After resolving that minor incident, the other black-clothed individuals started making a ruckus again, while You Yuelan leaned against the wall, sleeping.
The Black-Clothed Leader looked at this bunch with a headache, and suddenly thought to himself:
‘In two days, we’re supposed to start the operation. With this rabble under my command, can I really steal the Mountain and Sea Map?’
‘And even if I can steal it and bring it back to the sect, with the sect’s nature, wouldn’t they just hand us over to appease the Lingyun Sect’s anger?’
…
The day before the actual theft of the Mountain and Sea Map, all the black-clothed individuals were slightly nervous.
Except for You Yuelan.
She was still sleeping soundly, enviably, her sleep quality nearly perfect.
Suddenly, You Yuelan opened her eyes and sat up stiffly, like a zombie rising from the grave, startling the others.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Playing zombie won’t help—you’re still coming with us tomorrow, and if you try to back out, I’ll cut you down on the spot!”
Fangs instinctively frowned and threatened.
There was no helping it. You Yuelan had gone too far before, and her credit score was already zero.
You Yuelan shook her head and said calmly:
“No, I just suddenly have a stomachache and need to use the bathroom.”
“Pfft, if you need to go, just go. Why the zombie act? We thought something was wrong. Hurry up.”
The Black-Clothed Leader waved his hand irritably.
You Yuelan nodded and walked straight out.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, but most of the Lingyun Sect disciples were already awake, starting their daily cultivation.
The temporary base they had chosen wasn’t in some deep mountain forest. On the contrary, there were quite a few buildings nearby, and people came and went frequently.
Deliberately trying to hide everything would be an act of self-deception. Others weren’t fools—if they saw them acting secretive, they’d get suspicious. So it was better to just find an ordinary spot and be careful.
You Yuelan looked left and right. Seeing no one following, she quickly headed toward a secluded corner.
Of course, she hadn’t come out to use the bathroom.
Just now, she had suddenly received a message from her senior sister, whom she hadn’t contacted in a long time, asking to meet up and discuss something.
That senior sister was from the same shizun. She had taken care of You Yuelan since they were young, treated her quite well, often gave her delicious food, and even helped her with chores so You Yuelan could rest and slack off.
Except sometimes she would just stare blankly at You Yuelan, lost in thought.
That senior sister had secretly infiltrated the Lingyun Sect a long time ago and had never been exposed.
Although You Yuelan didn’t know the specific reason for the meeting, she still came.
Walking to a big banyan tree, she immediately saw a young woman with a delicate face smiling at her.
“Yuelan, it’s been a long time. All these years apart, and you’ve grown up.”
The senior sister said cheerfully.
If Lin Huanhuan were present, she would be shocked to discover that this young woman was actually Yijia, whom she had met in the Xuan Shui Secret Realm.
“Jiajia Senior Sister, it has been a long time. What did you want to see me about?”
You Yuelan returned the smile.
“Don’t rush. Let’s sit here for a while. We haven’t seen each other in so long—let’s just catch up. Our little junior sister has grown so big.”
Yijia pointed to the empty space beside her and sat down first.
You Yuelan followed and sat next to her.
Yijia turned to look at her, patted her head, and then said with a smile:
“The texture is still so nice. That’s good.”
You Yuelan didn’t say a word. She just let Yijia pat her head, like a puppet without feelings.
Yijia wasn’t surprised by this reaction. She had expected it.
The two of them sat there chatting for a while.
Most of the time, Yijia talked about old times, while You Yuelan nodded and occasionally added a word.
Seeing that time was almost up, Yijia finally asked:
“You’re going to steal the Mountain and Sea Map tomorrow, right?”
“Mm, we’re setting out tomorrow.”
Yijia’s expression turned serious, and her voice became heavy.
“Listen to me. The Lingyun Sect isn’t as simple as the sect thinks. The Mountain and Sea Map may not be a Golden Core-level magical artifact, but it’s the core of the entire Outer Sect Grand Array, carrying countless qi fortune of the Lingyun Sect. Its level is probably already at the semi-treasure level.”
“The Lingyun Sect’s defenses there will be extremely tight. There are only a few of you, not even one at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and you’ve only been at the Lingyun Sect for a short time. There’s absolutely no way you’ll be able to steal the Mountain and Sea Map.”
“In other words, you’re all walking to your death!”
You Yuelan blinked her big eyes but said nothing.
Yijia continued:
“The sect gave you a suicide mission. There’s no need to carry it out. Run away with me. Leave here.”
“I’ve made plenty of preparations over the years, enough for both of us to escape.”
“We can find a remote place under the Lingyun Sect’s jurisdiction. As long as we don’t expose ourselves, neither Shizun nor the sect will be able to find us.”
“And don’t forget, Shizun also wants us dead.”
You Yuelan was silent for a moment before saying:
“Even if we go into hiding, with Shizun’s and the sect’s capabilities, are you sure they won’t find us? We’d just be living a life of wandering. It’s better to die here.”
“At least we’d be alive!” Yijia said angrily.
“Even if the sect and Shizun will definitely hunt us down, we can keep running. As long as we’re alive, running is nothing.”
“Staying here really means death.”
“We’re just random pieces the sect scattered out, insignificant ants they don’t care about. After some time, few people in the sect will even remember us. They won’t expend much effort on us.”
Yijia tried her best to persuade her.
You Yuelan still kept her head down and didn’t speak. In fact, she was starting to feel sleepy again.
“Phew, forget it.”
Yijia sighed.
“I know it’s the effect of your cultivation technique. It’s not your fault. This is normal.”
“Alright, go back first. I’ll think of something later.”
You Yuelan glanced back at Yijia, who sat alone under the big banyan tree, looking desolate and lonely.
Back at the temporary base, You Yuelan couldn’t help asking herself:
‘Am I wrong to act like this?’
Before she could figure out the answer, she felt waves of fatigue again.
This forced her to stop thinking, and she once again closed her eyes to rest.
…
Early the next morning, You Yuelan woke up early.
Looking at the spirited and determined team, the Black-Clothed Leader sighed inwardly before giving the order to set out.
“Let’s go. Nine months of lurking all for today. Success or failure depends on this one move!”