The next morning arrived with an air of heavy anticipation.

The sun rose pale and hazy, its light filtering through drifting mist that clung stubbornly to the ground around the sect's temporary encampment. Disciples moved about in hurried steps, their voices low but brimming with excitement.

The discovery of four new complexes had set the entire sect ablaze with restless energy.

At the center of camp, a large gathering circle had been prepared, its edges marked by spirit formations to keep any voices from going out and being heard by other sects. What was going to be discussed was sensitive after all.

The disciples assembled quickly, hundreds strong, each bearing expressions of eagerness, apprehension, and thinly veiled ambition.

The elders arrived shortly after, their presence immediately quelling the rising murmur of the crowd.

The one who stepped forward was Elder Zhou Ou of the Sword Peak, his silver hair tied into a strict knot, his expression calm yet edged with solemnity. His voice, when it carried across the gathered disciples, was firm and resonant.

"I know you are all eager," Elder Zhou began, his eyes sweeping over the assembly, "but eagerness alone will not keep you alive. These four complexes are unlike the ones you have explored before. Just before dawn, the elders conducted a preliminary assessment.

Though the entrances remain sealed to us then, our instruments confirmed a greater presence of beasts and active arrays within. This means traps, illusions, and dangers that will test you more than before."

A ripple of unease spread through the disciples, though many leaned forward with even greater anticipation at the mention of beasts and traps, signs that treasures might be guarded within.

Elder Zhou raised his hand, silencing them. "We will not forbid any of you from entering. However, we advise caution. If you wish to enter, your party should consist of no fewer than ten members, and at least three or four among them should be of the Core Condensation realm. Smaller parties may find themselves overwhelmed by sudden danger.

Do not treat this as a simple trial. Treat it as life and death."

His words hung in the air like a blade.

Han Yu, standing amidst his group, narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had already anticipated the dangers, but hearing the elders' advisory gave him a new angle. Convincing others to join them would have been troublesome had the sect left it open. But now, with the elders themselves insisting on larger parties, the difficulty turned into an opportunity.

As the elders concluded their warnings and allowed disciples to deliberate among themselves, Han Yu turned to Fatty Kui, Wu Shuan, and Senior Brother Duan. "We'll need more members if we want to make it inside," he said quietly.

'The elders have practically handed me an excuse.' He thought to himself.

Until a few hrs earlier, he had been wondering how to convince more groups to follow him, but now he didn't need to worry about it.

Senior Brother Duan nodded slowly, his gaze scanning the crowd. "We'll need strength. If we gather the wrong group, they'll just slow us down or collapse at the first sign of danger."

Han Yu's eyes flicked across the gathering, searching for the right pieces to add to their team.

It didn't take long for his gaze to land on one familiar figure: Senior Sister Xuan Qing.

She stood tall among her group of disciples, her robes immaculate, her composure unshaken despite the excited atmosphere. A sword hung at her waist, its polished scabbard glinting faintly in the morning light.

Han Yu wasted no time.

He excused himself from his group and strode toward her, slipping easily through the knots of disciples who were already negotiating alliances.

"Senior Sister Xuan Qing," Han Yu called respectfully as he reached her.

Her brows furrowed ever so slightly, her sharp gaze landing on him. "Han Yu," she said, her tone cool but not dismissive. "What is it?"

He inclined his head slightly, adopting a mixture of earnestness and practicality. "This time is different. The elders themselves recommend larger groups, and the dangers are more than usual. If our parties work together, we'll have better odds of success. My group has been fortunate so far. With your strength and ours combined, we'll form a solid party."

Xuan Qing studied him in silence for a moment, weighing his words. Her companions behind her exchanged uncertain glances.

Han Yu pressed further, his voice steady. "You know our group can handle pressure. We found results in our explorations, and we returned alive. This time, luck and skill both will be needed. Plus, I have a tamed spirit rat that can help us scout.

If we move together, we'll cover each other's weaknesses."

The silence stretched.

Then Xuan Qing finally nodded, though a faint crease lingered on her brow. "Very well. This time, a larger force is necessary. We'll join with you."

Han Yu allowed a small smile to touch his lips. "Many thanks, Senior Sister."

When the groups merged, the numbers became respectable.

Six Core Condensation realm disciples formed the backbone of the new party: five from Xuan Qing's side and one from Han Yu's, Senior Brother Duan. Alongside them were four Qi Refining disciples: Han Yu, Fatty Kui, Wu Shuan, and another from Xuan Qing's group.

It was then that Han Yu noticed her.

The girl moved forward quietly, her long dark hair tied back, her sect robes modest but unable to hide the fullness of her figure.

Her steps were confident, her bearing calm. But when her eyes landed on Han Yu, there was a flicker of wariness there, like someone recalling an unpleasant memory.

Han Yu's eyes widened slightly in recognition. 'She Ming.'

The Green Ranked talented disciple who had joined the sect at the same time as he had.

Three years ago, she had been a younger, smaller figure; earnest and sharp-eyed, but without a major presence.

Now, she had grown. Taller, more composed, her figure blossoming into voluptuous curves that rivaled even some of the senior female disciples. The aura she carried was steadier too, refined through hard training.

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