To rely on luck is to be at the mercy of others.

"Senior Sister?"

Cui Hao stood at the door, poking his small head inside and darting his eyes around the room.

Before he could even catch sight of his senior sister, Chen Baiqing's voice drifted out:

"How does the busy Mr. Cui have the time to visit me today?"

Hearing this, Cui Hao hurriedly walked in. Stepping around the corner, he finally saw his senior sister standing at the desk, brush in hand, writing something on a piece of paper.

Lu Lingyi stood to the side, organizing some items with a smile on her lips, looking at Cui Hao with a teasing gaze.

Cui Hao wore a smile, rubbing his hands together as he walked forward, his tone somewhat flattering:

"Don't I have to report the situation to you, Senior Sister?"

"Zheng Zhaoling sent me a message saying she guarantees the evil cultivators in Yunmengze won't be able to leave for a while. As soon as I received the news, I dropped everything and rushed over."

Cui Hao's fawning smile grew even wider as he quickly walked up to Chen Baiqing's desk.

Previously in Huaze Village, many things required his personal attention, and later on, he had to divide his focus to micromanage various matters. Because of this, his reports to his senior sister were often neither timely nor detailed.

Although Cui Hao felt it was only natural to do these things, his main purpose for coming to Yunmengze was not this.

Even if his senior sister didn't blame him for acting independently, his actions had still affected her plans.

He had essentially held her back. Now that everything was on the right track and there weren't many things requiring his micromanagement, he naturally had to come see his Third Senior Sister immediately.

Third Senior Sister had never eaten the Complete Nourishment Pill, but Cui Hao had popped quite a few of the pills concocted by their master.

The potency of those things...

Even now, Cui Hao shuddered at the mere memory of it.

Hearing his words, Chen Baiqing lifted her gaze and looked at Cui Hao leisurely, saying,

"Oh? Then I must thank the busy Mr. Cui for delivering such news in person."

"Senior Sister, what are you saying!"

"Oh... so the busy Mr. Cui still remembers he has a senior sister."

"Senior Sister... I was wrong."

Chen Baiqing gave a soft snort upon hearing this, looking at Cui Hao.

"How Zheng Zhaoling came here should be exactly as I thought, right?"

Cui Hao put on a sycophantic smile again. "Senior Sister is a brilliant schemer."

Chen Baiqing raised her hand and lightly tapped Cui Hao's forehead with the end of her brush.

"Don't you know how to be a little considerate? How long has she rested?"

Cui Hao looked a bit aggrieved upon hearing this, but he didn't say a word.

Seeing this, Chen Baiqing gently shook her head and sighed.

"What's with that expression? If Master were here, he'd think I was bullying you."

Cui Hao lowered his head and said, "Senior Sister treats me very well."

"I'm not blaming you," Chen Baiqing said, putting down her brush. "You did the right thing. It's only natural for our family to help each other. I naturally have no objections to what you did, otherwise I would have gone to find you myself long ago."

Hearing this, Cui Hao raised his gaze, looking into his senior sister's eyes, and understood the words she left unsaid—she just didn't want their master to worry anymore; she just felt bad for their master.

He thought for a moment and started, "It's my..."

"Alright," Chen Baiqing interrupted, a smile on her lips. "You're Master's most beloved disciple. If you apologize to me, won't Master punish me later?"

Listening to Chen Baiqing's words, even with his thick skin, Cui Hao's face reddened a little.

Master punishing Chen Baiqing because of Cui Hao.

What kind of fantasy tale was that?

Chen Baiqing reached out and lightly tapped the map in front of her.

"If your matters are mostly settled, stay here. Those evil cultivators have been forced into a corner, and a cornered dog will inevitably jump the wall."

"Who knows how long these evil cultivators have been rooted in Yunmengze, or how many monsters will choose to take desperate risks for immediate gains. Although your background is formidable, it's always right to be extremely careful. Keep close to me so I can cover you."

"After all, as Master's little darling, how could I dare let anything happen to you?"

Cui Hao hurriedly waved his hands in denial, then immediately changed the subject.

"Has Senior Sister pinpointed their locations?"

Chen Baiqing didn't press the joke further. Pointing to a spot on the map, her voice turned slightly cold.

"They are basically locked down. They are already showing signs of acting out of desperation."

Cui Hao pressed, "When does Senior Sister plan to strike?"

"Scheduled for three days from now." Chen Baiqing looked up. "If you have other things to do, try to get them done early. We don't have much time. They are about to catch on, and if we give them time to prepare, it will be even more troublesome."

"There isn't much else. I'll just go back and give some brief instructions, and that will be it."

"Do you plan to operate with us?"

"Naturally. After all, this is our true mission." Cui Hao patted his waist, where his fully sheathed weapon 'Wanban' rested. "Besides, I have backing."

Chen Baiqing nodded lightly. "Go on, see you later."

Cui Hao cupped his hands in a salute, then breathed a sigh of relief as he walked out.

Third Senior Sister was Third Senior Sister after all; she had let him off easy.

Heh, playing pitiful was somewhat useful after all.

He would use it again next time.

Chen Baiqing watched Cui Hao's much lighter footsteps as he walked out, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Only then did Lu Lingyi slowly speak up with a smile:

"The camaraderie between Captain and Junior Brother is truly quite good."

This wasn't Lu Lingyi speaking nonsense. Normally, Chen Baiqing was so calm she seemed devoid of emotion; it was only when Cui Hao arrived that this leader seemed like a normal person.

"It's acceptable."

Chen Baiqing replied casually.

A gloomy atmosphere shrouded this sunless cave.

A group of people sat down on either side. Everyone's clothing was different, but all were extremely plain. Their faces were somewhat dark; from afar, they looked just like local villagers of Yunmengze.

After waiting for a moment, another person vaulted into the cave.

Seeing that the last person had arrived, the middle-aged man sitting at the highest position spoke:

"Everyone is here. I have asked quite a few monsters, and the answer I received is that this is a helpless move by the God of Yunze to placate Zheng Zhaoling. There will be no investigations or arrests, just a blockade of the inside and outside of Yunmengze."

"The monsters of the Yunze Grotto-Heaven are each holding formations, guarding the surroundings, and that group of monsters is also providing support."

"If we really try to break through, and by chance get discovered, I'm afraid we will have to face Zheng Zhaoling and the God of Yunze directly."

"If a few of us could escape, then naturally fleeing would be the best option, but I fear that facing those two directly, none of us will be able to get away."

"After all, outside of Yunmengze, there might already be an inescapable net."

"The news might be true, but it is also true that someone is tracking us down. I already have concrete evidence and traces of it."

"Especially since the disturbance in Yunmengze came so suddenly and strangely, as if it was deliberately meant to disrupt our plans."

"As things stand, whether to run and fight to the death, or stay and wait for the storm to pass, we must reach a conclusion today."

As his words fell.

A cacophony of conversation erupted within the cave.

A moment later, a sudden voice spoke up.

"Everyone, do not forget."

"To rely on luck is to leave oneself at the mercy of others."

Inside the cave, the voices instantly fell silent again.