Chapter 521: Finalized (Part 2)

And on second thought, what Zhuang Li said wasn’t without reason. If everything went according to plan, it would remain a game of schemes and confrontations between the higher-ups. The impact on those at the bottom would exist, but it would be limited. But if the balance were to be shattered and one side launched a desperate counterattack… with the abilities of masters at that level, anything was possible.

“We each belong to our own schools. Breaking away from the group to act alone probably won’t be a simple matter.”

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Xuanqi continued.

“You can rest assured about that. The various schools brought their Blood Strengthening realm disciples here mostly to let the younger generation see the world. On the night of the Lotus Lantern Dharma Assembly, the operation to guard the Yin Sha Array Hubs inside and outside the city will not involve disciples of the Blood Strengthening realm. At that time, you’ll most likely be assigned to various districts in the city to join the festival parade with the citizens and release lanterns. Once chaos breaks out, you just need to use the opportunity to slip away. I imagine that won’t be difficult.”

Zhuang Li said.

Zhao Xuanqi nodded. “If we gain anything, how will we split it?”

“I’ll provide the intel and pinpoint the targets’ locations. I get thirty percent of all spoils. The rest will depend on our individual skills—whoever contributes the most gets the biggest share. What do you think?”

Zhuang Li said.

“Thirty percent is too much. You may be providing the intel, but without help, your efficiency would be extremely low. Not to mention you risk being exposed. Twenty percent,” Zhao Xuanqi stated flatly.

“Let’s each take a step back. Twenty-five percent. Not a bit less.”

This time, Zhuang Li’s tone was firm.

“Then it’s settled.”

Zhao Xuanqi nodded and said no more. Without her locating ability, South Mansion was simply too large. Even if he had some intel, it would be impossible for him to act alone.

“Before nightfall tomorrow, I will decide on a location. We will meet there and begin the operation,” Zhuang Li said.

“Agreed. We shouldn’t have too much contact to avoid exposure. Let’s leave it at that for today.”

Zhao Xuanqi said, then gave Zhuang Li a deep look before his figure flickered. He didn’t linger, turning and leaving the alley.

At the same time, the will inside Zhuang Li’s body receded, and she regained control. She silently watched the direction in which Zhao Xuanqi’s figure had disappeared.

‘What exactly are you planning for me?’

Zhuang Li asked the voice in her mind.

“I’ve told you many times, I have no designs on you. You are me, and I am you. In thousands of worlds, there are thousands of other selves, like twin lotus blossoms on a single stalk—the same, yet different.”

“My goal is to recover my strength. I am a vanquished one; there are many things I cannot change. If you become outstanding enough, it’s not impossible for you to take the lead in the future. Perhaps you can break through the boundaries and forge a new path.”

“But as it stands, you are far from qualified.”

The cool, detached voice spoke calmly, then fell silent.

‘Not qualified?’

Zhuang Li’s gaze grew solemn.

This was also the first time she had learned some of the secrets of the Upper Realm. These waters were far too deep.

And most critically, if a crisis were to befall them, it was likely that no one in this world could escape the calamity unscathed.

She was still far too weak.

She had to change, and faster.

‘Hundred Flowers Dao… I’ll give it a try.’

Zhuang Li thought to herself.

…

…

After parting with Zhuang Li, Zhao Xuanqi walked out of the alley and back onto the street teeming with pedestrians. His mind raced as he processed what he had just seen and heard. The amount of information contained in that short conversation was simply immense.

‘She doesn’t seem like a Reincarnator, but some other kind of being. And Zhuang Li is probably not an isolated case. There could be many similar entities hidden among the common people of this world, all biding their time, each with their own agenda.’

‘This world is more dangerous than I imagined. Even Divine Generals and Innate Martial Artists are probably just slightly stronger ants.’

‘If I make a move within South Mansion, I’ll have to avoid using the Red Heart Sect’s Golden Fire and the Dragon Gate Secret Technique as much as possible, or I’ll risk exposing my identity. But if I run into real danger, I won’t be able to hide many of my skills. It seems I’ll have to prepare a stronger Concealment Technique to have ready.’

