Outside the entrance to the basement, the three great sword sheaths of the Ming Wolf brand gathered, yet the moment their gazes met, there was no spark of battle, only the spread of awkwardness.

Although everyone wore black robes and masks, it was almost pointless, as everyone could clearly recognize who was who. Could this be called a disguise? This was more like wearing a second skin!

However, after a moment of silence, Le Yu and Mie Tangya simultaneously looked toward the female in the black robe, and Niruo immediately stood in front of her. Even though the female black-robed person had no distinctive features, this action was enough to reveal her identity.

Ming Shuangli actually dared to personally participate in the Immortal Palace plan?

Yet upon serious contemplation, Le Yu felt that this was indeed the kind of move Ming Shuangli would make. Among the seven Sword Masters, the most impulsive were Ming Shuangli and Ming Shuiyun.

Unlike Ming Shuiyun, who was spoiled by Le Yu, Ming Shuangli was a 'natural-born battle addict' influenced by both her family background and nature. Before she took the surname Ming, she was already known as the 'Nightmare Scholar Tyrant'—the dominant student of the Nightmare School. After becoming a Sword Master, Ming Shuangli did not become cautious or careful; instead, she became increasingly domineering.

This 'domineering' is not a pejorative term; if Ming Shuangli truly became arrogant and overbearing, society wouldn't need to step in; Cha Huan would directly teach her how to behave. However, Ming Shuangli's nature was pure and kind, her interpersonal skills outstanding, her actions decisive yet never wrong, always sunny and confident, which made her extremely charismatic as a leader to everyone.

Although Ming Shuangli is not yet the student leader, the Nightmare School students almost all are willing to follow in her footsteps. In the unparalleled kill research society of Ming Shuiyun, Nightmare School students comprised less than a tenth, but comparatively, the Guards School students almost reached half.

Even with the support of Le Yu and others, Ming Shuiyun's momentum only just barely surpassed Ming Shuangli's, and there were still many students more willing to give three-fold recommendations and likes to Ming Shuangli.

In gaming terms, Ming Shuangli's [Charm], [Command], [Politics] are the highest among the seven Sword Masters. She seemed born to lead others; merely by being close to her, one would be unconsciously infected by her confidence, willing to follow her orders, even offering their loyalty proactively.

This is not any kind of Charm Technique, but rather human nature's laziness. Because of laziness, people subconsciously want to rely on something: rely on the Silver Blood Association if you're from Dongyang, rely on the Blue Flame if you're from Chenfeng, rely on Cha Huan if you're from the Imperial Academy, rely on themselves... which would be truly tragic.

If someone could think for them, make decisions for them, choose directions for them, and everything done could bring them benefits, most people would be willing to stop thinking and offer loyalty. Ming Shuangli is this kind of leader who can awaken humans' 'laziness', because merely by following her orders, one could attain happiness.

This kind of leadership is extremely rare, and Le Yu can't cultivate it. Hence, Ming Shuiyun's career path is 'Virtuous Benevolent Monarch', distinctly set apart from Ming Shuangli's 'Domineering Holy King', to capture the student market through differentiation.

In the relationship between Sword Master and sword sheath, Ming Shuangli's domineering nature meant only Niruo could keep up with her. Therefore, if she wanted to attend the Immortal Palace, Niruo had no choice but to obediently escort her here.

Unlike Ming Shuiyun, a louder word from Le Yu causes her to shrink.

"Hello, you two. I'm new here. Want to go inside together?" Compared to the nervous Niruo, Ming Shuangli seemed composed and unflustered, not at all bothered about exposing her voice.

"Aren't you afraid?" Mie Tangya couldn't help but ask.

Although the Sword Holder would protect the Sword Master, and the Holy Sword's mark could protect the Sword Master once, what if everyone attacked together? What if an accident occurred?

"With him here, I'm not afraid." Ming Shuangli patted Niruo's shoulder, her voice loud and full of laughter. This scene made Mie Tangya a bit sour—Ming Shuangli and Niruo's relationship was really good. Unlike him and Ming Dailan, whose relationship was so poor they argued every day, not at all like a ruler and subject.

