest report from the scouts."

A deputy general entered with a bow, the friction of his armor breaking the silence in the tent. He handed over a secret report with both hands, his tone grave.

"The entrance to the Immortal Cave has fully opened. The State Preceptor led people inside, but after traveling for half a stick of incense's time, the Guard unit and the State Preceptor's figures separated at a fork. The paths inside the Immortal Cave are as crisscrossed as a spider's web, with countless large and small caves and stalactites standing like blades. We haven't been able to reunite with the State Preceptor yet, and the sound transmission talismans are unusable due to the mountain's interference."

Wang Cheng took the secret report, quickly scanned the writing, unconsciously rubbed the edge of the report with his fingertips, and slowly nodded.

His arrival in the Southern Border leading the army was originally under Situ Jun's secret orders—firstly, to probe the reality of the Nether Crow Cave Mansion, and secondly, to rendezvous with Bai Yu and the others as they brought out clues regarding the Legacy.

However, who would have thought that upon arriving at the Southern Border's territory, his troops would be taken over by Lu Chunchuan, the leader of the Azure Dragon Guard, under the guise of 'imperial military orders.' Even he himself was placed under a form of house arrest in this military camp, only able to wait for the State Preceptor's instructions. Even approaching the outskirts of the Immortal Cave required Lu Chunchuan's nod. This felt like a giant stone pressing against his heart, heavy and suffocating.

"What's the situation with the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce?"

Wang Cheng crumpled the secret report into a ball and threw it into a nearby brazier. Sparks flew and were quickly extinguished. His voice was low like thunder, carrying a hint of imperceptible irritability.

"Reporting to the City Lord, after Mo Chenggui entered, the forces of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce stationed themselves on the outskirts. They seem to be staying put, but in secret, they are moving frequently, seemingly planning something with unclear intentions. Our men tried to get close, but were all skillfully blocked by them. Even the leader of the Azure Dragon Guard has ordered us not to deliberately investigate the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce's movements, or be treated as collaborators with the enemy."

"Hmph, a reckless man ruins everything!"

Wang Cheng snorted coldly, his black armor making a crisp sound. A sharp look flashed in his eyes as he continued.

"That fool Lu Chunchuan has always acted solely on brute force without any shrewdness. Let's see how he explains himself to the State Preceptor and the Imperial Court once things go wrong in the future!"

Having vented his dissatisfaction, Wang Cheng took a deep breath, his tone returning to a steady state.

"Pass down the order: the soldiers of East Lin City are to strictly Guard their respective posts, reinforce the camp, keep arrows notched and blades unsheathed. Without my command, no one is allowed to leave the camp without permission, let alone clash with other factions. Violators will be dealt with by military law!"

"Yes!"

The deputy general took the order and strode away. The tent flap was lifted and then closed, bringing in a gust of wind that stirred the map hanging inside.

Wang Cheng walked outside the tent and turned his gaze toward the distant Nether Crow Ridge, which was shrouded in a strange energy field.

That mountain ridge was currently enveloped in a layer of gray miasma. The miasma rolled like a living creature, with purple lightning flashing within it from time to time, emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.

He knew that Situ Jun's Cultivation was unfathomable and he would surely be fine. However, the Imperial Court's emphasis on the Nether Crow Cave Mansion far exceeded expectations; not only did they dispatch three thousand Azure Dragon Guard elites, but even the State Preceptor, a Nascent Soul Cultivator, had come to the Southern Border in person.

The longer it was delayed, the more variables there would be. The dangers within the Immortal Cave were secondary; what was more daunting were these factions watching like tigers on the outskirts, each staring at the Legacy within the Immortal Cave like hungry wolves. Any slight misstep would trigger a bloodbath.

Just as worried as Wang Cheng was Nightingale, who was lurking near the military camp.

Just like his code name, Nightingale's figure was as hidden as a bird in the dark night. Since stepping into the Southern Border, he had used his exquisite disguise techniques to get a good grasp of the various factions' backgrounds.

At this moment, he was disguised as a lame old hunter, crouching on a hillside not far from the Dynasty's military camp. His old burlap clothes were covered in mud, his hair was white and messy, and his face was covered in deep wrinkles. He held a rusty animal trap, seemingly struggling to set the mechanism, but in reality, his cloudy eyes were like those of a hawk, taking in every movement inside and outside the camp.

The weeds on the hillside half-concealed his figure. The wind blowing through the grass made a rustling sound, perfectly masking his slight breathing.

"The State Preceptor of Tianqi, plus three thousand Azure Dragon Guards, as well as the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce, the Xuan Yin Sect, and other factions gathered here... it certainly adds quite a bit of trouble to Master's actions."

Nightingale thought to himself, lightly tapping his finger on the animal trap, but his brow gradually furrowed with a grave expression.

"Furthermore..."

Nightingale's finger paused, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

"News came from the scouts regarding the Xuan Yin Sect and Ten Thousand Gu Sect; the Elders leading their teams have already released their Cultivation suppression, restoring their Early Stage Nascent Soul strength. This is a big problem. Should I immediately report this to the Inspector of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty and have them send someone to suppress it?"

As soon as this thought emerged, he forcibly suppressed it.

"No, once the Inspector arrives, they will surely conduct a massive search. At that time, it's very likely they'll expose Master's identity, which would not be worth the cost."

But on second thought, he couldn't help but worry.

"But if I don't report it, if these two Nascent Soul Cultivators or others who have also released their Cultivation meet Master inside the Immortal Cave, their strength after releasing the suppression won't be something to underestimate. Will they pose a threat to Master?"

On one side was the risk of exposing his Master, and on the other was a potential fatal threat. Nightingale was caught in a dilemma, his fingers unconsciously exerting force until the iron teeth of the animal trap were slightly deformed. His cloudy eyes were filled with conflict.

After a long time.

"Forget it, I'll wait and see for now."

Nightingale finally grit his teeth and buried the animal trap in a pile of withered leaves.

"Master's wisdom is celestial and his strength is formidable; he might not necessarily fear these two old ghosts. If it really reaches a critical moment, I'll just send word then."

He hunched his body and limped away, disappearing into the depths of the mountain forest, leaving behind only a pile of seemingly discarded hunting tools...