Hundred Sects Tournament: Golden Core Finals (7)

After roughly ten breaths, a clear, gentle, impeccably polite male voice rang out at just the right moment from somewhere in the woods several yards beyond the cave entrance. Its volume was carefully measured—loud enough to carry clearly into the cave concealed by rubble, yet not so loud as to seem abrupt or intrusive.

"Greetings, fellow cultivator. I am Lin Sheng, and I have no wish to disturb your peace. I merely made a brief investigation using a wood-spirit technique just now and, by chance, discovered your ingenious methods. I am deeply impressed."

The voice paused briefly, as though awaiting a response, or perhaps sensing the area further through some other means.

When the other party remained silent, Lin Sheng spoke again. His tone was still sincere, now with an added measure of cool-headed analysis:

"Fellow Cultivator Qu is currently unstoppable, while Fellow Cultivator Lu commands both the weather and the terrain. Together, they are even more formidable. For the rest of us, the situation is dire indeed. Fighting alone, we would struggle to withstand them. Though my abilities are modest, I would like to form a temporary alliance with you, share resources and information, and discuss how to counter them. What... do you think?"

Another brief silence followed, broken only by the faint whisper of wind and snow through the cracks between the rocks.

Then, at last, a voice answered.

It was a peculiar voice, flat in intonation, neutral in timbre, and slightly hoarse. It sounded nothing like any contestant Lin Sheng remembered; clearly, it had been deliberately altered. Its source seemed to drift as well, making its precise location difficult to pinpoint.

"How thoughtful of you." The altered voice was calm and emotionless, betraying neither pleasure nor anger. "I also had the good fortune to witness your match