Chapter 94 On the eve of departure, undercurrents surge

The finalization of the core positions was like dropping a boulder into a seemingly calm lake, stirring up ripples far beyond expectations. Within the Xuanyun Sect, latent factional tensions were brought to the surface due to Ye Li's strong selection and the apparent setback suffered by Zhan Kuangfeng's faction, and a sense of impending storm thickened in the air.

In the Yundan Peak courtyard, Ye Li didn't let up even a little after securing a spot. She knew full well that Situ Kuang and his faction would never give up. The overt competition had come to an end, but the hidden battle had truly begun. These five days of preparation were destined to be turbulent.

Sure enough, that afternoon, Sun Xiaohou sent the first piece of urgent intelligence through Youge's most secret channel:

"Pavilion Master, Elder Tu Li of Zhan Kuang Peak (the one who spoke in the hall) secretly met with several unidentified foreign cultivators. Their auras were cold and gloomy, and they were suspected to be from the demonic sect. Afterwards, Shi Long and several of his confidants frequently entered and exited the sect's secret vault and the War Preparation Hall, exchanging them for a large number of one-time attack talismans and several high-grade defensive spiritual artifacts, far exceeding the requirements of conventional exploration."

Ye Li's eyes chilled as she read the information on the jade slip. Exchanging excessive amounts of offensive and defensive supplies could be interpreted as a cautious act; but secretly contacting unidentified outsiders was a sinister act. This Situ Kuang was indeed deeply connected to external forces. She feared that within the ruins, she would face not only the dangers of the ruins and competition from other sects, but also the deadly influence of "their own people."

"Continue to monitor, but be careful. It's better to lose than to be exposed." Ye Li replied, reminding Sun Xiaohou to be careful. The opponent was an old fox who had lived for countless years and was extremely vigilant.

Soon after, Lin Feng also reported back. Using Ye Li's now-extraordinary authority, he had reviewed seemingly unrelated sect mission records and supply flow accounts, discovering that over the past six months, Zhan Kuangfeng had spent several large amounts of contribution points, with unclear identification of the purpose, handled by individuals who were Situ Kuang's closest confidants. These contribution points were enough to support a small war.

"They are hoarding resources, and their intentions are not small." Lin Feng analyzed, "Besides targeting you, Pavilion Master, I'm afraid they have even bigger plans."

Ye Li pondered for a moment and replied, "Organize these doubts into a book and send an anonymous copy to Elder Yan of the Law Enforcement Hall. Don't expect to bring down Situ Kuang, but at least you can give him some trouble and make the sect leaders alert." This is an open conspiracy. Even if no substantial evidence can be found, it can restrain Situ Kuang's actions to a certain extent.

After processing all this information, Ye Li began to calmly prepare for her exploration. She first visited the sect's warehouse. Using her core disciple status and a large number of contribution points, she exchanged a sufficient amount of high-level Qi-restoring pills, the healing elixir "Shengsheng Zaohua Pill," and several powerful fourth-tier talismans, such as the "Genjin Armor-Breaking Talisman" and the "Xuanbing Wanli Talisman." She also received a set of standard exploration equipment, including a formation-breaking cone, poison-avoiding beads, and a spirit-detecting compass.

Returning to the courtyard, she set about strengthening her equipment. After countless battles and increasing cultivation, the Black Ice Sword was no longer able to keep up. She extracted star gold from the meteorite ruins and some elite cold iron from the northern borders, igniting the earth's fire to re-temper the blade. In the process, she experimented with infusing a hint of the fundamental coldness tempered by the Samsara Mirror and subtle spatial fluctuations. The newly formed Black Ice Sword was not only sharper and harder, but also possessed a faint star pattern and an elusive spirituality, its quality faintly touching the edge of a spiritual weapon.

She further optimized the Small Zhoutian Star Array, inlaying several high-grade spirit stones as backup energy sources, greatly increasing its sustained combat capability. She also repeatedly practiced the Mysterious Ice Shield technique, striving to create a shield with a single thought.

Just as she was immersed in the preparations, a slight fluctuation came from the formation outside the courtyard, and a communication talisman flew in, with a cold and familiar breath - it was Qin Yixiuan.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly and activated the formation. A graceful figure in white quietly appeared in the courtyard. It was Qin Yixuan. She seemed to have just finished training or was preparing for something. Her aura was more harmonious and profound, clearly not wasting the past six months.

"Senior Sister Qin." Ye Li rose to greet her, her tone calm. After their battles together in Blackwater City and the clash at the Northern Territory Competition, the tense hostility between them had largely dissipated, replaced by a subtle peace based on mutual recognition.

Qin Yixuan nodded slightly, her cold gaze sweeping over the traces of weapon refining that had not yet completely subsided in the courtyard and the talisman materials on the table, and said bluntly: "It seems that Junior Sister Ye is quite well prepared."

"The ruins are dangerous, so it's better to be prepared." Ye Li asked her to sit down and poured her a cup of tea. "Senior Sister Qin, are you visiting me now because of the ruins?"

Qin Yixuan took the teacup but didn't drink from it. Her slender fingers gently stroked the cup wall. After a moment's silence, she said, "Indeed. The Ice Soul Profound Palace is extraordinary. According to the ancient records of my Bishui Pavilion, there is an extreme cold restriction in its core area that cannot be broken by ordinary means. Our pavilion's skills are compatible with the properties of this place, so we may have a slight advantage."

