: Covert Struggle, Hidden Edges, Xuanlin Falls into a Trap

The crisp sound of metal clashing had not yet faded in the dense forest when Zhou Kun's body fell heavily onto the decaying leaves, his unwilling eyes wide open—he had never imagined that he would die at the hands of a pawn abandoned by a man in blue.

Meanwhile, deep within the shadows of the dense forest, two invisible forces were quietly clashing, their killing intent surging without making a sound.

The old sorcerer's green eyes were fixed on Shen Lingxi, his fingertips trembling slightly as he spoke with resentment and apprehension: "Bai Xuan, I didn't expect it to be you protecting this girl. I miscalculated."

Opposite them, Elder Bai Xuan, dressed in a plain-colored elder's robe, possessed a concealed yet extremely intimidating aura. He spoke calmly, "Wu Heng, retreat immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite."

The old sorcerer named Wu Heng showed no sign of backing down. "Today's harvest is quite substantial. A rare talent for a sword seal master, and even rarer, a talent for burning luck spells. Hahaha..."

Burning the power of incantations?

Bai Xuan frowned upon hearing this. He naturally knew that Shen Lingxi was a once-in-a-century sword seal master, and his mission had always been to protect her. But could the burning power of the incantation that Wu Heng mentioned be the abandoned child in green?

"Very well, Bai Xuan, it's been a long time. Let me see if your Guixuan Sword has improved at all!"

The duel was conducted in secret from beginning to end, without revealing any trace—their level was beyond the reach of Xiao Yunsheng and others.

In the arena, Lin Yue witnessed Zhou Kun being killed by a single sword strike, and was already terrified out of his wits.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Yue turned and fled into the depths of the dense forest, not even bothering to pick up the longsword that had fallen to the ground!

"Trying to run away?"

Xiao Yunsheng's eyes turned cold, and he chased after Lin Yue like a gentle breeze. He was several times faster than Lin Yue and in an instant, he blocked Lin Yue's path, with the Flowing Cloud Iron Sword held against his neck.

Lin Yue froze in terror, his legs went weak, and he pleaded in a trembling voice, "Xiao... Xiao Yunsheng, you... you dare to slaughter your fellow disciples!"

"Is there any point in saying all this now?" Xiao Yunsheng said, pointing to Zhou Kun lying on the ground in the distance.

"You!" Lin Yue was both shocked and angry. He knew Xiao Yunsheng would really do it. "Junior Brother Xiao, let's talk this out. Don't kill me. Senior Brother Zhao ordered us to do it..."

"Heh, letting you go isn't impossible." Xiao Yunsheng's tone was indifferent, and he slightly tightened his sword, leaving a shallow bloodstain. "But you're also one of the team leaders, so you should know some inside information that I don't, right?"

He knew that Lin Yue couldn't possibly know too many core secrets, but it would be helpful to find out some rumors that only the direct descendants of the Red Robe Clan knew.

Lin Yue quickly said, "I... I don't know much! I just heard that this year, compared to previous years, the sect sent out more than three times the number of exploration teams because... the Qilin Altar has appeared!"

Qilin Altar?

Xiao Yunsheng's eyes darkened slightly. He didn't know what the Qilin Altar was, but it might be a breakthrough.

Xiao Yunsheng slightly lowered his wrist, and the sword was about to pierce Lin Yue's throat. Since there was no more useful information, he decided to eliminate the threat completely!

"stop!"

Shen Lingxi shouted urgently, stopping Xiao Yunsheng.

"You've already killed Zhou Kun. If you kill him too, it will be extremely detrimental to both of us if word gets out."

Qin Feng and Li Yan also stepped forward, looking troubled. If Xiao Yunsheng made another move, they would have a hard time explaining themselves to their sect.

"Xiao Yunsheng, Junior Sister Shen is right. Let him live," Qin Feng advised, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Our top priority right now is to leave here as soon as possible."

Xiao Yunsheng remained silent for a moment, observing the anxious expressions on their faces, before slowly sheathing his longsword.

"Get out!" Xiao Yunsheng said coldly. "Go back and tell Zhao Jinghong that if he comes again, I won't show any mercy!"

Lin Yue felt as if he had been granted a pardon and fled in a disheveled state toward the outer edge of the dense forest.

With the crisis temporarily averted, Qin Feng immediately turned to Shen Lingxi: "Junior Sister, Yan Yu Mountain was far too dangerous this time, with the Witchcraft Clan causing trouble. If you continue deeper into the mountain, and something unexpected happens, we won't be able to explain it to Master. Let's go back to the sect."

Shen Lingxi gently shook her head: "No, I can't go back. I must go see the Qilin Altar that Lin Yue mentioned earlier!"

Her secret entry into the mountains was not impulsive or for fun; her mother was currently suffering from a curse, and she had to find a way to save her in Yanyu Mountain!

