The next few days passed quietly in Qingxi Sect, as if nothing had ever happened.
Rumors about Alchemy Peak slowly died down, disciples no longer whispered about the conflict between Elder Wei and Elder Qiu, and even from the Sect Master's Peak, no strange news spread.
Everything seemed back to normal.
But Xie Zhaolin knew all too well, this was only the calm before the storm.
She continued her daily cultivation as usual, sometimes discussing techniques with Liu Feng and Lin Ziye. On the surface, nothing had changed, but secretly, she had Mo Yan keep a close eye on both Alchemy Peak and Formation Peak.
"Master, Alchemy Peak still hasn't made a move," Mo Yan reported in a low voice. "Elder Wei seems to really be under house arrest. He hasn't shown his face at all these past days."
She nodded slightly. "And Elder Qiu?"
"Elder Qiu acts the same as always, refining pills in the alchemy rooms every day, sometimes attending meetings at the Sect Master's Peak." Mo Yan hesitated, then added, "But… the pills he's been making lately are all the kind that calm the mind and settle the spirit."
A flash of realization lit up her eyes. So Elder Qiu really was secretly targeting Elder Wei, using pills to control his mind.
"And what about Formation Peak?" she asked.
"Elder Chou still stays hidden away, rarely showing herself."
A trace of guilt crossed Mo Yan's face. "Master, this subordinate is useless. I couldn't find anything about Elder Chou's past. It's like her history was deliberately erased."
Xie Zhaolin frowned. "Erased by her own hand?"
"Most likely." Mo Yan's tone grew heavy. "And from what I've gathered, no one in the sect even knows her full name."
He added in a low voice, "I also noticed something strange. The disciples of Formation Peak seem extremely wary of her."
"Wary?" She raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"When they mention Elder Chou, they lower their voices without realizing, and their expressions get tense," Mo Yan recalled. "It's like they're afraid of saying the wrong thing."
She rested her chin on her hand, thoughtful. "Interesting. A Formation Peak elder, secretly controlling the Sect Master's disciples, even threatening us into cooperation…
It seems her ambition isn't small."
Mo Yan scowled. "Master, should I dig deeper into her past?"
She paused, then reached out through their contract to Liu Feng. "Check the Law Enforcement Hall records. Look into Elder Chou of Formation Peak, especially her contribution points. See if you can trace anything back at least a hundred years."
A short while later, Liu Feng's reply came, laced with surprise. "Master, the records are strange… For the Formation Peak's peak lord, only the surname 'Chou' is recorded. Everything else before that is completely blank."
Her eyes flickered with astonishment. "Blank?"
"Yes." Liu Feng sounded confused. "Normally, even a new disciple has basic information on file. But Elder Chou's record is like it was deliberately erased. Nothing but her surname remains."
Her brows drew tighter. "Not even her origin, the date she joined, or her master's name?"
"Nothing," Liu Feng confirmed. "The senior brothers at the Law Enforcement Hall said they also found it odd, but the erasure was ordered personally by the Sect Master, so they didn't dare ask."
Ending the transmission, she fell deep into thought.
The Sect Master personally ordering her records erased… That wasn't treatment an ordinary elder could dream of. Either her identity was extraordinary and hidden for a reason, or the Sect Master was protecting her. But judging from the way she'd threatened Mo Yan into cooperating, Xie Zhaolin leaned toward the first.
After a long silence, she finally said, "Mo Yan, continue investigating Elder Chou."
Mo Yan hesitated. "Master, you…"
"This time, do it differently." She cut him off. "I want you to investigate her openly, but in secret."
Her intent was clear. She wanted Elder Chou to know Mo Yan was investigating her, so the woman would lower her guard. Those who worked hard to hide their secrets feared prying eyes the most. But if they showed too much caution, they'd look suspicious instead.
If Mo Yan made the investigation look clumsy, as if it were just probing out of curiosity or self-preservation, Elder Chou would relax.
Mo Yan immediately understood. He would make sure Elder Chou discovered he was watching her, but also that she believed they hadn't found anything of real substance. The trick lay in balance—letting her notice without feeling provoked, making her think it was harmless curiosity rather than true suspicion.
Sure enough, two nights later, the young disciple appeared again. This time, he asked for Mo Yan by name.
After Mo Yan left with him, Xie Zhaolin was about to return to her room when her steps froze. Sitting calmly on the sandalwood chair in the main hall was a figure she hadn't noticed before. Her body tensed instantly, retreating half a step as her senses spread out. The entire courtyard was wrapped in an invisible barrier. When her eyes focused on the man's face, her heart jolted.
The Sect Master?!
Masking her alarm, she quickly put on a look of surprise and fear. "Sect Master? Why are you here? Are you looking for Master? He's not here right now…"
The Sect Master didn't answer right away. He studied her with a faint smile, his eyes deep and unreadable. Only after a long silence did he finally speak, his calm voice carrying unquestionable authority. "You're Xie Zhaolin, right?"
Her heart rang with alarms, but she kept her respectful demeanor. "Yes, Sect Master, you have a good memory."
He nodded slightly, his fingers tapping the chair. "No need to be nervous. I came tonight only to have a chat."
He paused, his gaze sharp. "About… Elder Chou of Formation Peak."
Her mind raced.
He'd chosen to come when Mo Yan wasn't around, clearly hoping to draw something from her. To the Sect Master, she was just an inner disciple, one who'd naturally be deferential and easier to read. Since he'd brought up Elder Chou, he must already know about Mo Yan's probing. Denying it would be pointless.
Taking a breath, she let just the right amount of unease show. "Sect Master, it's true… Elder Chou did come to see Master…"
A flicker of interest crossed his eyes. "Go on."
Her cheeks reddened faintly, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation. "Actually… Elder Chou seemed to… to…"
She trailed off, lowering her head at the perfect moment. "This disciple doesn't dare to assume too much, but from her expression, it looked like she had feelings… for Master."
His brow rose. "Oh?"
Her voice grew softer, tinged with embarrassment. "Elder Chou came several times, even late at night. I didn't dare ask much, but from how they acted together… it seemed… it seemed…"
She stopped there, face flushed.
For a moment, the Sect Master froze, an odd look flashing in his eyes.
"I see." He let out a faint laugh, though his tone carried an unreadable disappointment. "Since it's a personal matter, I won't pry further."
With that, his figure faded into thin air, the barrier dissolving with him.
Only after her senses confirmed he was truly gone did she exhale slowly. His sudden visit had caught her completely off guard, but thankfully, she'd expected this possibility and prepared excuses. If he came late at night, then she'd just shove the whole thing onto romance. Love was private, the easiest thing to believe, and the hardest to disprove.
But she hadn't expected him to accept it so easily, without a single question.
That was strange.
With his position and experience, he shouldn't have been fooled so lightly.
Unless… this was the answer he wanted all along.