Under Yu Xiaotang's lead, the Hehuan Sect group plunged straight into the southern Mist Maze Rift, a land shrouded in thick, swirling gray fog that clung to the jagged rock walls.
The moment they entered the rift's range, the light around them dimmed sharply, the sun becoming a mere pale smudge behind the heavy vapor. An odd force filled the air, one that felt like a heavy mental pressure that interfered with divine sense, even their sense of direction turning hazy and unreliable as the paths seemed to shift in the gloom.
That was exactly why Yu Xiaotang had chosen this place as a refuge for the weary group. The environment here was special and could severely weaken outside detection, acting as a natural shield against prying eyes. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator's divine sense would be heavily suppressed by the damp, soul-chilling mists.
Relying on the system map's precise guidance, she moved swiftly through the tangled canyons, her eyes tracking the glowing markers on her mental interface. She was searching for the most concealed hiding spot, a place where the mountain would offer its own protection.
She had to make sure the team was completely outside the range of any fallout from the possible Nascent Soul level battle raging behind them.
Granny Hua and Xue Shouren followed close behind, both of them tense, their hands hovering near their storage pouches as they scanned the fog.
They could clearly feel that after entering the rift, the terrifying fluctuations from the northwest had weakened a lot, yet that lingering sense of dread hadn't vanished entirely from their minds. They exchanged a quick glance, each seeing uncertainty and unease in the other's eyes as they navigated the narrow stone passages.
The team finally stopped inside an extremely hidden natural stone cave deep within the rift, its entrance obscured by a thick curtain of hanging vines. Yu Xiaotang quickly set up several simple concealment formations, placing spirit stones in specific nodes until the air hummed and then went still. They couldn't compare to the system's concealment halo, but they were enough to provide some cover against casual observation.
"Use the time to regulate your breathing and deal with your injuries," Yu Xiaotang ordered. Her voice was steady as ever, but anyone listening closely could catch a trace of fatigue and restrained anger beneath her calm facade.
The disciples immediately sat down cross legged on the cold stone floor, swallowed their recovery pills, and circulated their cultivation to heal the damage done by the demon bat.
Yu Xiaotang, however, walked alone to the cave entrance, her silhouette framed by the gray light. Her mind sank completely into the system panel, focusing on the shifting data.
On the system map, the crimson glow in the northwest was still blinding, and it was slowly shifting toward the southeast at a steady pace. The battle was still going, the spiritual signatures of the combatants clashing with violent intensity.
At the edge of the map, two high risk markers representing the Three-Headed Yin Python and the Gold Devouring Ant swarm had begun to flicker, moving little by little toward the center of the battlefield.
Clearly, those Nascent Soul level beasts had already been alarmed by the massive clash in their territory.
Once those ferocious creatures joined in, the situation would spiral completely out of control. The battle would become even more brutal and chaotic, and the affected area would expand dramatically as the beasts defended their land.
Yu Xiaotang's expression darkened as she watched the markers converge. Things were developing faster and worse than she had anticipated.
But at the same time, danger also meant greater opportunity for someone with the right tools. The more chaotic it became, the more likely it was for a fisherman to profit while others fought to the death.
Granny Hua and Xue Shouren exchanged another look, resolve and greed flashing through both pairs of eyes as they sensed the shifting power.
They stepped behind Yu Xiaotang, their footsteps silent on the damp earth. Granny Hua was the first to send a voice transmission, her mental voice vibrating with suppressed excitement. "Young Sect Master… the disciples are temporarily safe now. Judging from the battle, the treasure being contested in the northwest must be extraordinary. It's drawn several Nascent Soul Daoyou into a fight to the death, and it's even alarmed those fierce beasts."
Xue Shouren followed up, his voice carrying a hint of bloodthirsty excitement that matched his name. "That's right. This kind of muddy water is the perfect chance to fish. Both of us are mid stage Nascent Soul. If we work together and don't rush into the core battle zone, self-preservation shouldn't be an issue. If we seize the right moment, maybe… we can gain something from their wreckage."
They were tempted by the prospect of such a massive payout.
A chaotic battle among Nascent Soul cultivators meant heaven-defying opportunities that rarely appeared in a lifetime.
What they said wasn't wrong.
A Nascent Soul melee, especially one that could draw in Nascent Soul beasts, was a once in centuries event. The opportunities hidden within the fallen or the weakened were enormous.
The wealth of a Nascent Soul cultivator, even their Nascent Soul itself, was priceless to those of similar rank. Any of it could push their cultivation another step forward toward the next great stage. That was far better than waiting around here in a cave.