At this moment, more people in black robes arrived. They did not linger at the entrance but entered the basement together.

Inside the basement, there were already quite a few people seated. Le Yu noticed Li Ying had already arrived. Everyone in the basement seemed attracted by the illusionary red radiance of the Blood Essence Stone. Coupled with the basement's environment, the scene appeared sinister and evil, as if they were about to kill someone just to liven up the atmosphere.

After Le Yu and Mie Tangya sat down, they noticed Ming Shuangli still standing, her eyes fixed on the Blood Essence Stone.

A few seconds later, Ming Shuangli suddenly asked, "Is the person in charge here?"

"... What do you want?"

The smiling mask turned to look at Ming Shuangli. She nodded and pointed at the Blood Essence Stone, "Can I touch it? Just once."

Was it possible to just ask directly?

Surprisingly, after a bit of thought, the smile actually nodded, "Okay."

Really?

With permission granted, Ming Shuangli immediately walked over and reached out to touch the Blood Essence Stone. However, after touching it twice, a look of confusion appeared on her face, "Why do I feel like I'm touching a wall of air?"

"Because the Blood Essence Stone isn't actually here; this is just its projection," the smile said, "The real Blood Essence Stone has already been hidden."

"Then where is it hidden?"

The smile was silent for a moment, "Do you think I would tell you?"

"How would you know if you don't ask?" Ming Shuangli said, "Why prejudge that you aren't a helpful person? Why not sit down and have a good talk?"

"... Makes sense, please sit."

Without any visible movement from the smile, Ming Shuangli was pushed by an invisible force into an empty seat. Ming Shuangli showed no sign of panic, and thoughtfully said, "Is this the power of Immortal Technique?"

"Exactly, formless and traceless, light as a feather, yet as powerful as a thousand pounds."

"Then using this move to sexually harass others would be flawless, wouldn't it?"

With that comment from Ming Shuangli, the taste of Immortal Technique instantly dropped to the level of 'grab-and-pinch dragon claw'.

At this time, a few more black-robed people entered. Le Yu glanced briefly and wasn't too concerned, until two black-robed individuals sat beside him. Turning to look, he found a pair of lively, spirited large eyes looking back at him.

It's Yan Yi.

Glancing back, though the eyes couldn't be seen clearly, the loose black robe was somehow showing contours, even rising into two peaks, with the robe draping like a waterfall veil from the peaks. It must be Ning Xinyuan without a doubt.

Le Yu didn't speak, taking advantage of the dim lighting to avoid attention, he stealthily jabbed a hand knife over—what are you doing here!

Yan Yi grabbed his wrist and pressed it down hard—what's it to you!

Le Yu reversed it to grip her wrist—not agreed that only I would come?

Yan Yi jabbed his hand back hard—I'm not your female student, why should I listen to you?

Just then Ning Xinyuan squeezed between them, forcing Le Yu and Yan Yi to abandon their debate to enter a rest period.

Le Yu hadn't anticipated Yan Yi would come. In his eyes, Immortal Blood didn't have much allure for Yan Yi, and wasn't worth her risking. As for why Ning Xinyuan came, Le Yu thought she was brought by Yan Yi, akin to a friend being dragged along shopping or to the bathroom.

But for Yan Yi to know the location, it had to be that Li Ying told them in an attempt to recruit them as subordinates. Thinking this, Le Yu glanced at Li Ying. Sensing his gaze, Li Ying touched her own stomach, looking at Le Yu with a hint of sorrow.

Tch, don't look at me like that, as if I'm responsible for your pregnancy, when in reality I just punctured your stomach.

"It's about time." Smile turned around to look at everyone: "We've got quite a few new companions. Please, newcomers, pick a codename for yourselves that's related to your mask for ease of address."

Then Smile began introducing the Immortal Palace plan, and no one interrupted him. After Smile finished his introduction, he asked, "Any questions? You can bring them up now."

"I have!" Ming Shuangli raised her right hand high.

"Koi fish, please go ahead."

