Through the translucent interface of the Eternal Paradox Codex, Xiao Ning watched Mei Lin approach. The dim light of the cave cast shadows across her face, but it did little to conceal the suspicion in her eyes.
"Your qi... it feels different," she remarked.
The moment she had reentered the chamber, something about Xiao Ning's aura had caught her attention. It was familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar, as though two entirely different energies had somehow merged into one.
Xiao Ning inwardly scoffed.
Of course it was different. The Paradox Meridians were unlike anything he had encountered in his previous life. He had yet to uncover the full capabilities of the Codex's other paradoxes, but this ability alone was enough to defy conventional cultivation knowledge.
It could conceal his true cultivation, manipulate his aura, and perhaps do far more than he currently understood.
"Different?" he repeated indifferently. "What makes you say that?"
Mei Lin frowned, studying him more carefully.
"It's difficult to describe. Your qi feels like a strange combination of something ancient and something entirely new." She paused before adding, "But how is that possible? Your Nascent Soul was on the verge of collapse before you entered seclusion."
Xiao Ning smiled faintly.
"Soul reconstruction isn't a simple process. Even if I explained it, you wouldn't necessarily understand."
Mei Lin's expression darkened at his dismissive answer, but she didn't argue.
"Regardless, I can still sense that your cultivation has reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. The sect won't believe you've recovered so miraculously, especially after your funeral rites have already been performed."
"That's easily resolved."
With a thought, Xiao Ning activated the Paradox Meridians.
His Nascent Soul aura immediately receded, concealed beneath a carefully constructed layer of spiritual energy. In its place emerged the aura of a Core Formation cultivator.
Mei Lin's eyes widened slightly.
She extended her spiritual sense toward him, then withdrew it with a troubled expression. No matter how carefully she examined him, she could no longer determine his true cultivation.
"What kind of technique is this?"
"Something you don't need to understand."
Xiao Ning had no intention of explaining the Codex. Mei Lin might be his current ally, but that didn't mean she needed to know every secret he possessed.
After a brief silence, she asked, "Even if you can conceal your cultivation, how do you intend to convince the sect that you're still alive? Everyone witnessed Li Feng's death."
"They'll believe whatever we give them a reason to believe."
Xiao Ning's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Or has the Shadowclaw Sect suddenly become a righteous sect?"
Mei Lin fell silent. She understood his meaning, but the situation was more complicated than he seemed to think.
"Although I'm currently acting as sect leader, I don't hold absolute authority," she explained. "Elder Jin still commands considerable influence, and he won't simply stand aside while I consolidate power."
The Shadowclaw Sect was among the strongest forces in the region. At its height, it possessed three experts at the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. However, two of them were now gravely injured, leaving Elder Jin in an increasingly advantageous position.
If he chose to make a move, Mei Lin might struggle to stop him.
Xiao Ning listened without interrupting. He already understood that the sect's internal struggle would be just as important as its conflict with the Azure Dragon Sect.
"What about that person?" he suddenly asked.
Mei Lin's expression changed.
"You mean..."
"Yes." Xiao Ning's voice remained calm. "According to Li Feng's memories, this is the person who ordered the extermination of the Jiang family. He's responsible for much of what has happened to us."
Mei Lin studied him for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
"You intend to threaten him with exposure and force him to help us deal with the Azure Dragon Sect?"
"You're only half right."
Xiao Ning's smile widened slightly.
"I do intend to make him useful to us. But forcing him to cooperate isn't the real objective."
"What, then?"
A faint red glimmer appeared in Xiao Ning's eyes.
"Elder Jin is a cunning man. More importantly, he witnessed Li Feng's death firsthand."
Mei Lin froze.
"Are you suggesting..."
"Think carefully about what happened that day."
Xiao Ning rose slowly from the stone bed, his expression growing more serious.
"Li Feng's memories of that incident are unusually clear. Perhaps because it was the moment his life took its final turn."
A trace of guilt crossed Mei Lin's face. She lowered her gaze before looking back at him.
"What exactly did you see?"
Xiao Ning met her eyes.
"Li Feng intended to assassinate Jiang Chen alone. The information came from Elder Jin, who claimed that Jiang Chen would be isolated outside the Azure Dragon Sect during a mission."
Mei Lin's brows drew together.
"As head of the intelligence department, Elder Jin would have access to that kind of information," she murmured. "But why would he deliberately send Li Feng into a trap?"
"That's what we need to determine."
Xiao Ning continued, "The moment Li Feng attacked Jiang Chen, members of the Righteous Sects Alliance surrounded him. He was outnumbered from the beginning."
He paused, allowing Mei Lin to consider the implications.
"Of course, the information might have been deliberately leaked to lure him out. But there's something more important. Before launching the attack, Li Feng sensed that something was wrong."
Mei Lin stared at him in disbelief.
"Li Feng knew he might be walking into a trap?"
"He suspected it enough to contact Elder Jin and request reinforcements. He only proceeded after Elder Jin informed him that he had arrived and was observing the situation from a distance."
The cave fell silent.
Mei Lin took an unsteady step backward as the pieces began falling into place. Elder Jin hadn't merely failed to rescue Li Feng. If Xiao Ning's interpretation was correct, he might have deliberately sent him to his death.
And if that were true, the implications extended far beyond a failed assassination.
Elder Jin had potentially betrayed the sect itself.
Xiao Ning watched her carefully, giving her time to reach her own conclusion.
"Now tell me, Mei Lin. Do you think Elder Jin will accept responsibility if someone questions his actions? Or will he silence anyone who threatens to expose him?"
Mei Lin's eyes narrowed.
"You're planning to use that person against Elder Jin."
"Exactly."
Xiao Ning showed no hesitation.
"But you'll be the one carrying out the plan."
Mei Lin looked at him warily.
"What do you want me to do?"
Xiao Ning's expression turned cold.
"Deliver a message to that person. Make sure it carries Elder Jin's seal."
Mei Lin's eyes widened as she finally understood the direction of his scheme.
"You want to make him believe Elder Jin is behind it..."
"You catch on quickly."
Xiao Ning's smile returned, though there was no warmth in it.
"Let's see how Elder Jin handles a problem he can't solve by simply killing the person who knows too much."
Mei Lin stared at him, realizing that the plan was far more dangerous than she had initially imagined.
"You want them to turn against each other."
"Not necessarily." Xiao Ning turned away. "I only need them to start doubting each other. Once that happens, they'll do the rest themselves."
He had no intention of confronting Elder Jin directly while his current body remained so weak. There was no reason to risk his life when he could make his enemies expend their strength against one another.
After all, the easiest enemy to defeat was one who had already begun suspecting his allies.
Xiao Ning glanced back at Mei Lin.
"Can you do it?"
Mei Lin hesitated briefly before her expression hardened.
"...Tell me what to write."