I've been following this douchebag the whole day, but nothing came out from my efforts. Did he notice me? I never stalked someone before; maybe I am too obvious...

"Hey! You've been acting the whole day suspiciously."

Stare... Stare... Stare...

"Are you listening?"

Stare... Stare... Stare...

With a sudden slap on the back of my head, and I nearly spit the rice in my mouth.

"What's wrong with you!" I exclaimed as I face Lou Yi. I felt like crying.

"I should be the one asking that question. You've been staring at elder Go this whole time..."

"Wha- what are you talking about...I didn't do such a thing!!" I let out a nervous laugh.

Is she reading my mind?

"Stop pretending otherwise. I already caught you red-handed, so why are you staring at elder Go?"

"You won't believe me even if I told you," I said slowly.

"Okay, I won't ask any further, but make sure you won't make any trouble."

"......." I am speechless.

I could only think: Yes, Ma!

I ignore her and return to my dinner.

I realized that being subtle is not my strong point, and I've been too careless. I need to erase my presence or something when stalking someone.

When tailing someone, I should be calm and clear-minded. I should slow my breathing and reduce my heartbeat. This will help conceal my existence. I must blend into my surroundings, and most of all, I must not draw attention to myself.

It's easier said than done. The invisibility technique is what I need right now. Curse that old man...

For the time being, practicing how to erase my presence is a must. It's time to check the library for some guide.

The next day I scour the library for tips on how to tail someone and how to erase one's presence.

I also need to see if there is a blueprint or at least a map of the sect. It will be a great help if I'm familiar with the sects layout. However, I doubt it will be readily available since it's sensitive information.

The library is enormous, and hundreds upon hundreds of scrolls can be found. The scrolls are not only limited to cultivation related topics. There are also scrolls about stories, poems, maps, history, and other literary works.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

They are also divided into works written by cultivators and works written by mortals. It would take a lot of time to navigate through this maze of scrolls. Thankfully, the library also has the tablet searching thingy.

Before my break ended, I was able to pick only two scrolls. One is about a meditation technique. Which at first, I thought it to be a cultivation technique, but I was gravely disappointed. While the other is about espionage.

I know there might be better ones, but these are the best I could get with the time I got.

The meditation technique teaches how to slow the heartbeat. This will make movements like breathing and walking won't produce any sound. Espionage, on the other hand, is synonymous with spying, which I'm trying to accomplish.

These scrolls occupied my time the whole day. I needed to squeeze it into my daily training and cultivation.

Tonight, I am going to try what I learned.

Sneaking out of the "dormitory" is easy. I don't need to suppress my heartbeat because the chorus of snores will drown any noise I will produce. What posed to be a problem are the scattered limbs along the way.

I exited the room then I proceed to the hallway. I started my meditation to slow down my heartbeat, preparing to sneak to the immortal cave of elder Go.

My daily meditations helped me to quickly enter a meditation state. Gradually my breathing slows down together with my heart rate. I can no longer hear the hammering beat of my heart. I waited for a few more minutes until I can barely feel my pulse.

Success!

If this is my previous body, having this prolonged heart rate is impossible. I could be either dead or close to dying.

I carefully stride out of the hallway and can barely hear my footsteps. I don't know the logic behind this technique, but I'm surprised it works. Thankfully, because the scroll about espionage is total trash. It talks about things I don't even understand.

The sect's defenses are almost impregnable (almost...), so there's no need for guards to patrol around. This makes it easier to sneak around. But of course, I still can't raise any ruckus if I don't want the elders to wake up and attack me or something.

Elders of the sect have their immortal caves for them to do their stuff. My mission tonight is to find which immortal cave is elder Go. I borrowed it down to the lower level caves since elder Go is just a "small fry" elder of the sect.

Immortal caves are found outside of Gold Peak. That's why I needed to sneak out from the gates, which are guarded by some members of Bronze Peak. They are there really as guards, only ones who sound the alarm if intruders ever get in.

With my newly learned skill, I was able to sneak out from the gate's side door interestingly left open. The "guards" are totally bored, so they are playing some gambling games.

Everything went smoothly, and I'm able to scout where elder Go immortal cave. I watch for half an hour to see any activity outside of the cave. In the end, I became too sleepy to continue with my surveillance, so I went back.

If you're wondering how I found his cave, it's because nameplates are located at each cave. While I'm at it, I just want to clarify that "cave'" is not a cave but a luxurious building built on the sides of the mountain.

The next night I continued with my spy work. Like the last time, slipping out of the gate is a breeze. I found myself back at elder blank's cave in no time. I circled the cave to see any activity while maintaining a safe distance.

It's been a few hours already, and yet nothing came in came out of the cave. This time I persevered even with my sleepiness. I reckoned it's already around midnight and the lack of activity made me decide to call it a day... or night?

As I about to trace my step back, I noticed movements from the cave's entrance. As expected, elder Go came out of his cave. Fortunately, I am at a safe distance as a hide behind a bush.

Elder blank strolled without care like he is walking in the park. It is the complete opposite of what I expect.

I followed him from a safe distance making sure to employ the meditating technique I learned. From what I can deduce from the direction he is walking in, he will probably jade peak.

This discovery spawned many questions in my head, but I choose to put them at the back of my head. I need to focus on the task at hand.

When he arrived at the base of Jade Peak, he started picking up the pace.

When I was about to follow, suit an invisible force prevented me from moving. I'm starting to panic, and I've been found out! Cold sweat drenches my back as I struggle to break free.

A dark haze appeared at the corner of my eyes, but as much as I want to turn my head to look at it, I can't!

I'm scared, but it's nothing that I can't control. I muster my Qi in the hopes to break free when a cold voice sounded next to me.

"Stop struggling; I'm not here to hurt you."

Her tone is cold, but I don't feel any hostility behind it.

"I don't know if there something wrong with your head."

I failed to retort back, helplessly.

"You're seeking death! If you continue to tail someone with more profound cultivation than yourself. Leave!"

I can barely hear her last word. After a few seconds of silence, I regained my ability to move.

Her words are reasonable, and I know for a fact that everything she said is right, but I am tired of being scared. I also hate people telling me what to do.

I waited for a few minutes to make sure she's genuinely gone then I start to follow elder Go to Jade Peak.

Who could have thought that a blade abruptly cut through me?

"If you value your life, stop being stubborn. This is my last warning."

She whispered these words draining the color on my face.

I fondle my body to check for missing parts; thankfully, everything appears to be at the right places. After sighing in relief, my robes fell, leaving me naked. The robe is cut right down the middle.