Ming Shuangli pulled out a sheet of paper densely filled with writing from her sleeve. The people next to her raised their eyebrows—a preemptive strike, she had come prepared to catch Smile off guard!

"First, how can you guarantee that you won't take the Blood Essence Stone and leave? If you leave, all our initial investments will be in vain."

"Second, shouldn't you disclose how much Immortal Blood you have in reserve? What if we come to exchange for Immortal Blood and you can't deliver any?"

"Third, the specific effects of Immortal Blood are unclear, as is whether it has any toxicity or side effects."

"Fourth..."

Ming Shuangli posed a total of eighteen questions, each substantial, addressing the interests of all members, considering risks that some might have overlooked, drawing nods of agreement as many focused on Smile, hoping for a satisfactory response.

Ming Shuangli said: "...Above are my questions, hoping for a reply from the person in charge of the Immortal Palace plan."

"Thank you very much for your thoughtful questions, Koi fish," Smile said, "but I'm sorry, I will not respond to your inquiries."

"Why not?"

"Because you don't seem to be here to contribute to the Immortal Palace plan, but rather to find loopholes to undermine it and disrupt members' confidence and unity. Therefore, your questions need not be answered. Of course, it might also be my misunderstanding. If you do have doubts, you can choose to leave, and we respect personal choices, sincerely wishing you a better future."

Le Yin listened in awe: first, slap a label on her saying she 'disrupts unity,' directly refusing to answer questions, then a 'play along or leave' statement, shutting down Ming Shuangli's rhetoric, forcing her to either leave or join.

However, Ming Shuangli was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You just said you chose to carry out the Immortal Palace plan at the Imperial Academy because you feared the Imperial Court might seize the results?"

"Yes."

"But compared to the Imperial Court, the Imperial Academy is too small in terms of population and power. Since you wish to launch the Immortal Palace plan, you surely hope to create more fellow cultivators in the future. After all, one person can't shoulder an entire school of thought, a culture, or even a civilization."

"There's a famous line in a novel that goes, 'A myriad of powers return to one person,' but the premise is having a myriad of powers. If the entire system has only one person, it can't create a myriad of powers."

"As the number of cultivators grows, you, being ahead of everyone else, naturally stand to gain more. Moreover, as a newly emerging class, cultivators are inherently separate from the old interest groups, inevitably requiring a reallocation of global interests. Sooner or later they'll take the stage, they can't hide in the shadows forever. Once you choose to expand your influence, the Imperial Court is an obstacle you cannot bypass."

"Just like the Combat Technique rose to prominence because the Grand Ancestor Emperor issued the First Charter, requiring everyone to implant the Luminous Stone Charter. If Lord Smile wants to pioneer the era of Immortality, issuing the Second Charter is an unavoidable path."

Smile paused for a moment, then nodded, "You make a good point, but it's undeniable that currently, the Imperial Court is far more powerful than the Immortal Palace. Unless our number of Immortals grows enough to contend with the court, actively making contact with the court is courting death."

"Compared to ideological battles, conflicts over power and interests leave no room for negotiation." He said softly, "Even an emperor might be assassinated in the Imperial Court; a mere Imperial Academy may not withstand a true storm."

"I understand your concern." Ming Shuangli nodded, "Undoubtedly, although the Chancellor possesses foresight and genius, stabilizing the court with the Six Ministries each performing their duties, the court is not a court of wise men, but rather of existing interest groups. They will never allow new technologies to seize their interests unless the new technology is under their control."

"But," Ming Shuangli straightened her back, "if Lord Smile can find a mutually trusting ally within the court, all problems would be easily solved."

"Mutually trusting?" Smile laughed.

Ming Shuangli seemed oblivious to Smile's sarcasm and said seriously, "First, this ally must hold a high position, with the power to integrate the cultivating class into the court system, even actively usurping the interests of the court officials; second, the ally's power must be small, thereby making them dependent on the Immortal Palace, and allowing the Immortal Palace to safely attach themselves to her for rapid development; lastly, the ally should be someone Lord Smile can directly connect with, ensuring no middleman takes a cut, allowing for direct communication."

