Published at 3rd of January 2026 11:36 am

Chapter 1976: Uneasy Sect, Missing Disciples? (Part 2)

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Bai Ling’er was carefully hidden by Lin Wan’er inside Su Xiaowan’s mysterious Turtle Shell Treasure.

Not only was the Turtle Shell Treasure incredible in defense, but it could also isolate aura, making it the best choice for concealing Bai Ling’er.

"Are you all ready?"

Luo Qingchen asked in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over Lin Wan’er and Su Xiaowan.

Both women nodded, their eyes carrying a hint of nervousness and a touch of anticipation.

"Remember, try to remain calm when you enter later and don’t reveal any flaws."

Luo Qingchen reminded them once more.

Although they had Zhao Qian’s Identity Token and the recent patrol commands he provided, the internal checks of the Sect were far stricter than they imagined.

Any carelessness could expose their identities.

The three took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the mountain gate entrance.

The mountain-guarding disciples in charge of the checks saw the three approaching and immediately shot them a vigilant glance.

"Stop! Who are you?"

The leading disciple of the late Foundation Establishment stage shouted harshly, his Longsword slightly unsheathed, emanating a sharp aura.

Luo Qingchen stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute, his demeanor composed.

"Brother, we are disciples returning from an external mission."

He presented the Identity Token acquired from Zhao Qian.

The mountain-guarding disciple took the token, examined it carefully, and cross-checked it with the roster in his hand.

"Zhao Qian? Inner Sect Disciple?"

A hint of doubt flashed in the mountain-guarding disciple’s eyes.

Zhao Qian’s token was of an Inner Sect Disciple, yet Luo Qingchen and the others were dressed as Outer Sect Disciples.

"Yes, we were ordered by Brother Zhao to assist in patrols in the peripheral areas."

Luo Qingchen explained calmly.

"With the mission completed, Brother Zhao instructed us to return to the Sect to report."

This explanation was reasonable, after all, Inner Sect Disciples commanding Outer Sect Disciples for tasks was common practice.

The mountain-guarding disciple nodded but didn’t immediately grant passage.

"The Sect has been unstable recently, and inspections are stringent, so please cooperate."

As he spoke, he motioned for two disciples behind him to step forward.

Each of those disciples held a small bronze mirror in their hands, with the mirror’s surface flickering with weak Spirit Light.

"This is a Spirit Detection Mirror, used to detect a cultivator’s cultivation level and identity information."

Explained the mountain-guarding disciple.

Luo Qingchen’s heart sank; he hadn’t expected the Sect’s inspection to include such a Magic Artifact.

But he was prepared; the three’s aura had already been adjusted with a Concealing Breath Talisman, and their cultivation had been disguised to the late Foundation Establishment stage, matching their current identity.

The Spirit Detection Mirror’s light scanned over the three, finding no anomalies.

The mountain-guarding disciple’s expression relaxed somewhat, but he remained vigilant.

"Recently, some suspicious individuals have appeared within the Sect, and orders have come from above; all disciples entering or exiting must undergo image verification."

Saying so, he retrieved a stack of images from his Storage Bag.

Luo Qingchen felt a thud in his heart.

Image verification?

This was a situation they hadn’t anticipated.

Though Su Xiaowan’s potion could alter some facial features, careful comparison might still lead to recognition.

Especially for Luo Qingchen, whose fame before his disappearance was significant, his image surely circulated widely.

The mountain-guarding disciple unfolded the images one by one, showing the images of Luo Qingchen, Lin Wan’er, and Su Xiaowan conspicuously among them.

Although the portraits differed slightly from their current appearances, upon close inspection, a few similarities could be found.

"These are disciples who disappeared a while back; if there’s any trace of them, report immediately."

The mountain-guarding disciple said while casting a scrutinizing glance at Luo Qingchen and the others.

His gaze held an assessing quality, as if meticulously comparing their features to those of the portraits.

Luo Qingchen’s heart jumped to his throat.

He could sense that the mountain-guarding disciple’s gaze lingered on his face longer than it did on the others.

Su Xiaowan and Lin Wan’er also nervously held their breath.

