Si Tianyong had always considered himself cunning enough — maybe even vicious when needed.But that brat Wang Jianqiang?He'd just been outplayed.
Completely.
Not only did Wang Jianqiang hold proof in his hands, he'd even recorded Si Tianyong's two separate attempts at destroying the evidence.
If this matter continued to spread, not only would Wang Jianqiang come to no harm, but the sect — eager to preserve its reputation for fairness and integrity — might actually reward him, just as Mu Yutong had said!
That thought alone made Si Tianyong's chest ache with frustration.
A Nascent Soul cultivator… schemed against by a newly-built Foundation nobody!
Outside the sect, he could have snuffed the boy out with a breath.
But within the sect walls?Everything had to follow the rules.
He could bend them. Twist them. Even break them — so long as no one saw.But not like this, not publicly.
He inhaled slowly, then exhaled.Again.And again.It took several breaths before the fury burning in his chest was finally forced down.
His eyes glinted coldly as he stared at Wang Jianqiang."Boy," he said, his tone low and sharp, "you'd better pray you never fall into my hands."
"Otherwise…"
A flicker of killing intent flashed in his gaze.
Then, without another word, he looked toward Shangguan Yurou and Mu Yutong, gave a cold snort, and vanished into thin air.
As Si Tianyong departed, both Shangguan Yurou and Mu Yutong visibly relaxed.
"Greetings, esteemed seniors."
Wang Jianqiang stepped forward and bowed respectfully."Thank you both for upholding justice for this junior."
Mu Yutong chuckled softly."If you must thank someone, thank Lingxi. Were it not for her pleading, I wouldn't have bothered offending Si Tianyong for your sake."
Before Wang Jianqiang could respond, Mu Lingxi muttered from the side, "Come on, Auntie, you and Si Tianyong never got along anyway. Who are you trying to fool?"
The little brat!
Mu Yutong nearly cursed aloud.
But her face stayed perfectly serene, as if she hadn't heard a word.She turned back to Wang Jianqiang."Since this matter's settled, I won't linger."
She shot Mu Lingxi a glare so quick it could cut glass — and disappeared.
"Master, what brought you here all of a sudden?"
Yan Qingxuan's voice came from nearby as she landed beside Shangguan Yurou.
"It was your senior sister who sent me a message," Shangguan Yurou said, giving Wang Jianqiang a long, meaningful look.
A moment later, a voice quietly echoed in his mind.
"Wang Jianqiang, I already know everything between you and Dong Yue."
Wang Jianqiang's heart skipped a beat.
Then her calm voice continued within his consciousness.
"Your talent in alchemy truly is exceptional. Thank you for helping Dong Yue refine the Minor Creation Pill."
Ah… so that's what this is about.
He froze for half a second.
Seeing his expression, Shangguan Yurou smiled faintly, thinking she'd guessed his thoughts, and spoke again through divine transmission.
"Don't worry. As Dong Yue's master — and someone who stands with her and Yan Qingxuan — I won't reveal that you can refine second-tier perfect-grade pills."
Wang Jianqiang coughed lightly and nodded, keeping his face composed.
After that short exchange, Shangguan Yurou turned and left as well.
But before departing, she sent one final sound transmission to Yan Qingxuan:
"Qingxuan, this boy holds great importance for our lineage. From this day forth, you are to protect him from the shadows.""Guard him day and night. Do not allow even the slightest harm to befall him."
Yan Qingxuan blinked, momentarily stunned — then, realizing his value as an alchemy prodigy, she understood.
"I'll take my leave as well."
Once Shangguan Yurou was gone, Mu Lingxi waved a quick goodbye to Wang Jianqiang and hurried off.
After all, she had just received her Perfect Foundation Pill and was about to enter closed-door cultivation when Wang Jianqiang's distress call arrived.Now that he was safe, her mind was already back on her impending breakthrough.
As for Wang Yuyao, her injuries were still serious. She simply greeted Wang Jianqiang briefly before leaving to heal.
Soon, only Wang Jianqiang and Yan Qingxuan remained.
Seeing that she didn't intend to leave, Wang Jianqiang was slightly puzzled.
He smiled and said, "Elder Yan, thank you for your help today."
Yan Qingxuan gave him a half-smile, half-sneer."Help? I didn't even do anything. You're just brushing me off, aren't you? You're a practical old fox, aren't you?"
Wang Jianqiang chuckled. "Now, Elder, that's not fair. It's not that I was brushing you off — it's that two seniors had already stepped in. And besides, who said my gratitude was insincere?"
"You were the final to appear — the grand finale! My thanks to you are the most heartfelt."
"That's more like it."
Yan Qingxuan gave him a sideways glance, then said, "Come. I've got something for you."
With a wave of her hand, the world blurred.
Before Wang Jianqiang realized it, they were soaring through the air — and moments later, they descended before a quiet courtyard surrounded by misty bamboo.
"This," Yan Qingxuan said, pointing at the courtyard, "will be your residence in the Inner Sect."
Her words made Wang Jianqiang pause.
That's right — his transfer order!
Normally, once an outer disciple broke through to Foundation Establishment, a transfer order would arrive within three to seven days.
But he'd been in the Foundation realm for quite some time now.Why hadn't his come?
Seeing his confusion, Yan Qingxuan smiled slightly.
"No need to worry. Your transfer was approved long ago."
"But the orders for promotion from the Outer Sect to Inner Sect are handled by the External Affairs Hall. Your order is likely still with your Senior Sister."
Wang Jianqiang's expression cleared.
He remembered that he and Dong Yue had been rather… busy recently — using a certain "special method" to improve his alchemical control.
She probably didn't want to interrupt that progress, so she had deliberately held onto his paperwork.
Thoughtful, as always.
Then Yan Qingxuan spoke again.
"Once you're officially an Inner Sect disciple, your Outer Sect residence will be reclaimed. If you left anything behind, you have three days to go fetch it."
Wang Jianqiang nodded.
"And take these."
With a sweep of her sleeve, three jade slips floated before him.
"This one is the Dragon's Cry Ancient Bell Diagram. This is Soul-Forging Art. And this— a fragmentary Ancient Pill Recipe. All obtained when I won that wager outside the Cold Pool Secret Realm."
"I only won thanks to you. So these are yours."
She paused, then produced two more jade slips.
"These contain the Explosive Force Technique from the Zhengyang Sect, and the Sword-Nurturing Art from the Myriad Sword Gate. Copies, of course — not originals. They won't carry the full artistic essence, but for a Foundation cultivator like you, they're plenty."
Five jade slips in total hovered before him.
Wang Jianqiang's eyes lit up.With a grin, he waved them into his storage pouch.
Then he looked up and scratched his head."Ah… Elder Yan, this seems like a lot. How could I accept all this?"
Yan Qingxuan rolled her eyes and tossed him a jade token.
"This is the key seal to open your courtyard's gate."
And before he could reply—
She vanished.
Wang Jianqiang thought she'd simply left.
He didn't know that, from this moment onward, he had gained a shadow.
A constant, unseen guardian —his personal bodyguard.