Chapter 408: The Beginning of Chaos

In the villa's stairway, Wang Xiaomiao hurriedly dragged the disheveled Xi Lian to the third floor.

Xi Lian was utterly confused. Before she even knew what was happening, Xiaomiao had already dragged her into the bedroom. Dazed, she sat on the bed and stared blankly as the young girl rushed about.

"Xiaomiao, what are you doing?"

"I need someone to listen to me. Big Sister, tell me if my logical reasoning has any flaws."

"Oh, sure."

Xi Lian stretched lazily. She raised her left leg onto the edge of the bed and rested her chin on her knee, watching Xiaomiao scribble and sketch on the virtual screen that she had projected from her phone. First, she drew a large circle.

"This circle represents the cultivation world."

"

Mm!

"

She then drew a square overlapping the bottom of the circle. "This represents the three special departments closely tied to our cultivation world: the Special Investigation Unit, the Special Affairs Unit, and the Special Warfare Unit! The entire screen stands for this planet!

"The square symbolizes official authority and represents order and structure. The square pressing into the circle shows how the government restrains the cultivation world, preventing it from moving freely."

Xi Lian blinked. "I get the logic, but what's this for?"

"You haven't been watching the news, have you? The atmosphere feels tense lately. I think someone's weaving a massive net behind the scenes, but I still don't know what kind of fish they're trying to catch."

Xiaomiao enlarged the main image and began drawing several smaller circles within the large one, dividing the square into four colored sections.

"This blue circle represents the Daoist sects, which are the greatest powers in the cultivation world since they have their own heritages. There's also the Hidden Earth Sect, which is as strong as a mid-tier Daoist heritage. Since they have the Small Nether Realm and an immortal among them, their circle takes up about a third of the cultivation world. I've colored it gray and overlapped it slightly with the Daoist sects'.

"What remains of the cultivation world represents all the other independent cultivators."

Xi Lian's curiosity was piqued. She murmured softly as she watched Xiaomiao's sketches become increasingly complex. Before long, the once simple diagram had been split into dozens of sections, each marked with a different color.

Xi Lian groaned softly and flopped backward onto the bed, spreading her arms wide. "My head's about to explode, Xiaomiao. What are you even doing? Just tell me what you're trying to say."

Wang Xiaomiao bit on her fingernails while staring at the projected image and making constant adjustments. "I'm trying to figure out what's been going on recently."

A few minutes passed. Finally, she snapped her fingers and nodded in satisfaction at the densely filled virtual screen.

"This roughly shows the normal order of the cultivation world. Now, let's add in the major incidents from the past two years. We'll see who suffered losses, who benefited, and who'll benefit from them in the future."

She ran to grab a few sheets of draft paper and began scribbling again.

Xi Lian watched absentmindedly for a while before giggling. "Little Miaomiao, if you ever become a teacher, your students won't understand a single thing you write on the board."

"

Aiya,

my handwriting's just a little messy." Wang Xiaomiao pouted and stomped. "You made me lose my train of thought, Big Sister. I'll have to start over."

"Alright, alright. I'll be your faithful audience."

Wang Xiaomiao turned back to the virtual screen and added more notes.

"

Hmm...

The first incident was the ambush that the corrupt cultivators launched outside the southern border. The Special Warfare Unit suffered losses, but the one who apologized and took a hit in reputation was the Special Investigation Unit.

"Then came the counterattack. The cultivation world achieved a bitter victory, but every Daoist sect lost people. The investigation unit's credibility was further questioned. Although the intel is incomplete, someone's clearly targeting them.

"If I were the one scheming behind the scenes, I'd start pressuring them. The more pressure they face from above and from the sides, the easier it becomes for cracks to form within."

Xi Lian suddenly raised her hand.

"

Mm?

"

"Reporting in, Strategist Xiaomiao! I have some intel to share! I heard it while gaming with some friends!"

Xiaomiao waved her hand. "Go on."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Xi Lian scurried forward to jot down a few lines at the edge of the screen. She then jumped back onto the bed and sat upright like a duck, watching Wang Xiaomiao's "performance" intently.

Xiaomiao frowned as she read what Xi Lian had written. The information roughly described how the Special Investigation Unit had been subjected to political pressure.

"If this is accurate, it matches my deductions. The unit must be facing enormous pressure and may soon see personnel changes in the higher-ups."

Crossing her arms, Xiaomiao stepped back against the wall, studying the chaotic diagram she had drawn.

