As spring gave way to summer, the blazing heat took the place of soft comfortable and cool winds, with the sun now casting a relentless glare overhead. At least the lighting was good for reading.

Song Song and I navigated the bustling roads of the outer Sect, feeling the warmth intensify with each step. The air was thick with the scent of sun-warmed earth, and the distant hum of sect activities faded as we approached the quieter, more solitary path leading to the gate outside the Sect.

I had a book in hand, reading as we walked. It was from the second floor of the outer sect library—a detailed explanation of the confusion array. Often, when someone used a technique or an array, they didn't need to know exactly what was happening, how it worked, or what the technique was doing in every minute detail.

The best comparison would be to using a computer. Most people knew how to operate one, but only some understood the finer details of how the computer performed its functions.

However, I had to admit that the book's explanations were lacking. What did phrases like "cloud the mind" even mean? I wanted specifics, not metaphorical nonsense.

As we approached the gates, a group of blue-robed inner disciples and a handful of Core Elders were already there. Despite our early arrival, some people seemed even more punctual than us.

Once we got closer, I glanced over the book and counted the gathered disciples.

As the disciples laid eyes on Song Song, the previously boisterous and unruly clamor abruptly quieted, and the air of shouting dissipated. A profound and weighty silence fell upon the assembly, enveloping everyone present. Although the loud voices ceased, a low murmur persisted; the crowd's whispers wove through the stillness, their words cautious and respectful.

Despite the presence of Core Elders in the distance, they seemed more wary of Song Song than of them. In a way, it made sense—Song Song was more likely to kill someone without warning. Even though she had calmed down, her reputation remained notorious.

After counting all the disciples, I began assessing those who might be dangerous to us.

The first person who caught my eye was Ye An. She wore a medical-white eyepatch over the eye Song Song had skewered. Though she still looked somewhat pretty, the once-perfect luster she had was gone. Scars now marred her face.

Despite being surrounded by people who supposedly supported her, Ye An looked lonely. Her lone eye was fixed on Song Song, but the hatred I expected to see was absent. It seemed all the fire she once had had drained away.

I glanced at Song Song to see if my leader was jealous of Ye An, who now possessed what she once had. My Song Song smiled widely, looking at everyone as if waiting for a reason to attack. She paid no attention to Ye An's supporters.

"It seems the ice bitch has broken through to Foundation Establishment," Song Song whispered, sounding ecstatic. She really had it out for Ye An.

I used to have it out for Ye An too. In a way, I still hadn't forgiven her for that one time she tried to kill me. But right now, she looked like a sorry figure. I wouldn't interfere with her if she stayed out of my way.

The last person I was looking for was the one most likely to cause trouble, but Hu Jin was nowhere to be found.

Had heaven's favorite really missed out on an opportunity like this? Despite his abnormal luck, even he had to follow some logic, and there were rumors he had gotten into trouble.

But then again, when was Hu Jin ever out of trouble?

I waved at my cousins and walked toward them. People made way for Song Song, and I smiled as we drew closer.

"It seems like you guys found some spots for yourselves too," I said, casting a silencing array around us—a second instinct whenever I spoke with someone.

Liu Bo gave a thumbs up. "Of course, we have our own connections."

"He means to say that Lady Qian has her own connections," the ever-strict Liu Heng corrected. "It was her master who got us these spots. Though very little information has leaked, it seems like this might be a big haul."

"You will be an asset on this expedition," Liu Qian spoke softly. She usually didn't say much, but when she did, it was often important. "I heard from my master that you already had a spot reserved. The Sect wants to showcase you as the next great intellectual, which has already brought the Liu Clan much honor. My father said your grandfather threw a feast when he heard about it."

Did even people from the Liu Clan learn these things before me? I should try harder to keep an ear to the ground and listen to more rumors. As for my grandfather, he was dramatic as always, nothing strange there.

"That is good," I said. "By the way, can we use the Falling Moon Claw technique freely on this mission?"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Of course," Liu Qian nodded. "We already have an excuse prepared. Even if you had used it before, no one would have investigated you..."

Her gaze drifted toward Song Song, the reason no one would dare investigate me about anything.

"Anyway, what are the rumors I've been hearing about Hu Jin?" I inquired.

"Hu Jin?" Liu Bo tilted his head, confused.

"The red-haired guy who's with Elder Zun Gon," Liu Heng clarified before turning to me, his dark eyes staring directly into mine as he frowned. "Last I heard, he got into a fight with a Core Elder."

That guy was really targeting the high-rollers. That was bound to cause trouble even for a Core Elder like Zun Gon.

