A 9th realm Qi Condensation disciple lay over a shattered vase, his chest heaving as his face contorted in anger. "You…!?" he roared, a trembling finger aimed accusingly at a figure huddled behind a gaggle of onlookers.

  Senior Sister Lian snorted softly, a wisp of amusement playing on her lips. "Another fool in love,"

  She and Zhen edged closer to the commotion.

  A group of disciples, their faces contorted with cruel faces, circled their prey like wolves.

  "Look at that guy's face! He's furious!"

  "Someone should probably stop them before this gets out of hand."

  "Nah, let them fight. It's entertaining."

  Their victim, a tall, well-built young man with short, unruly hair, stood in the center, his shoulders ready for any attack.

  "He Shan?" Zhen's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "What's he doing here?"

  Senior Sister Lian's eyes narrowed, observing the scene with a calculating gaze. "Maybe here for that Su bitch," her voice laced with a hint of disdain. "He was charmed. By that Su bitch, no less. He was quite promising, too, similar to you, Junior Brother, but lost his way due to his immatureness," She paused, a frown creasing her brow. "Though, I don't understand... how could he even attack a quasi-outer disciple."

  Zhen followed her gaze, landing on the crumpled figure of the quasi outer disciple. Lost his way due to immaturity, huh? He snorted internally. Though maybe it was a one-time thing, he mused, a flicker of doubt creeping in. Some sort of desperate, last-ditch effort. He certainly looks pathetic enough now.

  This whole Cultivation Renewal business was getting more and more interesting by the second. He glanced back at her, who was still lost in contemplation, her brow furrowed in thought. He knew she was only seeing a fraction of the picture. He Shan wasn't just any nominal disciple who had messed up; he was a True Disciple, handpicked and groomed by an Elder.

  After a moment, Zhen decided to play his hand. This information was a valuable bargaining chip, and he could use it to gain some leverage with Senior Sister Lian, or at least see if she knew anything more about this mysterious Cultivation Renewal method.

  "While everyone may think he lost his cultivation, he is actually practicing Cultivation Renewal," Li Zhen said, keeping his voice low so only she could hear.

  Senior Sister Lian gave him a surprised look, her eyebrows shooting up. "Cultivation Renewal? You mean he is under some Elder?" She straightened, a spark of intrigue igniting in her gaze.

  This was clearly news to her, and Zhen felt a surge of satisfaction. He had her attention now. "Yeah, from Jadecrest Peak," He confirmed, watching her reaction carefully.

  He Shan was currently being jostled and pushed around by the group of disciples.

  "He was always trouble..."

  "...should have known..."

  "...a bad egg..."

  He Shan tried to leave, to escape the torment, but they blocked his path, their jeers and insults growing louder with each passing moment. It was a cruel display of power, and Zhen felt a surge of anger on He Shan's behalf.

  Senior Sister Lian was watching the scene unfold, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Should we help him get out?" she asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.

  Zhen gave her a knowing glance. He understood her motives. Helping someone in their time of need could create a debt, a favor to be called upon later. It was a common practice in the cultivation world, a way to build connections and influence. "Do you know if the opposite party is from some faction?" Zhen asked instead of directly answering, already having an idea of who was behind this.

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  Senior Sister Lian looked around, her eyes scanning the group surrounding He Shan. The main person pushing He Shan didn't appear to be the leader. They were likely just a pawn in a larger game.

  As she looked, Zhen felt a piercing gaze on him and turned his head to meet the eyes of Wang Bo. It was clear from the way the disciples were positioned and the subtle cues they were giving each other that Wang Bo was the instigator.

  Lian had also focused on Wang Bo, her expression turning uncertain. "I think it's due to Wang Bo," she said, her voice low.

  "Is he a problem?" Li Zhen asked, wanting to gauge Wang Bo's strength and connections.

  "He is under Xiao Hong's faction," Lian explained. "They rank lower than my backing in terms of influence and status. However, their faction has been quite aggressive in their recent recruitments. So, in terms of quality, I am above them, but in terms of quantity, he has the advantage. Though I don't know if Wang Bo is targetting him for personnel feud or faction war."

