A certain mountain peak within the Jieqing Sect.
Palaces and pavilions were built along the mountain's terrain; on the mountain path, a dense crowd of Cultivators shuttled back and forth.
At the edge of the crowd.
A young girl was standing on her tiptoes, curiously observing the bustling scene around her.
The girl wore a long cyan-green robe, her figure was graceful, and her black hair fell to her waist, swaying slightly in the wind.
Her oval face was extremely beautiful, with delicate features and fair skin; a lively aura emanated from her every glance.
This caused many passing Disciples to frequently look back, yet they were deterred by the thick Qi aura faintly emanating from her and did not dare to look directly.
Beside the girl.
Stood a slightly thin youth.
The youth looked wary, glancing around, and tugged at the girl's sleeve, his voice carrying a hint of unease: "Senior Sister, if Master finds out we snuck out like this..."
Hearing this.
The girl glared with her beautiful eyes and irritably slapped away the youth's hand.
"What are you afraid of? Master took Eldest Senior Brother far away to Hundred Flowers Valley, saying an Immortal Cave in Yunmeng Palace has appeared; they won't be back for at least half a year."
She extended a slender finger and poked the youth's forehead.
"As long as you don't say anything and I don't say anything, and we get back before Master, who will know we snuck down the mountain?"
The youth rubbed his forehead, still somewhat hesitant: "But..."
"But what? No 'buts'."
The girl leaned in slightly, getting close to the youth: "You've been brought up the mountain by Master since childhood, and all day long you do nothing but practice and meditate... don't you want to see the great rivers and mountains of Yunmeng Township?"
"Uh..."
The youth looked embarrassed, opened his mouth, but couldn't squeeze out a single word of rebuttal for a long while.
Having been taken in as a Personal Disciple since childhood.
Within this Jieqing Sect, they were Prodigies that countless Disciples looked up to.
But no matter how high their cultivation, they were ultimately just youths with inexperienced Heart-Nature... towards the vast Yunmeng outside that world in the painting.
To say they weren't curious would be a lie.
Seeing the youth like this.
A smirk of success curled at the corner of the girl's mouth.
She slung an arm around the youth's shoulder and walked toward the center of the plaza with a carefree air.
"That's the spirit."
"Let's go, let's go. I heard some troublesome Demons have appeared outside recently; they'll be perfect for testing my sword."
...
The girl pulled the youth along, peeking out from the shadow of an inconspicuous stone pillar outside the hall.
After all, they were sneaking down the mountain behind their Master's back.
If they walked in grandly to the Deacon's Counter to accept a trial mission, they would surely have to produce identification for verification.
Once their identities were revealed, it was guaranteed that within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Elders staying behind in the Sect would send people to catch them.
For now, they could only see if they could find a team lacking members and join them.
The two looked around.
Soon, they saw a man and a woman dressed as Inner Sect Disciples walking out of the main hall side by side.
However, both had helpless expressions, complaining in low voices as they walked.
There was a situation.
The girl raised an eyebrow.
Ignoring Gong Shaoqi's tugging, she hurriedly pulled him forward.
"Fellow Daoists, are you short on hands?"
The sudden interruption made the two Inner Sect Disciples stop in their tracks.
Looking back.
They saw a beautiful girl in a cyan-green robe, pulling a slightly thin youth behind her.
A hint of wariness immediately rose in the eyes of the two Inner Sect Disciples; even within the Sect, one must be on guard when someone approaches so proactively.
"Which peak are you from?"
The girl didn't want to waste words; she suddenly released her Qi aura and then retracted it.
Her cultivation of a Seven Chess Pieces was fully revealed.
"We are also Inner Sect Disciples. We've been idle for too long and want to go down the mountain for a walk."
The girl patted her chest, smiling brightly. "We don't want any rewards, just some excitement. I wonder if you two Fellow Daoists would be willing to take us along?"
After saying that, she nudged the youth beside her hard with her elbow.
Under the girl's urging gaze.
The youth scratched his head helplessly and could only release his Qi aura as well.
It was actually the cultivation of a Five Chess Pieces.
Once this level of cultivation was revealed.
The expressions of the two Inner Sect Disciples immediately showed surprise and suspicion.
A Seven Chess Pieces and a Five Chess Pieces.
For ordinary Inner Sect Disciples, such cultivation was already a top-tier existence that was out of reach.
