Chapter 133 | Growing Desperation

Chapter 133: 133 | Growing Desperation

By the next morning, Elder Liu found the Phantom Burns harder to control.

They were no longer limited to the hours around midnight. Sudden flares of burning pain now struck throughout the day, forcing her to interrupt her cultivation repeatedly and spend more Qi suppressing the symptoms.

Inside her private meditation chamber, Elder Liu sat in silence, slowly circulating her Core Formation Qi through her meridians. The relief from each cycle lasted only a short while before the burning returned.

Her expression darkened.

Waiting any longer was no longer an option.

"Deacon Feng."

The stone doors opened, and Feng entered before bowing deeply.

"Master."

"The Ghost Market search may take time," Elder Liu said. "I want another source arranged at the same time."

Feng raised his head slightly. "What do you have in mind, Master?"

"Take enough Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from my private treasury. Then contact Elder Zhou of the Southern Ridge and Cultivator Ma of the Outer Valleys."

Feng paused at the names.

"They are independent cultivators. Would they be willing to sell their herbs directly?"

"They should be, if the price is high enough," Elder Liu replied. "Both are known to have access to high-grade Crimson-Sun Roots. Secure as much of their current harvest as they are willing to sell."

Feng considered the order carefully.

"Master, dealing with high-grade spiritual materials outside the Resource Hall may attract attention."

"Then be discreet."

A fresh wave of Phantom Burns suddenly surged through Elder Liu’s chest. She clenched her teeth and forced the turbulent Qi back under control before continuing.

"I do not care whether the purchase is convenient. I need those Yang-attribute herbs."

Feng immediately bowed.

"Understood, Master. I will contact them personally."

"Do it as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master."

Feng turned and hurried from the chamber.

Elder Liu remained seated, slowly regulating her breathing as the pain receded.

For years, the sect’s established channels had been enough.

Now she was being forced to build a path around them.

Within the Inner Sect Resource Hall, the morning remained as orderly as ever. Jade slips moved between the deacons, transport records were checked, and routine requests were processed without disturbance.

Madam Shen sat behind her desk, quietly reviewing the latest records. Her dark-crimson robes remained immaculate, and her expression was as composed as always.

A transport record drew her attention.

Two names appeared on it: Elder Zhou of the Southern Ridge and Cultivator Ma of the Outer Valleys. The record concerned a private shipment of high-grade medicinal herbs headed toward the Inner Sect.

Madam Shen’s eyes narrowed slightly as she read the details. Elder Liu was clearly trying to establish another source.

She studied the record for a moment before noticing that the shipment had entered the usual verification process. There was no reason to interfere directly.

Instead, she left the request in its normal queue rather than moving it forward.

A nearby deacon noticed the record.

"Vice-Manager, should this shipment be given priority? The herbs are listed as high-grade."

Madam Shen glanced at the jade slip. "No. Process it according to the usual order."

The deacon bowed. "Understood."

Madam Shen returned to her other work.

Nothing had been denied or altered. The shipment would simply take the time normally required for its records to be checked before it could proceed.

For Elder Liu, that small delay could matter.

Madam Shen made no further inquiry about Elder Zhou or Cultivator Ma. She did not ask who had arranged the purchase or why the herbs were being sent to the Inner Sect.

The fewer questions she asked, the less attention the matter would attract.

Another jade slip appeared on her desk, and she continued reviewing the Resource Hall’s records as though nothing unusual had happened.

Behind her calm expression, however, she understood what had changed. Elder Liu was beginning to look for ways around the obstacles she had encountered.

That meant the pressure could no longer depend on a single route.

Madam Shen quietly left the transport request in its ordinary queue and moved on to the next record.

There was no need to stop the herbs completely.

A little more time was enough.

When the moon rose above the Crimson Nimbus Sect, the Cloud-Sea Pavilion settled into silence beneath the protection of its Tier-3 isolation arrays.

Lin Tian sat quietly in the main hall.

A faint movement stirred near the edge of the hall, and Lady Yun emerged from the shadows. She approached and knelt respectfully before him.

"My Master."

Lin Tian looked toward her. "Report."

