Later that evening, Lin Xue was escorted into the Inner Pavilion. Her eyes scanned the lavish hall, noting the velvet cushions, the sweet incense, and the odd tension in the air.
Other selected girls sat nearby, confused. One was already asleep, another looked dazed.
"Something's wrong here…" Lin Xue whispered, activating a technique Yuefeng had taught her.
A faint pink fog—barely visible to the naked eye—lingered around the cushions. Aphrodisiac mist.
Just as she was about to act, a mental message rang out.
> "Don't resist yet. I'm already inside." – Yuefeng
A few halls away, Jiang Yuefeng entered through the servant quarters, disguised by talismans and illusions. He moved silently, slicing through protective arrays and corrupt qi flows.
> [System: New Title Acquired – "Shadow Beneath Crimson"]
Passive Bonus: +20% Evasion in Enemy Territory
Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step (Lv. 1)
He found the core room—where Elder Yao Lian was preparing a ritual. At the center of the ritual altar, Lin Xue's image shimmered inside a crystal orb.
"She'll be perfect… ripe with yin essence," the elder whispered.
Yuefeng had seen enough.
He stepped from the shadows. "You talk too much."
> [Host has initiated combat!]
Battle Boost Activated
Cultivation temporarily boosted to Late Qi Condensation
Bonus: +15% Yin Resistance
Yao Lian spun. "Who—?"
"Her master."
Lightning erupted from Yuefeng's palm, striking the orb and shattering the altar.
Lin Xue, sensing the burst of qi, struck down her escort and broke free. She dashed toward Yuefeng's position, sword drawn.
Together, master and disciple stood side by side.
"Let's burn this den," Yuefeng said coldly.