Listening to this, Le Yin began to sense trouble—he finally understood why Ming Shuangli took the risk of participating in the Immortal Palace alone!

"In the Imperial Academy, there happen to be seven people who meet the criteria I just mentioned for an ally," Ming Shuangli said crisply and cheerfully: "They are the seven Palace Masters studying at the Imperial Academy, candidates for the future Empress!"

"The seven Palace Masters all became candidates for the emperor due to unforeseen events, unlike other heirs who cultivated their power from a young age. Once they ascend to the throne, they have to rely on the old court factions to rule, making them mere figureheads on the throne for a long period."

"But with support from the Immortal Palace, the situation would completely change. If Immortal Blood can truly enable Immortal Ascension and the Blood Essence Stone remains controlled by the Immortal Palace, then cultivators would be completely separated from the old interest groups, with inseparable ties to the Immortal Palace. As long as the Immortal Palace can include the emperor among them, the natural foundation for an alliance exists. The emperor would favor and depend on the Immortal Palace, and the Immortal Palace would gradually replace the old era's interest groups as the emperor's spear and shield!"

"Lord Smile, while my earlier eighteen questions did carry some provocation, these words are my heartfelt advice, sincerely suggested!" Ming Shuangli said: "Currently, among the seven Palace Masters, Shuiyun Palace holds great power and has a musical assistant, Le Yin. If the Immortal Palace attaches itself, it would be mere icing on the cake, and surely subject to Le Yin's constraints, which I'm sure Lord Smile wouldn't want, being subordinate to others."

"But Shuangli Palace is different. Shuangli Palace is wise and valorous, employs people without doubt, enjoys great support from students and trust from the court. More importantly, she also has a desire to make grand achievements, unlike Shuiyun Palace, which is merely a puppet of Le Yin! Her assistant Niruo is indifferent to power, ensuring the Immortal Palace would surely gain Shuangli Palace's favor and trust once they join, and currently, Shuangli Palace's power slightly lags Shuiyun Palace. The Immortal Palace choosing to attach to Shuangli Palace would be like providing help in dire need, ensuring that Shuangli Palace will be deeply grateful for the Immortal Palace's kindness!"

"This is my perspective as a mere student; I am not a supporter of Shuiyun Palace or Shuangli Palace, but based on my analysis, right now, the Immortal Palace choosing to ally with Shuangli Palace is definitely the most cost-effective choice!"

Mere student, my foot!

Goodness, Le Yin was speechless.

At most, he intended to have everyone reap the benefits from the Immortal Palace, but Ming Shuangli actually wants to take over the Immortal Palace altogether, and her argument makes a lot of sense. Even Le Yin himself wished he could pledge loyalty to Shuangli Palace immediately.

This move, this move is like Ming Shuangli borrowing vinegar from the Immortal Palace to eat crabs.

Truly, the bolder the person, the greater the yield from the land.

Le Yin even felt that if it weren't for him in the sword-seeking struggle, the emperor's position might have long been taken by Ming Shuangli. She's like Cha Huan, a brilliant star no matter where she is. Even if she never ascends the throne, she is destined to shine brightly one day.

The basement fell silent, with Smile seemingly contemplating the feasibility of Ming Shuangli's proposals. Le Yin was instantly anxious: aside from the massive boost in power for Ming Shuangli from the Immortal Palace, just the fact that she could indirectly control the Blood Essence Stone would give her an advantage in the second game, surpassing Ming Shuiyun in reverse.

Previously, he thought it was Niruo carrying Ming Shuangli along, but now, it seems that Niruo had actually latched onto Ming Shuangli's coattails!

Amidst the silence, footsteps suddenly echoed from the passage.

"Apologies, I'm late." A cloaked figure, having changed his voice with no distinguishing features shown, even squinting his eyes to avoid eye contact, walked into the basement and quietly sat at the back. Yet everyone looked at him with expressions of surprise, revealing emotions of fear, awe, confusion, and amusement.

Indeed, in the entire Imperial Academy, only one person would dress in such an extraordinarily eccentric fashion.