Chapter Twenty-Seven: Xuanlin

Yaoye slowly withdrew his offensive stance and closed his eyes in contemplation. Seeing that he remained motionless, everyone tacitly refrained from disturbing him, quietly standing guard around him.

"With the move I grasped last time during my spar with Brother Lei, I’ve now fully understood two techniques. When will I master them all, I wonder? But this isn’t something to be rushed—best to let fate take its course." Such were Yaoye’s silent musings. The first move was Shadow and Form; this one, he decided, would be called Devouring Wave, like a raging tide that swallows all.

When Yaoye opened his eyes and saw everyone standing guard for him without a trace of complaint, he hurried forward, bowed deeply, and said, "I’m sorry for holding everyone up."

Tang Ze waved his hand dismissively. "No worries! You’ve got some nerve, kid—managing to have an epiphany like that. All right, let’s get moving."

Once again, the group flew toward the direction of the Myriad Demon Cavern. By late afternoon, they reached a small town where they were to rendezvous. "Hong Tao, Peng Lei, you two go find an inn and get us settled. I’ll go meet with the other two academies," Tang Ze said, striding off into the distance.

"Let’s go. We’ll find a place to eat and rest until the Vice Dean returns to make further arrangements. Everyone, keep a low profile."

They soon arrived at a small inn, its entrance bustling with people, causing the group to frown slightly. The inn attendant hurried over. "Welcome, esteemed guests! Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

Hong Tao gave instructions. "Get us a few of your best rooms, and bring some food up as well."

"Certainly. Please follow me," the attendant replied. As the group followed him up the stairs, a young man exuding a wicked aura blocked Liu Xin’s path.

"Beauty, come have a drink with me," the youth said, reaching out to grab Liu Xin’s shoulder.

"How dare you! Touch my senior sister and I’ll cut your arm clean off," Yaoye said, gripping the hilt of his sword, Skyscar.

The young man sneered. "Oh? Hiding behind your numbers, are you? Fine, you win today. But I’ll remember your face, boy. If I catch you alone… Hmph! Remember my name: Red Eyes!"

With that, the sinister youth turned and left. No one noticed, however, that as he blocked Liu Xin’s way, he had surreptitiously slipped a note into her hand. Liu Xin clenched the paper tightly. What was meant to come had come at last. She sighed softly and followed the others to a private room on the second floor.

To avoid trouble, the group remained in their rooms after dinner, cultivating and waiting for Dean Tang Ze’s return. Guided by their signals, Tang Ze arrived at the inn, headed upstairs, and knocked on Hong Tao’s door. "Gather everyone for a meeting."

Hong Tao nodded, knocked on everyone’s doors, and soon they all assembled in Tang Ze’s room.

"Please, sit," Tang Ze said. "I’ve just finished discussions with the other two academies. Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet in the small grove north of town and head to the Myriad Demon Cavern together to investigate. We may split into several teams. Peng Lei, you and your group must be cautious. If you encounter students from the other academies, don’t act rashly! Though the three academies—Divine Wind, Fire Dance, and Martial Way—seem cordial on the surface, there are always tensions beneath. If things turn dangerous, don’t expect them to help us. If there’s profit to be gained, be even more wary of their treachery. Rest well tonight and prepare yourselves."

Everyone returned to their rooms to ready themselves for the tasks ahead. Deep into the night, unnoticed by all, a figure clad in night-black clothing slipped out the second-floor window, vanishing swiftly into the courtyard before heading toward a nearby small residence.

"You’re here! Come in, I’ve been waiting for you," said a middle-aged man as the figure approached. The man led the way inside. "Lin’er, you’ve endured a lot these years. Any word on the Creation Cauldron? And what is your purpose this time?"

The black-clad figure replied, "Grand Elder, there’s still no news of the Creation Cauldron. This time, we were sent by Dean Liu Qing to investigate the disturbance at the Myriad Demon Cavern. Tomorrow, the three academies will meet in the northern grove to investigate together.

"Grand Elder, I wish I could return to a normal life. I’m truly tired of living like this."

The middle-aged man turned and regarded the figure. "Lin’er, bear with it just a while longer. Once there’s news of the Creation Cauldron, you’ll be able to live in peace and no one will trouble you again."

The figure turned to leave, pausing at the door. "I hope you won’t contact me again. If there’s news, I’ll pass it to you in secret."

With that, the black-clad figure returned to the inn, slipping back inside through the second-floor window without alerting a soul.

Once the night clothes were removed, a delicate face was revealed—it was Liu Xin. She sat wearily beside the bed and, filled with anxious thoughts, gradually drifted into uneasy sleep...