Masked figure

Dawn was breaking over the horizon, but the atmosphere in the Qinlin Sect was different from usual. The guards on duty in the underground prison hurried towards the Sect's Main Hall, their faces filled with anxiety. One of them, Ji Wanlian, brought a report that could not be delayed.

Upon arriving at the grand hall, where Sect Leader Tian Xuan and the three main elders were having a casual discussion, the guards immediately knelt down.

"Please excuse me for interrupting seniors," Ji Wanlian said respectfully. "I would like to report an important matter regarding last night's incident."

Tian Xuan glanced at him sharply. "Speak."

Ji Wanlian lowered his head. "Last night we saw someone wearing a mask coming out of the underground prison. We tried to stop him, but that person… seemed very powerful. He was able to defeat the three of us."

The elders' faces turned serious.

"Who is that person?" Tian Xuan asked, his tone stern.

"We couldn't see his face. He hid it behind a mask, Sect Leader."

A moment of silence fell over the hall. Then, the deep voice of the Second Elder, Zhou Tianren, broke the silence.

"There must be an intruder in the sect. Someone is stalking us from within. We must all be vigilant."

All the elders and Tian Xuan nodded in agreement. The suspicion was quite reasonable. The Qinlin Sect was indeed at the peak of power, but it was also the target of many enemies and spies from other sects.

"Alright," Tian Xuan said as he stood up. "Gather all the disciples of the sect, including the prisoners. We will check them one by one."

---

Shortly after, the Qinlin Sect's great bell was rung three times, signaling an emergency call.

The sound of its chimes echoed throughout the valley, causing 1,800 disciples of the sect to immediately gather in the main courtyard. Including the core disciples and prisoners from the underground prison, who were tightly guarded by guards.

In front of the disciples, Tian Xuan stood with three elders of the sect, sitting on a stone platform, looking at them sharply.

"Are any of you hiding intruders or spies in the sect?" Tian Xuan called out.

There was no response. The disciples just looked at each other, confused and worried.

"Alright. If no one confesses, we'll check them one by one. Line up!"

Tian Xuan's voice echoed like thunder in the clear sky.

All the disciples immediately formed a long line. The elders checked them one by one, using spiritual techniques to detect any energy anomalies or strange auras.

When it was Lu Xian's turn, he just stood there calmly. His face was expressionless, his body did not show the slightest suspicious sign.

"Thank goodness I put the mask away in a safe place…" he muttered to himself.

No one suspected Lu Xian. The check was over without any results.

---

Inside the Sect Hall, the elders gathered again. However, this time, the atmosphere was more tense.

"Strange… not a single disciple is suspicious." Tian Xuan said.

However, Zhou Tianren crossed his arms and shook his head slowly. "I still suspect one person."

"Who?" Tian Xuan asked.

"Lu Xian."

Tian Xuan was surprised. "Lu Xian? A lower-class disciple who just advanced to Qi Creation level 2? What's there to be suspicious about him?"

Zhou Tianren stared intently at Tian Xuan. "That's what's suspicious. Before you imprisoned him, he was still at Qi Creation level 1. Now, in just one night… he's reached level 2. Do you think that's a reasonable development?"

The third elder, Qian Zhu, nodded along. "That's right. His speed surpasses the limits of cultivation."

Tian Xuan pondered. "Hmph… I'll monitor him personally from now on."

---

In the underground prison, the atmosphere was much quieter. Zhao Li, Lu Xian's cellmate, stared at the ceiling as he leaned back casually.

"I wonder who the masked figure the sect master and the elders are looking for is." he muttered.

Lu Xian only smiled faintly. "Don't think too much about it. Leave it to them."

However, Zhao Li stared at Lu Xian with narrowed eyes, full of inquiry. "Your body… feels different. Your Qi and spiritual aura have increased drastically. You… succeeded in your cultivation, right?"

Lu Xian held his breath for a moment, then replied calmly, "Yes. I advanced to Qi Creation level 2 last night."

"One night?" Zhao Li's eyebrows rose. "Then you should have seen that masked figure… You didn't sleep either?"

Lu Xian was silent for a moment. He knew that if he said too much, his suspicions would grow. So he replied briefly, "I was too focused on my cultivation. I didn't pay attention to my surroundings."

Zhao Li studied Lu Xian for a long time, before finally nodding slowly. "Hmm… Maybe it's just my feeling. Don't be so tense."

Lu Xian let out a sigh of relief. Zhao Li then lay back down and took a nap, allowing the atmosphere to become quiet again.

Lu Xian sat cross-legged and took out the jade slip Qin Chang'er had given him. A soft light radiated from the jade as he activated it with a bit of Qi.

"Qi Creation has nine levels, and after reaching level 9… I have to find a way to break through to the next realm."

His hand gripped the sword he had made himself.

"It turns out that becoming strong is not as easy as I imagined… But no matter how hard it is, I will continue to move forward. For myself, for this sect… and to protect those closest to me."