Just then, the Spirit Detection Mirror in one mountain-guarding disciple’s hand suddenly emitted a faint buzzing sound, and the Spirit Light on the mirror’s surface became somewhat unstable.

"Hmm? What’s happening?"

The disciple looked surprised at the Spirit Detection Mirror in his hand.

The leading mountain-guarding disciple’s expression changed, becoming instantly alert.

"The Spirit Detection Mirror is reacting! Who are you really?"

His voice turned severe, and his Longsword fully unsheathed, pointing at Luo Qingchen and the others.

The surrounding patrol disciples also gathered around, turning the atmosphere tense and fraught.

Luo Qingchen inwardly cursed; he hadn’t anticipated the Spirit Detection Mirror to be so sensitive, detecting even a slight anomaly despite their use of the Concealing Breath Talisman.

At this critical moment, Su Xiaowan’s eyes showed a hint of decisiveness.

She discreetly crushed a Talisman hidden in her sleeve.

It was a "Blinding Talisman," capable of subtly adjusting a target’s appearance temporarily, creating a visual illusion.

The Talisman silently transformed into a barely perceptible glow, merging into the bodies of Luo Qingchen and the others.

Almost simultaneously, subtle changes occurred in the facial features of Luo Qingchen and the others.

Though the overall contour remained unchanged, certain critical details, such as the spacing between their brows and the height of their nose, differed more significantly from the images.

This change was extremely subtle, hard to notice unless closely observed.

"Brother, you’ve mistaken us."

Luo Qingchen said calmly, showing a hint of appropriate confusion on his face.

"We’re merely ordinary Sect disciples; how could we be suspicious individuals?"

His voice was steady, without a trace of panic.

The leading mountain-guarding disciple scrutinized Luo Qingchen and the others again, looking back and forth from the images he held.

After Su Xiaowan’s Blinding Talisman adjustment, the differences between their appearances and those in the images indeed grew more significant.

Combined with Luo Qingchen’s composed response and the true token from Zhao Qian, the mountain-guarding disciple’s doubts lessened considerably.

"Perhaps the Spirit Detection Mirror malfunctioned."

Another disciple whispered; his Spirit Detection Mirror had also returned to normal.

The leading mountain-guarding disciple pondered momentarily and finally waved his hand.

"Alright, you may enter."

Despite harboring some residual doubts, he was unwilling to hassle them excessively without concrete evidence.

After all, Luo Qingchen held a legitimate token, and their cultivation aligned with the identity of Outer Sect Disciples.

Luo Qingchen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, but outwardly maintained his calm demeanor.

"Thank you, Brother."

He cupped his hands in salute, accompanying Lin Wan’er and Su Xiaowan, calmly walking through the mountain gate.

Only after they had passed the mountain gate and entered the Sect did the three collectively exhale a sigh of relief.

The inspection just now had been genuinely thrilling and suspenseful.

Had Su Xiaowan not timely utilized the Blinding Talisman, they might have been exposed already.

"Well done, Xiaowan."

Luo Qingchen whispered in praise.

Su Xiaowan proudly held her chin high.

"Of course, the talismans of this girl aren’t just for show."

Lin Wan’er also smiled slightly, her tension dissolving somewhat.

However, they remained vigilant.

After entering the Sect, they found the atmosphere even more oppressive than outside.

The usually bustling streets seemed somewhat deserted, with many shops shut tight.

The patrolling disciples were numerous compared to usual, each with a serious demeanor as if facing a significant threat.

"What on earth happened in the Sect?"

Su Xiaowan couldn’t help but whisper.

"It’s not just the threat of the Black-clothed Cultivator."

Luo Qingchen’s brows furrowed as he felt an ominous foreboding.

He sensed that a larger storm seemed to be brewing within the Qingyun Sect.

And their infiltration was undoubtedly stepping into the eye of this storm.

"Let’s check on our courtyard first."

Luo Qingchen suggested.

Having disappeared for so long, their courtyard must have been searched and possibly still monitored.

The three carefully avoided the patrol disciples as they headed toward the residence area for Outer Sect Disciples.

Along the way, they noticed many unfamiliar faces within the Sect.

Most of these people seemed hurried and alert, as if they were cultivators from other affiliated families.

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