Dressed in black, with a high ponytail and wearing a black mask, Luo Qianqian and Yan, the two of them looked like they belonged there, squatting on the rooftop studying the direction.

"That way." Huangfu Yihui calmly raised his hand and pointed in a direction.

"Thanks." At Huangfu Yihui’s words, Luo Qianqian immediately expressed her thanks, her face full of excitement as she planned to set off. But then she froze. When did Huangfu Yihui come out? And how did he get onto the rooftop?

Huangfu Yihui laid on the rooftop with his arms behind his head, gazing at the fleeting clouds. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Even if you leave now, it won’t help with the competition matters. The Blessed Land Cave Heaven isn’t something that can be resolved just by leaving, and the Snow Palace is no different. So it’s obvious you’re not going out for some game meat. It’s clear what you’re up to."

"Exactly." Yann Yao, who had somehow also climbed onto the rooftop, lay on the other side with a nostalgic look on his face, "Remember to bring out anything valuable when you come back."

"Actually, Shiqi shouldn’t be going. Wasn’t the main reason we were chased before because of Shiqi?" Huangfu Yihui continued.

Yann Yao was silent for a moment, "I think so too, after all, we will eventually meet them on the field."

Luo Qianqian and Yan exchanged looks, speechless. Were these two trying to stop them or encourage them?

"We’re just going to observe the dynamics of life from the Otherworld." Luo Qianqian sighed gently and said, "I have a feeling..."

"What kind of feeling?" Huangfu Yihui immediately sat up, his back straight. He was obviously very concerned about this matter.

Luo Qianqian took a deep breath and slowly said, "I feel that the winning sect this time might gain the favor of the Otherworld."

It always felt like since the beings from the Otherworld could think of using the Southern Li Emperor, tempting a sect didn’t seem out of the question.

After all, in their world, even just the beasts from the Otherworld had caused immeasurable damage.

The three of them were silent, exchanging glances, unable to deny the truth in Luo Qianqian’s words, so they just sat quietly, lost in thought.

"...Then be careful on your way." Huangfu Yihui decisively jumped off the rooftop, landing in the courtyard, and calmly went back inside.

Yann Yao followed closely, waving goodbye to Luo Qianqian without a hint of worry.

Luo Qianqian’s mouth twitched. Could the two of them show a bit more concern for her?

"Shall we go?" Luo Qianqian looked at Yan.

Yan shook his head, "I’m waiting for someone."

"Got it, let’s go." Mo appeared out of nowhere, landing on the rooftop, and patted Luo Qianqian’s head twice when he saw her.

"Alright." The three of them quickly left the rooftop.

He Wenyu leaned against the windowsill with a face full of envy, wishing she could do the same. Should she truly focus on her cultivation? Was she not putting in enough effort?

Meanwhile, Luo Shufan, Luo Yanhai, and Bai Yizhu only came out after watching Luo Qianqian leave, feeling speechless.

It was clear that Luo Qianqian sneaking out in the middle of the night was wrong, so why were they the ones hiding? It was as if they had done something wrong...

"Should we educate her?" Bai Yizhu couldn’t bear it anymore and frowned at Luo Shufan.

"You do it if you can." Luo Shufan rolled his eyes and gestured to He Wenyu, "Come out and cultivate."

...

The Imperial Palace was more crowded than Luo Qianqian had imagined. Although it was the sect competition period, there was no doubt that, even with Southern Li sending people to guard the four major competition zones, the palace guard numbers had only increased. It appeared that the Southern Li Emperor was wary of outsiders entering the palace. These people showed no abnormalities and seemed to be ordinary guards.

However, previous investigations had already confirmed that the Southern Li Royal Family had ties with the Otherworld.

It seemed these ties were limited to the higher-ups, as the regular guards showed no differences.

It was understandable; from the beginning, the Otherworld targeted gifted cultivators.

And why would someone gifted serve as a regular guard in the palace?

No matter how weak, ordinary people couldn’t compare to cultivators, or else why would the masses hold cultivators in such high esteem and yearn for the path of cultivation?

Even a weak cultivator, if willing to exert effort, can become a revered figure. But most royal families are sheltered by sects, where many are stronger, so no one dares to rebel recklessly.

Compared to ordinary people, those who’ve set foot on the cultivation path understand how talent and power can be a hard blow for the talentless without backgrounds.

If they were just regular people, they might yearn for it. But knowing the hardships on the path, they have to endure family expectations and occasionally face doubts, which is truly disheartening.

"Over there." Luo Qianqian lay on the rooftop, holding binoculars and observing the surroundings, soon spotting the direction with discernible lights.

Here, Yan and Mo dared not take risks. Each grabbed one of Luo Qianqian’s arms, lifting her as they moved.

When they reached the lighted area, they couldn’t help but feel blinded.

Even though it was bedtime for children, none of the kids here were sleeping. Instead, they were undergoing dreadful training, each with a lifeless look and no resistance.

Their training was intriguing. Those beautiful women were forcing black liquid down the children’s throats.

Aside from these beautiful women and children, there was no one else here, not even patrol teams passed through.

Clearly, something was wrong here.

Yan gently tugged at Luo Qianqian’s sleeve, pulling her into his embrace, and retreated, leaving their previous spot until they exited the palace. Only then did he let Luo Qianqian down. The two of them stood on a rooftop by the street, inexplicably feeling a chill, unsure what those people were up to.

Luo Qianqian didn’t even want to think about it again.

But she still spoke, "Where is Mo?" It seemed Mo had stayed behind, watching the courtyard without moving when they left.

Was he worried she’d vomit and impact their actions?

"He’s gathering some evidence to see what that stuff is, poison or..." Yan took a deep breath, his gaze deepening slightly. If it’s poison, that’s understandable, but if it’s otherwise, it’s truly...