That's what happens when people are too lucky, and conflicts always go their way. They often become arrogant. Hu Jin was a conflict-seeker.

"Qian, how many do you think I can kill before the Core Elders react?" Song Song asked my female cousin.

Liu Qian was quiet for a moment, but she remained calm. Her dark eyes glanced at me before focusing on Song Song, then at the other disciples.

"Depends," she answered in a whisper-like voice. "If you target Foundation Establishment Cultivators, you'll kill fewer. But if you go for Qi Gathering Cultivators, you could kill anywhere from four to ten."

"Stop scaring people, Song Song," I told her. Thankfully, the silencing array was still active, so no one heard what she said. But a few people grew pale, likely because they could read lips.

"What? It was just an honest question," Song Song defended herself.

Before we could resume our nonsensical argument, an eerie and familiar presence approached the gathering. It wasn't so much the feeling of someone approaching as the unsettling absence of any sensation that accompanied him. This lack of the usual cues—Qi, footsteps, the rustle of clothing, even the subtle shift of air—made his presence profoundly creepy, as if he moved within a bubble of silence.

It was Song San, accompanied by a dark-cloaked figure wearing a mask split down the middle—half black, half white. Song San's companion reminded me of those secret agents of the Sect Leader. I couldn't sense him either.

This pretty much confirmed that the "hiding presence" thing had to be a technique, one that only a handful of people knew about.

"Hopefully, something will happen along the way that will occupy the Core Elders. I'm definitely killing him if I get the chance," Song Song stated, her gaze fixed on her brother.

"Cool it with the bloodlust. We're here to gain resources or other valuable things from this opportunity, not to kill people," I reprimanded Song Song.

She frowned and turned toward me, her deep blue eyes locking onto mine. Her gaze was a mix of inquiry and intensity that seemed to probe the very core of my thoughts, stirring a silent conversation between us that transcended words.

"You know, you're the servant and supposed to follow my commands. But if an outsider were to look at us, it would seem the opposite," Song Song stated in a chillingly cold tone.

The tension in the air thickened. I could feel the nervousness emanating from my cousins. Each shift and shuffle, each hesitant glance they exchanged, only added to the charged atmosphere of their collective anxiety.

"Lady Song, my cousin meant no offense by that," Liu Qian quickly interjected, standing up for me.

Seeing that she was willing to defend me was nice, but it was unnecessary.

"I handle the strategic side of things. We already have too many enemies; don't go making more of them," I reprimanded her again. My cousins winced at my words, glancing at Song Song as if expecting her to explode in rage at any moment.

But contrary to their expectations, Song Song approached me and pinched my cheeks.

"Speedy is much cuter than you and never argues back," she huffed.

"If he could speak, I bet he would have a lot to complain about."

Eventually, she let go of my cheeks and returned to her habit of creepily staring at people.

"All bark and no bite," I muttered under my breath, fully aware that Song Song could hear me. She chuckled but did nothing more.

We might have played around a lot more if it had been just the two of us, but we had company—a company that would take any chance they could to cut us down.

After a while, more people joined us, and then the Core Elders led us outside the Sect's walls.

"Everyone, take out your flying swords," commanded one of the Core Elders, a man with red cheeks and a beak-like nose. "We're going flying. If you fall behind or fall off and can't keep up, just return to the Sect."

After making his declaration, he reached into his storage ring and withdrew a large sword. The weapon had a pristine white handle paired with a striking red blade. With practiced ease, he leaped onto the flat of the blade and began to float effortlessly above the ground.

That action was the cue for everyone else to draw their own flying swords. I followed suit, grasping my own—a pale, milk-white sword adorned with a red ribbon fluttering from its end. This was my personal flying artifact, a gift from Song Song.

Mounting our swords in unison, we responded to the elder's call. Levitating off the ground, we formed a spectral procession behind the red-robed Core Elders, our figures slicing through the sky with surgical precision. The sight of all the disciples aloft on their swords was nothing short of fantastic. Together, we resembled a flock of birds, each member moving in perfect harmony.

The vast expanse beneath me unfolded as I looked down—the greenery, the forests in the distance, and the mighty marble-white walls of the Blazing Sun Sect. While we flew, I reached out and ran my fingers through the soft clouds—though they weren't as fluffy as they appeared, leaving me with nothing but a wet hand.

Where there might have once been fear of heights or anxiety, I now felt a sense of unparalleled freedom. It was as if the very notion of fear had dissolved, replaced by a buoyant, thrilling release that coursed through my veins like electricity.

Here, suspended between the blue sky above and the green earth below, I felt a realm of pure wonder.