"The Ghost Market has yet to provide the herbs, while the independent suppliers are also delayed," Lady Yun said. "Neither route has produced a result yet."

Lin Tian remained silent for a moment.

"What have you observed?"

"Han, Mei, and Feng are still following Elder Liu’s orders," Lady Yun replied. "I have seen no sign of anyone suspecting outside interference so far."

Lin Tian nodded.

Elder Liu still had alternatives, but each one now required more time and effort.

"Nothing needs to be changed yet," he said. "Let the situation continue."

Lady Yun lowered her head. "Understood, Master."

"Keep watching the Ghost Market and the two suppliers. If anything changes, report it."

"I will."

Lin Tian leaned back slightly, his expression calm.

"Watch how Elder Liu responds when one option becomes difficult. Her next decision will tell us more than another disruption would."

Lady Yun nodded. "Understood, Master."

Lin Tian’s gaze remained steady.

"We do not need to interfere every time an opportunity appears. Let her make the next decision herself."

"Yes, Master."

Lady Yun rose and withdrew into the shadows, leaving the hall as quietly as she had entered.

Lin Tian remained seated beneath the soft glow of the isolation arrays, his attention returning to the silence around him.

For now, nothing more was needed. Elder Liu had already begun revealing how she would respond to pressure.

A short time after Lady Yun departed, the heavy doors leading to the pavilion’s inner chambers opened quietly.

Madam Shen stepped into the hall, her strict Resource Hall demeanor softened in Lin Tian’s presence. She approached him in her dark-crimson robes and bowed respectfully.

"My Master."

"Come here, Resource Queen," Lin Tian said.

Madam Shen knelt before him, and Lin Tian reached down to gently stroke her carefully pinned hair.

"How did the shipment proceed?" he asked.

"The shipment from Elder Zhou and Cultivator Ma has been left in the normal verification queue," Madam Shen replied. "Nothing was denied or given special treatment, so it will simply take longer before the records are confirmed and the herbs can continue toward the Inner Sect."

Lin Tian nodded calmly.

"Good. Leave it there."

Madam Shen lifted her eyes. "It appears Elder Liu is trying to establish another source for her herbs. The delay should make that route less convenient, but nothing about the process should appear unusual."

"Then do not add anything else unless the situation changes."

"Understood, Master."

Lin Tian’s fingers remained gently against her hair for another moment.

"You handled it well. The fewer unusual movements we create, the less reason there is for anyone to look beyond ordinary procedures."

Madam Shen gave a faint smile. "I made sure everything remained within the established process."

"That is what matters."

She leaned slightly into his touch.

"We are not trying to close every path Elder Liu takes," Lin Tian continued. "We only need each path to require a little more time and effort."

Madam Shen nodded thoughtfully. "Then we should learn more from how she responds to the delay."

"Exactly."

His expression remained calm.

"Let her make the next decision herself. Her response will tell us more than another obstruction would."

"Yes, Master."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Lin Tian placed his palm gently against her cheek and allowed a warm stream of golden Liquid Qi to pass through their spiritual connection. He activated [Mutual Cultivation Feedback], and the refined Yang Qi flowed through her meridians, blending with her Yin Qi and nourishing her Dantian.

Madam Shen closed her eyes as the familiar warmth spread through her body. Her Foundation Establishment cultivation remained stable, while the Qi within her Dantian continued to grow purer and denser.

Lin Tian followed the circulation carefully before withdrawing his hand.

"Your cultivation is progressing steadily. Continue as you have been and do not rush your advancement."

"Yes, Master."

Madam Shen opened her eyes and smiled softly.

"One more thing," Lin Tian added. "If Elder Liu’s new supply route creates an unusual request or requires special handling, report it to me first. Otherwise, let the ordinary process continue."

"Understood, Master."

Madam Shen remained beside him for a while, quietly enjoying the warmth left by their cultivation connection.

Outside, the Crimson Nimbus Sect continued its nightly rhythm, unaware of the quiet decisions being made within the Cloud-Sea Pavilion.

A delayed shipment, a clean record, and a little patience were enough.

Lin Tian looked toward the sealed doors, his expression calm. The pressure did not need to grow all at once; it only needed to remain consistent.