Chapter 158: Undercurrents Surging

Before Yu Ye could rush into the cave dwelling, two figures suddenly burst out from its entrance.

Two women, no less.

Yu Ye was utterly stunned and quickly moved aside.

The two women were even more startled upon seeing him and immediately turned to flee.

Yu Ye hurriedly called out, “Wait, both of you!”

He recognized them—one was Yu Xing, the younger cousin of Yu Fei, and the other was Li Yun, both disciples from the outer sect.

“Ah…” Yu Xing glanced back angrily. “Junior Brother Yu, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing?” Yu Ye replied in confusion. “You trespass into my cave dwelling and destroy my formation. I should be asking what you two are up to.”

“Hmph, you’re asking knowingly!”

“Junior Sister, don’t waste your time with him. Let’s go—”

Li Yun was one of the three female disciples who had recently joined the sect this year. In her twenties, she had a delicate appearance and had just perfected the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Though Yu Ye knew her by name, they had never interacted.

Yu Ye swiftly stepped to block their path.

Someone breaking into his cave dwelling without explanation was suspicious; he naturally wanted to get to the bottom of it.

“Wait, explain yourselves clearly—”

“Impudent!”

At that moment, a sharp reprimand came from behind.

Yu Ye turned to see Mu Hu approaching furiously.

“In broad daylight, harassing fellow female disciples and disregarding sect rules—Yu Ye, you have some nerve!”

“I…”

First scolded by Yu Xing and Li Yun, then reprimanded by Mu Hu, Yu Ye was dumbfounded. He stammered, “Junior Sisters barged into my cave dwelling first; how am I at fault?”

“You clearly invited us here to study your cultivation techniques. Who expected you to harbor ill intentions and shamelessly deceive us—”

“Exactly as Sister said, you set up formations inside to confuse us deliberately. Yu Ye, you’re young, why act like this—”

“Hmph, I heard you planned to harm female disciples and act immorally. So it’s true—”

Yu Ye was speechless, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Setting traps to harm fellow disciples, especially female ones, was a grave offense. According to sect rules, he would be stripped of his cultivation and expelled.

Unable to defend himself now meant he could never clear his name.

Frustrated, Yu Ye interrupted, “Yu Xing, Li Yun, when did I invite you to study cultivation techniques?”

Li Yun argued confidently, “You sought our advice on techniques. When we couldn’t find you, you returned to your cave dwelling to wait. We came as agreed—”

“If you couldn’t find me, how did you know to come?”

“We were told—”

“Mu Senior Brother, see? Surely you only heard a rumor through transmissions and don’t know who the person was. Why not bring them here for confrontation?”

“That person is me!”

Before Mu Hu could respond, someone arrived from the foot of the mountain.

“Senior Brother Ming, please bear witness for us.”

“Ming Ye, tell us the truth—”

It was Ming Ye.

Yu Ye suddenly realized and shouted angrily, “Ming Ye, why are you spreading lies and trying to frame me?”

“Heh!”

Ming Ye calmly stepped forward, saluting Mu Hu, Yu Xing, and Li Yun in turn. Then he faced Yu Ye earnestly: “Earlier, I passed by the cave entrance and overheard you inside mentioning Yu Xing’s name. Just then I saw Yu Xing and Li Yun, so I kindly informed them. Who would’ve thought you… sigh!” He shook his head and added, “Fearing trouble, I reported it to Mu Senior Brother. Luckily, he arrived in time; otherwise, who knows what would’ve happened!”

Yu Xing’s face flushed.

Li Yun’s chest heaved; she was clearly still angry.

Mu Hu nodded to confirm Ming Ye’s words.

“You’re talking nonsense!”

Yu Ye’s anger flared. “I was chatting with several disciples at the front mountain and just returned here. Dangui Yi, Gumuzi, and others can testify. Besides, my cave dwelling is sealed with formations. How could you hear anything inside?”

“That’s odd.”

Ming Ye was handsome and carefree, seemingly a good person, but he lied with ease. He looked puzzled: “Your formation is incomplete, and strange sounds came from inside. Perhaps I misheard?” He turned to Yu Xing and Li Yun: “You’re so frightened; there must be something strange inside.”

Li Yun snarled, “The cave was filled with sinister spirits and eerie wails. We almost couldn’t escape.”

“Exactly!”

Ming Ye feigned innocence. “Junior Brother Yu, there’s something hidden inside your cave. You’ve harmed us both.” Then he solemnly added, “Since Mu Senior Brother is here, why not explain yourself? Otherwise, you won’t get through this.”

Mu Hu waved his hand decisively, “Yu Ye, come with me to your cave and settle this!”

Yu Ye bit his lip in frustration but resigned, “Alright—”

He turned and headed toward the cave, Mu Hu close behind.

Ming Ye smiled faintly and signaled to Yu Xing and Li Yun, “With me and Mu Senior Brother here, you two have nothing to fear.”

Yu Ye led the way into the cave, which was indeed suffused with a chilling aura and ghostly wails. With a wave of his sleeve, four small flags flew into his hands. Instantly, the sinister aura vanished, and all abnormalities disappeared.

Mu Hu looked at the flags in surprise. “A ghost cultivation formation? Where did you get these?”

