"My name is Lin Ke, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect."

After this simple introduction, the quirky girl found a seat and sat down as if it were her own cave abode.

It was as though this place was no different from her own home.

"So, it’s Fellow Daoist Lin." Fang Yun remained standing and asked, "What brings you here, Fellow Daoist Lin?"

"Oh, it’s nothing much. I just came to have a look at a cultivator from the Celestial Cloud Sect. I have to say, I’m quite surprised to find you’re only at the late-stage of Foundation Establishment, not even the peak."

Lin Ke was speaking frankly; it had never occurred to her that Fang Yun’s cultivation was only at the late-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Aside from Fang Yun, all the other cultivators heading to the "Land of No Master" Secret Realm were at the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

"A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from a Core Formation Influence took the place of one of our Purple Mist Sect’s Peak Foundation Establishment Inner Sect Disciples for the trip to the ’Land of No Master’ Secret Realm. It would be one thing if you were at the peak, but you’re only at the late stage. Fang Yun, how do you think that makes *him* feel?"

"Fellow Daoist Lin..." Upon hearing this, something clicked for Fang Yun. "The Inner Sect Disciple from the Purple Mist Sect you’re talking about... don’t tell me it’s you?"

"As if! My strength ranks in the top three among the Inner Sect Disciples. Even if your Celestial Cloud Sect sent another person, they couldn’t take my spot."

Lin Ke’s reaction was quite vehement, but judging by her expression, she wasn’t lying.

’When she says top three, she probably means she’s ranked third.’

At this point, Fang Yun had a pretty good idea of the situation.

"Oh, I see. You’re here to warn me, Fellow Daoist Lin. The Inner Sect Disciple from the Purple Mist Sect whose spot I took is going to come challenge me to some Magical Combat to test my strength, right?"

Fang Yun voiced his thoughts. He wasn’t the least bit surprised by this turn of events.

’The five slots for the "Land of No Master" Secret Realm must be incredibly important. If you get in and do well, the potential rewards are bound to be immense.’

"You’re partially right. He did have that idea at first, but after he learned from the Elder that you were chosen because of your superior concealment techniques—that your strength was a secondary concern—he dropped it."

Strength was only secondary, so even if he won a contest of strength, it wouldn’t change anything.

Unless he could beat Fang Yun’s concealment techniques.

’Hearing this, it was clear that the concealment techniques of that Purple Mist Sect disciple, the one who was supposed to be the fifth member, must be mediocre at best.’

Fang Yun was mentally analyzing the information Lin Ke had just given him.

"So, Fang Yun, how about you show me your concealment techniques?" Lin Ke said, finally revealing her reason for coming.

"Alright."

It wasn’t an unreasonable request, so Fang Yun agreed without hesitation.

A moment later, he activated the concealment effect of his Half-Hidden Spirit Boots.

He didn’t activate the effect to its maximum all at once, but slowly ramped it up. There was no need to display its full power, as the initial levels of concealment were already more than sufficient.

Since Fang Yun was currently standing still, the Half-Hidden Spirit Boots only needed to sustain their concealment effect. This consumed very little Spiritual Power, which further enhanced his stealth.

When moving quickly, the effect also had to mask the fluctuations of his Spiritual Power. Fortunately, Fang Yun didn’t consume much Spiritual Power even when moving at high speeds. Under normal Spiritual Power consumption, the concealment effect would have been far weaker.

"His aura is gone."

Lin Ke stared at Fang Yun, who stood right in front of her, yet she couldn’t sense his aura or even the slightest fluctuation of Spiritual Power.

The next moment, she pushed her perception to its absolute limit.

But she still couldn’t perceive Fang Yun’s presence. She could only see him standing there, motionless. At their level of cultivation, unless one trained in a Tong Technique, one’s eyes were of limited use in combat.

Perception and Divine Sense were what truly mattered.

If you couldn’t perceive an enemy’s presence and your Divine Sense couldn’t detect them, they could be standing right behind you and you wouldn’t even know it.

Next, she released her Divine Sense. Lin Ke had assumed that at such a close range, she would surely be able to lock onto Fang Yun’s presence. But even as her Divine Sense swept over him, she found nothing.

’This concealment technique...’

Lin Ke nodded, a silent declaration that Fang Yun had passed her test.

’His concealment technique is truly superior. No wonder the Elder recommended having this Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Celestial Cloud Sect replace the weakest member of our group of five.’

Lin Ke got up and started to walk closer to Fang Yun.

Once she was within a certain range, she was finally able to sense a faint trace of Fang Yun’s aura.

"I can sense it from here."

Fang Yun looked down, speechless, at the top of the quirky girl’s head.

’This close... you could probably smell me...’

After this silent jab, Fang Yun looked up, his expression unchanged.

After putting some distance between herself and Fang Yun, Lin Ke left without so much as a word of farewell.

Fang Yun just shook his head. After sealing the stone door to his cave abode, he once again entered a state of cultivation.

During his twenty-some days of cultivation at the Purple Mist Sect, aside from this little interlude, no other Inner Sect Disciples came looking for him.

「The ninth day of the ninth month.」

Ruan Hanfan arrived once more.

"Senior Ruan."

"Fang Yun, how have you been during your time here at the Purple Mist Sect?"

"Very good," Fang Yun answered with two words.

Ruan Hanfan nodded, the pleasantries concluded.

"Come with me. It’s time to assemble and head to the place where the ’Land of No Master’ Secret Realm is opening."

"Yes."

Fang Yun’s temporary cave abode was located in a relatively remote area within the Purple Mist Sect.