As soon as Zhang Xian returned to the flying vessel, he eagerly began studying his new puppet bodies.

The ten puppets were identical to his own disguised form. Their craftsmanship was so high that they were indistinguishable from real people. Powered by high-grade spirit stones, these puppets were formidable; by embedding five stones of the same element, a puppet’s power could reach the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.

Furthermore, they possessed Supreme Spirit Roots, meaning they were entirely unrestricted by Zhang Xian’s own Wood Spirit Root.

His only regret was the mental strain. At his current cultivation level, he could only operate one puppet in active combat. For simple tasks like walking or talking, he could manage two, but any more resulted in a splitting headache.

“It seems I need to enhance my spiritual sense,” Zhang Xian muttered, rubbing his temples.

Zhang Xian decided to resolve the Muling Sect matter under the banner of the Yunmiao Sect. His true identity remained hidden, so he could simply claim that Xuanwei and Li Miaoyin were friends he had made while training in the minor worlds.

Piloting the vessel at full speed, he arrived back at the Yunmiao Sect in just five days.

It was already night. As he approached the spirit spring, a thin mist hung over the water. Through the haze, he vaguely made out two graceful figures with their palms pressed together. The water reached just above their delicate collarbones, sending soft ripples across the surface.

They were engaged in a form of dual cultivation, circulating spiritual energy between them to maximize their progress.

Zhang Xian, his mind still preoccupied with his puppets, looked up and saw their wet backs. Because the spring had been purified by Dragon Saliva Jade Liquid, the water was crystal clear. To make matters worse, Li Fuxi was currently facing his direction.

Zhang Xian froze on the spot.

Li Fuxi and her companion, startled by the noise, dispersed their spiritual senses. They looked up to see Zhang Xian standing on the shore, staring blankly at them.

“Ah!” Li Fuxi screamed, submerging herself instantly. A second later, she realized the water offered no concealment at all.

Before Zhang Xian could even turn his head, a sharp burst of sword energy sent him flying. The force hurled him dozens of zhang through the air until he crashed heavily into his carefully cultivated Green Spirit Vine.

With a loud Boom!, the vine reached a premature end to its life.

“What happened?”

Chen Tiexin and Zhenhai rushed over from their cottages. They found Zhang Xian groaning on the ground, with Lin Yinyin hovering over him in concern. Nearby, Li Fuxi sat by the pool, her face a mask of shame and fury.

Both Lin Yinyin and Li Fuxi were now dressed, though their hair was wet and water stains clung to their clothes. Their faces were flushed a deep crimson.

Zhenhai’s instincts screamed danger. He reacted instantly. “Huh? There’s nothing over here,” he said, turning on his heel.

“Ah! Yes! Senior Brother, wait for me!” Chen Tiexin followed suit.

Two flying swords shot into the night sky, fleeing hundreds of li away from the peak.

An awkward silence hung over the stone table where the three remained.

“Brother, it’s my fault. I didn’t know you’d suddenly return,” Lin Yinyin said, taking the blame.

Li Fuxi added resentfully, “Yinyin and I were focused on our breathing; we didn’t have our spiritual senses active. But you—how did you not sense us in the spring?”

“I had other things on my mind!” Zhang Xian pleaded. “I didn’t expect anyone to be in my own house! I’m innocent!”

Li Fuxi looked at him suspiciously. She was annoyed, but she knew she had no real grounds for further anger.

Lin Yinyin giggled softly. “Forget it, Master. It’s not like he saw us completely naked; we still had our undergarments on.”

“You shut up!” Li Fuxi snapped.

She took a deep breath, her ears and neck still bright red. “Forget it. It’s just a physical body; I don’t care.”

“I… I’m going back,” she said, standing up.

“Wait, Master. I have something to report.”

Li Fuxi looked embarrassed, but seeing Zhang Xian’s serious expression, she reluctantly sat back down. He proceeded to recount the incident in the Great Liang Kingdom, omitting only the most sensitive details.

“I will report this to the sect so they can make a decision,” she said hurriedly, before fleeing the scene once more.

The next morning, inside the hall of Wangya Zhenren.

Having received the message, Wangya summoned Elder Liu Huaigu, the head of Green Wood Peak.

“Teacher, what do you think of this?” Wangya asked.

Liu Huaigu frowned. “The Muling Sect falls under our jurisdiction. If Zhang Xian’s account is true, we must intervene. But something feels odd. I’ve met their leaders; they’ve always seemed upright. The current leader even studied under me for decades.”

Wangya nodded. The Yunmiao Sect oversaw over a hundred smaller sects; it was rare for one to act so brazenly.

“Should we issue a disciple task?” Wangya suggested.

Liu Huaigu pondered for a moment. “Never mind. I’ll make the trip myself.”

Wangya smiled. He knew Liu Huaigu had taken a special interest in Zhang Xian recently and was happy to do him a favor.

“According to Li Fuxi, Zhang Xian intends to go as well,” Wangya added. “He is quite concerned about these friends.”

“I see,” Liu Huaigu nodded. “I’ll handle the arrangements.”

Returning to Green Wood Peak, Liu Huaigu immediately summoned his daughter, Liu Qingxuan.

“Qingxuan, I have a task for you.” He repeated Zhang Xian’s story.

“Ah?” Liu Qingxuan felt a wave of embarrassment. “I’ve never handled such things. Besides… if Zhang Xian is going, wouldn’t it just be the two of us?”

“Aiya, your old father wants exactly that! It’s an opportunity to foster feelings. Tell me, do you dislike him?”

“Well… no, not really.”

“If you don’t dislike him, you like him!” Liu Huaigu slapped his thigh. “My silly girl, if you don’t hurry, someone will snatch him away!”

He began counting on his fingers. “Lin Yinyin is one thing. But then the Cloud Raiment Pavilion Master delivers a flying vessel personally? They had a private meeting on that boat for hours! That Yun Wanqing girl is as clever as a ghost; she’s definitely taken a fancy to him.”

“And then there’s Li Fuxi, restarting her cultivation and achieving dual Supreme Spirit Roots…”

Liu Qingxuan looked puzzled. “I heard that was due to sudden enlightenment?”

“Sudden enlightenment my foot!” Liu Huaigu cursed. “Only Spirit Sword Peak gets ‘sudden enlightenment’ every single day. Have you ever seen anyone else have it? And haven’t you noticed? Zhang Xian hasn’t come to see you lately.”

Liu Qingxuan froze. It was true. The man who used to seek her guidance every few days had disappeared, leaving her feeling strangely empty.

“I… I don’t know…” she whispered.

“This trip to the Muling Sect is your chance!” Liu Huaigu encouraged. “Go assist him. It’s not a major mission—just a warning and a hunt for an escaped disciple.”

“Just the two of us… it’s too deliberate,” she said, blushing.

“Feelings require being deliberate!” Liu Huaigu paced anxiously. “Look at Lin Yinyin; she practically clings to him. You’re too slow-moving. He spent so much effort pursuing you, and you gave him nothing. No wonder he’s slacking off!”

Liu Qingxuan clenched her fists, silently steeling herself.

“Alright,” she whispered. “I’ll go.”