  Maybe it's a faction war, then, Li Zhen thought to himself. A proxy battle, using He Shan as the punching bag. Classic. It was clear to him that this was about more than just bullying a heartbroken disciple. It was a power play, a way for Wang Bo and his faction to assert their dominance on the nominal disciples.

  Senior Sister Lian turned to Zhen with a serious look. "How sure are you that He Shan is cultivating... Cultivation Renewal?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of doubt.

  "Hundred percent, but I don't know the Elder's name…" Zhen replied, his gaze fixed on the escalating fight. He noticed the fleeting glances He Shan was giving towards Senior Sister Su's room, but there was no reaction from her, no sign of recognition or concern. It was as if He Shan was a complete stranger to her.

  Senior Sister Lian gave him a scrutinizing look, then straightened, a determined glint in her eyes. She had made a decision. Just as the situation reached its boiling point, the crowd's jeers reached a fever pitch and a flicker of deep disappointment crossed He Shan's eyes, she moved towards the group, ready to intervene.

  Zhen watched her go, a strange feeling stirring within him. He was pretty sure that He Shan had come here today because of his lingering feelings for Senior Sister Su, hoping for a glimpse, a word, anything.

  It was a fool's hope, but love, or perhaps infatuation, could make even the most rational person act irrationally. Or maybe Su Jiao really is in love with He Shan but due to their difficulties…

  Thinking about the captivating Senior Sister Su, Zhen felt a tremor of unease. He decided then and there to stay as far away as possible from the disciples of Velvetbliss Peak. Their charm was too dangerous, too unpredictable. He would stick to his own path, his own cultivation, and avoid the entanglements of the heart.

  As Wang Bo moved towards the commotion, likely intending to further escalate the situation, Zhen started to follow, determined to support Senior Sister Lian as she asserted herself. He wouldn't let her face this alone.

  However, his path was abruptly blocked by a new figure, a female young disciple he hadn't seen before.

  She was like something out of a dream, with delicate features, eyes that shimmered like moonlit water, and an aura of effortless grace that made Zhen feel like a clumsy ox. A subtle fragrance wafted from her, a delicate blend of wildflowers and something... more.

  Something that made his head spin, his knees feel a bit wobbly and his heart skipped a beat.

  So pretty… The jarring thought flashed through his mind, a sudden and unexpected burst of emotion. He felt a warmth spread through his chest, a feeling he hadn't experienced before.

  But then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the lovestruck fog in his brain dissipated. The stars within his acupoints started spinning like crazy, and the purple qi within him surged like a tidal wave.

  A cold shiver ran down his spine as he instantly recognized the subtle manipulation of charm techniques. Damn it, another charmer! he cursed internally.

  Learning from his previous experience encounter with the Seventh Core Disciple Lan Xingchen, he maintained a lovestruck expression, giving no outward indication that he had broken through her technique. He was just not sure if the girl would notice, so he continued with his act. The situation had become much more complicated.

  "Greetings, Senior Brother," the fairy said, her voice as melodious as a songbird's. "I am Zhao Lan, a nominal disciple of Velvetbliss Peak." She offered a graceful bow with fluid and captivating movements. "I must say, Senior Brother cuts quite a dashing figure. Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, quite impressive, reaching the stage at a young age of eighteen."

  It sounds nice being praised, Li Zhen thought, but his internal alarm bells were ringing at full volume. But what does she want? Why is she here, showering me with compliments? He was on high alert, trying to decipher her true intentions while the fight ahead was escalating.

  "Ah, thank you, Junior Sister Zhao Lan," Zhen replied, forcing an infatuated smile on his face. "Your words are kind, but I'm afraid I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment." He gestured vaguely towards the escalating confrontation. "Perhaps we could chat another time?" He tried to sidestep her, hoping to make a break for it.

  But Zhao Lan was quicker. With a delicate hand that belied surprising strength, she lightly touched his arm, preventing his escape. "Oh, but Senior Brother," she purred, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "surely a little delay won't hurt? Besides," she added, her eyes twinkling with amusement, "wouldn't you rather enjoy my company than get involved in that... unpleasantness?"

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