Yu Ye answered calmly, “Purchased from the Treasure Pavilion.”

Mu Hu, sensing no deceit, scolded, “Such a small cave, yet you set up a ghost cultivation formation. Absurd!”

Ming Ye, Yu Xing, and Li Yun followed inside, taking the opportunity to say, “An outer disciple with nothing to lose, yet setting such an elaborate formation must be hiding something shameful. I suggest reporting this to the stewards to investigate his background, lest a thief infiltrate the sect!”

“Hmph!”

Yu Ye did not rush to argue but instead pointed.

“The spirit tablet of Yu Yao from Xingyuan…”

Set into the cave was a luminous pearl, casting a faint glow that revealed simple furnishings clearly. On a stone table sat a spirit tablet and incense burner, beside a wild orchid blooming vibrantly.

“That is my father’s spirit tablet. Fearing disturbance from outsiders, I set up the ghost cultivation formation to protect his soul and express my mourning.”

Yu Ye revealed the truth with a cold voice, “As a son, I must fulfill filial duties. What wrong have I done to be treated like a thief and insulted so?”

Mu Hu scratched his beard awkwardly. “It’s human nature, not really a fault…”

Yu Ye suddenly raised his voice and added, “Since I am innocent, who destroyed my formation and lured the two senior sisters here? Mu Senior Brother, please investigate thoroughly!”

“Ming Ye!”

“Seems there’s a misunderstanding. I only acted out of concern without evidence; I wouldn’t wrongfully accuse you of breaking the formation. But Junior Brother Yu is always solitary and secretive. For the sect’s safety, I must stay vigilant. Don’t you agree, Mu Senior Brother?”

“Enough!”

Mu Hu’s face darkened, clearly impatient. “We are fellow disciples; no suspicion or troublemaking is allowed. Otherwise, severe punishment awaits!” He folded his hands behind his back and angrily turned to leave.

“Mu Senior Brother, I have other matters to report!”

Ming Ye glanced once more inside the cave, smiled at Yu Ye with a ‘what can you do’ expression, and slipped out.

“Junior Brother Yu…”

Yu Xing blushed, while Li Yun looked remorseful.

Yu Ye ignored them, took out three bamboo incense sticks, lit them, then sat cross-legged on his mat, closing his eyes but still frowning with lingering resentment.

The two women exchanged glances and quietly left. As Yu Xing departed, she glanced back, her expression mixed with guilt and shyness.

Yu Ye raised his hand to seal the entrance with a formation, then waved his four flags again. The small cave was enveloped by the ghost cultivation “Yin Yang Soul Separation Formation.” Only then did he open his eyes, still cold and angry.

Since arriving at the sect, he had been cautious, yet trouble still found him.

Ming Ye!

He brazenly provoked, framed, and slandered him. Without prior vigilance, he might have succeeded today.

It was obvious Ming Ye had close ties with the Xu Ling Sect, the Mu Tian Sect’s Chu Yuan, and Qi Heng from the Beast Manor. His infiltration aimed to target Yu Ye and Dangui Yi. Though foiled this time, he would not give up.

And Yu Ye had left the cave only briefly—how could it be mere coincidence that Ming Ye took advantage of the opportunity?

Could Chen Qi be secretly causing mischief…

In the following days, Yu Ye closed his door after breaking stones. Only Dangui Yi and Yu Xing visited—one to inform him about the upcoming mid-year competition, the other to apologize.

The mid-year competition was a cultivation test where disciples faced off on stage, judged by elders, using flying swords and spells without talismans or lethal force. The goal was to assess cultivation and magical prowess.

Yu Xing brought him a pot of wild orchids to pair with the one he already had. After the misunderstanding, she began paying attention to Yu Ye’s every move. Yu Ye did not hold a grudge but treated her politely; they addressed each other by name and grew closer.

Perhaps due to Yu Ye’s caution, Ming Ye did not cause further trouble. Though Jishui Peak appeared peaceful, undercurrents churned…

Time flew by.

Two months later.

One morning, Yu Ye woke from meditation.

Bathed in the pearl’s light, his cheeks and hands glowed softly, warm and jade-like—delicate yet resilient. The childishness between his features had vanished, replaced by thick, slanting brows and a solemn gaze.

Yu Ye exhaled slowly.

After half a year of cultivation, he had barely stepped into the fourth layer of Qi Refining. He believed in a few days he would advance another level.

Jiaoying had said the Jiaodan had been suppressing his cultivation, so he need not rush; progress would come naturally.

For months, Jiaoying had remained silent, focused on her own cultivation. Hopefully, the rich spiritual energy of Jishui Peak would help her regain her soul power soon.

Yu Ye raised his right hand.

Inside the Beast Control Ring, two demon salamanders still slept soundly.

After continuously devouring spirit stones, they seemed to be changing, each developing a grotesque lump on its back, growing more fearsome.

“Knock, knock—”

Someone knocked on the cave’s formation, followed by Dangui Yi’s call—

“Junior Brother Yu, it’s almost time!”

Yu Ye stretched his sleeves and rose.

Today at Jishui Peak, a grand event awaited.

The Bai Chuan Hall’s mid-year competition had arrived…