Qin Feng and the other man wanted to persuade her further, but Shen Lingxi stopped them by raising her hand: "You two go back first. I can take care of myself."

Seeing this, the two could only nod helplessly: "Since we are ordered to protect you, how can we go back first? Since Junior Sister is determined to go forward, let's see how things go as we go."

Afterwards, they sent away the injured yellow-robed disciples behind them, leaving only Xiao Yunsheng, Shen Lingxi, Qin Feng, and Li Yan on the scene.

"Let's go," Shen Lingxi said first, her gaze fixed on the depths of the dense forest.

Xiao Yunsheng nodded slightly and took the lead. Qin Feng and Li Yan stood guard on either side of Shen Lingxi, constantly watching for any movement around them.

Along the way, the number of ferocious beast skeletons increased, and the chilling aura in the air grew stronger.

After traveling for an unknown amount of time, a turbulent river came into view. The water was dark black, and a thin white mist hung over its surface. On the riverbank stood an ancient stone tablet with three powerful characters engraved on it: Xuanlin Ferry.

"Is this Xuanlin Ferry?" Shen Lingxi murmured softly as she stood before the stone tablet.

Just then, an aged yet dignified voice came from the shadows of the ancient trees by the river: "Miss Lingxi, stop here."

Everyone's expression changed drastically, and they quickly turned to look. They saw an old man dressed in a plain-colored elder's robe slowly emerge from the shadows. He had a gaunt face, deep eyes, and exuded a powerful aura—it was Elder Bai Xuan, who had previously fought with Wu Heng in secret.

"Elder Bai Xuan?" Shen Lingxi asked in surprise.

Elder Bai Xuan bowed slightly: "This old servant greets Miss."

Qin Feng and Li Yan also quickly bowed and greeted Elder Bai Xuan.

Xiao Yunsheng nodded slightly, looking calmly at Elder Bai Xuan.

Bai Xuan's gaze fell on Shen Lingxi: "Miss, the river ahead is called the Xuanlin River. It is a natural barrier of Yanyu Mountain. If we cultivators with higher cultivation levels step into the river, it will trigger the backlash of our inner curse, and our cultivation will be completely destroyed!"

He paused, then continued to persuade, "Yanyu Mountain is too dangerous, and the Qilin Altar is even more fraught with hidden dangers. You should heed my advice and come back to Liuyun Sword Pavilion with me. Pavilion Master Shen is already extremely anxious to learn that you have secretly entered the mountain."

Shen Lingxi shook her head, her eyes still resolute: "Elder, I cannot go back!"

Seeing this, Bai Xuan felt helpless, but knowing Shen Lingxi's temperament, he could only sigh, "Fine, this old servant can't persuade you. Since you insist on going forward, this old servant will wait for your return here at Xuanlin Ferry, Miss. Please be careful!"

Having said that, Bai Xuan turned his gaze to Xiao Yunsheng, his eyes filled with a meaningful look. He handed the Guixuan Sword to Xiao Yunsheng and slowly said, "Boy, not bad! If you were to wield the Flowing Clouds Three Forms with this old man's sword, its power would be even greater!"

Xiao Yunsheng was taken aback, not knowing why Elder Bai Xuan had given him the sword.

Bai Xuan smiled and said, "Take it, you can use it! I'm entrusting Miss Lingxi's safety in the mountains to you!"

Xiao Yun Sheng hesitated for a moment, then took the Gui Xuan Sword: "I will do my best!"

His tone was calm and flattering, which earned Bai Xuan's admiration.

Elder Bai Xuan said no more, and with a flicker of his figure, he disappeared into the shadow of the ancient tree.

Shen Lingxi took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Yunsheng, Qin Feng, and Li Yan: "Let's cross the river, but be careful."

The three nodded and followed Shen Lingxi, carefully stepping into the Xuanlin River...

They carefully made their way across the Xuanlin River and set foot on the land on the other side.

Just as they regained their footing, the ground beneath their feet suddenly trembled slightly. Then, the surrounding white mist suddenly thickened, enveloping the four of them completely, instantly obstructing their vision, and even the figures of those around them became blurry.

"Not good, it's the Mysterious Toad Illusionary Array!" Qin Feng shouted sharply. As soon as he finished speaking, he felt his spiritual energy suddenly become stagnant, as if it were being suppressed by something!

Li Yan's expression also changed drastically: "It's the Jade Toad Sect!"

Xiao Yunsheng's heart sank. He tried to mobilize his internal energy, but found that it was as if it were frozen and could not flow!

Before the four could react, several figures quietly emerged from the white mist. Dressed in black, with a ferocious jade toad pattern embroidered on their robes, they were disciples of the Jade Toad Sect, the mortal enemies of the Heavenly Palace Sect.

Bai Xuan's figure flashed across the Xuanlin River. The Jade Toad Sect had also come to wade into the muddy waters of Yanyu Mountain...