Bamboo Mound

"Hey, Fourth Brother, you've been worried all afternoon. The target is just a kid at the third level of Spirit Fusion, who doesn't even have a footwork technique that can accelerate him. Eighth Brother usually only knows how to ambush. Do you think that kid can dodge it?"

A middle-aged man with half his face seemingly melted off spoke impatiently to the blood-haired youth.

"Besides, even if that kid managed to dodge Lao Ba's sneak attack, could he really kill Lao Ba, who's two levels higher? Let's wait and see. Lao Ba will send word after he succeeds."

“But…” The blood-haired youth wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the middle-aged man waving his hand.

"There are no 'buts,' let's wait a little longer."

No sooner had the middle-aged man finished speaking than a red-faced, bald man in the corner spoke up.

"Everyone, our target set off this morning. Given his speed, he should have already arrived at the Qingyun Sect."

Although we don't know where Lao Ba is lying in ambush, there's still no news, so it seems the chances of him dying are slim.

As soon as he finished speaking, a communication talisman on his waist lit up.

"Seventh Brother has sent a message!"

The seventh brother was the one who went to check on the eighth brother's situation not long ago.

Everyone fell silent, waiting for him to continue.

After receiving the message from the transmission talisman, his expression turned extremely grim. He turned to look at the blood-haired youth and said in a deep voice:

"Old Eight is dead."

The young man looked on incredulously, "How is that possible! That kid is only at the third level of Spirit Fusion, while Lao Ba is a genuine fifth level Spirit Fusion!"

The red-faced man, his face also turning ashen, took out another communication talisman, sent a message into it, and then the talisman turned into ashes.

"I'd like to ask the seventh brother how the eighth brother died."

A moment later, another communication talisman lit up on his waist, and he quickly picked it up to receive it.

However, the contents of the transmission talisman made his eyes widen.

"Several of Lao Ba's meridians were severed, and his brain was shattered by the leaves. There were only three pools of Lao Ba's blood at the scene, and a large pile of leaf debris in the nearby woods. In other words, the target was not even injured!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the cave widened their eyes in unison.

"How is this possible?" the blood-haired youth exclaimed in shock. "How could a mere brat at the third level of the Spirit Fusion Realm possess such strength?"

The red-faced bald man took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "No matter what, the mission failed. Not only is Lao Ba dead, but the array plate was also taken away. The target has returned to the Qingyun Sect, and the Qingyun Sect may become more alert because of this."

"Currently, the Qingyun Sect only has two inside agents, which is far from enough. The most urgent task is to find another person to enter the Qingyun Sect."

"Alas, there's nothing we can do. Perhaps the Qingyun Sect received news of the massacre in Changle City, because almost no disciples have come out in the past half month."

"We finally managed to find another one, but I never expected such a mistake to happen."

The group discussed the matter, each taking turns to say a few words.

The blood-haired youth remained silent for a long time, then looked up and said helplessly:

"It seems we have no choice but to use Plan Three."

Everyone fell silent as if by unspoken agreement.

"The day after tomorrow is their Three Sects Grand Competition. Each of the three sects will send several elders with some disciples to leave their sects."

If there's still no opportunity tomorrow, then the only option is to sneak into the mountains the day after tomorrow when the Qingyun Sect's defenses are relatively weak.

The red-faced bald man sighed, "That's all we can do."

However, Plan Three is too risky; it could be exposed if not handled carefully.

The blood-haired youth gritted his teeth, "It's all for the revenge of our sect's destruction. We've endured for over twenty years, isn't this the moment we've been waiting for?"

Others echoed and agreed.

"And whether it is exposed in the end is irrelevant, as long as we prevent them from spreading the news before the people from the Three Sects Competition return and before our final action."

"In that case, let's make some preparations."

We'll investigate again tomorrow. If there's still no opportunity, we'll proceed with Plan Three.

The red-faced bald man made a decision.

"With the sect leader leading the Qingyun Sect, everything will be foolproof!"

The crowd dispersed, each going about their assigned tasks to prepare for the next action.

The blood-haired youth stood alone at the cave entrance, gazing in the direction of the Qingyun Sect, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes.

.................

The next morning, Ning Chang got up and breathed in the fresh air in the yard.

Tomorrow marks the start of the Three Sects Competition, but beneath today's calm surface, undercurrents are surging.

"I'll go see my master today and ask him some questions. It seems he wants to take me to observe the Three Sects Grand Competition."

I took a few steps and arrived at the gate of my master's courtyard.

He knocked on the door and waited outside.

After a while, just as Ning Chang was about to knock on the door again, his master's voice came from inside the courtyard.

"Enter."

He pushed open the door and went inside, only to find that his master had just come out of the room as well.

Upon seeing Ning Chang, the master's first question was, "You're back? How was your trip?"

Ning Chang recalled for a moment, "Not so good. Although Changge City is lively, it's still too lively for me."

"Hmm." The master nodded, took out a square table and two chairs, and placed them under the peach tree.

He walked to the left and sat down, then pointed to the chair on the other side, indicating that Ning Chang should also sit down.

After Ning Chang sat down, his master said, "I intend to have you participate in this Three Sects Grand Competition. Are you willing to go?"

Ning had often heard of the Three Sects Grand Competition, and knowing that his master's question this time was just a formality, he nodded.

"Disciple is willing."

He had barely agreed when he realized something was wrong.

"No, Master, you want me to participate? Aren't you just taking me to watch?"

The master laughed and said, "Silly disciple, when did I ever say I only wanted you to watch?"

"This time, your master wants you to spar with other disciples of the same generation from other sects to see just how strong you really are."

Also, referring to their techniques will greatly improve your skills.

Ning Chang was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

"No, I'm fighting three sects? Really?"

As if oblivious to Ning Chang's reluctance, the master waved his hand and said:

"Disciple, have you chosen a suitable weapon? Let your master see how you fight now."

Ning Chang hesitated when he heard about weapons, but he knew he couldn't avoid this situation in the end.

So he took a deep breath and, under his master's slightly expectant gaze, pulled out a handful of neatly arranged bamboo leaves that floated in his hand.

Then, under his master's somewhat dazed and puzzled gaze, he took out several more bamboo leaves and controlled them to spin rapidly around the two of them.

Then it fell silent and stared straight at its master.

After a while, seeing that Ning Chang hadn't made a move, the master asked with a puzzled look:

"Is this the end?"

Ning Chang nodded. "Pretty much."

The master stood up in disbelief and put one hand into the vortex of bamboo leaves.

Understanding his master's meaning, he did not manipulate the bamboo leaves to avoid it.

The bamboo leaves either bumped into or grazed the master's palm, but without exception, they caused no injury whatsoever.

Seeing this, the master shook his head in disappointment.