Wind Rises from the Duckweed

The next morning, the core members of New Fire Valley gathered in Lu Yuan's cave, which also served as a research lab.

The atmosphere was even more oppressive than in the stone chamber. On the table lay the encrypted notes brought by Yun Youzi, along with several supplementary intelligence reports that Lu Yuan had deciphered the previous night. Shen Moxin's brows were furrowed, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the temple of her glasses. Mo Chen stared at the coordinates on the intelligence reports, his face pale. Lin Xiao leaned against the cave wall, arms crossed, his amber pupils slightly contracted. Su Yan stood beside Lu Yuan, his back ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on the intelligence reports, saying nothing.

"The situation is worse than expected," Yun Youzi said hoarsely. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Clear Sky Sect... Upper Three Sects have mobilized. The Spirit Hall hasn't made any large-scale moves yet, but Qian Daoliu's attention has been drawn to the disturbance of the rules. Our place is now like a bonfire in the dark, it can't be hidden anymore."

Shen Moxin raised her eyes. "What is their goal? Recruitment? Extermination? Or..."

"I don't know," Yun Youzi shook his head. "But based on past intelligence, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect acts relatively mildly, focusing on intelligence gathering and cooperation. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... is more direct. The Clear Sky Clear Sky Sect has been closed for many years; this unusual activity is very abnormal."

Mo Chen licked his chapped lips. "Can our concealment formation withstand the detection of Titled Douluo?"

No one answered.

Lu Yuan Lu Yuan silent. His fingers traced lines lightly across the rough stone table, devoid of Soul Power, relying solely on touch to outline some kind of contour. After a long while, Lu Yuan spoke, his voice so steady that it betrayed no emotion.

"Simply avoiding it is no longer realistic."

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Then let's fight. Kill one if one comes, kill two if two come."

"We can't kill them all." Lu Yuan shook his head. "Killing one will only attract more. Besides, we don't currently have the strength to directly confront the Upper Three Sects."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Lin Xiao asked curtly.

Lu Yuan stopped what he was doing with his fingers.

"Turning the tables." Lu Yuan raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Choose a relatively moderate force and make limited contact. Demonstrate our value, not hostility. Buy time, gather information, and assess the situation."

Shen Moxin immediately understood. "You want to make contact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"There are three reasons," Lu Yuan said, holding up three fingers. "First, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was founded on the Auxiliary System, so they might be more open to Martial Soul research and theory. Second, their relationship with the Spirit Hall is delicate, involving both cooperation and checks and balances; they are not a monolithic entity. Third, Ning Fengzhi is known for his wisdom, so perhaps we can communicate with him."

Yun Youzi pondered, "What about the risks? What if they're being polite on the surface but actually harbor malicious intentions..."

"Therefore, we cannot show our true faces," Lu Yuan said. "We should test the waters as 'reclusive researchers.' Elder Yun, you must have some extremely secretive connections from your early travels across the continent, connections that you yourself have almost forgotten, right?"

Yun Youzi was taken aback, then his expression became complicated.

"Yes, there is... one. Many years ago, I saved a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect outer guard who was being hunted by enemies. He owed me a life, and later returned to the sect, where he was responsible for some insignificant external affairs. I have never used this connection, and he himself may have even forgotten about it."

"Use this line," Lu Yuan said decisively. "Send something over. The content needs to be carefully selected; it shouldn't involve our core secrets, but it should demonstrate sufficient theoretical depth."

Lu Yuan turned to Shen Moxin: "Teacher Shen, could you please compile a 'Preliminary Research Summary on Martial Soul Synergy Enhancement'? Focus on the mathematical model of resonance between different attribute Soul Power, observational data on improved energy flow efficiency, and deductions based on this regarding the enhancement of the combat potential of Auxiliary System Soul Master. Only write the conclusions and some verifiable data; omits all derivation processes."

Shen Moxin nodded. "Understood. I'll go prepare right away."

"Add a short note," Lu Yuan thought for a moment, "and write: 'I've heard that your esteemed clan draws upon the strengths of many; now, a humble man offers his humble contribution, hoping it may serve as a stepping stone.' Signed... ' Mountain Hermit.'"

The Yun Youzi noted. "How should I give the items?"

"Use the most primitive Soul Power coded message and deliver it through your connection. Don't leave any trace pointing to New Fire Valley," Lu Yuan instructed. "This move is both a test and a delaying tactic. We need time."

The meeting ended, and everyone went about their own business.

Shen Moxin spent most of the day condensing some of Lu Yuan's theoretical achievements over the years into a summary of more than ten pages. The writing was concise, the data solid, and the viewpoints novel yet left room for interpretation. Any discerning Soul Master researcher would be shaken upon reading it, yet would not be able to grasp the core of the argument.

Yun Youzi used a connection that had been dormant for nearly twenty years. The delivery process was extremely tortuous, changing hands several times, and finally, three days later, the encrypted letter was delivered to an old deacon of the outer sect of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School. When the old deacon saw the format of the cipher and the special markings at the end, his hand trembled slightly. After a long silence, he still stuffed it into the daily documents that were to be presented to the internal affairs elder.

Two more days passed.

A snow-white albatross-like Soul Beast with lively eyes passed through the many obstacles surrounding New Fire Valley and landed precisely on the stone platform outside Lu Yuan Cave. A small jade tube was tied to its foot, and the surface of the jade tube was engraved with the emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School—an exquisite pagoda.

Lu Yuan took down the jade tube and infused it with his Soul Power. A soft white light emanated from the surface of the jade tube, projecting lines of neat small characters into the air. The wording was polite, using elegant classical Chinese, inviting "The Mountain Hermit" to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's residence in Heaven Dou City to "discuss and exchange ideas, and explore the wonders of Martial Soul together." The signature was three characters: Ning Fengzhi.

