Chapter 86: You’re Absolutely Adorable!

Niu Ling turned his attention to Gao Jin and his group, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"And you," he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "You insignificant insects... what is your purpose here? Speak quickly, before I decide your lives aren't worth sparing."

Gao Jin trembled under the weight of Niu Ling's oppressive aura. "Y-Young Master, w-we failed our mission. We..." His voice quivered, trailing off as fear overtook him.

"What?!" Niu Ling's voice thundered, reverberating through the room like a clap of wrathful thunder. "Give me a valid reason for your failure!"

Gao Jin gulped, his legs barely holding him upright. "Y-Young Master, we couldn't find that rat. We searched every corner of the Outer Rim for a month, then combed the outskirts of the Whispering Grove. But we found nothing. Instead, we encountered a terrifying mid-ranked Demonic Soldier Beast and suffered a devastating defeat. I even... I even lost my hand in the process."

Niu Ling's cold eyes narrowed. "And why does this severed hand of yours look like it was cut clean by a sword?"

Gao Jin's heart skipped a beat, but he had prepared for this question. "Young Master," he began, steadying his voice, "the beast was a Wind-type elemental creature—an Ironclaw Direwolf. Its Wind Slash attack cut my hand clean off." He feigned a look of pain and remembrance, as though reliving the harrowing moment.

Niu Ling's gaze remained fixed on him for a long, tense moment before he finally spoke. "I see. If it was an Ironclaw Direwolf, that's plausible."

From the shadows behind the throne, Ning Shao silently observed, her sharp eyes noting every subtle movement. Something's off, she thought. They were clearly panicked when the Shadow Recording Stone appeared. Their breathing quickened, their hands fidgeted, and their legs shifted nervously. They're hiding something.

She hesitated, weighing her options. Should I use Memory Reading or Soul Search on them? The thought lingered for a moment before she let out a quiet sigh and dismissed it. Why should I waste my efforts on these fools—or Niu Ling, for that matter? If he died, I'd probably be the happiest person alive.

Her eyes glinted with quiet resentment as she continued to muse. If I weren't forced to serve him, I wouldn't so much as glance in his direction. Besides, Memory Readers and Soul Searchers are rare and exorbitantly expensive.

She clenched her fists briefly before her thoughts turned elsewhere. Xue Taiyang... you owe me for this.

Niu Ling's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Whatever. That sneaky traitor must've anticipated the search and hidden himself well in the forest. He wasn't one of the sect's most talented disciples three years ago for nothing. But now? He's just a worthless has-been."

Gao Jin shuddered at the mention of Xue Taiyang, his thoughts racing. The greatest genius of the sect... Hah! I remember the rumors from when I joined.

Three years ago, he made history in the Supreme Dao Sect as the youngest to ever reach the Peak Stage of the Qi Solidification Realm at just fourteen—a feat even Empress Mao had only achieved at fifteen.

However, his brilliance was short-lived. Not only did he stagnate, unable to advance even a single stage over the next three years, but his cultivation began to regress at one point, causing him to fall from the sect's brightest star to its greatest failure.

But even as Gao Jin reassured himself of Xue Taiyang's downfall, an icy chill crept down his spine as he recalled the overwhelming, oppressive power of the Dark Sword Aura.

I didn't believe those rumors before, but… could it be? Has the sect's greatest genius truly returned? The thought sent a wave of dread through his entire body.

Niu Ling, oblivious to Gao Jin's internal turmoil, waved his hand dismissively. "You don't need to concern yourselves with that traitor. For now, focus on Yang Lie. I've heard he'll be venturing into the mortal world in a few days—an ideal chance to strike. Coordinate with Min Shing and accompany him. If you succeed, your failure here will be forgiven, and you'll be rewarded."

Gao Jin and the others immediately bowed, their voices tinged with both relief and gratitude. "Understood, Young Master. We are deeply grateful for your mercy."

Without wasting another moment, Gao Jin and his group bowed deeply, then quietly left the room.

As they disappeared from sight, Niu Ling's expression twisted with frustration. Yang Lie... He's becoming a thorn in my side. If he's allowed to grow, he'll be the greatest obstacle to Young Master Zhen Xie's plans—especially if he uncovers who's truly behind everything.

His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening as his thoughts seethed with anger. Yang Lie, your time is running out.

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Under the serene veil of night in the Outer Sect, Reon was immersed in his closed-door cultivation, his focus unwavering as he delved into the profound mysteries of the Bladesong of the Silver Moon Sword Technique. Seated in deep meditation, his aura exuded a quiet intensity.

Not far from his abode, perched gracefully on the rooftop of another, a veiled girl observed him silently. Her luminous, light blue eyes shimmered with crystalline white flecks, resembling stars caught in an icy sky.

Cascading down her back, her long, silky hair glowed with a mesmerizing icy blue hue, as if spun from the essence of winter itself.

Though her veil concealed her features, the ethereal charm she radiated was undeniable—a celestial beauty, like a fairy descended from the heavens.

A soft smile graced her lips as she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible yet filled with warmth, "Senpai, you're working so hard. You're absolutely adorable."