Ah Mo lifted the thin sheet of paper to the candlelight, her fingertips trembling slightly.
"Spirit-Breath Dispersing Powder: take three drops of Snake Heart Vine sap, mix with Evening Primrose ash… can seal a cultivator's spiritual power for three hours…"
She silently recited it three times, making sure every word was engraved in her mind. Then she held the paper to the flame. The fire licked the corner, curling it into ash, and a faint thread of smoke rose, twisting into eerie shapes in the dim room.
"A drug that seals spiritual power?"
Ah Mo stared at the ash, brows furrowing. Was it meant to guard against enemies, or… to guard against her?
For the next few days, she went into the city every day to scout.
The Hehuan Sect's search grew stricter with each passing day, even questioning female cultivators house by house. Meanwhile, Xie Zhaolin never stepped outside, soaking herself daily in medicinal baths, her aura growing sharper and more intimidating.
On the morning of the fifth day, Ah Mo carried a bamboo basket into the southern market and instantly sensed something was wrong. The once-bustling market was unusually quiet. Vendors huddled in whispers, glancing nervously toward the street entrance. She crouched at a rouge stall, pretending to examine powders.
"You picked the wrong day, girl," the stall mistress whispered, her voice tense. "The Hehuan Sect's Young Master Yu came personally. They're searching house by house."
Ah Mo's fingers froze. "Searching for what?"
"Shhh—" The woman darted her eyes around in panic. "They say they're looking for a female cultivator, but didn't say what she looks like, only…" She abruptly stopped, her gaze fixed behind Ah Mo.
Ah Mo looked up.
A group of young women in pale pink gauze robes approached, their steps unhurried. At their head walked a girl of seventeen or eighteen, as beautiful as a painting. A delicate string of silver bells hung at her waist, chiming softly as she moved.
"Everyone, don't panic." Yu Xiaotang's voice was as gentle as flowing water. "Has anyone seen a female cultivator acting strangely these past days?"
The crowd stayed silent. She smiled helplessly, then threw out a baited hook.
"Anyone who provides useful information can enter my Hehuan Sect's outer gate. But if you can directly identify her…" Yu Xiaotang's red lips curved. "You'll be promoted straight to the inner gate."
The market exploded in uproar.
Ah Mo's grip tightened on her basket handle, her knuckles pale. She lowered her lashes to hide the storm in her eyes.
Yu Xiaotang kept speaking, but all Ah Mo could hear was the roar of blood in her ears.
Xie Zhaolin's black spiritual power swirled in her mind. Normal cultivators' power was clear and bright. Even demon cultivators' was only a dark red. But this pure black…
"An evil cultivator? Or something even worse?"
Every great sect treated evil cultivators with one rule: better to kill wrongly than to let one slip.
"Inner gate disciple…"
Yu Xiaotang's promise echoed in her ears. Ah Mo's fingers unconsciously stroked the paper hidden in her sleeve.
"Spirit-Breath Dispersing Powder, capable of sealing spiritual power for three hours."
If Xie Zhaolin really was an evil cultivator, that medicine would force her to reveal her true form before Hehuan Sect. If she was only a traitor, Ah Mo could still exchange her for freedom, maybe even rise in one step.
"But… was Xie Zhaolin truly only an evil cultivator?Hehuan Sect's inner gate disciple? Heh, more likely anyone who identified her would be silenced the next moment."
A cold light flickered in her eyes. She knew these so-called righteous sects all too well. They never cared for truth, only for appearances.
Ah Mo rubbed the paper in her sleeve, her gaze flashing. She'd have to gamble, but not with her life.
Hehuan Sect's promise might be tempting, but she had to ensure her own survival first. If she led them straight to Xie Zhaolin, she'd be dead before she took a second step. After all, to a great sect, a mortal who knew too much was nothing but a liability.
