The elders had made an official announcement on the third evening, informing the disciples that the exploration of the outer buildings of the Tomb would begin in three days' time. The main tomb itself remained sealed, and its opening was a matter that might take weeks or even longer to achieve.

Yet the outer complexes surrounding it were more accessible, and though not all were open, several had already been tested by the elders to ensure they did not pose undue risk.

The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the camp.

For many disciples, this was the true beginning of the expedition. The past three months had been filled with travel, hardship, and battles against beasts, but now they would finally begin to see the ancient inheritance sites that had drawn them here.

Rumors quickly spread, fueled by speculation and the eager voices of those who could not keep their thoughts contained. Some whispered of treasures hidden in the outer buildings, left behind by the long-dead immortal who had constructed the tomb.

Others believed the buildings were tests, each one hiding formations and guardians designed to weed out the unworthy.

In truth, no one knew what awaited them.

The only certainty was that the outer buildings would not be empty. Even abandoned structures had their dangers, whether it was lingering arrays, beasts that had made the ruins their lair, or traps left behind by the tomb's creators.

The elders' announcement had been clear. The disciples were to treat every exploration with utmost caution, for reckless behavior could bring disaster not only upon themselves but also upon their fellow disciples.

Han Yu listened to the announcement quietly, his expression calm.

Unlike many others who buzzed with anticipation, he did not feel excitement. Instead, he felt a simmering unease that he kept hidden. The words of the elders were reassuring, but he knew better than to trust completely.

There was too much at stake, too many variables that could not be controlled. The tomb was not just a relic, it was a mystery, and mysteries often concealed dangers that even elders might not anticipate.

In their tent, the mood reflected the larger camp. Fatty Kui could hardly sit still, already daydreaming aloud about the treasures he would find, though he was mostly thinking about the 'Legendary Fruits' he might get to taste.

Wu Shuan smiled faintly at his antics, though he tempered his own hopes with a more practical outlook. Liu An remained silent, as always, cultivating quietly in the corner of the tent.

Han Yu, meanwhile, busied himself with his own personal small cauldron, refining extracts that might be useful for emergency pills later. As he worked, his mind wandered to the faint trace of emotion energy he had sensed a day earlier, drifting from the direction of the unorthodox sects' camps.

He had not felt it again since then, and though he told himself it was likely nothing, the thought refused to leave him. He could not shake the suspicion that eyes were upon him, watching from afar, waiting for an opportunity.

The camp, for all its bustle and excitement, felt to him like the calm before a storm.

The next day dawned bright and hazy, the marshland mist curling low over the sprawling camps of the various sects.

Han Yu, for once, was not bent over cauldrons or refining stations, fingers stained with herbs and powders. He had pushed himself the past two days, diligently working through his quota of extracts and completing it earlier than most.

That left him with an entire day of free time, something he had not tasted since they arrived.

Stretching his arms, he let out a breath of relief. "Finally, I can do something other than boil roots and mash moss," he muttered.

Rather than waste this rare reprieve in sleep, Han Yu decided to wander.

His instincts told him that even leisure could be turned into cultivation if he played his cards right. And besides, the elders had openly encouraged disciples to mingle with members of other orthodox sects.

The reasoning was simple: they were all on the same side for this expedition, and it was better to strengthen bonds now than regret later when they needed allies in the tomb.

Han Yu did not need to be told twice.

Making friends came naturally to him, and unlike Wu Shuan who tended to keep to himself, or Fatty Kui who was happy as long as there was food, Han Yu enjoyed weaving words, observing reactions, and slipping into conversations as though he belonged there.

So, after freshening up, he strolled beyond the Twin Leaf Peak Sect's palisade and toward the Orthodox Sects' camp.

The entire northern quadrant of the orthodox area was alive with movement: disciples from dozens of sects carried supplies, trained in small groups, or simply loitered about, taking the measure of their future companions. Flags and banners fluttered in the breeze, each bearing the crest of a sect, and the hum of chatter mixed with the clang of sparring weapons.

Han Yu's destination was already decided: The Crimson Cloud Sect's camp.

Their disciples had already visited Twin Leaf Peak's area earlier, establishing friendly relations, and that made them the easiest to approach. Besides, Han Yu's curiosity was piqued.

Crimson Cloud was one of the larger sects to have arrived early, and they had a reputation for being bold yet disciplined.

As he entered their camp, he was greeted with nods and curious glances. Their base was laid out in neat rows, with disciples in scarlet-trimmed robes either training in formation drills or chatting in small clusters.

Compared to the modest bustle of Twin Leaf Peak's area, Crimson Cloud's felt like a small army garrison.

"Junior Brother Han!" a voice called out, and a young man he vaguely remembered from their first meeting waved him over.

Han Yu slipped easily into the group, smiling with just the right degree of warmth and humility. He was quick with his tongue, sprinkling compliments here and there, remarking on the sect's disciplined drills, or flattering a disciple's sword technique.

He even produced a handful of low-grade pills from his pouch, offering them casually as "gifts of goodwill."