Thousand Luo Gorge.
The three Plum Blossom Sword Sect elders had already sent a message back to the sect.
The trial was officially terminated.
All disciples were ordered to return to the ships and gather.
At full speed, even for sect experts, it would take about two days to reach this area.
During that time, the three elders also searched other regions.
But Luo Gui never moved.
He remained buried beneath a pile of rocks, suppressing all traces of his aura.
He didn't dare breathe too loudly, didn't dare make the slightest movement.
He gathered every bit of his presence inward—no leakage, no fluctuation.
He could only wait for an opportunity.
If he moved and was discovered, he'd be doomed.
His hiding skills were something he genuinely trusted.
Once, to escape a Tier Six ferocious beast, he had submerged himself in a swamp for an entire month.
That monster had patrolled the area nonstop.
Only Luo Gui's sheer stubborn endurance saved him.
At Wave-Cleaving Harbor in the Thousand Slaughter Riverlands—
The disciples returned one after another.
Most were confused by the sect's sudden decision to end the trial.
Among them, only Wu Yao knew the rough reason.
But how could she possibly say it out loud?
She kept silent, acting as clueless as everyone else.
Wu Yao wasn't very sociable to begin with.
In a major sect, friendships were built on background.
If your backers were strong and connected, you naturally had allies.
It wasn't about beauty.
It was about whether you had value.
Whether you had qualification.
Wu Yao never cared about any of that.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sect was merely a platform for her growth.
Why bother mingling with shallow people?
Disciples gathered in small groups.
Soon, someone noticed something wrong.
Almost everyone had returned—
But the Young Sect Master was nowhere to be seen.
"Strange. Why hasn't the Young Sect Master returned?"
"You still don't know? The Young Sect Master met disaster…"
"You can't speak nonsense! He was powerful, with countless treasures. How could he die?"
Someone immediately jumped out to defend him, eager to flatter.
A cold snort sounded from afar.
The disciples' bodies stiffened as a chill washed over them.
"Stop your reckless gossip."
An elder spoke in a hard voice.
If people kept talking, the truth would be twisted into rumors.
And with things still unclear, it wasn't suitable to announce anything publicly.
But the soul jade had shattered.
And even after three elders went to search Thousand Luo Mountain, not a trace was found.
Most likely—
He was already dead.
"Has anyone among you been to Thousand Luo Mountain?" the elder asked.
Wu Yao's heart jumped.
But she forced herself to calm down.
No way it would be that convenient—no way they'd point at her so quickly.
Hold steady.
Don't slip.
She had barely reclaimed her life. She wasn't going to throw it away now.
The disciples all shook their heads.
Thousand Luo Mountain was too far.
There was no benefit worth the risk.
Only a fool would run there.
The elder only asked casually. If someone had a clue, great—but he didn't expect it.
"The Inner Pavilion elders will arrive soon."
"This trial ends here. You may move freely, but you are not allowed to leave a ten-mile radius."
"Yes, Elder!""Thank you, Elder!"
The disciples were relieved.
They'd finally left the sect, and being dragged back immediately would have been unbearable.
Now they could wander nearby for a bit.
Wu Yao did not leave.
Instead, she remained on the ship and cultivated.
In times like these—
The most dangerous place could be the safest.
The Young Sect Master's death wasn't her doing.
But she had witnessed everything.
And she had agreed to keep Lin Ye and Luo Gui's secret.
That made her feel like an accomplice.
"Junior Sister Wu Yao," a gentle voice said, "since the trial is over, why not go out and take a look around?"
A handsome young man approached.
His name was Zhu Xiao.
His father was a commander in the sect's combat division, known as the Four Symbols Hall.
"Senior Brother Zhu," Wu Yao replied calmly, "I have no interest. I only want to cultivate in camp."
Zhu Xiao had pursued her constantly.
Wu Yao could see through him easily.
A wolf in human skin.
She would never accept him.
She wanted support, yes—
But not through that kind of bargain.
Zhu Xiao chuckled.
"Tonight, at the third watch, I'll be waiting for you at Red Mountain Slope—ten miles out."
"If you don't come…"
"I'll report that you went to Thousand Luo Mountain."
Wu Yao's eyes turned sharp.
"Senior Brother, why would you say such a thing?"
"Were you wandering around Thousand Luo Mountain yourself?"
"If so, I can report you right now."
Zhu Xiao froze.
He hadn't expected her to counter like that.
He had indeed seen her coming down from Thousand Luo Mountain.
But he didn't know what happened up there.
And if he got dragged into this mess—
Even a tiny association would be disastrous.
"I truly care for you," Zhu Xiao said, trying to look sincere.
Wu Yao answered with a polite smile—
Then turned and walked back into her cabin.
Wu Yao had no background.
But precisely because of that, her background was clean.
If she grew strong enough, many factions would try to recruit her.
Once she broke into Moon Wheel Realm, she would become valuable.
Talent was talent—
But breaking into Moon Wheel Realm still required opportunity.
Many people stalled at that threshold forever.
Some even went insane from failed cultivation.
Watching Wu Yao leave, Zhu Xiao's eyes flashed with cold malice.
"Bitch… sooner or later, I'll make you kneel."
"Those fools died at the right time."
"With them gone, my ranking can rise."
Meanwhile—
At the bottom of Thousand Luo Gorge—
A powerful aura surged around Lin Ye, gathering rapidly.
Inside his Qi Sea—
A bright moon rose slowly.
This was the Blood Star being fully refined, turning into Lin Ye's Moon Wheel.
"Finally… Moon Wheel Realm."
"And my Moon Wheel is hundreds of times stronger than ordinary cultivators."
In the Moon Wheel Realm, people compared the size and strength of their moon.
Who could compare with Lin Ye?
He had refined a star into his own foundation.
As the Moon Wheel formed, his realm surged again.
Moon Wheel First Layer.Moon Wheel Second Layer.
Within the Nine Nether Blood Sea, the mysterious Blood Peak slowly rose.
Lin Ye's eyes fixed on it.
"The Nine Revolutions Asura Art…"
"Fourth Layer!"
It arrived earlier than expected.