It wasn't that there were no Inner Sect Disciples who reached later stages, but having no hope of being taken as a Personal Disciple by an Elder and unwilling to serve as a Deacon, they could only waste away in the inner Sect.
But such people, which one of them wasn't famous? Who wouldn't recognize them?
The two in front of them were very unfamiliar; they were clearly talking nonsense.
The two looked at each other and nodded.
Although they were curious about the other's true identity... after all, this trial was indeed troublesome.
Since the other party had such powerful cultivation and didn't want rewards, what else was there to ask?
This kind of windfall was exactly what they wanted.
The male Disciple's expression instantly became respectful, and he quickly cupped his hands.
"To have the help of you two is naturally for the best... I am Senior Brother Chen Yuan, and this is Junior Sister Su Liu."
"I wonder what you two..."
"Uh..."
The girl's eyes darted around, and she said casually.
"I am Gong Shaoqi."
"..."
The youth beside her instantly turned red.
He hurriedly looked at the girl, his eyes full of disbelief.
We agreed not to reveal our identities.
But you can't use my name.
In a fit of anger, the youth blurted out.
"I am Lin Feiyan."
"You..."
Lin Feiyan turned her head sharply, staring dead at the youth.
She cursed inwardly.
What an idiot... what kind of identity hiding is this?
Fortunately, the other party hadn't heard of their names, but...
Senior Brother Chen Yuan couldn't help but glance sideways at the youth.
The name Gong Shaoqi could be considered gender-neutral.
It wouldn't be strange if it belonged to a woman.
But this youth.
A seven-foot-tall man, yet he had such a name?
Senior Brother Chen Yuan shook his head.
He didn't know what the parents were thinking back then...
But since it was a chance encounter, he naturally didn't want to be nosy and invite trouble.
After a moment of silence.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan said: "Actually, for this trial, the rules set by the Sect require at least five people to execute it. Junior Sister Su and I were planning to go back to our peak to find a few more helpers. Now that you two Fellow Daoists have joined, I just need to find one more person to make up the five."
Hearing this.
Lin Feiyan felt her heart tighten.
Every extra moment spent outside the Deacon Hall increased the danger of being recognized by an acquaintance in the Sect.
If they really waited for him to slowly find someone, they might be reported before they even left the mountain.
She quickly waved her hand: "Why be so troublesome? With the two of us here, an ordinary trial is nothing. Just pull anyone on the road to make up the number."
Hearing this.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan hesitated slightly.
But on second thought, the other party did have the thick cultivation of a Seventh-tier and Five Chess Pieces.
Such combat power was already overwhelming for this trial.
An extra dead weight wouldn't hurt.
He then nodded.
"Then we'll do as Junior Sister Gong says."
Having received approval.
Lin Feiyan breathed a long sigh of relief.
She raised her eyes, her gaze quickly scanning the passing Disciples.
Suddenly.
Her gaze froze at a certain spot.
On the bluestone road, a figure was slowly walking over.
The newcomer wore a snow-white robe, with black patterns faintly flowing as the hem fluttered.
Lin Feiyan's eyes lit up.
Judging by appearance alone, this woman could actually rival her!
It was quite a sight.
She sensed for a moment; although the other's aura was restrained, how could it be hidden from her cultivation?
At most, she had the cultivation of a First or Second-tier Chess Player.
Such cultivation was perfect for making up the numbers.
She wouldn't steal the spotlight, nor would she dare to cause trouble.
"Her!"
Lin Feiyan walked up quickly.
Without any hesitation, she reached out to grab the white-robed girl's sleeve.
"Hey... you..."
Before she could finish.
Before her fingertips could touch the snow-white hem.
Lin Feiyan only felt a blur before her eyes.
Her extended wrist was suddenly grabbed by someone.
A massive force surged through her wrist bone.
Lin Feiyan didn't even have time to react before her arm and body were forced forward.
She knelt heavily on the ground!
Lin Feiyan was filled with shock; she wanted to rely on her body to resist, but found she couldn't move!
Such immense strength...
She struggled to lift her head, wanting to look up.
In her line of sight.
The white robe fell.
The girl looked down from above, her expression indifferent.
The surrounding noise was completely stripped away at this moment.
Only that cold voice rang out faintly above her head.
"What is your business?"