Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 318 Schemes from All Sides, The Heart of a Game

"As for good and evil... Hmph, the Crimson Spirit Sect is evil, that's true. But how many throughout history have used the guise of suppressing evil to carry out factionalism and persecution? The death of Elder Zhang is shrouded in mystery, and the Crimson Spirit Sect may not be the only culprit. Now, various factions have gathered at the foot of Cloud Hidden Mountain, ostensibly for a search, but their true intentions are different. My Feng family doesn't need to speculate about others; we only need to remember one thing: who our relatives are, and who our trustworthy allies are. At this critical juncture, hesitation, observation, or even wavering is the only way to invite disaster."

Feng Lie was speechless after hearing what his uncle and cousin said. He opened his mouth, but in the end he could only sigh: "I... I didn't mean that. I was just worried that it would implicate the family."

"If we couldn't even judge people, the Feng family wouldn't have survived to this day." Feng Wenyuan stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the blurred outline of Yunyin Mountain in the night. "Pass down the message: those from the Feng family who have come here this time must be cautious in their words and actions, obey all arrangements of the Yunyin Sect, cooperate with the investigation, but absolutely do not cause trouble, and must not provoke or question the Yunyin Sect in any way. If anyone asks, just say..."

He turned around, a calm yet firm smile on his face: "The Feng family believes in the reputation of the Yunyin Sect, and also believes that Sect Leader Su and Fellow Daoist Chen can handle this matter properly. We are here as guests, and also to support our own people."

Feng Changyuan and Feng Lie exchanged a glance and bowed in unison: "Yes, Father (Third Uncle)."

………………

In a high-rise executive suite of an international hotel, Han Bailian stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the scattered lights below and the occasional young cultivators in various attire passing by. His usual kind smile had vanished, replaced by madness in his eyes.

"Su Wan..." he murmured the name, his tongue seemingly tasting some hidden sweetness, "Pure Yin body, virgin primordial body, about to break through... Such a furnace is a once-in-a-millennium find."

He recalled Su Wan's demeanor at the banquet in the Immortal Cuisine Hall during the day, seated regally in the main seat. Gentle, serene, with a clarity in her eyes unique to cultivators. Yet, the more serene she was, the more refined her pure Yin energy became. .

Han Bailian is trapped in the early stage of Foundation Building for nearly a hundred years due to the Dharma-ending Age. If he does not break through soon, he will be exhausted and die.

He couldn't wait any longer, even though the spiritual energy had begun to recover, because he wasn't sure if he could hold out until the spiritual energy fully recovered.

Therefore, even if it means resorting to any means necessary, even if it means negotiating with a tiger for its skin, we are willing to do so.

The first time was when I cooperated with Master Liu, but who knew that guy was just a good-for-nothing who thought he was a fool. Relying on his strength, he tried to force his way in, and what was the result? He died and his soul vanished.

And the second time...

Han Bailian, however, had great confidence in his "new partner".

Han Bailian considers himself ruthless enough, but his new partner is even more ruthless in order to achieve his own goals!

…………

When Chen Anran returned to the Yunyin Sect, the mountain gate was quiet.

He walked through the courtyard, intending to go straight back to his room, but paused slightly as he passed the corridor next to the side hall.

The moonlight, like water, spilled into the small pavilion at the end of the corridor. Wei Qingyi sat alone on a stone bench in the pavilion, a chessboard laid out in front of her.

Chen Anran walked over quietly and stopped outside the pavilion. Wei Qingyi seemed to sense something, looked up, and her eyes reflected the moonlight, clear and bright.

"Second Senior Sister hasn't rested yet?" Chen Anran asked gently.

Wei Qingyi's gaze returned to the chessboard.

She held a white jade chess piece between her fingertips: "I can't sleep."

Chen Anran entered the pavilion and sat down opposite her. On the stone table was a game of chess, with black and white pieces intertwined, already in the middle game, the situation delicate. He examined it carefully and found the game quite ingenious; the white pieces launched a fierce attack but left weaknesses, while the black pieces defended tightly but concealed deadly intentions.

"Playing against yourself?" Chen Anran asked.

"Hmm," Wei Qingyi responded, placing the white chess piece in her hand down. "I need to think about something."

Chen Anran didn't ask her what she was thinking; she just quietly looked at the chessboard.

A night breeze swept by, bringing with it the crisp scent of mountain vegetation and ruffling the hair around Wei Qingyi's cheek. She raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a natural movement that caught Chen Anran's attention, noticing faint dark circles under her eyes.

"Didn't you get a proper rest after filming ended?" Chen Anran asked.

Wei Qingyi paused, holding the black piece. "It's alright." She placed a piece and added, "Easier than being suspended by wires."

These words were spoken casually, but Chen Anran detected a rare hint of teasing in them and couldn't help but laugh: "If Director Hu heard this, he would probably sigh again, 'Teacher Wei is truly a hidden talent.'"

Wei Qingyi's lips curved into a very slight smile. She didn't reply, but simply pointed to the chessboard: "Your turn."

Chen Anran took a black piece from the chess set, pondered for a moment, and placed it in a seemingly insignificant position. Wei Qingyi glanced at it, a glint of light flashing in her cool eyes.

The two played their game in silence, the only sound the soft clatter of pieces being placed. Moonlight bathed the chessboard, making the white and black jade pieces gleam with a warm luster. The mountain night was exceptionally tranquil, with only the occasional fluttering of birds' wings drifting from afar.

After exchanging a dozen or so messages, Chen Anran suddenly spoke up: "What do you think of those people down the mountain?"

Wei Qingyi's fingers, which were holding a chess piece, paused in mid-air before falling to the ground. "It's good that I listened to you and didn't go to school." She paused slightly, then continued, "It's also good that Xiaolu listened to you and didn't run around outside anymore."

Chen Anran chuckled upon hearing this and placed a piece on the board. "But I regret advising you to stay on the mountain."

"Why do you regret it?" Wei Qingyi asked softly.

Chen Anran gently placed the black chess piece back into the chess jar, his gaze fixed on the tranquil night outside the pavilion: "If I had let you all leave back then, at least you wouldn't all be caught in the whirlpool now that the storm has broken out."

Wei Qingyi remained silent for a moment, then picked up a white chess piece from the jar, feeling its warm texture against her fingertips. Instead of placing the piece immediately, she held it in her palm, savoring its slightly cool feel.

"I already answered that question last time."

Chen Anran was momentarily stunned by what he heard.

Wei Qingyi said, "As long as the sect exists, I will exist. If the sect is in danger, I will protect it with my life."

Chen Anran paused slightly in his hand holding the chess piece.

"Second Senior Sister..."

Wei Qingyi lowered her eyes and placed the white piece on the chessboard. That move was steady and precise, instantly revitalizing half the game. "Your turn."

Chen Anran looked down at the chessboard, and the gloom in his heart was somewhat dispelled by this move. He pondered for a moment, picked up a black piece, and placed it in the corresponding position.

"The sect will be fine," Chen Anran said in a low voice. "I'm here."

Wei Qingyi didn't look up, but simply gave a soft "hmm".

The chess pieces clattered softly, black and white pieces alternating. The night breeze seemed to soften, brushing against the old copper bells hanging from the corner of the pavilion, producing a very faint tinkling sound that quickly dissipated into the night.