200: Thunder is approaching, a nighttime discussion to devise a strategy.

The night was as dark as ink, yet the lights within Tingzhu Courtyard were brighter than usual. After seeing off the uninvited guests from the Gongsun Family, the atmosphere in the courtyard was heavy, yet there was not a hint of panic.

Lin Xuan sat in the main seat, his spiritual perception, enhanced by his primal nascent soul, allowing him to perceive every detail of the entire courtyard. Su Wanqing sat quietly to one side, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the cold blade of the frost silence sword, thoughts swirling in her icy eyes. Qu Feiyan leaned languidly against the back of her chair, but her alluring eyes were as sharp as knives; she had clearly already deduced several ways to deal with the enemy in her mind. Gongsun Yu sat next to Lin Xuan, holding a cup of hot tea with both hands, absorbing the warmth; the fear on her small face was gradually receding, replaced by a mixture of reliance and determination.

"System, pull up the current assessment of the Gongsun Family and the potential forces of the Guixu Cult," Lin Xuan thought silently.

【Received. Comprehensive assessment based on existing intelligence (Gongsun Yu's account, status scan of Deacon Gongsun Li, and deduction of known Guixu Cult patterns):】

【Gongsun Family: Originally a Nascent Soul Family. The current Family head, Gongsun Hao (suspected to be controlled or replaced), should be at the Early to Middle Nascent Soul Stage. There should be at least one Early Nascent Soul Stage Elder within the clan (affiliation unknown). There are approximately ten to fifteen Golden Core Stage Cultivators. The clan-protecting Formation, the "Nine Heavens Lightning Strike Formation," can threaten a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator when at full strength.】

【Guixu Cult lurking forces: It is estimated that there is at least one Cultivator at the Middle Nascent Soul Stage or above stationed there (possibly a key figure in the Nether Abyss plan). The number of Golden Core Stage cultists is unknown; they may carry unique Guixu Cult Formations or evil treasures.】

【Risk Level: High. It is recommended that the Host stabilize his Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivation and improve the strength of team members before intervening.】

【Opportunity: If this stronghold can be dismantled, a large amount of Fate Points can be obtained, part of the Guixu Cult's conspiracy can be disrupted, key information about their plan can be acquired, and there is a possibility of harvesting the Gongsun Family's hidden Lightning-type resources.】

Risk and opportunity coexisted. Lin Xuan swept his gaze over the three women, his mind already made up. Waiting for the entire Sect to mobilize was too slow, and it would easily leak information; they had to take the initiative, but they could not blindly force their way in.

"Xiaoyu," Lin Xuan looked at Gongsun Yu, his tone gentle yet carrying a convincing power, "tell us in as much detail as possible about the internal layout of the Family that you know, especially the Forbidden Ground, the location where your mother might be imprisoned, and the possible weak points of the Formation."

"Mm!" Gongsun Yu nodded vigorously, the light of hope igniting in her eyes. She immediately used her Spiritual Qi to sketch out the general layout of the Gongsun Family in the air, pointing out several areas in her memory that were heavily guarded or felt abnormal, especially the area in the back of the Family mountain that was listed as a Forbidden Ground, an area she had never even ventured deep into.

"According to the fragmented information I overheard, my uncle and those Black-Robed Figures frequently enter and exit the Forbidden Ground in the back mountain; that is very likely the place where they are conducting their ritual... My mother is likely also imprisoned there," Gongsun Yu pointed to the back mountain area, her voice filled with suppressed sadness and anger.

Su Wanqing gazed at the Spiritual Qi map and spoke coldly: "The 'Nine Heavens Lightning Strike Formation' relies on the power of the earth veins and heavenly lightning; its power is immense. A frontal assault is not easy; we need to destroy its core Formation base from the inside, or induce stronger heavenly lightning to disrupt its balance." She possessed the Supreme Yin Body and was extremely sensitive to the flow of energy.

Qu Feiyan chuckled, a blood lotus faintly appearing at her fingertips: "Internal destruction? That's my specialty. Find a chance to sneak in, or... let them descend into chaos themselves. Aren't those things from the Guixu Cult that can't see the light most afraid of being exposed to the sunlight?" She was quick-witted and adept at exploiting human hearts and chaos.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly, synthesizing the information and suggestions. With the System's assistance, he could analyze the weaknesses of the Formation more accurately; combined with his Nascent Soul cultivation and the uniqueness of his Taichu Power, forcibly breaking the Formation was not entirely impossible, but the cost was too high. Coordinating from the inside and outside to create chaos was indeed the best strategy.

