The Grand Sect Elder spoke. "There is a mountain on the borders of our sect's territory called Crimson Shadow Mountain. It is a resource-rich area, home to a rare spiritual stone called Scarlet Spirit Crystal. There is an untapped vein of these Scarlet Spirit Crystals and the Scarlet Demon Sect has recently sent their sect disciples to this area, turning it into a battlefield for the sect's prodigies."

Meng Lin nodded slowly, processing his words. "And my role?"

The Grand Sect Elder leaned back, his aged voice steady. "You just need to join the group of sect disciples on the Crimson Shadow Mountain to secure it. We've sent both your senior brother Wu Dao and senior sister Luo Mei there as well, the Scarlet Spirit Crystals are useful for Soul Wondering Realm disciples so you should go there."

Meng Lin’s brows furrowed slightly. "I understand. I will ensure the mountain is secure."

The Grand Sect Elder gestured dismissively. "Good. You may leave now. You can proceed immediately If you are prepared."

Meng Lin bowed deeply to both men before retreating from the hall, her mind digesting with the information given to her.

As Meng Lin left the grand hall, her thoughts churned as she ascended into the sky, heading toward her quarters to prepare for the task ahead.

Her spiritual consciousness remained active as she flew, noting the increased activity around the sect. Groups of disciples hurried between courtyards, and there were a lot less disciples around.

After using the teleportation formation to arrive at the pavilion mountain, Meng Lin went straight towards her villa, noting how empty the mountain felt.

She discovered a restrictive barrier on some areas of the mountain, the 12 pagodas on the other side of the mountain were blocked off by a barrier and even the jade library was blocked off as well.

She couldn't help but wonder the reason for that.

After entering her villa, she quickly checked the whole villa, making sure everything was fine before she entered the alchemy room, there she began to sort her things before taking out a map of the sect’s territory.

After looking through it she realized that the Crimson Shadow Mountain stood at the southeastern edge of the sect’s territory, a place very close to the Luo Kingdom.

The kingdom notorious for its ambiguous stance toward sects, often fostering subtle alliances with rogue and demonic cultivators and even the Scarlet Demon Sect.

Setting the map aside, Meng Lin closed her eyes and began to meditate, setting aside all her thoughts.

***

Early morning of the next day Meng Lin left the sect, ascending once more into the sky, heading toward the Crimson Shadow Mountain at the sect's borders.

The morning sun shone around her as she flew steadily through the skies, the sect's imposing mountains fading behind her.

Her thoughts were calm yet focused, her spiritual energy flowing steadily as she headed towards her destination.

After nearly an hour of flying at a relatively fast speed, the rugged mountain range of the Crimson Shadow Mountain came into view.

shrouded in a faint red mist that carried an air of tension and hostility, the mountain was gigantic, its steep slopes covered in dense foliages of giant trees.

Meng Lin landed at the prearranged meeting point at the base of Crimson Shadow Mountain. Wu Dao stood waiting in a concealed glade, surrounded by a small group of sect disciples. His figure was as steady as ever, his robes faintly shimmering with protective formations.

“You’re here,” Wu Dao said, nodding in acknowledgment.

Meng Lin inclined her head. “Senior Brother Dao”

“This isn’t the real location for our operation,” Wu Dao replied. “Follow me. We’re heading to a more secure place.”

Meng Lin followed as Wu Dao led the group up a winding path cloaked in mist. The dense grass around them muffled their footsteps, while faint traces of spiritual energy became more pronounced as they climbed higher. After a while, Wu Dao stopped before a jagged wall of rock.

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He raised his hand and channeled spiritual energy into the stone, revealing a shimmering portal. “This way,” he said, stepping through.

Meng Lin stepped after him, entering a breathtaking cave system that led them to a wide valley hidden deep within the mountain.

The spiritual energy there was rich and abundant, nourishing vibrant plants that glowed faintly in the dim light. Streams of liquid qi trickled through the area, and at the center of the valley stood an intricate formation carved on the ground.

Standing near the formation was Luo Mei, her green robe gleaming in the soft light of the garden. She exuded an air of calmness, her expression unreadable as her gaze fell on Meng Lin.

“You’re finally here,” Luo Mei said, her tone even.

Meng Lin nodded in greeting. “What’s that?" pointing towards the formation.

Luo Mei opened her mouth, but decided not to ask the questions in her mind, she answered. "A double formation, we're trying to carve I teleportation formation on top of this Concealing Barrier Formation, it's designed to conceal our presence and protect us from external detection."

Unfurling a map inscribed with the layout of the mountain she continued. “We’ve scouted their positions overnight. The Scarlet Demon Sect has fortified three key areas: the southern ridge, the central camp, and the northern cliff. They have a formation barrier around all three areas, the core of which is heavily guarded in the central camp.”

Wu Dao, who had been standing silently, added "We’ve already lost several scouts who attempted to gather intelligence near their camps. We’ve sent out messages to see if we can communicate but no response, so It’s clear they are preparing for a full-scale assault on our territory."

Meng Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Then we need to strike first."

Luo Mei nodded, her calm expression resolute. "Exactly, we've come up with a plan."

Wu Dao said "The plan is simple. Luo Mei will stay here to protect the garden and take control of the formation, if anything happens. I’ll lead the disciples to attack the barriers of the southern ridge, drawing their forces away. Meng Lin, you infiltrate the central camp and destroy their teleportation formation core. Once it’s down, we take care of the rest.”