On top of that, they trusted their own strength and years of experience. Together, they truly had the capital to snatch chestnuts from the fire. Staying behind to protect a group of Golden Core disciples felt like a waste of their considerable combat power.
Yu Xiaotang turned around, her gaze sweeping over the two of them as they stood before her. She naturally understood what they were thinking, reading the hunger in their eyes.
Sending two Nascent Soul elders to scout had obvious benefits for her. They could obtain firsthand intelligence and possibly seize significant opportunities for her to claim later.
She needed resources to advance, and so did the Hehuan Sect. If they really brought back a major treasure, it would greatly help stabilize her position as the future leader.
Their strength was sufficient, and they were seasoned veterans of many life and death struggles. Even if they failed to get the treasure, escaping should be relatively easy for them. That clearly aligned with her interests.
As for herself, she could remain in the rear, using the system to monitor everything remotely and coordinate the bigger picture from a safe distance.
Even so, Yu Xiaotang still prepared for the worst possible outcome.
If the two of them failed and perished outside, she would lose her strongest bodyguards in the blink of an eye. In this perilous secret realm, her safety would drop sharply without their presence. Still, as long as she herself was safe, the Hehuan Sect wouldn't suffer a truly crippling blow that she couldn't recover from.
Thinking of the system map and the concealment halo, Yu Xiaotang made her decision.
"Alright," she said slowly, her voice as cool as ever. "You two can go scout, but remember three points."
Granny Hua and Xue Shouren straightened at once, their expressions becoming solemn. "Please instruct us, Young Sect Master."
"First, scouting comes first. Conceal your tracks and don't act unless absolutely necessary. Safety is above all else. Second, if things can't be done or you encounter an irresistible force, retreat immediately and don't linger in battle. Third…" Yu Xiaotang looked at them, her eyes narrowing.
"You must not expose our Hehuan Sect identity. If you have to act, disguise yourselves as loose cultivators or members of another sect to avoid future trouble."
"Yes, we understand," both of them replied in unison, nodding their heads. These rules were common sense to them as experienced cultivators.
Yu Xiaotang nodded, but inwardly she connected with the system interface.
"Is there any way to temporarily strengthen the hints on them, or plant a tracking mark?"
[Ding. You can temporarily consume points to apply a Loyalty Mark to targets. The mark's effect depends on the target's favorability toward the host, the cultivation gap, and the target's current mental state.]
[Target Granny Hua favorability: 78. Cultivation: mid Nascent Soul. Estimated effect: strong. Significantly increases command compliance and establishes a stable tracking link. Duration: approximately twelve hours. Cost: fifty points.]
[Target Xue Shouren favorability: 62. Cultivation: mid Nascent Soul. Estimated effect: average. Slightly increases compliance. Tracking link stability is lower, with a small chance of detection. Duration: approximately eight hours. Cost: fifty points.]
Seeing the system feedback, Yu Xiaotang's brows tightened almost imperceptibly as she considered the cost and the risk.
Granny Hua's favorability was decent, so the mark should work well on her mind.
But Xue Shouren's favorability had barely crossed the passing line. The mark's effect would definitely be weaker on him, and there was even a chance he would notice it if he grew suspicious. That old fox of a cultivator was always wary.
Still, there wasn't a better choice right now if she wanted to ensure they didn't wander off or betray her. As long as the mark worked, even a weaker effect would provide some restraint and tracking capabilities.
As for the risk of detection, as long as they didn't deliberately probe their own Primordial Soul with intense scrutiny, it shouldn't be a big issue. After all, the system's methods weren't comparable to ordinary techniques of this world.
"System, apply the temporary Loyalty Mark to Granny Hua and Xue Shouren," Yu Xiaotang silently commanded.
[Ding. One hundred points consumed. Applying Loyalty Marks.]
Two invisible, nearly undetectable fluctuations split off from the system's faint halo around Yu Xiaotang and silently merged into Granny Hua and Xue Shouren.
Granny Hua's body trembled slightly as the mark settled. A flash of confusion passed through her eyes before vanishing into the depths of her mind. When she looked at Yu Xiaotang again, the trust and obedience there seemed even firmer and more natural, as if following the Young Sect Master's orders was simply the way things should be in the natural order.
Xue Shouren's brows twitched almost imperceptibly, a momentary frown crossing his face. A trace of doubt flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by his own thoughts. He didn't notice anything specific, only attributing the strange sensation to a sudden shift in his mood or the cold air of the rift. His sense of awe toward Yu Xiaotang seemed to deepen a little, though it wasn't nearly as obvious as Granny Hua's transformation.
The marks were applied, and the difference in effect was immediately clear.