Rapid footsteps grew closer, sounding like a death knell that beat against Lin Xinghe's eardrums, pressing down on her until she could hardly breathe.
She quickly grabbed Lin Yuehe's hand, and the two of them swiftly hid in the grass nearby.
The air was filled with a faint scent of blood, and several mixed auras wandered around—some heavy breathing, some suppressed anger, and a hint of an elusive, icy killing intent.
"Yuehe, make no sound," Lin Xinghe whispered instructions, her voice low and firm.
Lin Yuehe nodded, her body trembling slightly, but she still tried her best to remain calm.
The sound of their breathing was almost synchronized, and the grass where they hid felt like their only sanctuary.
A group of dark figures moved quickly under the moonlight, occasionally exchanging low words tinged with tension and urgency.
"The elder ordered us to find those two girls no matter what, especially Lin Xinghe," a rough voice rang out in the dark, carrying undisguised menace.
"She must be hiding nearby. Search separately!" another voice barked an order.
Lin Xinghe and Lin Yuehe clung closely together, their hearts pounding like thunder, but determination and trust were passed between their gazes.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and Lin Xinghe's heart was filled with anger and resentment.
These scouts were all running dogs sent by the elders of the Lin Family, who, for the sake of Lin Xiao's ambition, did not hesitate to strike at his own flesh and blood.
Yet she knew this was no time for impulse; only calmness could find them a way out.
Finally, the scouts searched the area around the grass in a circle, only to find nothing.
They steadied themselves and exchanged a glance, seemingly unwilling to give up.
"Let's go back and report to the elder," a voice said in a low tone.
The others murmured assent and gradually faded into the distance.
Lin Xinghe and Lin Yuehe breathed a sigh of relief, though the tension in their hearts did not entirely dissipate.
Lin Xinghe stood up quickly, pulling Lin Yuehe out from the grass.
"Yuehe, we are safe for now. But Lin Xiao certainly won't give up easily, do you understand?"
Lin Yuehe nodded. "Sister, I will be careful. But we can't keep hiding forever; we have to find a way to fight back."
Lin Xinghe smiled. "That's right, we are going to fight back. Starting tomorrow, help me gather intelligence within the Lin Family, especially regarding Lin Xiao's plans. Like you, I will never easily surrender."
Lin Yuehe nodded, the flames of revenge burning in her eyes.
"Sister, I understand. I will do my absolute best."
Night fell, and the courtyard of the Lin Family was quiet, with only a few lights flickering faintly.
Lin Xinghe quietly returned to her room. Once everything grew still, she changed into a set of black clothes and, following a familiar path, quietly entered the Sword Tomb Secret Realm.
The secret realm was permeated with an ancient and mysterious aura, and the Nine Heavens of Sword Soul trials left behind by the Sword Saint stood like threshold after threshold, quietly waiting for challengers to arrive.
Lin Xinghe took a deep breath and stepped into the training area for the second-layer sword soul.
This training was even more grueling than the last; the power of the sword soul poured into her Dantian like molten lava, causing her to feel unbearable pain.
Sweat poured down onto the ground like rain, but she did not give up.
Every trickle of the sword soul's influx felt like it was reshaping her body, the pain intertwined with an unprecedented sense of power.
"Hold on, Lin Xinghe, you can definitely do this!" She gritted her teeth through it, her inner conviction never more resolute.
At last, the absorption of the second-layer sword soul neared its end, and her Dantian seemed to be activated by a powerful force as the sword soul's power surged through her body, bringing an unprecedented agility and sharpness.
Right at that moment, a chilling voice sounded right beside her ear.
"Lin Xinghe, I never expected you to actually break through the second-layer sword soul. It seems underestimating you was my own mistake."
Lin Xinghe turned around to see a woman in white standing not far away, a ruthless gleam flashing in her eyes.
Baili, one of the guardians within the Sword Tomb—her appearance was always accompanied by challenge and danger.
"Baili, you've come to interfere with my cultivation again," Lin Xinghe said coldly.
Baili sneered, the long sword in her hand flashing with a cold glint.
"Lin Xinghe, do you really think that just because you've absorbed the second-layer sword soul, you can contend with me? How naive!"
Lin Xinghe clenched her fists, her resolute expression radiating unyielding spirit.
"I will not back down. No matter what your goal is, I will not give up."
Before the words had faded, their sword qi intertwined in mid-air, victory and defeat still undecided.
Baili's sword technique was swift and precise, every strike aimed straight at Lin Xinghe's fatal spots.
Yet, relying on her newly acquired power, Lin Xinghe managed to barely hold her own, their sword techniques cutting dazzling arcs of light through the air.
Just then, a familiar figure suddenly flashed out from the shadows nearby, the long sword in his hand instantly thrusting toward Baili.
"Baili, you are too arrogant!" Yun Wufeng's voice was low and firm.
Clearly not expecting anyone to come to the rescue, Baili was caught off guard for a moment.
Joining forces, Lin Xinghe and Yun Wufeng finally managed to temporarily beat Baili back.
Baili's figure gradually blurred in the void and ultimately vanished into the depths of the secret realm.
Panting heavily, Lin Xinghe felt a surge of gratitude. "Yun Wufeng, thank you."
Yun Wufeng smiled faintly, concern showing in his eyes.
"Lin Xinghe, you must raise your strength as quickly as possible. Baili will not give up easily, and she isn't your only enemy."
Lin Xinghe nodded. "I understand." By the time she returned to the Lin Family it was already deep into the night, and Lin Xinghe quietly sought out Su Jiuqing. The night wind carried a hint of chill, tangling Lin Xinghe's hair.
Like a nimble cat, she wove silently through the complex courtyards of the Lin Family, finally stopping outside Su Jiuqing's door.
She tapped lightly on the door, and upon receiving a response, she slipped inside.
By the dim candlelight, Su Jiuqing leaned languidly against the head of the bed. Catching sight of Lin Xinghe, she asked, "Miss Xinghe, visiting so late in the night, what brings you here?"
Lin Xinghe did not beat around the bush, stating her purpose straight away: "Aunt Su, I want to ask you to help me monitor First Elder Lin Xiao and the men under his command—every move they make, down to the smallest detail."
Hearing this, Su Jiuqing's previously languid expression vanished instantly, replaced by a look of scrutiny.
"Miss Xinghe, are you trying to make an enemy of the First Elder? That is hardly a wise move."
"Aunt Su, I have my reasons." Lin Xinghe's tone was resolute and allowed no room for doubt.
"You only need to tell me: are you willing to help me?"
Su Jiuqing fell silent for a moment before finally sighing and nodding.
"Very well. For the sake of your mother, I can help you. However, I can only do my best; after all, the First Elder's influence in the Lin Family runs deep."
Joy welled up in Lin Xinghe's heart, and she said gratefully, "Thank you, Aunt Su." She took a small porcelain bottle from her robe and handed it to Su Jiuqing. "These are some healing pills inside; perhaps they can be of use to you, Aunt Su."
Su Jiuqing took the bottle, a trace of warmth crossing her face. "You are thoughtful."
Just as Lin Xinghe was preparing to take her leave, she acutely sensed that an unusual aura was rapidly approaching, carrying a trace of unsettling pressure.
She whipped her head around and warned, "Aunt Su, watch out!"