Meng Lin studied the map intently, noting the layout of the enemy’s positions. “isn't that teleportation formation inside of the formation barrier, how do I get inside"

Luo Mei replied “we have a barrier disturbing talisman, once it's used, It will lead them to think that we are heavily attacking them on one side, they will definitely send their strongest forces to that area, leaving their main camp less guarded"

“Their strongest is Zhao Ren and Yin Xue, both peak Soul Wandering Realm cultivators, we intend to lead both with Senior Brother Dao."

Wu Dao's expression remained calm. “I’ve faced them before. It might be taxing, but I can handle them."

Wu Dao continued. “if they decide to send all their forces on us then we retreat slowly, until you are able to destroy their teleportation formation.”

Meng Lin nodded. “alright, I'll take care of the teleportation formation.”

Luo Mei spoke, her tone softer than before. “Be careful, the Scarlet Demon Sect won’t hesitate to send reinforcements if they sense trouble.”

Meng Lin offered another nod. “I understand.”

Luo Mei nodded, her gaze turning to the group of disciples around them, "does everyone else understand the plan."

The disciples nodded in unison, their expressions serious. Wu Dao glanced around, ensuring everyone was ready before setting out with the half the disciples.

***

High within the rugged terrain of Crimson Shadow Mountain, four young cultivators gathered in a large tent. The flickering lanterns cast shadows on their youthful faces as they discussed their next move.

Zhao Ren, tall with sharp features, wore a simple black robe, his eyes cold and calculating. "How are the preparations on your sides?" he asked, his voice low and cold.

Li Jiu, a man in an indigo robe answered, his hands clenched at his sides. "Everything’s ready. We should strike now, no more waiting."

Yin Xue, standing quietly at the back, with sparkling yellow eyes spoke, her voice calm. "Patience, Jiu. Rushing in without a plan is foolish. We need more information first."

The last girl, lounging casually with a playful smirk, wore a deep violet robe. Her black hair framed her face as she stretched lazily. "But he's right, you two are so serious. Let's just attack. We’ve got numbers, we’ve got power."

Zhao Ren’s gaze shifted "not yet, do you guys have any information on this new disciple that joined their group."

"Meng Lin was the name, right?" Li Jiu asked, arrogance coloring his tone. "Who is she? Why should we care?"

Yin Xue raised an eyebrow, her glimmering yellow eyes thoughtful. "She’s a core disciple of the Soul Shattering Sect, I think she's someone with a special physique, their so-called seventh Luan Soul."

Mei Ling, the lazy girl sat up, her interest piqued. "Her? This sounds more interesting. Wasn't she in the Foundation establishment realm when that news spread, I doubt she'll make any difference here"

Zhao Ren’s expression darkened. "I don’t have many details, but i know she was able to instantly kill junior brother Zhang Wei. She’s unpredictable, and we can’t afford to take her lightly."

"She's the one who killed Zhang Wei?" Li Jiu’s eyes widened, his previous arrogance quickly turning to disbelief. "That little.... If she could take him out so easily, she must be more dangerous than we thought."

Yin Xue’s yellow eyes glimmered with curiosity. "That rumor was true then, however to kill someone like Zhang Wei easily, she has to at least be at the peak stage of the Gold Core Realm."

Zhao Ren crossed his arms, his gaze hardening as he thought. "That's the problem, we don't know how strong she is, if she were at the late or even peak stage stage of the Soul Wondering Realm then..."

Li Jiu scoffed, brushing his indigo robe as he spoke. "She’s just one person. We’ve handled worse, we have two peak stages here. I say we stick to the plan and crush them with our numbers."

Yin Xue gave a small shake of her head. "It’s not about numbers this time, Jiu. If we attack recklessly, we might end up walking right into a trap. We need a solid strategy before we engage."

Mei Ling’s lips curled into a smile, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. "How about we test the waters first? Send a few of us in to provoke them. If she’s as strong then she’ll show up soon enough. We’ll see what she’s really made of."

Zhao Ren considered her words, his eyes dark with calculation. "That’s not a bad idea, I..."

Suddenly, the flap of the tent was thrown open, and a young disciple rushed in, his face pale with urgency. "Senior Brother Ren! Enemy attack—" he panted, struggling to catch his breath. "They're attacking the barrier of the southern ridge! They’re there!"

The tent fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere shifting immediately. Zhao Ren’s gaze sharpened, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a steely intensity. "How many?"

The disciple swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "A full force—there are dozens of them. They’ve caught us off guard!"

Li Jiu’s hands clenched tightly into fists, his anger flaring. "So they wanna strike first," he muttered, his voice edged with frustration.

Yin Xue stepped forward with a slight shake of her head. "No. Rushing into a confrontation without knowing their full strength would be a mistake. We need to hold back and understand their position first."

Mei Ling, reclining lazily against a post with a playful smirk, spoke with her usual nonchalance. "Patience again, huh? Well, I’ll just hang back here and wait, just in case they decide to pop in for tea." Her tone oozed sarcasm.

Zhao Ren's eyes flicked from Mei Ling to the disciple, his expression darkening. "Gather your team and track them. Make sure we get a full report on their numbers and positions. We can’t afford to make a rash move."

The disciple nodded quickly, bowing before turning to leave.

As the flap of the tent closed behind him, Zhao Ren suddenly reached into his robe, taking out a talisman glowing faintly, it was a message talisman.

After reading it, he let out a slight laugh and turned to the group, his tone now sharp and commanding. "This changes everything. We can’t waste any time. Since we have Intel, we move out. And when we do, we’ll crush them." He continued with a smile. "I have a plan."