“Father, Xiao Shun is here,” Miao Ruohu said after ncing at the y pot in his father’s hand.


    Miao Xiuyun had already heard about the events at Sundown Bazaar earlier that morning. His reaction was surprisingly calm; he simply acknowledged the news without showing any anger. This puzzled Miao Ruohu, who knew better than anyone how desperately his father wanted to obtain the “Mand.”


    Now that this precious treasure had fallen into Xiao Shun’s hands, his father’s indifference was baffling.


    Suddenly, a faint chuckle echoed through the courtyard.


    “Heh, I’ve heard of Xiao Shun’s strength before. If we were to confront him outside, I couldn’t guarantee we’d capture him. But here in Meadowfolk, heh…”


    Hearing this, Miao Ruohu felt enlightened. His father wasn’t unbothered; he was simply cautious about ensuring they could subdue Xiao Shun.


    “Father, are you nning to act?” Miao Ruohu asked excitedly.


    “Ever since you reported back, I’ve been certain that Xiao Shun woulde to Meadowfolk. Here, I’m confident we can capture him,” Miao Xiuyun said calmly, his eyes filled with confidence as he looked at the y pot in his hand.


    Miao Ruohu smiled and asked, “When will we act?”


    “Tonight!” Miao Xiuyun replied, tucking the y pot into his pocket and walking out of the house with aposed stride.


    Soon after, six people left the vige entrance: a vige chief, four elders, and a young master of Silvermeadows. It was an impressive lineup.


    “Chief, shouldn’t we inform the other Meadowfolk?” one elder with a ck scarf asked Miao Xiuyun along the way.


    “No need,” Miao Xiuyun shook his head with a yful look in his eyes. “Given Xiao Shun’s current enmity with Old School Society, if we Silvermeadows capture him and hand him over to them, we’ll receive a great reward. Why share it with the other two tribes?”


    Hearing this, the elders and Miao Ruohu were all visibly excited. Among Meadowfolks, Silvermeadows had a good rtionship with Old School Society, often exchanging resources needed for cultivation. Capturing Xiao Shun for them could yield valuable rewards.


    With this thought in mind, everyone quickened their pace as if a great treasure awaited them.


    After a while, Miao Xiuyun’s expression turned strange. Noticing this immediately, Miao Ruohu asked, “Father, what’s wrong?”


    Miao Xiuyun frowned and said, “Something feels off!”Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “Chief…” an elder began to speak but was cut off by another elder’s reassurance. “Chief need not worry. With our Silvermeadows masters of Gu techniques here tonight, even if Xiao Shun had three heads and six arms, he couldn’t escape.”


    The groupughed in agreement until Miao Xiuyun spoke thoughtfully again.


    “Everyone, our vige is to the east. Why is that man heading west?”


    Theughter stopped abruptly. If Xiao Shun intended to infiltrate Meadowfolk secretly, he should be heading east to investigate their situation. Why was he going west?


    As everyone grew alert, Miao Xiuyun questioned his son further. “Ruohu, did you reveal any information about Meadowfolk during your trip to Sundown Bazaar?”


    Miao Ruohu responded without hesitation, “Father, our people would never do such a thing. This concerns the secrets of our Silvermeadows tribe!”


    An elder then eximed in shock, “Chief, do you think Xiao Shun’s target is that ce?”


    A collective gasp followed.


    “The western mountains are forbidden territory even for us Meadowfolks. Why would an outsider like Xiao Shun head there unless it’s for that ce?” Miao Xiuyun said darkly.


    “Could our jade vein have been exposed?” another elder wondered aloud.


    “Impossible! Only we few elders and the young master know about it,” another elder argued. “Now is not the time for discussion; we must capture Xiao Shun quickly! If he reaches that ce and word gets out from above, we can’t bear the consequences!”


    With that realization, everyone-including Miao Xiuyun-quickened their pace significantly.


    Miao Ruohu stood stunned as he watched them rush off. It was the first time he’d seen these masters of Gu techniques so panicked.


    Big shots? Above?


    What did it all mean?


    He felt certain his elders were hiding something significant from him. Determined to find out more, he gritted his teeth and hurried after them.


    …


    In a quiet forest clearing lit by a campfire that dispelled darkness and coldness around it sat Xiao Shun with closed eyes and crossed legs as he practiced “Fight Book.” Ever since acquiring this technique, he’d devoted every spare moment to strengthening his foundation before attempting a breakthrough-crucial for long-term cultivation sess.


    After circting his internal energy twice through his body’s meridians-a feat now at its limit-he opened his eyes slowly.


    “My current strength maxes out at two cycles,” he muttered while looking at his open hands with some frustration. The “Fight Book” could no longer help him progress without breaking through first; he’d reached peak potential within this realm without advancing further.


    “Ethereal Essence has also solidifiedpletely; my cultivation has reached its peak too… Now I just need thosest three Spirit Stones,” he murmured while lighting a cigarette whose flickering me mirrored his unsettled state of mind.


    Suddenly he heard rapid footsteps approaching from afar-a sign someone wasing fast towards him.


    Smiling slightly at this development despite knowing it likely meant trouble from Silvermeadows seeking revenge rather than friendlypany-he chuckled softly: “Good thing I told Linger not to follow me.”


    This first night spent in these mountains already brought challenges aplenty!