Shadow of an Acquaintance

Xu Ningbing stopped in her tracks and looked back at Luo Fengchan. "Sect Leader, do you have anything else to say?"

"What are you, a grown woman acting like a little brat?"

Luo Fengchan stood with her hands behind her back, her voice sounding childish. "This cultivation technique originally belonged to us. We just want to take back what is ours. Why are you getting so worked up?"

"That's right, Ningbing. The reason I invited you here isn’t just about this technique. What I truly value is your own strength."

Ding Hong laughed from the side. "Besides, you don't need to worry about the technique. The Sect Leader will discuss it with that senior. Just focus on your cultivation here."

"Well said. I watched your combat videos. You leverage small advantages against larger forces, and your understanding of battle is exceptional. Your future achievements will be limitless."

Gu Qin chimed in as well.

She wasn't lying. She had watched the full competition videos, especially the faction known as the Righteous and Heretical Sect.

Xu Ningbing, Meng Wanyue, Dai Xingluo, and the others all displayed impressive combat skills.

On the surface, Meng Wanyue was the strongest fighter among the three, a classic veteran.

But to an expert like Gu Qin, Xu Ningbing had the highest potential for future greatness.

Meng Wanyue's fighting style was like that of a top student, executing techniques to perfection.

However, precisely because of her deep understanding of combat, she often prioritized personal safety too much, sacrificing more effective attacks.

Xu Ningbing was different. She charged in recklessly when needed, backed off when necessary, and occasionally pulled off surprising moves.

This approach reminded Gu Qin of another disciple she once had.

Xu Ningbing hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You can discuss my master's technique, but you cannot take it by force."

"Don't worry. The Cold Immortal Sect would never do something like that."

Gu Qin waved her hand with a smile.

The master behind Xu Mu was undoubtedly an expert, likely even stronger than herself.

She wouldn't foolishly provoke such a high-level figure.

"Qiufen, take Ningbing downstairs and find her a room."

Ding Hong turned to the middle-aged woman beside her.

"Yes, Grand Elder."

Chen Qiufen nodded and stood up, walking toward Xu Ningbing. "Come on. I'll show you around the sect."

Xu Ningbing hesitated briefly before agreeing. Since she was already here.

Besides, her father had specifically told her that this sect suited her well.

After Xu Ningbing and Chen Qiufen left through the formation, only three people remained.

"This Xu Ningbing... why does she feel so familiar?"

Luo Fengchan sat back down on the stone stool, twirling the braid in front of her a few times.

"Now that you mention it, I feel the same way. It's like she carries the shadow of someone we know."

Ding Hong echoed.

Hearing this, Gu Qin narrowed her eyes slightly. "You both feel that way?"

"Master, you too?"

Luo Fengchan frowned.

"Your junior sister, Zhao Shuiyin."

Gu Qin looked at Luo Fengchan. "Her fighting style is very similar to your junior sister's when she first joined the sect. Perhaps it's just a matter of personality."

"Junior sister... it actually does seem a bit similar. Oh, and her figure, too. My junior sister was quite... well-endowed, almost as much as me."

Luo Fengchan slapped her own small chest, then froze. "No way? Could she be my junior sister's daughter?"

"Wouldn't that be the daughter of Wang Yizhi, the Redemption member too?"

Ding Hong found it hard to believe, then waved her hand dismissively. "You must be overthinking it. What are the odds, and besides, her surname is Xu."

Luo Fengchan stared into the distance. "At this point, I think we should first find Xu Mu and meet his master."

...

Xu Mu and Tong Guoguo had already reached their destination.

This time, the coordinates pinpointed a range of about a hundred meters, located in a forest outside a small county.

Xu Mu used his perception to scan the area and found no one else. "It seems this place truly isn't widely known."

He searched within the hundred-meter radius and finally found a moss-covered stone.

"Guoguo, I found it."

Xu Mu waved at Tong Guoguo, who was searching farther away.

Together, they entered the ruins through the formation.

The entrance was at the mountain's summit. Xu Mu extended his perception but still detected no one.

Suddenly, Tong Guoguo took off her sunglasses. The golden gears in the whites of her eyes spun rapidly.

She pointed to a forested area below. "Xu Mu, there are people in the woods down there."

"Are there?"

Xu Mu raised a hand to shield the sun and peered into the distance but saw no one.

"Have you forgotten my eyes? My vision is like a high-powered telescope. I can see clearly."

Tong Guoguo kept her gaze locked on the mountainside. "It's a woman in a blue dress, and a few women in white dresses... it's her, Bai Qingyuan from the Cold Immortal Sect!"

"It looks like one of the two ruins she found is this one."

Xu Mu finished speaking and headed downhill. "Let's hurry. We can't let them snatch the treasures."

The two quickened their pace and hurried down the mountain.

Along the way, Xu Mu scanned the surroundings. The forest was pristine, untouched by signs of battle. Perhaps it really was undeveloped.

Still, after so many years, plenty of people must have come and gone repeatedly.

But treasures were a matter of fate—just because others had entered before didn't mean the spoils were all taken.

Soon, Xu Mu and Tong Guoguo reached the base of the mountain and picked up their pace to catch up.

When they were within a kilometer, Xu Mu's perception could cover the group ahead.

He saw not only Bai Qingyuan but also several top disciples of the Cold Immortal Sect, along with two older middle-aged women who seemed to be elders.

Xu Mu didn't approach rashly. Though he had a decent impression of the sect, caution was always wise.

As Tan Tai Quan had said, otherworldly beings liked to kill young prodigies like them.

And not just them—other Yan Huang descendant sects had the same mindset.

In the plot, sect conflicts weren't just about treasure—they also involved eliminating each other's geniuses.

The two followed at a distance until Xu Mu saw the group enter a building made of yellow earth.

As soon as they entered, Xu Mu's perception was cut off—clearly, there was a formation inside.

Soon, Xu Mu and Tong Guoguo arrived at the building.

"There's a formation here. We need to be careful."

Xu Mu handed her a transfer token and etched a communication formation on his arm.

Once ready, they stepped into the building together.

As soon as he entered, Xu Mu felt darkness engulf him. It lasted for nearly five seconds before light returned.

This wasn't a cave or a building. It was the same kind of pristine forest as before.

He crouched and pressed his hand to the ground. "We've stepped into a formation... Guoguo..."

As Xu Mu spoke, he turned around and realized Tong Guoguo had disappeared. He immediately closed his eyes to sense her, but then discovered that she was right beside him.

"Guoguo! Can you hear me?"

Xu Mu sent a message through the formation.

"Yes, Xu Mu, where did you go?"

Tong Guoguo raised her arm and spoke to the formation on it.

"What the hell? I can't see or hear her?"

Xu Mu walked toward Tong Guoguo to see if he could touch her.