Night shrouded the Xuanxiao Continent. A scattering of stars dotted the sky, yet they failed to mask the heavy, tense atmosphere thick in the air.
Lin Xinghe lurked within the shadows, her heart hammering against her ribs like a drum while her gaze remained locked onto the tightly closed door ahead.
Inside that room were her elder brother, Lin Feng, and a mysterious figure she had never laid eyes upon before—someone who radiated a bone-chilling sense of extreme danger.
"The Netherworld Plan must be set in motion as soon as possible." The stranger's voice was low and raspy, reminiscent of a venomous snake flicking its tongue, making one's skin crawl.
Lin Xinghe held her breath, merging her presence seamlessly into the night until she felt like a drifting, elusive ghost.
She crept closer with the utmost caution, straining to catch the details of their conversation.
"Have we already gained control over all the sword tombs?" Lin Feng's voice carried a hint of urgency, betraying a certain underlying unease.
"The Myriad Swords Manor, the Falling-Mist Valley, the Starry Heaven Pavilion... the core elders of every single sword tomb have already joined us. We need only wait for the right moment to seize control of all Sword Dao resources across the entire Xuanxiao Continent in one fell swoop." The mysterious figure's tone was brimming with absolute confidence, as though everything were already firmly within his grasp.
The four words "Netherworld Plan" exploded like a thunderclap inside Lin Xinghe's mind.
Seize control of the Sword Dao resources of the entire Xuanxiao Continent?
Just how utterly insane of a plan was this?
And why on earth was Lin Feng involved in it?
A tidal wave of endless questions surged into her mind, leaving her gasping for breath.
She forced herself to remain calm and continued to listen.
"What about Lin Xinghe... do we need to deal with her?" A trace of hesitation lingered in Lin Feng's voice.
The mysterious figure let out a cold laugh. "She is merely a wet-behind-the-ears little girl, nothing to fear. Once the plan is set in motion, she will naturally come to understand her own insignificance."
A chill struck Lin Xinghe's heart, a streak of ice racing straight from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
She finally understood that she had been dragged into a massive conspiracy, and that she herself was nothing more than an obstacle in their path.
Daring not linger a moment longer, she slipped away in utter silence.
The night breeze brushed against her cheeks, yet it could do nothing to dispel the terror and unease gripping her heart.
She had to raise her strength as quickly as possible if she hoped to survive this tempest.
She returned to the Sword Tomb Secret Realm and sought out Yun Wufeng.
Yun Wufeng was her master, as well as the person she trusted most in this world.
"Master," Lin Xinghe's voice trembled slightly, "I... I've discovered a secret concerning Lin Feng."
Without holding anything back, she recounted everything she had overheard that night to Yun Wufeng, including the "Netherworld Plan," Lin Feng's involvement, and the arrogant words of the mysterious figure.
As Lin Xinghe spoke, Yun Wufeng's expression grew increasingly grave.
A complex light flickered within his deep, unfathomable eyes.
He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "Xinghe, are you certain what you heard is true?"
Lin Xinghe nodded with conviction. "I heard it with my own ears; there is no mistake."
Yun Wufeng let out a long sigh, his brow furrowed with deep anxiety.
He slowly stood up, walked over to the window, and stared out into the pitch-black night sky, staying silent for a long while.
Lin Xinghe's heart hung suspended in midair; her master's reaction only heightened her unease.
She knew this matter was of monumental importance and might even be tied to the fate of the entire Xuanxiao Continent.
"Xinghe," Yun Wufeng finally turned around, his gaze turning exceptionally solemn. "This 'Netherworld Plan' you spoke of... I fear it is real."
Yun Wufeng's candor brought a fleeting sense of reassurance to Lin Xinghe, though it simultaneously made her burden heavier still.
The existence of the Netherworld Plan hung like a colossal shadow over the Lin Family, and this shadow seemed inextricably linked to the disappearance of her father.
She gripped the hilt of her sword tighter, the icy touch helping to steady her nerves.
Growing stronger and conducting a covert investigation were the only things she could do for now.
Returning to the Lin Residence, she found the estate as prosperous as ever—carved beams, painted rafters, pavilions, and terraces filled with bustling servants, presenting a thriving scene of absolute success.
Yet in Lin Xinghe's eyes, all of this was cast under a grim, murky filter.
Everyone wore a mask, and everyone harbored their own hidden agendas. This lavish family felt like a giant prison caging everyone's destiny.
She forced herself to rein in her emotions, continuing to play the role of a lowly maid while cautiously observing everything around her.
She paid attention to every word and deed of those around her, attempting to catch any trace of evidence from the smallest details.
The power struggles within the Lin Family were intricate and complex; she had to tread carefully, for a single misstep could result in utter ruin.
Over the past few days, Lin Xinghe moved through every corner of the Lin Residence like a ghost, gathering stray fragments of information regarding the "Netherworld Plan."
Yet her harvests were meager; she felt as though she were trapped in a dense fog, unable to see the path ahead or find an exit.
Anxiety and unease wrapped around her heart like creeping vines, leaving her suffocatingly close to breaking point.
Right at that moment, a powerful wave of Sword Intent shattered the peace of the Lin Residence.
This Sword Intent was fierce and domineering, shooting straight into the firmament like an unsheathed blade.
Lin Xinghe started; she knew this Sword Intent all too well—it belonged to Lin Feng!
Following the source of the intent, she made her way to a secluded courtyard.
Deep within the courtyard, rockeries, flowing streams, and swaying green bamboo created an appearance of peace and serenity, yet an inexplicable sense of oppression lurked beneath the surface.
Holding her breath, Lin Xinghe crept closer, concealing herself behind a dense clump of bushes.
Through the gaps in the foliage, she saw Lin Feng standing face-to-face with a figure clad in black.
The person in black was tall, entirely enveloped within a wide black robe that obscured his facial features.
The presence he emanated was unfathomable, causing even Lin Feng to appear somewhat reserved in his presence.
Lin Xinghe's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, an inexplicable premonition welling up inside her.
She felt as though she had touched upon some vital clue, yet it remained as hazy as if separated by a thin veil.
The two appeared to be conversing, but the distance was too great for Lin Xinghe to hear what they were saying.
She could only watch their lips move without catching a single sound.
This silent exchange only heightened the sense of mystery and eeriness.
Staring intently at the pair, Lin Xinghe did not dare make the slightest sound.
She could feel sweat beading on her palms and a cold draft chilling her spine.
She knew she was drawing closer to the truth, yet she also knew she was stepping into a dangerous abyss.
The sky gradually darkened, the light within the courtyard growing increasingly dim until the figures of the two men blurred together.
Yet Lin Xinghe's heart grew only tighter; a premonition told her something was about to happen.
At that exact moment, the figure in black suddenly turned around as if preparing to leave.
Lin Feng reached out to stop him, and after a brief, low exchange, the figure in black nodded and turned to leave once more.
Lin Xinghe's heart nearly stopped beating.
She knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If she missed it, she might never encounter such a chance again.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to remain calm.
She had to track the figure in black; she had to figure out what secret lay between him and Lin Feng.
A bold plan gradually took shape in her mind.
She knew this would be a hazardous gamble, but she had run out of choices.
Night fell, blanketing the Lin Residence in absolute darkness.
Lin Xinghe's figure flitted through the courtyards like a wraith, her gaze locked firmly onto the departing figure in black with a single thought burning in her mind: follow him and unearth the truth.
The wind rustled the leaves, producing a soft, whispering sound as though murmuring ancient secrets.
Doubt and unease filled Lin Xinghe's heart; she had no idea what awaited her ahead, but she knew she had to keep moving forward...