45. Give Me Some Reaction
The rain came suddenly, but fortunately, there was an overgrown cave nearby.
To avoid getting soaked, they took shelter inside, discussing their next move.
Yes, they needed a plan. According to Ye Ao Daoist Mountain’s original plan, they were supposed to deliver the final blow during this examination.
So, even if the situation had changed, their original arrangements would remain.
What arrangements? —Well, for example, Ruohuai Daoist Mountain and Ye Ao Daoist Mountain were conveniently placed in the same group, along with two other affiliated sects, making the numbers roughly three to one.
With such a disparity, a direct confrontation would be disastrous. They had to pick them off one by one.
As for how to do that, the examination grounds provided some opportunities.
The participating teams, each from a different Daoist sect, entered the back mountain from different directions. So, even if they had communicated beforehand, it would take time to find each other in such a large area.
“While it’s raining, we’ll go out and search for them,” the Xi brothers, ever the gentlemen, suggested.
They were used to navigating forests, and even a downpour wouldn’t hinder them much.
“Be careful.” Lan Suqin agreed. “If you find any of them, fire a signal flare, and we’ll come immediately.”
“If you encounter more than a dozen of them, come back, and we’ll reconsider.”
“Understood, Senior Sister Lan.”
The two brothers put on their straw raincoats and were about to leave.
But before they could—”Wait.”
It was Gong Yiling.
“Is there anything else, Miss Lü?”
“If you encounter cultivators from other sects, it’s fine. But if you see anyone from Ye Ao Daoist Mountain, come back immediately. Just mark their location.”
“Ye Ao Daoist Mountain?” The Xi brothers looked at her, puzzled. “They’re not that strong. We’ve fought them before.”
“Times have changed.”
Gong Yiling explained, “They’re not the same Ye Ao Daoist Mountain you fought before.”
“They have Gu. It’s difficult to detect in this rainy weather, and you don’t know if they have something more powerful than before.”
Her words made their expressions turn grim.
Indeed, they had also been victims of that strange Gu poison. Since Ye Ao Daoist Mountain had resorted to such underhanded tactics, they would likely use them again.
“Understood!”
The Xi brothers exchanged glances, taking Gong Yiling’s words to heart, and quickly left.
After they left, Lan Suqin approached, her expression concerned. “Did you sense something?”
“Just a premonition.”
Gong Yiling glanced at the pouring rain outside and frowned. “Miss Lan, you don’t know what they’re doing behind your back, do you?”
“Behind my back?”
“Before the truth is revealed, please allow me to keep some things to myself.” Gong Yiling said, “Just know that Ruohuai Daoist Mountain is no longer in danger of being demoted. I suspect Ye Ao Daoist Mountain’s Senior Sister won’t bet on us anymore, but on the other sects that will be demoted.”
“What?”
Although Gong Yiling didn’t directly point out the problem with Ye Ao Daoist Mountain, her words conveyed a clear message.
Their conspiracy wasn’t just about their feud.
If not the feud… then what could it be?
Gong Yiling could only guess.
Her information was limited. She could only deduce something from the Senior Sister’s deliberate targeting of Ruohuai Daoist Mountain.
Since her plan was related to the Divine King’s Court, Ruohuai Daoist Mountain was just a pawn, their feud a smokescreen to divert attention.
If this path was blocked, she would have to find a new target. It was uncertain if she would act during the examination.
And this rain…
“What will they do? Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I’m not sure.” Gong Yiling shook her head. “As for what to do, let’s wait for those two to return.”
Her decisive tone, despite her unknown identity, made Lan Suqin feel that this girl was no ordinary person.
Otherwise, how could a random cultivator and her companions break two of Qian Yue Academy’s long-standing records upon arrival?
Of course, Miss Gong didn’t think she was anything special.
After saying this, she leisurely returned to Qiu Shui’s side and sat down.
The sound of the rain outside was like a lullaby, and with nothing else to do, Gong Yiling, after chatting with Qiu Shui for a while, leaned against her shoulder, her eyes gradually closing.
“Master, Master?”
Qiu Shui called out softly, but Miss Gong was already happily dueling with the Duke of Zhou in her dreams, oblivious to the world.
She even smacked her lips in her sleep.
This foodie Master, what is she eating in her dreams?
Qiu Shui chuckled, then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she took out a pastry.
Making sure Lan Suqin wasn’t looking, she gently lifted Gong Yiling’s veil and placed the pastry at her lips.
“Time for lunch—”
Of course, Gong Yiling, feasting in her dreams, didn’t react.
—Did she really not react?
Qiu Shui, just playing around, found it rare to see her master sleeping so soundly.
After teasing her for a while without any reaction, she herself felt a bit peckish.
So, she took back the pastry and took a bite.
And in that instant, Miss Gong, as if sleepwalking, followed the scent and latched onto the other half of the pastry.
“Mmm!?”
Caught off guard, Qiu Shui was pulled down onto the ground by Gong Yiling.
See? Who said there was no reaction?
