A Web of Secrets

Lu Chen stood in silence at the cave, the torch light casting shadows across Gu Tianying's calm expression.

The words had already been spoken.

A core disciple of the Azure Sky Sect had just roped him into a dangerous scheme, offering both an opportunity and a threat.

Lu Chen had no choice but to accept, but acceptance didn't mean submission.

"I'll do what you ask," Lu Chen finally said "But if I'm going to work for you, I need to know one thing first."

Gu Tianying raised an eyebrow "Oh? And what would that be?"

"What exactly am I looking for?" A simple question.

But it carried heavy implications.

If there was a power struggle within the sect, if core disciples were moving in the shadows, it meant that the Azure Sky Sect was not as stable as it appeared.

And in a world where strength dictated survival, Lu Chen needed to know which side he was walking into.

Gu Tianying regarded him for a long moment, then, to Lu Chen's surprise, the core disciple laughed.

"Smart," he said, nodding. "Very smart, as expected of a survivor, you're cautious. I like that."

Gu Tianying's expression shifted, becoming more serious.

"Here's what you need to know, for the past few months, strange things have been happening within the sect. Disciples disappearing, cultivation techniques going missing, forbidden arts appearing in unexpected places."

Lu Chen was intrigued by this information, forbidden arts…

His mind immediately went to the Shadow Serpent Arts and the Void Serpent Manual he had discovered in this cave.

"At first, I thought it was just isolated incidents," Gu Tianying continued. "But then I found evidence suggesting otherwise. Something or someone is orchestrating these events from the shadows."

"And I need someone who can move unseen to help me uncover the truth."

Lu Chen felt a chill run down his spine, this wasn't just a simple mission. He was being pulled into something far bigger than a mere sect dispute.

But at the same time… This might be exactly what I need.

If something was happening behind the scenes, then it meant the sect's rules were not absolute.

If he played his cards right, he might be able to use this hidden conflict to his advantage.

Gu Tianying studied Lu Chen for a moment.

"Good, since you're interested, I'll start you with something simple."

Lu Chen kept his expression neutral. Nothing was ever simple when dealing with core disciples.

"There's a place called the Silent Willow Courtyard in the inner sect region. Recently, a certain elder has been acting… unusual."

"Unusual how?" Lu Chen asked.

"Records show that he's been making frequent visits to an old restricted chamber, one that hasn't been used in decades. I want you to sneak in and find out what he's looking for."

Lu Chen's mind immediately worked on possibilities.

A restricted chamber? That could mean ancient techniques or artifacts.

It was dangerous, but if Gu Tianying was interested in it, then it was valuable.

"I assume you have a plan for how I'm supposed to get in?" Lu Chen asked.

Gu Tianying smiled.

"That's the most interesting part. Consider this your test, if you can't even break into an empty chamber, then you're not worth my time."

A test… Of course it is.

Lu Chen took a deep breath, then nodded. "I'll do it."

Gu Tianying's nod. "Good. I'll be watching."

With that, he turned, stepping toward the cave entrance. His figure blurred and before Lu Chen could process what had happened, the core disciple vanished into the night.

Lu Chen stood alone in the cave once more, his mind full with thoughts.

Breaking into an inner sect area was suicide for a mere outer disciple.

Normally, the sect's formations, and patrols would ensure that no one of lower status could even set foot in restricted areas.

But Lu Chen had an advantage.

The Shadow Serpent Arts.

If the movement technique was as effective as the jade slip had described, then it would allow him to sneak past most low-level detection techniques.

Still, it wouldn't be enough, Lu Chen needed to prepare and more importantly… he needed to simulate.

Summoning the system's interface, he focused on his objective.

[Mission Objective: Infiltrate the Silent Willow Courtyard and investigate the restricted chamber.]

[Choose an Approach:]

[Stealth Entry: Use Shadow Serpent Arts to bypass guards undetected.]

[Brute Force: Knock out a patrolling inner disciple and steal his robes.]

[Deception: Disguise as a servant and slip inside during the morning cleaning.]

Lu Chen immediately eliminated the second option, fighting a stronger disciple is out of the question.

The third option was tempting, but it relied too much on luck.

That left stealth.

He selected Option One, and the simulation began.

[Simulation #1]

[Lu Chen sneaked into the inner sect, weaving through shadows using the Shadow Serpent Arts.

He managed to reach the courtyard's walls, but the formation protecting the chamber detected him immediately.

Within seconds, three inner disciples surrounded him.

They captured him and brought him before an elder for interrogation.]

[Result: Mission Failed | Severe punishment inflicted.]

[Simulation #2]

[Lu Chen took extra precautions.

He found a side entrance, slipping in when a patrol passed.

He reached the chamber… but discovered that the door was locked with an inscription seal.

Not knowing how to bypass it, he wasted too much time.

A disciple noticed his presence, and he was forced to flee before completing the mission.]

[Result: Mission Failed | Minor injury sustained.]

[Simulation #3]

[Lu Chen waited for the perfect moment to enter—not during a patrol, but during the early morning guard shift change.

He used Shadow Serpent Arts to blend into the courtyard's layout, staying out of direct sightlines.

When he reached the restricted chamber, he used the spatial ring's metal token on the inscription seal.

To his shock… it worked.

The door opened silently, allowing him to slip inside.

Inside, he found an ancient scroll with an unfamiliar sect emblem.

But before he could study it further, footsteps approached.]

[Result: Mission Success | Narrow Escape Required.]

Back to Reality

Lu Chen gasped as the simulation ended.

His heartbeat was heavy but his mind was racing. The token in the spatial ring… It could bypass the restriction?

Lu Chen took a deep breath.

Now, all that was left… was to execute the plan.

Tomorrow night, he will infiltrate the Silent Willow Courtyard.

And if the simulation was right… he was about to uncover something far bigger than he had imagined.