"Alright, today's lesson ends here. I also have an announcement to make. Three days from now, we will have a friendly competition with Blue Heart Hall. I hope everyone performs well and upholds the reputation of our Water Mirror Hall."
"Eh!? A friendly competition?"
"Are there prizes if we win?"
"Is Blue Heart Hall strong? Why are we suddenly having a friendly match with them?" ...
After hearing the Hall Master's words, the disciples of Water Mirror Hall erupted with curious questions. But at this moment, Liu Zijin was completely stunned. 'Senior Brother Jiang is from...
Blue Heart Hall!?'
"Zijin-jie, Zijin-jie!"
While lost in thought, Liu Zijin heard Fang Qiuyao calling her. She turned and saw that the other girl looked even more excited than she was.
"Mm."
Liu Zijin naturally understood what Fang Qiuyao meant and nodded at her with a smile. At the front, the Hall Master rapped his ruler twice against the lectern.
"Quiet!"
Instantly, the disciples fell silent.
"Disorderly conduct, the lot of you."
Frowning in disapproval, the Hall Master continued, "The reason for this friendly competition is that our Hall Master intends to collaborate with Blue Heart Hall for mutual learning and development."
'Eh!?'
Liu Zijin's beautiful eyes widened almost comically. 'Could it be that our sincerity has moved the heavens?' For the past two days, the five of them had been drowning in regret over failing to meet Senior Brother last time.
They had thought such an opportunity would take much longer to come, but who knew it would arrive so soon—and in such a direct and intense manner! Fang Qiuyao was practically itching to grab Liu Zijin’s shoulders and shake her wildly before spinning her around in a 720-degree hug.
Brimming with excitement, Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyao patiently listened as the Hall Master explained all the details and dismissed the class. The moment the Hall Master left, the Rain Listening Pavilion erupted into lively discussions as disciples shared what they knew about Blue Heart Hall.
Meanwhile, Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyao dashed outside—only to be met by three identical figures sprinting toward them.
"Zi~jin~jie~!"
Yu Guishui called out as she ran.
"Slow down, slow down. We already know," Liu Zijin said with a laugh, waving her hand.
The three of them skidded to a stop in front of Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyao.
"This is too much of a coincidence! Out of all the halls in the sect, they just had to pick Blue Heart Hall for collaboration!"
"It must be fate!"
"Right, right! Now we can finally see Senior Brother openly!"
Their excited voices drew curious glances from other disciples leaving the pavilion, prompting Liu Zijin to raise a finger to her lips.
"Shh..."
The three Yu sisters immediately covered their mouths and nodded. Lowering her hand, Liu Zijin whispered, "I think we should hold a small meeting before we visit Blue Heart Hall."
"A meeting?"
Fang Qiuyao blinked.
"What are we discussing?"
"Hmm..."
Liu Zijin thought for a moment.
"We’ll discuss all the necessary precautions when interacting with Senior Brother."
"Oh~" The three Yu sisters nodded in unison before raising their hands one after another.
"I'll bring snacks!"
"I'll handle the tea!"
"I'll bring the incense burner!"
"What do we need an incense burner for?"
Fang Qiuyao asked, puzzled.
"For the atmosphere!"
Yu Guimiao answered.
"Oh... I see. Then I'll take care of the location. We can use my room—my roommate, Qiu Lan, went down the mountain for a trial mission, so I’m alone."
Four pairs of eyes then turned to Liu Zijin. With a faint smile, Liu Zijin said, "I'll prepare the agenda. Then... let’s meet in Qiuyao’s room at xu hour (7-9 PM)."
"Understood!" ...
As darkness gradually swallowed the sky, countless stars pierced through the night, scattering their unique brilliance across the heavens. Beneath the starry sky, three figures crept furtively toward a small house. The leader raised a hand but hesitated before turning back to ask, "How do we knock—two short and one long?"
The other two lowered their heads in thought before one answered, "Probably two quick knocks, then a pause before the third."
"Oh~ Clever."
"Hehe."
Having solved the puzzle, the leader turned back and rapped twice quickly on the door, waited a moment, then knocked a third time. Soon, a voice came from inside.
"Liangxiang nightscape."
The leader immediately replied, "Vast starry sky." With a click, the door opened. After scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was watching, the three figures slipped inside.
"Wow, you guys are really going all out. Where did you get those night clothes?"
Liu Zijin couldn’t help but laugh at the three Yu sisters’ black bodysuits.
"Novels always say great heroes wear night clothes when upholding justice, so we brought them—just in case," Yu Guishui explained, pulling down her black mask.
