Ling Feng'er instructed her sect disciples to proceed with caution.
The disciples of the Liuhai Sect naturally dared not disobey their Saintess's words. They collectively slowed their pace, gradually approaching the mountain cave.
However, what they did not know was that their movements had already been detected by Zhang Er Gou and his companions.
"People from the Liuhai Sect?"
Zhang Er Gou frowned. These more than a dozen people were almost the entirety of the Liuhai Sect's strength entering the secret realm.
Had they angered the Liuhai Sect disciples because the four of them had robbed them?
So they had gathered, preparing for revenge?
Zhang Er Gou let out a wry smile. It seemed they had indeed gone a bit too far, inadvertently making the Liuhai Sect disciples more united.
This was not what they had intended.
However, with things as they were, lingering on the matter was pointless.
"Er Gou, what should we do?"
Seeing Ling Feng'er and the approaching Liuhai Sect disciples, Li Yao couldn't help but ask.
"Let's wait and see what they intend to do."
Zhang Er Gou said after some thought. Although he knew his idea was somewhat naive, he decided to wait and see.
...
"Saintess, the mountain cave is just ahead. We previously detected activity here from a distance."
A Liuhai Sect disciple pointed towards the cave where Zhang Er Gou and his group had been staying.
"Mm, be careful. Everyone, be cautious."
Ling Feng'er nodded and walked forward another five to six Zhangs.
Then, about three to four Zhangs from the cave entrance, Ling Feng'er waved her hand, halting everyone's advance.
"Hush! Be quiet."
Ling Feng'er unleashed her divine soul power, probing the interior of the cave.
However, after a thorough investigation, she found no signs, not even the aura of living beings.
"Are you sure you weren't mistaken?"
Ling Feng'er turned and looked sternly at the two Liuhai Sect disciples who had come to scout this area.
"Saintess, we are absolutely certain, there was indeed activity here before."
"Did you see anyone leave?"
Ling Feng'er asked, pointing to another disciple who had stayed to monitor the area.
That disciple shook his head.
Ling Feng'er's brow furrowed even deeper.
"Saintess, do you think this cave might lead to another direction?"
The Liuhai Sect disciple who had gone to report suggested.
"If, as you say, you saw people active in this cave, then those individuals must have slipped away from another exit."
Ling Feng'er pondered, deeming this possibility quite likely.
"Saintess, what should we do now?"
"Pursue them! If we don't catch these thieves, how can we avenge our fellow disciples!"
Ling Feng'er's words immediately brought tears to the eyes of the Liuhai Sect disciples who had been robbed by Zhang Er Gou and his group.
The gazes of the other Liuhai Sect disciples towards Ling Feng'er also changed.
These words were, of course, intentionally spoken by Ling Feng'er.
Since her bloodline awakening, her thoughts had also shifted.
Although she was honored as the Saintess of the Liuhai Sect, her actual authority was pitifully small.
Even Liu Xun, to keep an eye on her, had specially assigned a guard detail to her, ostensibly for protection, but in reality, merely for surveillance.
Ling Feng'er saw all of this clearly.
However, she was powerless, as the Sect Leader Liu Xun was the one in real control.
Everyone else respected the Sect Leader.
This venture into the secret realm was indeed an opportunity for Ling Feng'er. The dozen or so Liuhai Sect disciples entering the secret realm were all elites among their peers.
Barring any major unforeseen events, they would surely become the pillars of the Liuhai Sect in the future.
Upon entering the secret realm, Ling Feng'er began to consider how to win the loyalty of these Liuhai Sect disciples.
This way, if she truly had to confront Liu Xun in the future, she would not be alone.
It was as if a pillow was delivered just when one was sleepy.
Just as Ling Feng'er was racking her brain for a solution, news of a large number of Liuhai Sect disciples being robbed arrived.
Ling Feng'er even felt like thanking those four individuals, whoever they might be.
Without their actions, she would truly have had no way to rally most of the Liuhai Sect disciples.
Yet now, with just a few words, she had managed to change how these people looked at her.
If she could do a little more, she could completely win their hearts!
Her mind raced, while Ling Feng'er outwardly ignored the gazes of the Liuhai Sect disciples.
She then swiftly flew towards the entrance of the mountain cave where Zhang Er Gou and his group had previously been.
"What is she doing?" Wang Teng asked, frowning.
Shouldn't someone with unclear threats go first? This Ling Feng'er seemed to be acting out of the ordinary.
"Winning hearts, of course! Can't you see that!" Lin Yi Chen sneered, seeing through the woman's ploy at a glance.
"Winning hearts? Isn't she already the Saintess of the Liuhai Sect?" Su Dan Novel Network
Wang Teng was still a bit confused.
"Then tell me, who is in charge of the Liuhai Sect now?" Lin Yi Chen patted Wang Teng's head.
"Don't pat my head. Of course, it's Sect Leader Liu Xun."
"Then, with Ling Feng'er's cultivation speed, in a few decades, won't she be on par with Liu Xun? Who will the Liuhai Sect obey then?"
Zhang Er Gou also turned around and joined the discussion.
"You're saying this woman is already preparing for a power struggle decades from now?"
Wang Teng almost exclaimed, but Li Yao quickly covered his mouth, preventing Ling Feng'er and her group from discovering them.
Zhang Er Gou, Li Yao, and Lin Yi Chen all nodded, confirming Wang Teng's conjecture.
"She's terrifying, this woman!" Wang Teng patted his chest.
...
Below, the Liuhai Sect disciples were startled when they saw Ling Feng'er head directly for the cave entrance.
"Saintess, there's danger! Be careful!"
"Don't worry, I have my own means to protect myself, and my cultivation is the highest. My exploring this cave will reduce unnecessary casualties."
Hearing these words, the disciples of the Liuhai Sect, who had cultivated for more than a decade, were now all in tears.
They had never felt so moved before.
The status of the Saintess was second only to the Sect Leader, yet she was personally venturing into danger, all for the sake of minimizing their casualties.
It was impossible for these Liuhai Sect disciples not to be touched.
Zhang Er Gou and his companions also hadn't expected this woman to be serious.
Initially, they thought Ling Feng'er would at most say a few perfunctory words. They hadn't expected her to now be charging ahead into the most dangerous position.
At this moment, Ling Feng'er was already approaching the cave entrance.
"Er Gou, are you okay? Won't we be discovered?" Lin Yi Chen asked nervously.
"Don't worry!" Zhang Er Gou said calmly.
And in the time it took for the two to speak, Ling Feng'er's figure had already entered the cave...