**Chapter“27: Entering the Inner Sect is Just Around the Corner!**

Liu Mei looked coldly at Xie Gui, who was writhing on the ground, gasping for breath. A look of disgust flashed across her face.

"How revolting. I wonder what kind of pleasant dream he's having!"

Impatiently, she waved her hand, pushing Xie Gui farther away. His moaning, which had been deceiving others, stopped.

Yet Xie Gui remained oblivious, still lost in his dreamlike state, his face showing an expression of ecstasy. Clearly, he hadn't woken up from the illusion.

Liu Mei's eyes landed on the golden pouch in Xie Gui's clothes, and a slight smile crept up on her lips as an idea formed in her mind.

"This foolish self-deceiver might actually be useful. Perhaps I can use him to test my theory."

On the other side, Lin Fengmian stared dumbfounded at Chen Qingyan, unsure of what was happening.

Chen Qingyan merely smiled faintly as silence enveloped them. Her smile carried a trace of mockery.

She pulled out several small flags and, with a flick of her hand, inserted them neatly around the cave.

In an instant, the surrounding noise was completely blocked out, leaving a deathly silence.

Noticing Lin Fengmian's confusion, Chen Qingyan explained softly, "This is a sound-blocking array, commonly used to prevent eavesdropping."

"I see. Immortal techniques are indeed extraordinary," Lin Fengmian realized.

Chen Qingyan suddenly grew curious and asked, "You seem to have some talent in swordsmanship, don't you?"

Lin Fengmian didn't deny it and answered quietly, "It's a family tradition. After all, who hasn't dreamed of roaming the world as a sword-wielding hero?"

Chen Qingyan's eyes brightened momentarily before dimming again. She murmured softly, "Roaming the world with a sword, huh?"

She pulled out a longsword from her storage ring and tossed it to Lin Fengmian. "This sword is only a mid-tier spiritual weapon, but it should be sufficient for you. You can discard that wooden sword now."

Lin Fengmian was both surprised and overjoyed as he caught the sword. The blade was entirely blue, exuding a faint aura of spiritual energy and looking quite impressive.

In this world, magical treasures were divided into several grades: spiritual tools, magic tools, immortal tools, and divine tools. Each grade was further classified into upper, middle, lower, and top-tier.

Though this sword was only a mid-tier spiritual tool, it was more than adequate for Lin Fengmian. Especially since it was a gift from Chen Qingyan, it felt even more precious.

Thrilled, Lin Fengmian expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Senior Sister Chen."

Chen Qingyan nodded indifferently and said no more, turning to lie on her side, presenting him with an alluring view of her back.

"Rest early."

Lin Fengmian, however, couldn't sleep. Whether it was because he was too excited about being with his crush or because he felt unsafe in an unfamiliar environment, he spent the entire night tossing and turning.

Far from acting like a beast, he was more worried about what Chen Qingyan might do to him.

But in the end, neither of them acted like beasts at all.

Having not slept well, Lin Fengmian was exhausted the next morning, yawning continuously.

Chen Qingyan, noticing his tired state as she got ready for the day, asked curiously, "Didn't you sleep well, Junior Brother?"

"Not really used to it," Lin Fengmian muttered to himself. With such a beautiful woman beside me, how could I possibly sleep well?

After washing up, the two stepped out into the courtyard, where they found a pale-faced Xie Gui and an even more radiant and charming Liu Mei standing next to him.

Liu Mei glanced at Lin Fengmian before giving Chen Qingyan a resentful look, gritting her teeth.

"Hmph, I thought you were bold. Turns out you're just pretending!"

Chen Qingyan, however, remained unfazed, her expression cold as if she hadn't been the one playing games with them.

Xia Yunxi, seeing Lin Fengmian looking tired but not severely drained, let out a sigh of relief.

Lin Fengmian smiled at her and nodded, and she returned the smile.

Other disciples watching from the sidelines were seething with jealousy. "Shameless! Eating from one bowl while eyeing another."

Liu Mei scanned the group and said indifferently, "Everyone rested well, right? Let's continue. We need to reach the nearest town today, or we'll be camping out in the wild."

Everyone agreed in unison and followed her out of the cave.

On the way, Lin Fengmian couldn't help but glance at Xie Gui, who was pale and seemed to be having an existential crisis. He almost burst out laughing.

He approached Xie Gui and teased, "Congratulations, Brother Xie, on your advancement. You'll be entering the inner sect in no time."

Xie Gui glared at him, muttering under his breath, "We're all in the same boat!"

If I die, you won't be far behind. These demonesses will suck you dry eventually.

"Brother Xie, given your rapid progress, I'm sure you'll enter the inner sect before me," Lin Fengmian replied with a sly smile.

Xie Gui had no response. He simply couldn't understand how Lin Fengmian had managed to stay unscathed.

Could his body really be that strong?

Unaware of what Xie Gui was thinking, Lin Fengmian was happily admiring the sword Chen Qingyan had given him, examining it over and over.

Liu Mei glanced at the sword casually and chuckled, "Junior Sister Chen is quite generous."

Chen Qingyan remained indifferent, responding calmly, "What do you mean, Senior Sister? I don't understand."

Liu Mei snorted but let it go, changing the subject. "There's something strange about Xie Gui."

"Oh?" Chen Qingyan asked.

Liu Mei, seemingly amused by her own thoughts, covered her mouth and chuckled, "He's been wary of us the whole time and has been trying to communicate with others along the way."

"It seems he's noticed something's wrong. What do you plan to do, Senior Sister?" Chen Qingyan inquired.

"The usual. I've had my fill; this time, it's your turn," Liu Mei replied meaningfully.

Chen Qingyan gave a nonchalant "Oh" and said nothing more.

Liu Mei's eyes glimmered with a strange light as if plotting something.

After flying for an entire day, the group finally spotted a small black city.

Lin Fengmian, having endured yet another grueling day of flight training, was feeling dazed.

"Senior Sister, is that our destination?"

Pale-faced, Lin Fengmian stood behind Chen Qingyan, this time not daring to cling to her for fear of being thrown off again.

"No, our destination is farther away. We're just stopping here to gather some supplies," Chen Qingyan explained.

"There are other cultivators in this city, so once we enter, don't wander off and avoid provoking anyone you shouldn't," Liu Mei warned.

Lin Fengmian felt a shiver run down his spine, but then a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

Other people? Maybe there's a chance to escape!

But as soon as he thought of how calm Liu Mei seemed, he realized this was likely still within the Hehuan Sect's territory and lost his courage.

The group landed outside the city and entered on foot. The city was bustling, with carriages and pedestrians everywhere, lively and vibrant.

But when they arrived at their so-called base, Lin Fengmian was speechless.

It turned out to be a brothel, filled with beautiful women, reminiscent of another branch of the Hehuan Sect.

The girls inside greeted Liu Mei with utmost respect, "Miss Liu."

Liu Mei nodded indifferently, leading the group to the back courtyard, where they seemed to be checking accounts and retrieving some items.

It appeared this was part of the Hehuan Sect's human world operations—a fitting match for their "specialty."

Lin Fengmian finally understood why they didn't recruit anyone from here.

After all, even rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrow, and any suitable candidates had likely already been recruited long ago.