"Though compared to the straw hats Senior Brother gave us last time, these are nothing special."
The youngest, Yu Guimiao, also removed her mask and chirped, "This is so fun! Let’s do it again with a different password!"
"Hey, we’re not here to play—we have serious business," Yu Guizui chided before pulling a food box from her Universe Ring and handing it to Liu Zijin.
"Zijin-jie, I brought some fuling pastries from home. They’re delicious!"
"Mm, they sound wonderful. Just set them on the table."
The other two Yu sisters then brought out their incense burner and tea leaves. Once the incense was lit, the five of them gathered around the square table.
"Hmm... As I mentioned earlier, today’s topic is the precautions we should take when interacting with Senior Brother. Let me start by raising a few points."
"First and foremost, Senior Brother’s Three Rules are the most important to discuss. The first rule..."
As Liu Zijin spoke, Yu Guimiao’s hand stealthily reached for the plate of fuling pastries—only to be smacked away by Yu Guizui.
"Rude! Wait until Zijin-jie is done."
"Ugh... Fine."
Yu Guimiao stuck out her tongue and retracted her hand. Liu Zijin chuckled and placed a pastry on Yu Guimiao’s plate.
"Relax, no need to be so formal."
"Hehe, thanks, Zijin-jie!"
Yu Guimiao swung her legs happily. After playfully booping Yu Guimiao’s nose, Liu Zijin continued, "Senior Brother’s first rule is that we can appropriately share what we’ve learned from him but must never reveal what he does. From this, I believe Senior Brother means he doesn’t want outsiders to know about his exceptional talents and mastery of various skills."
Fang Qiuyao nodded thoughtfully before raising her hand.
"The word 'appropriately' must also be significant. It implies that even among the things he allows us to share, there are still things we shouldn’t say."
"Hmm..."
Yu Guishui pondered before pulling out a sheet of paper.
"Should we list all the things Senior Brother is skilled at first?"
"Oh, no need. I’ve already prepared that."
Liu Zijin handed out mulberry paper to the others.
"I’ve already summarized them here. If there’s anything to add, feel free."
"Wow, Zijin-jie, you’re so thorough!"
Yu Guishui scanned the list and found it impressively comprehensive—even including things she hadn’t thought of.
"Senior Brother is also skilled in cartography?"
Yu Guishui asked, surprised.
"Yes."
Liu Zijin nodded.
"Remember the drawing manual Senior Brother gave me? I later checked—it’s not sold anywhere. He must have written it himself."
"Wow~" The four junior sisters gasped in unison.
"And..."
Liu Zijin pulled out the Illustrated Manual and flipped to a middle page.
"Look at this drawing."
"Whoa..."
The four exclaimed together. The page displayed a map depicting mountains, rivers, settlements, and roads—not as mere symbols but as vivid ink paintings. The river branches stretched naturally like veins, breathing life into the entire piece.
"This... This is incredible."
Yu Guizui couldn’t help but stand.
"Zijin-jie, may I take a closer look?"
"Of course."
Liu Zijin handed her the manual. After studying it several times, Yu Guizui took a deep breath.
"I studied painting for two years at home. As my teacher would say, this painting uses water as its lifeblood, plants as its hair, and mist as its spirit. The mountains come alive with water, flourish with plants, and become enchanting with mist. Every element is perfectly placed. It’s hard to believe this is also a functional map..."
Setting the manual back on the table, Liu Zijin nodded.
"I already thought the drawing was amazing, but hearing you say this makes Senior Brother’s talent seem even more extraordinary."
Yu Guimiao bobbed her head.
"Yeah, it feels like whatever Senior Brother knows, he masters completely. That’s just too impressive."
"Right. Other than what I’ve written, does anyone have anything to add?"
"I... I have something."
Fang Qiuyao timidly raised her hand. Under the expectant gazes of the other four, she said, "But what I’m about to say must never leave this room. It stays a secret among the five of us."
Seeing Fang Qiuyao’s seriousness, the others immediately swore secrecy.
"Senior Brother... is also likely skilled in crafting hidden weapons."
The black smoke Senior Brother had created the night he saved her remained fresh in Fang Qiuyao’s memory. Its ability to sever all five senses was terrifying—if someone had attacked her in that smoke, she wouldn’t even have known where she’d been struck.
"Hidden weapons!?"
The three Yu sisters gasped in shock. Only Liu Zijin wore a thoughtful expression, as if she’d just realized something.
(End of Chapter)