The information on the jade slip was even more detailed than Xie Zhaolin had expected.
"I'm still moving too fast…" she murmured, frowning slightly.
In a second-tier sect like Qingxi Sect, a sixteen-year-old reaching Qi Refining stage three was considered average, stage four meant decent talent, and stage five was the minimum standard for entering the inner sect. Her display of stage six power wouldn't necessarily attract the sect leader's attention, but it would definitely catch the eyes of the elders on each peak.
According to inner sect resource allocation, disciples personally instructed by the sect leader received twenty mid-grade spiritual stones a month, while ordinary inner sect disciples only got ten. As a registered disciple, Wei Qingwu probably got even fewer resources.
"No wonder she's so obsessed." Xie Zhaolin's lips curved in a slight smile.
It seemed that Sister Wei Qingwu's life wasn't as glamorous as it appeared.
Mo Yan stood respectfully nearby, speaking in a low voice. "Master, three elders have already sent people to inquire about you."
Xie Zhaolin's fingers tapped lightly on the table. "Who are they?"
"Elder Sun from Talisman Peak, Elder Li from Artifact Peak, and…" Mo Yan paused, "Elder Wei from Alchemy Peak."
"Oh?" Xie Zhaolin traced the jade slip with her fingers, a faint smile playing at her lips.
Alchemy Peak, Artifact Peak, Talisman Peak… the meaning behind these three elders sending people could be very different.
Elder Wei, as the second-in-command of Alchemy Peak, was Wei Qingwu's backer. Her inquiry clearly wasn't friendly; she was probably trying to probe Xie Zhaolin's background to pave the way for Wei Qingwu.
Artifact Peak, close to Formation Peak, acted independently within the sect. Elder Li's inquiry likely meant he'd noticed Xie Zhaolin's talent and wanted to recruit her. If she became a disciple there, she could avoid Alchemy Peak's scrutiny.
Talisman Peak, on the other hand, was highly independent and rarely interfered in other peaks' affairs. Elder Sun's inquiry was probably routine, with no real intention to recruit.
Meanwhile, the other peaks were weaker than these three, and the master of Liu Feng and the others, Elder Liu, belonged to the Law Enforcement Hall, so he'd remain neutral.
Xie Zhaolin traced the jade slip again, her thoughts turning to the crucial outer sect Grand Competition. According to Qingxi Sect rules, the competition had three rounds, and only the top ten could enter the inner sect. Only inner sect disciples could explore the secret realms.
"Mo Yan," she suddenly asked, "in previous Grand Competitions, what cultivation level did the top ten usually have?"
"Master, most top ten disciples ranged from Qi Refining stage six to seven," Mo Yan replied. "Occasionally, a stage five disciple would sneak in using special methods, but they'd usually rank at the very bottom."
Xie Zhaolin's eyes flickered with thought. With her current stage six display, getting into the top ten wouldn't be too hard, but she'd need to be careful not to draw too much attention.
"What about Wei Qingwu?"
"According to Liu Feng, she's at the peak of Qi Refining stage six," Mo Yan added. "But she recently got her hands on quite a few pills from Alchemy Peak, probably hoping to break into stage seven before the competition."
Xie Zhaolin nodded lightly. It seemed Wei Qingwu had worked hard to secure an inner sect spot. But power boosted by pills was unstable at the root.
"What about the rules of the competition?"
"First round tests cultivation, requiring stage four; second round tests practical combat, must last the length of an incense stick in the illusion array; final round is arena duels, top ten enter the inner sect."
Xie Zhaolin pondered.
This setup gave her plenty of room to maneuver. Eleven months was enough time for preparation.
She suddenly thought of a problem. Wei Qingwu had Alchemy Peak's backing, while her own apparent support was only Elder Mo Yan. Facing her in the Grand Competition could be troublesome. She also knew she had to walk a fine line—show enough talent to gain attention, but not so much to attract unnecessary focus. Fortunately, with Liu Feng and the others, she had backup outside if needed.
Once her thoughts were in order, Xie Zhaolin waved Mo Yan away. Alone in the room, she took a simple jade slip from her storage pouch. It was the Qingxi Sect foundational technique, Qingxi Jue, prepared by Mo Yan. It wasn't high-grade, but it was balanced and calm, perfect for disguising her real abilities. She placed it on her forehead, letting her divine sense probe in. In less than half an incense stick's time, she understood the entire technique.
"Decent enough." she murmured, putting the jade slip aside. She formed hand seals, circulating spiritual power along the paths recorded in the technique.
A faint cyan glow appeared around her body. In just one day, she had cultivated Qingxi Jue to a minor achievement.
"So fast?" Xie Zhaolin was slightly surprised.
She opened her eyes, watching the cyan spiritual power flowing in her palms. Even in her past life at Hehuan Sect, she'd never mastered a new technique this smoothly. Feeling the changes in her body, she realized it was likely a benefit from the Rebirth Flower—it had transformed her body and Primordial Soul, boosting her comprehension ability.
Satisfied that Qingxi Jue could perfectly hide her strength, she switched to circulating the Xuantian Yuqing Jing from her past life at Hehuan Sect. She'd practiced this technique for three hundred years; it was second nature. With the Rebirth Flower's enhancements, her cultivation progressed twice as efficiently.
For the next month, Xie Zhaolin hardly left her chamber, focusing entirely on cultivation.
Mo Yan would occasionally report sect news.
"Master, the commotion you caused upon entry has settled," Mo Yan reported respectfully. "The elders see you in constant seclusion and have lost interest."
Xie Zhaolin nodded slightly. This was exactly what she wanted. Excessive low profile could cause suspicion, but a timely calm would allay it.
"However…" Mo Yan hesitated. "Wei Qingwu is still investigating you secretly. She's sent a few trusted disciples to probe your background."
Xie Zhaolin wasn't the least bit concerned; she even found it amusing. The more Wei Qingwu investigated, the funnier it looked. After all, the original owner of this body was already dead. What could a dead person reveal?
If anything, she hoped these inquiries frustrated Wei Qingwu, making her waste more energy in anxious efforts.
"Master," Mo Yan reported one day, "according to sect rules, outer sect disciples must complete a set number of tasks each month. If you don't go, the Law Enforcement Hall will notice."
Xie Zhaolin slowly finished her cultivation, opening her eyes. She understood the stakes—sect tasks gave points, and while she could temporarily use Mo Yan's quota, long-term neglect would raise suspicions. She never expected that the moment she stepped into the Law Enforcement Hall's task chamber, a strange atmosphere would hit her.