The celebration gradually came to an end.
The lively atmosphere from earlier slowly faded as the outer courtyard and Grade B trainees respectfully excused themselves one after another.
Only the five newly advanced Innate martial artists remained seated at the inner dining table.
The night wind drifted gently through the pavilion.
Spirit lamps hanging overhead flickered faintly, illuminating the expressions of the group.
Half empty wine cups rested across the table while untouched spiritual dishes still emitted faint traces of heat.
But now—
The atmosphere had become much more serious.
Especially after the visit from the five core courtyard trainees.
No one here was stupid.
The moment those alliance leaders revealed the contribution split requirements, everyone immediately understood something.
The Cloud Mist Training Center was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface.
Silence lingered briefly.
Then finally—
Zhao Feng leaned back lazily in his chair and asked,
"So… what's everyone's decision?"
The folding fan artifact in his hand opened slowly with a soft snap.
The spiritual patterns engraved along the fan surface flickered faintly before disappearing again.
Lou Han was the first to respond.
"I won't work for others."
His tone was calm.
Direct.
Without hesitation.
The candlelight reflected against his sharp eyes as he continued quietly,
"I entered the inner courtyard to gain enough strength to protect my sister."
"Joining someone else's faction only means becoming another person's subordinate."
"I have no interest in that."
The others nodded slightly.
No one found his answer surprising.
Lou Han had always possessed a stubborn personality.
Especially after what happened with Gu Fei.
Lin Shou also spoke shortly afterward.
"I won't join either."
While speaking, his fingers unconsciously touched the blood jade pendant hanging beneath his robes.
A faint crimson glow flickered briefly before disappearing.
His eyes darkened slightly.
"I still have things I need to accomplish."
"And I won't accomplish them by serving under others."
Lin Sheng quietly glanced toward the pendant.
Ever since Lin Shou's breakthrough, the aura around that blood jade had become increasingly strange.
Though faint—
It carried traces of an ancient pressure.
Lin Sheng memorized the sensation silently before withdrawing his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaolu remained quiet.
Her white sword rested beside her chair while her fingers lightly tapped the table rhythmically.
Clearly, she was still thinking.
As for Lin Sheng—
His expression remained calm on the surface, but inwardly, he was analyzing the situation carefully.
The speed at which the core courtyard factions moved had exceeded his expectations.
Almost immediately after their breakthroughs—
Recruitment arrived.
Clearly, the faction system inside the training center was far more rigid and organized than ordinary rumors suggested.
Originally, Lin Sheng thought the factions merely existed for cooperation during missions.
But now—
It felt closer to political control.
The stronger factions monopolized missions, resources, and information.
Newly advanced Innate martial artists naturally became valuable targets.
Especially talented ones.
Still—
Lin Sheng himself was not overly worried.
After all, with his current strength, even ordinary Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivators could suffer serious injuries from his Mental Spiral Thorn technique if caught unprepared.
Though using it carried risks.
And exposing such an ability too early was unwise.
But at the very least—
He possessed enough confidence to protect himself.
Of course…
Confidence did not mean recklessness.
Lin Sheng finally spoke calmly,
"They probably won't attack us directly."
The others immediately looked toward him.
Lin Sheng continued slowly,
"If core courtyard disciples could openly kill fellow trainees without consequences, this entire training center would already be chaos."
"The elders may encourage competition…"
"But they still need order."
Lou Han frowned slightly.
"Then what methods will they use?"
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed faintly.
"Indirect pressure."
"Making missions difficult."
"Withholding important information."
"Using influence to interfere with assignments."
"Possibly even having people target us during missions."
"Not enough to violate rules openly…"
"But enough to create constant problems."
The atmosphere around the table became heavier.
Because everyone knew—
What Lin Sheng said was very likely true.
The elders probably would not interfere either.
After all, martial artists thrived through struggle.
Pressure.
Competition.
Conflict.
These things were viewed as part of growth.
Especially within a place like the Cloud Mist Training Center.
The weak were eliminated.
The capable advanced.
Simple.
Zhao Feng suddenly laughed softly.
"That's why…"
He casually spun the fan artifact in his hand before placing it onto the table.
"Since we're all refusing anyway…"
"Why not create our own group?"
The others looked at him.
Zhao Feng grinned.
"Temporary or permanent, that can be decided later."
"But right now, we need enough strength to survive the pressure from those alliance leaders."
Lin Xiaolu finally spoke for the first time since the core courtyard trainees left.
"And your plan?"
Her cold eyes stared directly at Zhao Feng.
"You clearly prepared this beforehand."
Instead of denying it, Zhao Feng simply smiled wider.
"Of course."
"If I'm going to reject them, I naturally need preparations."
He leaned slightly forward.
"The best missions for us currently are Yao beast hunting missions."
Lin Shou frowned.
"Why?"
"Because they're difficult to interfere with openly," Zhao Feng replied immediately.
