Thanks to three days of dedicated cultivation, Bai Lan had gradually touched the threshold of Qi Refining level one.
But on the eve of breaking through the bottleneck of Qi Refining level one, Bai Lan stopped cultivating and turned to studying a cultivation method called "Breath Concealment."
"Why hasn't the host been cultivating these past few days?" The system rarely saw Bai Lan not meditating and could not help drifting closer.
With her forehead pressed against the Jade Slip, Bai Lan kept her eyes closed. "If I keep cultivating, I'll break through."
"Isn't it a good thing to break through in cultivation? You like cultivating immortality so much." The system did not understand.
Bai Lan opened her eyes and chuckled. "Little System, there's a saying: the tree that stands out in the forest will be the first to be toppled by the wind. Have you heard it?"
"It means that if you become the tallest tree, a wild wind will come and knock you down?" The system sank into thought.
"Exactly. That is why there is another saying: Playing the Pig to Eat the Tiger." Bai Lan smiled slyly.
The system suddenly understood. "So that's it! The host likes it when pigs eat tigers!"
"...What I mean is that underestimating one's enemy is a grave taboo. But if I can make the enemy underestimate me, it becomes an exquisite trump card for turning defeat into victory and overcoming the strong while weak." As Bai Lan spoke, she half-closed her eyes again and silently recited the Breath Concealment incantation.
Breath Concealment was not a proper cultivation method, but rather a functional Mystical Technique, so it was not difficult to learn. Especially since Bai Lan had not even reached Qi Refining level one yet.
Using Breath Concealment to hide her current cultivation, as thin as a sheet of paper, was as easy as hiding a soybean beneath a handkerchief.
Just as the two were chatting idly, the Identity Jade Token at Bai Lan's waist suddenly lit up.
A moment later, a voice emerged from it. "All disciples remaining here, the time has come. The flying ship will depart in three days. Any disciples returning to the sect, gather promptly to return."
The voice repeated itself three times before finally falling silent.
The Azure Sect was fairly humane, giving all mortals who had tested positive for spiritual roots time to bid their families farewell.
Once they left, immortals and mortals would truly be separated by different worlds, and meeting again afterward would be difficult indeed.
Bai Lan took a deep breath, put the Jade Slip in her Storage Bag, and rose to her feet. Light shone in her eyes. "Can I finally truly enter the cultivation world?"
Though she had come into contact with spiritual energy, she had still been moving about in the mortal world, where spiritual energy was sparse. Bai Lan remained full of curiosity about the true cultivation world.
"Doesn't the host plan to say goodbye to her parents?"
Though they were parents she had only known for three days.
Bai Lan shook her head slightly. "There is no need. Seeing them once more would only add to the pain of parting. I have already left a letter. Once they see it, they will understand."
After Bai Lan left, Mother Bai would disperse everyone in the Bai Residence as she had instructed, vanishing completely from the Southern Kingdom.
Just imagine, when Long Aotian wanted to wipe out the entire Bai Household in the future...
He would search all around the Southern Kingdom.
Only to discover that he could not find the Bai Residence at all.
After using Breath Concealment to conceal her shallow cultivation, which was on the verge of entering Qi Refining level one, as that of a mortal, Bai Lan relied on her jade token to finally board the enormous flying ship that had been suspended in midair from the beginning, preparing to head to the Azure Sect.
Among the tens of millions of people in the Southern Kingdom, fewer than a hundred mortals with spiritual roots had been selected.
Bai Lan found a secluded corner on the flying ship. She appeared to be staring blankly into space, but was actually watching the plot progress bar on the system screen before her.
Maneuvering around the two Children of Destiny, obtaining their cheat abilities first, and increasing her strength were her short-term goals.
"What happened at the bottom of the cliff was your doing!"
Bai Lan's thoughts were pulled back by a voice brimming with fury.
Slowly turning around, she met Long Aotian's face, twisted with rage as he ground his teeth.
She had taken his Storage Bag, stolen the opportunity at the bottom of the cliff, and even arranged for someone to try to possess him.
What exactly did this woman want?
Long Aotian was furious, especially when he discovered that after Bai Lan had taken everything of value, she had even left him a pair of red Mandarin Duck Underwear.
"I did it. What are you going to do about it?" Bai Lan spoke unhurriedly, utterly fearless.
What a joke. An elder of the Azure Origin Sect at the Core Formation stage was aboard the flying ship. With the spiritual pressure of a Core Formation cultivator's divine sense blanketing the area, Long Aotian would never dare attack Bai Lan at this time.
"So it really was you. Hmph, hand over the Storage Bag and the inheritance you obtained, or don't blame me for being rude!" Long Aotian gritted his teeth and made his threat.
Bai Lan looked Long Aotian over, then gave a soft laugh and lowered her voice. "Does all your confidence come from that old man hiding deep within your soul?"
Bai Lan had already given up struggling.
The Child of Destiny's hatred was already fixed upon her. It could not be erased, and she did not want to waste time and effort winning their favor.
Since that was the case, she might as well use the information she knew to keep them in check. At the very least, this tactic had worked quite well on Bai Ling.
The moment those words left her mouth, Long Aotian's arrogant expression changed. "Y-you, how did you know!?"
The Elderly Grandfather's existence was his greatest secret. He had never told anyone!
Why did she know?
"How I know is not important. What is important is this." Bai Lan stepped forward and spoke earnestly. "Do you truly believe that old man sincerely took you as his disciple and is wholeheartedly helping you?"
"What do you mean by that?" Long Aotian asked in a low voice.
"You regard him as your master, yet he will not even tell you where he came from. You do not know what calculations he is making in his heart either. Think carefully—what if, while you are off guard, he takes the chance to possess you..." Bai Lan laughed softly, her tone teasing.
Long Aotian's expression changed. "Impossible!"
Though he said it was impossible, he was already imagining the possibility of it happening.
The Elderly Grandfather in his mind possessed unfathomable strength, yet he had always been mysterious and unwilling to reveal his past in full.
What if he really...
"Tsk, should I call you innocent, or stupid? The cultivation world is so cruel. No one rises early without profit. Do you truly think someone would treat you well unconditionally?" Bai Lan's tone was unhurried. "Other than coveting something you possess, what else could they possibly want from treating you well?"
She seized upon the point he cared about most to sow discord, and clearly, Long Aotian fell for it.
Naturally, the old man deep within Long Aotian's mind, who had just awakened, also heard Bai Lan's words.
"Boy! Do not believe this woman's words. She is driving a wedge between us and disrupting your Dao heart!" the Elderly Grandfather in Long Aotian's mind shouted angrily.
The Elderly Grandfather's tone was grave. "This little girl is absolutely not simple. She is a troublesome opponent. If you believe her, you will only throw yourself into disarray. Do not underestimate her."
Long Aotian took a deep breath, suppressing the panic in his heart as he forced himself to speak calmly. "Stop spouting nonsense. Do you think I'll believe you?"
Bai Lan said nothing more, merely giving a soft laugh without speaking.
Two sentences of sowing discord were enough. Saying more would have the opposite effect.
Before you continue