Her lips curved into a faint smile, calculation glinting in her eyes. If she first stripped Xie Zhaolin of spiritual power, her own tricks might be enough to restrain her. Then she could tie her up and negotiate with Hehuan Sect on her own terms…
Get benefits first, give them the location later, then vanish before they realized it.
As for that "poison pill" Xie Zhaolin once forced her to swallow?
She never believed it.
Would someone like Xie Zhaolin waste a precious poison pill on a mortal? Most likely, it was just an ordinary qi-nourishing pill meant to scare her. Her gaze swept toward the corner herb stall. She was missing only one final ingredient for Spirit-Breath Dispersing Powder.
"What do you need, girl?" The old vendor squinted at her.
"Evening Primrose ash." Ah Mo slid a few copper coins forward. "The old folks at home have rheumatism."
He didn't doubt her, just wrapped the powder and handed it over.
…
By the time Ah Mo returned to the small courtyard, the sunset was casting golden light over the old well. She set her basket down and pretended she was fetching water for laundry, lowering a wooden bucket into the well.
"This water's gotten murkier lately," she muttered, but her eyes flicked to the west wing. Xie Zhaolin's window was half open, a shadow moving faintly inside.
She let the rope squeal loudly against the stone as the bucket lowered. When it touched the water, she bent down quickly, slipping her fingers into a familiar crack in the well wall.
The damp moss brushed her fingertips. She felt it—the Snake Heart Vine. The purple-black vine was still intact. With a twist of her wrist, she slipped it into her sleeve. The wax-sealed vine dripped well water, soaking into the fabric in a dark patch.
"Ah Mo."
The sudden voice behind her made her hand jolt. She turned calmly and saw Xie Zhaolin standing under the eaves, wet hair hanging loose. She'd clearly just finished another medicinal bath.
"Immortal Master." Ah Mo bowed quickly. The Snake Heart Vine pressed against her skin inside her sleeve, icy cold.
Xie Zhaolin's gaze lingered on her damp sleeve. "The well water's cold. Go boil some hot water."
"Yes." Ah Mo nodded and turned to leave, when—
"Wait."
Her heart clenched tight, her steps freezing.
"Was there any new commotion in the city today?"
She adjusted her expression in a blink, turning back with respectful calm. "Reporting to Immortal Master, Hehuan Sect's Young Master Yu came herself. They're searching house by house." She added deliberately, "She said she'll personally capture the one they're after."
"Yu Xiaotang?" Xie Zhaolin's tone stayed indifferent. "And what did she say?"
Ah Mo lowered her head. "Those who provide clues may enter the outer gate. But those who directly identify…" she hesitated, "…can be promoted straight to the inner gate."
"Alright. I know."
The courtyard fell silent. But Ah Mo could still feel Xie Zhaolin's gaze weighing on her.
"Immortal Master…" She hesitated, then said softly, "I'll go prepare dinner."
Xie Zhaolin gave a faint nod. "Go."
In the kitchen, Ah Mo moved silently. With a small press of her fingers, the wax seal on the Snake Heart Vine split open. Three drops of purple-black juice slid down her fingers and fell into the porridge without a sound. She didn't pause, just pinched up a little Evening Primrose ash and rubbed it between her fingers. The gray powder scattered into the porridge, blending without a trace.
A quick stir, and even the dark color faded completely. Her movements were smooth, steady, as if she were only seasoning food. Even her breathing never faltered.
"Immortal Master, dinner's ready."
She carried the porridge out, her voice calm, setting the bowl gently before Xie Zhaolin. She placed side dishes with practiced ease, her every motion respectful and composed.
"Today's porridge smells good," Xie Zhaolin remarked casually.
Ah Mo kept her gaze lowered. "I added some fresh-picked wild greens." She didn't glance at the porridge once.
The porcelain spoon stirred lightly. Xie Zhaolin raised her eyes, looking at the girl who stood with her head bowed. Slowly, she lifted the spoon toward her lips…