She paused, then looked at Ye Li with a clear and frank gaze. "Of course, opportunities often come with risks. From what I know, in addition to the disciples from various sects who are out in the open, there might be some... uninvited guests sneaking in. Demonic forces like the Tiansha Sect and the Black Demon Valley will definitely not miss this opportunity. There might even be something even more secretive going on."

Ye Li's heart skipped a beat. Could the "more hidden existence" Qin Yixuan was referring to be related to the "reincarnation-related matters" that her master had warned her about, as well as the "shadow demon" that Situ Kuang had colluded with? She said calmly, "Senior Sister is well-informed. But I wonder what her plans are?"

This is a test, but also a possibility for seeking cooperation.

Qin Yixuan seemed to see through her thoughts and said calmly, "My Bishui Pavilion will do its best to seize this opportunity. However, if we encounter some extraordinary danger or... a common enemy in the ruins, it is not a bad idea to temporarily join forces."

She didn't make a clear promise, but the words "temporary alliance" made her stance clear. This was a cooperative intention based on rational judgment and recognition of strength, not involving the sect's stance, but only concerning her own safety and maximizing her own interests.

Ye Li smiled slightly and raised her teacup: "Senior sister, you are absolutely right. If we really encounter such a situation, joining forces is indeed the best option. At that time, I hope that senior sister will take good care of me." She also did not say anything complete, but accepted this potential alliance.

The two teacups clinked lightly in mid-air, making a crisp sound. There were no vows, no contracts, but an invisible tacit understanding was established between the two. This might be one of their most important safeguards in this perilous ruin.

"Also," Qin Yixuan put down her teacup and added casually, "I've noticed that Junior Sister Ye's cultivation method is extremely cold and yin, which is quite compatible with the environment of this Xuan Palace. My Bishui Pavilion has a technique called 'Xuanshui Huabing Jue'. Although it's not a core inheritance, it is quite effective in guiding and utilizing extremely cold environments. Perhaps it will be of some help to Junior Sister Ye."

As she spoke, she took out a light blue jade slip and placed it on the table.

Ye Li was slightly startled. She hadn't expected Qin Yixuan to offer a technique. While the "Mysterious Water Transforms Ice Art" might not be of high rank, its philosophy and techniques were exactly what she needed. This favor was truly significant.

"Sister, this is a generous gift. Ye Li is deeply grateful." Ye Li accepted it without any hypocritical refusal. This gift, to some extent, also represented Qin Yixuan's sincerity towards this potential cooperation.

"You're welcome. It's a matter of mutual benefit." Qin Yixuan stood up. "See you at the entrance to the ruins in five days. I hope everything goes well for Junior Sister Ye."

After saying this, she didn't stay any longer, her white clothes fluttering, and she left quietly like she came.

After seeing Qin Yixuan off, Ye Li clutched the still-cold jade slip, her mind churning. Her relationship with Qin Yixuan was evolving in a peculiar way. From initial rivals to potential allies, there was a subtle admiration and tacit understanding. She couldn't predict where this relationship would lead, but for now, the benefits outweighed the risks.

She gathered her thoughts and began to comprehend the Mysterious Water Transformation Art. Sure enough, some of the methods for transforming and guiding extremely cold spiritual energy gave her new insights into the application of the Youhuan Emperor Scripture, and she felt more confident about the upcoming trip to the Xuan Palace.

While Ye Li was actively preparing for battle, the atmosphere in Zhan Kuangfeng's secret room was gloomy.

Elder Tu Li reported with a grim expression to Situ Kuang, who lay on the cold jade couch, still weak, "Sect Master, that little bitch Ye Li is extremely wary, making it difficult for our people to approach. Moreover, she seems to have had contact with the girl from the Bishui Pavilion..."

Although Situ Kuang was seriously injured, his eyes were still sinister and vicious. He said in a hoarse voice, "It doesn't matter... The ruins are the best place to act... The envoys of the 'Shadow Prison' have already made arrangements... As long as she enters the core area... she will be unable to escape... And that thing... we must get it..."

A trace of awe and enthusiasm flashed in Tu Li's eyes: "Don't worry, Master, everything has been arranged. Shilong knows what to do."

"Hmph... Xuan Chengzi, Mu Yun... You want to train her? I'm determined to let her die in an ice cave!" Situ Kuang's eyes were filled with resentment.

On the other side of Xuantian Peak, in the Law Enforcement Hall, Elder Yan looked at the anonymous records about the unusual flow of resources from War Crazy Peak. His brows furrowed, and he finally sighed and sealed the records. "These are troubled times... I hope nothing catastrophic will happen."

Five days passed in a flash.

When dawn fell again, fifty energetic disciples had already assembled at the Xuanyun Sect's mountain gate square. Lay Buddhist Muyun, dressed in a simple Taoist robe, stood at the front of the group, his gaze sweeping over them, lingering for a moment on core disciples like Ye Li and Leng Ning.

"Set off!"

Following the order from Master Muyun, a sect warship that was larger and had denser runes than ordinary flying boats slowly rose into the air, carrying the hopes and ambitions of the Xuanyun Sect. It turned into a stream of light and sped towards the northern ice field, towards the mysterious and dangerous ancient ruins - Bingpo Xuan Palace.

Inside the cabin, Ye Li stood by the window, looking at the mountains and rivers rapidly receding beneath his feet, his eyes calm and determined.

Bingpo Xuan Palace, here I come. Whether the path ahead is an opportunity or a trap, a friend or an enemy, I will overcome them all!