11: Undercurrents and Bamboo Garden

Yun Zhi's letter was like a basin of cold water, slightly cooling the feverish atmosphere in the D-7 Courtyard.

Wen Youyi immediately took action. Research on the “Cooperative Force Talisman” was halted, and all related practice marks were carefully cleaned up. To the outside world, they returned to their previous low-key (or rather, ignored) status. Apart from completing necessary chores, they mostly stayed secluded in the courtyard, focusing on practicing the “Breathing Cache Method” and refining their team combat skills.

Wen Youyi shared the contents of the letter and his analysis with everyone.

"I told you, nothing good comes from being famous!" Zhao Iron Pillar mumbled, but he had no objection to Wen Youyi's decision. "Little Wen, whatever you say goes!"

Wang Wu was more thoughtful: "Junior Brother Wen, Fairy Yun mentioned the Bamboo Garden, West Foothill of Danxia Peak. I... think I remember that place."

Everyone's eyes immediately focused on him.

Wang Wu tried hard to recall: "Several years ago, I followed a Senior Brother to Danxia Peak to deliver medicinal ingredients, and I think we passed by the west foothill. I remember there was a very quiet Purple Bamboo Forest, and there was indeed a small courtyard in the forest, but it felt... lifeless, even a bit desolate. It didn't look like the residence of an important figure."

Desolate? Lifeless?

This description seemed inconsistent with Yun Zhi's status as an Inner Sect Fairy. Which Inner Sect Disciple, especially one called a "Fairy," didn't live in an Immortal Mountain Blessed Land rich in Spiritual Qi and surrounded by servants?

"Could it be one of Fairy Yun's secondary residences? Or a place for solitary cultivation?" Senior Brother Li guessed.

Wen Youyi pondered silently. He felt it wasn't that simple. Yun Zhi wouldn't have pointed out this location without reason.

"Regardless, we will keep this place in mind, but for now, let's not act rashly," Wen Youyi decided. "Our primary task now is to improve ourselves and figure out exactly which 'winds' are trying to destroy our 'wood'."

Over the next few days, Wen Youyi asked Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li, who were relatively sharp and inconspicuous, to pay close attention to the surrounding gossip and anomalies when completing their chores or going out occasionally.

Feedback came quickly.

"Junior Brother Wen, something is definitely off," Wang Wu reported in a low voice. "I feel like someone is secretly watching our courtyard, and it's not Liu Ming and his gang. The gaze... is chilling."

Senior Brother Li also added: "When I went to collect the Monthly Stipend, I heard two stewards chatting. They seemed to be mentioning our courtyard, saying things like 'The Ones Above asked about it' and 'the origin of the Talismans.' They stopped talking when they saw me approach."

The pressure was coming from the upper echelons!

Wen Youyi's heart tightened. Sure enough, their “Cooperative Force Talisman” had attracted the attention of the Sect's management. This was far more troublesome than a personal grudge like Liu Ming's.

Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, a knock came at the courtyard gate.

Everyone instantly grew alert. Wen Youyi signaled Zhao Iron Pillar to open the door.

Standing outside the door was an unexpected person—Liu Ming, who had previously been blasted away by Wen Youyi's “Super Gentle Wind Talisman.”

However, he wasn't here to cause trouble this time. His expression was complex, showing a trace of reluctance mixed with a hint of relief, and he was carrying a small cloth bag.

"Jun... Junior Brother Wen," Liu Ming's voice was dry. Clearly, this form of address made him very uncomfortable.

"Senior Brother Liu, how may I help you?" Wen Youyi stood at the entrance, showing no intention of letting him in.

Liu Ming pushed the small cloth bag forward: "This is... what I owed you before." He spoke vaguely, but the meaning was clear: he was admitting defeat and yielding.

Wen Youyi did not take it; he simply stared at him.

Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze, Liu Ming glanced around, lowered his voice, and quickly delivered a message: "Someone asked me to pass on a message to you—'Stop while you're ahead. Hand over the Talisman Crafting Method, and your safety is guaranteed.'"

Having finished, he placed the cloth bag on the ground as if afraid of touching anything, turned around, and left, moving much faster than when he arrived.

Zhao Iron Pillar picked up the bag. Opening it, he saw a few Low-Grade Spirit Stones and some ordinary medicinal paste for injuries.

"Pah! Who wants his stuff?" Zhao Iron Pillar cursed, though a look of victorious pride was on his face.

Wen Youyi's expression grew more solemn. Liu Ming was just a mouthpiece. The person behind him didn't even show their face, yet tried to seize what they had painstakingly developed with just one light sentence.

"'Stop while you're ahead... hand over the Talisman Crafting Method...'" Wen Youyi repeated the phrase, a hint of coldness curving his lips.

This was no longer a hint; it was practically outright robbery.

"Little Wen, what should we do? Should we... go find Fairy Yun?" Zhao Iron Pillar also realized the seriousness of the situation.

Wen Youyi looked at the cloud pattern token in his hand and shook his head: "It's not time yet. If we go to her now, we'll just draw trouble to her and make ourselves look too incompetent."

He took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with the same intensity he had in his previous life when facing demanding clients and difficult projects.

"They want the 'Talisman Crafting Method'? Fine."

"Huh?" Everyone was stunned.

Wen Youyi smiled, a hint of cunning in his expression: "But we have to let them know that this thing isn't so easy to take. And even if they get it, it might not be useful to them."

A plan quickly formed in his mind.

Since avoiding it was impossible, he would take the initiative, but in his own way.

"Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Li, please go out again and spread a piece of news..." Wen Youyi instructed in a low voice.

A few days later, a "truth" about the D-7 Courtyard's “Cooperative Force Talisman” quietly began to circulate in the Outer Sect.

The rumor claimed that the immensely powerful Talisman was not due to some profound technique, but an "accidental mutation" that occurred when several of them, by chance, simultaneously injected their meager Spiritual Qi into a talisman paper that was about to be scrapped. The success rate was one in ten thousand, and it was extremely unstable and impossible to replicate. They themselves were too scared to try it again.

This half-truth explained the source of the Talisman's power while emphasizing its uncontrollability and low success rate, perfectly packaging the "technique" as "luck."

Sure enough, when this news reached certain ears, the interest it generated significantly dropped. A one-time, uncontrollable product of luck had its value greatly reduced.

The hidden, prying eyes seemed to lessen.

Wen Youyi stood in the courtyard, feeling the slightly relaxed atmosphere, knowing this was only a temporary measure.

He looked up in the direction of Danxia Peak. That mysterious Bamboo Garden, West Foothill, now held greater significance in his heart.

That place might hold the key that would allow them to truly gain a foothold, or even glimpse the truth of this world.

(End of Chapter)