‘If possible, I need to hunt down enough Merit Points for the Sensing realm during this operation and then rapidly increase my strength.’

Zhao Xuanqi secretly formulated a plan in his mind. He decided that after returning, he would first adjust the Techniques stored in his five organs by his Formless Array Map to deal with the current situation.

This was the power of the Formless Array Map, a Secret Technique that allowed one to maximize their strength so long as they obtained intelligence in advance and made the corresponding preparations.

However, this was also related to his cultivation of the Hundred Beasts Fist, which gave him an extremely strong physical foundation. According to the description of the Formless Array Map, for an ordinary Cultivator at the Refining the Internal Organs realm, storing even two “dips” of Talismanic Techniques would place a considerable burden on their body.

He didn’t rush back to the inn where he was staying. Instead, he continued to wander through South Mansion. This time, he wasn’t leisurely soaking in the local culture. He was ducking in and out of alleys, moving quickly through the main streets and side lanes, keeping his eyes and ears open, and committing the features of the landscape to memory.

Since he was going to take action, he needed to have at least a rough mental map of the city’s terrain within South Mansion.

Only when the sky began to dim did he stop. Considering there was a banquet that evening for the various invited Sealed Sects, Zhao Xuanqi didn’t continue to wander and returned to his inn on time.

At that moment, on the first floor of the inn, a group of Red Heart Sect disciples had already gathered. A Steward was taking a headcount, preparing to depart.

“Why are you only back now? I heard you went off on your own. Did you go do something bad?”

When He Xijun saw Zhao Xuanqi return, she grabbed him and looked him up and down with a suspicious gaze. She even tilted her head slightly and sniffed at him, as if trying to detect any strange smells.

‘I heard that before joining the sect, this guy came from a gentry family in Guming County. He never had to worry about food or clothing, spent his days in debauchery, and was a bona fide hedonistic young master.’

‘Since I’m teaching him on behalf of our Master, I have to keep an eye on him. I can’t let him get complacent after finding success so young and slip back into his old ways, wasting his incredible talent.’

“South Mansion is so prosperous, completely different from Guming County. I’ve never left my home county, so I was naturally curious and ended up wandering for a while. I saw some specialty pastries on the way and wasn’t sure if Senior Sister would like them.”

Facing He Xijun’s questioning gaze, Zhao Xuanqi’s expression remained unchanged. He pulled an oil-paper packet from his wide pocket and handed it to her.

“Huh? Rong Ji’s Walnut Crisps from South Mansion?!”

He Xijun immediately opened it, a look of pleasant surprise in her eyes. She picked one up, popped it into her mouth to savor it, and a satisfied expression spread across her face. The questions from a moment ago were completely forgotten.

‘The haughty Senior Sister is actually a foodie!’

Zhao Xuanqi remained expressionless. After two months of interaction, he had more or less figured out the young girl’s temperament. She was easy to handle.

Still, He Xijun had been quite good to him these days. Although she loved to put on the airs of a Senior Sister, she was dedicated in her lessons and held nothing back. Their personalities were completely different, but for some reason, his interactions with her always reminded him of Zhao Qin from the world of the Divine Generals.

‘I wonder if that old friend is well?’

“Not bad. Your Senior Sister here cultivated for the entire day and had no time at all to go out and wander. I guess you have some conscience after all.”

Seemingly having learned her lesson from the time her Lotus Fragrance Cakes were “snatched,” this time, in less than ten breaths, all dozen or so walnut crisps were devoured by He Xijun. Still wanting more, she patted Zhao Xuanqi’s shoulder with a satisfied look on her face.

Soon, everyone had arrived. After the sect’s Steward confirmed the numbers, he led the group to the banquet.

The banquet was held at a manor near the street. When Zhao Xuanqi and the others arrived, a dozen or so banquet tables were already set up in an open area on the manor grounds. Many people from the various schools had already arrived.

And in the center of the open area was a fighting ring, about ten meters in diameter.

When Martial Artists gathered, there couldn’t be wine without fists.