Chapter 20: Identity

“Xiaolong, does the challenge you designed have any connection to the principles of our Great Thousand Sect?” The Third Elder, after reviewing Liang Xiaolong’s level design proposal, fell into deep thought. “What significance is there in identifying our sect’s disciples among a group from the Hehuan Sect?”

“Of course there is significance, and it’s very important. Master, how long has it been since you last left the Great Thousand Sect?”

“Ah… ten years? It’s because of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches Covenant made back then, stating that sect members at the Nascent Soul stage must not leave the sect without permission.”

“Exactly. Although the newly recruited disciples might not all reach the Nascent Soul stage, they must be prepared for it… prepared to leave the mundane world behind.” Liang Xiaolong paused. “Master, have you noticed that once cultivators break away from the mundane and reach a certain level, they no longer regard ordinary people as equals?”

“That is indeed the case.” The Third Elder nodded. “Those corrupt cultivators often resort to slaughter. If not for the combined efforts of the great dynasties to suppress them, the Eastern Dawn Continent would have been in ruins.”

“I believe the root cause is the lack of communication. There is no exchange between immortals and mortals, which leads immortals to view mortals like livestock, and mortals to see immortals as distant heavens. Therefore, I think the newly recruited disciples of the Great Thousand Sect must possess strong communication skills. Only then can they maintain the ability to interact with ordinary people even as they grow stronger, thus avoiding the path of demonic cultivation.”

“From the greatest scholars to the poorest courtesans, everyone must communicate; only then can the system be sound!”

The Third Elder suddenly understood. “My disciple, you’ve done well!”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Liang Xiaolong beamed proudly at the praise. “I told the Hehuan Sect to have each of their women tell the candidates a tragic story about themselves, to evoke sympathy during the test.”

“So, the way to pass my challenge is for the candidate to show their most sincere side, deeply interacting with all the women of the Hehuan Sect’s flower house, learning each person’s backstory, and then meticulously analyzing the stories for inconsistencies. This way, they can discern who truly belongs to the Hehuan Sect and who is impersonating.”

“Of course, there’s more. I instructed my junior sister that even if the candidate’s identity is discovered, the candidate must move her with genuine sincerity before she can stamp the candidate’s scroll with her seal.”

The Third Elder seemed to see something through his clairvoyance. “Hey? That young man flying within the formation seems to have found the Hehuan Sect’s base.”

“Have you considered that someone might use some underhanded method to pass?” The Third Elder asked as he watched Qin Xi enter through the door.

“That’s impossible. Success depends on human effort. I’ve already instructed my junior sister thoroughly; she’ll follow my instructions to the letter—there’s no way she’ll slip up.” Liang Xiaolong was confident.

“Seamless and foolproof—no petty trick can break through my challenge. Rest assured, Master.”

…

When Qingqing saw Qin Xi’s smile, her heart instantly shuddered with a deeply ominous feeling.

No, something was wrong!

She realized something, but it was already too late.

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.

“Bad news! The officials are raiding the brothel!”

Now was the moment!

---

Qin Xi’s eyes snapped open!

The postures of all the women present flashed before his eyes.

A person’s mouth might lie, but subconscious actions never lie.

In Great Qi, anything licentious was illegal, so the Hehuan Sect had done many illicit things.

Those from the Great Thousand Sect, however, likely had no criminal record... at least, none related to a flower house.

In that instant, Qin Xi’s eyes scanned each woman. Fear, panic, terror reflected in their eyes. Some fled immediately, others crouched down holding their heads—well-trained and clearly experienced in being caught.

Except for one woman, who froze.

She stood there, dazed for a moment before remembering how to react and feigned panic as well.

But it was too late—Qin Xi had already seen through everything.

“It’s you.” Qin Xi pointed at her.

At that moment, Jiang Baiqiu quietly slipped in from outside. “Heh heh, was my shout loud enough?”

“Shut your mouth.”

“So this is how you get through this challenge?” Bu Weiwei, twisting a copper coin in her hand, tilted her head. “I thought it was about divining the candidates… This is a total giveaway for me!”

“Ha, who said I belong to the Great Thousand Sect? I’m just a newcomer, still inexperienced.” The woman pointed out quickly shook her head.

“Hmm…” Bu Weiwei pointed at the protesting woman. “I just cast several divinations; it seems everyone else is from the Great Thousand Sect except you—who is from the Hehuan Sect.”

“Everything she says is the opposite of the truth.” Qin Xi pressed down Bu Weiwei’s head. “No more arguing. I believe the Great Thousand Sect wouldn’t create a ‘challenge’ where the candidates clearly figure things out but the sect lies just to keep up appearances, right?”

“The Great Thousand Sect’s reputation is far too illustrious to create such a sham challenge,” Jiang Baiqiu laughed heartily from the side.

Bu Weiwei looked around at the two, sensing one was the straight man and the other the comic relief.

Meanwhile, the woman Qin Xi had singled out twitched the corner of her mouth.

Tsk. What a sneaky brat.

The final answer would have to be revealed eventually. If it remained hidden any longer, these guys would truly paint the Great Thousand Sect as the creator of a ridiculous challenge.

---

“Enough, enough. Since it’s come to this, I’ll stop pretending!”

The woman’s robe suddenly reappeared on her body, fluttering as if moved by an invisible wind, rustling loudly. The other Hehuan Sect disciples hurriedly avoided her.

Then Qin Xi felt a fierce gust of wind blow toward them, mixed with sand and stones!

“Ugh!”

The three raised their arms to shield their faces, unable to keep their eyes open against the storm.

After about ten breaths, the wind died down. Only then could the three clearly see the woman’s face.

Bu Weiwei gasped aloud upon seeing her.

“Could you be the legendary Outer Sect’s Three Winds of the Great Thousand Sect?”

“Outer Sect’s Three Winds?”

Qin Xi had no idea what that name signified; it sounded like a group.

“Yes. Legend has it that many years ago, three triplet sisters from a farming family took part in the Great Thousand Sect’s trials together, all passing successfully, astonishing outsiders.”

“Moreover, each sister possessed dual spiritual roots with wind affinity, earning them well-known nicknames.”

“The eldest has wind and thunder roots, skilled in the Thunder Dao, her thunder and fire strikes have defeated countless cultivators. She’s known as the Wind-Thunder Maiden!”

“The second has wind and fire roots. In battle, the wind enhances the fire’s power and the fire channels the wind’s force, making her nearly unstoppable. The martial world calls her the Wind-Flame Maiden!”

Bu Weiwei paused nervously. “And the last one is probably you.”

The woman’s lips curled into a smile. “Young lady, you have sharp eyes to recognize me at first glance.”

Bu Weiwei looked at her. “The third has wind and earth roots, with a gentle wave of her hand causing flying sand and shifting stones, leaving no trace of birds or beasts. She’s called the—”

“Called what?”

“The Wind-Dust Maiden!”

“...Well, it makes sense she’s allied with the Hehuan Sect.” Qin Xi nearly burst out laughing. “What kind of ridiculous names does the Great Thousand Sect come up with!”