Xi Lian chuckled. "Don't overthink it. It's just a bunch of mortals fighting over fame and fortune, trying to squeeze each other out. It has nothing to do with us."

"It does," Wang Xiaomiao replied seriously. "Right now, the Special Investigation Unit is being audited for the unequal distribution of cultivation resources. If something serious is uncovered, your monthly allowance could be cut significantly."

Xi Lian's eyes widened. "Really? Then I fully support the Special Investigation Unit! Chi Ling's their captain, right? She's quite capable, isn't she?"

"My brother's mistress was promoted long ago. She still works there, but she's no longer in charge; she only oversees things." Xiaomiao's expression darkened slightly. "Until tonight, I thought this was just internal conflict among the three special departments, with some people pulling strings, using connections, even going so far as to orchestrate the southern border incident and leak intelligence.

"The mastermind behind these events has a clear goal: to create the current situation. With the investigation unit facing criticism from both the higher-ups and the Daoist sects, the authority over cultivation affairs can then be shifted... or transferred."

Xi Lian tilted her head. "Transferred to where?"

Xiaomiao looked across the projected screen until her gaze landed on one spot. She zoomed in on it. "To the Special Affairs Unit! Look, Big Sister! The Special Affairs Unit and the Special Investigation Unit are on the same level. In principle, the former handles crime prevention among cultivators, while the latter handles the aftermath once something does happen. Their responsibilities overlap in many areas.

"If the Special Investigation Unit is under review and something truly incriminating is found, the Special Affairs Unit's influence will grow even greater. The Special Investigation Unit's leaders probably didn't even cause the leak. It could just as easily be from the equally powerful Special Affairs Unit. That would explain several of the logical contradictions we've seen."

Xi Lian simply nodded thoughtfully, letting the girl ponder further.

Soon, Xiaomiao began mumbling to herself.

"There's a thirty percent chance that someone in the Special Investigation Unit is stirring up trouble and a sixty percent chance that the Special Affairs Unit is trying to squeeze them out. The remaining ten percent is probably just carelessness at work..." She clapped her hands together. "Case solved!"

Softly, Xi Lian muttered, "What's their purpose, though? A power struggle? The Special Affairs Unit and the Special Investigation Unit are just government departments. They hardly have full authority in decision-making. Besides, I heard that even the high-ranking officials who rise from the three special departments can only work within the police system."

Xiaomiao shrugged and thought for a moment. In a quieter tone, she replied, "This can be about money, benefits, or frame and prestige. It could also be about the sense of superiority that comes with authority.

"Wait, no... None of those reasons seems strong enough to justify the risks and resources required to orchestrate such a massive situation. It doesn't make sense. You're right, Big Sister. They probably have another goal."

She stared at the screen in front of her, her expression growing grim.

"I think I got it. Tell me if this makes sense, Big Sister."

Xi Lian immediately gave her full attention. "Alright, go ahead. I'm listening."

Xiaomiao breathed in lightly. "Whether as participants or observers, I think this entire situation has made everyone focus on the Special Investigation Unit and the Special Affairs Unit, ignoring the root of the issue."

"Which is?"

Xiaomiao pointed to the center of the screen. "Our cultivation world. The Investigation Unit has an undeniable influence over it. If the schemer's goal is even more ambitious than just having the Special Affairs Unit surpass the Special Investigation Unit or seize its authority, then they have to be deeply connected to our cultivation world.

"Just a moment ago, I read a report that the Hidden Earth Sect has closed its mountain for ten years, concealing itself with a grand formation."

Xi Lian couldn't help but counter, "The Hidden Earth Sect literally has the word 'hidden' in its name. Isn't hiding normal for them?"

Xiaomiao shook her head. "The problem is timing. They did it right when the Special Investigation Unit's influence over the cultivation world began to weaken. Think about it carefully, Big Sister. What's the most direct consequence of severing contact with the outside world?"

"It's... I don't know."

"Here's a hint. When my brother was in grave danger last time, who was it that appeared in Europe and suppressed his enemy?"

Xi Lian finally understood. "Lady Meng!"

"Exactly. Since we no longer have any contact with the Small Nether Realm, Lady Meng won't be informed if our cultivation world suffers a great upheaval. That means the sword hanging over our cultivation world's head has silently been removed. If we link this event with the rest, it's clear that the schemer intends to make a move against the cultivation world right at this critical moment."

Xi Lian rubbed her temples. "And then?"