"Law enforcement missions involve internal coordination."
"Escort missions can easily become manipulated."
"Resource transportation missions are even worse."
"But Yao beast hunting?"
He tapped the table lightly.
"That depends mostly on personal strength."
"And most importantly…"
"The rewards are excellent."
Lin Sheng silently nodded.
Contribution points gained from Yao beast materials, spirit herbs, and dangerous region explorations were indeed extremely high.
Especially for Innate martial artists.
After all—
The Cloud Mist Forest itself was filled with resources.
Dangerous resources.
Lin Xiaolu narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And what about another beast tide?"
The atmosphere became slightly tense again.
Everyone still remembered the previous chaos vividly.
The massive beast horde.
The Foundation Establishment thunder beast.
The terrifying pressure from Guardian Zhao.
Even now, the memory remained clear.
Unexpectedly—
Zhao Feng looked completely unconcerned.
He casually waved his fan artifact.
"I already estimated the periodic patterns."
The others stared at him.
Lou Han blinked.
"You estimated… a beast tide?"
Even Lin Sheng looked slightly surprised now.
Zhao Feng coughed lightly.
"Well… not perfectly."
"But I analyzed historical records, market activity fluctuations, beast migration patterns, and several older reports."
"Using those, I roughly reconstructed the estimated intervals."
Lin Sheng's eyes sharpened slightly.
This fellow…
Just how much had he secretly prepared?
Zhao Feng continued smugly,
"The previous beast tide occurred earlier than normal."
"So the probability of another large-scale riot happening within the next two months is extremely low."
"Not impossible…"
"But unlikely."
Lou Han crossed his arms.
"And if your calculations are wrong?"
Zhao Feng immediately pointed toward Lin Sheng.
"Then we rely on him."
Lin Sheng: "…"
The others almost laughed.
Even Lin Xiaolu's expression softened slightly.
Seeing the atmosphere ease somewhat, Zhao Feng quickly continued seriously,
"The main point is this."
"If we work separately, the alliance leaders can suppress us individually."
"But together?"
He smiled.
"That becomes much harder."
"We have five Innate martial artists already."
"Three Inner Energy Stage."
"One Inner Strength Stage."
"And one monster hiding who-knows-what."
His gaze drifted meaningfully toward Lin Sheng.
Lin Sheng calmly ignored him.
Zhao Feng continued,
"As long as we cooperate during missions, even the core courtyard alliances won't act too aggressively immediately."
"They still need to maintain appearances."
"And…"
A sly smile appeared on his face.
"I can create enough false trails and decoys to make tracking our movements difficult."
This time, even Lin Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Decoys?"
"Formation techniques," Zhao Feng replied proudly.
"Well… simplified versions."
"I've been studying several concealment methods recently."
"Nothing too advanced."
"But enough to confuse people."
Lin Sheng finally understood.
No wonder Zhao Feng always seemed strangely confident.
This fellow truly possessed many hidden methods.
The others gradually fell silent again.
Each person pondered carefully.
Because once they officially rejected the core courtyard alliances—
There would be consequences.
Maybe not immediately.
But eventually.
This was essentially refusing submission.
Finally—
Lou Han spoke first.
"I agree."
Lin Shou nodded shortly afterward.
"So do I."
Lin Xiaolu remained silent for several moments.
Then finally—
She gave a slight nod.
"I'll join temporarily."
Now only Lin Sheng remained.
Everyone looked toward him.
Lin Sheng quietly observed the group.
Lou Han.
Lin Shou.
Lin Xiaolu.
Zhao Feng.
None of them were ordinary people anymore.
Each possessed talent, determination, or hidden secrets.
Most importantly—
At least for now, their interests aligned.
Slowly—
Lin Sheng nodded.
"I agree."
The moment those words fell—
Zhao Feng immediately grinned widely.
"Hahaha! Good!"
He stood up instantly and placed both hands dramatically onto the table.
"Then from today onward—"
"We officially become allies!"
Lin Shou frowned.
"That sounds childish."
Zhao Feng coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… temporary allies."
"That sounds better."
Even Lou Han looked slightly speechless.
Lin Sheng merely shook his head inwardly.
Still—
Despite Zhao Feng's unreliable behavior…
The atmosphere around the table had clearly changed.
The pressure from earlier eased slightly.
At the very least—
None of them would face the upcoming problems completely alone anymore.
Outside the pavilion, night deepened gradually.
The mist surrounding Cloud Mist Mountain drifted slowly beneath the moonlight.
Far away—
Faint beast roars occasionally echoed from the forest.
As if reminding everyone constantly—
The cultivation world was never peaceful.
Especially for those climbing upward.
But now—
A new faction had quietly begun forming within the Cloud Mist Training Center.
Small.
Temporary.
Weak compared to the established alliances.
Yet none of them realized—
How much influence this small gathering would eventually create in the future.