The letter was short, but its meaning was very clear.

Yun Youzi stared at the projected words and took a breath. "Ning Fengzhi personally invited me... This is no small matter. But it could also be a trap."

Lu Yuan carefully read every word, even sensing the extremely faint rhythm of Soul Power remaining between the lines.

"It's not a trap," Lu Yuan shook his head. "At least not entirely. The Soul Power fluctuations in this letter are calm and composed, carrying a sense of... openness and inquiry. But beneath the politeness, there's also scrutiny and assessment. He's waiting for our response."

"Are you going?" Shen Moxin asked.

"Let's go." Lu Yuan put away the jade tube. "But we can't go like this. Elder Yun, prepare two sets of the highest-level disguise Soul Tool, the kind that can alter bone structure, aura, and Soul Power fluctuations. Also prepare a few items for self-defense and escape. The two of us will go."

"Just the two of us?" Yun Youzi frowned.

"More people would only draw attention," Lu Yuan said. "New Fire Valley needs someone to oversee it. How is Shi Jian's injury?"

Bai Zhi happened to come in to deliver medicine. Upon hearing this, she said softly, "Brother Shi's external injuries have healed, and his Soul Power has recovered to 70%. He can fight now."

"Alright." Lu Yuan looked at Mo Chen and Lin Xiao, "While Elder Yun and I are away, command of New Fire Valley will be temporarily handed over to Shi Jian and Mo Chen. Lin Xiao, you will assist in defense, but all actions will be under Shi Jian's command. Teacher Shen will be in charge of internal research and disciple courses, which will continue as usual. Su Yan..."

Su Yan stepped forward. "Sir."

"Keep an eye on the house," Lu Yuan patted him on the shoulder. "If anything unexpected happens, assist Shi Jian and Mo Chen, and keep everyone calm."

"Yes." Su Yan nodded emphatically.

Over the next two days, Lu Yuan and Yun Youzi made meticulous preparations. The disguise Soul Tool came from Mo Chen's collection, allowing them to transform into two ordinary-looking, Soul King Soul Power -fluctuating middle-aged Soul Master with no distinguishing features. Lu Yuan prepared several kinds of medicines and Soul Tool to deal with different situations, while Yun Youzi compiled a detailed map of Heaven Dou City and intelligence on the outskirts of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

On the eve of departure, Lu Yuan activated the highest level of concealment and defense plan for New Fire Valley. All outer formations were operating at full capacity, entering a semi-silent state. Non-essential personnel were prohibited from leaving the area, and the core area was raised to the highest alert level. Shi Jian led the recovered combat forces to redeploy the defenses, Mo Chen inspected every soul-guided trap and early warning node.

At dawn, Lu Yuan and Yun Youzi quietly left New Fire Valley, their figures disappearing into the mountains to the northwest.

The first day passed without incident. Brief communications were maintained along the way via the pre-installed Communication Soul Tool, and everything was normal in New Fire Valley.

The next day was still peaceful. Lu Yuan and Yun Youzi had already traveled more than 500 miles away from New Fire Valley, disguised as traveling Soul Master, and were making their way towards Heaven Dou City at a leisurely pace.

The third day, in the afternoon.

Deep within the New Fire Valley, Mo Chen was in his workshop debugging a new set of early warning Soul Tool cores. Suddenly, a crystal plate embedded in the wall in front of him, connected to the outer array network, lit up with a blinding red light without warning!

A sharp Soul Power alarm instantly rang throughout the workshop!

Mo Chen abruptly stood up and rushed to the crystal panel. The panel displayed a real-time energy feedback image of the No. 3 alert zone on the west side of the valley—seven or eight rapidly moving red dots appeared on the originally stable green background! The Soul Power intensity indicators emitted by the dots were at least at the Soul Emperor level, and one of the dots was particularly Da Ming, with a cold energy valuation marked next to it: Soul Douluo.

What chilled him to the bone even more was that the movement of those points of light was not a blind search, but rather a deliberate and purposeful one, approaching the second layer of the illusionary barrier on the outskirts of New Fire Valley along a winding but stable path! They seemed to be able to vaguely sense the general location of the formation, and were lingering on the periphery, tentatively using their Soul Power to attack the weak points of the illusionary barrier!

The image automatically captured and magnified a brief, clear scene: a group of Soul Master dressed in dark purple outfits with roaring dragon heads embroidered on their chests were moving swiftly through the forest. The old man at the head had a cold, hard face, his eyes were like lightning, and his body Entanglement by visible, fragmented Lightning.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!

"Enemy attack--! High alert!" Mo Chen roared hoarsely, his voice amplified throughout the entire New Fire Valley via his Amplifying Soul Tool.

The piercing alarms echoed through the valley, layer upon layer. All the disciples and deacons rushed out from all directions, running in an orderly fashion to their designated battle positions. Shi Jian's burly figure appeared in the central square almost at the same time the alarm sounded. His face was ashen, and he grabbed the Communication Soul Tool.

"All combat personnel, enter Level 1 combat readiness! Defense teams, take your positions! Soul Cannon teams, warm up! Non-combat personnel, immediately take to underground bunkers!"

The valley instantly sprang into action, filled with the sounds of footsteps, commands, and the hum of activated Soul Tool. Yet, the movements were orderly and disciplined, carrying a cold, hard rhythm honed through long-term training.

Shen Moxin rushed to Mo Chen's workshop, her face pale. "What happened? How did they find this place? Lu Yuan and the others only left three days ago!"

Mo Chen stared intently at the approaching red dots on the crystal panel, his knuckles turning white from the force. He suddenly turned his head, his eyes bloodshot, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with suppressed shock and anger, and a barely perceptible tremor.

"How did they find this place? Could it be... from within our ranks...?"