"Since I only have limited information, all I can do is analyze the possible outcomes based on the consequences of this incident." Biting her lower lip, Xiaomiao fell deep into thought again. She slowly continued, "Right now, the cultivation world as a whole is stable. The major Daoist heritages don't have external enemies and aren't suffering from internal conflict, making it hard to cause any major upheaval.

"If so, then the schemer has to be relying on four forces that exist outside the balance that the major Daoist heritages maintain. The first is Lady Meng and the Hidden Earth Sect. The second is the fifteen grand elders who committed crimes long ago. The third is still unknown to most people: the Shu Sword Sect and the sword spirit of the Wenqu Star's sword.

"The fourth is composed of the three Daoist masters[1] ranked near the top of the Heavenly Rankings, including my brother. You, an unstable half-immortal fox cultivator, are also part of the fourth, Big Sister. Each of these four forces is strong enough to shake the cultivation world and alter its balance."

Xi Lian froze for a moment, then slowly nodded. "That makes a lot of sense."

"That's why I've been thinking about bringing my brother back first... Forget it." Xiaomiao pressed her lips together, then looked intently at Xi Lian. "Now, the first of those external forces has withdrawn, while the third hasn't gained enough influence yet. Our group, the fourth, hasn't done anything at all,

right,

Big Sister?"

"Of course. I spend all day gaming. How could I possibly be scheming behind the scenes?" Xi Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry that Xiaomiao would suspect even her.

"Since the Hidden Earth Sect has sealed its mountain and removed the immortal's deterrence, then the most likely to act next is clearly the second group: those ancient criminals. They have every reason to. Despite being powerful Rebirth Realm or Tribulation Realm cultivators, they were all confined. No matter how you look at it, they probably harbor resentment.

"The schemer has to have secretly made contact with them. After all, both sides stand to gain from this situation. The criminals want to regain their freedom and status in the cultivation world. The schemer wants the power of the cultivation world to influence the secular world and fulfill their grand ambition.

"Yes, that has to be it! The Special Affairs Unit has been proposing for years to let those ancient cultivators take action!"

Xiaomiao clenched her small fists and began pacing back and forth. Quickly, she added, "Their next move, the most crucial one, is to help those criminals escape. The most direct way to do that is to create circumstances where our nation has no other choice but to rely on those ancient cultivators. What could force the government's hand, though? What kind..."

Xiaomiao froze as realization dawned on her. She turned pale and trembled slightly.

"To make the fourth group, the one that surpasses the cultivation world's balance, threaten both the cultivation world and the secular world using... a Grand Immortal-Ascension Realm immortal with devilish nature."

Confused, Xi Lian blinked and pointed at her own nose. "You mean me?"

Xiaomiao rushed to the bedside. She anxiously shouted, "Go find my brother and the others, Big Sister! Hurry! No, wait, go to the Shu Sword Sect instead! Now! If we stay here any longer, it'll be too late! The mastermind behind all this has to have planned this far ahead. When the Hidden Earth Sect sealed its mountain, they might have already begun!"

Xi Lian frowned slightly and was about to speak when her expression suddenly darkened. She leaped from the bed, grabbed Xiaomiao, and darted toward the window with incredible speed. Simultaneously, the villa's foundation collapsed. A perfectly round pit appeared beside the lake, swallowing the entire building.

Xi Lian's brow furrowed slightly as she scanned her surroundings. She usually only spread her spiritual perception about three hundred meters around the villa. However, when she spread it fully, she immediately sensed numerous auras surging in from every direction, sealing off all possible escape routes.

Even above them, dozens of fiery lights streaked across the sky like falling stars.

"There are so many cultivators," Xi Lian whispered. "At least three or four hundred."

"I don't know where all these cultivators came from, but their goal is to force you into devilry. No matter what happens, Big Sister, don't let them succeed," Xiaomiao whispered back as she clung tightly to Xi Lian, burying her head in her embrace. "If we can make it to the Shu Sword Sect, we can count this as a victory."

"Got it," Xi Lian replied coolly. "These people really underestimate me!"

At that moment, two faint auras emerged from the giant pit below and coiled around her. Xi Lian's faintly mocking smile disappeared instantly.

"Tribulation Realm? I thought they were supposed to be under a restriction? Oh well, disciples of the Celestial Master Sect really aren't as reliable as they claim to be."

1. Probably referring to Wang Sheng, Mu Wanxuan, and Qing Yanzi. ☜