"Our advantage lies in the fact that the opponent does not yet know that we have insight into their core conspiracy, and they certainly do not expect us to take the initiative so quickly," Lin Xuan said in a deep voice, "We will set off tomorrow, conceal our movements, and once we reach the outskirts of the Gongsun Family, we will act according to the situation."

He looked at Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan: "Wanqing, Feiyan, both of your cultivations have reached the limit of the Golden Core Stage. This trip is dangerous, but it is also an opportunity. If the timing is right, perhaps you can use the pressure of battle to trigger the Heavenly Tribulation and break into the Nascent Soul Stage in one fell swoop."

A flash of sharpness crossed Su Wanqing's icy eyes as she nodded slowly. Qu Feiyan even licked her red lips, excitement and anticipation appearing in her eyes: "I've been waiting for this day for a long time!"

"As for Xiaoyu," Lin Xuan held her hand, "rescuing your mother is the top priority. At that time, you will need to be patient; after we find the exact location, we will do everything in our power to assist you."

"I understand, Big Brother Lin!" Gongsun Yu nodded heavily, her eyes filled with tears yet incomparably firm.

The plan was set, and everyone returned to their rooms to make final preparations.

In the dead of night, Lin Xuan stood in the courtyard, looking up at the starry sky. After reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, his perception of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was clearer, and he could faintly sense the oppressive aura permeating the sky over the Eastern Region, the invisible shadow brought about by the Guixu Cult's conspiracy.

A pair of warm, soft arms wrapped around him from behind, accompanied by a familiar, faint fragrance. "Still thinking about the Gongsun Family business?" Qu Feiyan pressed her cheek against his broad back, her voice carrying a hint of lazy hoarseness.

"Mm." Lin Xuan held her hand, "The Guixu Cult has great designs, and the Gongsun Family is just one link in it. The road ahead is difficult."

"What is there to fear?" Qu Feiyan moved to his front, looking up at him with her alluring face, her eyes filled with unreserved trust and fervor, "No matter how difficult the road is, we will walk it together. You are the man we have chosen, destined to stand at the Peak."

At this moment, another cold figure quietly came to his side; it was Su Wanqing. She did not speak, just stood quietly on Lin Xuan's other side, the cold moonlight spilling onto her, reflecting the frost silence sword, silent yet firm.

A warm current surged in Lin Xuan's heart; his left fingertips lightly interlaced with Su Wanqing's slightly cool jade hand, and his right arm wrapped around Qu Feiyan's soft waist. With wives such as these, what more could a husband ask for?

"System," he asked silently in his heart, "is there any item suitable for their current state that can increase the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul or deal with the Lightning Tribulation?"

【Searching... Recommended: Nine-Turn Divine Soul-Protecting Pill (can stabilize the Divine Soul, resist the Heart Demon, and significantly increase the success rate of Undergoing Tribulation), requires 3000 Fate Points. Heavenly Lightning Guiding Talisman (can slightly guide the Lightning Tribulation and disperse its power), requires 1500 Fate Points. Host's current Fate Points: 5200.】

"Redeem one Nine-Turn Divine Soul-Protecting Pill and one Heavenly Lightning Guiding Talisman."

【Redemption successful! Consumed 4500 Fate Points, 700 remaining.】

With a flash of light, a jade bottle and a Talisman wreathed in purple lightning appeared in Lin Xuan's hand.

He handed the jade bottle to Su Wanqing and the Talisman to Qu Feiyan: "This trip is dangerous; keep these in case of emergency."

Su Wanqing looked at the precious Medicinal Pill in her hand that could increase the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul by thirty percent. Her icy eyes trembled slightly as she took a deep look at Lin Xuan, keeping this affection in her heart, and nodded slightly as she put it away. Qu Feiyan toyed with the lightning-flickering Talisman, smiling alluringly: "Junior Brother still knows how to cherish people~"

Gongsun Yu stood at the doorway, watching the three people leaning on each other under the moonlight in the courtyard; there was no jealousy in her eyes, only warmth and determination. She knew that she too had to become strong as quickly as possible to be able to stand by Big Brother Lin's side forever.

The next morning, four streaks of light quietly left the Qinglan Sect, speeding towards the direction of the Gongsun Family.

Lightning was approaching, and a storm was about to rise.