After that prolonged and devastating cultivation catastrophe ended, the six surviving orthodox sects with the greatest contributions and the strongest powers began to call themselves the Six Orthodox Sects.
Qingyun Sect was one of the oldest among them, while Danxia Sect was relatively young, specializing in Battle Arts. Because of this, they maintained close ties with the secular Dynasty.
Disciples of the Danxia Sect often voluntarily entered the Dynasty, some becoming bandits, others joining military camps, or serving as retainers in various clans.
Within the Dynasty, they usually held another identity, intentionally restricting their combat strength to ignite their potential through repeated life-and-death struggles.
Therefore,
the Prime Minister’s Residence assassins who once hunted Shen Yuer were very likely from the Danxia Sect.
If the Forgotten Palace among the Six Orthodox Sects represented trading away worldly desires for strength, then the Danxia Sect’s disciples embodied immersing themselves willingly in the secular ties of emotions and desires.
Their methods were often ruthless, lacking the lofty airs common to the Six Orthodox Sects.
In other words, the Danxia Sect had many madmen some even more insane than so-called demonic sects.
“If your mind isn’t focused, then don’t train.”
A cold voice sounded beside her ear. Lin Nan blinked, looked up, and met Shu Ying’s calm, clear eyes.
She stood and bowed once. “There’s one more thing I want to ask for Elder’s opinion on.”
Shu Ying gave a noncommittal “hmm.”
She looked up at the boundless clear sky, wearing the indifferent expression of a transcendent recluse, as if whatever Lin Nan was about to say had nothing to do with her.
But…
Lin Nan’s expression shifted oddly. She clearly saw the Supreme Elder clutching one hand with the other, struggling to suppress something.
Could it be that having a favor to ask of her actually pleased her?
The girl was utterly baffled and her gaze toward Shu Ying grew a little strange.
“Elder, I want to participate in the exchange meeting between Qingyun Sect and Danxia Sect.”
The Elder instantly regained composure, her usual coldness returning as she asked, “For that talisman-drawing little girl?”
Lin Nan didn’t deny it and smiled in affirmation, “Yes.”
“Very well.”
The hand covering the other tightened its grip.
“That means,” Shen Yuer closed the bamboo slip, her fingertips repeatedly tracing over the words “Danxia Sect,” “they killed me not only because of the Prime Minister’s Residence’s orders, but also to train their Battle Arts through ‘life-and-death combat’?”
“Most likely.”
Lin Nan straightened up, brushing the dust off her hands. “Using lives as whetstones for their skills fits the reputation of ‘madmen’ quite well.”
She looked toward the west courtyard where the Danxia Sect disciples were temporarily housed. Black and red banners hung from the eaves, fluttering fiercely in the wind like blood-stained strips of cloth.
That morning, passing by the Practice Field, she had witnessed two Danxia Sect disciples sparring.
Though the match was supposed to be controlled, one suddenly crushed the other’s wrist bone and smiled, saying, “This is what makes it interesting.” The injured disciple did not even show anger, instead licking the blood at the corner of his mouth, eyes glittering with excitement.
Lin Nan had glanced at their belongings on the table nearby.
Several Bone Mending Pills lay carelessly scattered there a precious and rare medicine meant for healing serious wounds. Were they really treating these pills like common snacks?
“List of Sparring Participants for the exchange meeting is out,” Shen Yuer’s voice tensed slightly, “Zhang Qiming will spar with Senior Brother, and Senior Sister Qiao is matched against someone named Chen Wang.”
Lin Nan raised her brows.
Zhang Qiming was the leader of the Danxia Sect delegation and one of the Prime Minister’s Residence assassins Shen Yuer had recognized.
“Also, they deliberately divided us new disciples into groups.”
“How so?”
“Xiao Lin and I are a team, and our opponents are Cao Xingzhi and Shen Qingmei…”
Lin Nan sensed something off and quickly asked what was going on.
“Cao Xingzhi is with the Prime Minister’s Residence. When Shen Qingmei returned to the Shen Family, Cao Xingzhi helped along with Zhang Qiming.”
“I mean, why would two Qingyun Sect disciples be grouped with Danxia Sect people?”
“No idea,” Shen Yuer shook her head, staring toward the west courtyard with a grave expression, “I’m afraid Shen Qingmei must have done something.”
“She hasn’t caused trouble these past few days; apparently, she was waiting for this.”
It couldn’t be a coincidence someone must have arranged this intentionally.
Lin Nan bent down, picked up a Stone, flicked it with her fingertip, and it flew accurately to hit the banner’s rope in the west courtyard.
The Black-Red Banner snapped off and fell, covering two Danxia Sect disciples sharpening their blades at the gate, provoking a string of curses.
Shen Yuer smiled at Lin Nan’s childish stunt, the tension in her eyes easing somewhat. “Senior Sister Qiao said the Danxia Sect’s Battle Arts look fierce but lack staying power. If you can endure the first three moves, you can find their weakness.”
She pulled out two talisman papers from her sleeve. “I drew Frostbinding Talismans. If worst comes to worst, we can freeze their feet.”
Lin Nan took the talismans, her fingertips brushing against the cool skin of Shen Yuer’s fingers.
Her talisman drawing had indeed improved; the true energy circulation on the papers was steadier than before, and the edges were decorated with water patterns, clearly to complement her Water Magic.
“No need to be so troublesome,” Lin Nan returned the talismans and turned toward the Practice Field. “They can’t beat me anyway.”
On the bluish stone slabs of the Practice Field, Shen Qingmei was talking with Zhang Qiming.
Shen Qingmei wore a brand-new Beast-Taming Peak disciple robe and held a thin, bony Dog—likely a newly tamed beast. Zhang Qiming leaned against the Weapon Rack, spinning a Short Blade between his fingers. The blade’s gleam occasionally swept toward Shen Yuer, dripping with undisguised malice.
“Quite good at hiding, aren’t you, Fifth Miss Shen,” Zhang Qiming’s voice carried from afar, icy cold. He spat and sneered, “That day, the Prime Minister gave me a damn good scolding.”
Shen Yuer was about to speak when Lin Nan grabbed her wrist.
“Tough skills but a sharp mouth,” Lin Nan’s voice was low but clear enough to drown out his taunts. “But I must warn Senior Brother Zhang—hitting people hurts.”
Zhang Qiming’s blade abruptly stopped spinning, his eyes dark and savage like a beast ready to pounce. “You’re quite sharp-tongued, little girl.”
“Right back at you.”
Lin Nan tugged Shen Yuer away, walking a few steps before turning back to glance at the skinny Dog by Shen Qingmei’s feet. “Shen Qingmei, your old dog doesn’t look too spirited. Why not learn a thing or two from Senior Brother Zhang? He’s pretty experienced at being a dog in the Prime Minister’s Residence—if you’re not ashamed to ask.”
Shen Qingmei’s face instantly paled, instinctively stepping back half a pace, eager to put distance between herself and the suddenly radiating murderous aura of Zhang Qiming.
Only after they were far away did Shen Yuer quietly ask, “I didn’t expect your mouth to be so venomous, Xiao Lin.”
The girl snorted.
“Even the most venomous lips must be sweet and soft when kissed, right? When will you let me try?”
She pinched Lin Nan’s arm and teased mischievously.
Lin Nan was about to retort but suddenly recalled Shen Yuer’s “I’m not a lesbian” remark, so she snorted again and teased back, “I’m not a lesbian, so don’t cling to me.”
The little girl covered her mouth and laughed, eyes sparkling like stars.
So cute, she thought.